Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, Vol. 11 no. 3
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The Kappa Alpha Theta Vol,. XI. MAY, 1897. No. 3. The Married Graduate’s Point of View. I am asked to give a little talk to the members of Kappa Alpha Theta about what life means from the married grad¬ uate’s point of view. This is no light task when one considers it ; for points of view are as varied as individuals, and are influenced, not only by personal tastes and character, but by all the sur¬ roundings and circumstances which combine to make up Life. There is, however, one common ground, besides that of the wrife and mother, upon which married graduates may meet, namely that of the housekeeper ; and strange to say, the old, old question of how much her higher education has helped or hindered womankind in this relation is never settled. It is a ghost that is never laid. It begins to haunt the school-girl who is bravely setting her face toward a col¬ lege curriculum, in the criticisms of anxious relatives; it appears at intervals all along her pathway, from out the pages and between the lines of conservative journalism, and it stalks boldly and with fearful audacity before her in that anxious interval before marriage, when she realizes, with consternation, that her time has been too fully occupied to learn to make bread or to administer the affairs of a house¬ hold. In the first sweet surprise that she is loved for herself, for her own womanhood, she exclaims, “ But I am so ig¬ norant !” She goes over in rapid retrospect the uneventful
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136 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . years of girlhood in her father’s house. She remembers how smoothly everything ran under her mother’s super¬ vision. She recalls intervals of rest, vacations perhaps, when, fired by a zeal for model housekeeping, she had sug¬ gested changes, revolutions more or less sweeping. With what strange apathy they seem to have been received ! Is it possible they were after all impracticable ? There have even been a few weeks now and then, when circumstances have made it necessary that she should steer the household bark herself. With what proud confidence was her hand laid upon the tiller and how exultant the thought that now, at last, some of her own theories, born perhaps of the inspiration incited by lectures and readings upon domestic sociology, should assist in the nautical ad¬ venture. She recalls with a shudder some of those tem¬ pestuous voyages, and how the little vessel was only saved from apparent destruction by the wise interference of its rightful pilot. Standing now in her humiliation of spirit on the threshold of that wider future, she asks herself of what use to her after all are the higher mathematics? “Have I, with all my laboratory practice in chemistry, really learned anything which I shall be likely to apply to my cuisine ? How much, after all, does the Subjunctive Mood assist one in ordering a wholesome dinner, or the conjugation of a Greek verb in the proper serving of it?” So this small demon of doubt obtrudes himself into the paradise which the simple words “ Will you be my wife ” has conjured up before this womanly soul, and all the while she fails to recognize him as an imp of tradition only. Hence this message to you dear girls, who are beginning your college life, from one who began hers more than a score of years ago. Do not be disturbed. Think most of all of the things in hand. Your morrows, matrimonial or other¬ wise, will surely take care of themselves if you do your duty today. If you excel in your college work your ability is proved. It is the stupid or the unbelieving who make fail-
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 137 ures of life, the undisciplined who are incapable or idle ; not such as you who are bravely overcoming obstacles and get¬ ting your own natures better in hand every day. Obey now if you would know how to command later. Learn to look upon all things with a wide vision ; for of all you are likely to encounter the domestic situation requires the most breadth and nobility of soul. Be thankful for those instructors who teach you exactness of thought and manipu¬ lation ; for the domestic problem is one of even mathemat¬ ical nicety. And finally, learn as you go to have charity ; knowing that whatever else may happen to you in that matrimonial future, now so vague, you m 1st suffer and be kind. To her who is “ standing still with waiting feet 99 on the threshold of her new happiness, I say, learn all that you have time to learn in your mother’s house. The first years of married life bring cares and perplexities, for which, excepting in the matter of good health, you cannot prepare yourself ; so that if you are already a good housekeeper you are spared the anxieties incident upon becoming one. And do not commit the mistake of supposing that good house¬ keeping is a secondary consideration in domestic happiness. It is secondary only to good temper and righteous dealing. If there has been no opportunity to acquire this accom¬ plishment do not be anxious. It would be strange indeed if an intellect which has mastered a broad college course could not cope successfully with these new questions ; strange if a mind accustomed to acquaint itself with exact science could not apply itself intelligently to the minutiae of daily life ; above all, strange if a girl who has been loving and courage¬ ous, tactful and true all the way through her college life, who has been beloved by her mates and admired and respected by her instructors, should not adopt a wise and considerate policy in the administration of her household. Be assured then, that^farfrom being a hindrance, a col-
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138 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . lege course is the greatest help toward a happy domestic life. Enter it with zest and enthusiasm for its own sake and with thankfulness for its influence upon your future. You will forget its details, but they will have helped life’s details to be less irksome. Abstruse theories and even historical facts will grow vague and unimportant, but they will have had their bearing upon the questions of today. Above all know that whatever experience aids you to attain exact (not ex¬ acting) and strong womanhood, whatever discipline helps you to conquer, whatever breadth of view teaches you to be tactful and loving toward your neighbor, by so much have you increased your hostages to fortune and by so much are you more thoroughly equipped for the battle of life. Ida Preston Nichoes. Alpha Epsilon. To our band of busy, earnest Thetas we have now added one more chapter, and you are all glad, I am sure, to learn that at Brown eighteen young women wear our kite with pride and enthusiasm. On the afternoon of Feb. 20th, at the home of Ida Evelyn Waite, Providence, R. I., the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was formally installed, and thb local society of Tri Kappa gave way to our stronger and more serious bonds. From Theta Alumni there were present, Miss May E. Brown, Chi ; Mrs. Harriet W. Viall, Miss E. J. Watson and Miss Katherine M. Edwards, Iota ; and Miss M. E. Broomell, Alpha Beta. After the initiation a letter of welcome was read from our president, Miss Funck. An informal reception was then given, and we were pleased to meet with several of the college professors and their wives. The dining room was tastefully decorated with the gold
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 139 and black of our fraternity, and dainty refreshments were served. It was difficult to learn the names of all the girls and be¬ come acquainted with so many, but the warm welcome we were everywhere given, and the enthusiasm shown through¬ out, made us feel that the Theta spirit was thoroughly in¬ stilled in the heart of each separate one of our new members. As the Tri Kappa fraternity was already large, no new members were taken in at the beginning of the term, and the chapter now consists entirely of seniors, juniors and sophomores. The initiated are : ’97. Josephine Beane, Martha Briggs, Clara Whitehead. '98. Adelaide Arnold, Lucy Bates, Katherine Neuschiez, Edna Arnold, Elizabeth Grant, Ida Waite, Edith Thomson. *99. Caroline Briggs, Agnes Clark, Anna Gray, Annie Larry, Mary Leonard, Bertha Tucker, Harriet Utter, Mary Wilbur. This is the first fraternity installed at the Women’s Col¬ lege at Brown, and we trust that all of the chapter will feel the responsibility that is now theirs. Sincerely yours, Mary E. Broomele. The Aim of Our Fraternity. To the girl just entering college the fraternity presents it¬ self as a new aspect in her life, and surrounded by the kind but urgent faces of so many new friends she is bewildered and knows not into which pathway to turn her steps. After deliberate thought, if time is given her for such, she will de¬ termine to unite with that fraternity which she thinks can do her the most good and which has the highest purpose. It is then that she will seek to know the aim of the frater¬ nity and each of us as true Thetas should stand ready to present our noble aim to the new girl and thus place before her mind what good there must be in becoming a member of
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140 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Kappa Alpha Theta. She will think it very strange if we do not know what we are striving for in our fraternity life, and surely our influence will not be for the best unless we are familiar with the purpose and ready to show by our lives that we are striving to maintain the high standard placed before us by Kappa Alpha Theta. The intellectual, moral and social growth embrace all that could be desired in our fraternity life. The intellectual im¬ pulse holds out a strong inducement. Let us, sister Thetas, seek those for our sisters who have some purpose in coming to college, and that purpose to be among the best students in college. And when such student enters our circle let us show how much we appreciate that ambition by each one of us striving for the same purpose, and surely we should set an example for the new girl, and thus we can see how much responsibility rests upon our shoulders. There is no better way to keep up the standard of our chapter in college than by our studious habits, and how often a professor will judge the whole fraternity by the work of a few of its members. Upon each of us does our standing depend and this thought, so often neglected, should be considered by all of us and the need of putting forth every effort to attain the highest scholarship. Our second aim, and one which might well be first, is our moral growth in college. I do not believe that anywhere are the conditions brighter for our moral development than in college. Every college or university holds some incentive for work in this direction. As a band of girls striving for the highest attainments in life, we cannot value too much the importance attached to our own moral life and how much influence we bear upon those outside of our fraternity as well as upon each other. In our own mystic circle, as we meet at the sacred shrine of Theta, we may gather new strength and new ambition and in the bonds of love be knit the closer. And again our example will be followed by our new sister. She will look up to us and be influenced by us, be that influence for good or evil.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 141 The third purpose, which seems to me a most important one in fraternity life, is the social growth. Many of us come to college very crude in our social ideas, and in this direction our fraternity should offer a powerful incentive. Very often a fraternity is judged by its social standing and the actions of each one of its members when they come in contact with their fellow-students. So in the fraternity must the social life be nourished. Fraternity students are more favored perhaps in the line of social enjoyment than other students and thus we should obtain the best good from this advantage to assist us when college days are passed away and we mingle with the outside world. Each year as we return to college we miss those who were leaders in our social functions. Yet these have grown up as it were in the chapter and who at first might have been as helpless as many of us ; but by their social pursuits they have gained for themselves a high social standing and won for the fraternity that same distinction. To strengthen ourselves and gain more confidence in our ability, we must mingle with our fel¬ low-students and improve every opportunity for social inter¬ course. Every school of learning has its open societies of which it would be an honor to be a member. Much good could come to members of fraternities from these societies, Theta can be pushed to the front by the work done and we shall always regret passing through college without enjoy¬ ing these social privileges which in equal sense are intellect¬ ual privileges. But not alone to the outside world do we bear social rela¬ tions, but to each other. In our fraternity we will find girls best fitted for our friends and who, if they are live Thetas, and they surely are, will have both interest of fraternity and sister at heart. We should be devoted sisters ready to help and sympathize with each other when the occasion demands. How often it happens that we do not learn to appreciate a sister until she is absent or separated from us. Our thought¬ fulness for others is one of the sterling qualities which we might well acquire in our fraternity relations.
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142 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Again we can make our meetings such that they will be a help and an inspiration to all of us, and the interest we have for the welfare of our chapter will lead us to look forward with great pleasure to the hour when we gather in our mys¬ tic circle and never think of other things we would like to do at that particular time. If our work is planned accord¬ ingly* we need never fail to attend the chapter gatherings in order to give our attention to some other duty more or less important, when at the same time many hours are wasted in doing nothing. Only when we come to our meetings in a true, loyal Theta spirit can we obtain good from them. As I thought of our fraternity life there came to me many ideas and plans to pursue. If only we follow the rules laid down by our Constitution we shall be an ideal fraternity. And in thinking of our chapter let us remember that we must not be excelled by any other fraternity in our literary, social and moral life, and each one of us will have a strong impulse to maintain our. high standard and pledge to our chapter our love and fealty. And when our work is done in the halls of our Alma Mater our watchword still shall be for Kappa Alpha Theta . An Apron B. A. It is old and time-yellowed, this apron, For which you so smilingly ask To embellish some graceful young figure To appear at your little bal masque . The bib is most ancient in fashion ; The edges bear scallops profuse ; It is small and daintily fitting And embroidered with nice curlicues. As I tenderly take and unfold it, Something else do I unfold beside ; — A memory to every small scallop Is quite irrevocably tied.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 143 ’Tis a full score of years since I made it ’Mid castles of red-rosy hues ; To adorn me, forsooth, while in college I embroidered ornate curlicues. The star world just on my horizon, I marvelled at what it might be ; A fair college world of enchantment I11 outline I vaguely could see. And beyond it rose visions of greatness, For ambition inflated by views When my needle embroidered those scallops And stitched in those wild curlicues. Thus the apron was taken to college, Embroidered with floss and with dreams ; And there, dears, some weird worldly knowledge Worked gradually into its seams. ’Twas intended book learning to foster While it solaced a lonely recluse ; But wisdom unbooked became tangled In those twisted and turned curlicues. Would you like to hear one of its stories ? Ah, which would it rather confide ! Would it tell of the tall, handsome Junior Who co-education decried ? Full oft did he call to decry it With eloquence terse and diffuse ; And it chanced once his hostess, quite flustered, Wore an apron with gay curlicues. That time did his arguments fail him ; The light in his eyes softer grew ; He soon fell to talking of Browning And of great things which Prof. Corson knew. Then confessed that a picture domestic His ideas seemed to confuse, — Of a maiden translating Ad Naera In an apron with charmed curlicues.
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144 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . Old Horace’s strange occultation With aprons in that Junior’s skies Gave data for miscalculation Which later occasioned surprise. For the apron retained undiminislied Its devotion to Horace’s muse ; It meant to gain culture and learning And live up to its fine curlicues. But this was the least of the courses Embraced by the symbol : “ B. A.” From the Register wisely omitted, — The Instructors receiving no pay Except in cold coin of experience, Which as cash, dears, is quite hard to use. This apron has hoards of such treasure Wrapped up in its long curlicues. If from all which it painfully gathered, It should give you the substance and sum, It would say this : “ Whatever you hope for, Things different are most sure to come. And something will ever be given To compensate that which you lose ; For what life may be lacking in scallops It makes up in strange curlicues.” A. B. C.
