Asa phoenix vol 5 no 5 mar 1919

THE PHOENIX of ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA _ _ _____J MRs. WM. HoLMES MARTIN, Editor VoLUME V.

MARCH, 1919

NuMBER 5

THE PHOENIX is published in October, November, December, February, March, April, May and June. Subscription price one dollar per ')'ear.

Application for entry as second路class matter at the postoffice at Richmond, Ind., pending.

DIRECTORY

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~------------------------~--~~' NATIONAL COUNCIL President-Mrs. Wm. Holmes Martin, N, . 5 Cobden St., Roxbury, Mass.

Vice President-Ida A. Jewett, AB, 511 Hitt St., Columbia, Mo. Secretary-Margaret Veil, AG, Scalp Level, Penn.

Treasurer-Ruth Duffey, AA, South Charleston, Ohio.

Registrar-Naomi Caldwell, DD, Ohio University, Athens, Ohi~.

Historian-Mrs. Charles M. Chenery, A, 311 S. Jefferson St., Petersburg, Va. Librarian:_Mrs. Carl T. Brunson, BB, 211 North Weber St., Colorado Springs, Col. Ritualist-Minnie Shockley, GG, Alva, Okla.

BOARD OF ADVISERS Alpha-Miss Mary E. Peck, High St., Farmville, Va. Alpha Alpha-Miss Martha Molyneaux, Oxford, Ohio.

Alpha Beta-Miss Rosamond Root, Kirksville, Mo. Alpha Gamma--Miss Jean R. McElhaney, Indiana, P~nn.

Beta Beta-Miss Helen Payne, Greeley, _Colo.

Gamma Gamma~Miss Minnie Shockley, Alva, Okla.

Delta Delta-Miss Elizabeth Garber, Athens, Ohio.

Epsilon Epsilon-Miss Catherine E. Strouse, Emporia, Kans.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Alumnae-Helen Boggess, AA, 2712 Woodburn, Cincinnati, 0.

Art-Grace E. Lyle, AB, Memphis, Mo. Examinations-Grace G. Fultz, DD, 3445 Trimble Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.

Extension-Edith E. Ramsey, BB, 122 East 8th Ave., Twin Falls, Ida. Music-Maude Barrigar, EE, 849 Balboa, Box 756, Ancon, Canal Zone.

Paraphernalia-Ruth Dempsey, AG, 1002 Linton St., Johnstown, Penn.

Scholarship-Frances Robertson, A, Blackstone, Va. Sorority Study-Mrs. Leroy Cole, GG, Fowfer, Kan's.

ALUMNAE SECRETARIES Alpha- Inza Lea, Danville, Va. Alpha Alpha-Ethel E. Pfeiffer, 3194 Hillside Ave., Cincinnati, 0.

Alpha Beta-Claire D. McCallister, Milan, Mo. Alpha Gamma-Martha Hill, 730 Horner St.; Johnstown, Pa. Beta Beta-Ada A. Baker, 503 11th Ave., Greeley, Colo.

Gamma Gamma-Mrs. Frank G. Munson, College Hill, Alva, Okla.

Delta Delta-Naomi Caldwell, 88 University Terrace, Athens, 0.

Epsilon Epsilon-Nell Grant, 1102 Commercial St., Emporia, Kans.

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS Chillicothe, 0.-Grace G. Fultz, 67 Paint St. Cincinnati, 0.-Bernadine Sutkamp, Bellevue, Ky. Edina, Mo.- Lettie Merrick, Edina, Mo. 路 Johnstown, Penn.- Margaret Veil, Scalp Level, Penn.

Kirksville, Mo.-Mrs. Hoyt I ves, Kirksville, Mo. Norfolk, Va.-Sallie Rawlings, 430 Redgate Ave. Pittsburgh, Penn.-Beatrice Jeffries, Avalon, Penn.

Springfield, OhioUnionville, Mo.-Gladys Howey, Unionville, Mo. Washington, D. C.-Daisy Rankin, 1529 Eye St., N. W., Washington, D. C. CHAPTER EDITORS State Normal School Alpha Elvira Jones Farmville, Va.

Miami University

Alpha Alpha

Alice Ottman

Oxford, Ohio.

State Normal School

Alpha Beta

Helen Gardner

Kirksville, Mo.

Alpha Gamma

State Normal Schooi

Leona Maley

Indiana. Penn.

Beta Beta

State Teachers College Alpha Sigma Alpha House, Greeley, Colo.

Gamma Gamma

State Normal School

Elsie Solf

Alva. Okla.

Delta Delta .

Ohio University

Helen Hoffert

Alpha Sigma Alpha House, Athens, Ohio.

Epsilon Epsilon

State Normal School

Hazel Harris

Alpha Sigma Alpha House, Emporia, Kans.

ASSOCIATION OF PEDAGOGICAL SORORITIES President-Mrs. A. J . Hathaway, SSS, Welland, Ont. Secretary-Miss Ida A. Jewett, ASA, University of Missouri.

Treasurer-Miss Helen Cook, PKS,307 Adams St., Ypsilanti, Mich.

Adviser to Panhellenics-Miss Virginia Stark, DSE, 123 Vennum Ave., Mansfield, 0.

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THE PHOENIX

of Alpha Sigma Alpha

March, 1919

THE DAFFODILS I wondered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er dales and hills, When all at once I saw a crov.:d, A host of golden daffodils Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of the bay; Ten thousand saw I at a glance Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee; A poet could not but be gay In such a jocund company!

I "gazed and gazed, but little thought What wealth to me that show had brought.

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flesh upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

WoRDSWORTH.

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THE PHOENIX

THE NARCISSUS Few flowers have been in such constant favor with the poets as the narcissus, whether known by this classical name, or by the more popular names of daffodil, or daffadowndillie, and jonquil.

This last name came to us through the French, corrupted from the Latin 'junctifolius,' or 'rush leaf.' The name 'daffodil' is believed by some to be a corruption of the Greek 'asphodel,' by others a modification of the Old English 'affodyle,' which signifies 'that whic.h cometh early.' Some writers regard 'daffadowndillie' as a playful elaboration of the shorter name, but one eminent authority considers it a corruption of 'saffron lilly,' the 'saffron' of old English times being our 'crocus.'

Greek poets make frequent reference to the flower, but the earliest recorded mention in that language is that which occurs in Homer's Hymn to Demeter, where the poet pays the following tribute to its loveliness,-"N arcissus, glorious wonder-flower, a miracle in the eyes of all, both gods and mortal men, from whose stem rises a hundred blossoms. The wide expanse of heaven, the broad fields of earth, and the salty waves of the sea are laughing at thy sweet fragrance." It was Sophocles who described the goddesses of Mt. Olympus. as crowned with this exquiste bloom. " fadeless, moist and fragrant with the. dews of heaven." Still others make mention of the fact that it was customary in Greece to place a spray of the narcissus in the hands of the dead, that it might serve as a a passport to fields Elysian.

There are many charming legends to account for its creation.

