Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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14 THE ACORN sires it for their children. Actual experience has verified the opinion that attachments arising from coeducation are the exceptions rather than the rule; and when they do take place they do no more disqualify these students for intellectual efforts than the same pure and generous passions, when they arise in later periods, disqualify them for the active duties or life. Instead we often find that such attachments have proved to be a new and mighty impulse, urging on to the highest achievements. Another objection against co-education has been: That the delicate glory and charm of woman would be lost, If for a period of four years the two sexes should meet on equal terms in the class-room; in short, that such a contact would make the young woman mannish. We need, however, do no more than to compare the oriental woman who is excluded from all company and association with men—except. perhaps, that of a brutal husband,— with the young woman of our republic, who freely mingle with the opposite sex without restraint, to be convinced that such fears are purely imaginary. The striking contrast which this comparison presents, speaks highly in favor of woman’s rights and freedom. Yea it not only favors the freedom and rights of woman, but it verifies strongly our claim that the two sexes cannot be educated apart without serious loss. The establishment of separate schools was a declaration of war against nature, and the continuation of them is fighting for a bad cause. In the nature of things boys and girls should be trained up together. God has created the two sexes, each dependent upon the other, and neither of them complete without the other; and since they are to live together as man and woman they need to be taught their true relationship. They are together In the family and mingle in society, not only without harm, but to their mutual advantage.—Why not in College? A third fruit of co-education might be classified under the opportunities which it offers the student of forming a just conception of the real nature and true value of the opposite sex. In the class-room the young man and the young woman appear what they are. A brainless cheap-corner cigaret smoking dude, who might be attractive to a young girl at an evening party, loses his charm on her where his inferiority in the class-room is exposed. And a frivolous girl cannot long attract an ambitious scholarly boy who meets her day after day in the class-room and sees her helplessness there. The chances for young men and young women to form a true conception of the opposite sex, are nowhere better than in coeducational schools. And, as a matter of fact, fewer cases of scandal and run-away matches are known to have oecured in mixed than in separate schools. Jonas Larson, 'll. CRYSTAL LAKE. in and out among the small capes and promontories my little bark was drifting, guided only by a single paddle when the gently flowing tide brought it in direct contact with a projecting log. The water in some places was slightly disturbed, while in other places n perfect calm reign- ed supreme. How like unto life this was! Some times, life's tide is gentle and again at times, very agitated. Just where my canoe was now the waters were squalid and gave one a feeling of misery and shame. A few strokes with my paddle soon

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THE ACORN 13 hut overcome by anger and fear he dropped upon the ground, powerless. The mother stooped over her child. Being a typical frontier woman she did not loose her nerve, but began to look around. The experienced mother's eye soon saw and understood. Constance soon revived from her swoon and then her father came and helped to carry Gerald into the house. The blood was washed off from his face and soon signs of life appeared. The father and mother now returned to the garden. Here a beautiful sight greeted them. Jack sat on the bench and in his lap sat Constance, softly stroking his hair. An honest confession had been made and there was now a mutual understanding. The very same night a telegram arrived calling Gerald to the West. And thus went on file another story in Dan Cupids large library. —Joel Burkman ’ll. NATURE. 'Plie snow has disappeared, the birds are here Once more to cheer us with their happy song. O'er nil the world their notes ring clear, We wonder where they've been the winter long. Winds blow the dark and heavy clouds about, To pour the rain o'er barren fields below, And signal to the sleeping buds to sprout As Nature wills that they should live and grow. The grass shoots forth, most everywhere we see Old Mother Earth’s green carpet being wove In colors blended most exquisitely, And harmonizing with the sky above. Henry G. Thunell, ’12. IS CO-EDUCATION DESIRABLE? Co-education is no longer an obscure theory: it has been tried on an extensive scale and proved beneficial. No institution, so far as we know, that has tried the co-educational system has ever abandoned it. This in itself ought to he sufficient to convince the majority of its superiority to ncii-coeducation. It is true that there are many and apparently mighty arguments against co-education, but a careful and candid study of the subject will surely reveal that they are theoretical and imaginary and not consistent with practical experience. A first fruit of co-education is a created tendency towards urging the student on towards greatest exertions in his school work. It is a common argument against co-education, that the students, as a rule, being at an age when they are especially susceptible to the tender passions, arc liable to become absorbed in each other to the neglect of study. Actual experience however does not uphold these views. Before young men and young women meet on equal terms in the class-room, they freely mingle in society, with benefit to both sexes. As soon as their college life is over they once more meet without restraint. And such is the beneficial influence of their polite intercourse that every thoughtful and judicious parent de-

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THE ACORN 15 brought me into pure, transparent water again, and when 1 stooped over the edge of the boat to gaze into the deep, 1 was amazed by the perfectness of the image 1 saw reflected in the water. Up to this time I had been in the shade and was just now coming out to whe:e the lake broadened considerably. Here the placid water was kissed by the dancing sunbeams which seemed to urge the sparkling spirits to join their dance. My eyes were almost blinded with this brilliant sight. As I looked across to the opposite shore I saw how beautiful and green it was. and I set out at once to cross the sea of diamonds to the green shady shore opposite me. The water in the middle must have been quite deep, for 1 could not sec bottom, nor could I touch it with my short paddle. 1 thought, as I skimmed lightly over the smooth surface, of the many who have been folded into the bosom of the deep, where only the profound silence and oblivion heard their terrified screams. No one knows how many have found their graves in the depth of just this lake whose extreme benutiy tried to cover its possible guilt. My meditation now ended as 1 had reached the shore. The water was very shallow and the bottom was covered with pearly pebbles and shells. Here in the cool shade the pure white water lilies were abundant, and their large Hat pads served as docks for the froggies, which sitting upon them seemed to wonder if I had come to disturb the peaceful calm or their home. Cecelia Karlen, T3. GAME LAWS AND GAME PROTECTED IN MINNESOTA For several years past, the enforcement of criminal laws of all kinds In this state has been entrusted to sheriffs, constables and the police. Up to 1850 this method proved satisfactory until the question of the preservation of game in Minnesota was made a matter of legislation and was acted upon favorably. The men at the head or the state affairs saw that something had to be done to prevent the extinction of the various species of wild animals, birds and fish which inhabited the great lorests, plains, rivers and lakes cf our state. Accordingly a commission was established for the protection of game in Minnesota in the year 1S52. Since the establishement of state offices and departments for the protection or game and fish, the position of warden has assumed an important and dignifiel place amongst state offices. The duties of a warden whether he is in charge of a state or a small area is practically the same. He has the same rights as a sheriff, although he has most of the time to go searching about to find evidence af lawbreaking where a sheriff docs not. This is a very precarious piece of business, and is enhanced with many dangers. During the open season for game his time is spent in examining shipments at the railroad centers and if it is a large center it requires much night work. The deputy wardens are then scouring the woods and keeping the hunters in constant dread or detection, that is, If they have broken the law. The warden also confiscates guns, traps and game and holds auction sales of all contraband goods. When an offender has escaped into another state he procures the proper requisition papers and goes to bring back the fugitive. A game warden also acts as an educator, giving the farmers information concerning game, and distributes standard books on the different species.