Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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 1923 — The Bethannual 1923 s “Say, they arc not monkey cages.” “I didn’t say so. I guess I can send back a stuffed monkey, can't I ?” “But tell me, wasn’t the Junior-Senior banquet a great success, though? A lot of good tilings to eat The room was so pretty and the speeches were just fine. At least I thought so.” “It sure was. But do you folks all realize that Commencement will be here in a few days, and then we will be no more at Bethel.” “How sad! But why do they call it Commencement? Oh, you know tliat is because we have just got started doing something. Don’t you think, though, that after all the Itard work and study, we have had a splendid time these four years at Bethel?” “We sure have.” And then all was still. The clock ticked on, the hands going round counting the time wltcn another class would pass from the halls of Bethel. Senior Class Prophecy A beautiful touring car rolled up the Park Boulevard in the fashionable suburbs of Chicago. The charming woman at the wheel turned her car into the broad driveway leading to a spacious mansion, the center of a perfect fairyland of shrubbery. As she stepped lightly from her car, she spied in the hammock, gently swinging beneath the tall trees, a white figure, deeply engrossed in the pages of a book. The sound of her step on the walk attracted the attention of the reader, an in an instant she was on her feet and coming toward her. “Why—Elsie Hag-berg! If this isn’t the surprise of my life. We heard your ship was delayed. When did you arrive?” “Oh, Em, you can’t imagine how delighted I am to be back. Our ship was delayed in Honolulu, but our party was so eager to get back to America that we transferred there to the RS4 Northern Air Route and arrived in Chicago yesterday morning.” “I’m so glad you did; your letters have been exceedingly short and I have been so anxious to hear all about your trip abroad.” Saying this, Emma put her arm about her friend’s waist and drew her into the hammock beside her. Thus they conversed for a few minutes when Elsie suddenly asked, “Do you know why I was especially anxious to be with you today? Do you realize it is just twenty years ago today since we graduated from Bethel Academy?” “Do I? I’ve been thinking about it all day. Just look at this.” She held up a book. “Why, if it isn’t our dear old ’23 Bethannual.” Elsie exclaimed, taking the book and turning the pages. “Say, can you imagine who our aviator was on RS4? None other than Elmer Cain. I was so suprised to learn that this line is owned by Allan Munson. Elmer. I understand, is manager of the flying corps.” “Well, I am not at all surprized at that.” Emma replied; “he always was a flighty sort of a chap.” “Oh, yes,” Elsie went on excitedly, “and I met so many of the others on my trip. The first person I saw, when I boarded the Savannah at New York, was Rudolph Dahlquist on his way back to Africa. I had no idea lie was going back so soon, but it seems that his great work in the Sudan Hospital was irresistibly urging him back. And, you know, he told me Eugene Dolph was coming to help him in a few months, as soon as he could lie relieved of his responsibility as Superintendent of Bellevue Hospital, New York City. And that wasn't all. either. One day when we were prominading the deck, we bumped into the Captain of the ship, and—can you imagine—it was Harold Lindholm. After a rather checkered career he has finally settled down to the life of a roving sea Captain.” “Well, isn't that strange. Oh. Elsie, I’ve got a real, sure enough surprise Page 25

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( ) 1923 — The Bethannual — 1923 iiiititliiilliii iitiittiiiMiiitittiiciiiiiiiiiMttHiiiiii Jiiiiiiiu tiiiiiitiitisniiit t:iMt iii£B:t:ii«iiiiiiiiiBiiiniinii nun mi iiiiiiniciniiniiiHiiiili iimmir tiniBiiiiu m Yes, and my, but it was dark when we first came into the chapel. And all of a sudden, bang! And the lights went on.” “What made the bang?” “Oh, two pans were knocked together.” And do you remember how sorry we felt at tltc end of the first semester?” “No, we don't. What for?” “It was because we were denied our semester’s examinations, so we couldn't show the teachers how much we knew. This was on account of the ‘flew’ epidemic. “Ila, ha, ha, that's pretty good. I had forgotten all about that. Here comes Elizabeth. Hello, Elizabeth! Glad to sec you. Hotter late than never.” “Hello, folks! I sure am glad I could come, even if it is late.” We liave been talking about tire time we were Ereshies.” It certainly is interesting. Isn't it?” Yes, it sure it. Listen, Betty, you tell us about that time we Freshmen had a party with the Seniors.” Oh, yes! The Juniors, Sophomores and Commercials tried to take our refreshments, but they made a mistake and took the Seniors’ ice cream instead. I remember they were told they better learn the 'Golden Rule’ and The Ten Commandments’.” For goodness sake, folks, don’t forget that last social we had, when we treated all the rest of the school.” Oh, yes, and the ice cream gave out. That sure was a good joke. We gave them pie a la mode and coffee.” “Art, you haven't talked much for a while. We can’t think of anything else that liap-pened during the Freshman year.” “Why, people, don’t you remember that awful fuss we had deciding about that tree we were to plant? Some of the class wanted an umbrella tree that would look artistic, you know. And otlters wanted an oak tree that would look sturdy, as strength and dignity was really the least that could be expected from such a class. The greater number wanted an oak tree, and we got it. Now, some of you folks were not among us when we were Freshmen, but came with us into our Sophomore class. What do you remember about the Sopliomorc year? Gladys, you ought to remember, you were Secretary.” “Oh, there was little that happened the Sophomore year. Henry Joluison was our President and Edith Palm our Vice President. One of our programs was an extemporaneous affair. And it was interesting to note what a bright class we really had. Another social we will never forget, was the one we had