The Normal Record. March 1900

              THE NORMAL RECORD.
Scenes From College Life.
E. KATE   BURT.
IT was the last of March. The warm afternoon sun shone into the halls of one of our
southern colleges. The rays falling upon
beautiful paintings and marble forms seemed
to shed a mist of. splendor through the dim
halls, touching softly the grand old battle
scene of San Jacinto, and giving it a glory
that no words could describe. The three
o'clock bells had just rung, and from each of
the class rooms a bevy of bright girls came
tripping gayly down the hallways. "I am so
glad it is Friday! We will have some fun tomorrow." This was spoken by a bright-
eyed, dark-haired girl—a true representative daughter of the sunny south was this
mirth-loving girl. She was the life of the
school, with her winsome ways and musical
voice, the favorite of both teachers and
students. Her life had been spent in roaming over the prairies about her home, and
though always the leader of her classes she
enjoyed a game of tennis or basket ball far
more than the tiresome amo, amas, amat,
and the endless rules for ablatives of cause,
means or instrument which she had been reciting. Her companion, some years her
senior, shared this "same spirit of fun though
not quite so daring. "So am I," she answered. "The Clionian Society accepted
your invitation gladly. You know, Mamie, it
is the first time that we have received an invitation to the Athenian Society since you
were made president."
"Well, Vevie, I had a purpose in view this
time. You know we asked the president to
let us invite the boys of Austin College to
our Fancy Dress Bali tomorrow night, and
he said 'No, the girls will enjoy it more without them.' I know that we will not and I
have planned to get even. Tomorrow will be
the first day of April—but there comes the
lady principal, don't let her see us talking in
the halls." They passed on into the chapel,
where in a few minutes the members of the
faculty and both societies had assembled.
The instructor of music, Herr von Graebel,
had promised to add some selections to the
program, and expectation ran high. The
president of the society, Miss Mamie Eaton,
took the chair and presided with becoming
dignity. The last selection was rendered and
all was silence. Mamie rose and made the
announcement that after the adjournment
the students should remain to discuss the costumes of the coming ball, and the teachers,
who would not be interested in the discussion,
might withdraw. When the door closed behind them she rose and stated the purpose of
the meeting in a clear, earnest voice. "The
committee on arrangements has requested
me to make the following announcements:
' Those who lead in the dances will be escorts,
and they will wear a white rose in their hair
to distinguish them from the rest. Be there
promptly at eiu;ht as we are allowed no extra
time. The light bell rings at ten as usual.' "
She continued in a lower tone, "I have another plan which'I think will meet with your
approval. Tomorrow will be April Fools'
day and we must have some fun. I hope you
will all take part in this plan or it is likely
to fail. I will tell you what it is now so that
there will be no noise after the light bell
rings.
"After the dance go immediately to your
rooms. At half past ten Vevie and I will go
down the fire escape into the kitchen and get
all the tin pans and spoons that we can find.
We will all assemble' in my room and go
quietly down into the basement floor and pass
out on the east court, as most of the teachers
room on that side. We will make all the
music possible with those tin pans and
spoons. Of course we will rouse all the
teachers, and as they come out at the front
door we will hurry through the basement.
Leave the pans on the second floor landing,
and later, Vevie and I will take them back to
the kitchen. I should like to see those
stand who will take part in the plan." Some
of the seniors seemed to be undecided. "You
need not hesitate, for we will all take part
and one could not be punished unless all were.
If they make us stay in our rooms all day
Sunday we will not have to go to church, and
if they do it Monday,— well, we will have an
extra holiday."
As usual Mamie carried her point and they