According to the Hellenic tale, the flower received its name from the son of a river god, one of the most beautiful youths that ever lived. Because of his m~rvelous beauty many a Grecian maiden lost her heart to him. By far the most famous of these was a woodland nymph, Echo by name, who pined away for love of him until there was nothing left of her except her voice You may hear her to this day calling him plaintively in the waste places. The selfish Narcissus was in no way touched by her sad fate, for he had no thoughts save of himself. The youth, however, did not go unpunished, for Nemesis, or Fate, brought it to pass that by .chance Narcissus saw his face in a crystal spring. So enamoured was he of his own beauty, he could neither eat nor sleep and so ardently did he worship the image, he died finally of sheer ex-

THE PHOENIX

7

haustion. When the nymphs, hearing of his death, came to prepare his body for the funeral pyre, they found no corpse, but in its stead the white flower that we call the poet's narcissus. Thus in legend did the ancient Greeks teach the absurdity of self-interest and the retribution that must inevitably overtake those who are indifferent to love lavished upon them by others.

This all-important lesson was one that the early Christian Church wished to teach to its little children, so when it had established itself in Greece, it sought to tell this same vital truth in story form, for it was quick to see that this was the best way in which it could impress the new faith on the Hellenic mind, which for centuries had had all its religion and philosophy presented through fascinating legends. Accordingly, when the little children of Athens and Corinth went out into the meadows to gather great armfuls of the exquisite narcissus, which grows so abundantly in that sunny clime, they were told, not the legend of the selfish youth, but the story of the Wonder Flower.

For long years, so ran the tale, the world had b~en looking forward to the coming of a Messiah, who was to put an end to all wrong in the world, and bring comfort to all oppressed peoples.

Far back in the dih1 ages God had made that promise to Mother Eve because of her repentance, and so those who had not forgotten God knew that some clay this Saviour was to come to earth to gladden all hearts. When at length the time was ripe for that event,路 the news was flashed over all the world by the light from a marvelous Star, the like of which no man had ever seen. Where ever its warm rays rested, there sprang up myriads of fragrant. white flowers, to be known henceforth as Stars of Bethlehem. Not only was the flower the evidence that God's promise had been fulfilled , but the lovely blossom carried within itself a prophecy of the only way in which that f~lfillment could be compassed. Its royal crown of gold was tinged with crimson, in token of blood that must be shed. There too were the nails, the drooping Head surrounded by the spears of soldiery, and there too the shroud. The species that carried the trumpet, according to the tale, commemorated the angelic host that awoke the shepherds on that first Christmas Morn, while the one that bore a golden .chalice typified the royal lineage of the Messiah and symbolized the Sacramental Cup that was one day to bring so much of refreshment to a languishing world.

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THE PHOENIX

To one accustomed to think of a star as five-pointed it is somewhat disconcerting to find that the narcissus has six points.

The five-pointed star, however, is relatively a new idea, for it did not come into use for many centuries after the Christian era.

Many ancient peoples pictured stars with six or more points.

Certain sects and societies today use stars symbolically, and give them as many points as there are virtues to be enumerated in the religion or the ritual. The six-pointed star was always a favorite of the Hebrew race, and to this day it is used as the distinctive emblem of that faith, as is the Cross of Christianity, or the crescent of Mohammedism. Since the Hebrews assigned three points of their star to their Jehovah, and the other three to the promised Messiah, it can readily be seen, since the earliest preachers of the ' new faith were men of the Jewish race, how beautifully the sixpointed narcissus fitted into the Christian legend: A small volume might be filled with the many poetical allusions to this "delectable and sweet-smelling flower," for the singers of all ages and all .peoples have loved the narcissus. 'We shall have to be content, however, with just a few references to the more prominent English poets. Shakespeare mentions them twice in Winter's Tale,-"When daffodils begin to peer, with heigh the doxie o'er the dale, why, then comes the sweet of the year," and "Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty." Milton alludes to it in "Daffodils that fill their cups with tears," in reference to the legend that the chalice holds the tears shed by the beautiful Narcissus. Shelley has in mind this same tale, when he says, "Narcissus, the fairest of them all, who gaze on their eyes in the stream's recess, till they perish of their own clear loveliness ." It is to Keats that we are indebted for perhaps the most exquisite tribute,"A thing of beauty is a joy forever, Its loveliness increases, it will never Pass into nothingness . ... . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In spite of all, Some shape of beauty moves away the pall From our dark spirits. Such are the sun, the moon, Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon For simple sheep ; and such are daffodils With the green world they live in."

THE PHOENIX

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OUR CHAPTERS VIRGINIA In spite of its length January was a very quiet month at Farmville, and there is nothing whatsoever of interest to record to its credit, but diminutive February was crowded with delightful events in which the members of Alpha had a large share. The first affair of special moment was our Valentine celebration. It was held in what is called "Room G," where the letter is coming to stand for good times, a place recently set aside for the use of the students when they wish to entertain. In addition to being nicely furnished, the room contains a complete china closet, and a generous supply of silyer and linen. O n the occasion of our party it was made even mo re attractive with potted plants and shaded lights. On the table, bright -with路 its decorations of white and reel, each place was marked by a little kewpie, from which a red ribbon ran to the center, where stood the sauciest kewpie imag inable his arms overflowing with red hearts. The menu was simple, but deliciously prepared, daintily served and keenly enjoyed. After the last course, we went to the "Gym" to dance.

As we have not finished making all our payments on our war fund , the chapter decided to rai se some extra money by givi ng a The Dansant and charging admission. In order to adverti se it, we announced a contest with prizes for the best dancers. Several of the faculty acted as judges and about twenty couples tried for the prize. The affair proved to be a delightful one, and, when we finally discovered that we had cleared over five dollars, we felt amply repaid for any trouble we had taken.

Miss Munoz gave her opera this month. Our Martha Fitzgerald played the girls' lead, and we were further represented in the chorus and dances by Emily Clark, Imogen Wright and Mari e W'yatt. The title of the play was The Land of the Fairy Snow, and from the moment when Jack Frost entered to escort us on our wonderful journey until the last naug hty little clown had thrown snow balls into our faces as a farewell , the show was an unqualified success.

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THE PHOENIX

But the nicest thing of all the February happenings I have saved to the last. We have a new sister, Sue Duvall Jones of Lynchburg. She is a splendid girl, and we were so proud and happy to call her ours on the day she donned the ribbons. Alpha has a most congenial group this year, and is getting much pleasure and profit out of the associations that chapter life makes possible.

When this letter reaches you Spring will have arrived, but long before that time we shall be on the lookout for the fir.?t little narcissus that is brave enough to burst into bloom. We know that you too vvill be watching for the appearance of this lovely harbinger of Spring, that to you, as to us, it will bring a tender message of sweet communion with girls over this great country of ours, and glorious promise of the fulfillment of that for which we have all prayed so earnestly, and for which so many of our brave lads have died.

ELVIRA

H. JoNES, Historian.

MIAMI

January is the month of the Junior Prom, one of the most brilliant social affairs at Miami during the college year. Many former students came back for the festivities and remained over the week-end, among them our Ruth Donnelly. The next clay there was an exciting basketball game between our team and that from the University of Cincinnati. It was won, of course, by Miami, as were all games for the past two years.

Alpha Alpha has always hoped that it might have a chapter house of its own, but dormitory life is the rule at Miami, so there is at present but slight possibility of our dream being realized.

Three of us. however, Genevieve Hoy, Mary McClelland and Alice Ottman, are occupying a cottage with three other college girls, and enjoying it immensely, so we are getting a little taste of what chapter house life might be like.

