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funding from
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http://www.archive.org/details/focusdec19118stat
IBoam Grace
Woodhouse
I.
Kathebine Cook
Mamie
of OBDitors
L.
Editor-in-Chief
Assistant
Auebbach
Anne Conway
Editor-in-Chief
Literary Editor Assistant Literary Editor
Annie Banks IVEY Whitley Thxjezetta Thomas
Elizabeth Hawthobne
Neics Editor
Assistant
Business Manager Assistant Business Manager
Eva Labmoub
Art Editor
Exchange Editor
Annie Laubie Stone
Amenta Mes.
I^Iatthews
J. L.
Gladys
J.
Assistant Exchange Editor
BuGQ Bell
News Editor
Assistant
Alumnw
Editor
Alumnw
Editor
Caftle of Contents PAGE ^J'he
A
Christmas Spirit. Poem
Pair of Doves.
353
354
Story
The Holy ISTight. Poem The White Chapel. Translation The Christ-Child. Poem
357 358
363
364
Letters to Santa Claus
A
Little Child Shall Lead Them.
Story
368
The Star. Poem The Little Crucifix. Translation Another Suzanne. Story Her Answer. Story
370
"Inasmuch." Story
381
The Eeason Why. Poem
384
Editorials
385
Alumna Notes
387
Here and There Hit or Miss
389
Exchanges
399
J.
p.
BELL COMPANY,
371
374 377
397
INC.,
PRINTERS, LYNCHBURG, VA.
;
— ; !
!
The Focus Volume
FARMVILLE. VA.. DECEMBER.
I
1911
Number 8
Clbe Cl)ri0tma0 Spirit
From
ev'ry nation priceless gifts they bring,
Longing
to serve the Child of
O'er
the earth wickedness
all
Bethlehem.
now condemn;
—
obey and honor Christ your King! Ever sing on the song which angels sing, Never withholding your most precious gem
Rejoice
Come, kneel down, and E'er
let
Bear peace O'er
all
offer it
unto Him.
the bells their joyful anthem sing; to all,
ye merry Christmas chimes
the world, echo the
welcome sound
Stir all the people to proclaim their
Teach
all to
Onward,
hnow Him,
Lord
e'en in heathen climes.
to encircle the earth
around,
Nazareth proclaiming, and Christ the Lord
JuANiTA Manning, Jefferson, '14.
— THE F0CV8
864
a pair JIGHT
Dotjes
of
in all
majesty settled down over
its
Darkness long ago had wrapped
the hills.
when Morab, with
the vales in obscurity
his mantle flung over his shoulder, plodded
wearily up the path, his shepherd^ his hands, last the
staff in
toward his smoky clay hut.
At
door was reached and he entered.
"Ah, Rachel," he
said, ''the
time
is
when
slow a-coming
the Prince shall come."
He
"Aye, Morab, but when then will the Jews have a
does come
—
in all
King indeed ;" and
His
glory,
Rachel's dark
face lighted up in anticipation of the coming of her Prince, as she
went forward
to
meet her husband.
hast thou under thy mantle, Morab?"
"What
that I had hoped to carry
"Only a pair of young doves
to the temple, but, alas, they are nearly frozen
•be without
"What
and we
shall
a gift."
—
dost thou think
that this has been brought
"Nay, Rachel, I know
that
we have offended Jehovah
upon us
?"
Maybe we have omitted some
not.
offering ?"
"Father, father, give them to me," pleaded a sweet, weak voice from the corner, where the firelight flickered over a
and
small, wasted form,
a little girl rose
and came towards
her father.
"Knowest
thou,
my
Zillah,
daughter, that these doves
must be without blemish?" "Yea, father, yea little
for
Zillah as
;
only
let
me
tend them, for I can do so
beamed in the dusky eyes of Adonai;" and she held out her little arms to receive the doves. tears
— THE FOCUS
366
Morab handed them to her as he sternly admonished, "Without blemish, pure, strong and white." Then Eachel turned back to her work and Morab went to
house his
flocks.
crouched before the
Zillah
tenderly
fire,
warming and
feeding her birds as she murmured, "Without blemish, pure, strong and white.
Yea, yea, for Jehovah
He
Little doves, ye
!
can not go even to see
shall be all that, yet I
my
King, when
come in all His glory, for I'm little and lame." Days ^ame and went and the doves grew strong, and fed from Zillah's loving hand. Ah, how she loved them, and will
even Eachel trembled in dread of the time
when
the gentle
doves must be taken from the child by the stern father.
"Mother, mother, I
my
love
white, pure
doves," mur-
mured the lonely child as her eyes beamed in tenderness. Then Morab called from the next room: "To-morrow I shall take the doves to the temple."
"Nay,
father,
"
nay
Morab
"Child, wouldst thou blaspheme ?" and entered the room.
Then
became
Zillah
silent
in his
wrath
and the doves
cooed lovingly.
That night when the hut was bed and out on the
hill
The night was
star shone in the east.
words of
Down
being afraid of waking her
cold
and
clear,
Soon
and
a
wonderful
Zillah bent over her cage, whispering
endearment and farewell a strange, sweet
her precious pets.
to
in the valley huddled the sheep,
shepherds.
from her
with her cage of doves, so that she
could talk to them without parents.
quiet, Zillah stole
watched over by their
music sounded round
about, and Zillah gazed in wonderment.
Then she heard the
rush of wings, and angels' voices singing
"Glory Glory
to to
God,
God!
Peace on earth,
Good
will to
men !"
— THE FOCUS
9m
"The Messiah has come, the Son of Man, and I can not go to pay my adoration at His feet." Then in haste, Zillah loosed the door of the cage with trembling hands. The doves lingered a moment on Zillah's shoulder; then winged their way toward the east.
"A
my
gift to
Then
King," she
cried.
she turned and entered the hut.
The temple doves
heart misgave her.
!
But suddenly her Her father would
never understand.
Morab had
risen to replenish the fire;
he turned sternly:
Where
"Daughter, where hast thou been?
are the doves of
the temple?"
"Father, father, I have
given them to
"But, thou
"Oh, skies,
my
my
given
doves away.
I have
King."
—how knowest thou of a King
father, a light shone
around
me and
?"
angels filled the
saying as they chanted their hallelujah
'The Messiah has come. Glory
to
Him
!'
"
and her face lighted with the remembered
vision.
