Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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NORMAL OFFERING 23 Enhhir mins 09111. lfirigv Z'-iinrg. I wonder who sent this, letter, murmured Marion Harding as she sorted her morning mail. It has an Indiana postmarkf' The letter enclosed proved to be very short and to the point. Dear Madam: I We regret to inform you of the death of your kinswoman, Mrs. Mary Harris. She leaves in your charge her only son, Robert. He leaves here tomorrow and will reach New York next Friday. Yours, etc. It was signed by the inevitable lawyer. Well, Jim, said Marion to her husband a little later, Bobbie is on his way East to us. He is just the age, Jim, Junior would have been if he had lived. Of course I mean to do well for the child but I couldn't bear to have him live here. It would recall our loss too keenlyf' ' I can see how you feel, returned Mr. Harding, but what is to become of the boy? I have a plan, said his wife. You remember Fannie Greene, who went to Normal School when I did? She married a poor far- mer. .I'm sure she'll be glad of the chance to earn some moneyg a farmer's wife always is. We'll board Bobbie at her farm! So it was that the little orphan's journey ended at the peace- ful farm in VVillow Valley. He was a sunny little fellow of seven summers and' made many friends among f-armer folk. There was one cloud in his childish sky. Why don't I ever see my Aunt Marion? Why don't I live with her? Mother said she was a perfectly beautiful lady. She is a perfectly beautiful lady, replied kind Mrs. Greene. Some day she'll come down here to see you. Will she come soon? I hope she'll bring me some candy, continued the lad, lifting anxious blue eyes. One day Aunt Marion really did come and she found the little lad eagerly Waiting for her at the end of the lane. Are you my

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22 NORMAL OFFERING Three Years Dorothy A. Holman, Dedham Leo P. Casey, Columbia University Elizabeth A. Hennessey, Edgartown Ralph C. Hollis, Bridgewater Alice A. Hirons, North Lakeville Glen W. MacLeod, Hartford, Conn. Helen Holbrook, So. Weymouth Joseph M. Murphy, Bridgewater Christine P. Holmes, Stow Clarissa A. Allen, Quincy Emily Howard, Chelsea Bernice E. Anderson, Brockton Ruth Jones, Halifax Marion L. Baker, Whitman Isabel Kelley, Acushnet Katherine Bartlett, Sagamore Dorothy S. Macomber, Dartmouth Loretta A. Brandon, Arlington Lillian M. Roberts, East Bridgewater M. Agnes Burke, Plymouth Marie F. Spillane, Holbrook Verna L. Clarke, Quincy Mary Sullivan, Merrimac Alice E. Fahey, Chelsea Helen I. Taylor, Chelsea Ruth A. Ferguson, Quincy - Ruth V. Thygne, Acushnet Thelma S. Fultz, Attleboro Helen M. Woodward, Brockton Mary Gallivan, Boston Svnrial Glalvnhar, 1919-19211. September 12. Acquaintance Social-Hospitality Committee. October 31. Hallowe'en Party-Student Activities Committee. December 17. Reception to Mrs. Boyden-Student Government Assocation. December 19. Plays. Spreading the News. The Man Who Married a Dumb Wife -Dramatic Club. January 30. Leap Year Party-Senior Class. February 6. Barn Dance-Normal Oiering Board. February 13. Valentine Party-Junior Class. 1 March 5. Story Book'Ball-Kindergarten, Primary Class. March 19. Costume Party-Class C. April 23. Concert-Glee Club. April 30. Minstrel Show-Class A. May 7. May Party-Class B. May 14. Play. The Comedy of Errors --Dramatic Club. May 21. Play. Pauvre Sylvie -French Club. June 4. Promenade-GraduatingClasses. June 11. Faculty Reception. June 14. Graduation Day.

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24 NORMAL OFFERING Aunt Marion?', he asked, reaching for her hand. You are a per- fectly beautiful lady, just as Mother said. Later that afternoon, Mrs. Harding sat with Bobbie perched on her knee. She had not intended to fondle the child, but there he was. An' you'll come again, lots of times he asked seriously. Mrs. Harding did go again, lots of times. She didn't realize it, but inch by inch lttle Bobbie was gaining her affection. II It was in the middle of a windy March night that Mrs. Harding was called to the telephone. wifes ...... Greeene's farmhouse is burning? and Bobbie Harris isn't out? Yes, I'll be as soon as I can. Good-bye. . She didn't feel as calm as her voice sounded. By the time she reached the sce-ne of the fire her heart was beating wildly, for she knew in those few minutes how much she cared for the boy. Near the burning house she found a group of farmers who had dressed hastily and rushed to help their neighbors. Mrs. Hard- ing sought her friend in this group. Where is Bobbie? lsn't he out yet? she demanded. He was sleeping upstairs while John and I were sleeping on the ground floor. We jumped through the window and barely es- caped with our lives. But the little one! I shall never forgive my- self. Poor Fannie went on in this strain for some minutes. The barn is catching! cried one of the fire fighters, and some of the men charged for the barn to get the cattle and horses out. What's in the hay? asked one of them and picking up the slight bundle, they found it to be a soundly sleeping little Bobbie. Hlhook at the big hire, he said drowsily. And here's Aunt Mar- ion! I slept in the barn because Johnnie Jones dared me to. I was scared, but I did it. Was I naughty not to tell Mrs. Greene? Why Aunt Marion, youfre cryingg whatls the matter? There isnit anything the matter, she said happily. 'Tm crying because I'm so glad to have you here safe in my arms, my own little boy! ELIZABETH SUMNER '20,