Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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vox col: private room, and I felt myself drawn away, following her imposing form as if it were a magnet. There was a large ex- panse of black satin gown of the style which made one wonder if it had been fashioned on Madame or if Madame had been poured into it in a liquid state and hardened there — on investigation I de- cided it must have been the former as even the most vivid imagination could not picture Madame melted. When within the fitting compartment I had a better chance to view my com- panion, as she bustled about bringing out one vision of beauty after another. I was very silent and observed her thoughtfully. Where had I seen that generous form and face before 1 The face I studied carefully, and through the dis- guise of a New York complexion I dis- cerned a resemblance to an old school- mate of mine. How well did I remem- ber that Senioi Party so many years ago — when my classmate, Jessie Buck- ingham, so capably fitted upon me a gomi of paper. My courage rose — Madame, I began — Did you ever attend Ontario Ladies ' College? She smiled slightly, in a blase manner — then probably realizing she might do damage to the carefully arranged coun- tenance, quickly resumed her former face. Indeed yes, she replied — It Avas in those days that I received the inspira- tion to establish the world-renouiied ' ' Snappy Dressers. But that must have been long after your time. Here she gave her marcelled straw-colored hair a complacent pat with be-ringed fingers and glanced coolly at my gray hairs. I felt them increase tenfold in that mom- ent. She resumed her business manner — I resumed my dazed, helpless feeling — it even increased as time went on imtil T found myself on the street in front of The Snappy Dressers minus $500 plus a new dress which I have since lack- ed courage to don. I heaved a sigh — Jassie never had such taking ways in her school days. Catherine Burwash. In 1930 while on a tour through Lon- don, Eng., my eyes caught sight of huge posters which appeared to be advertising a world-renowned circus. As we were all out just for a pleasure trip, we became quite interested in the bill, so slowed our ear in front of one of the advertisements to find out in more detail what it miglit be. It proved veiy thrilling so we pro- cured tickets at the nearest store and im- mediately proceeded to the circus grounds. Throngs of people were crowding the gateway and appeared to be making their way towards a tent at tlie other end of the grormds. On approaching we found it to be a throwing contest — 3 throws for 5c. On closer investigation the tall pereon — (I could see that she was tall by the sha.dow through the tent) — seemed very familiar to me. The balls were flying rapidly with only a second to spare but the face which was very thin and pointed, dodged just as quickly. Well, I watched for fully fifteen minutes and still could not discover where I had seen that face before, but all of a sudden a memory of O.L.C. came across my mind, and a story which one of the girls, Catherine Burwash, had told me in my college days, of how it was her greatest amlntion to have a position like this. She must have seen me and got excited, for the next ball that was thrown hit her square on the nose, so that she was un- able to continue for at least 30 minutes. I raced behind the tent and managed tO ' speak to her for a few minutes, and Avas so glad of the opportunity. We hope that Catherine will have every success in her chosen calling, and that some-day she may be leader of such a AA ' onderful band. Fern Colborne. In 1950 while touring the East on my third honeymoon I had occasion to spend the night in a small Central-African vil- lage; an extremely remote and uncivil- ized place, but interesting none the less. After having partaken of a meagre and not too appetizing evening meal I

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14 VOX COLLEGII now reached the height of her ambitious. But, she said, with a sigh, I have had many an uphill battle. One of my chief difficulties was getting accustomod to working with men. I could not get over the dislike of having any men in my company but of course one must sac- rifice one ' s feelings for Art. ' s sake. ' ' She then told me that she Avas tired out after a heavy season and was going to spend the summer cycling through the Berk- shire Hills with a dear old friend. Dorothy Bayne. It was in 1932 that I Avas walking past a private school in a small villa-gc in Quebec and noticed by a sign on the gate that A ' isitors Avere always AA-elconie. HaAnng a few hours of leisure I decided to call at the school. I Avas surpnsed to find that the principal AA-a.s a short, stout Avoman, but my astonishment AVas beyond description Avhen I recognized this ladv as my old class-mate at O.L.C., Doi-othy Bayne. She had changed greatly but of course I easily recognized her by the stye on her eye. During our conversation I learned that Dorothy had opened .this school for basliful yotuig men and found it very in- teresting to instruct the fair creatures in languages and sAAnmming. After a short pleasant dsit I left Dorothy to continue her pleasant life of ser-vice. Ola Bennett. I Avas travelling in the West in 1930 and w hile in Brandon, Man., my friends there told me of a new hospital I must see before I returned East. • So one afternoon Ave Avcnt to the Hos- pital. It Avas a fine building — one of the finest I had ever seen. After going through th e many corridors and room-j the doctor, Av ho Avas our guide, now told ns to come to the Dental Clinic. This rvas odd. I thought a dental clinic in a hospital — but I said nothing. This building Avas equally as fine as the Main building Ave had just visited, and Ave had a little more interest in it than the other perhaps because it was a novelty to me. Opening a door and peeping in caut- iously our guide told us we might go in here and look at the ftne yiew from the AvindoAv. This room he explained was the head ' s. While admiring tha scene aa ' c heard some one come in and we all turned in the direction of the door. Here Avas another surprise. The Head evidently Avas a lady and yes, I looked again. It Avas Ola.