puss Gung.
December
1912
THE ECHO 151
Let your Christmas
Gifts be Books
By no other means in the world can so much enjoyment
be secured for so little money as is contained between
the covers of a book.
Through books we may live many lives besides our own,
visit strange places, enjoy the thrills of every exploit,
pass lightly over the hardships, incident to these
accomplishments, and all without leaving our own cozy
firesides.
More than a little of the fond Affection we entertain for those
characters of Fiction extends to those who have made
the Acquaintanceship possible—the donor of the gift.
In the selecting of this gift book you will find no wider range
of choice than at our store. We are glad to say from
now on,
Murray’s will be a store of the
Christmas Spirit
All the Latest Children’s Books, Everything in Fiction,
Gift Books by the Famous Artists, S. N. C.
Posters, Scrap Books, Pennants, Pillers.
And last but not the least the Special S. N. C. Stationery
made of the best of Linen Paper.
MURRAY’S BOOK STORE
Opposite City Hall, Maiden Lane
Phone 3894
When dealing please mention “‘ The Echo”’
152
THE ECHO
Contents
LireRARY DEPARTMENT
PAGE
The Development of the Christmas Celebration and Spirit 153
The German Elementary School Teacher
W. C. Decker,
Who Is My Neighbor ? 5 Edna B. Moat,
Guam 5 i 3 Helen T. Emerson,
An Incident of the Helderbergs Harriet Tedford,
Poem—On Byron’s ‘‘Manfred’’ Grace M. Young,
Induction and Deduction Florence May Hodges,
Poem—The Cry of ‘‘Jim’’ :
Saracen andgFrank Jessie F. Dunseith,
Letters Home 5 b
00
14
Poem—‘‘Growing Worldly Wise’’ Edith F. Casey,’14
EpiroriaL DEPARTMENT é 5
News DEPARTMENT .
ALUMNI DEPARTMENT
156
160
163
166
169
170
171
174
175
179
181
183
199
Che Erhn
VOL. XXII DECEMBER, 1912 No. 4
Literary Depariment
The Development of the Christmas Celebration
and Spirit
HE Christmas celebration was instituted by
Telesphorus, who lived from 138 to 161
A. D. This yearly event developed into
much greater prominence from the fifth to the eighth
centuries. It gradually embraced all the new festi-
vals and was called the “ Christmas cycle,” surpassing
all other Christian festivals in pomp and richness.
At this same period, all the pagans regarded the
winter solstice as the beginning of the new life and
activity of the powers of nature, and of their gods.
The Celts and Germans celebrated these days with
the greatest festivities. About December twenty-fifth
the Germans held their great Yule Feast, in com-
memoration of the return of the fiery sun wheel, and
believed that during the twelve nights from Decem-
ber twenty-fifth to January sixth, they could trace
the personal movements and interferences on earth
of the deities — such as Odin and Berchta and many
others. The celebrations were general, and the
children of rich and poor alike figured in them. To
the pagan, it was a time of universal joy.
154 THE ECHO
Many of the beliefs and usages of these old Germans,
as well as of the old Romans, were adopted by the
Christians in their Christmas celebrations, and have
been handed down to us. Before being adopted by the
Christians, however, the festivals were purified by
establishing public worship throughout every Chris-
tian community, and by the dramatic representation
of the birth of Christ and the first events of His life.
The first Christmas tree was also introduced at their
sumptuous feasts, adorned with lights and gifts for
the children. Hence came the custom of reciprocal
presents. At these celebrations, also, amongst other
goodies, we have our first much-loved and long-ex-
pected plum pudding.
The winter festival was originally, and should now
be, a time of rejoicing for everybody. But from the
very time of the introduction of Christ into it, the
event has become limited to a few people of means.
Have we not made a mistake in making our Christ-
mas, which stands to us for the birth of Him who
brought love, unselfishness and charity into the world
— have we not erred in making it a feast for our-
selves? The real spirit of Christmas should be one
of giving, in the broad sense of the word, and the pity
of it is that such a spirit has not been developed.
Everybody knows the story of the little match girl,
who sat with her wares in the shelter of a grand house,
and watched from her cold stone seat the scenes of
festivity and splendor inside. She saw the table
Jaden with warm food and Christmas goodies, and
happy children dancing around the board. Then, to
warm her frozen hands and feet, she lighted the
THE ECHO 155
matches that no one would buy, and to her came
beautiful visions of loving parents, happy brothers
and sisters, and warm food and clothing. But they
found her on Christmas morning — dead, of hunger
and cold!
There are thousands —nay, millions, of barefoot,
hungry, and half clad — little boys and little girls,
who are looking through our window, while we are
seated near a beautiful, heavily-laden Christmas tree.
And Christmas is to commemorate the birth of a
child! To us should come some reminder of the spirit
which actuated the old pagans and the early Chris-
tians, when they made of this season a time of joy
for the children of rich and poor.
Our happiness will be greater in proportion as we
make those less fortunate about us happier. Let us
share our worldly goods, then, with those little ones
who are looking through our windows, and think of
him in whose honor we are celebrating, and who
said: “ Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these, ye have done it unto me!”
From tur Ecno Box.
156 THE ECHO
The German Elementary School Teacher
If we adopt the historical method of German schol-
ars in dealing with our topic, it will be necessary for
us to go back to the time of Charlemagne, for he
was the first of the German princes and overlords to
strive after a general common school education for
his subjects. His desire in this regard was not satis-
fied, and it was not until the Reformation was well
under way that the idea of founding common schools
for the education of the masses was again taken up
and, to a measure, realized. Although Luther was
the one who gave the initial impulse to the plan, it
remained for Melanchthon to organize common edu-
cation in those parts of Germany which had adopted
the new church. It was not until the time of Fred-
erick William I (1713-1740) that compulsory educa-
tion was established in Prussia.
The administering of the compulsory education
law made necessary a large increase in the number of
common schools. With the increase in the number
of common schools came, likewise, an increased de-
mand for common school teachers. The elementary
school teachers then, as now, were kept distinct from
the teachers of the higher schools, the so-called Ober-
lehrer, all of whom must have enjoyed university
training. To properly prepare young men for be-
coming teachers in the elementary schools, Frederick
William I founded “ seminaries,” or normal schools.
The need was so urgent, however, that in many in-
stances, especially in country districts, artisans were
appointed teachers. Frederick the Great (1740-
1786) appointed many of his disabled soldiers to
THE ECHO 17
places as elementary teachers, because of the lack of
trained teachers. To-day, the supply is equal to, if
not greater than, the demand.
The elementary school teacher receives his train-
ing at a “Seminar.” The requirements for admis-
sion to a seminary (Lehrer-oder Lehrerinnensemi-
nar) demand, first of all, a good common school edu-
cation. As the boy who intends to become an ele-
mentary school teacher usually finishes the elemen-
tary school at the age of fourteen or, at most, fifteen
years, he attends a preparatory school for the semi-
nary (Praép arandenaustalt) for two or three years,
until he is able to pass its final examination, which,
at the same time, serves as an entrance examination
for the seminary proper. If a pupil fails to pass this
examination, he is permitted to present himself twice
again, and if he fails the third time, his career as a
teacher is ended. If he is admitted to the seminary,
he receives his tuition free, in case he finishes the re-
quired course of study and accepts the position to
which the government assigns him. The course of
the seminary covers a period of three years, for those
who are able to meet its rigid requirements. At the
end of his course the student must pass an oral and a
written examination. If the written examination is
very satisfactory he may be excused from the oral
examination. In addition to this he must show his
ability to teach music (orally) and must teach a les-
son in some subject to a class of pupils from an
elementary school before his examiners. If success-
ful in these tests, he receives a temporary appoint-
ment in some elementary school. At the end of two
158 THE ECHO
years he may present himself for the final examina-
tion, which enables him to accept a permanent posi-
tion. Any teacher who does not present himself for
this examination within five years after receiving his
temporary license is dropped from the service. Ifa
teacher is not successful the first time, he is per-
mitted another trial, and then if unsuccessful —
America usually gains another citizen of German
birth,
What is the reward of the successful? The salary
of the teacher, like nearly everything else in Ger-
many, is fixed by law. In Prussia the elementary
teacher begins with 1,400 marks (approximately
$333) and receives increases at the ends of fixed
periods until he reaches the maximum of 3,300
marks yearly salary ($786). As a state employee he
is entitled to an official residence. In the country he
is often given a suite of rooms in the school building
or is provided with a house on the school grounds.