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/ THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 145 Duties of the Chapter Officers. We do not often care to acknowledge that women have faults, but if there is a fault which is peculiar to our sex it is that we are unbusinesslike. It is not to be wondered at perhaps when we consider the long line of women we are descended from, women whose whole sphere was the home and who never had the responsibility of meeting in a busi¬ ness way the outside world. But we have departed from the ways of our foremotliers, in going to college, in joining a fraternity, and we must necessarily meet with business peo¬ ple in college and after college days. If we are to be equal to the changed conditions, we must throw off our careless, unbusinesslike habits and accept, if only as discipline, the exacting requirements of women of affairs. The one who has charge of the business of a chapter is the corresponding secretary. She must be able to write a good letter, of course, but it is quite as important that she has the virtue of promptness. During the last year and a half I have been closely connected with the corresponding secre¬ taries of the chapters, and although I have enjoyed the con¬ nection, some things have been brought to my notice which have bothered me and which reflect upon the fraternity. For instance, in December I should have received the fall reports from twenty-one active chapters. Up to date I have received thirteen. This winter a vote by chapters upon an important subject was called for and at the end of a month four registered letters had to be sent to as many delinquent chapters. The time for the election of corresponding secre¬ tary is now at hand. Let me urge you to chose this officer with a view to her business ability. The May reports will soon be due and I beg the corresponding secretaries to see to it that a copy is sent to each member of the Grand Coun¬ cil. Under the existing circumstances it is absolutely im¬ possible for the secretary to give a report upon the condition of the fraternity. It is not only in the secretary’s work that I suggest im-
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146 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . provement. If Kappa Alpha Theta is to be an active work¬ ing force she must be conducted upon good business prin¬ ciples. I have become well acquainted with several other fraternal bodies and if I may be allowed to criticise our¬ selves, I think we are behind them in organization. I hope the aim of our next convention will be to outline, and strengthen, and amend our business principles. Let every delegate come prepared with thoughtful, practical sugges¬ tions upon this point. It is not a trivial matter, but one very important to the well being of our fraternity. Caroline P. Sargent. President’s Letter. To the Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta : The Grand Council, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, has, in accepting the invitation of Psi Chapter, chosen Madison as the place for the twelfth bien¬ nial convention of the fraternity. The convention will therefore be held at Madison, Wis. , Oct. 5-8, 1897. Since the last issue of the Journal, Alpha Epsilon Chapter has been established at the Women’s College, at Brown Uni¬ versity, Providence, R. I. The installation was conducted by Miss Brown, President of Alpha District. A11 alumnae charter has also been granted to K. A. 0. Alumnae in Col¬ umbus, Ohio. This will form the Epsilon Chapter on the Alumnae Roll. The chapter will be formally organized in May. The increasing number of Alumnae Chapters certainly demonstrates that there is something in Theta teachings to guide the lives of women as well as college girls. To further these teachings by the best organization, and to remedy whatever defects have come to light in the experience of the past two years, is the work before us in the coming conven¬ tion. The Council therefore wishes to urge once more upon the
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 147 chapters, the discussion, pro and con , in chapter meetings of the questions to come before the convention body. These questions together with the instructions from the Council to the chapters and delegates will be put in the hands of the chapter correspondents by the Grand Secretary. That this convention may be “ the best yet,” let us come to it with in¬ telligent and enthusiastic zeal for the welfare of Theta. Harriet Lucretia Funck. Letter from the President of Beta District. Dear Sisters in Kappa Alpha Theta : This last coming together in the pages of the Journal suggests to all of us, no doubt, our more satisfactory coming together in the fall. As the time draws near, we feel our fraternity enthusiasm rising to a very high pitch. This is well, and yet there is some danger in this very enthusiasm — not in its degree but in its direction. If any of us have the idea that our convention is a coming together only for a brief but delightful social intercourse, an enthusiastic grasp¬ ing of hands and exchanging of congratulations because we have the good fortune to be members of the same fraternity ; and that somehow out of all this we are to get inspiration and practical benefit which we shall carry back to our re¬ spective chapters — if anyone has such an idea, let her get rid of it before coming to the convention. There is an inspiration in the mere being together, but it is an inspiration only for those who are present, the benefit the chapter derives is from another source. The delegates will be able to take nothing back to their chapters if they bring nothing to the convention. We have all discovered that the fraternity bond means not alone a bounteous receiv¬ ing but a generous giving, and at no time is this truer than at convention time. Each delegate is expected to contribute something of real value to the fraternity. Each chapter’s experience has been a little different from the experience of
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1 48 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. every other chapter and therefore the lesson is different. L,et us have the benefit of what you have learned, what you have enjoyed and what you have endured. If you have dis¬ covered a weakness in the fraternity at any point, we all want to know it and join with you in remedying it. As has been said before, Kappa Alpha Theta to live must advance ; it cannot stand still, and wholesome criticism is necessary for progress. Right along this line there is another word I wish to say and say with all the strength that is in me. It has seemed to me for some time that we are not frank enough with one another. According to the reports from chapters as ordin¬ arily given, each chapter stands at the head in the institu¬ tion in which it is located, the members are all enthusiastic, and prospects are invariably “ bright.' * Is this true? We know it is not in every case. This does not necessarily mean that a chapter which does not enjoy such prosperity is not working earnestly and loyally for the same ideal as the other chapters : it may simply mean that circumstances have been unfavorable to the complete development of that chapter. That is just what we, as a body, want to know and ought to know ; otherwise help cannot be given to those who need it most, and Kappa Alpha Theta is crippled. It is well per¬ haps not to spread it abroad that our chapter is weak (though usually outsiders do not need to be informed) but certainly among ourselves, in our own family circle, as it were, we can afford to be perfectly candid. Our fraternity cannot be what we all wish it to be and what we believe it can be, un¬ less there is a fuller and freer confidence, one to another. I have spoken earnestly and at some length on this matter be¬ cause I feel very deeply upon it and have, for some time had borne in upon me the need of fuller and more honest reports from chapters in convention. We shall waste much time and energy in the meeting if each delegate has not well in mind what she is to bring be¬ fore the convention ; if she has not mastered the laws which govern an assembly of this kind ; and if she is not well-
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 149 grounded in and thoroughly familiar with our own constitu¬ tion. Perhaps this warning is unnecessary — so much the better and we may look forward to a convention such as we have never had before. Just one last suggestion. Would it not be a good plan for each delegate to bring with her to the convention, whatever pictures of the chapter or institution, she may be able to get hold of ? These make us acquainted, in a way, with those who are not present, and make the chapters seem more con¬ crete to us. We part, then, until October, when we shall meet not as members of separate chapters, but as sisters in Kappa Alpha Theta, lending to her service our heads, as well as our hearts. Sincerely in Theta, Myra McPherson Post.
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ALUMN JE DEPARTMENT. Beta Alumnae. Dear Thetas — It is not because we have lost interest in our alumnae chapter that we have not been heard from for some time, for notwithstanding the fact that we are all busy women, either teaching or with families of our own, we have kept up our meetings. Every third Saturday afternoon in the month, with but one exception, we have met for a pleasant chat and listened to one or two reviews of some modern novels. We have enjoyed our meetings very much though they have not always been as large as we would like. Our last meeting was unusually pleasant. Mrs. Frank M. Joyce opened her pretty home on Highland Avenue and entertained both the alumnae and the active chapters. We were very glad to meet the active girls in this way, as very many of the alumnae chapter had not met the active girls. We are all so scattered here in Minneapolis and St. Paul that we cannot get together very often. We enjoyed this meet¬ ing very much and all agreed that we were justly proud of our Upsilon chapter. We have many new members this year, coming from many different chapters —from Lambda to Omicron. We are constantly finding out new Thetas in the Twin Cities and are very glad to welcome them all into our “ circle.’ ’ We have already begun to plan for the Convention and hope to send down quite a delegation to Madison to enjoy Psi’s hospitality. Let us all work to make it a complete suc¬ cess, that Kappa Alpha Theta may receive new life, new strength and loftier ambitions with which to go out into the world and help raise the standard of womanhood still higher. Emma Kemp Timberlake. Minneapolis, April 5, 1897.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 151 Catullus’s Sirmio. When we were planning on our way across Italy from Lake Como to Verona, to stop at Brescia, for the sake of Moretto, one of us had said to the other, that it would be a distinct reflection upon our devotion to the classics, if we should skirt the shores of the Lago di Garda without turn¬ ing aside for a little pilgrimage to Catullus’s Sirmio. The other, to her shame be it said, had, in her enthusiasm for me¬ diaeval art, forgotten the nearness of the “ peninsularum, Sirmio, insularumque ocelle,” though the mention of it set murmuring through her brain Tennyson’s melodious words : “ Sweet Catullus’s all-but-island, olive-silvery Sirmio.” And then as her memory felt backward through the beauti¬ ful lines, “ Yes, to be sure,” she answered, ” ‘ Row us out from Desenzano, to your Sirmione, row,’ and here is Desen- zano directly in our path.” So it came about that one moonlight night after a long day in Brescia over Moretto’s silver-grey canvasses, we found ourselves zig-zagging down the slopes of the Lago di Garda to Desenzano and an hour later were resting in the rose-em¬ bowered balcony of a quaint little inn on the lake’s edge. It was an enchanted hour and place. There was not even the sound of lapping water upon the shore. The cool breath of the summer night gently stirred among the roses and shook from them delicious odors. The motionless lake was flooded with soft moonlight. Far out across the silvery surface there stretched along the horizon a dim shadow. The shadow was Sirmio. The very night itself was steeped in the sweet ineffable melancholy of the 1 ‘ Frater, ave atque vale.” 4 4 Of the poets hopeless woe, Tenderest of Roman poets nineteen hundred years ago.” Next morning it was very different. The voice of the waves stole in with the scent of the roses at day-break and importuned us to come out to them. We did not resist the
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152 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . invitation. The lake was an expanse of keen, brilliant blue, swinging and swaying here and there into crested whitecaps. The sky matched the lake. We had never conceived of the existence of a world of such dazzling azure. The skies and bays of the Mediterranean “ of the peacock’s neck in line,” as it curves along the white sands of the Riviera from Nice to Mentone, would have been dull beside it. “Oh,” mur¬ mured the one of us who has his classics always ready for happy usage, “ these are Catullus’ waves at sunrise, ‘ Quae tarde primum dementi flamine pulsae Procedunt leviterque sonant plangore cachinni, Post vento cresente mogis mogis increbescunt Purpureoque procul nautes a luce refulgent.’ ” Sirmio was no longer a thing of half shadow and half im¬ agination, but a streak of vivid green against the blue. “ Olive-silvery ? ” we asked inquiringly of each other. Our host would have had us drive to it by a far way around the lake shore. But we did not choose that the Poet Lau¬ reate should have the advantage over us in approach to Sir¬ mio. We bargained with a muscular Italian to row us out, and one of us lent a hand. “ So they rowed and there we landed. ’ ’ With some difficulty we clambered over the sharp stones of the rocky shore, and plodded through dusty olive orchards up to the top of the promontory. Bent as we were on finding the promised traces of Catullus’ country-house it was the lake which first drew our eyes toward itself. With the sunlight shining from our own direction it had put off its azure and taken on a shining irridescence of bright green and blue and yellow, like, except in its stronger coloring our own Lake Cayuga, from the level of the water at the exact moment when the sun drops below the western hills. Another turn brought us to the ruins of the Roman villa almost overhanging the lake. The ground plan is still traceable. Here and there ragged pieces of its wall outline themselves against the sky. Hoary olives grow outside the walls, and inside tiny purple and yellow flowers star the soft
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. i53 turf and the moss which clings in the broken edges of the stone. We turned inland to look at the intricate plan of the ruins of the bath, to the modern mind out of all proportion to the size of the house itself, and a curious artificial grotto, dark and clammy, with the strata of centuries’ deposit of mud upon its floors, called the “Grotto di Catulle.’’ Whether it or the rest belonged to Catullus may be doubted. That fact did not trouble our imagination as we wandered back to rest under the olive trees beside the ruins and lay “ Gazing at the Lydian laughter of the GardaLake below.” Behind us the soft rise of the promontory covered with its grey-green orchards was indeed “ olive- silvery.” Beneath us the lake still shimmered and changed. One of us was ashamed to ask the other to say over lines which should have been so familiar, and spelled them out for herself from an English translation which by curious perversity clung to her mind, — “Sirmio thou fairest far beneath the sky Of all the isles and jutting shores that lie Deeply embowered in calm inland lake, Oh joy of joys to gaze on thee once more.” Then the Latin began to remember itself, — “Quam te libenter quamque laetus inviso, O quid solutis est beatius curis, * * * * * Salve, o venusta Sirmio, atque ero gaude, Gaudete vosque, O Lydiae lacus undae, Ridete quicquid est domi cachinnorum.” ^ ^ ^ We rowed back against a growing west wind and rising waves which bade fair to verify the reflection cast upon their temper in the * ‘ rich Virgilian rustic measure ’ ’ of the sec¬ ond Georgic. So that in our anxiety we forgot to watch
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154 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. the curious change by growing distance and changing light of the coloring of lake and land as we rowed away. Our quiet reflections, too, on the loveliness of the place, its power to arouse our most vivid associations with the ‘ 1 tenderest of Roman poets’ * and the singularly happy chance of the beauty of the summer day on which we came to it, were left for a few hours later when the railway train bore us away to Verona and the Lago di Garda faded into a line between the hills. Emma Gilbert Shorey.
