Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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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 Emma rescinded with dancing eyes.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

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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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“So you will finally admit it. Arvid?” laughed Elsie. “I remember you used to speak rather disparagingly of girls’ abilities and accomplishments.” “I must confess I am forced to admit it. when 1 can’t even pick up a daily newspaper without finding some reference to your work at the Dramatic Conservatory. I wonder if you realize you are getting to be quite famous.” “That reminds me of Ethel Skoglund.” exclaimed Emma Johnson. “Have you folks heard of her great work. She has l ccn causing quite a commotion in China by her agitation for better schools for girls. And. unless I miss my guess, she’ll get them. too. And Minnie Carlson, too; I noticed an item in the Christian Work the other day which says she had taken charge of the Keejdwa Kindergarten in Central Africa. Isn’t that wonderful?” “Yes, and isn’t it strange.” Caniie exclaimed; “I just had a letter from Jx : Thompson the other day. She is collecting specimens for the London Historical Society. She was rather elated over the fact that she had just found a new species of queer birds. And Archie Vetter is out there, too. He lias been aj -pointed by the government to superintend the conservation of Australia’s natural resources.” “Well. said Inky. “I ran across a couple of Bcthclitcs just the other day. When I was in Washington. D. C.. I visited a session of the Senate, and to my surprise I found Gunnard Xordquist to he the Speaker of the House. And. on my way back. I heard Arthur Nyborg in Cleveland. Ohio. He is traveling about the country speaking in liehalf of Home Missions. His headquarters are in Cleveland.’’ “Oh. say, Dick put in, “did the rest of those girls in our class, who were planning on Foreign Missionary work, really go? 1 guess they did. didn't they? Elna Forssell is in Russia. She seems to have charmed the Bolshevists into good behaviour, in her district at least. And Alice Elg is. down in Cuba, as a dietitian in a government hospital. Milton Ward really took Elizabeth to Brazil, didn’t he? And when I attended the World Missionary Conference at Philadelphia last spring. I had the good fortune to meet Jewell Torkelson and Elsie Wik. Jewell, by the way. has general oversight of Educational Missions in British East Africa now. and Elsie is returning to her work in India, after touring this country, arousing interest in the women and girls of India.” “Why. I never realized that half of our class had gone into active Christian work. said Arvid. “but isn’t it splendid?” “It certainly is.” replied Dick. “It shows that at Bethel we received something more than knowledge of science and history, for it was there that we really caught the vision of true service.” Senior Class Song ('rune: “My Maryland ) I You ask me what class 1 love the l est. ’23. oh 23. !For she’s the queen of all the rest, ’23. oh 23. For she has lads and lassies bright As ever wore the red and white. In wisdom’s way she loves to roam, And with a grace that’s all her own. ’23. oh 23. She wins her laurels all along. 23. oh 23. Her wit is keen, her spirit strong. IJ They love their school with all their might,She'll win renown for this her home. ’23, oh 23. ’23. oh 23. —Elna. P.igc 27