Anne Roberts has had to leave college on account of illness, but Eloise Everett, one of our alumnae, has returned to finish her course, so our numbers remain the same. We are hoping to add to our 路roll soon the name of our newest pledge, Elcla Walthers of Ross, Ohio. We are already talking about the rushees of next year, and are planning to have eight or ten girls who will matriculate at Miami next September over for our April dance.

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11

The "Commons," a dining hall, which was used as a mess room for the S. A. T. C., and which is under the supervision of our Chapter Adviser, Miss Molyneaux, has opened again for the use of the girls. Several of us are taking our meais there, and are in that way getting to know many of the non-sorority students. We are right glad about this, as our dormitory life and our sorority associatio.ns tend somewhat to keep us apart from the general student body.

One evening we had a delightful little party at the apartment of Miss Swisher, who has long made it a custom to give us a similar affair each year. It was just the nicest kind of homey gathering, with games, singing, and the toasting of marshmallows around an open fire. A few weeks later, Miss Swisher had the seniors to breakfast one Sunday morning . To console ourselves for not being seniors, the rest of us planned a hike along the Tallawanda and a breakfast, in the open.

Sunday afternoons have been unusually delightful this year, for we have made it a habit to take long tramps in the country.

Sometimes we call on our patronesses. Another Sunday afternoon stunt that is yielding results is the sings that we have instituted. We all congregate in neighboring rooms occupied by our girls in Hepburn Hall, and there, to the accompaniment of ukeleles and mandolins, we try out old songs and new.

Mrs. Robinson, mother of Georgeana, and Mrs. Cunningham, mother of Eloise, have been visiting us. Such a good time as we had while they were here, and how much we wished that others could have come too. There were several little dinner parties in their honor, one of these a Valentine affair at the "Commons."

On Sunday afternoon we all went to South Cottage, where our Chloe Edgar, who is connected with the auditing department of the University, charmed us with her wonderful singing.

Our Valentine party this year was given by the freshmen.

There were so many college affairs on for that week end we were forced to have it on the thirteenth of the month. Miss Swisher opened her apartment for the purpose. The table was beautifully decorated with red hearts, candles and shades.

The color scheme was carried out in the refreshments also.

Games in keeping with the spirit of the day added much to our enjoyment.

The next day the Teachers College faculty gave a Valentine

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THE PHOENIX

party for all the girls of Teachers College. A most elaborate program had been arranged for us. It would make our letter too long to enumerate the many things provided for our pleasure, but there was one especially worthy of mention. It took the form of a series of living pictures, depicting the famou s lovers of the world. There were Rut~ and Boaz, Romeo and Juliet, Priscilla and John Alden, "That Old Sweetheart of Mine," and many others equally famous.

ALICE OTTMAN,

Historian.

KIRKSVILLE Alpha Beta has enjoyed many good times since New Year's.

The first affair was a line party at the "Princess." After the show we were entertained at the home of Miss Savage, a member of the faculty. One of the pleasant surprises of the evening was the announcement of the engagement of Blanche McGinnis to Mr. Fred Still. Blanche, though not a member of Alpha Beta, is well known to all Kirksville ASA's, for she is the sister of our Mrs. Paul Highbee, as well as of Grace McGinnis of Epsilon Epsilon.

On January 17 we gave a dance at the Elks Club for about forty couples. Our alumnae from out of town were Louise Estill, Edith Gamble, Lettie Merrick, Pearl Nolan, Lennye Tucker and Jeanne Willett. Several of our patronesses were also present.

On Sunday, February first, we 路c elebrated Hellenic Day by giving a tea to the faculty of the Normal School, to the members of Tri Sigma, and to the fraternity men of our sch6ol and those of the College of Osteopathy. Mrs. George Laughlin, one of our patrone路sses, very graciously extended the use of her home for this event.

It was beautifully suited for the purpose, being most spacious, but more than this it is a famous house, for it was for many years the home of Dr. A. F . Still, founder of the School of Osteopathy.

A few days later the Better English Club gave two original sketches in Assembly, in which Esther Clark and Evangeline Webber took leading parts. This club has started on a campaign for better English in the school. Every morning there are clever posters to call our attention to the most common errors heard on the campus. Of course you understand this is only for the benefit of the faculty and the visitors, for no student is ever guilty of making a mistake.

Every Friday evening during the quarter there has been some

THE PHOENIX

13

kind of entertainment under the auspices of a 路student organization.

One evening- it took the form of a dance, but the following week it was something that can be enjoyed by those who do not care to dance. Those organizations that had charge of the evenings when there was路 no dancing vied with each other in trying to arrange for something unique, so we spent many delightful hours at these large gatherings.

On February 19 the whole chapter was invited to a tea at the Elks Club, given by Mrs. Paul Higbee in honor of her sister, Mrs. Blanche McGinnis Still. Our Mary Shouse sang during the afternoon. Just a few days later came the Colonial Tea given at the home of Mrs. George Laughlin by the Daughters of the American Revolution. This was quite the most elaborate affair of the social season, and gave the chapter an opportunity to meet all the prominent people of Kirksville.

Into this rather full program we managed to 路 insert a pledge service for Beryl Shaw, a town girl, with her initiation a little later on St. Valentine's Day. As is usual with Alpha Beta, a dance followed the cerem.ony. The alumnae who were with us on thi s occasion were Lettie Merrick, Mildred Nulton, Ida Pearson, Isabel Robinson, Nan Jo Stalcup ~nd Jeanne Willet. Several of the chapter had girl friends or sisters from other towns as guests for the dance.

One would suppose after hearing this recital of gayeties that Alpha Beta had not been thinking very seriously of school work.

As a matter of fact, all the girls have been carrying very heavy course s, since so much time was lost in the fall quarter. This has meant the crowding of twelve weeks' work into ten. The social relaxation made possible by our many friends , therefore, has been a great relief to us all.

The science department has recently received a fine lot of new apparatus. A part of this equipment is to replace some destroyed by the fire, but some of it is new equipment for the physiology laboratories. This branch of science has been enlarged and mad e a distinct department under the supervision of Dr. A. G. Reed.

Two very interesting courses have been added, college physiology and preventive medicine. Fifteen hundred dollars worth of apparatus has already been purchased for use in this branch of the work, including microscopes, scales, electric sterilizing machines, and instruments for testing the blood, heart action, respiration,

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THE PHOENIX

hearing, sight and lung capacity. With this fine new equipment the department will be able to give this course as efficiently as it is given in any school in the country. The work which is being done in preventive medicine is of a very practical nature. It is to be extended later to the examination of the health of children in the demonstration school, and it is the purpose eventually to furnish this health examination .for all students in the Normal School, thus meeting the need that is being so generally voiced for the better physical education of college men and women.

President John R. Kirk was one of a committee of thirty educators to spend a week in Washington, for the purpose of arousing a deeper interest in Senate Bill 4987. This bill as framed calls for the creation of a Department of Education in charge of a Secretary of Education who shall be a member of the Presidential Cabinet. If the bill is passed, it will not only give a wonderful impetus to education by raising it to a rank equal with that of any of the other matters of big national moment, but it will also provide Federal aid for the normal colleges of the country, and for all other institutions engaged in the preparation of teachers for service in the public schools.

The Winter Quarter ends on March seventh, the school reopening four days later. We are expecting all of our girls to return with the exception of Mabel Holcomb, so we shall have a splendid group with which to carry on the chapter activities. All of our girls are prominent in college life. Florence Sublette is president and Esther Robinson vice-president of Y. W. C. A. Mary Shouse is a member of what is considered the finest quartette that the school ever had, and which has furnished us with wonderful music all the year. Mary Harris is vice-president of the Juniors, and Mary Paxton is Panhellenic Representative on the Student Council.