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UNDERGRADUATE DEPARTMENT. The Passing of the Senior. A “ CO-ED’ ’ INCIDENT. Oh, Yes, I am sorry to see you go, Now that its over and you’ve you’re A. B. Properly grieved and all that, you know ; Just a touch less than you, you’ll see. “ We shall meet somewhere again, I hope, Sometime” — Yes, when you’re fifty and fat, And my husband has gotten a fortune from — soap, Or tin or a commonplace something like that. And you’ll put up your glasses and say, “ Oh, Yes, I believe that I knew you at old K. U.” And I shall say, “ What is the name? — Harkness? — Oh, White ! Was it you or your brother I knew ?” For you will forget in a year or so, And I in a twelve month — perhaps eleven, That we were — “ Just good friends, you know,” In a college town in ’97. Ceara Gattreee Lynn. There arises from Alpha Gamma a cry for the new song book so long looked for. The wail of the 1900’s is loudest, for the 99’s and the lordly juniors, after months of rigid discipline, have subdued their impatience somewhat, and are now almost resigned to The Song Book, the idea of going through the remainder of life, uncheered by a book of soul-inspiring Theta songs.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 156 The books of the senior and alumnae girls will not serve many more generations of Alpha Gammas, and lest it be our dire fate to “ forget the songs of Zion,” we send to the Journal this supplicating chorus, hoping that its doleful minor strains may soon be modulated into a song of joy and gladness over the publication of a new edition of Theta mel¬ odies. The college maid who wears the kite and has not music in her soul is certainly an anomaly. The desire for new books must, then, be a general one. May we not hope for them before the close of another college year ? Thus pleads Alpha Gamma. A. E. W. In all the whirl and confusion of college life there are some ideals of a fraternity which are never forgotten from the fact of their being so self-evident. But on the other hand there are ideals which I fear are too often overlooked for the moment, and which, when forgotten, lower us in the eyes of the world. If we would only take Fraternity ideals. the time once in a while to sit down for a few minutes and think or talk with our sisters about the ideals of a fraternity they would be freshened in our minds, and they would become so inter¬ twined with our own ideals that we could not separate them and they would help us in our actions and become our guid¬ ing star through life. In a fraternity the weak and strong are united in a bond of sympathy, helping each other in every way, correcting each others faults, instead of leaving them to be harshly and secretly criticised by outsiders, receiving and giving love and trust, uniting forces to fight the battles of life. Who is there who goes into a fraternity with the right spirit, and who realizes what a fraternity is as much as she can realize it before the mysteries of the Greek world are unfolded to her, but is bettered, broadened, enobled by this contact with others ?
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 157 What are the ideals of Theta ? Wherever there is a chap¬ ter established we all wish to hear of Theta containing the best students, girls of the noblest characters, girls who socially are loved and respected by all. It is easy to know what we wish to become, but it is the attaining this that is so hard. But with a loving sister to help us and trust us the task becomes much easier. A kind word spoken by one we love helps us over many a stumbling block and starts us safely on our way again. We go to work with so much more energy when we realize that not only our own reputa¬ tion, but the reputation of the whole chapter, the reputation of the whole fraternity, rests on our shoulders. We cannot put it off on some one else, we each have our own place to fill, our own duty to perform, no one can do it for us. We must go to work with a will, keep our ideals and the ideals of our fraternity ever before us, and with the help of our sisters we will some day reach the long striven for goal. We must “do noble deeds, not dream them all day long.” Lydia P. Williams. To many older minds in the outside world, the secrecy of the fraternity and sorority appears childish and senseless. If we try to place ourselves Shall we Abol- away from the college grounds and think lsh Secrecy ! about it impartially, does it not seem the same to us ? When our founders started the society, their conditions must have been very different from ours, and secrecy may then have been necessary, but an institution to continue use¬ ful, needs to keep pace with the changes in life of those for whom it exists. And what now is the use or benefit of this secrecy to us ? It is certainly a most annoying restriction to some members. It seems very foolish not to be able to answer any ordinary little questions that one’s family may ask. Then, does not so much secrecy separate us farther from the rest of the student body? Exclusiveness being
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158 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. ever a danger to fraternities. But leaving those objections, is it right, is it just, to ask and expect anyone to join an organization without telling her all that is expected of her, without informing her, that she has to pledge herself, and what the pledges are ? Is it fair to suddenly pounce these obligations upon her unprepared, when, if she objected, the situation, to use a mild term, would be decidedly awkward, but we lay ourselves open to this predicament. It may be said that a girl need not become a member un¬ less she likes. But the girls are young when they come to college and do not always think as seriously about things then as they do later. However, suppose that some girls refuse to join us, unless they know before hand all that they have to agree to, they would be quite right in so doing, and we should be placed in a very foolish and undignified light. Our present method is not an open, straightforward one. Why should not our constitution be open and free for any one to read ? What secrets have we that would harm us if divulged ? If we are to take vows, but to my mind it would be preferable not to take any, why should not the world know what those vows are, and if the world did know, would those promises not carry more weight with us and mean much more to us than now ? By abolishing secrecy, I do not mean that we must not perform any pretty rites at initiation time, which we fancy, and which our love of charm and mystery would make us agree in keeping to ourselves, but that the serious part of our organization, its basis, purpose, obligations and pledges, etc., shall at least, be known to an initiate before she agrees to become one of us, and if possible, should be free and open to anyone who may care to know. What solemnity can any promises have which have not been previously considered and seriously undertaken. Very likely some girls would not join a sorority if they knew what they had to promise, and the easiest way to get over that difficulty would be not to have any promises. And is not any girl who would not be faithful to her sisters without a vow, unfitted to be a member of K. A. 0.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 159 However, whether we pledge ourselves to anything or not, if we make our sorority free and open for all to look upon, shall we not do much to remove the doubtfulness the world has felt for us ? Will not its gaze help us to have nothing foolish or poor in our constitution ? And shall we not all feel that Kappa Alpha Theta has taken a long step towards true strength and dignity of character ? M. B. Fox.
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CHAPTER LETTERS. The date upon which the next chapter letter should be sent out is October 5. Please write on one side only of the paper, and put the personals on separate sheet headed only by the name of the Chapter. Any per¬ sonal communication to the editor should also be written on a sepa¬ rate sheet. Please note the way the chapter letters are headed and always arrange them in the same way, putting nothing at the head but the names of chapter and the university. Alpha District. IOTA — CORNELL, UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnse, 9 ; number of active members, 21 ; seniors, 3; juniors, 7; sophomores, 6; freshmen, 4; graduate, 1; graduates from other chapters, 3. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Kathleen Connor . . . Elizabeth Russell . . Nina Angell . Marguerite Hempstead Nannine La Villa . . . Helen Huebncr .... Burlington, Iowa . Watkins, N. Y. . . Ithaca, N. Y. . Meadville, Pa. . Florence, Italy . . Lancaster, Pa. Number of faculty in the university, 178; number of students, 1806 ; number of men’s fraternities, 26. Women’s fraternities : Del¬ ta Gamma, 21 ; Kappa Kappa Gamma, 16; Alpha Phi, 17 J Kappa Alpha Theta, 21. CHAPTER LETTER. Two weeks ago Alma Mater “cast from her lap forlorn ” her disconsolate children, after overwhelming us impartially in the Scylla of science finals and the Charybdis of the
Page 27
THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 161 classics. Ten days vacation, — a feast not movable, as Easter is, — passing all too quickly, brings us to the begin¬ ning of the end of another year, As vve look back over the two other terms, filled with happy work and happier leisure, we can but ask that history repeat itself, in so far as college and fraternity experiences may be re-enacted. Chief among the fetes of the less fateful winter term, Iota recalls, with youthful pride and pleasure, 'her sixteenth birthday. The banquet, held in the dining-hall of Sage College on the evening of Jan. 29th, was undoubtedly “a perpetual feast of nectared sweets, where no crude surfeit reigned;” and as Iota, her alumnae and her “inurbe” toasted the gold and the black, she felt in very truth the old monk’s words : “ Fellowship is life, my brothers, and lack of fellowship is death ; and the things that ye do on earth, it is for fellowship’s sake that ye do them.” Letters of love and benediction were read from “those other Thetas of years ago,” and Margaret Washburn, ’94, Clara Kerr, ’94, and Agnes White, ’96, returned to express their sentiments in person. The gold and the black was everywhere, from one extreme at the freshman table to the other extreme where the juniors sat, and the product of the extremes equalled the golden mean of daffodils at the center, — the center of gravity, it might have proved at any other time, since there the seniors were ensconced. The seniors, too, have tried to mitigate the suffering of their already sorrowing sisters with a college girl’s panacea — spreads and impromptus — which was kindness quite mis¬ taken, and has brought before us with concentrated bitter¬ ness of realization the brightness of our blessings, ere they take their flight. Some slight compensation for next year, however, is the prospect of an appropriation to a chapter house. One of the most charming of the campus houses is to be annexed to Sage College, and in it we have secured a number of rooms, to be kept in the family, if the, to us, novel experiment proves satisfactory. In this pleasant anticipation for next
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162 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . year, one of our freshmen — bear with us while we shed a timely tear — does not share. Next month Nannine La Villa sails for Florence, never, we fear, to return to us. It is indeed a transition to pass from the feverish activity of twentieth century university life in America to the hushed tranquillity of the mediaeval cloister in a Florentine palazzio. The inscription on the great bell in our library reads : “Caelum non animum mutant qui trails mare currunt,” which, in this case, we are quite prepared to believe. Another farewell has been already said. Marcia Vedder, ’99, has left college to seek rest and health. We are cher¬ ishing the belief that the long summer months will bring them, and that the return of another fall may bring our un¬ willing exile back to Alma Mater and “ Almae Sorores,” An exile but recently returned is Professor Burr, who, for more than a year, has been searching, at home and abroad, for historical evidence to be used by the Venezuelan Com¬ mission, of which ex-President White, now minister to Ger¬ many, was a member. Professor Burr is especially welcome among the Theta contingent, for he is almost traditional in the chapter, and has long presided over one of our tables with all the grace of a typical Theta. The prizes in this year’s Cornellian — an annual which ranks second only to that of the Boston Institute, we say with pride and truth, are to be divided, as were last year’s, between the two most worthy contestants ; and, as last year, Lillian Swift, ’97, has won one-half the honors. She is also one of the editors of the Cornell Magazine and class essayist of the senior class. Athletics among the girls is going from strength to strength. And as proof of Iota’s interest in this line, we have the president of the Sports and Pastimes Association, the captain and sub-captain of the Basket Ball Club and three members of the ’Varsity Team. The basket ball has just ended its season amid general applause (not however because it did end) and the energy and attention are being transferred to wheeling and tennis. The tennis club, in
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 163 which Iota has the captain, the sub-captain and the cham¬ pionship, has announced a handicap tournament, the effects of which are already noticeable in the interest and devotion to practice of the aspirants. As for the wheeling, Horace was not a false prophet when he said that ‘ ‘ Ithaca is not a good place for horses,’ ’ — it being a little harrowing to urge even a steel horse over illimitable hills. For all that, the spring, the country and good company prove most effica¬ cious in luring forth frequent and enthusiastic wheeling parties. As regards the men’s athletics, the half cannot be told. Every effort on the part of student, faculty — espe¬ cially Professor Wheeler — and alumni is being made, ap¬ parently, to insure this year one more glory, and that a crowning one, for Cornell’s crew. And one of the most sat¬ isfactory remarks in Iota’s next letter will be, when our victory is won, and the races are over, “ We told you so.” Our thoughts are not all of athletics, however. Iota takes an interest in class politics, also, and as a result we have the second vice-president of ’98, ’99 and 1900, the correspond¬ ing secretaries of ’98 and 1900, and the vice-president of the C. U. Christian Association. During the vacation one of our girls had the pleasure of meeting Miss Howe, Lambda, ’90, in the corridor of the Girls’ High School, Brooklyn, and of telling her, among other recent news, of the advent of our baby chapter at Brown. Those of us at Cornell who shared in the creation of the chapter, even to the slight extent of being repre¬ sented by our pins, have been rewarded by personal com¬ munications from our “ Brown girls,” and delight in the elder-sister attitude we assume in consequence. Katherine Edwards, too, one of the Wellesly professors, who was present, has written us so interesting an account of the in¬ stallation of the chapter that we are quite impressed with the propriety of their frequent occurrence. To the conven¬ tion we are all looking forward with a confidence perhaps justified by the fact that it is a convention of Kappa Alpha Theta “ of cheerful yesterdays and confident to-morrows.”
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164 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. LAMBDA — UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 17; number of active members, 24; seniors, 5 ; juniors, 5 ; sophomores, 6 ; freshmen, 8. Names and addresses of this year's initiates. Fannie Howe Atwood . Mary Tracy Brownell . Amy Maud Burt .... Margaret Mary Healey . Ivy Hopkins . Alice Josephine Morris . Fanny Lydi$ Smith . . . Laura Verona Stanhope . Helen Mable Thompson 27 Buell St., Burlington, Vt, .... Essex Junction, Vt. . Swanton, Vt. . Wallington, Vt. . Franklin, Vt. . Webster, Mass. . Shelburne, Vt. . Berkshire, Vt. . Inasburgh, Vt. Number of faculty in the University, 34 ; number of students, 537; number of men’s fraternities, 7. Women’s fraternities : Delta Delta Delta, 1 1 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 24. CHAPTER LETTER. In a few days we Lambda girls will be at our different homes. We shall be very glad to have a vacation, as we have had no rest since Christmas. The seniors here are to be envied because the faculty have decided to excuse them from their final examinations in June. This is a precedent which we expect will be con¬ tinued hereafter. The Women’s Edition of our University Cynic has just appeared. We have been very anxious that it should be a success, as it is the first time that it has been done in our university. Now that the coldest weather is passed, we are again holding our meetings in our chapter house. A few weeks ago one of our sophomore girls invited us to her home and we spent a very delightful evening. Professor Torre}', who has been abroad for a year, is expected to return soon and will take his classes in Philosophy. Dr. Irons, of Cornell University, has taken his place during his absence.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 165 We were very much pained and shocked at the death of our sister, Mrs. Spear, and we feel that we shall miss her in many ways. We know that she was a loyal Theta and very much attached to Lambda chapter. As she had been in California for some time, only a few of the girls knew her personally, but as long as she was able she gave us advice and encouragement by her letters. We know, too, that Omega chapter will feel her loss deeply. Miss Sawyer, who came to Burlington with her remains, ex¬ pected to be with us at one of our meetings and tell us of Mrs. Spears’ illness, but was ill and unable to be present. MU— ALLEGHENY COLLEGE. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 9 ; number of active members, 18 ; seniors, 2 ; juniors, 3 ; sophomores, 5 ; freshmen, 6 ; pledged, 2. Names and addresses of this year's initiates: Alice Parshall . . . Sabra Vought . . . . Coral Merchant . . . Emma Edson .... Claribelle Wilkins . Marion Stark . . . . Clara Hinckley . . . . . Tidioute, Pa. Jamestown, N. Y. . . . Akron, Ohio . . Meadville, Pa. . . . Warren, Pa. . Mansfield, Ohio , . Cambridge, Pa. Number of faculty in college, 11 ; number of students, 298 ; num¬ ber of ineu’s fraternities, 5. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 10 ; Alpha Chi Omega, 20 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 19. CHAPTER LETTER. Mu in her last letter spoke of the new girls in college and some of whom we wished to have in our fraternity. We have had great success and are proud and happy to make you acquainted with Alice Parshall, Sabra Vought, Emma Edson, Coral Merchant, Claribelle Wilkins, all of the “ noughty nought” class, and two lively and inquisitive pledglings, Clara Hinckley and Marian Stark, whose curi¬ osity we hope to satisfy next fall.