In the towns and cities he is given an allowance of
about 400 marks in addition to his salary, in lieu of
an official residence. In large places this allowance
is more generous. This makes the annual salary of
the teacher about $433 to begin with, and about $900
after twenty years of service; in purchasing power
the equivalent of $1,500 in New York State.
Boys and girls are, as a general rule, instructed
either in separate schools or in separate classes. It
is unheard of for a woman to teach boys, but it is
customary for the men to teach girls. Most girls’
schools will probably have as many men teachers as
women teachers. The writer saw the work of a man
THE ECHO 159
in the first grade of a girls’ school, His work was
extremely good and he had the necessary sympathy
and kindness to elicit the utmost confidence from his
little charges. The great preponderance of men
teachers in the schools tends’ to make changes in the
teaching force rare. After a certain number of years
in the service, the teachers are retired on a pension.
Germans cannot understand the preponderance of
women teachers in our elementary schools.
Once an elementary school teacher, always an ele-
mentary school teacher is very nearly true. Only in
the kingdom of Saxony are elementary school teach-
ers permitted, without being forced to pass almost
impossible examinations, to attend a university.
After receiving their permanent licenses they may
pass the examinations for teachers of the interme-
diate schools when they are sufficiently prepared for
them. The salaries in the intermediate schools are
better and the successful candidates are also per-
mitted to become principals of elementary schools.
For most elementary and intermediate teachers it is
possible (outside of Saxony) to gain entrance into the
ranks of the academically (7. e., university) trained
Oberlehrer, whose salary is 2,700 marks at the outset
and whose maximum salary is 7,200 marks, with an
allowance for house rent of at least 900 marks. The
social position of the Oberlehrer is much higher and
in a land where class distinctions are reckoned out to
a nicety this is not to be overlooked. If it happens
that there are a few elementary or intermediate teach-
ers employed in the same institution with several
Oberlehrer, the latter do not invite the former, or
160 THE ECHO
their wives, to any of the social functions among the
faculty, no matter what their personalities may be.
The elementary school teacher is above all a
teacher. Pedagogically he is the equal, if not the
superior, of the Oberlehrer. His devotion to duty
and his conscientiousness in the performance of it
set a high standard, well worthy of emulation in other
lands. With the greater freedom of our school and
social systems, it is to be hoped that the American
product may soon be the equal of his German col-
league.
W. C. Duoxsr, ’00.
Who Is My Neighbor?
“Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, and thy
neighbor as thyself.”
The strong, clear-toned voice of the preacher was
still ringing in the man’s ears as he turned up his
coat collar and stepped out into the biting cold of the
December night. He smiled rather sardonically at
the thought of that grave, white-haired minister’s
daring to present so obsolete a text before the fashion-
able congregation.
“ What do they know or care about that thing called
a ‘neighbor’? ” he muttered. “It’s a case of ‘do
unto others before they do you’ with them. I saw
old John Walton there. He gives thousands a year
to the free hospitals and pays a good sum for a box
at the Charity Ball. Does he consider those poor
wretches his neighbors? Would he recognize an in-
mate of the Old Man’s Home upon the street? How
a
THE ECHO 161
much would my lady Randolph do for that stupid
little woman she is patronizing if there were no
money init? Bah! It’s a farce. There’s no such
thing as a ‘neighbor’ these days, when each one
scrambles for himself and is sufficient unto himself.”
And yet, quite against his will, the words of the
preacher kept struggling within the man’s mind.
Somehow they recalled the earlier years of his life,
when every day had brought some happiness to him,
and friends had not yet proved faithless. Eager,
hopeful, confident, he had looked toward the future
with unsuspecting eyes. And he had been deceived!
Ah, yes, cruelly deceived! And now he stood alone—
utterly alone. The few he had loved were dead.
There remained. to him only a few tender memories,
just a very few. Friends —he had none. He wanted
none. Life had taught him not to seek for friends.
“Who is my neighbor?” he cried. ‘‘ Who knows
me? Whom do I know? Who is there to care for
me or miss me when I am gone? [I give regularly to
foreign missions and children’s fresh air funds — but
that is all. I suppose it’s force of habit. Still I’m
not entirely selfish — and how do I know who needs
or would thank me for my love?”
The man vigorously shook the snow from his over-
coat and sighed contentedly as he entered the warm
waiting room of the big railway station, where he
was to wait for the midnight express. He had no
desire to watch the gaily-dressed, chattering throng
of people. They did not interest him. He could not
sympathize with them. To-night he wanted peace
and quiet and time to think. He sought the darkest
and most remote corner of the large room.
162 THE ECHO
There, crouched down behind one of the tall seats,
and huddled close to a poor, serawny dog, was a dirty,
ragged, street urchin. The man drew nearer and
bent over them to see more clearly. Both looked up
at his approach and started guiltily. The boy was
only a wee youngster, dirty, thinly clad, and practi-
cally shoeless — the dog was a miserable little street
cur, so gaunt that it seemed all legs and tail. Both
half-starved faces bore expressions of mingled hun-
ger, fear, and hopeless misery. In his hand the boy
held the remains of a ham sandwich, which the dog
was fast swallowing in great gulps of joy.
“Why, lad, what are you doing here?” questioned
the man.
“Ah, Mister,” pleaded the boy, encouraged by the
man’s kind tone, ‘‘ don’t youse tell on me, will yer?
It’s so cold out — and TI likes ter come in here where
it’s warm. Sometimes, if the ol’ boss ain’t too lively,
I stays here all night.”
“Where do you get your supper? Have you had
anything to eat?” asked the man again.
“Don’t allus have any. Got a san-wich ter night,
but —” the boy glanced wistfully at the dog.
“Does he belong to you?” said the man.
“Naw — he ain’t mine —wisht he was. Ain’t
got nobody ter belong to me. He’s jiss hungry and
cold like I am.”
A mist swam before the man’s eyes, and he felt
something uncomfortable in his throat. The old
query, “ Who is my neighbor?” came back to him.
“Ah,” he sighed, “ this little street waif has found a
neighbor. Why should not I?”
Epwya B. Moat, 714.
,
yar
THE ECHO 163
Guam
On the twelfth of June I left Honolulu for
Manila on the transport Thomas, which is the flag-
ship of the transport service. For twelve days we
sailed on a smooth sea without seeing anything ex-
cept an occasional gull and numerous flying fish.
When we awoke on the morning of the thirteenth day,
we saw long low ridges of hills, and knew we were in
“Nero’s Hole,’? where the water is nine thousand
six hundred thirty-five meters deep, which depth
was, at that time, the greatest on record of the
Pacific. Since then a German naval surveying ship
has made a sounding of nine thousand seven hundred
eighty meters, or four hundred six feet over six miles.
The sounding was made about forty knots off the
north coast of Mindanao, P. I.
The coral reefs about Guam are so extensive that
large ships can go no nearer than a mile and a half
to Piti, the port. For this reason globe-trotters on
the large liners do not see this attractive little spot.
Launches were sent out to the transport, and we all
enjoyed the sail to Piti, where vehicles of various
kinds were waiting, drawn, for the most part, by the
small stubborn and tough island horses.
Guam is a naval station, It will be remembered
that in 1898, during the war with Spain, Uncle Sam,
on the voyage to Manila with the cruiser “ Charles-
ton,” stopped to take possession of this “ bright little,
tight little island.” Its governor is commandant of
the naval and marine forces stationed on the island.
The five mile drive from Piti to Agana was de-
164 THE ECHO
lightful. The road, made of shells from the beach
and gravel from the mountains, was in fine condition.