HELEN GARDNER, Historian.

Rita Husted is home again after three months as an army nurse.

Julia Sparks is now secretary to one of the Missouri Senators. Her address is Care of The Senate, Jefferson City.

Lillian Whaley is a member of the faculty of the Economics Department o f the University of Missouri . During Farmers' Week, held under tbe auspices of the College of Agriculture, she gave a lecture on "The Proper Feeding of Children as a ~ Foundation for Health."

The sorority extends its deepest sympathy to Daisy Rankin in the loss of her father.

Richard DeWitt, husband of Lenna Hall DeWitt, is the proud possesso r of a gold service band. He saw seven months of service, and was on the Arizona, which led the naval review in New York Harbor.

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15

Grace Lyle has been at Excelsior Springs, recuperating after her operation, but expects to return to Memphis shortly.

Ida Brewington has been serving as Reconstruction Aide at Fort Bayard, N. M., since the middle of January. Her work thus far has been teaching her patients, most of them tubercular, shorthand and typewriting, but she is hoping to do regular occupational therapy work soon .

Her big desire, however, is to get to F rance, and she now has greater hopes of this, since her father has his discharge from the army.

Claire McCallister is acting as assistant cashier of the Milan bank.

Prof. and Mrs. Davidson (Mildred Ward) are the proud parents of a little daughter, Betty Jane, born January 27.

The fourteen Alpha Betas in Washington are having glorious times together. With the exception of two or three, all were at one time or other in school with one another, so there is very much of common interest. During January they had a line party at one of the theatres, quite in the old Kirksville fashion, and this was followed shortly by a party at the Doyle home where an initiation was held under the special dispensation for Daisy Rankin, and where every one present had an opportunity to see "Our Bobbie." In order that other ASA's living in Washington might get to know 路 the A lpha Beta group more informally, a fudge party was held at the home of Bess Smith.

Ida A . Jewett has been elected to membership in Delta Delta Delta by the Missouri Chapter of that sorority.

Henry Ga rdner, who was sent to Paris to act as orderly to Admiral Benson, was transferred upon arriva l to similar service under Colonel House. While on night duty he had complete charge of and entire responsibility for Colonel House's offices, where the peace papers and secret codes were kept. During day watch he had an opportuntiy to see most of the big men connected with the making of the peace terms. At other times he had seen the kings of Belgium, England and Italy.

PENNSYLVANIA

J amiary was a quiet month at "Indiana,' " but February, as was quite proper, had many red-letter clays. There was, of course, the usual party given by the chapter in honor of . St. Valentine, at which the usual jolly time was had by every one of the twentytwo present, and where decorations, favors and refreshments all emphasized the color sacred to our beloved Saint. The affair was in charge of our new grils, Una Diehl, Marie Ellsworth, Ruth McConnaughtey and Anna Obitz, and right cleverly did they show their loyalty to the crimson of A. S. A. vVashington's Birthday, which is usually a gala time at "Indiana," was set aside this year for the Junior Dance. There were many out-of-town guests, for this is one of the brilliant affairs of the year. There was an imported orchestra, which, with the gorgeous decorations and attractive favors, made the occasion one long to be remembered. Vve all had such a good time that we are already planning for the next big affair, the All-Sorority Dance, which will be given on Apri l 8, the day before the spring term opens.

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THE PHOENIX

Another great success on the school calendar was a play, Fanny and the Servant Problem, in which our Eileen Cronin had the lead, Marjorie Nix a major part and Leona Maley a minor. Our girls received many compliments on the fine work done. For a time it had looked as though the play might never be given, as four of the cast were sick with influenza for a while, but every one got well again, and so their hard work on the play did not go for naught.

Although parties and plays have their day or their evening, it is basket ball that occupies the center of the stage most of the time. 'vVe have lost but two games the whole year, one by the boys to State College, one by the girls to Windber. Our Pauline Baldwin at center is unquestionably the star player among the girls, though our Marjorie Nix, who has that" same place on the sub-team, is considered a wonderful player too . You can imagine, then, how much the games m!=an to Alpha Gamma.

So far as student life is concerned, there is scarcely a ripple on the surface, and one would hardly believe that there had ever been any agitation in regard to sororities. Meetings, social affairs, pledgings and initiations take place as before. Once in a great while there is talk of faculty 路teas, that are to take the place of Greek-letter affairs, and at which we are to be taught deportment. not consciously to be sure, but quite in the manner of the most approved finishing school. Graduates of "Indiana" have always been noted for their charm of manner, so there must, of course, be no lowering of standards, even if we no longer worship at Athenian shrines of culture and beauty! Lest, however, we become too exotic, there is talk as well of "Jungle Clubs." Just what these organizations are lo accomplish is as yet as much of a mystery to the uninitiated as are the Greek letters on our various badges. It is some little time since we read the celebrated Jungle Books, but there are two things that have always stuck fast in our memory. One was that Mowgli rode a bull buffalo bareback, the other that he got away safely with the skin of his enemy, the tiger.

Personally we prefer to ride a sorority goat in private, and we have never yet desired, for any length of time at least, the skin of a rival, but possibly our education has been neglected along certain lines.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Holes (Romayne Smale of our former local) have announced the birth of a daughter, Dorothy Nan, on December 2.

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Sara Prosser was married on July 3, 1918, to Ensign William H. Sheffield, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Edith Prosser was married on November 20, 1918, to Mr. Richard Brown of Patton.

Dr. and 1~rs. Joseph B. O'Donnell (Marian Broderick) are the proud parents of a httle daughter, who was born on January 24 and who is to bear her mother's name, Marian Bernetta.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry]. Litsey (Fredericka Furman) have opened thei hearts and their home to little Miss Sue Furman who arrived to take possession on February 15. ' Clara Ferguson was the Pittsburgh Association representati ve at the J ohnston Meet of February 22.

CO LORADO Beta Beta returned to college on January 6, overjoyed at the thought that the ban was at last lifted, and that it would, therefore, be possible to do all of the many things that make college life so delightful, but the chapter's happiness was short-lived, for, 路 almost before we knew it, the dreaded "Flu" claimed two of our girls. In a very short time we knew that pneumonia had developed in the case of Irene Spalding, and then we heard that there was no hope because of a weak heart. It was a crushing blow to us and and to her family , called by telegram. Everybody was wonderfully kind to us during those difficult clays, and that has helped us 路 g reatly to take up the normal trend of life again. Irene's going on a little ahead, however, has shown us, as nothing else could, how very strong are the bonds of our Sorority, how very clear we are to each other. After the fir st sharp grief was over, we saw that there was nothing for us to do but to take up our work again, that our simple pleasures were some of th e many ways in which we might take up that work bravely, that Irene would have wished this, and so little by little we took our places again in college life.