Then, to
Morab clasped her in his arms, kissing her again and again, murmuring proudly, "Not unto me was the vision given, but unto this, my daughter, who is my Zillah's astonishment,
(laughter indeed!"
Antoinette Davis, Argus, '13.
!
THE FOCUS
C!)e l^olp
357
mQbt
'Twas long, long ago, that night,
The hills lay brown and cold and bare, When, suddenly, there came a light;
Warm
music
filled
the air
The shepherds watched the sheep that night, They knew not, neither did they care. For the meaning of that wondrous light, ISTor
What
the sound of the music there.
recked they, that before that night
The world was worn with sin and But for its dark had come a light. For its discord, music fair.
care.
So the coming Christ doth bring a light, When life lies dark and cold and bare.
And
should we take His gift aright, Charmed music fills the air.
Janie Slaughtee.
THE FOCUS
868
Cf)e
I
mbitt
ELL me
again, Suzon, about the beautiful
midnight mass It
Cftapel
was
Pierrot's
;
me
tell
night
the
!"
again
Christmas.
before
returned from the
parents had
his
mother was milking the cows;
his father
was putting the farming imple-
field;
ments away in the barn, and Pierrot, while waiting for his supper, was sitting on his stool in the corner of the large
He
chimney in the kitchen, opposite his sister, Suzon. stretched out his little hands over the bright, crackling
fire.
His hands and little round face were as red as roses, and Suzon, very grave, sat knitting a blue his hair was golden. woolen stocking. Over the large fire, a kettle was singing and the lid let escape a little of the white vapor which was scented with the odor of cabbage.
me
"Tell
"Oh that
!"
again, Suzon,
how
beautiful
said Suzon, "there are so
you would think you
many burning
were in heaven.
such beautiful, beautiful carols!
!"
it is
And
Child Jesus in such beautiful clothes, oh
candles
Then we
there
is
sing
the little
so beautiful, lying
!
manger on some straw; and the Holy Virgin in a blue robe. Then there is Saint Joseph, all in red, with his in the
plane
oxen;
;
the shepherds with so the three wise men,
many
sheep
;
the donkey
;
the
dressed like soldiers, with long,
owing beards, and they are offering to the Child Jesus such and the shepherds, too, are bringing beautiful gifts; Then the shepherds, the three wise men, beautiful gifts.
fi
the priest, the donkey, the oxen, the children of the choir,
and the sheep, blessing.
up
And
all
bow down
before the Child Jesus for His
then there are the angels
a part of the sky filled with stars."
who
are holding
:
THE F0CV8 Suzon had been, the year and she could
see all
369
before, to the
this as clearly
now
midnight mass, as she did then.
Pierrot listened with an air of rapture, and
when
she had
finished
am
"I
going
the midnight mass to-night," he cried
to
excitedly.
"You
are too
"You can
entered.
"I
am
and
poor
boy, the church
to sleep,
you
in your little bed, in your
all
"I
just
are as large as Suzon."
am
going
is
too far
and the
If you are a good boy,
covered with snow.
all
is
little
you will go
if
when you
who had
going to-night," said Pierrot with a frown.
my
"But,
ground
go
mother,
said his
little,"
will see the midnight
own white
mass
chapel."
to-night," repeated Pierrot, clenching
his
little fist.
"Who
am
said 'I
going to-night' ?" asked a gruff voice.
was his father, and Pierrot did not insist any longer. had already learned that it was better to obey when he
It
He
could not do otherwise.
They
sat
down
He
appetite.
to
the
Pierrot
supper-table.
did not say anything, but sat
had no
silent,
as if
thinking.
"Suzon, go mother,
The
put your
when supper was
child in bed,
brother to bed," said
little
her
over.
and the cover
all
tucked
in,
Suzon closed
the white curtains of Pierrot's bed.
"You
midnight mass in your
will see the beautiful
little
white chapel," said Suzon. Pierrot answered not a word. all.
He
did not wish to do so
eyes open.
He
;
He
did not go to sleep at
but remained with his large
listened to the going
and coming of his
parents in the kitchen, and the shrill voice of Suzon stammer-
ing out the stories in an old almanac.
him
that
sadder.
Then
it
seemed
some one was eating chestnuts and he became
to
still
THE FOCUS
360
A few
minutes
later, his
mother entered the room, opened
the curtains of Pierrot's bed, and leaned over him; closed his eyes
but he
and did not move. them go out and lock the door behind
Finally, he heard
them and then
Pierrot got up at once and
all vras silent.
looked for his clothes in the dark. at last
It w^as
he foimd his trousers and blouse;
He
find his vest anywhere.
a hard task;
but he could not
dressed himself as best he could,
but he put his blouse on wrong side out, and although his little its
hard no button would go through
fingers tried very
He
buttonhole.
could find but one of his stockings, and,
supporting himself against the wall, he pulled the heel on top,
making
halfway in one of his
it
a knot so that his foot
little
wooden
on with
went only
shoes, while the little
bare foot slipped loosely in the other shoe.
Then he
Groping about, he found the door of the room. crossed over to the kitchen which, through a
window without
was dimly lighted by the cold gleam of the snowy Pierrot would not go toward the door that led from night. the front of the house, remembering that it was locked, but he opened easily the one that led from the kitchen into the curtains,
A
stable.
cow
stirred in her
and, pulling on
its
warm
cord, licked
bed.
him, ^'Stay with us where
going in
By
all this
it
snow, you poor
goat raised up,
Pierrot's hands
^'Mee," in a sweet and plaintive tone. to
A
is
and
warm; where
are
you
little child ?"
the feeble light of a dormer window, curtained with
spider webs, Pierrot, standing on tiptoe, was able to see to
said,
It seemed to say
draw back the inner
bolt of the stable door.
how
Suddenly,
he found himself out in the intense whiteness of the icy snow. Pierrot's
home was
in
an out-of-way place, about a quarter
To reach the village, you must o^ a mile from the church. follow the road bordered by the orchard, and then turn to
TBE FOCUS
MI
the right, and by keeping straight ahead
Without
of the village.
you saw the
steeple
hesitation, Pierrot set out
on his
journey.
All was white with snow
—
the road, and the bushes, and
The apple
the trees in the enclosure.
trees
in the air like the light chaff that
winnowing
is
were white,
blown about by a
mill.