It is bordered on the one side by cocoanut palms and
the ocean, and on the other by more cocoanut palms
and native villages.
Agana is clean and attractive. The city was settled
by Roman Catholics from Spain. In its center is a
picturesque Spanish monastery, erected in 1669.
Agana has a population of ten thousand, and four
thousand native boys and girls attend its five public
schools, the boys’ session being from half-past eight to
half-past eleven a. m. and the girls’ from one-thirty
to four-thirty Pp. mM.
The house of the governor is a long two-story
building of native wood and stone. The outside is
not attractive with its thick prison-like stone walls,
iron-barred windows, and front door opening directly
on the sidewalk. I suppose I missed the broad, com-
fortable “lanais” of Honolulu, with their ham-
mocks, easy chairs, and couches. Inside the wide en-
trance doors we found a beautiful home, with wide
stairways, large rooms with high ceilings, and each
room opening into a courtyard filled with tropical
plants. After wandering about the grounds for a
while we returned to the house, listened to a fine or-
chestra, ate a delicious luncheon, and then either
danced or watched those who did dance until two
o'clock. After sight-seeing for two hours longer we
started on our return to Piti.
The natives of Guam disclaim any kinship with
the Filipinos or other island tribes, and are known as
“Chomorros.”” The principal export of the island is
THE ECHO 165
“copra” (the kernel of the cocoanut after the oil has
been expressed from it). After this is hulled and
dried the greater part of it is sold to Japan for about
sixty dollars per ton. The arrival of the monthly
transport, bringing food and mail, is hailed with de-
light by all the people of the island.
The “ Thomas ” anchored at seven in the morning,
sent ashore many tons of commissary stores and a
few soldiers during the day, and left for Manila in
the evening, the search-lights giving us pretty mem-
ory-pictures of the little island where we had spent a
pleasant day.
Heten T. Emerson, 778.
[This article on “ Guam” has a special interest
for students who have read the articles contributed by
Miss Emerson while she was teaching in St. Andrew’s
Priory, Honolulu. She left there last June to accept
a position in the executive bureau of the government
of the Philippine Islands, where she is now em-
ployed. Her letters to Mrs. Mooney from this far-
away corner of the world are records of delightful or
wonderful experiences that few who are working in
the field of education can hope to have.— Tux Ept-
ToR. |
166 THE ECHO
An Incident of the Helderbergs
Prue had just climbed up into the fragrant hay-
mow, and had settled herself comfortably with her
knitting, when she heard strange voices speaking be-
low her. Noiselessly she made her way to the edge
and peered over. There, directly below her, were
three men, dressed in ill-fitting homespun and cow-
hide boots. But their faces and hands were not the
toil-hardened and sunbrowned faces and hands of the
farmer, but the well-kept, white ones of gentlemen.
Also, they carried gleaming arms, such as she had
never before seen the patriots carry. She was about
to speak to them when one spoke:
“We had better hide our guns in the hay. Then
we can crawl in and get some sleep before it is time to
start.”
“Where do they leave the papers, captain ?”’ asked
another.
“Tn a cave on the side of the cliff. One of those
Tories will meet us near the big pine tree at the top
and take us down the trail. The papers will be there
under a stone.”
Then the third spoke: “This is pretty bad busi-
ness. If it wasn’t that we’ll aid the King, I wouldn’t
hear of it.”
The others murmured assent, and climbed up into
the hay. Prue held her breath with fear.
“What if they should find me!” she thought. ‘T
must not let them find me, and IT must try to prevent
them from getting the papers, for they must be im-
portant.” She thought intently, and soon had formed
a plan.
THE ECHO 167
Still it would be necessary to wait till the men fell
asleep. She covered herself with hay and lay still,
hardly daring to breathe, for what seemed to her a
century. At last it seemed to her that to venture out
would be safe, so, slipping along, inch by inch, she
came at last to the window which overlooked a shed.
She climbed out of this and dropped to the shed roof,
a few feet below. From here she made her way to a
nearby tree. By means of this she reached the
ground, and quickly crossed the field to the forest.
Soon she reached the woods, where she went more
slowly. However, she did not follow the winding
path, but took all manner of short cuts through briars
and underbrush. In a short time she came to a
stream, She stopped, as if puzzled. Then she started
on again, following the course of the stream. She fol-
lowed it till she came to the edge of a perpendicular
drop of hundreds of feet. Prue stood here for a few
minutes, gazing out over the wooded hills and valleys,
then turning to the right, she followed the edge of the
cliff.
“T wonder if I can get down to the trail by the
trees. There is so little time that I am afraid to go
7round, and I might meet the man of whom they
spoke.”
She went on for five or ten minutes, and then
stopped. Here the wall of the cliff was broken by a
projecting shelf several feet below. She looked over
the edge, but drew back with a pale face. But it
must be done, so she drew her breath and started
down, clinging to the long grape-vines and small pine
trees for support as she went. At last her feet
168 THE ECHO
touched the rocky shelf and she uttered a sigh of
relief.
After resting for a few seconds, Prue started on
her way, picking her path cautiously along the nar-
row trail. It was growing dark, and the need for
haste was great, for even now the British might be on
their way to the cave. Soon she saw the black hole
which was her destination. No sound could be heard,
nor could any light be seen.
Prue crawled into the mouth, listening eagerly.
Her hand touched something hard, which she soon
discovered to be a lantern. Nearby she found a
flint and steel, with which she soon lighted the lan-
tern, so providentially at hand. With this she ex-
plored the cave, overturning every stone which could
possibly conceal papers of any kind. But no papers
could she find. Was it possible that she was too late,
or had she mistaken the rendezvous ?
Just as she was about to give up in despair, for she
dared go back in the cave no farther, she saw a stone
with a large cross painted on it. Upturning it, she
discovered that the ground had recently been dug up.
Hastily thrusting her fingers into the soft soil, she
felt something hard and cold. She pulled this out
with eagerness, and discovered that the package con-
tained papers, bound and sealed. Quickly hiding the
package in her gown she hastened out, extinguishing
the lantern as she went.
Then she ran back the way she had come, for now
the British would soon be there, and it would not do
to be too near when they discovered their loss. At
last she reached the “ ladder,” as it was called in the
THE ECHO 169
locality. With determined face she started the climb
up. After what seemed to be a century of painful
effort she reached the top, bruised, breathless, and
bleeding, but glowing with joy in the realization that
she had aided her country.
Harriet Teprorp, 716.
On Byron’s “Manfred”
I wandered, led by Byron’s magic spell,
Through gloom and blackness and a chasm of woe.
The path was void; no human trace did show.
It seemed the way might lead to a vacant hell.
No plant grew on the dark, far-jutting crags
Which overshot the downward sloping way.
No natural light was there of night or day,
But far below, mid mists all torn like rags,
Burned one pale star, far-distant, faint, alone.
Then the tortured rocks, last natural things, gave
way.
This could I see by that dim, sickening ray,
Yet I passed on; the blackness like a stone
Grew hard beneath my fast-descending feet.
Then the mists did close me round as with a web.
Of sound or sight there was no flow nor ebb.
In that vast void no being did IT meet.
As down I slipped, I did approach the star,
And looked upon its face with fearful dread.
I shriecked! ’ITwas Manfred’s face, all tawny red,
Like half-washed stain of blood, or ancient scar.
Gracr M. Young, 713.
170 THE ECHO
Induction and Deduction
Induction and deduction are both forms of reason-
ing. Both travel the same road, but in opposite direc-
tions. Deduction hitches the horse before the cart
and goes ahead in proper fashion, while induction
starts at the other end of the trail and backs up.
Deduction is the process by which one starts with
a known law, and thinks outward to the consequences.
For instance, knowing the law of gravity, one can
calculate with precision the momentum which an ob-
ject of a given weight will acquire in falling a given
distance. The general law may be regarded as a
hub of a wheel, joining the spokes —or the given
phenomena. Deduction begins at the hub and feels
its way out along the spokes, one by one. Having
knowledge of a general law, one can, more or less ac-
curately, draw conclusions — the process is deduc-
tion. It is the method of inference, then, which
brings the particular case under a certain general
principle.