Rushing after Christmas is not under college supervision, and New Year's, therefore, means an open season. Beta Beta began .with a slumber party and ended with a line party. The chapter, however, had learned a most important lesson during its fall campaign, so it did much personal rushing and did not depend entirely upon social affairs to attract g irls. As a result of its effective . methods, it secured at once two splendid girls, Henrietta Hosek of St. Louis and lone Lewis .o f Greeley, and somewhat later two other equally attractive girls, Emily Buck and Mary Moore, all four of whom were wanted by other sororities. O ne of our town alumnae, Mrs. Frances Baker \Voodbury, wa:; of inva~uable help to us during rushing, and gave us also a wonderful jonquil dinner

I

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in her beautiful home. Such a happy hearted time as we had there, and how fortunate that we did not even dream that the great Shadow was approaching. When that had enveloped us with its pall, we had no heart for anything !

February, beloved of all, but especially by Alpha Sigs, was ~st the right kind of month to follow our great loss, for we could not escape, if we would, the insistent calls from student body and college friends. Every one seemed bent on our taking part in the undergraduate life again, and any number of things were invented to distract our minds from our big sorrow. Our own quiet initiation for Dorothy Dakin, May Johnson, Mildred Larson, Florence Mason, Helen Nisely, Ethel Olinger, Maurie Perkins, and Mildred Schaeffer helped much by bringing into our midst all this bright young life.

Just a little later, our Faculty Adviser, Miss Helen Payne, extended a Valentine in the form of a "Cottage Evening." As this was the fir st year for many of us, there were quite a few who did 路 not know what that kind of an evening might be, but we learned upon arrival that it meant all kind s of fun, the fine st kind of dane. ing floor, good music, good "eats," along with the路most charming of hostesses. ''0/ e are all hoping that "cottage evenings" are not peculiar to February, any more than are cottage puddings, for we think they will bear lots of repetition.

It was fortunate that Washington's Birthday fell on Saturday, for we surely needed Sunday for recuperation after the excitement provided for that day. The festivities were started in the afternoon by theY. Vl. C. A., which gave a costume dance. Beta Beta furnished many a charming Martha to accompany our one George.

Mildred Larson, whose head might well have been turned by all the attention she received. In the evening our basket ball team played Colorado School of Mines. 'vVe were all a bit anxious about the final result, for, although we knew we had a team that had clone great things, we knevv also that Mines had a most enviable record. The game started well for C. T. C., but after a bit things did not go so well, and, almost before we were aware of it, Mines had doubled the score. Rut that only made our men play the harder, and up they crept, point by point, until, with only two minutes to play, they tied the score and threw the basket that won the game. Maybe you think there was no excitement! Even th e most staid professors were seen cutting all kinds of antics, and as

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for the rest of us,-well, it's a wonder there is any "Gym" left!

After that we went to the Training School and celebrated our victory with another dance. It was surely lots of fun, and we only wish that we were soon to have another chance to show Mines what we can do.

On a recent Sunday we held a "pep" meeting at the house for the purpose of composing some new songs. It was May J ohnson's idea. May is great on " cooperation." Her fav.orite phrase is, "Now, girls, I believe in cooperation. " It worked well in this case, for, after we had started the song fest, it seemed only a little while before we had fitted words to a number of popular airs. These we are to use in our spring serenades. With May J ohnson and Mildred Schaeffer as tenors, with Maria Inge and lone Lewis as altos, and with the rest of us carrying the tune, we expect to astonish the campus when the long twilights are here.

Lest our alumnae think that we have been less seriou s than we should have been, I must not forget to mention that Teomi Erickson, lone Lewis, Ethel Olinger and Maurie Perkins were sent to Denver by President Crabbe as four of the sixteen representatives from our college to the Conference of the Sunday Schools of the Methodist Church. There are five sororities on the campus, as well as many non-sorority g irls, so the selection of so many girls from our group is something of which we may well feel proud.

DoROTHY DAKIN 1 Historian.

OK LAHOMA

Gamma Gamma celebrated its return to School by holding an initiation at high noon on January 14 for its Fall pledges, Margaret Frawley, Jennie Hayes and Lora Patterson. The formal pledging had taken place the previous evening, and at that time Hazel Dunivant had been added to the list of pledges.路 After the initiati on service, a buffet luncheon was served.

Several numbers in our Lyceum course had to be cancelled owing to the epidemic, but during January we had a splendid concert by the Sam Lewis Company, and a most interesting lecture by Irvin S. Cobb. Another speaker of note during the month was Capt. Richard Pearson Hobson, hero of Santiago, who spoke on Prohibition in the interest of the Anti-Saloon Association. In February we were so fortunate as to hear the Orpheus Male Quartette.

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There have been several faculty and administrative changes.

Mrs. Fallon has taken the Spanish classes of Miss Maud Morris, who sailed for France to do reconstruction work under Y. W. C. A. auspices. Miss Watt of the English department is doing postgraduate work at Peabody Teachers College. Mrs. Hamel, assistant secretary of the School, has resigned her position and is with the Santa Fe railroad. Her successor is Miss Mildred Neukomni of Fulton, Mo. Prof. Wyatt is now in France in connection with the work for which he 路was training most of the time after war was declared. Prof. Percefull has received his discharge from the army and has again resumed his classes.

It is customary at Alva for the sororities to find viays of making money for various purposes. The usual thing is a play given at a local theatre, but it remained for Gamma Gamma, to evolve an original plan. All the girls met one evening and made pop corn balls to sell after Chapel the following morning. There was a great demand for our wares. We could have sold twice as many as we had provided.

The Ranger staff is working night and day to make this year's issue the best ever. Last year the money that is usually spent on th"is annual publication was put into war activities. The Ranger staff, however, is not the only one that has been hard at work, for th e senior class has published two editions of the Northwestern that everyone considers as good or better than any ever issued .

Gamma Gamma has also been doing things. One of the greatest social events of the year was our Valentine party, for which Mrs. Faulkner opened her lovely new home. The house was beautifully decorated with red and white hearts. These same colors were carried out in the dainty two course luncheon, and in the flowers. There was a centerpiece of exquisite sweet peas, and at each place a heart just overflowing with these flowers. The game of the evening was progressive hearts. It seemed unusual. and yet quite like old times, to have so many boys present, the same number as of girls, 路 a circumstance made possible by the return of the boys from training camps. Of course we waxed enthusia ~ tic over ou r President's handsome new home, but as a school we have no occasion to be overly proud . Our generou s State has treatd all its normal schools alike in this particular, for it has erected an attractive President's residence on every campus.

Y. W . C. A. is now studing world reconstruction problems, so

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21

we are getting much valuable information in this way. Some good times as well, however, are ahead of us, for this organization is planning for a carnival, af which each student society is to put on some special stunt. For our part in this enterprise, Gamma Gamma has decided to have a Japanese booth, which will represent a typical garden of the land of the rising sun. Our girls, dressed in attractive and appropriate costumes, will serve tea. }ENNIE HAYES, Historian.

Miss Maud Morris, who was to have been the guest of Mrs. Martin, received her passports just the day before she was to have gone to Boston for the visit, but she is hoping to stop over there on her way back next September. 路 Mrs. Jack Wagner (Ma ry Bowling) is living in Amarillo, Texas. Her hu sband has been promoted to be manager of a division of the Santa Fe

R.R.

Mrs. C. C. Share, a patroness, has just returned from a three months' stay in San Antonio, where their only son was in military training.

Gamma Gamma's War Baby, Charles Roscoe Dyer, arrived most properly on St. Valentine's Day. His mother is our Mae Grim Dyer. His father, Charles Dyer, is still in France, where he has been sin ce last August.