Pierrot sank in the snow up to his ankles, and his
grew
shoes
The snow powdered
heavy.
shoulders, but he at the
all
The snow whirled
covered over with a thick mantle of snow.
was conscious of none of
this
;
little
hair
and
for he
saw
his
end of his journey, in a radiance of golden
light, the
Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the three wise men, and the
He
angels holding a canopy filled with stars.
drawn by this vision, but rapidly. The snow blinded him. as
filled
with the
white down.
soft,
kept on going,
already he walked less
if
Heaven and earth were
He
could recognize nothing,
and he no longer knew where he was.
Now,
were
stiff
as
his nose
down
He
heavy
as lead, his
hands were
and ears were tingling with pain.
his neck,
and
his blouse
and
shirt
were
his little feet
with cold, and
The snow went all
wet.
over a stone and lost one of his shoes.
fell
in the snow, he looked for
it
Kneeling
a long time, feeling about with
benumbed hands. He no longer saw the Child Jesus, nor the Virgin Mary, nor the three wise men, nor the angels He was afraid of the trees veiled in carrying the stars. white, cracking here and there under the immense mantle They did not look like trees, but like towering of snow. phantoms. His heart burst in anguish. He wept and his
cried out: '']\rama
!
mama
!"
The snow ceased to fall. Pierrot, looking all around him, pointed steeple and the windows of the last saw the all ablaze in the night. His vision returned to him. church at
:
THE FOCUS
362
his strength,
and
There
his courage.
It
!
was there
wonderful desire, the beautiful sight of heaven
!
He
—
the
did not
follow the crooked road but he tried to cut straight ahead!
Just as he
to the lighted church.
ditch, and, striking against a
left the
stump, he
Hobbling along, he crossed the
field
road he
drew nearer, and
as he
a
with his eyes fixed on
the light, but he went ever slower and slower.
grew larger
fell in
lost his other shoe.
just as he
The church was nearly
there he heard voices sing out:
"Come, divine Messiah!" His hands before him,
his eyes dilated with rapture, sus-
tained only by the beauty of the
dream
so near him, he
entered the cemetery which surrounded the church. large arched
window
There,
light.
The
above the portal was resplendent with before him,
right
divine was taking place.
The
something inexpressibly
voices sang
"I see far below in the plains
Angels descending the heavens."
Commanding little
and towards
Suddenly, he fell,
fell at
this song.
the foot of a bush hooded with snow.
smiling at the song of the angels, his eyes closed
The
in sleep.
voices sang again:
"He
is
bom;
the divine Child."
same moment, the soft and silent fall of snowThe snow covered the little body and The midnight mass in the drapery slowly thickened.
At
fiakes its
the strengih which remained in his poor
worn-out body, Pierrot went stumbling on towards
this glory
As he
all
the
began again.
white chapel was over. (Translated from the French of J. Lemaitre.)
Alice Belle Martin,
'13.
;
;
THE FOCUS
363
Cf)e Cf)n0t==Cf)ilD
Not But
was
in a wonderful castle
this, the Christ-Child,
born;
in a lowly manger, at the breaking of the dawn.
l^ot in costly raiment
was
this, the Christ-Child,
But
in a swaddling blanket that
Not But
in a cradle of peace
in a golden cradle
Not by
a
soft
'rayed
wool made.
was this, the Christ-Child, laid; and love that was by the angels made.
great
king's
Bethlehem
was from
swords were the
Wise
Men
to
led,
But by an Eastern
Star, that shone o'er the Christ-Child's
head.
Not anthems did they did
But
the
Wise
Men
sing as the Chirst-Child
see.
''Peace on earth, good will to
men !" with
hearts so
glad and free.
Not only for the prosperous was this, the Christ-Child, born But for the weak and lowly and helpless and forlorn. Not
a
time
of
Christmas
But a time
of
fear
and sorrow did the
Christ
mean
to be;
praise and thanksgiving,
by which we the
Christ might see.
George Bailey, Athenian,
'13.
THE FOCUS
864
Letter0 to
^anta Clau0
Dog Kennel, Farmville, Dear Santa Claus: I'm
My
poor
a
master
dog, living at the l^ormal School here.
very kind to me, but somehow he has an
intense objection to
Now, I want first
of
all,
singing in chapel.
you
please bring
go and sing to to
my
to get
and some one
})iano,
Christmas Eve.
—
little
is
Vikginia,
my
do a
to
me
to play
things for me, but
lot of
a room,
all
to myself,
with a
accompaniments, where I
may
and not have any
girls
heart's content,
worry me. And,
put in
O my
Santa Claus, there's something
—
stocking
else for
you
to
a bottle of anti-fat.
Your
friend,
"Gyp" Jaeman. Tarmville, Virginia,
December
Dear Santa:—
7,
1911.
When you are traveling this way at Christmas time, please bring me a collar with "Bob" engraved on it, because the I^ow, girls up here don't call me anything but "Germs." don't if
he
from
you think that name is enough to make a dog sick, even a pretty healthy "specimen" (I learned the big word
is
my
And,
master)
please,
?
Santa
Claus,
if
it
wouldn't be too
much
trouble, bring every girl in this ISTormal School a great big
package of politeness "species" laboratory.
around
the
for
them
to
practice
neighborhood
of
on us poor
the
zoological
THE FOCUS I
hope
to
my
coimnimication will not get
this
up your mail
a«S
route, the chimney, because
it
goes
little,
Bob,
Dear Santa Claus:
My
when
very important
future welfare.
Your
deal
lost
'tis
this
"Germs."
— makes me want
position at the ISTormal School
more
alias
Christmas than I did
a great
last.
Please bring the girls a desire to go to bed at ten o'clock at night,
and a desire not go
go on midnight feasts, and not
And, Santa, bring them
to hide in the closets.
clocks, set to
to
off at five o'clock, a.
alarm
all
m.
Yours
respectfully,
Mrs. Slater.
State Normal School, Farmville, Virginia,
Dear Santa Claus: I
am
assistant librarian here,
time trying to ask soles,
December
—
you
to
to get the girls to
bring
me
1911.
6,
and I have such a hard
walk quietly
!
I just
want
three dozen pairs of attachable rubber
ranging from number twos to
sixes.