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i66 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. In the fall term we entertained our sister fraternities, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Alpha Chi Omega, at an after¬ noon reception, where all acknowledge to have spent a pleasant time. Again on Halloween’s eve we entertained at the home of Gertrude Harper, ’96, our gentleman friends. The evening was spent in a game of “hearts,” consisting of whole, broken, pierced and crowned hearts. The time passed all too soon and all declared the evening a great success. Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Alpha Theta were in¬ vited to the rooms of Alpha Chi Omega for a “ mask party.” The prevailing fashion of the evening was sheets and pillow¬ cases, and in spite of the sisterly instincts, many a girl was enrolled on the wrong list. The winter term has been too short to accomplish all we desired, and after our rest we will meet once again in our dear old hall, with renewed vigor to carry out our aim. We rejoice that we will have again with us three sisters who were away for the winter term. Mu sends greetings to and wishes success to all her sisters in the coming term. We are looking forward to the time of our convention, when each chapter shall meet “ face to face.” CHI — SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 9 ; number of active members, 32 ; seniors, 5 ; juniors, 10 ; sophomores, 8 ; freshmen, 9. Names and addresses of this year's initiates: Kathryn Julia Clark Anice Whitney . . Jennie M. Bingham Bertha E. Davis Myra M. Norris . . Mabel R. Ramsey . Mabel V. Parker . . Viola M. Hills . . . Mary E. Bramen . . . Belmont, N. Y. Red Creek, N. Y. Watertown, N. Y. , . Eavouia, N. Y. . Auburn, Maine . Coxsackie, N. Y. . Syracuse, N. Y. . . Mexico, N. Y. . Galoway, N. Y.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 167 Number of faculty in the university, 12 r ; number of students, 1100 ; number of men’s fraternities, 6. Women’s fraternities : Alpha Phi, 29 ; Kappa Kappa Gamma, 28 ; Gamma Phi Beta, 33 ; Pi Beta Phi, 25 ; Delta Delta Delta, 16 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 32. CHAPTER LETTER. College Hill is once more putting on its springtime garb of beauty. Everything foretells hope and joy — the budding trees, the tiny shoots of green grass, the fragrant violets, all warn us that spring is here and commencement near at hand. We lose this June from our happy circle four loyal Thetas, two fine arts’, and two liberal arts’ girls. Although loath to have them go, yet we know that they will take up their share of the world’s burden with dignity and honor, still loyal to Kappa Alpha Theta. Chi has had many pleasant social affairs this past winter, through which we have become better acquainted with each other and with our college friends. We have been entertained at the homes of several of our city friends, and March 23 we were guests of Alpha of Gamma Phi Beta. Our real social event was held January 14, when we en¬ tertained our lady friends in the city during the afternoon, and the members of the faculty in the evening. On the afternoon of the same day, one of Chi’s sweetest girls, Kath¬ erine May Foster, ’98, was united in marriage to Mr. Thomas Briggs Baker of this city. We have been especially favored this year in our visits from the * ‘ old girls. ’ ’ Their little calls serve often as an inspiration, for they come back as full of love for Kappa Alpha Theta as when they went away. The athletic season is upon us, and visions of baseball and football are already looming up. Syracuse will be sat¬ isfied with nothing but the laurel. Our Easter vacation begins in two weeks and then we have a short rest from books and examinations ; then we
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA 1 68 shall have time to enjoy to the fullest the brightness and beauty of the spring days. ALPHA BETA— SWARTHMORE COLLEGE. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 2 ; number of active members, 17 ; seniors, 3 ; juniors, 4, sophomores, 4 ; freshmen, 6. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Lydia B. Clothier . Wynnewood, Pa. Anna H. Lippincott . Riverton, N. J. Edna M. Miller . 236 West Chestnut St., Lancaster, Pa. Helen Y. Sullivan . Morristown, N. J. Margery Pyle . London Grove, Pa. Edith M. Wilson . Bloomfield, Canada Number of faculty in the college, 14; number of students, 172; number of men’s fraternities, 3. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 13 ; Pi Beta Phi, 11 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 17. CHAPTER LETTER. The three months of hardest work, for so we consider the first three months of the year, have passed very happily and successfully with Alpha Beta girls. Theta has been represented on the staff of the Junior An¬ nual, a wearer of the kite is a member of the staff of the col¬ lege bi-weekly paper, The Phoenix, as an orator in the freshman-sophmore contest and again on Class Day as his¬ torian and prophetess, Theta takes her part. As play without work is useless and profitless, so is work without play tiresome and dreary ; pleasure and duty go hand in hand, the former makes the latter lighter, while the fulfillment of the duty adds to the pleasure a deeper feeling of enjoyment and reward. Now let us say a few words about one of our pleasures of the winter, our banquet and our celebration of the 27th of January. As the anniversary came in the midst of examinations, we postponed our re-union until the next Saturday, the 30th,
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 169 and then, on a glorious winter day, we left college for River¬ ton, N. J., where, at the home of Bertha and Alice Lippin- cott, sixteen active and nine alumnae Alpha Beta girls met, intent upon having a royal good time, and be assured, not one was disappointed. Seated around our festive board, with an inviting menu before us, and everyone in the best of spirits, we made the walls ring with our songs and praises of dear old Theta. Toasts, prepared and extemporaneous, and you all know the fun derived from the latter kind, fun for all but the poor victim, but that poor victim, as soon as her turn had passed, was one of the most clamorous in call¬ ing for more extemporaneous toasts ; but no doubt you have all some banquet of your own which comes before you, and therefore no need of dwelling any longer upon ours. The afternoon passed all to quickly and it seemed but an hour or two before that we had left college, and now we were again drawing near to the gray stone building and hearing the conductor calling out Swarthmore. All the girls are now busy making preparations for the reunion of the Somerville Literary Society, on the 10th of April. It is one of the events of the spring, and brings back to college several hundred graduates and ex-members. We herald the day as a reunion not only of Somerville, but also of Alpha Beta. The spring months always pass by only too quickly ; the little quaker ladies and ferns and the countless other delicate treasures of the woods, make us love our dear Alma Mater, and makes the parting in June all the harder, for Swarth¬ more in spring is almost a paradise. Alpha Beta hopes that all her sisters may spend a very happy summer, and that in the fall many of them may be able to gather together at Madison and make the convention of ’97 the best in the history of Kappa Alpha Theta. ALPHA DELTA — WOMAN’S COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of active members, 15 ; seniors, 3 ; juniors, 1 ; sopho¬ mores, 3 ; freshmen, 8.
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170 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Zorn. Marie Baker . Alliance, Ohio Emma Lou Cunningham . . Princeton, Ill. Jane Alcott Dobbins . 17 Franklin Place, Morristown, N. J. Ida Evans . Paximosa Av., Easton, Pa. Nettie Fullerton . 11 College Street, New Haven, Conn. Carolyn E. Golding . 503 Brown St., Wilmington, Del. Bonnie L. Marshall . I2iu Eighth St., Des Moines, Iowa Alice J. Tone . 935 Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa Number of faculty in the college, 29 ; number of students, 232. Women’s fraternities: Tau Kappa Pi, 19 (local); Alpha Phi, 18; Gamma Phi Beta, 16 ; Delta Gamma, 9 ; Pi Beta Phi, 10 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 15. CHAPTER LETTER. After the Christmas holidays, Alpha Delta’s girls reas¬ sembled, enthusiastic, energetic and ready for work. The months since have flown by fast, but have left pleas¬ ant memories behind. The first social event was a little tea given to Alpha Delta by two of her sophomores. On January 9th, Maryland Alpha of Pi Beta Phi was in¬ stalled in the Woman’s College. Kappa Alpha Theta ten¬ dered her a reception and was thus the first fraternity to recognize and welcome the new chapter to the college. We received a delightful call during February from Miss Lippincott and Miss Mary Clark of Alpha Beta, and a few weeks later Miss May Goff Smith of Mu, visited us. Phoebe Appleyard gave a tea in her honor. Carolyn Golding, who has been very ill, is recovering, and we gladly expect her return to us after the Easter holi¬ days. Emma Lou Cunningham, pledged to Kappa Alpha Theta in March, is to be initiated April 2nd. The Misses Broom- ell and Miss Edith Lamb of Alpha Beta, Mrs. George Brownell of Chi, Miss Szold of Psi, will be present at the in¬ itiation. On May 15th, the anniversary day of the installation of Alpha Delta, we intend to celebrate by giving an original play.
Page 37
THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 171 It may be of interest to our sister chapters to know that a Pan- Hellenic organization has recently been established in our college. A course of lectures on Grecian life has been arranged for by the faculty. Dr. Benjamin I. Wheeler of Cornell Uni¬ versity, delivered the latest one. His topic was “ Student Life in Modern Greece,” and his .speech was exceedingly in¬ teresting and beneficial. M. Brunetiere, the famous French critic, editor of the “ Revue des Deux Mondes,” has been giving a series of lectures at Johns Hopkins University. The French depart¬ ment of the Woman’s College gave a reception to Madame Brunetiere, April 3rd. Alpha Delta sends hearty congratulations to Alpha Epsilon and wishes her long life and prosperity. ALPHA EPSILON — BROWN UNIVERSTY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of active members, 18 ; seniors, 3 ; juniors, 7 ; sopho¬ mores, 8. Nantes and addresses of the active members : Josephine Angell Beane . Johnston, R. I. Martha Shepard Briggs . Attleborough, Mass. Clara Whitehead . 39 Kenyon St., Providence, R. I. Adelaide Harris Arnold . 44 Clay St., Pawtucket, R. I. Edna Biglow Arnold . 47 Broad St., Pawtucket, R. I. Lucy Anna Bates . 138 Messer St., Providence, R. I. Elizabeth Christina Grant . 85 Lippitt St., Providence, R. I. Katherine Marie Neuscliuez . North Attleborough, Mass. Edith Augusta Thompson .... 360 Willard Av., Providence, R. I. Ida Evelyn Waite . 14 Parkis Av., Providence, R. I. Caroline Louise Briggs . Attleborough, Mass. Agnes Elizabeth Clark . 9 Providence St., Providence, R. I. Anna Lignoria Gray, . 120 Broad St., Providence, R. I. Anna May Larry . 169 Congdon St., Providence, R. I. Mary Beecher Leonard . 156 Broad St., Providence, R. I. Bertha Tucker . Pawtucket, R. I. Mary Greene Wilbur . 266 Broad St., Providence, R. I. Harriet Barrows Utter . 172 Pleasant St., Providence, R. I. Number of faculty in the university, 74 ; number of students, 908 ; number of men’s fraternities, 12. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Alpha Theta, 18 ; Alpha Beta (local), 23 ; Delta Sigma (local), 9.
