Richmond Womans College - Puffs and Patches Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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History Class 1905 WHIG first murmur that passed around the room when we hzul assembled was, f' There are too many, whispered from mouth to mouth. But what was to be done? Some had dropped in at the beginning of this, and even of last session, but most of us had been here so long that there was nothing to do but graduate-and thus we had met to organize the Class of N ineteen-huiulred-and- five, the largest yet known in the history of our college-nunibering thirty-eight. But thirty-eight of the wisest girls tl1at ever formed a senior class-and you will think so too when I have told you of the selections they made for their class-officers. Yes, the first Whisper had been too many,'l but in the beginning the many became one, and voted that the election of Iidith M eCarthy for presi- dent be unanimous. Soon, with our president in the chair, we had a well organ- ized and orderly crowd, with Olive Bagby as vice-president, Stewart Wise as secretary, and Lucy Saunders as treasurer. Of course, there is so much that an all-wise class may do, that I cannot afford to dwell upon the minor details, but must hasten to the most important. For there were important steps to be taken. And, with the above hint as to the length of time some of us have been here, you may imagine that we have the example of some several Senior Classes, whose every aet we must do and out-do. Thus, the first thing each thought of, when we realized that we really belonged to that dignified set, were the coveted Senior l'rivileges.', How we had envied the girls last year! Well we remember how some of our dearest friends had refused to go on Broad street with us Wednesdays and Saturdays, because that was the main thing that distinguished them from the under- graduates! But every dog will have his day, and since we have gained this longed-for prize, some of our ufulergraduate frieiuls, perhaps, have been under- going the same treatment. For, though sad, ,tis true, we will forget how we felt in another's place-and it has been said, upon several occasions, that on Broad street a senior is not to be seen, even in Siu-'pherd's, on lVednesdays and Saturdays. Half of us refuse to believe this, for cannot we go alone? The meetings! How many! For there were momentous questions to be decided. The class motto, the eolor, the flower, and, last but not least, the pin. And here it was, that the thirty-eight became thirty-eight in all their individual strength and power, for it seemed not even two thought alike. The excitement rose higher and higher, and the president called meetings, meetings, meetings. Almost constantly upon the chapel door we read: 'f Important meeting of Senior Class, 12:30. Pres Until one professor, waiting each day for his Math,,' declared that we all expeeted to get our degrees by attending the graduating class, instead of those upon which the degree depends. Realizing the truth of this statement, our president, in a dignified manner, got ns into some order, we cast our votes, and lived happily-for a short while after.

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Only a short while, however, for now instead of class-meetings, we saw Xmas-exams posted upon the chapel door. We realized that we had neglected an important step of a graduating class, so immediately made up for it, and began to petition our beloved president and faculty that they, etc. In answer to which, a few days afterward, we saw Professor Garnett walk thought- fully to the rostrum after chapel, and we knew there was something gained-not the -92-system of the past session, but--he gave us to understancl-something better. Our examinations would count half, our daily work half. We believed- and the applause grew loud. There was so much to be done before Christinas that it seemed fortunate that our pins waited until after the holidaysg for after our festivities at home they were the first to remind us that there was yet even more work to be done. And, despite the fact that one of our girls, not wishing t.o be outdone by a frat. man's declaration that his pin represented something, declared with equal pride that hers represented a peanut. The dear little gold peanutsl' are with most of us still-and why not? For isn't Virginia a peanut State, and Richmond its Capital? What could be more loyal? Yes, there was work to be done, and since a greater mnnber usually accom- plish more work than a few, so our class of thirty-eight has been fully alive and active. We called the meeting for our election of Class Day otlicers earlier than that meeting had ever been called before. With Elise Hodgson as Orator, Una Fulcher, Poetg Ella Kyle, Tree-Oratorg Elizabeth Willingham, Bonfire Oratorg Bessie Wilson, Prophet: and Todd Motley, Valedictorian, we begin to peep into the fut.ure. We half imagine we see the end, but then there looms before us the ? and we are frightened to have dreamed of such a goal. We at Class Day-gathered around the bonfire? We at the great Alumnae banquet? We must have expected it. We elected Nona Harris to respond to the toast. All of this we fear to anticipate. But there is something nearer, something more certain-the graduates' reception. Of course, it is to be the best that has ever been. The invitations have been sent. The dresses have begun to come in from home, and we realize that it is right upon us. This we gain--we have now, connnencement is yet in the distance. So, throwing all doubts and misgivings aside, we lighten our hearts of their many Senior burdens and prepare to enjoy to the fullest the present. The present with its greatest gifts. But have we been selfish, we Seniors? For-give us, we have not meant it. Non nobis solumi' is our motto, and may we never forget it! Not merely for ourselvesu have we worked, suffered, or thought during our session, and 'tnot merely for ourselves do we wish to gain the little pleasures of college life. Our work for the future we have planned for those at home-our present pleasure we have planned for those about us. You may not realize it in all we do, fellow-students, but the real pleasure of life is in what we do for others. Without you, our class would be nothingg and by your enjoyment and pleasure we gain ours. So we stand to-day where your careless hearts some day may stand. Half- doubting, half-hoping, we look forward to our goal. 1cI1s'rorc1ixN.