I want to
make
one more effort to have silence in the library. Please don't think
A
merry Christmas
to
am a bad you from
I
Your
girl to ask
little
for so
much.
friend,
Maude Taliaferro. Workshop, Dear Santa Claus: I have told over
December
— and over again,
in the book you brought
me
7,
1911.
to the girls, all the jokes
last year.
Won't you please
.
THE FOCUS
366
bring
me
another large volume to start the l^ew Year on?
my
Please put the book on the desk in
workshop Christmas
morning. I
hope you won't forget me.
Good-bye, Santa.
Your Dear Santa Claus:
May
I help
Normal proved
School,
J. C.
—
you
Mattoon.
few presents for the State
to select a
since you'
may
not
know how
it
has im-
?
Now,
this
year
Beauties, for she
\ou
friend,
we think Miss Tabb will need two Black is taking down our good qualities, also,
see.
Jarman an automatic fountain pen; we hope. Please send a carload of new brooms not because of the condition of our rooms, but because the girls have worn bring Dr.
Please
then he won't dislike writing absence excuses,
—
out the old ones by being so tidy. Please,
if
Miss Mary White breaks
bring her any more
;
her glasses, don't
she can see clearly enough without
them.
Dear Santa, don't think I'm extravagant, but there is one You see. Miss Andrews It is ink. more thing needed. needs a double quantity
Thank you, Santa,
—bright red
for
it
is
her favorite color.
all.
Your
loving friend.
One of the
Gikls.
State Normal, School, Farmville, Virginia, December
Dear Santa Clans: —
when you comes by
Please,
my
little
so
bad:
1911.
here, don't fergit to stop at
house (you know where
few things
7,
'tis),
'cause I
wants a
THE FOCUS Please bring wid.
Now,
you'd bring is gittin'
me
Santa,
me
if
new, long broom,
you have one, I'd
one wid a
awfully
The next
a nice
stiff to
thin' I
reel
and
like
wants you
sweep de hall
to
very
it
long handle, 'cause
b^nd like I has
these here girls, what will 'cause I sets
367
much
my
if
back
to.
to bring me, is some beaux for come on time Sunday nights^
sets a-waitin'
for
dem some
times,
till
I
wishes there'd never been a beau. ISTow, Santa, please don't
think I'm a big beggar, but I
shore would be glad if you'd bring
them kind what has
like
Be
shore and have
I hopes you'll
it
me
a nice
bibs in front
new
apron.
I
and strings behind.
white.
make your
trips all right,
and bring eb'ry-
body eb'rything what dey wants.
Yours
truly,
"Aunt Lou."
THE FOCUS
368
"a
LeaD Ct)em"
Little C!)ilD ^ftall
lACKSON,
Palmer does not pay her rent by to-morrow night, you must She turn her out, and sell her property. has not paid her rent for three months, and Mrs.
if
any longer."
I can't wait
"But, Mr. Ryburn, Mrs. Palmer
is
very
poor, and can not even keep her children in enough food and clothes."
"Stop
That
!
my
not
is
affair.
I must have
my
money."
"
"But "If you say another word, I shall discharge you." Mr. Ryburn, the wealthy banker and landlord, stepped into his automobile, and was taken home; Jackson, the steward, walked away with tears of sympathy in his eyes for
whom
he could not help.
When Mr. Ryburn
reached home, he
the poor widow,
golden-haired
little girl,
who was
was greeted by a
his niece,
and the
idol of
his heart. I have lots of things to
"Uncle, do hurry. cried, dancing
around him,
Mr. Ryburn drew
as
his chair
tell
you," she
he removed his fur
up before the
fire,
coat.
and took
her on his lap.
am
"I
ready now, pet," he said.
"Santa Claus glad
!
is
coming to-morrow night, and I
Don't you love Santa Claus
am
so
?"
"Yes, dear."
"Mama
it
is
so small
;
Santa, and take her lots of things.
"Yes."
down Mrs. Palmer's we are going to play
said that Santa couldn't get
chimney, because
so
Won't
that be
fun ?"
THE FOCUS
369
"Don't you think it would be awful to live in such a little ?" bouse that Santa Glaus couldn't get down the chimney "Yes."
"Mama eat,
says that those
and they are cold
all
little
children haven't enough to
the time, because they can't keep
Their clothes are all old, and the wind just blows right through the broken windowpanes. You wouldn't a fire
let
all
day.
me wear
old clothes, and stay cold
all
the time,
would
you?" "No, darling."
"We
are going to
something to
eat.
they will love us as
take them lots of
clothes,
Won't they be happy ?
much
as
we
toys,
and
Don't you expect
love Santa ?"
"I guess they will, dear." ?" "Don't you want to play Santa, too
Mr. Eyburn walked later at
all.
he
to the telephone,
said, "Jackson, don't call for
It has been settled all right.
and a few minutes Mrs. Palmer's rent
I hope you will have a
happy Christmas."
Elizabeth Painter,
'14.
!
!
THE FOCUS
370
Cfte ^tar
Long miles they came, across the world, Through desert realms afar,
On
camels borne, wise
men
of old,
At the guiding of a star. Led by a shining Heavenly light, That through the dark came gleaming
And
bright,
the guiding of a star
Thou unfold, where we are,
Grant, Lord, to us that
In the deserts The wonder of that story old; Send us the guiding star. Lead hearts with shining Heavenly That through sad
And
lives
light.
comes gleaming bright.
the guiding of Christ's star
Janie Slaughter.
THE FOCUS
371
Cfje Little Cruciffi
T was
my
Christmas Eve.
had
father
crucifix,
Christ.
The summer
bought
a
before,
little
black
on which hung a leaden image of This crucifix he had kept put
away until Christmas Eve, when he took from its case and hung it above the
it
family
My
altar.
parents and the other people were busy
outside in the barns and in the kitchen, preparing for the
holy evening; risk of
my
I took the
little crucifix
limbs, seated myself with
began taking
it to
for me, as with
my
pieces.
It
from the
wall,
at
near the stove, and
it
was a very peculiar pleasure
knife I unfastened
first
the upright, then
the cross piece, then the cock of Saint Peter, and at last the
image of the holy Christ himself from the cross. The pieces seemed much more interesting to me than before. Still, M'hen I wished to put
them together
strange feeling of fear arose in
myself:
"The black
cross
is
my
again, and could not, a
much more
fore, a black cross is in the chapel, too,
go
there
to
Christmas?
and I will
pray,
and who uses
But
breast.
beautiful than be-
and
all
a crucified
Our priest says that He put him in a manger."
is
I said to
the people
Christ
I bent the arms of the leaden image of Christ over breast and laid
manger on straw of
it
at
then in a manger,
in mother's workbasket,
and placed
its
my
the family altar, while I hid the cross in the
my
parents' bed, without thinking that the basket
would betray me. Fate was soon
fulfilled.