Induction, on the other hand, is the process start-
ing with observed phenomena and from these phe-
nomena discovering the general law. In other words,
in the process of inductive reasoning the thinker ob-
serves a relation between the spokes of the wheel, and,
suspecting that there is somewhere a center, holding
the spokes together, he follows them up and finds the
hub —or connecting principle. In the process of in-
ductive reasoning one observes that certain phenom-
ena occur in conjunction, and he seeks the principle
or general law connecting them.
Deduction, then, is working from the general law,
THE ECHO 171
outward; while induction reverses the process and
works from the observed phenomena in, toward the
general principle governing the phenomena. They
are not, however, wholly separated and unrelated
forms of reasoning. They work together, and assist
one another. A person started on an inductive train
of reasoning, jumps off now and then and runs back
on a deductive foot-path, to make certain that he is
headed in the right direction. Having once reached
his goal, the general law —or, going back to the
wheel figure, the hub—he starts out upon new
spokes. Having discovered the general principle, he
seeks to draw from it new conclusions. So they in-
terweave and work together, and one can searcely be
considered without the other.
Frorence May Hopess, 715.
The Cry of “ Jim”
Freshmen thin, and freshmen stout,
One, two, three, and right about !
Hold your chins up in the air;
For your shoulders have a care!
Take your breathing long and deep,
Do not walk all in a heap!
Banish high-heeled shoes forever,
Low heels use for walking ever!
Lastly, join the G. A. A.
A little cash you'll have to pay,
But twenty-five a year in cents
Is surely not a great expense.
From “ Tur Eouo Box.”
LZ THE ECHO
[The following incidents were selected from the
work of the English I class.— Lirmrary Eprror. |
All night long we had waited for the end. Wild
rumors had spread that bloodthirsty Kurds and other
fanatic Moslems were marching on the city, that the
massacre had already begun, and, that before morn-
ing the defeat of Islam would be avenged by the
wholesale destruction of all infidels in the city.
Slowly to the nervous watchers rose the morning sun.
Not a person was seen on the street, but all knew that
behind the closed shutters in the foreign section stood
armed men ready to sell their lives as dearly as pos-
sible, and that the legations sheltered blue-jacket
guards, anxious to “mix it up with the bloomin’
bloody Turks,” as a British tar expressed it. Then,
in the distance, was heard the beat of a drum. Slowly
the sound advanced, until it was near at hand. <A
cheer rose from the British legation, and around the
corner at quick-time marched a Bulgarian regiment,
looking stolidly straight to the front. After them
swung a Greek battalion, marching in column of
squads, and hardly able to restrain their delight at
entering their ancient capital. The men of the Black
Mountain, Servian regulars, and Albanian and Mace-
donian volunteers, followed each other in rapid suc-
cession. Suddenly, from the distant pinnacle of St.
Sophia, from which a stray shot had prophetically
knocked the crescent, we saw a flag slowly rise —a
new flag, a white cross on a blue ground, the emblem
of the new nation just born in the Balkans, the resur-
rected Byzantium.
THE ECHO 173
A deer grazed in the woodland valley. The squir-
rels chattered in the trees about him, and the shrill
note of a jay was heard from a distant thicket. Sud-
denly the deer started and turned his head, the
squirrels ceased their gossip, but all seemed safe,
and they resumed their occupations. A shot rang
out, the deer sprang forward. * * * The squir-
rels peered from their home at the hunter and his
load, the jay called again from the thicket, but a
dark red pool marked where the deer had grazed.
Francis W. Smiru, 716.
My sister had not been feeling well for some time.
The fact rather worried me, so I was very much
alarmed one night to hear her ery out:
“ Bring me some water, quickly! I am fainting.”
I sprang out of bed, hurried across the room,
kmocked over a small chair, and stubbed my toe
against the casing of the door. I reached the bath-
room finally, however, and got a glass of cold water.
When I reached her bedside I saw that she was pale,
ther eyes tight shut. My hand was trembling as I
dashed cold water in her face. She revived with as-
tonishing quickness, and, in fact, seemed to resent my
efforts to restore her to consciousness. Angry words
followed, and I exclaimed, as I got back into bed,
shivering, and rubbing my wounded toe:
“Aw! why didn’t you tell me you were going to
talk in your sleep?”
Mareuerrite D. Stantey, 716.
174 THE ECHO
Saracen and Frank
It was late afternoon as a mailed horseman toiled
up a steep pass in the Pyrenees. The dark armor,
the coal-black color of his steed, made him seem
a black spirit of the mountain. But as the way
grew steeper he removed his black iron casque, show-
ing the long, fair hair of the Saxon, His rugged face
showed plainly that he was past middle life, though
his powerful body seemed to belie the fact.
A weariness of body and mind came over him as
the way grew still steeper, the pass more narrow. His
lips moved as in prayer — prayer for strength and
fortitude. Suddenly the horse rounded a curve in
the way, and the Frank was roused from his spiritual
communion by the appearance of an unthought-of
danger. Facing him was a Saracen, mounted on a
fleet Arabian horse. The pagan had checked his
steed just in time to prevent both being hurled into
the valley below.
“T am Sheik Abderrman,” said the pagan, in a
tongue known to both.
“And I am Ludwig the Black,” said the Frank.
The Saracen again started to speak, but stopped
suddenly. An expression of pain went over his face
and he scarcely stifled a groan. Then the Frank
noted the infidel’s left arm hanging useless in the
blood-stained sleeve of the white robe.
“ Tnfidel,” said the Frank, “the pass is narrow.
Our steeds have not room to go by one another, nor
is there place that one may turn about and pursue
a backwark course. Thou art young. I have a son
thy age — but he rests in heaven. Thou’rt indeed
THE ECHO 175.
sore wounded, too. It is but three leagues to thy
encampment. And thou mayst soon be healed.’’
Here he paused and seemed to pray again. Then he
turned quickly to the Saracen.
“Thou hast many years before thee. Fight no
more against the Franks. I give thee thy life.”
‘With that he turned the charger’s head, and with
a ery of ‘“ My son! ” urged the steed over the cliff.
The Saracen soon reached his camp. Three days
later his army set out for the north.
Jzessizx EF. Dunserra, 716.
Letters Home
Sunnpay, Dec. 8, 1912.
Dear Mother:
Christmas is coming! AndsoamJ! Isn’t it just
beautiful? Here I’ve just got to work from Thanks-
giving vacation, and there comes Christmas — only
seventeen days off! Editha and I have a Christmas
calendar, just the way we had for Thanksgiving, only
this is sheets of paper tied together, and this morning
when she tore off the leaf she said, ‘‘ Only two weeks
and three days more!” Of course, I knew what she
meant, though T wasn’t half awake yet. But, I tell
you, I got awake in a hurry, and then we sat up in
bed and planned. Editha got so excited she nearly
pulled the Christmas calendar off the wall (it hangs
at her side of the bed), and I hugged first Editha and
then the pillow, I was so happy. Really, when you
stop to think of it and count up the seconds, Christ-
mas is ages and ages away. But when you begin to
plan all the things you’ve got to do before then, it
176 THE ECHO
isn’t half long enough. I never realized before how
near Christmas is to Thanksgiving. It seems only
last week that I was eying every turkey and cran-
berry I passed as if they were long lost brothers
whom I was anxious to welcome home on Thanks-
giving, and now I am literally pasting my nose
against every Christmas window I come to. We
haven’t had much snow here, but Christmas is in the
air just the same — the winds blow Christmas, the
trees smell Christmas, the children look Christmas.
Why, Editha says the church bells that woke her up
this morning were singing “ Christ-mas, Christ-mas,
Christ-mas ”’ — just like that.
