Westmoorland College - Lupine Leaflet Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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26 LUPINE LEAFLET Joyce smoothes out her calico dress with her wrinkled hands, and says with a touching defiance: Yes, look what we all got for trying to serve the world nobly. Here l've worked twenty-five years, trying to paint a masterpiece, using Dr. Coue as my subjectg and when I took my work to the leading critic of America, he said it was worse than trash. And now I have to spend the rest of my existence in this miserable place. Dorothy, giving Joyce a comforting pat on the shoulder, I'd rather beadoorkeeperin the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. We should feel amply rewarded for having endeavored to make our small contribution to the progress of civilization. In my many years of mission work in Devine, I have never looked forward to worldly recompense, but only spiritual. Alice: Yes, Dorothy, you are right. There is no comfort in material wealth. Since William was killed in the Ku Klux War, I've only looked forward to my reunion with him in the world beyond. At this point the mournful conversation is interrupted by a loud scramble in the hall. Celeste rushes out, almost tripping in her long, gray dress, followed by Eliza- beth, with a dilapidated umbrella upraised in her hand. Elizabeth: S'top! Don't let her get away! She fed my parrot poison! Celeste becomes so frightened she runs into Eleanor's chair, upsetting her com- pletely. At this the onlookers rise and rush into the house with one accord. Elizabeth holds Celeste captive at last and stands over her in righteous indignation. You've tormented me all my life! After we left school, you won the man I loved, and left me to pine alone. Then when I became ambitious as a journalist and was about to succeed, you used your money to thwart me in every attempt I made, and now you've taken my last comfort away from me. My poor Polly! At this she is overcome with emotion and sinks into a chair. Celeste: You drove me to everything I did. You were so jealous because l married Jack that you tried to ruin my happiness by making sneering remarks in the papers about my social attempts. I was justified in everything I did, and l've been happy in spite of you, until Jack took the 'flu' and left me. Bessie appears in the doorway with her knitting, and is almost overcome with horror at the tragic scene before her. g Is this all the gratitude you have for the beneficient people whokhave given you this shelter. Go into the house and pray the Lord to forgive you for this desecration. As Celeste and Elizabeth penitently re-enter the house, a car drives up in front of the gate, and Ethel Orrell is assisted to the ground. Her sparse luggage is un- loaded, and her tottering steps are directed to the house. She is turned over to Bessie. Ethel: If I'd a known I'd a ever come to this, I never would'a given up my lover for a career. I've worked in stock companies from Maine to California and never got to play a better part than a maid. Bessie, what drove you to these cir- cumstances? Bessie: I've taken care of this home ever since it was donated to the cause. I felt that my duty lay here, and I've been happy in my work. They go into the house to get Ethel settled in her new surroundings, and a group, who have finished their supper, come out for a chat in the twilight. Lola tstooping to pick a sweet peajz This reminds me of my wedding day. The whole altar was a mass of sweet peas. It was the happiest day of my life. Love is the only thing worth living for, and I've never stopped loving him, even if I did have to get a divorce because he couldn't support me. Christine: Ah, Lola, stop eternally talking about love. I think my life would have been wasted if I had married. I dedicated myself to a scientific research of the emotions, and, as you have often heard me say, mine was the greatest contribution to psychology ever made, namely, that a person can be made to do anything under the influence of music. H

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LUPINE LEAFLET 25 Semor Poem-We Part n n my Dorothy Cooper - The year is done. and we are through With two years of our college life, Next year some few will start anew To war with books and win the strife, More will begin to face the world, While many cares will crowd their day, No matter how our paths diverge Together we have trod this way. And happy have the hours seemed, As time goes on more happy still- When we shall halt from what we've dreamed And revel in the past at will. That autumn day, how bright the sun, How clear the sky, how sweet to live, When we walked up Westmoorland's walk With step that confidence can give. We think back o'er the joys and pains, But out of all there's happiness. It seems no more than like spring rains, Which came the awakening world to bless With lovely flowers and noble trees: So we should go forth to our sphere Each one to do the task she sees The world most needs in our stay here. 11239 Senior Class Prophecy Irene Chase Time: 5 o'clock P. M., 1972 A. D. Place: Old Ladies' Home in Seguin. Characters: Forever class of '23, The inmates of the old ladies' home, having mutual feelings and fortunes, have gathered together in their old age to renew the friendship of their youth. This abode has been dedicated to the decrepit alumnae of Westmoorland by Henry Ford. The home itself is rather dilapidated in appearance, and a group of the inmates are enjoying themselves in the front yard in the cool of the afternoon.- Old Miss Fitch draws her woolen shawl closer about her thin, grey hair, and says in a quavering voice, For land's sakes, Mignon, you ought to quit comin' out doors without your head uncovered, you'lI catch your death o' cold. Mignon: Well, I don't much cafe if I dog l've eaten mashed potatoes and grits till I can't even look forward to my meals any more. I've done my duty anyway. After I left Westmoorland, I taught Latin for forty years, and this is all the com- pensation I get for it. Eleanor: Well, Ifailed in my career as a novelist, twenty years ago, and you're no worse off than I am.