Mother
the workbasket looked on the altar.
asked
noticed
how absurd me and
Father came to
did not know where the cross was. I stood in him and gazed into his face. He repeated his
if I
front of
first
;
THE FOCUS
372
and I pointed
question,
came
my
into
to the
my
bed with
hand
the tears
;
eyes, but I think, however, that I
moved no
feature.
Father brought out the hidden object and placed the mutilated cross on the table. ''Now, I see very well," he said, with took his hat from the nail
Stay here
"Kun "he
If
be punished.
at last
calmness, and
"now, I see very well, you must
God
himself
not respected
is
-!
and out of the door he went.
!"
to
;
all
him and beg
his forgiveness," said
my
mother;
going to cut birch rods."
is
m
the Mother went back to her work; I stood all alone darkening room, and before me on the table was the defaced I was greatly frightened by each noise. The tall, crucifix.
wooden
black,
the hour of
When
clock,
which stood against the
wall, struck
Finally I heard father's footsteps outside.
five.
he walked into the room with the birch rods, I disap-
peared into the clock-case.
He
and asked with an angry voice I heard the comwhere I was. Then such a search began mand that some one should search the hay and straw barns to the kitchen
went
!
—
and straightway bring me to my father as long as he lives Two servants were he shall remember this Christmas Eve sent in the neighborhood, but my mother said if I had gone !
to a neighbor over fields
for
my
coat
and wood that I would be frozen,
and hat were in the room.
They went away and the house was left empty again; and, in the dark room nothing was seen but the little square windowpane. through
What
I stood in the clock-case and could peep out
its joints.
fear I had to endure in this hiding-place
realized that
it
could come to no good end.
workbasket that had I forgot to
first
betrayed
blame myself for
while I remained in
my
me
my own
;
I
!
I soon
blamed the
blamed the crucifix
folly.
narrow prison.
I
Hours went by,
THE FOCUS Finally,
my
parents came back into the room,
and began
light,
878
made
a
to talk.
"I know nowhere
else to look,"
my
down upon a chair. he has lost his way in the wood
father
said,
and,
exhausted, sank ''If
or
is
lying under the
!"
cried mother, and she began to weep loudly. snow "Be quiet!" said father, "I want to hear nothing about it!"
"You do not want to hear it, and you have driven him People must love their children away by your sternness if they want to make anything of them." At this, he said, "Who says that I do not love the child? God knows I love him with my whole heart but I can not and I must not do it. But tell him I ought not to tell him I know that when I have to punish him, it hurts me far more than it does him." "I am going to look once more," said mother. "You must !
;
;
;
eat a
warm
supper."
"I want nothing
to eat," said father,
kneeling by the table
and beginning silently to pray. Mother went into the kitchen to get my warm clothes ready in case they found me half frozen. In the room everything became still once again, and in the clock-case it seemed to me that my heart must break of pain and sorrow. prayer.
Suddenly,
His head
fell
my
father began to sob in his
down on
his
arm and
his
whole
frame shook. I gave a loud cry. clock-case before
and clasping
mother and father, lying
at father's
feet
!"
was the only word Finally he held out both arms and lifted me My hair was wet with his tears.
his knees.
T could utter. to his breast.
After a few seconds I was out of the
"Father, father
(Translated from the
German
of P.
K. Rosegger.)
Elsie Mildred Stull, Pierian, '13.
THE FOCUS
374
^u^anne
anotf)er
HAT
a dismal
morning
it
was
Mrs. Cloud
!
was having washing-day, and a great deal of work was being done, too, if one might judge from the amount of water that was
from
squeezed
the
clothes.
John, and Edith LeGrande
Lad been much wronged by the planned a picnic for the day.
woe
into Aunty's willing ear
;
felt that
state of affairs.
As
Suzanne, they
They had
usual, they poured their
then, with dismal faces, they
started off to the nursery.
"Wait, children. I
How
would you
like to hear a story?
know one about another Suzanne, who once owned Suzanne now wears."
the
locket that
Immediately the weather was forgotten, and with a war-
whoop from John, a little shriek from tiny Edith, and a "O Aunty !" from dignified Suzanne, they settled John sprawled out on a rug, Edith climbed for the tale. into Aunty's lap and leaned comfortably on her shoulder, while Suzanne sat on a stool at her feet. The children looked satisfied,
expectantly at Aunty, who, with a thoughtful smile, started
on her
story.
"More than two hundred
years ago, across the ocean in
Prance, there lived a beautiful
little girl.
just your age, thirteen years.
Like you,
glossy, brown curls and
Suzanne, she was also,
large, hazel eyes.
she had soft,
Her name was
Her parents were called Huguenots, beway they worshiped God. She was taught by
Suzanne Roche. cause of the
them to love Him and to be kind to everybody. " 'What a lady she is !' her neighbors said. This was very true, for Suzanne was so dignified, so wise, and such a help
THE FOCUS to her
376
mother, one might have thought she was grown.
sweet, unselfish spirit
won
for her
many
Her One of
friends.
them had been her playmate and lover ever remember. This was Abraham Michaux,
since she could a
fine,
sturdy
youth of eighteen years,
"Suzanne would have been exceedingly happy but for one thing. The cruel ruler of France did not like the way her family and friends worshiped God, and tried to make them change. This they would not do. There were many hopes that things
would improve;
Finally,
of their liberties were taken away.
lives
all
but, instead, they
Even
their
and they were not allowed to leave The parents of Abraham and Suzanne were anxious
were in danger
France.
for their children to be out of the peril.
had a good it
grew worse.
He
At
last,
Abraham
Suzanne and they thought would work, so at the right time it was tried." "Why, look!" exclaimed Suzanne LeGrande, "Edith is idea.
confided
it
to
asleep."
"Dear
"What
did
it when Abraham do ?" asked John.
I shall
"His plan was were married for Holland.
tell
A great
Abraham
hogshead of wine.
her about
continued Aunty.
fine,"
at once.
changed his name.
and
Aunty, "I was afraid she would not
child," said
be interested.
she
is
older."