I really had decided not to give any Christmas
presents this year, that is, regular presents like books
and silver spoons and work-bags ; and I was planning
to write just lovely long letters. But, I got down
street one day and I saw a dolly that looked just like
baby, so, of course, I had to buy it for her (I knew
she wouldn’t appreciate a letter anyway) ; and then
I saw the book on Greek sculpture that Dick wanted,
so I had to buy that (he doesn’t like letters much) ;
and then I saw a picture that I knew Bess would like,
and I bought that; and then I saw a for father,
and something you want — but E won’t tell what, be-
cause you'll both read this letter. Well, that left me
just the remembrance of my five dollar bill — but I
don’t care, I had to buy the things, if only for the
good time J got out of it, and five presents doesn’t
seem so bad when you realize that there are still about
fifty people on my regular list who will get just let-
ters this year. And, I couldn’t have bought even five
THE ECHO Nie ArE
presents if it hadn’t been for those verses I sold. The
five dollars seemed like a present to me.
Editha had a windfall, too. She sold a drawing.
And she’s already spent the money on her adoring
family. We both know what we’re going to give each
other for Christmas. I’m going to give her a ticket
for Tur Ecuo play next Friday evening, and she’s
going to give me a ticket for Tum Ecuo play next
Friday evening. A new and improved method of
exchanging Christmas presents. (I once heard a
girl say she always “ exchanged ’”’ Christmas presents
with somebody, and I never liked her afterward. I
don’t believe in exchanging things at Christmas
time.) Well, Editha and I felt that we ought to at-
tend the play, and we wanted to give each other some-
thing, so—our plan. To be sure, our presents will
come a trifle early, but, of course, the play will be so
good that we won’t be able to forget it by this Christ-
mas, or any other Christmas to come.
I didn’t go to the senior-sophomore frolic last Fri-
day night, for the very good reason that I am neither
a senior nor a sophomore. But the girls in the next
room went, and had a good time, they said. I was
glad I couldn’t go, for Dick made me a flying visit
(just a stop-off between trains), and I’d have missed
him if I’d been able to go. Do you know (I’m telling
this in confidence, of course), I think that if it wasn’t
for Bess, I’d try and get Editha for a sister. Dick
thinks she’s fine, and you and Dad liked her so much
Thanksgiving — and Baby Peggy adored her right
straight away. Of course, I love Bess better than
any other girl in the world — but Editha comes sec-
178 THE ECHO
ond. You can’t live with a girl for weeks right along
and not find out her good and bad points, and in
Editha’s case the scales sag way down on the good
side.
One of the girls asked to borrow my new pink
dress to wear to the frolic. JI hated to refuse, but I
certainly didn’t want to lend it. I felt like telling
her the story of “ The Ant and the Cricket’? —“ We
ants never borrow, we ants never lend.” TI let her
have the dress, because I didn’t want to be thought
mean, but I was mighty pleased when she brought it
back. Tt didn’t fit.
Ask Dad which he’d rather belong to, a general lit-
erary society, or one that deals mostly with current
events. They both come on the same night, otherwise
I’d love to belong to both, and I know some of the
other girls would, too. If they only met on different
nights !
There is a notice on the bulletin board about the
Year Book. I’d like to have a copy, but it’s $2.50,
and that’s more money than I ever expect to have
again, all at onee. It seems a lot to pay for it, but
maybe that would be a good thing for you to get me
for Christmas — you know you asked me what I
wanted.
Everything is going pretty well, except that I can
not “roll an r.” I’ve tried, and tried, and tried —
and am still trying. Maybe, when I’m ninety and
hhaven’t any teeth, I’ll be able to do it, or, at least,
sound as if I were doing it. But, I still keep up
eourage. As long as I have a tongue, I can keep on
trying and hoping.
THE ECHO 179
Kiss the family ninety-nine times around for me,
and then have them all kiss you the nine hundred one
times. And don’t forget to have my biggest pair of
stockings mended for Christmas. I’m going to give
Santy a regular hustle to get it filled before he has
to go.
With lots of love,
THERESA.
P. S.— Could you dress a doll for me for the Y.
W.C. A.? I haven’t much time. Besides, you dress
them so beautifully. .
“Growing Worldly Wise”
In a noisy crowded city street,
Alone in the wide, wide world,
Walked a little brown dog with sprawling feet,
And pointed ears upfurled.
Full many a mile had he walked that day,
And none had bid him in.
His stomach he knew had faded away,
And left him hollow and thin.
But a neighboring shop with tempting smell,
Allured his shaggy breast,
The fat old keeper, he judged full well,
Would grant him his small request.
180 THE ECHO
“A bite to eat, good sir,” barked he,
“A hungry beast am I!
Take pity on a little cur —
And feed me or I die!”
The man looked down, and smiled a smile;
An unctuous smile was that.
“ Come in, my dog, and bide awhile
Till you are nice and fat!”
And the dog went in and ate his fill,
But found alas — too late!
He did not know the world, until —
He saw his tragic fate!
« Now, to this hard old earth I’m wise,”
He whines with bitter cry,
As in the sausage mill he dies
With one last plaintive sigh.
Epirs F. Casry, ’14.
he Erho
VOL. XXII DECEMBER, 1912 No. 4
Board of Editors
J. Harry Warp Ur ehee poe Wicca mili Nl eittorcn- Chief
Gertrupe WELEs .. Esl Oba eas Assistant Editor
Grace M. Youne eet iar a itera : . Literary Editor
Karwarine Kinne pra a Dee selgtoee ae Alumni Editor
Epira Carr E Seibert BIS Heya ssl eae News Editor
Amy Woop = . . “ 4 . . . Business Manager
Karrina VAN Dyck ‘si:
Dodie Bo Was . : . . . Advertising Department
ELoreNcr_ GARDNER oe,
ETatrisee sed ucla ere ubseripti
CEREE NCE CAERNE Subscription Managers
Orris EmMrery - . . . . . . Circulating Manager
Subscription, $1.00 per annum, payable in advance; $1.25 when not
paid before October 15th; single copies, 15 cents.
Contributions and expressions of opinions are solicited from the stu-
dent body and interested alumni.
Address all business communications to the business manager, 82 N.
Allen street.
“Tum Ecuo’? is published (monthly except July and August) and owned
by the students of the New York State Normal College, and is entered in
the Albany Post Office as second-class matter.
Eniiorial Department
May your hearts feel in full measure the subtilely
enchanting joys of the holiday season, and may you
have a “‘ Merry Christmas” and a “ Happy New
Year.”
Looking Out
There is a conviction in the minds of many edu-
eators that one great need of our present-day educa-
tion is a closer communion with present-day affairs.
To borrow the expression of one of our faculty
members: ‘‘ Kducation is too largely a cut-and-dried
procedure.” ven in college many of the students
182 THE ECHO
live so much engrossed in the activities of their col-
lege life that they are unconscious, or, at least, unin-
formed of much that oceurs in the great world out-
side. For many years societies have been organized
in some colleges and universities for the purpose of
keeping in closer touch with current events, and now
we are glad to note that our own S. N. C. has taken
such a step. It is an action of which we should be
proud. We are looking out.
Our Library Facilities
Although the State Education Building was dedi-
cated and formally opened some time ago, the State
Library is still closed to the public. Many of our
students are wondering why, and some are rather
impatient at the delay. Mr. Weir, director of the
library, when interviewed a short time ago, said that
we shall have to be patient for a few months more.
The reading room is in good condition, ready for use ;
but the stack-room is still the scene of disorder. The
entire space in the wing, under the reading room on
the second floor is cut up into seven floors, which are
to be filled with steel book-stacks, similar to those in
our own library. The construction work, proper, on
that part of the building is completed, and some of
the stacks are now being put in place; but so much
dust, smoke, and dirt is occasioned by this work that
it is unadvisable to have books placed on the shelves
that are ready, until all shall be in place, even
though the books be all catalogued and waiting, as
they will be before the stacks are completed for their
reception. The work of placing the books on the
THE ECHO 2 183
shelves will also unavoidably take considerable time
to accomplish, because of the large number of books
to be disposed of, although the “library family,”
which will be engaged in this task, consists of one
hundred five members.
