Rocky Mountain College - Yellowstone / Poly Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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societies. Four members were selected from each society to tell a story. Those chosen from the Alpha society were Miss ldah Shaw, Miss Hazel Rathbone, Miss Vera Guilbault and Miss Winnona Hunter. Each girl was well prepared and told her story in an inter- esting manner. Miss Shaw chose The Dawn of a To-morrow. The story was well told and kept the hearers interested. Miss Hunter chose Poeis Black Cat, telling the story in a way that only Poe can write: Miss Guil- bault told the Sausage Sale. The story itself is very comical and the teller was equal to the occasion. Miss Rathbone,s story was The Casting Away of Mrs. Alleshine and Mrs. Lekesf' Miss Rathbone told hers exception- ally well, keeping her audience interested every minute and oftentimes convulsed with laugh- ter. ' Owing to the crowded quarters. and this being the first year of the school the society has had no regular meeting room, but it is hoped that when other buildings are erected the Alphas may be given one room, fitted with a library, where they may hold their meetings, socials and give their plays. A strong literary society adds much to the school life, both socially and intellectually, and it is with no little pride that the members of the society look back over the work done this year, and it is hoped that when school opens again next year the membership will be doubled and as a great an interest will be shown in the work. The American Eagle Literary Society MONG the first things looked after at the opening of the Polytechnic Institute last fall was the formation of literary societies for the students. At that time it was believed that two societies-one for the girls and one for the boys-would take care of all the students. It became evident, however, soon after the organi- zation of the Pioneers, that there were sufficient students for two large boys, societies. A meeting for the organization of the second society was held November IZ, I9I0, and a committee was named to draft a constitution. This committee reported to a meeting on No- vember I5, when officers were elected and a constitution adopted. Arguments on the adop- tion of the constitution and the parliamentary manner in which the first meeting was conduct- ed showed that the students had considerable literary training. Several excellent programs were prepared by the committee during the fall and winter and were given in private. After a few weeks' practice the Eagles carried off the honors in the first debate at the Polytechnic. This was a close contest as the Pioneers were represented by debaters of great ability. Soon after this victory the society met its first defeat in a contest with the Alphas. This was not a defeat that caused shame as the closeness of it was a credit to the Eagles, one of the Alpha debaters being said to be second best in the state. February 8 the Eagles found the flag of the Pioneers floating from the Hagstaff and believ- ing that no Hag should float there but Old Glory proceeded to remove the banner, arousing the ire of The Pioneers. The rivalry engen- dered then has continued friendly throughout the year. The members seem to have realized what can be accomplished by a literary society and as a result the record is surprising in the amount of good accomplished. So many members have and work on been compelled to leave school the ranches this spring that our numbers have been greatly reduced. As a result little work has been attempted this spring, but in the fall we will be there in force and with an increased membership it is certain that the season of l9l0-l9ll will see the Eagles one of the most flourishing literary societies in the state.

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The Alpha Literary Society The Girls of the Polytechnic N the evening of October 8, the girls of the Polytechnic Institute met together for the purpose of organizing a literary society, to make a study of the best in classic literature. A temporary chairman was appointed and she designated committees to prepare a consti- tution and by-laws. At the next meeting the report of the committee on the constitution and by-laws was made and the document was ac- cepted. Following this was the election of ofhcers, consisting of president, vice-president. secretary, treasurer, and sergeant-at-arms. Miss Margaret Rice was chosen the first president of the society by a unanimous vote. The ofhcers were to be elected every semester and at the election held at the second semester Miss Ruth Carlton was chosen president, Miss Winnona Hunter, vice-president, Miss Orpha Johnson, secretary, Miss Mayme McCarthy, treasurer, Miss Idah Shaw, sargeant-at-arms. Considerable thought was given to selecting a suitable name. Name after name was offered but rejected. Finally the name Alpha was suggested by Mrs. T. O. Eaton, mother of President Eaton, and from many suggested Al- pha was chosen. This name Alpha seemed very appropriate as it means first, and this was the first girls' society to be organized in the school, and hopes always to be first in the work. At the organization there were twelve charter mem- bers. Now the number is nearly doubled. Programs have been given every week, in which all the girls have taken part. There have been several joint meetings with the boys and also public meetings. The Alphasn take great interest in the social life of the school and have entertained several times. Perhaps the most enjoyable party given by them was at Thanksgiving time when the girls entertained the members of the faculty and the boys of the school. Several guessing contests and interesting games made the evening pass quickly. The girls gained the reputation that night of being excellent entertainers. It was suggested one evening that there be a story-telling contest between the three literary GROUP OF GIRL ALPHAS.

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GROUP OF MEMBERS OF AMERICAN EAGLE LITERARY SOCIETY. B Right of Mfghf OGETHER they had tacked and stretched the big, black shawl across the east window of the clean and well ordered kitchen. When Old Rutherford had buried his wife a year before, he had tenderly folded the large shawl about his weeping daughter, and now, because they had nothing else, they had taken it out of the dresser drawer and tacked it up to the window. After every crack and crevice had been covered, so that no ray of light could penetrate the outer darkness, Patty's father made a cir- cuit of the small cabin and returning assured her that all was well. They now turned to the table for the delayed evening meal. Both made a brave attempt at eating, but their com- mon fare could not tempt either the father or daughter. They had seen and heard of the night riders' work in the valley farms. They had gone to every place where they had planted tobacco after being ordered not to, but because of the smallness of their patch they had been living in hopes that they had been forgotten. After the meal the cloth was adjusted, a lamp placed carefully in the center of the table and turned low. And now, I'll get the wood in for mornin' for I reckon you'll be for keepin' close com- pany pretty soon, eh, Pattyfyi' and Old Ruth- erford rose and emptied his pipe in the ashes on the hearth, forgetful that he had been wrapped in silent thought for more than half an hour, and that Patty had watched every ex- pression of his face. No, dad, not tonight. Thereis wood a- plenty in the box. But a cloud gathered On Rutherford's face and he said: 'Tm a free man yet, God knows, and I go and come when I chooseln When he came in he went straight to the closet and taking down his hunting piece he examined it carefully and placed it against the frame work of the kitchen door. Patty left off the darning, with which she had been occupied, and drew her chair over to his side. Leaning her head against his arm she began to think of her mother and the good times they had had together. Suddenly she sat upright, startled by the