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IJ2 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . CHAPTER TETTER. The twenty-second chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta is born to a new life. She opened her eyes, stretched forth her arms to the light, and was received in the embrace of Kappa Alpha Theta, and now, with a proud, grateful heart, she sends greetings to all her Theta sisters. The new chapter is a very big baby (we are eighteen happy girls) but it brings all the more devoted love and loyalty. We wish you might have peeped in upon us on the afternoon when news came that our application for a charter had been unanimously accepted. We clapped our hands, threw our arms about each other, and fairly danced with delight. But our red-letter day was February 20th. The home of one of our girls was given us for initiation. We assembled there in the afternoon and were received by Miss Brown of Chi, Miss Broomell of Alpha Beta, Miss Ed¬ wards, Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Viall of Iota, and before many hours we were transformed from mere college girls into fraternity women. The initiation was followed by a re¬ ception, and when the evening closed we gave each other the grip and went home, bearing with us the emblem that made our hearts soar high in lofty ideals of noble woman¬ hood. Those ideals are sacred to us and we will strive to make Kappa Alpha Theta proud of her chapter, Alpha Ep¬ silon. Beta District. ALPHA — DE PAUW UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 30 ; number of active members, 29 ; seniors, 10 ; juniors, 3 ; sophomores, 7 ; freshmen, 9. Names and addresses of this year's initiates: Myrtle Ridpath Catherine Polk . Helen Lockwood Greencastle, Ind. . Newcastle, Ind. . . . . Peru, Ind.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 173 Mabel Deacon . . . Arta Smythe . . . . Estelle Fuller . . . Florence Diall . . . Helen Jones . . . . Lucie Allen . . . . Elizabeth McIntosh. Bernice Smith . . . New Carlyle, Ind. . Greencastle, Ind. . . Winfield, Kan. Terre Haute, Ind. . Greencastle, Ind. . Greencastle, Ind. Greencastle, Ind. . Greencastle, Ind. Number of faculty in university, 34 ; number of students, 709 ; number of men’s fraternities, 9. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 24 ; Alpha Phi. 21 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 29 ; Alpha Chi Omega, 20 ; Phi Mu Epsilon, 12. CHAPTER LETTER. Old Mother Earth is beginning to unlock her treasure house once more and we are only too glad to welcome the dear little soft wooly pussy-willows and the bright little cro¬ cuses and spring beauties. They are blithe little promises of what we may expect. Alpha has had such a happy prosperous year. Although the chapter is large, there has never been a more perfect unity than at present. We are caught and closely held in the meshes of the net of sisterly love, nor do we ever wish to be released from so sweet a bondage. We have been very successful in the plan instituted this fall in regard to individual fraternity programs. It has served to bring out the originality in each girl’s character, and latent abilities, perhaps quite unexpected, have been dis¬ covered in striking instances. Each girl is so anxious to make her own evening entertaining that the interest is en¬ thusiastic, and we find it a great improvement on the efforts of the over-burdened program committee. Social life at De Pauw has been quite gay this year and Theta has come in for her share. To demonstrate practically our interest in athletics, and our appreciation of the efforts of our football boys in particular, we gave them a dinner at the end of the season. Since then the entertaining we have done has been on a smaller scale. We made the most of the
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174 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. little sample of snow with which we were favored and gave a bob-ride for some of the preps. Then on the twenty- seventh of January we celebrated our twenty-seventh birth¬ day by entertaining the alumnae and the mothers of our resident members. Tittle informal parties at the chapter house are quite in order and occur frequently. A little tea for the Alpha Chis and their delegates was also given dur¬ ing the recent convention of Alpha Chi Omega at Green- castle. Our youngest Thetas are measuring up to the standard in a way that delights the hearts of those who are soon to leave. They have more than fulfilled our fondest hopes. Several are making brilliant records in the university, and all seem to be filled with the sweet womanly spirit which is the first element sought in our ideal. At the beginning of our second term one of our girls, Grace Le Fevre was called home by the serious illness of her father. This illness terminated fatally and our hearts went out in love and sympathy to our dear unhappy sister. Not long afterwards, one of our resident members, Arta Smythe, was called upon to undergo a similar sorrow, and the girls drew very close together at that time ^and found sisterly dependence sweet. We are glad to report a most friendly feeling existing among all the fraternities here. We are proud that we can boast of friendships in every one. The spirit of humanity is certainly present and we hope will stay with us. We trust this is true of our sister chapters elsewhere. May Theta not be the last to make advances, for to have friends one must show oneself friendly. BETA — INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 19 ; number of active members, 35 ; seniors, 12; juniors, 10; sophomores, 8; freshmen, 5.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 175 Names and home addresses oj this year's initiates : Laura Arnott Woodburn . 206 W. nth St., Bloomington, Ind. Marie Louise Boisen . 307 E. 2d St., Bloomington, Ind. Clara Offutt . 17 N. Grand St, Greenfield, Ind. Jotilda Conklin . 250 Talbott Av., Indianapolis, Ind. Nellie May Bowser . 59 Woodlawn Av., Indianapolis, Ind. Ella Graham Marthens, 1022 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Ind. Mabel Thompson . Elizabethtown, Ind. Agnes Ross Reynolds . 1707 Main St., Richmond, Ind. Minnie Ethel Townsend . 728 Broadway, Vincennes, Ind. Mary Elizabeth Snyder . 468 Bellefountaine St., Indianapolis, Ind. Lettie Almira Miller . 314 N. Walnut St., Bloomington, Ind. Jessie Richards Simmons . 622 Martan St., Bloomington, Ind. Flora Eleanor Purviance . . . 154 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, Ind. Edith L. McMasters . 477 Park Av., Indianapolis, Ind. Number of faculty in university, 56; number of students, 700; number of men’s fraternities, 7. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 27 ; Pi Beta Phi, 21 , Kappa Alpha Theta, 35. CHAPTER LETTER. Beta has again assembled her daughters after a most pleasant and refreshing spring vacation. The spring term brings to Indiana University a very large number of new students, and we hope that they will soon be as loyal to our Alma Mater as we are. After due consideration we succeeded in arranging a con¬ tract with Kappa Kappa Gamma not to pledge a new girl until after she had been in college one term. We feel sure we shall be better pleased with this contract than the one for four weeks. Beta has an unusually large and enthusiastic chapter this year, but seeing the true worth and womanly character of two new girls who entered the winter term, could not resist the temptation of inviting them into the mystic circle of Greekdom. We are now proud to introduce to you Edith McMasters, of Indianapolis, and Flora Purviance, of Hunt¬ ington, as true and loyal workers in Kappa Alpha Theta. On the evening of March 6tli we invited Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Zeta Beta to meet with us. A very enjoyable even-
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176 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. ing was spent, and we felt that we knew our Greek neigh¬ bors much better. In two weeks the seniors expect to don the Oxford cap and gown, and Beta will send forth twelve girls adorned in the somber but classic robe. The coming convention is absorbing much attention at present, and we are very much interested in plans for it. We trust all Thetas have enjoyed this year as much as we, and Beta sends warmest greetings to all her sisters. DELTA — UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 6 ; number of active members, 8 ; seniors, 2 ; juniors, 2 ; sophomores, 2 ; freshmen, 2 ; pledged I. Names and addresses of this year's initiates: Bessie Palmer . * * . 1214 Benton St., Joliet, Ill. Ethel M. Brown . 7033 Yale Av-» Chicago, Ill. Number of faculty in university, 85 ; number of students, 1000 ; number of men’s fraternities, 5. Women’s fraternities: Pi Beta Phi, 6 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 8. CHAPTER LETTER. Delta sends to you all a hearty greeting at this the begin- ing of our spring term. We have one new pledgling to pre¬ sent to you, Frances Mann. After rather an exciting “rush” we gained the victory, although Miss Mann has not donned our colors yet, as she fears that she may not be with us next year. We are rejoiced to have one of our old girls with us again as a post graduate, Isabelle Noble, *96. The U. of I. has been making plans to take such excel¬ lent care of her girls next year, that we expect a great in¬ crease in their number. Miss Jayne of Michigan has been chosen Dean of the Woman’s College, and we are expecting to have a new Woman’s Building with dormitories. We re¬ joice in these improvements as they will bring a great many more girls within the reach of Theta.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 177 We have been enjoying a visit from Georgia Bennett, ’96, who is now teacher of Latin in the High School at Rochelle, Illinois. We are looking forward eagerly to commencement time, as many of our old girls will come from their homes to visit us, and one will return from abroad. We all send best wishes to our Theta sisters. EPSILON — WOOSTER UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 14 ; number of active members, 18 ; seniors, 5 ; juniors, 6 ; sophomores, 3 ; freshmen, 4. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Anna Amanda Yergin . . Eveline Harrington . . . Bessie Marie Davidson . Mary Slack . Elizabeth Slack .... Bertha Work McManigal Mary Mather . .... Paris, Ill. . . Logan, Ohio , . Wooster, Ohio Huntington, Ind. Huntington, Ind. . . . Logan, Ind. . . Wooster, Ohio Number of faculty in the university, 20 ; number of students, 500 ; number of men’s fraternities, 6. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 20 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 18. CHAPTER LETTER. We as Thetas are jubilant over our four new girls. The second week in January we triumphantly put the kite on Mary and Elizabeth Slack, Bertha McManigal and Mary Mather. On the evening of Feb. 5, Mrs. Overliolt gave a dinner party to the Epsilon girls and resident alumnae in memory of her daughter, Grace, who was a loyal Theta. Covers were laid for thirty-five and at each place was a bunch of our pansies. The opening of the Overholt home again awakened many sweet memories in the minds of the older girls, as it was the first time they had met together there since the death of Grace, some years ago.
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178 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . The Pan-Hellenica this year was unusually spirited. Feb. 26 was the memorable date and the Phi Gams kindly gave their hall for the occasion, which greatly touched the hearts of the girls. A startlingly interesting program was rendered by the dramatic and musical talent of the fraternities. After the performance refreshments and dancing were alternately in¬ dulged in. By permission of the parents, the Thetas, and especially we Epsilon girls, have already pledged the baby daughter of Mrs. Belle Platter Shields of Detroit, Mich., who was ever a devoted Theta. We are all very sorry that Bess Park, who represents us on the Index Board, was compelled 011 account of ill health to return to her home in Libonia, Pa. However we hope to welcome her back next term. Miss Annis McEaughlin, one of Alpha Gamma’s girls, visited us at the Cottage the second week in March, being the especial guest of Elizabeth Bissman of ’97. We naturally felt elated when five Thetas were elected on March 19 as the speakers for Willard Public during Com¬ mencement week. Epsilon sends to all her sister chapters kindliest regards and wishes more and more to approach Theta’s ideal of womanhood. ETA — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 2 ; number of active members, 10 ; seniors, 3; juniors, 4; sophomores, 1 ; freshmen, 2. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Louise Russell Gibbs . 93 Piquette Av., Detroit, Mich. Editha Lewis Dann . 1298 Bryden Road, Columbus, Ohio Jeanette Blanchard . Minonk, Ill. Number of faculty in the university, 178; number of students, 3014 ; number of men’s fraternities, 40. Women’s fraternities : Delta Gamma ; Kappa Kappa Gamma ; Alpha Phi ; Gamma Phi Beta ; Delta Delta Delta ; Pi Beta Phi ; Collegiate Sorosis.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 179 CHAPTER TETTER. Since our last letter we have ended one semester’s work and have finished half the second, yet work has not pre¬ vented us from having many good times. We have been fortunate in receiving visits from several of our old girls during the past few weeks, Myra Post, Carrie Mowry and Winifred Craine having each spent a few days with us, much to our delight. A month ago we entertained a part of the Women’s League with a “ backwards party.” Everybody came with her clothes on wrong side before, a mask on the back of her head and her hair braided over her face. You can imagine how funny the dancing was to an onlooker. A week later, in honor of Winifred Craine, who was president of the league during her last week in college, we gave an afternoon tea, to which some of her friends among the faculty ladies were asked. The chapter was entertained most delightfully at Mrs. Jordan’s soon afterwards. Of course, we have our own little parties every Saturday night, but they are very in¬ formal functions, far too informal, as a rule, to write about to the Journal. Last Saturday night, however, was an un¬ usually joyful time, because we had with us our new pledg- ling, Charlotte Walker, who had just returned from a month’s visit at Bay St. Louis, Louisiana. But Eta is sad as well as joyful. Irene Blanchard left us two weeks ago to attend her sick mother, and a recent letter informs us that she cannot be back till next year. Maud Philips, too, is about to leave us. Her health would not permit her to enter college this semester, so she is going for a visit of three months in Ohio, where she hopes to become well and strong again. Eta’s best wishes go with her. KAPPA —UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 6 ; resident alumnae from other chap¬ ters, 2 ; number of active members, 14 ; seniors, 4 ; juniors, 1 ; soph¬ omores, 4 ; freshmen, 2 ; special, 3.
