University School for Girls - Castanon Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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,,.-,,..,... JAZZ AND MINUET The outstanding purpose of the little playlet entitled Jazz and Minuet seems to be to prove that human nature is the same now as it was one hundred and fifty years ago in spite of the frivolity and irresponsibility of the youth of today. Eleanor Prudence Van Hayden is a very modern, headstrong, self-willed debutante of 1920. Dick Townsend, to whom she is almost engaged, is unable to take her to an old fashioned masquerade ball. Very angry, and much against her mother's Wishes, she calls the best looking man in town but one of question- able reputation, and asks him to be her escort. While waiting for him to arrive, Eleanor falls asleep, and in her dreams becomes her great-great aunt, Prudence Van Hayden, whose diary she has just been reading. As a result of the dream Eleanor, the irresponsible spoiled darling, emerges a charming young woman who realizes she is really in love with Dick and she has not treated him fairly. He arrives unexpectedly to escort her to the dance and she consents to become his bride. Most of the honors go to Dorothy, who played the modern girl so well and spoke her flippant lines with zest and spirit. Yet turned into her great-great aunt she seemed transformed to a bygone age, showing her unquestioned ability as an actress. The part of mother became jerre very well, because she played it so calmly and naturally. Penny,' made a very likable young man, both of today and of olden times. Sallie was perfect for the suave colonial villain. And We must not forget Mildred. We liked her Irish brogue. The play was a great success, say we all. J. F., '30 THE KNAVE GF HEARTS The Knave of Hearts was a fantasy and as such treated with great artistry. To carry out the imaginative effect, scenery and costumes were highly stylized- as also was the acting. ' An attractive manager, dressed in scarlet, stepped before the curtain and introduced his puppet show. Then the curtain rose upon the royal household of Pompdebile the Eighth. The manager clapped his hands-and two Pastry Cooks came to life. It was their duty to rouse our interest in the important event about to take place. Next, we were greeted by the King himself, who appeared with the Chancellor, the Knave, and two Heralds. Pompdebile told us that the Lady Violetta had to prepare with her own delicate white hands some tarts which were to be placed in the royal museum with those of the previous Queens of Hearts. She could not be Queen until hers were judged and passed upon by the Pastry Cooks. The Lady Violetta was then summoned. After an airy entrance she gaily began the ceremony. It seemed she knew very little of the culinary art, or so judged the indignant cooks who watched the proceedings. Pompdebile, the Chancellor, Ursula, and the Pastry Cooks withdrew until the tarts should be fully baked. In this interval Violetta appealed to the Knave, who promised to replace these with some his wife had made. Thus was solved the mystery of the stolen tarts-hidden until now within a rhyme. Great credit is due the whole cast for the talent which they displayed. Lady Violetta was a beautiful heroine-always in her part. Especially charming were her scenes with the Knave, a delightful rogue. Pompey proved himself a clever actor and was responsible for much of our laughter. The Chancellor was distinct- ive, Ursula lovely, and even the Heralds helped make the play an unusual success. But we mustn't forget the ingredients. They were too petite and sedate. Then for the Pastry Cooks--ll!! E. W., '30 64

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M: Q ., at EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF A Y Z- ff X- CRUSADER S WIFE CCASTANON PRIZE STORYQ RJ- ,,, -I CBeing selections from an MS Q-url, found in the ruins of an eleventh li 5. T century castle near Carcassonne, li XI in Southern Francej , TL V g-131, I I Chateau D'Abricour-thirfirft day ' T ' UQQQ . x K of january, Anno Domzm 1097 I :L-,QQ Here am I, an English gentle- ? :lan woman, daughter of a noble f-5 . 'h,' 1 Saxon house, absolute mistress A nmimmmul'f'T. A of a French Chateau. Seven years ago, during the celebration M27 of my sister's wedding, I was . but Isolde, the bride's sister, but one of the victors in the tourneys was a comely young nobleman of France who liked head-strong English maidens, so now I am Isolde, Comtesse s D'Abricour. Father was indeed Wroth because Pierre and I ran off together, but I had ever a mind of my own and I always did as I wished, even as when I learned to read and write. My sisters called me monkish for that but I cared not a whit, and now my knowledge standeth me in good stead. My dear lord hath gone with Comte Raymond de Toulouse and a goodly company of lords and knights to rescue the Holy Sepulcher from the paynim in the Far East, leaving in my charge our small Pierre, a lad of six years, and our great Chateau D'Abricour. This daily writing will, I pray, help to lighten the burden of the long months. Three moons have waned and yet it seemeth but yesterday that my dear one departed. I can see it now in my mind . . The great hall with all the vassals and warriors in their shining armour, holding the gay banners, my lord's face so grave as I buckled on his sword and fastened his white surcoat with the great cross of red and gold which I had sewn myself .... it is a picture graven in my brain. Then as I watched from my window .... the great inner courtyard filled with horses and men, the glint of steel in the sun, glimpses of the red on white, the shouting, stamping, then a silver trumpet call, the cavalcade passing over the drawbridge, my Pierre at the head with my white scarf about his helm .... the high note of those silver trumpets dying in the distance . . . , This is all three months agone and yet I see it still so clearly. February I5- This hath been a day of great rejoicing. A packet hath come from that strange place of the East, Constantinople. The best of all in it was a letter from Pierre. He is well and sayeth that when winter is spent the great company will press on towards the city of Antioch which must be taken 'ere the way be clear to high Jerusalem. He prayeth me to commend him to all his servants, to have a care for myself and our son, to be brave and to pray for the great Cause. The packet contained also a little poniard of Eastern handiwork for my small Pierre, for myself a quantity of curiously embroidered stuffs for gowns, and a sum of gold to be divided amongst the retainers. May our Good Lady protect him and return him safe to me! 66