Perhaps this year will see the State Library little
used by our students, but we may be sure of a wel-
come when the library does open, for we are con-
sidered by the librarians among their “ regular visi-
tors.” In the meantime, we shall continue to avail
ourselves of the courtesy of other libraries of the
city. Also, we shall find considerably more of avail-
able reference material in our own library with the
advent of the new English library which has recently
been procured, and for which we wish to express our
gratitude to those who have obtained it for our use.
News Department
Faculty Notes
ANNOUNCEMENT OF LicTURES
[These lectures will be given in the College Audi-
torium at the times stated on the dates named. Ad-
mission to the evening lectures will be by ticket only,
and information concerning tickets may be had at
the College Office. The lectures held during the day
are open to the public without tickets. ]
January 8, 4:30 ep. m. William J. Milne, Ph. D.,
LL. D., President State Normal College. Sub-
ject, “ Memory Training.”
January 15,4:30 p.m. Leonard W. Richardson, A.
184 THE ECILO
M., LL. D., Professor of Ancient Languages,
State Normal College. Subject, “The Attic
Drama; Its Origin and Development.”
January 30, 8:15 p.m. Alfred W. Abrams, A. M.,
Chief of the Division of Visual Instruction,
State Education Department. Subject, “Visual
Instruction as a Factor in Edueation.” (Illus-
trated.)
February 12, 10:30 a.m. Leonard A. Blue, Ph. D.,
Dean, State Normal College. Lincoln Day Ad-
dress. Subject, “ The Giant of the Centuries.”
February 18, 8:15 ep. m. <A. E. Winship, LL. D.,
Editor “The Journal of Education,” Boston,
Mass. Subject, “ The Personal Element.”
February 27, 4:30 ep. m. John M. Sayles, B. A.,
Principal, Normal High School, Albany. Sub-
ject, “ Traces of Early European Forms of Goy-
ernment in America.”
March 10, 8:15 p.m. George Kiernan, Interpreter
of Joseph Jefferson. Subject, “Rip Van
Winkle.”
March 21, 8:15 e.m. Hugh P. Baker, M. F., Ec. D.,
Dean of New York State College of Forestry,
Syracuse. Subject, “ The Forests of New York,
Past and Present.” (Tllustrated.)
April 17, 8:15 p. wm. B. R. Baumgardt, Lecturer.
Subject, “An Evening with the Stars.” (Illus-
trated.)
April 30, 4:30 ep. m. David Hutchison, A. M., B.
D., Professor of History, State Normal College.
Subject, “The Place of Daniel Webster in
American History.”
THE ECHO 185
Lectures That Have Been Given
On the evening of October 11, John T. Wenyon,
an English reader and interpreter of Shakespeare,
gave a lecture in the College Auditorium, entitled,
“An Evening with Shakespeare.” The lecture was
of especial interest, since this year “Tum Ecuo”
play was a Shakespearean comedy.
An illustrated lecture, “‘ Wild Animals and Birds,”
was given by Col. G. O. Shields on November 12.
Col. Shields is President of the League of American
Sportsmen and is well qualified as a speaker.
During the week that the convention of the
Woman’s Clubs of New York State was in session
in Albany, our students were granted the opportun-
ity of listening to two very able speakers. Miss Ida
Butcher, who was chairman of the Literary Branch
of Woman’s Clubs, spoke to us concerning the influ-
ence of the literary work. Miss Maria L. Sanford,
who for more than thirty years has been professor of
rhetoric in the University of Minnesota, read a paper
entitled: ‘‘ Moral Influence in the School-room.”
The vigor of Miss Sanford’s arguments, the beauty
of her ideals, the undeniable importance of her state-
ments met with a hearty response on the part of the
students.
At chapel hour on November 26, Adna W. Risley,
professor of history in our own college, delivered a
lecture entitled: ‘‘ Thanksgiving — the Home Day.”
The lecture was permeated with Professor Risley’s
characteristic vigor and wit, with which we are all
so familiar. The development of the subject was
truly delightful.
185 THE ECHO
“The Balkan Situation ” was the title chosen for
the lecture on December 4 by the Rev. William H.
Hopkins, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of Albany. The subject was one which is of
special interest to students at this time. Dr. Hop-
kins’ treatment of the subject was clear and instruc-
tive. The message of ‘ World Peace”? which he
brought found a sure welcome among us.
Senior Notes
The senior class takes this opportunity for thank-
ing the sophomore class for the frolic of December 6.
We had a good time.
With the close of the present term half of our
number takes its place among the “has beens,” and
the remainder of the class assumes the dignity that
comes with practice teaching. It is rumored that
some form of initiation will be given to the “ will
be’s,” which initiation will savor of Methods in Dis-
cipline.
Miss Elma A. Teames, formerly a member of the
class of 713, was married to Charles W. McIntosh at
Burnt Hills, New York, on Wednesday, November
20, 1912.
This is truly a year for “ Progressives.”’ Our class
will be the first to adopt for its pins and rings the new
official college seal. With the stately figure of
Minerva as a reminder, we can never stray from the
paths of learning.
Plans for the Year Book are fast materializing
THE ECHO 187
into realities. This book promises to be the “ big-
gest and best yet.” It is very encouraging to the
Board that the under classmen are taking hold so
well, both in their contributions and in their subscrip-
tions.
Senior H. E. Notes
Homer Economics Day ar THE Stare Norman
CoLLuGE
Home Economics Day was observed on December
3 at the State Normal College, in memory of the late
Ellen H. Richards, pioneer in the field of science in
the home, and for many years leader of the Home
Economics movement. Under the direction of Miss
Ellen Huntington, head of the department of Home
Economies, the students arranged and conducted the
exercises. Before President Milne, the faculty and
students of the Home Economics department, and a
group of Albany instructors and enthusiasts, the fol-
lowing program was rendered:
Piano duet. ..Marion Flemming and Gertrude Wells
Tivte’ of Ellen HE Richards... 2.42.2 Naomi Howells
The Home Economics Movement...... Lucile Hale
Maiolinisolo cpsester eats eeeicenere Jeannette Campbell
The Home Economies Fund........ Dorothy Hailes
What Home Economics Stands for. . Helen Marshall
Piano colo, lean cies ees Mary Westwood
What the National Government is Doing for Home
GHICOMOMILES Hatisnsas ay bole eeey er ie one eee Mary Dabney
What the State of New York is Doing for Home
SHCGMOMUICS Nene ioe eae ie een ene CL ey an Jessie Cole
188 THE ECHO
The National, State, and Local Home Economics
ABSOCIATIONG cite). nalaelonte. Miss Louise Hoffman
Selection by the Mandolin Club........ Inez Drake,
Eva Stuart, Ruth DeFreest, Blanch
Borst and Ruth Williamson. Accom-
panists, Gertrude Wells and Jean El-
mendorf.
During the presentation of the program and the
social hour following, Miss Anna Jacobson, president
of the senior class of Home Economics, presided.
Miss Hale gave, in brief, the progress of the Home
Economics movement, tracing it from that time,
more than a century ago, when a sewing class was
started in a Boston school, down to the present, when
many thousands of girls are receiving instruction in
the various branches of home making, both in the
public schools and in scores of normal schools, col-
leges, and universities.
Miss Marshall told of what Home Economics
stand for, summing up the meaning of the movement
in the words, “ right living,” and expanding the
statement of Mrs. Richard’s platform: (1) ‘ The
ideal of home life for to-day, unhampered by tradi-
tions of the past; (2) The utilization of all the re-
sources of modern science to improve home life; (3)
The freedom of the home from the dominance of
things, and their due subordination to ideals; (4)
?
The simplicity in material surroundings which will
most free the spirit for the more important and per-
manent interests of the home and society.”
Miss Dabney and Miss Cole gave, in concise form,
reviews of the work of our National and State gov-
THE ECHO 189
ernments for Home Economics, noting their laws,
investigations, experiment stations, publications, ap-
propriations for public instruction, and constant en-
couragement to the people to employ scientific
means for doing common things in the home and on
the farm.
Miss Howells spoke of the life and work of Mrs.