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i8o THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Lucy Y. Riggs . Lawrence, Kan. Lucile J. Knight . Beloit, Kan. Elizabeth Stone . Lawrence, Kan. Josephine Shellabarger . Topeka, Kan. Frances Babcock . Lawrence, Kan. Mary Belle WagstafF . Lawrence, Kan. Rosalia Watson . Lawrence, Kan. Della Frazer . Lawrence, Kan. Number of faculty in the university, 54 ; number of students, 975 ; number of men’s fraternities, 7. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 20 ; Pi Beta Phi, 19 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 14. CHAPTER LETTER. “ The year’s at the spring ” - Does spring mean to you, you far-away sisters, what it does to us, I wonder. Rest for tired eyes in watching distant, undulating hills turn from brown to green ; soft sleepy sun¬ shine made for dreams and loitering ; the vanishing of a pretty town into a cluster of green foliage round the foot of the hill, with only here and there a church spire or house¬ top peeping through; — not to mention violets in “North Hollow ” and dove calls and bird songs all over the campus, which last reminds me, does anyone know the name of that bird which makes such a bold attempt at the Theta whistle ? Let me take up the news I have for you this time as nearly as possible in chronological order. First and fore¬ most, I shall tell you of a new habit of Kappas. The first Saturday of every month is set aside for our “ Kat-Sup/’ at which we entertain ourselves and our alumnae. A com¬ mittee is appointed to see to it that we are well-amused and well-fed, and “the world goes very well then.” The next thing in order is, I believe, the election of dele¬ gate to the convention. We have chosen Lucy Riggs for our representative and feel sure that she will slip into a warm spot in your hearts as soon as you meet her. The second term sent up “ on the hill ” another girl whom we believed would make a fine Theta, and in a very short
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 181 time we put the black and gold bow on Marian Innes. On March 27th we held an initiation at the home of Mrs. Paul Leonard and two more happy names, Marian Innes and Augusta Flintom, were added to our chapter roll. We were extremely glad to meet Miss Barrett of Cornell, who visited Mrs. Florence Moon Hodder in March. Mrs. Hodder kindly gave an afternoon reception for us to meet our sister from Iota, and we had another proof of what de¬ lightful Thetas they have at Ithaca. At present we are much exercised over our fraternity pic¬ ture. Don’t you sympathize with us? Then our spring party troubles our minds, for it comes on the thirtieth of April and is a very important event in our eyes. After that comes a month more together and then Com¬ mencement — and partings. We have four seniors this year, whom we follow with our love out into the world to win new honor for Kappa Alpha Theta. NU — HANOVER COLLEGE. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 6 ; number of active members, 4 ; juniors, 3 ; freshmen, 1. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Mary Torrence . Terre Haute, Ind. Number of faculty in the college, 8 ; number of students, 125 ; number of men’s fraternities, 4. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Alpha Theta, 4. CHAPTER LETTER. Nu chapter sends sisterly greetings. The second semester is a very busy one with us. Most of our girls are from one class, and as that class has so much laboratory work in chemistry, the girls have not been able to get up any enter¬ tainments, and so we’ll not have anything of special interest to recount to the sisters. We did take time to fix our hall, putting in some new furnishings, which make it a very cozy little Theta habitation. I11 our meetings this term we will take up the study of one of Shakespeare’s plays. We thought it well to extend the study through the whole term,
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182 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . as study will constantly reveal new features in Shakes¬ peare’s writings, like an inexhaustible well from which we can constantly draw new material. We had a short but very pleasant visit from two of our girls, Clara Palmer and Virginia Overton of Milton, Ky. Clara has just returned to her home at Madison, Ind., hav¬ ing spent a delightful winter in New York. Another sister has returned to join our circle, Glen Ramsey, and with all our sisters near us, it seems like old times. The third semester has just commenced. The opening lecture was delivered by the Rev. J. N. Barnard of Madison, Ind. The subject discussed was “ Hades.” The lecture was a most excellent one and was received with every mani¬ festation of interest and pleasure. Just one word concerning our Science Hall. The arch¬ itect will soon complete the plans for the interior. This was left until the last and has taken considerable time. We hope to be at work in the new building before the close of this term, and are looking forward to it with great pleasure. The dedication will probably take place about commence¬ ment and will be a very interesting ceremony. We have a fine cut of the building in the College Journal for April, and wish we could have had one in the “ Kappa Alpha Theta.” With best wishes. PI — ALBION COLLEGE. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 4 ; number of active members, 16 ; seniors, 3 ; juniors, 2 ; sophomores, 3 ; freshmen, 8 ; pledged, 2. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : M. Marion Hanlon . Middleville, Mich. Cora D. Mays . 1221 Burns St., Albion, Mich. Gertrude Strickland . Homer, Mich. Lena Hunt . 1109 Porter St., Albion, Mich. Isabelle Wright . Greenville, Mich. Emma Osborne . 416 East Erie St., Albion, Mich. Mable Bliss . Deerfield, Mich. Lotta Page . Lansing, Mich.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 183 Number of faculty in the college, 30 ; number of students, 500 ; number of men’s fraternities, 4. Women’s fraternities : Delta Gam¬ ma, 19 ; Alpha Chi, 12 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 16. CHAPTER LETTER. The past term has been an unusually gay one at old Al¬ bion. Sleighing parties, lectures and concerts without num¬ ber, all helped to make the time fly all too quickly. The concert which most interested Pi, however, was the one given by the Wednesday Evening Musical Club, and which netted her a neat little sum for her lodge fund. Pi’s lodge ! This is the one subject of conversation for all Pi’s daughters. We shall nev_*r lack for ” unfinished ” business in fraternity meeting un.il that lodge is completed. However plans have been adopted and we hope in a few weeks to hear the hammers and saws of the workmen busy upon the building which shall always bid every Theta “ Welcome.” March 18 was Pi’s tenth birthday, and in honor of the event an anniversary party was given at the house of Sister Lena Hunt. Four of our alumnae were present and added much to the enjoyment of the evening. Zulu Fast, ’96, acted as mistress of ceremonies. After a dainty supper, the following toasts were called for by Josephine Woods, toast- inistress : ”10X1 = 10;”” The Black and Gold ” Greek - dom ” Our Kat’s Kradle ” The Upper Crust ” Our Grecian Heroes.” Then followed a jolly good time, and as we wended our way homeward over muddy roads and through a drenchiug rain, the thought uppermost in every mind was, ” May Pi see many more such happy occasions.” One thing that has added much to our literary programs during the term is ‘ ‘ The Kite. ’ ’ This is a paper edited each week by one of the girls and containing original poems, stories, etc. Many of the productions have been of true literary merit and have given the girls needed dis¬ cipline in writing. Besides this, our serial story has fur¬ nished much merriment. We have not yet named it, but
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184 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . some day vve expect to have it printed and will no doubt startle the world with its excellence. We feel that we have been much favored by having Zulu Fast with us during the latter half of the term and by re¬ ceiving a very pleasant visit from Pearl Field, who is teach¬ ing this year in Chelsea. RHO — UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 10 ; number of active members, 10 ; seniors, o; juniors, 2 ; sophomores, 6 ; freshmen, 1 ; specials, 1. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Jane Cobb Mac Farland . Lincoln, Neb. Edith Schwartz . Omaha, Neb. Grace Mac Millan . Omaha, Neb. Number of faculty in the university, 80 ; number of students, 1550 ; number of men’s fraternities, 7. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 19; Delta Gamma, 19; Pi Beta Phi, 19; Delta Delta Delta. 15 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 10. CHAPTER LETTER. Rho is looking forward to the convention with the great¬ est pleasure, for two or three in addition to the special dele¬ gate, expect to attend. The fortunate of course are delighted with the prospect of meeting and becoming acquainted with so many Thetas, and the rest of us who must stay at home, feel that we will be a little nearer, when we have heard all about other sisters from our delegates. This has been a very busy season, for most of us are tak¬ ing heavy work, but, realizing that we need some recreation, and that social culture should form a part of every girl’s college training, we have tried to be as gay as we could, consistently with our school duties. One evening, not long after the Christmas vacation, we had a merry little taffy-pull at Emily Werk’s, and enjoyed it the more because of its informality. On the twelfth of
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 185 February came the Junior Promenade, the leading event of the year, and the Thetas were well represented, all being present but one, who was just recovering from a severe attack of influenza. In spite of the dissipation of the night before, the following afternoon we all met at Mrs. Ladd’s to meet a friend of hers from Omaha, and in the evening, nine¬ teen Thetas gathered about a pretty banquet-table at Leola Vancil’s, in honor of the first anniversary of the renewal of Rho Chapter. One week later, we gave a dainty Kensing¬ ton tea at Jane Macfarland’s beautiful home. But perhaps our Theta sisters would like to hear some¬ thing not quite so closely connected with our Fraternity life. We are very proud of our Glee Club which has just returned from a tour of the state, and is to give a concert in Lincoln in a week or so. The Junior Annual is expected to appear soon, and we are awaiting it anxiously, especially as two Thetas, our only juniors, are on its board. An attempt was made by the present legislature to abolish fraternities and foot-ball from the University, but both bills met with so much resistance that we hope this is not the last time we will be able to send greeting as Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta. TAU — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 5 : number of active members, 12 ; seniors, 3, juniors, 3 ; sophomores, 5 ; freshmen, 1. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Bessie Carolyn Smith . 5036 Washington Av., Chicago, III. Irene Edna Parkes . Maple Av., Grauston, Ill. Number of faculty in the university, 212 ; number of students, 2300; number of men’s fraternities, 14. Women’s fraternities : Alpha Plii, 14 ; Delta Gamma, 12 ; Delta Delta Delta, 12 ; Pi Beta Phi, 7 ; Gam¬ ma Phi Beta, 17; Kappa Kappa Gamma, 12; Alpha Chi Omega (School of Music), 14; Zeta Phi Eta (School of Oratory), 12; Kappa Alpha Theta, 12.
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i86 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. CHAPTER LETTER. Much to the surprise and sorrow of “ Tau 99 her chapter letter did not appear last time. Considerable has happened since you last heard from us. I don’t believe you even knew that we have been enjoying the benefits derived from having a chapter house since last Christmas. Well, such is the truth. A chapter house is certainly a great end in get¬ ting thoroughly acquainted and Tau is charmed with the idea and recommends it to all her sisters. Tau is very hap¬ py and her prospects are bright inasmuch as she has several enthusiastic pledged members who will enter college in the fall as full fledged freshmen. Tau has not lacked for gayety this last term for dances, luncheons, teas and parties of all sorts have been numerous. The “ old girls ” seem to take great delight in entertaining us and we certainly enjoy entertaining ourselves. With the wish that all her sisters are as bright and cheer¬ ful as she is, Tau says good bye. UPSILON — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 23 ; number of active members, 17 : seniors, 3 ; juniors, 4 ; sophomores, 4 ; freshmen, 5 ; special, 1. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Carrie A. Elton . Owatonna, Minn. Katherine Morse . 417 Eighth Av., S. E., Minneapolis, Minn. Viola M. Kipp . 856 Dayton Av., St. Paul, Minn. Sophie M. Williams .... 1315 Clinton Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. Anne M. Goodsill . 1300 Fifth St. S. E., Minneapolis, Minn. Number of faculty in the university, 170 ; number of students, 2611 ; number of men’s fraternities, 21. Women’s fraternities: Alpha Phi, 17 ; Delta Gamma, n ; Kappa Kappa Gamma, 25 ; Delta Delta Delta, 13 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 17. CHAPTER LETTER. Upsilon has lost one member and gained another since her last letter. Grace Cosgrove has gone to her home in Le
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 187 Seur to stay until next fall. We are extremely sorry to lose her. On March 15th we had the great pleasure of initiating Katherine Morse, ’oo, whom we now introduce to you as a loyal, earnest Theta. One thing which particularly pleases 11s, is the way in which our freshmen have taken hold of the work. We expect great things of them. We had an elaborate banquet after our initiation at the home of Foi Hotchkiss. Juliet Harris of Psi has been visiting in St. Paul, and we were favored by a nice visit from her at college one day last week. We were very much pleased to receive a call a short time ago from Ruth Huntoon Slater, a good old Theta, who lives now in Hudson, Wis. The sophmores at the “ U ” are having a very interesting “ frat. and barb ” conflict over the Gopher Board. The fraternities withdrew from the general caucus and formed an association and intend to publish a fraternity annual. Grayce Rector is vice-president of the association and Isa¬ belle Armstrong, another one of our sophmores, lias been put upon the editorial board. We have also had an election for the Ariel Board recently (the Ariel is the weekly college paper) and this time one of our juniors, Bertha Fisher, received the honor of being chosen associate news editor. Georgia Everest, ’99, of Duluth, is visiting us Thetas here for a week. We are so glad to see Georgia and to hear that she will be with us again in the fall. Upsilon is very happy and prosperous this year and hopes that all her sister chapters are in the same condition. Lov¬ ing greetings to all. PSI — UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 11 ; number of active members, 16; seniors, 2 ; juniors, 3 ; sophomores, 3 ; freshmen, 8.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 188 Names arid addresses of this year's initiates : Laura Eoleen Smith Winifred Alice Smith Alice Jones . Mary Louise Strong . Mama Evelyn Bump Florence Bump . . . Jessamine Lee . . . . Blanche B. Brigham . Mirali Congdon . Katherine Graham . . 520 West St., Wheaton, Ill. . . 520 West St., Wheaton, Ill. . Barneveld, Wis. . Dodgeville, Wis. 529 Franklin St., Wausau, Wis. 529 Franklin St., Wausau, Wis. . . . Vermillion, South Dakota . Evansville, Wis. . LaCrosse, Wis. ... Merrill, Wis. Number of faculty in the university, 127 ; number of students. 1335 ; number of men’s fraternities, 12. Women’s fraternities : Delta Gam¬ ma, 25; Kappa Kappa Gamma, 14; Gamma Phi Beta, 16; Pi Beta Phi, 15 ; Alpha Phi, 14 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 16. CHAPTER LETTER. Just at present we are all looking forward with pleasant anticipation to our spring vacation. Most of the girls will be away, so the lodge will be left empty for a week. Since our last letter there has been quite a little gayety mingled with hard study. The semester examinations com¬ ing in February kept everyone hard at work for a while. On the nineteenth of February occurred the Junior Prom¬ enade, the greatest social event of the college year. It was a brilliant success. The great gymnasium was beautifully decorated, and the floor and orchestra were all that could be desired. Since that time there have been several military hops, athletic meets, etc. About the middle of January Psi gave a large party in Fuller Hall. Many of the girls had friends from home here, and we all had a delightful time. In March we gave a “nine o’clock spread” to several members of each of the other sororities and to a few non- fraternity girls. It was somewhat of an innovation, and certainly a success. We have nothing but bright reports to send to our sister chapters this year. An unusual number of new students en-
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 189 tered the university in February, and one of them, Blanche Brigham, now wears the kite, while Edna Langley and Kate Graham will soon exchange their little Psi’s for the frater¬ nity emblem. With Blanche Brigham we also initiated Jessamine Lee, a sophmore, and one whom we are very proud to introduce to all the Thetas. Our chapter is larger than it has ever been before. When our pledglings have taken the vows we shall have fifteen active members, eleven of whom are new girls. Our “ Sorores in Urbes 99 have done their share in giving 11s a good time this year. Katherine Brown entertained the chapter one afternoon early in the term, and a short time ago Helen Kellogg gave a tea for all the new girls. Mrs. Victor Coffin has also entertained several of the girls at her pretty little flat. Kate Sabin, ’93, frequently spends a few days at the chap¬ ter house. The lodge is brimful and running over now, for there are eleven girls in the house, and eleven girls can have a pretty good time. We are all much interested now in planning for the con¬ vention next fall. We feel rather young to be given such an honor, but will do our best, knowing that all our sister chapters will help us. We hope to see many of you here at that time, Sister Thetas. Until then, best wishes to you all. ALPHA GAMMA — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, n ; number of active members, 16; seniors, 3 ; juniors, 6 ; sophomores, 3 ; freshmen, 4. Navies and addresses of this year's initiates: Margaret Pulling . . . Ohio Av;, bet. Broad and Oak, Columbus, O. Edith Hunter . Bryden Road and 22nd St., Columbus, O. Grace Young . Larimore Flats, Mt. Vernon, O. Vera Ines Luse . 8th Av., west of Neil St., Columbus, O. Helen Rich Powell . 176 N. Twentieth St., Columbus, O.