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LUPINE LEAFLET 27 AEolia: But, Christine, I still insist that your theory is wrong. In my work as a deaconess, I have come to look at life from a very practical standpoint. There's nothing in psychology. lt's all bosh1 Elaine: Now, AEolia, y0u're getting set in your ways. Miss Watkins and I practiced the principles of psychology for forty years in the slums of Bastow, whether you acknowledge it or not, didn't we, Evelyn? June: There's a lot in psychology all right. I formerly used it on my audience when I sang in the great opera, 'The Princess Tut.' When I came on the stage, I always gave a loud scream, and they listened to me breathlessly throughout the re- mainder of the evening. It was just a matter of securing their attention. lt's getting mighty chilly out here. Let's go to bed. At eight o'clock, when the moon is shining, a loud horn is heard, and a large sight-seeing van draws up at the gate. An excited bevy of old ladies alight. They have been enjoynig the philanthropy of a former student of Westmoorland, who has been more fortunate than they, and has used some of her wealth to give them a day's out- ing. The benefactor is Mrs. Jackson, formerly Miss May. She follows the van in her limousine and bows a cheery good-night as she rolls away. Janie fin an awed tonej: Now wasn't that sweet of Hattie Lee?l' Esther Raby: Sweet! lt's the first thing she's done for me since I left school. She's been rollin' in wealth all these years ever since she married that oil king, and here l've struggled for a measly existence, teaching music till they made me stop. She hasn't even invited me to visit her. - Janie: Well, she always was nice to me. Before George died, she and I used to visit a lot. I taught her how to ride horseback one time when I was giving a house party on the ranch, for a lot of rich friends. Yes, 1 did used to go with rich people- even if I have sunk to this. Irene: Well don't spoil a nice day by reminding us of our surroundings. It seems like 'Home Sweet Home' to me anyway, after all those years in Africa, trying to drill the Gospel into those negroes' heads. Bessie calls from the door. All of you hurry up to your rooms immediately except Miss Walker, Miss Pres- ton, Miss Lacy, Miss Appleby, and Miss Lovett. An inspector of the old folks' home wants an interview with a few of you, so I choose you five because you look the healthiest. The chosen five hastily arrange their straggling locks and march solemnly into the parlor. The inspector proves to be a minister and addresses them thus: Ladies, I am trying to raise an appropriation from the various churches for the Old Ladies' Home, and I would like to have a short biography from each of you to use in the campaign. l feel that this will touch their hearts more than anything else. Helen rises and recites in a tragic voice, . When I left Westmoorland, it was with the determination to become famous as a teacher, but after many years of helpless struggling, I abandoned the idea and married the man who had been trying to turn me from my ambition so long. When the great Ku Klux War broke out, he was a Major, and I went into the service as a Red Cross nurse. He was killed, and I am here to-day. Kathleen: My life has been one tragedy after another. l've buried five husbands. fShe, overcome with emotion, is unable to say more.J Bessie leads her from the room, and Esther Preston tells her own tale of woe: I have given my life to the service of art. I designed marvelous creations in Paris for several years, but my eye-sight failed me when I reached the age of forty- five, and I was compelled to come here. - Flora Lea: Personally, I feel that the world is unjust to her worn out heroes,