Our Mrs. Munson was the guest of honor at a luncheon given at tlie Muehlbach Hotel in Kansas City recently. \iVhile in Missouri, she visited in Warrensburg, arriving, as it happened, the day after the faculty had voted permission to the XX Club to hecome a chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha. She reports that the group is all that we want.

On March 1 occured the marriage of Maud Sunderland to Andrew Martz, late of the U. S. Arm)'. _ Although the alumnae of Gamma Gamma are not grouped in associations, many teach in the same town, and so find frequent meetings easily possible. Among those so fortunately situated are Belle Chesnut, Fern Clifton, Ethel Feese and Maud Sunderland Martz at Waynoka, Edith Heaton, Louise Miller May and Grace Mauntel at Alva, Esther Delzell, Luella Hartzman and Hilda Rank at Pond Creek, Edith Harris and Edith Reeg at Lambert. 路

ATHENS The New Year was not two weeks old when things began to happen. The first event of special interest to Delta Delta was an entertainment given by the French Club, which staged two plays.

Naomi Caldwell and Marie Richter had prominent parts in the cast, and covered both themselves and us with glory. The following Friday the Chapter gave a spread in honor of Ruth Baker and Grace Fultz who were back for a week end visit. The next day an impressive initiation was held for two of our earliest pledges, Ethel Goddard and Ruth Sawyer. A spread in their honor followed. That same evening came the Beta Theta Pi dance. Ruth Baker was a guest at that affair.

The following day found six of us guests at lunch in the home of one of our patronesses. It is Mrs. McVey's intention to do

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the same thing for six more of us on another occasion, and so on until all of us have been entertained in her home. The McVeys spent some time in the Phillipines not so very long ago, and they had much of interest to tell the girls of their stay in the Islands, as well as many attractive souvenirs to display. The rest of us are looking forward with pleasure to the time when our turn will come, for the Me Veys are delightful hosts.

Several honors have come our way. Helen Hudson and Ruth Sawyer were elected to Oyo, the honorary literary society, while Marie Richter ws put in charge of the music for the Women's League. To Helen Hudson came the additional honor of being selected by Dean Voight as one of eight delegates from Ohio University to Delaware, Ohio, where the mission centenary convocation of the Methodist Church was held. Helen had much to tell us upon her return of the splendid reconstruction work that this church has planned for in the immediate future through its missiol).s and she had much to say also of the fine type of girls she met from various other universities and colleges of the State.

A very welcome innovation is being tried out at Ohio. The word has gone forth that fil).al examinations are to be abolished that the basis of grading in the future will be the daily averages, together with marks on quizzes and tests. This plan seems to every one eminently fair, and it should result in securing steady application on the part of the student body with a much higher scholarship rating for the university, since it is the daily work that is to count and not a few day's cramming at the end of a term.

The end of the first semester found Thelma Groome fini shing her course. We were sorry indeed to lose her from our group, but we are rejoicing with her over the fine position she secured in the schools of Troy, Ohio. Ethel Goddard is to take Thelma's place as Chapter Secretary. Two new pledges, Rebecca Eisenbrey and Myrtle Fairman, more than make good our loss in numbers, while adding much to the 'peppiness' of our bunch.

Delta Delta has arranged for an additional officer. We are calling her a Social Secretary, and we have assigned as her special duties the writing of a detailed account of all our social affairs. It was believed that future generations of Delta Delta girls ought to have some way of finding out how we of today celebrated our special feasts, and how we did other things in the social line.

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23

A collection of descriptive accounts of this sort, with the souvenir place cards or favors, ought to be very helpful to future ASA's at Ohio.

Our Valentine celebration this year took the form of a party in honor of the actives and pledges of Tri Sigma. The affair was quite informal, for we served picnic supper, two kinds of sandwiches, tuna fish salad, baked beans, pickles, coffee, cakes and salteel peanuts. It was this very lack of formality, however, that helped us all to get acquainted. For entertainment there were readings and music, with dancing to end tl1e evening. The feeling between the two sororities has been vastly improved since the party, so we consider that we vvere more than repaid for any expenditures of money, time and effort.

Great plans are being made for this year's annual, The Athena.

As the publication was omitted last year for patriotic reasons, it will be more than ~ver appreciated. Our Ada Hard is serving as senior editor for the Teachers College, so we are all deeply interested in the success of the publication.

Athens has been having a new diversion of late. Troop trains have been passing through the city almost daily on their way to Camp Sherman where the men are demobilized. The residents of Athens and the students of the University have been doing all in their power to show, through their enthusiastic welcome, the country's appreciation of the sacrifices these men made in the cause of justice and humanity. There is always a large crowd at the station to meet every train, and upon its arrival there is always a plentiful supply of apples, pop corn, cookies and home-made candy for the soldiers. The distribution is in charge of a different dormitory each day. Our house assignment is Sunday. Some of the soldiers we talked with said they had not received a warmer welcome since they left New York.

George Washington's Birthday was crowded with pleasure for the girls of Delta Delta. The Woman's League gave a costume party in the Gymnasium from two to five. Although it was a party for girls only, it hardly gave one that impress-ion, for so many of those present had elected to appear in either sailor suits or the olive drab. Most of the time was spent in dancing to the music of one of our best college orchestras. The refreshments provided consisted of jello and cake. From this jolly affair the

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THE PHOENIX

members of Delta Delta went to a wonderful dinner party given by the patronesses at the home of Prof. and Mrs. Trendly. Upon arrival we were asked to participate in a most original guessing contest. Pictures of well-known people had been cut out of magazines, but the head had been removed. In its stead was the photograph of some one we know. All of us were represented and most of our professors. Just as the contest was over w~ had a big surprise in the arrival of our Lola Spies, who has been teaching music in the schools of Pomeroy. Then came the dinner, and such a dinner.

Our patronesses certainly know what hungry college girls like to eat, and you certainly know how enthusiastic college girls can be over good 'eats.' The course that called forth the most expressions of delight, however, was the white brick ice cream with the little reel hatchets.

The rest of the evening was spent in singing college, sorority and popular songs. The husbands of most of our patronesses were there, and they certainly did their share in stirring up fun.

HELEN HOFFERT,

Historian.

EMPORIA The matinee tea dances that we told you about in our last letter were an unqualified success, and, so much did we enjoy them ourselves, we decided 路to give one more than we had planned. Accordingly, after all the sororities in school had been entertained in this way, we extended invitations to the two sororities at the College of Emporia. On this occasion we also had as guests some town girls and some of the non-sorority people in school. Quite aside from the kindly feeling that has been engendered among the various organizations through these little affairs of ours, the greatest benefit was received by Epsilon Epsilon, for our girls have become well acquainted with many school and tow.n girls, whom they would otherwise never have known.

Toward the end of January we held an impressive initiation for our four pledges, Edna McCullough of the faculty and a former Kappa Delta Theta, Bessie vVeaver, Dorothy Hooser and Ruth Gardner. We shall miss having much of our work done for us by pledges, for we are not intending to bid any new girls this semester, but we are not sorry to have these girls a part of our circle, as they are bringing with them into the chapter a deep veneration

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25

for all that Alpha Sigma Alpha means. 路 Besides, initiation has made it possible for them to share our home with us. All nonresident girls, fifteen in number, are now living in the house. This has meant a marked increase in sorority interest and loyalty, while at the same time it has brought about considerable reduction in assessments for chapter house expenditures.

