Rawlings Institute - Hits and Bits Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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FIRST CHRONICLES: CHAPTER X. ND it came to pass now in the days of 1902 that there happened many things, and now the fun was at hand. There were many who took part, and lo! the leader said i unto them, Depart hence and go into the rooms, that the girls who take part also may know the works that we do. For there are many who will gladly do these things in secret, but if thou doest these things, shew thyself to the world. Few are they' who bclicvc that we will do this. And thc girls did plot together, but the leader said unto them, 4' The time is not yet come, but wait until twelve, for few are they who did 11ot say that we have been heavy laden and sore oppressed, verily, we are up against it. And all this did we do, but there was much murmuring among the girls concerning this 3 for few were they who believed. Some said, It will be well 5 others said, Nay. But it came to pass that the girls waxed wicked-and did not heed the words ot' many. Then said some of them, H Is this not fun which we are cnteringv 1' The nine wentstraightway into their rooms, and when they had slept until the midnight hour, then lo I a slight rap was heard at the door ot' each girl, and she did say unto them, Follow me, and I will show you that which you are to do.', Then they straight- way left their rooms and followed her, and lo ! there were other girls on their way. When they were at last gathered together, the leader demanded of them quiet. Then after all was again quiet and the light was turned on, all was made ready. NVhy did we sit still for a few minutes, why did we not assemble ourselves and enter into the assigned work 1' It was because we thought we heard a voice. One of the number said: Take heed that ye do not laugh or make any noise, for if ye do ye might wake Miss Kate. It was that wonderful time at midnight, on one of those cold and bleak January nights, that we acted the part which was assigned us. But what went we to that room for to see? A Roman can- dle? Yea, I say unto you, and 'more than a Roman candle. At once all did go to work to prepare, for the time was at hand. Something else was missing, it was the matches, so some got thc matches, others grasped the candle with both hands, and, of course, the remaining number were the VG1'y watchful door-keepers, Lo the window was then opened, and several heads did appear, and one did stick the match to the end ofthe candle, but the sparks did not yet throw out their light. At that time, one said in a low voice, That candle is false, and many sad hearts were they, when they heard this. There was another voice in the room which did say, YVait, for in my trunk is a great knife, and let's cut it and try again. So while she departed to get the knife, behold, all were quiet, we sat in fear and trembling, lest we should make a great and rum- bling noise, so great that Mrs. Jones might hear, and knowing too that Miss Kate roomed next door. A

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But lo, there was one who sat upon a trunk, and when the knife was found she did cut the candle and they at once stuck another match to the end of' it, and lo l there were many sparks which came therefrom. So great was the tire that the teachers thought the stars were falling and they were sore afraid. Then the girls grew quiet, that they might not lind out from which window the sparks came. And in this 1'0OIY'l the girls did stay, for they dared not enter the hall, lest someone might see, and many merry laughs were heard from the rooms aboveg but oh, when a, foot-step was heard in the hall, all grew again quiet, then the leader said, ff Depart from here, for the fun is over for to-night, but lo ! the morn came, and all did speak of the night past, but all of the N Fire Company were innocent, knowing nothing of the happen- ings ofthe night. And we kept it close, and told no one on that day any of those things which we had done. A nd it came to pass that on the next day, when we felt it our duty to confess, much people watched and listened to the proceedings of the night. But lol we then went to room numher twelve, for someone dwelt therein whom we wished to see. Some feared as they entered this room, but they knew not that the occupant was soivery small.' But alas l she said unto each one, Ifyou he the one who shot oft' the lireworks, confess it, hut there was a general understanding before entering the room that no one would tell on another, then we charged them and commanded them to tell no one the things which we had heard. The message then came from number twelve that no more should the tiunous nine go on Main, and no more should we see inside of the parlor on Friday and Saturday nights, until such and such a time. But the days of the punishment were about one and twenty. ei N flffi' A2-.rl 4 Yi . -J '. ltilE1 :z' itil ' ,, .- b+sstQ,lfaiQ . 2 , V , . . . - M N ..., ulngn . 5---V ---- V - , if ' .t ,.g-g, :gj', V, . M .f-gg-xr. -X V , w rt 5 2 Tw fe ,ei-s it if .- A .E-F. b V xt- 4 4, .U 5 'G i', wlv ifi- Q- ,gl-'Q ' ' 1 ff. I H L4 WA 'jg 1 F .V 71