Curtis High School - Curtis Annual Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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aloud the Bible chapter for that evening, Virginia said, that was the happiest afternoon she had had for a long time. Then she bade the family good night and retired to her room. About three months later Mr. and Mrs. Summerdale were dis- cussing Virginia's education, a subject about which they had often spoken. They had intended to send her to college, but during the year before she was to enter, her father had lost considerable money through an unscrupulous partner. Virginia is so very fond of school, said Mr. Summerdale, that I feel greatly troubled because we can't give her a college education. Yes, indeed, I am also, replied Mrs. Summerdale, the way may still be opened. Virginia was always a good child, but lately she is developing a stronger and nobler character, even the children are more attached to her. I really believe that the disappointment about her college career has taught her lessons which will always be a source of help.', Several months had passed when one morning Charles came in bringing a letter for Virginia. It proved to be from her friend Ethel Monroe, asking her to come and spend the summer with her in New York. Although Virginia thought it necessary for her to stay at home and assist her mother, her parents urged her to accept the invitation. Even her brothers persuaded her to go in order to tell them something about that great city. They promised to set the table, wash dishes, sweep the floors, or anything she wished them to do. Upon her return in August she had many interesting stories of New York to tell the family. She did not regret the trip as it brought much pleasure to the whole family as well as herself. Virginia, said Mr. Summerdale one day after she had been talking in her animated way of her usual theme-New York, What do you say of going to college next term P Oh, papal really, what do you mean? I-I-almost gave up hopes of ever -,H and she cried for joy. You remember, my daughter, that two years ago my partner was the cause of my failure in business. Well, my success this year has been so great that it more than doubles the amount of mv loss last year. Owing to this, we can now afford to send you to collegef, Virginia's face flushed with excitement. She could not find enough words with which to thank her parents for this opportunity. I'm delighted to go, she said, and really I am glad now I could not go last year. The Franklins will be especially interested in Seventy-one

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VIRGINIA SUMMERDALE U UMPHV' said Virginia, entering her room and locking the door, Hvery little good will it do to let papa and mamma read this letter Ilve just received from Dr. Franklin. Didn't papa say decidedly that it was utterly impossible for him to send me to college? Oh, dear! I do want to go, but there's always something to upset my plans. I don't believe I'll ever accom- plish what I want to do. Of course, I'm only seventeen, but then- Oh, no one has such experiences as mine! I suppose I'll be a failure after allf' Throwing aside the letter in a passion, she sank upon the sofa and wept bitterly. In a short time she recovered from her discontented mood, picked up a book from the table with the intention of reading it. It proved to be Shakespeare's 'fMacbeth. Immediately her eyes rested on the words, If we should fail, we fail, but screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail. Very wisely Virginia consid-- ered this and wondered if her courage could be shown in being pa- tient and waiting for opportunities. She now, recalled how difficult it was for her dear father to tell her that under present circumstances her hope of a college career could not be realized. Then having wiped her reddened eyes and rearranged her locks she went down stairsto assist her mother, who was busy sewing. I Mrs. Summerdale and Virginia sewed industriously until four o'clock when the children returned from school. Then, assisted by her brothers, Virginia prepared supper which was ready when Mr. Summerdale came home from work. Pleasantly looking at his fam- ily seated at the table, he exclaimed: Well, I wonder what has hap- pened, you all look especially cheerful tonight. Oh, papa,', said Priscilla, filling her mouth with berries, ain't our supper good though! Virginia made it all alone! After the meal Mr. Summerdale echoed his little daughter's words by smiling kindly upon Virginia and giving her a loving embrace. While the family were discussing current events of interest, she suddenly left the room. Upon returning, she exclaimed, Oh, papa, here's a letter from Dr. Franklin. I'd almost forgotten to let you read it. John's difficulties in algebra were cleared away, Fred's geography lesson and Charlie's tables were made interesting by following Vir- giniais helpful suggestions and explanations. After the father read Seventy

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the news, for Dr. Franklin always said in his letters, that if ever I went to college I must make my home with them during the college period. It was a long time before Virginia told her parents of the spirit of determination she had gained from the well-known passage of Shakes- peare, and how she had made up her mind to take for her life motto, Screw your courage to the sticking point, and we'll not fail. 3 15 e sfiigigga ie, 9, d D Seventy- two