with the Junior class. It was at tliis time tliat no class members were recognized, but many cliaractcrs of times past, from all over the world, honored Bethel Academy with their presence. Wild cowboys, aristocratic old maids carrying smelling salts and pet cats, tramps, haughty men of high social standing, old women from Sweden and young belles of tlic eighteenth century, joined in rendering a splendid program. “Yes, and there was an accident that occurcd to one of our members during the second year. Don’t you remember, Gladys?” No, I don’t. ’Fritz’ received a slight injury to his head by falling backwards in his chair, bumping his head upon a radiator. However, he quickly recovered.” “And I remember how Harold always used to go around and say, ‘You tell ’em, the Sophomores know’.” “But the Junior year wasn't extraordinarily exciting either, only when we won all the declamatory and oratorical contests, and debates. How excited we used to be.” “The Juniors were there all right when it came to speaking, no one can deny that.” “And then there was the Junior-Senior banquet. That was a grand affair, at least that was what the Seniors said.” Yes, and then there was that feeling tliat next year we would be Seniors and it would be the last year. And we thought tluit would Ik a great thing.” “But it really doesn’t seem the way I thought it would, to be a Senior. I have enjoyed this year immensely, but even so, it lias been much like the rest. We have had to deal with English IV, and have failed to find it as hard as the Seniors of last year tried to toll us.” “Even so. it lias been continually doing things for the last time, and it lias made me rather sad.” Say, but tluit last Senior party was sonic corker. Oh! Gene, but you make a swell girl. And Elvira, my, but you were a sight.” I don’t care, I enjoy liard-timc parties once in a while. You can have some tun without thinking you arc going to mess your dress, anyhow.” “What do you think about the gift we are going to give the school? I think that those two museum cases are just the thing.” “They certainly arc, Dick. Now, we will have to send back some things to add to those Bethel already lias, to put in them.” “Oh, yes, 1 am going to send back a monkey from Africa.” Pnge 24

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 1923 siiimui iitnimMiiiNaiiaiiiur The Bethannual—1923 for you tonight. Emma rescinded with dancing eyes. “Well. Emma Mossherg Denhv. what on earth can it be? You look so delightfully mischievous.” “Well, just wait: you'll find out soon enough. But. come on. let's take a walk alxnit the grounds: it’s almost dinner time. Did you meet any of the others on your trip?” “Oh. ves. you know I visited Thor a Loman while in Paris. You know her husband is the American Ambassador to France, and then. too. while 1 was there I met Philip Turn wall and Ragnar Bergren. They were just returning from a trip through the Holy Land. Philip has charge of a large Church in Texas now, and I understand he certainly has made a success of his work. And. as for Reg. of course, you know the wonderful work he has been doing as a sky pilot in Alaska.” “Yes. I did hear of that. Emma replied; “I wonder why Reg never married? By the way. did you notice in the Tribune alxnit Alvin Pearson’s marriage to Dorothy Donaldson, the world’s tennis champion. I understand he has made quite a success as a chemist at the Federal Laboratories in Washington. D. C.” “No. I didn’t know that. Well, well! T haven’t had time to look at a papier since 1 got back. Blit, speaking of surprises, it was in Paris, too. that wc had a real thrill. Thora had invited us to go with her to a concert given by Sousa's band, which was making its annual world tour. Can you imagine our utter amazement to find the director to be none other than Elvera Edstani. Do you remember the Spinster Club Band, which she directed during her Senior year at Bethel?” “Yes. 1 do,” Emma exclaimed. “Who could forget it? How little we realized that this was the first round of the ladder upon which she would rise to international fame.” Thus conversing, they strolled about the beautiful grounds for some time. As they were returning, a group of six approached the house from the opi osite gate, talking and laughing gaily. Elsie opened her eyes in surprise, while her companion ran eagerly forward to greet her guests. Mrs. Denby had promised Elsie a surprise, but this far exceeded her expectations. For here were six of her former Bethel classmates, older and more mature, to lie sure, but it was evident that they had not lost the genial, happy spirit that characterized them in ’23. It was a distinguished group, for it was composed of an eminent Chicago physician. Dr. Arvid Hedberg: the pastor of one of Chicago’s largest churches. Rev. Richard Hoiland; the Dean of Women in Chicago University. Emma Johnson; and the President of the Woman’s City Welfare League. Vinnettc Carlson. It was, indeed, a joyous and informal meeting of old friends. “You were certainly very kind. Mrs. Denby. for asking us to come out here today.” Dick liegan in his usual jovial manner, “but I think this crowd owes me a vote of thanks for the presence of ‘Inky’; I ran across him at the Radisson today. Permit me. folks, to introduce to you the Hon. Mel ford Olson. President of the National Bccman’s Association.” “Well, don’t claim all the credit. Dick.” Vinnette interrupted. I spent a whole hour this evening waiting for ‘Camie’ to get through coaching her athletic team of the ‘U.’ so I could bring her out. “Well, at any rate I am so glad you arc here. Emma exclaimed in her usual enthusiastic manner. “If only you had brought the other twenty-three while you were about it! But come on. folks, dinner is waiting.” and she led the way into an inviting dining room. “Yes. but just think how impossible that would be. Dr. Hedberg said. “I wonder where we all arc anyway. By the way. while on my western trip. I met Edith. Palm in Seattle. She was on her way back to the Philippine Islands, where she and Gladys Rundquist have charge of a large school for girls. 1 understand it’s quite a wonderful work. Girls do surprise you sometimes, don’t they?”. Page 26