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

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First Fragment IN THE fall of the year 1928 a new group joined the cult of the Bryn Mawrtyrs. To the outside world there had always seemed to be something strange about the cult, — in fact someone had once called them disembodied intellects. Living apart from the rest of the world on their little hill, which had once been called Humphrj ' sville and which they had re-named Bryn Mawr, they cultivated their minds and souls unhampered by common life in Pennsylvania. The first thing the new group did was unpack the fine clothes with which they were provided, — tailored suits of practical weave, stout shoes of finest leather and stockings of imported wool. Clad in these they went to pay homage to the heads of the cult. In the Dean ' s office judgment was passed upon them and they were found to possess minds satisfactory, but requiring stimulation, and so they were handed slips of paper on which were inscribed the courses they should pursue for improvement. The English department declared their souls mystic, but needing to be awakened. Nice red tongues, said the health dignitary. The feet and backs are there, said the gymnasium official, but we will show them how to use them. So they were passed upon with approval by the great and assured of the same assistance as that given to the other members of the cult. From then on they were known as the Class of ' 32. One morning they woke up and heard a great uproar coming from every dwelling-place. They learned that other Bryn Mawrtyrs had returned from their visitations upon the outside world. But they had heard of the strange customs of the cult that placed restrictions upon the uninitiated, of doors devoutly held open, of steps too sacred for lower classmen ' s feet, of obeisances to be made at the edge of paths. These they observed carefully until one night in a wild bacchanal they lost some of their reserve, and danced in a frenzy about a great bonfire, shrieking songs to the night-air. Indeed they were so bewildered that they made the great mistake of disclosing their song to the outside order which mocked them for their stupidity with demoniac glee. Among them lived a fair lady who it was said could lead them along transcencl- tal paths to the glory of mystical experiences. So to her was entrusted the tending of their souls. In a voice of magic softness she spoke to them of things none had ever heard before, Or the inner consciousness, the seeing eye, the tragic Haw in every man. The mystery of it all left them confused and they did not know where to seek the cosmic presence ahout them. There was a game that everyone played with great excitement, chasing a I. .ill with sti ks. But its only interest for our class was that it was played out of doors and they thought that perhaps here was their chance to follow the gleam. For they had heard much ol the solemn earth, the green trees, the open sky ami tin- wild west wind. With this great incentive it «as mi wonder that they became expert enough at the game to win from all (he other classes. lint this did not make tin in as h.ippv as it should have, because they fell that they were still no nearer I he end ol their qui I Pane Nine

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FRESHMAN YEAR

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One night there was a great tumult on the campus. Thinking that at last a revelaticn was about to be made they rushed out. A brass band was playing a tune called East Side, West Side . Ah, here at last is a broad conception! they thought. People were cheering for a new power about to rise, and they joined in eagerly. But they went home very disappointed, for the great power had not arisen at all, and they discovered that it would not have mattered even if he had, for he was nothing but a New York politician who was wet and that had nothing to do with mysticism. But they were not at all discouraged. They determined to entertain the whole college with a show in which they would indicate their spiritual strivings and they chose as the symbol of what they sought THE BAT. They were very proud of themselves, but others said they were too ambitious. This only made them more determined to prove themselves. And now they remembered that the inklings were to be found WITHIN them. So they decided to take up seriously the great course of body mechanics. They never did learn how to be elephants but they were sure that their stronger feet and backs were much more capable of receiving an impact from the force without. At the end of the year they discovered to their surprise that they had made as much progress as could be expected of them, for they, as well as Miss Garvin, now knew enough to SELL ONE LOAF OF BREAD AND BUY A LILY. Page Ten