"He and Suzanne
ship was in the harbor,
disguised himself as an old
bound
man and
He obtained passage for himself and a He had saved enough money to pay this
his parents gave
him more.
Suzanne, with
bade her parents and friends good-bye.
many
tears,
She took her bundle
of clothes and food, and got into the empty hogshead. Holes had been made in it so that she could breathe. Abraham nailed it up and saw that it was carefully handled when put
on the
ship.
No
one dreamed of
such a brave, daring
scheme, and so they were not caught, but reached Holland safely in a
few days.
THE FOCUS
376
"Suzanne was very much afraid in and was often homesick.
this strange country,
She longed to see her dear parents be brave, and the people were kind
But she tried to She and Abraham remained in Holland for three years. Then they thought, 'If we remain here our children, will absorb the ways and religion of the Dutch.' So they decided to bring their two sons to this country. They knew that many dangers and hardships would have to be faced, but they were brave enough to come, because they knew it was right. "The little family left Holland with a number of HugueAbraham built nots, and finally sailed up the James River. The landing a little log cabin not far from this very spot. on the river was named Michaux's Ferry in memory of this again.
to her.
courageous man.
He
cultivated these river lowlands,
family from the cruel
protected his
and
Indian tomahawk.
Above all, he and his family lived in the fear of the Lord, and they prospered. "l^ow, guess
why
I told
you about
Suzanne."
this,
"Because our names are alike," said Suzanne LeGrande. "Good, dear; you guessed the
you more.
first
time;
but I shall
tell
She was your great-great-grandmother, and you
were named for her."
"Hurrah!"
cried the children, so loudly that little Edith
awoke.
"Where did "Oh, rising.
father,
I
she get the locket ?" asked John.
had forgotten the locket
entirely,"
said Aunty,
"It was her bridal gift from your great-great-grand-
Abraham Michaux." Eunice Watkins, Athenian, '12.
THE FOCUS
377
^et an0toer I.
]10K
KEYNOLDS
raised the old-fashioned
knocker somewhat nervously, and, as he waited for an answer to its summons, he
seemed self.
Marjorie, and, versation
to
And
was exactly the
this
him-
He
had made up his mind to propose to as he often made awkward mistakes in con-
when he was
excited, he
had written
when the appeared, warmly clad,
and memorized it. He was door opened and Marjorie herself had come
to take
proposal
off a
in the middle of
for he
to
case.
be repeating something
it
her sleighing.
''How do you do, Dick ? Isn't the weather grand ? Don't you know, we had a letter from Bob and he may be home Christmas. Just about a month, and he'll be here. I'm so He's the best brother you ever saw, anxious to see him. and I do hope he will come.
Don't you
?"
So she chattered
on, as he helped her into the sleigh and they started
through the
off
village.
they got to the open country, he began to wish she would stop and give him a chance, but when she finally did, He couldn't to save his life consternation overtook him.
When
remember how the thing began. But he must say something, "Now or never," for his courage was rapidly oozing away. he
said
boldly
himself,
to
and,
in.
"Marjorie,
my
heart
is
—
clearing
I mean, I
—
his
plunged
throat,
—you
—I care —
know
you love me oh, I you're the dearest lots for you me, Mardon't know how to say it, but, won't you marry can't
;
jorie?"
THE FOCUS
378
He by a
turned suddenly and looked at her, only to be answered
She had been trying
giggle.
to
keep her face straight,
knew why.
but had laughed, she hardly
was a short you think we'd better go back?" he turned the horse around so suddenly that the sleigh was almost upset, and started back toward town. Marjorie laid her hand on his arm. " "Dick," she began, "I'm so sorry "Never mind, Marjorie. Please don't say any more It
Jaugh, but enough for him, and with a strained, "Don't
about
it."
" "But "No, Marjorie, you needn't fool of myself, but
forget
When
it.
it's
I
apologize.
know
I
over now, and I can't help
made a
Bob was expected?"
did you say
they talked of trivial matters
till
Let's
it.
And
so
he helped her out of the
sleigh at her gate.
"I've had a lovely ride, Dick, and
"That's
all right,
Marjorie.
expected you to love me.
He was
into the sleigh
and
"You, old goose," she
I
I don't see
It's
She looked after the which changed to laughter. it.
now
off
all
right
want
how
to tell
I could have
—and—good-bye."
before Marjorie could realize
sleigh with a degree of
said,
"
shaking her
little
dismay
fist
at his
departing form, and then ran laughing into the house. II.
Mrs. Elsworth's Christmas Eve party was in full swing
when Dick
entered.
He was
almost instantly introduced to
girl. This would have been a pleasure was distinctly tiresome just now. "What Harry Johnston talking to Marjorie Grey
a distractingly pretty to
in
him
once, but
thunder
is
it
for?" he was thinking,
whom he had "Who is that girl
girl to
Why
did I want to
when suddenly he
just been introduced
over there?
know?
Oh,
realized that the
was asking:
yes,
Marjorie Grey.
Oh, I just heard they were
THE FOCUS engaged, that's
I wonder
all.
her
he might have the
if
he was very attentive
no
attracted
much
to her, so
Marjorie and Harry, spoke
All during the evening
dance.
first
Oh,
himself just in time to ask
to
in fact, that he
so,
Mrs. Elsworth, stopping by
attention.
little
they're going to dance.
if
He came
I believe they are."
379
to
them
as they
went out
to the
conservatory.
much taken with May, doesn't he ?" "Don't they make a splendid-looking pair?"
''Dick seems to be very
she observed.
noticed them
"Yes, I've
perfect,
times this evening,"
several
"Certainly
replied Marjorie.
I'll
dance.
Isn't the
music
Harry?" III.
"I don't care, I just had to get
Marjorie as she ran down the ringing in her ears if
river with her
Her mother's words were still "Henry Johnston is a fine young man,
:
I were you, Marjorie, I think I would consider his
She was thinking of
offer."
when
myself," thought
to the
over her shoulder.
skates
and
off to
hill
now
it
as she
ran along, but
she got to the river the smoothness of the ice
drove such thoughts from her mind.
almost
In a few minutes,
own affairs. when Bob's just home and
however, her thoughts again turned to her "It was hateful to leave,
Christmas
Day
it's
besides, but I've got to think it out," she
soliloquized.
