Bryn Mawr College - Bryn Mawr Yearbook (Bryn Mawr, PA)

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History 01 our First Year at Bryn Mawr. With due apologies to Charles Dickens for certain paragraphs. Class-mates, there should be an old story — none the worse for not being true — regarding a fine young sub-Freshman, who being asked if she could run Bryn Mawr College, replied she had no doubt she could, but she couldn ' t exactly say for certain, for she had never tried. This story is not inapplicable to us. When we crept into Harriet Spencer ' s room and reported how we had all escaped vigilant Sophomores we were in as happy and important a state of mind as young ladies usually are on such momentous occasions. Frances Seth was elected temporary chairman, and we started on our rush, falling in behind brave Frances. We expected to find the halls blocked with furniture piled by the hostile Soph. Instead, when we came out under Pembroke Arch, there was 1901 applauding us in the most friendly manner. On we went, singing something to the tune of Marching through Georgia. A few days later we met openly in Merion and elected Elizabeth Stoddard chairman. (She wore a pink dress that evening.) Grace told us whenever we did anything unparliamentary, and Elizabeth Congdon said, I move we call each other by our first names. She spoke with a forcefulness that con- vinced everyone; and, as we all answered aye to the question, the ceremony of introduction was soon performed, or, I should rather say, the introduction was soon over without any ceremony at all. As a result, perhaps, we walked in twos to lectures; we talked in twos on the campus; we went in twos to teas. At the Christian Union reception, we divided off in twos. Had the night watchman asked William Armitage, Wot are they all a-walking round in happy twos for? ' Cos it ' s their duty, I suppose. William would have replied it ' s a part of the system; they are always a-doin ' it all day long. In twos and large crowds we flocked to the Cabinet Meeting, on October 12th. Red Cross nurses received us and showed us our seats. Dorothy Farquahar, Leslie Knowles, and Edith Crane soon made us forget everything in the delight of the moment. A telephone bell rang on the stage. Hello, hello! Who did you say you wanted, 1902? Yes, they are here. Our delight was increasing. Finally, Dewey stepped forth with a huge American flag. From beneath it he pulled our 1902 banner. Hurrah! Hurrah! We rose to our feet in a body. Shouts filled the air.

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CLASS OFFICERS. TEMPORARY. Chairman — Elizabeth F. Stoddard. Secretary — Harriet C. Murray. PERMANENT. President — Elizabeth F. Stoddard. Vice-President and Treasurer — Habriet C. Murray. Secretary — E. Cornelia Bruere. OFFICES HELD DURING THE YEAR. PHILISTINE. Board of Editors — E. Cornelia Bruere.

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Fearing the Juniors had inflamed our patriotism to a point where we would consider everything American perfect and everything Spanish as bad, as bad could be, the Seniors gave us a tea in the Spanish Gardens, on October 18th. It was a decided contrast to the Cabinet Meeting, but none the less delight- ful. The scenic effect made it hard to realize we were in the Gymnasium. Many of such entertain- ments would doubtless tend to smooth over any slight unpleasantnesses stirred up by the late war. ' ' We had received attentions from the Juniors and Seniors only, but by October 21, 1902 was suf- ficiently imbued with the Bryn Mawr spirit to want to have a finger in the entertainment, so that evening, the evening of the long-expected Sophomore Play, we all dined in Pembroke, and cheered, and sang for the first time in public, Come cheer and sing together. Chiudle, Chiudle, Chiudle, Chiu, Hurrah for the Class of 1902! Chiudle, Chiudle, Chiudle, Chiar, B-R-Y-N M-A-W-R!!!!!! We shouted with such force that to the very last moment of my life I shall wonder how it happened not only that we were able to sing, but also that we have ever been able to talk in our natural voices since. Sing we certainly did that evening, when we saw Edith Houghton, Pat Daly, May Southgate, Car- lotta Montenegro and others of 1901, in London Assurance. Here ' s to 1901, She has done what Dewey done! did not nearly express our appreciation. At the entrance of Lady Gay Spanker and her husband, we were more delighted than ever ; and the wish to see what was going forward completely conquering Miss Hoyt ' s dignity, she stood up at the back of the room and applauded as loudly as any of us. Between the scenes, Edith Campbell and Lulu Brown retired from the Gym side to the inside of Dr. Smith ' s office, to retail the clever and enthusiastic remarks of the audience on what had preceded. The actors in the openness of their hearts listened, and Edith Campbell and Lulu Brown retired to the Gym side of Dr. Smith ' s office again with brighter counte- nances. Indeed everyone seemed quite happy except the prompter, who was too grand to take any interest even in Pat ' s damn it! when her hat came off.