A most unusual thing has happened. The faculty social committee has passed a rule that all school parties shall be held in the gymnasium, and that dancing and cards will be allowed. The first social under this new arrangement was so novel that it was a hugh success. Every one is heartily in favor of tlie idea, and it is thought that eventually the social committee will permit the Greek-letter societies to hold dances there too.

Our spring formal, which took the form of a Valentine dance, was quite the most successful ever given by our group. We were so fortunate as to obtain the Elks路 Club for the purpose, a most unusual privilege, as you will realize when I tell you that this was the first time that the club rooms were placed at the disposal of outsiders. The ballroom decorations were particularly lovely, and consisted largely of lattice work with baskets of spring flower s suspended from the lights and other points of vantage. In the dining room the color scheme \>vas crimson, with hearts and cupids in great profusion. After the grand march, a little fairy distributed the programs, which had covers of crimson leather stamped with our letters in gold. Half of the guests were shown to the dining room during the sixth and seventh dances, and the other half during the eighth and ninth . This proved an ideal arrangement. Some people were kind enough to say that the affair was quite the nicest that had been given in Emporia the whole year.

Another entertainment that aroused great enthusiasm was the All-School Vaudeville. At thi s annual affair every organization in the institution is expected to put on some kind of stunt. The stunt receiving th e highest number of votes receives the prize, which this year was to be a write-up and a picture in the Annual.

The girls of Tri Sigma won the prize through their Wedding of the Bi1-ds, but there were many who felt and said that our stunt was the cleverest, the most artistic and the most finished product, though the judges gave us only second place. Here is what one of the papers said of our share in the entertainment.

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THE PHOENIX

"In My Lad,y 's Garden, put on by the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, was one of the prettiest scenes ever staged in Albert Taylor Hall. The garden showed an arbor with a large pink and white fan opened out in the background, and on which were painted wreaths and ladies' faces. The rest of the garden was enclosed with white lattice covered with pink ramblers. Two little flower girls peeped in at the two gateways on either side and saw the ladies' faces in the fan. They ran back for baskets of flowers which they offered to the ladies, all the while dancing enticingly.

They were unsuccessful in their attempts to arouse the ladies and sat down in the gateways. This dance was originated by M iss Frances Potter and Miss Edna McCullough, who interpreted it.

Soon a colonial lady and her admirer, Miss Vesta Gross and Miss Virginia Haynes, came dancing into the garden. After much persuasion, the figures emerged from the fan and other couples joined them in dancing the minuet. Miss \Vilhemina Guffler played the harp."

Our girls took part in other stunts, notably in those put on by th e Physical Training Club . Frances Potter gave the Zuyder Zee dance with another student. The Rainbow Chorus, led by V irginia Haynes, appeared in evening dress, and did some very clever singing and dancing. Erma Brown and Vesta Gross brought clown the hou'se as they posed at the apex of a pyramid built of a dozen girls in white gym suits. It was this same act, however, that came so near spoiling everything for us, as during practice our Lois K oontz had fallen and broken her arm in two places, a fracture requiring four settings before the surgeons were sure that the bones were knitting properly. Added to all this pain was the "Flu," which had visited Lois once before. You can imagine how anxious we were for days.

Another college affair in which Epsilon Epsilon was much interested was the play staged at the time of the Farmer's Convention, which rrieets in February of each year at Emporia. Early in the fir st semester, each student in all the English classes is required to hand in a synopsis for this play. From all of these synopses two a路r e chosen and combined into one. The two selected this year were路 written by Irene Anderson and Ruth Gardner. After the ideas suggested had been 路 worked into a play by a special group of students in the English department, the dramatic department

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27

staged the play. Our Virginia Haynes was given a most important role in the production, and our Hazel Harris was also in the cast.

Do you have a Vanity Fair contest in your college? Emporia holds one every year. The contest is to arouse student and town interest in the Sunflower, our Annual. Each purchaser is allowed so many votes for the 'prettiest,' for· the 'most popular,' for the 'most athletic' girl in school. The winners are given a page in · the Annual. Epsilon Epsilon is to be represented by Virginia Haynes, who was voted to be the 'most athletic.'

There have been ·numerous college events, of course, in which Epsilon Epsilon has had no special share, but which have brought much of stimulus to the girls in the chapter. Irvin S . Cobb, war correspondent of the Saturday Evening Post, gave us a most wonderful account of his experiences in France and of what our boys did there. H~ also paid our town a splendid tribute when he said that it had produced two of the biggest figures in American literature today, in the persons of \iVilliam Allen White and Walt Mason. Of our Uncle Walt he stated that "He had mated and married more words than any other man since James Whitcomb Riley went to enrich heaven."

Another distinguished lecturer was Chancellor Strong of the U niversity of Kansas, who made the principal address at the Me~ . moria! Service for Theodore Roosevelt, whom he ranked as the second great American. His address was most inspiring as he presented the man, the statesman, the author, the orator, the dreamer of great dreams, the apostle of righteousness who quickened all America morally and made the world a better place to live ln.

A distinguished honor came to our School recently, when our President, Dr. T. W. Butcher, was elected president of the National Council of $tate Normal School Presidents and Principals at the annual meeting in Chicago.

HAZEL HARRIS,

Historian.

N ell Grant will attend summer school at Columbia.

The So rority extends its deepest sympthy to Ruth Jeremy whose fian ce di ed of pneumonia the week before their ma:ri age "II:' as to have been. co~­ summated , and to· Rosalie Brigham whose hartce d1ed of pneumoma m France on February 7.

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THE PHOENIX

THE CINCINNATI ASSOCIATION On February 2, the first meeting of the Cincinnati Association was held at 2712 Woodburn Avenue, in a suite occupied by four graduate members of the Miami Chapter, Catherine Arbogast, Helen Boggess, Dorothy Clason and Catherine Prudent. The others present were Ethel Pfeiffer, Bertha Runyan and Bernadine Sutkamp. The following were elected to office; President, Bernadine Sutkamp; Vice President, Dorothy Cl~son; Secretary, Catherine Prudent; Treasurer, Bertha Runyan. It is the present plan to hold two meetings a month, one a business meeting, the other of a social nature. The organization meeting partook of both types for the hostesses had provided a delicious buffet supper for their guests. The Cincinnati ASA's will find many opportunities to get together at other times, for the city offers many attractions in its symphonies, its operas and its lectures.

THE JOHNSTOWN ASSOCIATION Ruth Young entertained the Association at the home of her sister, Mrs. Albert Swank, on February 22. The business meeting was given over mostly to a discussion of the situation that Alpha Gamma is facing. It was finally decided that two of the alumnae should visit the chapter in the near future to see what assistance might be rendered. Practically every member was present with the exception of Margaret Hummel who was attending a house party at Pennsylvania State College, where she was the guest of the Omega Epsilon fraternity. After the business meeting a typical and delicious George Washington luncheon was served. Cherries were in evidence everywhere, in the salad, sandwiches and jello, and even on the napkins. The March meeting will be held at the. home of Ruth Dempsey.

THE PITTSBURGH ASSOCIATION The Pittsburgh ASA's have been meeting quite regularly.

A luncheon at a down town hotel is usually the most convenient arrangement for those who want to shop in the morning, or attend .a theatre later. It has been路 a very great pleasure to Pennsylvania ASA's to have Monna Elms of Alpha Beta present at most of these affairs. l\fonna is taking her nurse's training at St. Margaret's Hospital.