Richards, her education in Vassar and in the Massa-
chusetts Institute of Technology, her years of service
as chemist, instructor in sanitary science, lecturer
and author, of her constant activities in behalf of
right home making, of her own home life, which
showed her to be not a mere theorist, but a master of
the home science and art which she preached. Mrs.
Richards was a woman of such wide interests and
untiring activity in public and private life, that she
could work fourteen hours a day, five to seven days a
week, analyzing water in the laboratory, as she did
often during the ‘ Massachusetts Survey of Drink-
ing-water Supplies ” in 1887 and ’88. She served on
innumerable committees to improve public health
and further scientific education; taught sanitary sci-
ence, and made valuable experiments in the field of
scientifie feeding; assisted her husband, the Pro-
fessor of Mining Engineering in the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, in his chemical work, often
accompanying him and his classes on their tours; led
the Home Economics movement for years, until the
national organization was successfully established ;
and withal directed her home. She was devoted to
her husband, to her host of friends, and had time to
read, to rest, and to raise flowers. In closing, Miss
190 THE ECHO
Caroline Hunt, the friend and biographer of Mrs.
Richards, was quoted: “ Such a life does not lose its
power and vitality when it passes away from us.
Her life goes on in a thousand ways and a thousand
places and the most skillful social survey could not
reveal them all.”
Miss Hailes spoke of the Richards’ Memorial
Fund, established to further the work which has
been begun through the efforts of Mrs. Richards and
her co-laborers, to put home life on a sounder scien-
tific basis, and to raise it to a higher social and spir-
itual level.
Anyone who is interested in this fund is invited
to contribute one dollar, or more. Such contribu-
tions may be sent to the American Home Economies
Association, Roland Park, Baltimore, Md.
Following the student papers and musical selec-
tions, Miss Hoffman, leader of the Home Economics
department in School 6, made an address upon the
significance of the National, State, and local organi-
zations. She spoke, also, of the power of Mrs. Rich-
ards’ life from the view-point of one who had been
in touch with her personally.
The entire meeting was a success, for it strength-
ened in the students the spirit of the woman whom
they met to honor, of one who so firmly believed in
people, in science, and in the home that she gave her
life and fired thousands to follow her in the fight for
better homes.
THE ECHO 191
Sophomore Notes
One score and seven days ago our committee
brought forth for our class a new constitution, con-
ceived in college spirit and dedicated to the proposi-
tion that every organization should have a system of
fundamental laws, rules, principles, and ordinances.
We are engaged in a great struggle, testing whether
any organization such as ours can long exist without
the hearty support of every member. In addition to
the regular officers our new constitution demands a
eritic. Mary Dabney was elected to fill this new
office.
Extensive plans were made by various committees
for the sophomore-senior frolic which was given in
the gymnasium Friday evening, December 6. It was
the first event of this name ever held in the college
and takes the place of the usual sophomore-freshman
reception.
Y. W. C. A. Notes
Have you noticed what fine singing we have had
in our meetings lately? This is due to the fact that
we now have the regular association hymn _ books,
with that fine collection of Silver Bay hymns that
we all love so well. We really can’t help but sing
now.
The world’s week of prayer was a splendid one for
the S. N. C. association. Never before were the
meetings so well attended. The speakers for the
week were: Miss Ida Whiteside, a teacher in Os-
sient College, Africa; Miss Springsteed, Rev. Mr.
192 THE ECHO
Sewell, and Dr. Blue. Each speaker took up different
countries, and emphasized their needs and possibili-
ties.
Miss Farquhar, the travelling secretary, visited us
the 21st and 22d. Miss Farquhar comes to us, in-
stead of Miss Corbett, who has found the work in-
creasing to such an extent that an assistant is neces-
sary. Though we missed Miss Corbett, we were
much pleased to hear Miss Farquhar. Her talk was
interesting to all. Miss Albert added to the enjoy-
ment of the meeting by a vocal solo. After the meet-
ing, a jolly spread was given in the gymnasium by
the social committee, of which Miss Ruth Bissell is
chairman, This was a fine way for all to get ac-
quainted with the new secretary.
On December 4 the meeting was given over to a
song service. Miss Hope Duncan led the service.
How we appreciated those new song books!
Miss Edith Carr spoke at the regular meeting
December 11. Her topic was, “ Things Worth
While.” Everyone felt it worth while to have heard
her talk.
Newman Club Notes
A strictly business meeting was held at the home
of Miss Mary Sheehan November 15.
Newman enjoyed a luncheon at the Ten Eyck, at
which all of its members were present.
THE ECHO 193
The New Society
Although no name has yet been chosen for this
new organization, its purpose is understood to be the
discussion of “ Current Events.”
After several meetings of students interested in
the formation of such a society, a constitution was
adopted and the following officers were elected:
President. Miss Burlingame
Wice-Presidenitiays situs. sad ase .. Miss Valentine
OCMCHA PV ey ss ines gases main eine Miss Jacobs
HEVO FOR UG ceria bila ate v Oe. CU cn caer st Mr. J. H. Ward
These officers, with a committee of three other
members, form a permanent program committee.
The meetings are held every Friday afternoon from
8:45 to 4:30 o’clock. All students and members of
the faculty are invited to attend.
The first regular meeting of the society was held
on December 6. Professor Risley gave a twenty-
minute talk on current events. He began by con-
gratulating the students on the formation of a society
for such a purpose, remarking that the need in edu-
cation of the study of present-day affairs has been
recognized in some places of learning for a long time,
and that we are doing nothing new. In his discus-
sion he spoke of the November election, of the Balkan
war, the opening of congress, criminals in New
York, the cabinet crisis in England, of Miss Marga-
ret Littleton in regard to her purchasing the home of
Jefferson, of the attitude of the Governor of South
Carolina, and of other matters of interest.
After Professor Risley’s address a short business
194 THE ECHO
meeting was held, during which the reports of the
secretary and chairman of the name committee were
made.
The second regular meeting was held on Decem-
ber 13. Professor Woodard spoke on “ Plant and
Animal Parasites.” His talk was concerned with
bacteria. He mentioned that comparatively few bac-
teria are harmful to man and that these were first
studied by scientists. Now, bacteria which produce
diseases of plants are also studied. Many important
scientific facts in regard to the nature of bacteria
were stated.
Upon the conclusion of Professor Woodard’s dis-
course, a short business meeting was held. The sec-
retary’s report was given and approved, and a name
for the society was discussed.
There will be no meeting on December 20, but at
the next regular meeting, January 10, Professor
Walker will speak on current events, with especial
reference to economic conditions.
Delta Omega Notes
Miss Olive Ely, ’12, entertained the sorority girls
and their friends with a delightful Hallowe’en party
on November 1.
Mrs. Ives, a charter member of Delta Omega,
royally entertained the sorority and friends at her
home on Manning Boulevard November 9.
An informal card party was given at the home of
Miss Hortense Barnett on November 14. Some of
THE ECHO ‘ 195
the sorority girls attended, and a delightful afternoon
was spent.
Miss Mabel Northrup, 709, spent the night with
the girls at the apartment a few weeks ago, on her
way to Boston.
Miss Elizabeth Williamson, ’12, was with us for
a short visit on November 22.
Delta Omega enjoyed a short visit with some
friends, at the apartment, 2 Delaware avenue, on
‘November 14 and 15.
Psi Gamma Notes
October 30, Psi Gamma sorority held a masquer-
ade in the college gym. About thirty were present,
including sorority members and guests.
Psi Gamma’s tea to the faculty and students was
held in the college halls Saturday, November 2, from
four to six. The decorations were ivy and yellow
chrysanthemums. Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Decker, Mrs.
Frear, and Miss Morton poured.
Miss Davidson entertained the sorority and several
freshmen at “ 500” Saturday, November 16.
Kappa Delta Notes
“The Greatest Show on Earth,” as presented by
the Kappa Delta minstrels, visited ““ The House ” on
the evening of November 15, and was greatly en-
joyed by a number of freshmen and other friends of
the sorority.
