Wellesley College - Legenda Yearbook (Wellesley, MA)

Page 31 text:

(ilimp5e5 of I ss 3f)afer. I 7V E7V OI I7 7V . SS I sit and ponder how it is possible for me to attempt even a very superficial record for tiie ' 94 Legenda of one whose going away has marked the year 1894 with a long shadow for each Wellesley student, there are two or three pictures which rise to mv mind, and which may not be inappropriate to these pages. To the old girls there is one spot in the great College dining room which presents a series of memory pictures. In each one a tall, dignified woman, with an interested, sym- pathetic face, is the center. The table in the northwest corner was the one long known as Miss Shafer ' s table. Those who have been her table girls realized how fully the dinner hour was a period of relaxation. Then was the time to tell all the fun and frolic, and many- were the good times then and there planned. Each was sure of an appreciative listener; each felt sure that behind the smiles was an unusually keen and true sense of justice. From that sense came the confidence in the wisdom of any decision which jNIiss Shafer might make. The fact that sometimes the fun narrated was not approved of, hindered in no measure the account of the next lark. On e never feared that her appro al might be warped by her former dis- approval, especiallv if she had the good fortune to hear, You girls did me so much good; your fun and frolic was such a relief after the work of the day. At the table the frail health of Miss Shafer was more apparent, perhaps, than anywhere else. The carefully regulated diet, the fear of chill air, the love for all that was dainty in china and service, were part of a delicate constitution. To a few of these table girls came the privilege of gathering for an hour after dinner one day in the week in Miss Shafer ' s room, while she read aloud. To some of them, Little Lord Fauntleroy will always possess an especial charm because introduced by Miss Shafer ' s appreciative voice. In each memory picture the forms of the girls who played a part in these homey times fade into dimness, and the central figure stands forth, serene and dignified, full of interest and sympathy, inspiring and begetting confidence — one to be trusted. Because of this knowledge of interest, sympathy, and justice, other memory pictures now exist. To all Wellesley girls the President ' s office is familiar. The editors of the first 27

Page 30 text:

HELEN AL MRA 3HAFER, A. A., Ph D.

Page 32 text:

Legenda have only the pleasantest recollections of that office. Whether the sun streamed through the long windows, flooding all the room with sunshine, as it has a way of doing, or the rain beat against the windowpane, the recollections are always happv. From the first application from the Class of ' 89 for the issue of a college annual, Miss Shafer was always full of interest. Throughout its whole career she gave her hearty support. In each detail she was interested. When she felt unable to give her consent to the insertion of some feature, she always gave her reasons as fully as she could. Occasionally she would sav, Personally I should have no objection to that, but it does not seem wise to introduce it ; I would not. This warm interest has been extended through all the vicissitudes of the Legenda. There can be but few, if any, of the Wellesley students who knew Miss Shafer as Presi- dent, who have not had similar experiences in that little office. Perhaps sometimes it would seem that Miss Shafer saw manifold objections, and that the petitioner would go away with a feeling that her request would not be granted, only to find that it was granted more fully and completely than she had hoped. Perhaps she would go away feeling angry because her request was refused. I think that could not have happened often, and I have yet to find the Wellesley student who could not and would not sav, I can always feel sure of the fairness of Miss Shafer ' s decision. Again and again have Wellesley students said, She treats us like women, and knows that we are reasoning beings. There is another glimpse which is a most familiar one. It is that of Miss Shafer in her own parlor at Norumbega, graceful, cordial. Then, more than at any other time, in long, friendly talks did her absolute absorption in the College come out. It was her life. She seemed to have scarcely a thought beside it. She was so eager to develop it from all sides. Wellesley ' s interests were her own. Often she has said, I feel that one of Wellesley ' s strongest points is in her alumna. And once more, because of this confidence, the alumnae, as when students, were spurred to do their best, were filled with loyalty for their Alma Mater. Miss Shafer always welcomed with cordiality any plan or suggestion which an alumna might have for any department of college life and work. An alumna could not but feel that she had come into special privileges in knowing how activeh ' , wisely, and progressively Miss Shafer was engaged in pushing the interests of the College. It could not but fill one with amazement to see the manifold threads which so delicate a woman could hold and control. That they wore upon her more than any one was conscious is now apparent. Her delight in the tales and jokes of which her keen sense of humor made her the more appi ' eciative, was no doubt enhanced by a desiie for relief from the routine of her daily life. It was almost pathetic at times. Even more touching was the feeling in these later years that she could not know the girls; that she did not have their friendship and companionship as she had done.