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A PANHELLENIC LUNCHEON IN PANAMA Maude Barrigar of Epsilon Epsilon, together with a member of Delta Delta Delta from Northwestern University, arranged for a Panhellenic luncheon at the Hotel Tivoli in Ancon, Canal Zone, on March 8. Thirteen colleges and universities were represented by the fifteen guests present. The Sorority women were members of Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Omega Upsilon, Pi Beta Phi and Zeta Tau Alpha. The affair was such a success that the Greek-letter women at the other . end of the Isthmus are planning for a similar gathering at Cristo bel.

JEWELRY PRICES Owing to the fact that the Congress of the United States has laid a tax of five percen t on the retail price of jewelry of all kinds the same to become effective on the first of April, the prices fo~ A. S. A. jewelry, until this tax is repealed, will be as follow s: Badge, $10.50; Pledge Pin, $1.05 ; Recognition Pin in gold, $3.15 ; Recognition Pin in silve1', $1.05; Guard Chain, $1.05 .

OUR NEW CHAPTER For two years the X X Club of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo., has wanted to be affiliated with Alpha Sigma Alpha. During all that time it has been in charge of a most capable Faculty Adviser, as well as under the supervision of Miss Jewett, who has visited the School on several occasions. 路 When, therefore, the faculty of the institution finall y gave its consent to the affiliation, preparations for installation were begun immediately. Detailed accounts of the impressive ceremonies attendant upon that event which will occur during the first week end of April, will be set forth in a later PHOENI X. The different Chapters and Associations have already sent their expressions of cordial welcome to Z eta Z eta by letters and gifts.

Alumnae desirous of sending congratulations should mail them to the Faculty Adviser, Miss Bess Carter, 107 South Miller St., Warrensburg, Mo.

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THE PHOENIX

TH E ASTER The aster is found in many lands and in infinite variety, from the simple wild flower of the fields to the lovely China aster of the garden and the beautiful chrysanthemum, product of the florist's art, of which alone there are said to be more than five hundred strains. Wherever it has been found, the plant has been greatly loved. Pagan peoples dwelling in northern climes long looked upon it as a kindly messenger from the gods, sent to warn mankind of the approaching winter and the long starry nights of bitter c<;>ld. In eastern lands the chrysanthemum has always been regarded as the emblem of human perfection, since it comes in the fullness of the year. Because of its lasting qualities, there are many in those distant lands who believe that the plant possesses rare qualities, and that its extract 路 will bring length of days. Even in this year of grace its petals are placed in the wine cups of the far East.

In England the field flower is called the Michaelmas daisy, because it is found in such profusion around the ~9th of September, which is the feast of the archangel Michael, but in most Christian countries, the plant is known by the name we use, and which comes from a Greek word meaning "star." In the early history of the Church, the aster was regarded as the harbinger of the Christmas Star, and so it came to signify "good tidings." Coming as it does, moreover, just before the harvest days, the flower has always been warmly welcomed for i1s promise of God's fatherly interest in the well-being of his children.

It was in the Land of the Rising Sun that the chrysanthemum first attained perfection. According to the Japanese tale, the island of Kiushu was a veritable paradise, producing everything that man's heart could possibly desire, but quite uninhabited. In the course of time, however, it came to pass that a Chinese boat was driven ashore there by adverse winds. Among the passengers was an aged priest, who ate 路accidentally of the petals of a chrysanthemum, and who was immediately rejuvenated. Upon his return to China, the word was quickly spread that he had found the elixir of youth.

There was upon the throne of China at that time a very wicked emperor, who heard of the rumored discovery of a fountain of youth, and who sent at once for the priest, in order

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that he might get very definite directions for finding the island, where the spring was to be found. The priest explained that it was a flower and not a spring that had路 given him back hi s youth, but he added very shrewdly that he had noticed that the plant had not had the same effect on the members of the crew as upon himself, and so he was convinced that the plant lost its efficiency when handled by any that were not pure in heart. He was moved to make this statement because he saw how disastrous it would be to his beloved land to prolong the life of so wicked a monarch.

Accordingly he asked that an expedition should be fitted out to go in search of the island where the .wonderful plant grew, and that he should be given three hundred virtuous youths and as many beautiful virgins, who were to work under his direction in gathering the flowers and getting the extract. Right willingly did his emperor and his court contribute funds for the fitting out of the ships, for they were all very anxious to go on living the gay life that was theirs, and such boon seemed right within their grasp. The wise, old priest, however, took good care that no one should spy upon his going, and so he slipped away one night on a favoring breeze under cover of the darkness. He found his island again very easily, and there he set up a kingdom of his own with the six hundred young followers serving most gladly as his subjects, since they had no desire to go back to a country ruled by so wicked a court. Thus, according to the tale, was the Japanese empire established.

There is another lovely legend that comes from the land of the Mikado. According to this story, there lived in the city of Himaji, in a wonderful castle of thirty towers, a very wealthy nobleman, who was a collector of rare works of art, and who employed a maid servant, by the name of Okiku, to care for his bronzes, his crystals, his porcelains and his jewels. Among his most treasured possessions were ten vessels of gold. In counting these dishes one morning, Okiku discovered that there were but nine. Although she could hardly be held re'sponsible for the loss, she so dreaded her employer's disple~sure and sorrow that she cast herself into a well. Even after death her spirit gave her no peace, so she made nightly visits to Himaji, in the hope of finding the golden vessel and thus proving her own innocence beyond a question.

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It was many a weary night before she finally located it among other stolen articles in the room of a discharged servant. It was her intention to return it to its own place and then go her way, but, just as she was passing through the garden, she was seen by her master, who sat at his window sorrowing over his loss.

Forgetting for the moment that she was dead, he cried aloud in his joy, but Okiku became transfixed, as she smiled back at him, the golden dish held high above her slender body. When the nobleman had reached the garden, he found there only a lovely chrysanthemum. Since that time the flower has always been known among the Japanese as the kiku, and has been regarded by them as the emblem of innocence and immortality.

It was in the fourteenth century that the chrysanthemum was adopted as the national flower of the Mikado's realm. This was after a "War of the Chrysanthemums," which was very similar to the "War of the Roses" in English history, only the former lasted much longer, full fifty--six years in all. This national emblem is, therefore, commemorative of the end of a long civil war. On the other hand, however, it is universally regarded as symbolic of the sun, which is always to be found on the banner of the country.

There is a pretty Christian legend of the chrysanthemum that is well worth repeating at this time. Wh~n the Three Wise Men, so runs the story, had been led at length to Bethlehem by the Star, they knew not which way to turn, for there was no sign of revelry, as might be expected at the birth of a son in the royal house. They had come to do homage to the "King of the Jews," and they were sorely puzzled by the turn of events. As the train of camels was threading its way through the narrow streets of the little town, Melchoir, King of Nubia, who was in the lead, happened to glance downward. At his feet bloomed a marvelous chrysanthemum. "It is the place," he cried, "for lo, here is a flower rayed like the star that has guided us these many miles, and which is even now hanging above our heads." As he stooped to pick the lovefy flower, the stable door opened of itself, and Melchoir stepped within to place the blossom in the hand extended to receive it-the hand of a little Babe, but two weeks old.

Reverently did the members of the kingly train fall to their knees before that shining presence, bearing as a sceptre the Christmas flower, the golden likeness of the guiding Star.