196 THE ECHO
“The House” was almost deserted during the
Thanksgiving vacation, all the girls spending the holi-
day at their homes except Katharine Kinne, who
visited friends in New York, and Nola Rieffanaugh,
who was the guest of Amy Wood.
We are very glad to welcome to our membership
Mary Allen, Anna MacIntosh, Mary Pitkins, Edith
Case, Harriet Tedford, and Mary Johnston, of the
class of 716, and Mary Dabney, ’15.
Kappa Delta will hold a Xmas. dance in the gym-
nasium on the evening of December 19.
“The House” girls spent the week-end of the 6th
at a very pleasant house-party given by Marguerite
Alberts at her home in Schenectady.
Helen Schermerhorn, ’12, was the guest of “ The
House” during the Thanksgiving vacation.
Kappa Delta wishes the college faculty and stu-
dents a merry Xmas. and a very happy and prosper-
ous new year.
Eta Phi Notes
On the evening of November 1 Mrs. Harry Birch-
enough pleasantly entertained the Eta Phi girls with
a “thimble party.”
Miss Jessie Cole was hostess at a party given for
Eta Phi and its friends on Saturday afternoon, No-
vember 2. We were pleased to have with us two of
our alumnae, Miss Sara Trembly and Miss Helen
McHarg.
THE ECHO 197
On November 5 a regular meeting was held at the
home of Esther Mitchell.
A number of Eta Phi girls were the guests of Jean
Holmes at a chafing-dish party on November 13.
Saturday evening, the 9th, Eta Phi and her friends
enjoyed a straw-ride and barn dance.
The Eta Phi tea to the faculty and student body
was held at the college on Saturday, the 16th. The
decorations were cherry blossoms and the music was
furnished by Zita. Miss Clement, Miss Spring-
steed, Miss Kellar, Miss Huntington, Miss Eyres,
and Mrs. Birchenough poured.
Girls’ Athletic Association Notes
We'll cheer the A. A.,
We’ll cheer the A. A.,
We’ll cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer the A. A. ;
And tho’ we’re from different classes,
We ever friends will be.
We'll cheer, cheer, cheer the A. A.
We certainly had a good time at our Pre-Thanks-
giving frolic. Dressed in “ gym” suits, we enjoyed
many different games. Refreshments came next,
then dancing, more refreshments, more dancing, and,
then, singing of college songs.
Normal College! Normal College!
We are singing, praises ringing,
To you ever we'll be loyal.
Normal College, here’s to you!
198 THE ECHO
The tennis championship cup has been awarded to
Miss Anna Lansing, of the freshman class.
Is everyone out for basketball. We are very glad
to have a senior team among us. Now, seniors, sup-
port your team in the practice games.
Basketball
Great interest is being shown in this sport. One
inter-class game has been played between the juniors
and the freshmen. It resulted in a victory for the
former, the score being 20-19. A team representing
the Industrial Department of the college was de-
feated by the Normal High School Five.
In spite of the fact that the practice of the college
basketball squad has been badly broken up, a team
that should be able to carry a heavy schedule in a
creditable manner is slowly getting into shape. The
number of candidates is greater than is usually the
ease and the outlook for a successful season is very
hopeful. The first game of the season will be played
at 4:30 p. m. on Friday, December 20, in the college
gymnasium. At this time the wearers of the purple
and gold will line up against ‘“ The Middletown
Five” from Middletown, Conn. The visiting quin-
tet includes an “All-New England ” forward and an
“All-Southwest ” center, and is reported to be very
fast.
We want this game. The team is out to win, but
it needs your support. Remember — Friday, De-
cember 20, at 4:30.
THE ECHO £99
Ablunni Department
The following is a letter of President Taft’s com-
mending the heroic acts of the commander, Captain
Kirtland W. Perry, officers, and men of the U. S.
R. C. “ Manning” during the recent Katmai erup-
tion in Alaskan waters:
“ Sir i—
“From the official reports received from the com-
manding officer of the Bering Sea fleet, and from
other sources as well, it appears that during the re-
cent eruption of the voleano known as Mount Katmai,
in Alaska, you and the officers and men of the ‘‘ Man-
ning” performed gallant work.
“While you could have put to sea at the com-
mencement of the eruption and thus taken your com-
mand out of the zone of danger, it is of record that
you remained in port in the face of apparent destruc-
tion, in order to give such aid as possible to those on
shore, who had no means of escape, and that your
officers and men welcomed your action.
“The able manner in which you assumed. charge
of the surrounding country, both during and after
the catastrophe, to the end that not only were all the
people saved, but order was restored out of chaotic
conditions, compels admiration and deserves praise.
“Tt is my pleasure, therefore, to commend you,
your officers, and your men for your heroic services
on this occasion.
“ Very respectfully,
(Signed.) “Wm. H. Tarr.”
200 THE ECHO
We are proud to know that Captain Kirtland W.
Perry graduated from S. N. C. in the class of 781.
The following is an extract from a letter received
by Mrs. Mooney from Miss Helen T. Emerson, 773.
Miss Emerson formerly taught in Honolulu, but now
has a fine position in the Executive Bureau at
Manila:
“My trip to Manila was delightful; the ocean was
as smooth as the Hudson all the way. On the first of
July I arrived here, and while I was taking off my
that it commenced to rain, or pour, and for nine days
it kept on pouring, and has kept it up most of the
time since.
“ One day in Bagio it rained a fraction over thirty-
seven inches in twenty-four hours, and a trifle better
than that the next twenty-four, making six feet of
water in forty-eight hours.
“<The Delmonico’ is within the walled city,
within walking distance of my work. Intramuros is
very interesting, according to the guide book, but I
have not been exploring very much in the rain. I
am boarding at the ‘Delmonico’ and have ‘ Tam-
many Hall’ opposite my windows, so it seems quite
like New York, or rather sounds like it.
“ Writing is rather difficult here, as one’s attention
is divided between it and fighting various bugs of
many sizes. To-night there has been an earthquake
to interrupt. My chair swayed back and forth sey-
eral times, and the Filipinos on the opposite side of
the street rushed to the churches and shrines. We
shall probably hear to-morrow of a big crack near
Sia al.172
THE ECHO 201
An article written by Miss Emerson appears in
another part of Tum Eouo.
G. Emmet Miller, 710, formerly principal of the
Margaretville High School, Margaretville, N. Y., has
accepted the principalship of the high school in Bald-
winsville, Mass.
Miss Helen Flaherty, ’12, is teaching in New
Durham, N. J.
Miss Elizabeth Deegan, ’11, is teaching in the high
school at Kingston, her home town.
The following alumni have been recent visitors at
S. N. C.: Millie Carteluke, ’11; Sarah Trembly,
711; Howard Dabney, 712; Elizabeth Williamson,
712, and Florence Kelly, ’12.
Mr. John M. Griffin, ’73, died in Chicago on April
6, 1912. After graduating from 8. N. C., Mr. Grif-
fin taught many years. For a long time he was
vice-principal of the Cook County Normal School.
In 1894 he received a Pd. D. degree from the State
Normal College. Mr. Griffin was the author of many
helpful articles in educational magazines. He also
wrote books on the teaching of various subjects.
Mr. Alvaro D. Arnold, ’74, a prominent lawyer,
who several years ago acted as special county judge
and had since been called Judge Arnold, died at his
home in Hudson Falls on November 24, 1912.
Miss E. Louise Dearstyne, ’70, died on Septem-
ber 18, 1912, at her home in Springfield, Mass.
202 THE ECHO
Statement of the Ownership, Management, Circulation, Etc.,
of THE EcHo, published monthly (except July and August) at
Albany, N. Y., required by the Act of August 24, 1912.
Editor, J. Harry Ward, New York State Normal College;
Business Manager, Amy Wood, New York State Normal
College; Publisher, The Students of New York State Normal
College, Albany, N. Y.
Owners, The Students of New York State Normal College,
Albany, N. Y.
Amy Woop,
Business Manager.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this first day of October,
1912,
H. F. SNYDER,
[sEAL.] Postmaster.
PRESS OF
FRANK TI. EVORY & CO.
36-38 BEAVER ST.