— Ola Bennett who graduated Avith me at O.L.C. in 1920. Our looks met and each exclaimed the other ' s name in a breath. Then Ola explained to me that after graduating from the Royal Dental Col- lege of Toronto, in 1921, she had gone on Avith the Avork in the ITniversity. Since then she had been head of this clinie Avhich had been opened that autumn. Jessie Buckingham. It Avas my first visit to Ncav York, and, although the days of my youth were far behind me, I was determined to enjoy myself in spite of rheumatism, brought on by hard labor and self-denial, earning those dollars Avhieh noAV enabled me to stand on BroadAvay. I Avas very timid but as I gazed upon the passing crowd I decided Avhat I should do with some of my hard-earned pennies I Avould buy myself a goAvn Avhieh, when arrayed in it, Avould make me feel that I was one of the gay thrcng. I therefoi ' e, still yery timidly, made inquiry as to a very ex- clusive modiste and Avas directed to The Snappy Dressers which, I was assured, Avas quite the most exclusive of exclusive emporiums. Once inside the magic doors of The Snappy Dressers establishment I felt completely dazed — and the thought cros- sed my mind that I had never seen so much gilt or so many large mirrors. I expressed my wish to a very obliging young AVoman who murmured that she Avould sec if Madame Jesse were disen- gaged. She then glided away and I wait- ed for Avhat seemed at least an hour. At last I heard a faint rustle, perceived a more than faint odor of perfume, looked up and Madame Jesse was before me. It was then that I really began to feel ner-- vous. Madame had ciuite an engaging way. She begged me to follow her to a

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16 VOX COLLEGl 1 became curious to learn something of this strange place so leaving my better half to smoke a languid and solitary pipe or so, I set out into the deepening twil ight. Presently, attracted by the flickering light of what later proved a bonfire, I came to the centre of the town — what in our country vould be termed the market- place — and beheld a strange and inter- esting spectacle. A huge bonfire flamed in the centre of a large open space. Na- tives huddled in various attitudes of re- spectful attention clo.se beside it, while standing in their midst a tall and impos- ing figure spoke rapidly in a high and powerful voice, accompanying its re- marks by vigorous and emphatic gesti- culations. I listened in awed silence for a few minutes, then suddenly realized an astounding fact. The speaker was em- ploying what sounded very niucli like my own native tongue! I drew nearer and looked inteiitly at the central figure of this strange group, and tliis is what I saw : — A tall, angular woman of perhaps fif- ty years of age dressed in severe high- necked long-sleeved l)laek, with iron-gray hair pullecl tightly back from an intel- lectual forehead. Steel-rimmed spec- tacles upon an haughty, high bridged nose, grey eyes which snapped and shoiie with a zealous bi-illiance which rivalled the. fire itself and an earnest, emphatic manner, which seemed to be holding the natives ' attention even against their wills. As I listened to the impassioned avcU- chosen flow of words it became apparent that the missionarv (for such she un- doubtedly Avas) was conducting a class in Bible Study with a zeal and capaliil- ity which bespoke long practice. Then as I gazed with ever increasing interest and respect the compelling voice ceased, the piercing eyes became fixed in a stare of utter astonishment and I realized all at once that I had imconsciously stepped into the firelight and now stood in full view. Before I could draw back into the shadows and retreat I heard my name called in a tone which suddenly awoke long-sleeping memories, the missionary came forth with outstretched hands and 1 fell into the arms of my old class-mate Fern Colbome. After the first rapturous greetings were over I asked Pern all the ' ' How ' s, whys and wherefore ' s and she told me in a few brief words. It seems that she had begun to feel that she had a special gift for teaching Bible Study while yet a student at 0. L. C, and had ofter held inspiring classes in her room on Lower Frances — to the veiy great benefit of lier school- mates. This faculty had increased aft(;r she graduated in 1920 and had finally caused her to leave home and friends lie- hind her in the interests of her high cal- ling and seek the wilds of Africa as h(. ' r field of endeavour. She had finally leaehed this little inland town had met, converted and married the Mayor and was now continuing her good work with rapidly gi ' owing success. Beatrice Gerrie. In 1930 while motoring through one of the large cities of Italy, my attention was aiTested by a woman sitting by the side of a hvirdy-gurdy. She was dressed in the native garb of the Italian and ad- orned from head to foot in bright col- oured beads. She was singing a lullaby to an infant who was screaming at the top of its lungs and it was impossible to tell which was making the more noise. But loud as the voice was it sounded strangelv familiar to me. At the other side of the hurdy-gurdy stood a big, black, formidable looking Italian who bellowed at the -girl to hurry and get the child quiet so that he could play the organ. When the first song failed to soothe the child the mother tried another which I recognized with amazement to be Mr. Atkinson ' s lullaby which I had not heard since leaving College. My curiosity was aroused even beyond fear of the terrible looking Italian and I determined to find out who this Italian woman Avas. This was not such a diffi- cult thing to do as I had expected, for as she raised her big black eyes to m-