So she skated going,
till
late
At
!
along, scarcely noticing
where she was
suddenly she heard an ominous crack
—but
too
once, she found herself in the icy water, with
one in
sight.
on the
ice,
She
called, at the
same time trying
which broke through each time.
no
to get out
She was almost
exhausted when she heard a voice:
"Hold on hired
men
managed
just a
with a
to get hold of
her to her
feet.
One
of the
he had picked up.
She
minute longer, I'm coming."
ran out
it,
rail
and he pulled her out and helped
THE FOCUS
380
Here, take
"Gee, Miss, but you had a narrer escape. .
"
my
came a voice from behind She had almost reached the bank by now, and turned Dick running toward her.
"Marjoric, what her.
to see
"I merely
the matter ?"
is
f-f-fell
in the w-w-water," she replied, her teeth
chattering.
Before she had finished speaking he had taken overcoat and had wrapped
it
around
In
her.
a
his
off
moment
they
were hurrying toward the house.
"How
did
happen?"
it
"Oh, I was just thinking Ugh, but the water was cold "Marjorie,
if
if it
had been
"What do any right to
to
"
made any
May
I care for
dozen of her.
it,
particular difference to you.
Shelburne."
May
You know
say
!"
you had
"It wouldn't have
!Mow,
hard I didn't see that airhole.
so
You're worth a
Shelburne?
I love you, Marjorie.
I know, but I do, even
if
I haven't
you are engaged
Harry,"
A
sudden light dawned in Marjorie's face. "Dick," she "I'm not engaged to any one yet. Do you
—
said softly,
realize that you've never asked for
my
answer
to that ques-
you asked me when we went sleighing?" They were on the porch by this time, and he turned
tion
ward
her, a faint
"Marjorie
!"
hope in his
to-
eyes.
trying to catch her hands, but she ran to the
door, and just inside
it
she turned:
"If you'll come around to-night, Dick,
and I think," a
slight pause,
I'll
give
it to
you,
during which a wave of color
swept over hor face, "I think
it
will be satisfactory to us
both."
Mary Wake Weiser,
'13.
THE FOCUS
381
"KnagmucJ)"
FEW
years
Theodore
ago,
Douglass,
young lawyer, began the
bright
El Dorado, an attractive
his profession in
and beautiful
a
practice of
town in the center of a
little
wealthy farming community.
Far from to
his relatives,
by seeking out oppor-
relieve the loneliness of his life
making
tunities for
Theodore began
others happier, especially children and
the very poor, for the gentle and compassionate spirit of the
Saviour found in him a true follower.
In
this
prosperous county
department
stores,
with
seat,
were some great
there
magTiificent
Christmas
stocks of
goods for more than a million people inhabited the county
and traded in El Dorado.
But a small shop
and
of toys
books was passed unnoticed by the Christmas shoppers, and the day before
Christmas Theodore
heard that the poor
widow, Mrs. Gillespie, who kept the shop, had not made
enough "It
sales to
is
keep her from want during the holidays.
a great pity," said Theodore.
"Some one must help
her without subjecting her to the humiliation she would feel if
she were offered charity.
There
is little
time for arrange-
ments to-day, but I believe I can spare Mrs. Gillespie's ings and yet ^
manage
to
feel-
supply the money she needs imme-
diately."
Hastening a fine
to the
Delmonico restaurant, Theodore ordered
Christmas dinner for a dozen people
rooms the next day.
to be sent to his
Then, taking his horse, he went to
the poorest district of the town.
His acquaintance with the poor enabled him those really destitute of
all
to
choose
hope of giving their children the
cheer and happiness of the Christmas time.
THE FOCUS
382
With smiling
friendliness of manner, he begged of each
mother that she would
Day
was lonely)
(since he
rooms with some other
him
that business had tied
come
ojiportunity to
as
all,
Mrs. Gillespie's
"Mrs.
to
little
to his office so late
he had no
have asked some
"I
said,
Day with me.
as a very great favor to
them a happy time, and would reminder of
gift as a
by saying
Would you me? I want
There are
so
little
friends
near
my
my
bring
it
little
very
much
if
Day,
you
entertaining them.
Gillespie,
children will
my
;
so
like.
help in
to
my
rooms and
it
assist in
friends have families, or are
you know, I
invited out to dinner, and,
me may
to oblige
so that I
may need some
I
my very
day, so I shall appreciate
come up
All
with no relatives here
all
is
what they would
guests in to choose
many
so
that your shop
for one hour on Christmas
Besides that, Mrs.
amusing
me
occurred to
and that you might be willing
office
by opening
it
to
many
Mrs. Gillespie, that I can't decide what to give
and
be
have a
like each child to
this Christmas.
little
toys,
;
to
shop.
he
friends to spend Christmas
give
he was intending
was growing dark, Theodore went
it
little
me
whom
late invitations
before.
Gillespie,"
willing to help
child for Christmas
spend the entire day in his
friends
and he excused the
to entertain,
Last of
him have her
let
am
almost a stranger,
you are the only one of
whom
I
can ask such a favor for Christmas." ''Indeed, I will be delighted to
"It
Gillespie.
is
come
such a beautiful plan
!" !
can to help you, and will be glad, indeed,
exclaimed Mrs. I will do all I to
open the shop
for them, besides."
"That
"Now as if
I
my
is
very kind of you," said Theodore, with a smile.
am
sure the children will enjoy the day the same
mother were helping
His expectations were
me
entertain."
fulfilled, for ten
happier children
could not have been found in El Dorado that Christmas Day.
THE FOCUS The for
visit to the toy
shop
383
hearts with delight,
filled their
some of them had looked longingly through the windows
before.
Theodore, "I want each of you to
''Little friends," said
choose the one thing you would rather have than anything else in
this
shop
you
;
shall
have
for your Christmas
it
present from me."
"May we ?
Do you mean
it
?"
clamored the children.
"Yes, anything in this shop," promised Theodore.
The children eagerly all
but one
little girl
before a beautiful
came
to
her
little
side, she
much ?" "Would you
selected dolls
had chosen
gifts.
and other
She
Testament, and, asked timidly,
toys,
until
stood, hesitating,
Theodore
at last, as
"Would
it
cost too
not rather have this nice big doll ?" asked the
surprised young man.
