Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

Page 28 text:

The Story Which the Sea Shell Told Me WHILE wandering by the sea shore one evening just at the set of the sun, I noticed a tiny pink shell, and was at once seized with a desire to possess it. This was quickly done, and I now noticed its striking beauty, for, as the last rays of the sinking sun fell upon it, it was marvelously lit up and its radiant colors possessed an almost lifelike individuality. Invol- untarily I placed it to my ear, for this had always been a favorite pastime of mine, listening to the voices and murmurings of the sea. I could hear the dash of the waves on some distant coast and the sighing of the winds among its trees. A picture of this land rose before me: On a rocky coast stood an old ivy grown castle, its turrets showing above the grove of ancient oaks which surrounded it; a path overhung by numerous vines and boughs wound down among the rocks to a sharp point jutting out into the sea. The whole scene was bathed in a silver flood of moonlight. While I watched, the tower clock rang out twelve silver strokes upon the clear air ; at the same time I noticed a disturbance among the branches far up on the hillside. A feeling of expectancy pervaded the air. Presently the vines hanging just over the jutting rock parted and a woman ' s figure, at once stately and graceful, stepped out. At her appearance there was a ripple of the water, and gathering around the rock, as suitors at the foot of their queen, a group of mermaids appeared. The woman fell upon her knees, and a silence pulsating with sorrow was all around. The mermaids bowed their lovely heads and covered their faces with their long flowing hair. A sigh escaped the lips of the kneeling figure, and then softly and slowly she began a song which told of love disappointed and a broken heart. At intervals she was joined by her strange choir. At length the song was ended, the singer stepped forward, and, with her troop of followers, disappeared into the sea. The moon shed its radiance as before, and finally the whole scene faded from my view. A small voice from the recesses of the shell finished the story for me. It told how this lovely woman, having been forsaken by the one she loved, in her hopeless despair threw herself into the sea at this spot, and joined herself to its inhabitants. Ever at the midnight hour she, grieving for the love which never was for her, returns and sings her sad song. Now people often wonder why I am so attached to a tiny shell which lies upon my desk; but this is because they do not know the strange, sad story which it told to me. Nannie H. Turner.

Page 27 text:

a Alumnae Association President MAUDE E. GRAY Vice-President MARY P. BERKLEY Secretary and Treasurer RUBY L. VENABLE vUR Alumnae Association was organized June 23, 1887. Since that time it has met bi-annually, and has usually added a banquet to the Commencement fes- tivities, entertaining the Board, Faculty, and the graduating class. The two great aims of the Association are to promote social intercourse among its members, and to further the interests of its Alma Mater. Our last meeting was held in June, 1901, at which meeting it was decided to have yearly dues of fifty cents, and an additional charge of one dollar for the banquet. We greatlv desire to publish the minutes of each meeting, and to send a copy to every alumna, but lack of funds has so far prevented this, together with the fact that we know the addresses of comparatively few of the old girls. Each girl is urged to send her address to some one of the officers of the Association. Our last meeting was varied by the presentation of a Cunningham Memorial Tablet, and an address by Dr. E. H. Harding on The Life of Dr. Cunningham. This tablet was presented by the Alumna; of Farmville, and had no connection with the Cunningham Scholarship Fund, the statement for which follows : Amount desired $2 500. 00 Amount promised 443.00 Amount on hand 282.00 This looks rather depressing, but if more interest could be aroused, if each alumna would contribute one dollar a year to this fund, in four years we should have the desired amount. This ought not to tax our purses very heavily, and we should only be doing our dutv bv the old Normal.

Page 29 text:

A Word of Remembrance A T the close of the first term of this session our loved, trusted, and respected President, Dr. Robert Frazer, severed his connection with our school. Although his place has been taken by one whom, even now, we hold in the highest esteem, yet we cannot forget the genial manner, unselfish spirit, and devoted labors of our first friend. Especially is he missed by the girls who this year give up their school days forever, because it was he, who, in first welcoming them here, extended the greeting of warmth and friendliness so characteristic of him. Though many may enter, and many leave, the dear old school, there will remain always with those who knew him a remembrance of his tender, fatherly smile, and kind words of encouragement in readiness for all. Wherever he may be, and whatever his lot. may success, satisfaction and joy be his, is the sincere wish of every one of his girls. Nannie Turner.