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190 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Number of faculty in the university, 80 ; number of students, 990 ; number of men’s fraternities, 13. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gannna, 17; Delta Delta Delta, 14; Pi Beta Phi, 14; Kappa Alpha Theta, 16. CHAPTER TETTER. April 10th, what a delightfully far-away look that date had three months ago, and what a long time to procrastinate the quarterly duty, we secretary s contemplated. Yet here it is again and indeed the whole year is swinging round with marvellous swiftness. The newly adopted semester plan makes the months pass, we think even more imperceptibly. Each year we plan to accomplish more, be together oftener ; yet June, that month of finals and graduates and good-byes, how near it is and how we dread it ! We shall lose Grace Eagleson, Annis McLaughlin and Clara Luse, all most missable girls, whose places we are already trying to plan to fill as best we can. Yet one sure pledge is a great cause for gratitude whom poor Epsilon worked so hard for and whom we are to enjoy, Florence Durstine. We have had in the past month two messengers from Ep¬ silon to brighten, cheer, and encourage us. Daisy Gray passed through Columbus a few hours and many of us met her. It was very pleasant to greet a sister chapter through such a charming and lovable representative. Annis McLaughlin, too, spent a number of days with the Wooster colony and brought back so ma.ny enthusiastic re¬ ports of Hoover Cottage life that we longed to each and all go and see for ourselves. Alpha Gamma has two more initiates to tell you of. A very impressive and beautiful service was given in honor of Grace Young of Mt. Vernon and Vera Luse, — the third of the sisters to join our roll. We regretted that they were not wearing the pin in time to be presented as real Thetas at the dances. One given at Lois Dann’s beautiful home — was fol¬ lowed by a similar informal at Telia Axline’s.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 191 Our alumnae girls entertained us very pleasantly a month ago and we enjoyed it as our first alumnae party. There is less time for gaiety as the year draws to a close and earnest study demands more and more attention. Preparing our delegate and anticipating business of the October convention, will occupy the remaining chapter meetings. We feel that in Anna Williams we have chosen a girl who will bring to the stay-at-homes all the helpful, necessary plans evolved at the sessions, which may inspire us to nobler and more zealous efforts for Theta’s standard. We feel hopeful regarding the fall prospects and have laid out much of the work for the campaign. It seems a long time, from May until October, before we shall talk together between the covers of the Journal. But we must work so earnestly during the summer that when autumn comes we may charge the enemy with pledge pins and gain rich reward. May blessings be with you all and auf wiedersehen. PHI — TELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 8 ; number of active members, 18 ; seniors, 5 ; juniors, 7 ; sophomores, 3 ; freshmen, 3. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Alice H. Carey . 1940 Third St., San Diego, Cal. Clara Elizabeth Hogue . Santa Paula, Cal. Frances D. Patterson . Orange, N. J. Number of faculty in the university, 90 ; number of students, 1091 ; number of men’s fraternities, 13. Women’s fraternities : Kappa Kappa Gamma, 17; Pi Beta Phi, 6; Epsilon Chi (local), 11 ; Delta Gamma, 10 ; Kappa Alpha Theta, 18. CHAPTER TETTER. The end of the college year is not far away now and our thoughts naturally turn towards Commencement week, with its many pleasures, but beyond them there is a touch of sor¬ row when we think of the parting — final for some of us.
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192 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Looking back over the year many bright spots stand out be¬ fore us — the fraternity meetings, pleasant social times, and above all the earnest friendship and love existing between Theta sisters. This semester we have done nothing large in a social way, but have entertained our friends simply at a well at¬ tended general reception. Nor must we forget occasional dinners to some of our faculty friends. Perhaps the pleas¬ antest remembrances will be of our social meetings — on al¬ ternate Fridays — when our different classes have in turn en¬ tertained us most delightfully, our three freshmen proving themselves most adept. Last year there was established among the fraternity women of the university a Pan- Hellenic Association, with a yearly social meeting. We are looking forward to the meeting of this year, which will soon be held. Then we will have the pleasure of formally welcoming Delta Gamma, who has lately granted a charter to a charming group of Stanford girls. OMEGA — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. CHAPTER REPORT. Number of resident alumnae, 5; number of active members, 19; seniors, 3 ; juniors, 5 ; sophomores, 6 ; freshmen, 5. Names and addresses of this year's initiates : Minnie Ray Wilson . 1013 Hyde St., San Francisco, Cal. Elizabeth Mary Hoyt . H. St., Sacremento, Cal. Anna Ruth Wilder . 953 Magnolia St., Oakland, Cal. Mary Ingle Bentley . 2247 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, Cal. Lena May Macauley . 1126 Linden St., Oakland, Cal. Number of faculty in the university, 125 ; number of students, 2150 ; number of men’s fraternities, 12. Women’s fraternities: Gamma Phi Beta, 15 ; Univ. of Cal. Sorosis, 16; Kappa Alpha Theta, 19. CHAPTER LETTER. Our chapter life has passed uneventfully since the last number of the Journal, with the exception of a quiet initia-
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 193 tion on the afternoon of Feb. 28th. We then welcomed Ruth Wilder, from the class of 1900, and now have five freshmen whom we wish you all might meet. The convention has been much in our thoughts of late and we are looking forward to it eagerly. Unfortunately the distance makes it impossible for many of us to attend, but we expect to receive new inspiration and enthusiasm from the report of our delegate. Simply anticipating the convention has made Omega realize more fully than ever be¬ fore the strong bonds which unite the different chapters into the whole fraternity of Kappa Alpha Theta. A topic which has greatly interested 11s in our meetings recently has been that of Secrecy or Non-Secrecy. The question was warmly debated 011 the afternoon of March nth, and the presence of some of the alumnae, who view the subject from a somewhat different standpoint, added zest to the argument. On the evening of April 9th we have our regular frater¬ nity dinner and “at home.” The.se are always pleasant occasions, but the last one of the year has in it an element of sadness. We cannot but remember how soon our seniors are to sever their connection with the active chapter and take from us that help and strength which we have gained from their constant presence with us. Since our last letter the University of California has wel¬ comed back one of the most honored members of her faculty, Prof. Joseph Le Conte. Prof. L,e Conte returns to us from a most memorable trip in the East and the enthu¬ siasm and pleasure with which the students, alumni and faculty received him were but a fitting token of the esteem in which he is held. Wishing all Thetas a pleasant vacation.
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PERSONALS. ALPHA. Miss May Daniels, ’98, is not in school during the third term, but expects to be with us again in the fall. There has been a De Pauw Cycling Club recently organ¬ ized, in which an enthusiastic interest is exhibited. We enjoyed a visit from Miss Marie Polk, ’94, who spent Sunday a short time ago with her sister, Catherine, who is one of our freshmen. Miss Ida Weaver, ’93, who is at the head of our French department, expects to go abroad the first of May. Miss Alice Plested, ’97, of University Park, Colorado, was compelled to leave school on account of ill health. Not long ago we enjoyed a visit from Miss Mintie Allen, ’94, and Miss Elizabeth Rippitoe, ’98. These girls, with two of the Kappas and one of the Alpha Phis from De Pauw, are teaching in Anderson. They room at the same house and seem to enjoy teaching almost as much as they did their college life. BETA. We were very much grieved to lose one of our girls this term, Mary Powers, wli-o was called home by the death of her brother. We sympathize deeply with her in her be¬ reavement. We were glad to welcome back one of our old girls last term, Martha Arderg of Greensburg. delta. Marion Wright will return to 11s next week, after a de¬ lightful winter spent at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Blanche Herrick has been quite ill for some time, but is improving now.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 195 Mrs. Marion Thompson Gratz is now travelling with her husband in Europe, but expects to return about the first of June. EPSILON. Mrs. Joseph Angell of Chicago, Ill., has returned to her home in Wooster for a brief visit. Miss Elizabeth Beer, ’97, was one of the soloists at the performance of “ The Holy City,” given here on March 18. Miss Annis McLaughlin of Alpha Gamma visited us in March. Miss Elizabeth McManigal, ’95, is teaching English and Rhetoric in Tabor College, Iowa. Miss Florence Durstine, one of Epsilon’s pledglings, now with Alpha Gamma, was with us during March. IOTA. Mrs. Comstock has recently returned to Cornell and her afternoons, so pleasantly remembered, have been resumed. The engagement of Grace Wilmarth Caldwell, ’92, to Mr. George R. Chamberlain, ’90, is announced. The wedding of Edith Todd, special ’95, will take place in June. Marcia Vedder, ’99, has returned to her home in St. Johnsville, N. Y., on account of ill health. During a recent visit of Miss Sayre, Kappa, to Mrs. Nichols, a most delightful informal evening reception was given by Mrs. Nichols. Nannine La Villa, ’99, sails for Europe in June to make her future home in Florence, Italy. Louise McCollom, ex- ’98, expects to return to college next year to complete her course. LAMBDA. Lerion Johnson is teaching drawing in the public schools in Springfield, Mass. Francis Atkinson was recently appointed librarian of the new library at Newbury, Vt.
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196 THE ICAPPA ALPHA THETA. Marion McIntyre lias been obliged to leave college on ac¬ count of her eyes. Grace Wright spent the first two weeks of February at her home. RHO. Elizabeth Brownell, an alumna of Rho chapter, came from Chicago to be with us at our birthday banquet and the Junior Promenade. Bessie Tutile, our Theta artist, who has been in Tarkio, Missouri, the past year, is with us again. Lida Millar and Leola Vancil spent the spring recess with Theta sisters in Omaha. Bertie Clark, an alumna of Rho chapter, has gone abroad to spend a year in travelling. Emily Weeks has been obliged to leave school on account of ill health, but expects to be with us again. CHI. May Brown, ’93, Mrs. Lizzie Lowell Hammond, ’94, and Amelia Hines were here to attend the faculty reception, January 14. January 27, Josephine and Lillian Taylor, ’95, entertained the active chapter in honor of Vesta Green, ’95. Eva L. Miller, ’97, has spent several days at the chapter house this term. Gertrude Burlingham, ’96, who is preceptress at Ovid, N. Y., stopped for a few days on her way home for the Easter vacation. In the April number of “Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly,” appears an article on “Syracuse University,” written by a member of Chi, Jennie M. Bingham. Mrs. Stella Yorau Rich, ’95, spent some time with us in January. Her sister, Mary Yoran, who enters college next year, also visited at the chapter house during the month. Maude E. Sloan, ’99, is at her home in Eldred, Pa. Bertha E. Davis, 1900, received a visit from her sister, Lila Davis, ex-’95, last month.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 197 Chi was entertained very pleasantly on the evening of March 16, by Mrs. Matthew Van Wagenen, at her home in this city. Mabel Northrup, ’98, was detained from college for sev¬ eral weeks on account of illness. OMEGA. Miss Lulu Heacock, ’92, has been visiting Berkeley for a few days this month. Saturday afternoon, 27th of March, Mabel Symmes, ’96, entertained the Thetas of Omega at her home in San Fran¬ cisco. Miss Fielder of Phi spent a few days at our chapter house last month. Her visit was a pleasure to us all, and we only wish it could have been prolonged. ALPHA GAMMA. Grace Eagleson visited her sister during the oratorical contest at Cleveland. Florence Durstine visited the Wooster girls during the April recess. Edith Bell is teaching in the St. Paul High School. Alpha Gamma alumnae has applied for a charter. Helen Patterson came down from Mt. Vernon in January for a visit.
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In Ulemorlam. JULIA HOWARD SPEAR. Whereas, In the Providence of God, our honored and dearly beloved sister, Julia Howard Spear, has been taken from us, be it Resolved , That we the members of Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, deeply mourn the loss of one whose noble traits of character have endeared her to us all. That in her death we are deprived of one whose ready help and sympathy have always been ours. Resolved , That we hereby express our most heartfelt sympathy to those most closely touched by this sorrow. Resolved , That copies of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved mother and nearest friends, and that copies be in¬ serted in the journal of the Fraternity and in the college paper. Grace Alice Noyes, } Theodora May Plumley, Com. Anna May Clark. j 1 S
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EDITORIAL. This is the last issue before we meet in convention at Madison. So far as the work of preparation is concerned it should be well under way or finished by this time. All that we can say or suggest has already been said in former issues this year. The chapter that sends a delegate who is not fully prepared by discussion and instruction to make the utmost of the meetings will be the loser in more ways than one. And the fraternity will suffer in common with the chapter. The fraternity as a whole gains new impulse and new en¬ thusiasm from the convention, and the year following is marked by more earnest and concerted work. Each chapter has looked beyond its own little circle and seen and realized the power of the fraternity as a whole. This will repay any one of us, active member or alumna, for the necessary trouble of the trip, and we hope to meet a large number of the fra¬ ternity, in addition to the official delegates, at Madison in October. Some important decisions will be called for in regard to the journal, and the editors hope that the delegates will bring practical suggestions. The editors look at the ques¬ tion from a somewhat different point of view from that of the chapters, and criticise as carefully as they may, they will still be sure to overlook points that may be obvious from the standpoint of the reader. Bring to the convention the criticisms that you have failed to send direct to the journal, and make them as many and direct as possible. Alpha Delta has not long held the position of the youngest of our chapters before being called upon to yield her place to a new comer and join her sister chapters in welcoming Alpha Epsilon. To our new alumnae chapter in Columbus
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200 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . we all, from the oldest to the youngest, offer our warmest welcome. There seems to be no danger of stagnation in the fraternity at present. We are not yielding to the temptation to rest upon the work already done, either in internal or¬ ganization or in external growth. Slowly as opportunity for advantageous growth offers itself to the fraternity, the chapter roll is extended. And the older we grow the more keenly do we realize how imperative is the necessity that we should make our organization the most perfect possible, and having made it so, that we must live up to it and not allow our carefully perfected rules and plans of organization to become practically a dead letter. By the time this number of the journal reaches the chap¬ ters, the college year will be nearly over and we may take a final survey of our position. Backward over what has been done during the past year, and forward to our plans for the future. The chapter that closes the year and separates with¬ out having taken a comprehensive view of its position, past and to come, and without having considered the work to be done in the coming year, and having more or less definitely planned it, will be handicapped as compared with the chapter that has taken the trouble to look ahead with the experience gained from former years, and to prepare to avoid, as far as possible, the inevitable confusion of the opening of a new college year. In canvassing the results of the past year, statistics of a more or less interesting character may be col¬ lected from the reports sent in by the chapters. In looking them over we find that the total membership of the active chapters is 377 ; the number of active chapters is 22 ; the number of alumnae chapters is 5. The average membership of the chapter is 17, and the average number of initiates is between 6 and 7. Further statistics we leave for each one to look up for herself, only suggesting that in each individual case the chapter be judged, not absolutely, but in relation to the size of the college and of the chapters of other fraterni¬ ties in the same institution.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA, Published by the Fraternity. Edited by Iota Chapter. NOVEMBER , FEBRUARY, MAY. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Secrecy. Isadore Gilbert Mudge,' 97, {Iota), . 1 Brown University. Ida Evelyn Waite , Brown , '98, . 8 The Sense of Proportion. Caroline Simpson , ’p/, (Alpha), ... 10 Theta Pansies. M. F. B., '95, (Iota), . 14 The Woman’s College of Baltimore. M. Onnolee Countryman , ’pp, (Alpha Delta), . 14 President’s Letter. Harriet L. Funck, (Epsilon), . 16 A Letter from the President of Alpha District. May Estelle Brown, (Chi), . 17 Alumnae Department : Beta Alumnse. Emma Kemp Timber lake, ( Upsilon), . 20 In Memoriam — Susan Given Patterson. Helen Howard Jefferies , (Epsilon), . 21 Undergraduate Department : Novel but Not New. A. T. Y. . 23 Chapter Letters, . 27 Personals, . 51 In Memoriam, . 58 Editorials, . 59 Exchanges, . 64 Address everything intended for publication to CECILIA AGNES LAW, 33 East Ave., Ithaca, N. Y. Send all business communications to NULLY DAVIDSON GUNN, Sage College, Ithaca, N. Y. All material intended for publication should reach the editor befoi October 5, January 5, April 5. TERMS— $1.00 per Year; 35 cents Single Copy; Sample Copy Free.
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FRATERNITY DIRECTORY. GRAND COUNCIL. President— Harriet L. Funck, . 58 West South St., Wooster, Ohio Vice Presidents — May E. Brown . Fulton, N. Y. Florence Sawyer, . Box 1627, Station F, Los Angeles, Cal. Myra M. Post, . . . 28K S. Fifth St., Ann Arbor, Mich. Secretary— Caroline P. Sargent, ... 545 Westminster St., St. Paul, Minn. Treasurer — May E. Brown, . Fulton, N. Y. Editor — Cecilia Agnes Law . 33 East Ave., Ithaca, N. Y. EDITORIAL BOARD OF THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Editor-in-Chief— Cecilia A. Law . 33 East Ave., Ithaca, N. Y. Exchange Editor— Isadore Gilbert Mudge, . . Sage College, Ithaca, N. Y. Business Manager— Nutly Davidson Gunn, . . Sage College, Ithaca, N. Y. Editor of the Catalogue— Grace W. Caldwell, . . Ithaca, N. Y.
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EXCHANGES. In the Alpha Phi Quarterly for February is a short but suggestive plea for “ Alumnae Club vs. Alumnae Chapter,” in which the advantages of the club over the chapter, when the location of the organization must be some large city dis¬ tant from the scenes of active fraternity life, are set forth. Some of these advantages are as follows : Beside the common traditions which come from associa¬ tion in college, such a chapter misses the undergraduate body whose care should be an inspiration. It would be difficult to keep closely in touch with the growing fraternity except through its active members, and nothing could bring to the alumnae so much of the old college fraternity spirit as a report from her own active chapter concerning a needed something, from a teapot to a trustee. Other fraternities have tried the detached alumnae chapter, to come to the conclusion that it is impracticable. Something may be done with three meetings a year, when half the time must be spent in getting acquainted with a constantly changing membership, but it is not chapter work. We cannot even keep the pretext of meeting for common literary study or for anything except the meeting per se. We can help girls who are in danger of forgetting, to re¬ member The Quarterly , the convention and other fields that need help. We can discuss questions of general policy, but with the reflection that our point of view has changed with¬ out being necessarily better, so that advice is not so valu¬ able as we might imagine. We can examine into the merit of prospective chapters near at hand and make reports and suggestions. With these duties we should find great pleas¬ ure in being organized to* meet three times a year, with a possibility of extra meetings wdien occasion offered. This number of The Quarterly also contains an interesting article on “Elizabethan Sonnet-Cycles.” Practical Sugges¬ tions to Chapters” contains the advice to the new initiate so appropriate to the season, and in the editorial department
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202 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. we notice that the question of special students as members of the fraternity is still receiving attention. In “The Alumnae at the Fraternity Table,” the April Key touches off well one of the faults of the college woman. The article concludes with the part to .which we refer and which we quote : “ If I were to write a sermon on these relations, I should devote one section to an exhortation that you have good times together. I don’t mean literary programs with care¬ fully prepared essays and discussions. One of the great faults of the college woman is that she takes herself too seri¬ ously. She feels that the reputation of her sex for intellec¬ tual achievement rests upon her shoulders, and the burden is not lifted for a moment. Even in her amusements she must be circumspect, and not allow Mrs. Grundy a chance to criticise. She is too conscientious.” “Yes. I’ve noticed that in our chapter, especially in myself,” interrupted the Young Woman commonly called Joan. I paid no attention to this remark, and continued: “The college woman is afraid to relax, and so she misses the delights of pure idle¬ ness. She is ashamed to have a good time, unless there is an intellectual label somewhere about it. This is all wrong. The best brain is not always at a high degree of tension, and the best fraternity girl is the one who knows how to enjoy simple fun. The question whether fraternities and literary societies can flourish side by side in the same institution is taken up and systematically discussed in The Arrow for January. The article is not a purely theoretical one, but is based on statis¬ tics obtained from twenty-three different colleges. The conclusion reached by the writer is that the two organiza¬ tions are not necessarily mutually exclusive. It is generally in the large universities that the least in¬ terest is taken in literary societies. From this information I think we may conclude that, although fraternities are apt to harm literary societies somewhat, they can hardly be called destructive to them, for almost no societies have died out because of fraternities, and most of those now existing are in good condition. It must be confessed that to some ex¬ tent fraternities take the place of literary societies, for in one college there are no societies at all, and in two universities there would be many more societies did fraternities not ex-
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . 203 ist, nevertheless the fact that, in a majority of the colleges and universities (sixteen out of twenty-three) some frater¬ nity members belong to and take prominent part in the liter¬ ary societies, seems to show that in most cases from the lit¬ erary societies benefits are derived that are not derived from fraternities. While a fraternity meeting may be literary, it has other aims, and is not so well adapted to thorough liter¬ ary work and does not give such discipline and training as may be gained in a less private literary organization. Be¬ sides, many fraternity chapters do little or no literary work. Thus it appears that in most colleges literary societies still play an important part and are advantageous to all students. We must then conclude that literary societies are generally valuable and that we should give them our hearty support. The leading article in The Delta Upsilon Quarterly for March, is Mr. Frank R. Morris’s “ Chapter Finance.” By a natural association with financial matters, the chapter house question is also touched upon. “ Chapter Finance ” properly includes a further reference to the most characteristic fraternity movement of the last de¬ cade. Since Colgate has the honor of inaugurating the chapter house movement for Delta Upsilon, and has at present one of the best houses owned by a chapter of any fraternity in New York State outside of Cornell University, her ex¬ perience would naturally be valuable and suggestive to chapters now in the midst of the building movement. It is a settled principle that the movement begin by a sub¬ stantial agitation in the active chapter. Men who pass through college not knowing the life of a chapter home will not force one upon their successors. A thousand dollars pledged by the delegation of ’83 crystallized the building movement at Colgate. Again in 1892, when an extension was being planned, it was the $1,600 pledged by the active chapter that inspired the alumni to pledge $3,5°° uiore. Any chapter which has an alumni list of one hundred men, which needs a house and wants it enough to subscribe from fifty to two hundred dollars per man, can, I believe, secure that house. The beautiful home of the Stanford chapter is witness to the wide margin of this proposition. Again, the chapter should be ambitious to buy a property of which it will never be ashamed. Nothing crystallizes a fraternity more than its real estate. A cheap house makes a cheap chapter. The other extreme is equally dangerous. It ruins a literary or social organization to devote all its
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204 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA . energy to ways and means for maintaining its financial standing. The March number of Beta Theta Pi contains as leading article “Stories from Alpha Eta History, by Francis W. Shepherdson. The interest of this record of the life and ad¬ ventures of Alpha Eta Chapter is in no way impaired by the manner illustrations which accompany the article. In the same number we notice also a sketch of Senator Boies Pen¬ rose, and a short article, “The Multiplicity of Colleges in Illinois,” in which the small college is noticed particularly. The small college also receives attention in the Kappa Alpha Journal for January. We quote as follows : There is an element of humor about the naive manner in which some alumni and students of the great universities of this country try to patronize the smaller colleges. “ Fresh¬ water College,” “ Country College,” “Western College,” are not terms of doubtful implication. The university man finds satisfaction in the thought that he is being educated in the most liberal, cosmopolitan and “smart” surround¬ ings, and is apt to regard institutions whose pretensions are much more humble than those of his Alma Mater, and whose material wealth is small, with a feeling that borders on contempt. There is something humorous about this, we say, because some of the universities to which this applies had very small beginnings. Yet — and these are only illus¬ trations — Harvard College was even more admirable in the first years of its struggle for existence than it is in the hour of its wonderful success ; and the colonial youths who sup¬ ported themselves at Yale with a few shillings a week had every element of manhood and gentility possessed by their successors of to-day. A college training stands for several things now ; mental culture is seldom the only object, and not always the chief one. If a man is to be educated as a football player, there are really only about four colleges in the country as to whose comparative excellence he or his guardian can hesi¬ tate. If he is in haste to see the world and wants to go all the gaits at college, the smaller institutions cannot ade¬ quately meet his demands. There are two other important considerations — scholarship and character — and here the small college need not fear comparison.
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THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA. 205 Certainly the small college fosters the type of student who makes the best fraternity man. Where were the American college fraternities founded? They were founded, and they are strong to-day, at such colleges as Union, Miami and Washington and Lee. It may add a little glory to a frater¬ nity to have chapters at universities whose enrollment is ex¬ pressed by four figures, but the bone and sinew of every order is composed of its smaller chapters. We conclude that the Kappa Alpha Order does not need chapters at “ met¬ ropolitan seats of learning.” The experiment of assimila¬ tion would be a very dangerous one. There is almost nothing to gain ; there is very much to lose. Let northern extension and other kinds of extension alone for a time. In the department of Current Topics in this same number we notice with interest the following, which appears under the title of “ Is Teaching Dishonorable ?” Why there should be any opprobium attached to teaching has never been intelligently explained, yet no one will ques¬ tion that there is a certain stigma attending the calling in this country. I11 the South and West particularly such occupa¬ tion is, for the large part, an undisguised apology — a mere temporary make-shift — adopted by ambitious youths of slen¬ der means for the accumulation of money to defray the ex¬ pense of a prospective course in law or medicine. That such a present condition of affairs exists is undoubtedly due large¬ ly to the prevalence of the educational quack. He reigns well-nigh absolute in the rural districts, and besides shoul¬ dering the responsibility of the disparagement attending the profession of teaching, he is at the bottom of the woful lack of preparation of the average youth applying for admission to colleges. This latter phase of the question was recently handled by Prof. K. P. Harrington, of the University of North Carolina, before the Southern Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools. From intimate experience, he has deducted a classification of these mountebank joints. He says : ‘‘ If a boy presents himself for admission to col¬ lege from a ‘school,* treat him with consideration ; if from an ‘Academy,’ there’s still hope in his case; if from an ‘ Institute,* be on your guard ; if from a ‘ Collegiate Insti- stitute,’ brace yourself for probable disappointment ; if from a ‘ College,’ give him up on the spot ! ” Is it possible that our authority has not come into contact with the Normal University ? Or possibly he may hold this particular class of educational dive too horrible to mention.
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206 THE KAPPA ALPHA THETA A sound elementary training without the capstone of a col¬ lege education is infinitely desirable to a college course built over a superficial foundation, for with a well-laid basis the serious seeker after knowledge can construct a firm and en¬ during scholarship, while only divine aid can avail him who is compelled to support the heavy timbers of a college course upon a basis of thin sand. It is a source of gratification that with the present degree of educational progress acquired in the South, in many sec¬ tions the curtain has been rung down on the dispenser of ed¬ ucational nostrums, and his total extinction rests on the de¬ gree that the college man of to-day appreciates the fact that there is no higher sphere than that of fashioning in the ten¬ der period the destinies of the prospective 1 ‘ pillars of state. ’ *