But the child answered, "I would like we have no Bible at home." Tears came into Theodore's eyes as he
my
the Testament, for
said kindly
:
"Cer-
you shall have the book." Mrs. Gillespie had enough money from the sales to last several weeks, and never did she suspect that the children's party had been planned to relieve her from want. tainly,
dear
little girl,
The children returned to the lawyer's rooms to spend a happy afternon in playing with their new toys, and listening to the stories Theodore told them. girls
now had
their first dolls,
Some
of these little
and each child was entirely
happy with her present. "More than all the others," said Theodore afterward, "the child who chose a Testament because there was no Bible at
home touched my
heart.
She was
little
enough
to like
doll."
Olive Altizee.
a
;
!
THE FOCUS
384
T thought I'd write a poem, and a Christmas one, at that
So I got a pen and paper
And
—in
a rocking-chair I sat,
I wrote one line and pondered.
But I couldn't think
at all.
For
my roommate
And
I simply had to help her
Now
was
a-eatin' of a luscious ;
popcorn
ball.
I's afraid that she'd get sick.
that sounds just real solicitous, but I didn't care a lick
Whether she got
sick or didn't, but I simply couldn't see
All that lovely popcorn swallowed without some help from
me.
And
the next time
am For
—
but, good gracious
!
how
unlucky, then
I,
I've used
up
all
my
paper, and
my
fountain pen
Mary Ware Weiser,
is
dry
'13.
!
The Focus Published monthly during the school year by The Students' Association of The State Female Normal School, Farmville, Virginia. Subscription Price, $1.00 per year.
Entered as second-class matter at the
postoffice at Farmville, Virginia.
The True Meaning of Christmas, which
is
Ciikistmas
observed universally by
all
Christian-
The word itself means Christ's mass, or the day upon which we commemorate His birth by paying to Him due homage and honor. ized
countries,
almost
is
Does Christmas
here.
meaning, or
have, for us, this
significance lost in a whirlpool of pleasures
and receiving of
gifts
from our friends
greatest of all Christian festivals
among
Shall
us.
we
yet,
?
You
?
This abuse of the
ask
more
how we may do
this.
the entire day in prayerful meditation, nor
going to the other extreme, in thinking of our
pleasures to the exclusion of to live this
to
entirely too prevalent
not, this year, try to celebrate
fittingly the birth of Christ
Not by spending
is
its
is
and a giving
all else.
But rather
one day as Christ would have us
;
let
own
us try
give to others
generously of our love, kindness and sympathy, help those less fortunate
than we.
If
of us
all
resolution Christmas would, to
all,
would make
this
our
be truly Christ's mass.
The Christmas of the Past "Backward, turn backward,
And make me It
is
true
pleasures, but
that it
O
Time, in your
flight
a child again just for to-night."
Christmas brings
with
it
has lost that mythical charm
when our minds were young and
innocent.
numberles3 it
possessed
!
THE FOCUS
386
How
good we were a few days before Christmas,
lest
our
names should be written in that big book and Santa Claus How we should pass us by without leaving any gifts listened, spellbound, to the stories of Santa Claus and his How we trembled with fear at wonderful reindeer team the thought of the chimney being too hot or too small, and How we would lie awake Santa unable to get through it Christmas night, starting at every noise, however slight, and And wondering if Christmas morning would never come when it did come, that great tree, in all its splendor and !
!
!
!
glory true, simple child-faith, trust,
Those days of
past, but their influence
by
us profit
must
still
and love are
be felt in our lives.
Let
AAA
it.
Merry Christmas to All To
all
vjish a
the girls, the Faculty,
and
Home
Department, we
For those who remain
Merry Christmas.
here,
we
wish the pleasant remembrances of past Christmases, and, feeling the true
meaning of Christmas,
to
banish
gloom of a lonely holiday.
AAA
"ISTot
what we
For the
gift
give, but
what we
without the giver
share, is
bare."
all
the
;
ni
iKHinr
I
nLUIIMML Among
alumnse
the
Normal were
:
TurnbuU,
Pattie
Gaines,
who
spent
Thanksgiving
the
at
Wimbish, Lula Driver, Helen Massie,
ISTannie
Roberta
Louise Ford,
Janie
Saunders,
Myrtle Townes, Lillian Cook, Bert Myers, and
Louise Eubank, Richardson, '09
all
of '10;
and Margaret Davis, Mildred
Louise Adams, '06
;
Grace Adams, '03
;
and Sadie Armstrong, 1900. Ola Abbitt,
'10,
and
Grace Adams,
'03,
attended
the
Educational Conference at Norfolk. Carrie Kyle, 'OY, and Elizabeth Richardson, '05, spent
Thanksgiving with Miss Lila London,
at
Roanoke, Va.
Mrs. C. L. Yancey, nee Eleanor C. White, '03,
is
living
in Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Geoffrey Creyke, nee Alice Paulette,
'05, has
been
a recent visitor to Farmville.
Roy
Rogers, '05,
is
teaching at Arvonia, Va.
Born to Mrs. Jas. G. ISTesbit, nee Bevie Cox, December 5th, a son Benjamin Lewis Nesbit.
'06,
on
—
Mrs.
W.
A. Maddox, nee Susie Warner, '02, attended,
with Mr. Maddox, the celebration of the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, at Williamsburg, Va.
Mary Dupuy,
'09,
was with us December
Mary Coleman's
who
is
5th, at
('06)
spending the winter at home,
an Alumnse Tea.
home
address
is
Sassafras, Va.
THE FOCUS
388
Lillian
'06, who has been teaching in Lake Richmond with her father, he being there
Thompson,
City, Fla.,
is
in
imder the care of a physician. Mrs. George Amiistead Scott, nee Nellie Boatwright, '09,
new home on Charles
has moved into her
Street, Fredericks-
burg, Va.
Mrs. David Winfree Reed, nee Edith Duvall, '05, spent
Thanksgiving with her parents. Mrs. Wallace Burnet, nee Robbie Blair Berkeley, '96, of
Savannah, Ga.,
is
registered at the Ebbitt Hotel, in
C, Mr. Burnet being
ington, D.
Wash-
stationed there as an expert
in the pure-food department.
Mrs. R. D. Morrison, nee Eula Young,
'03, is
teaching in
Big Stone Gap, Va. Mrs. C. M. Simpson, nee Lucy Manson, '05, attended the Educational Conference in
IN^orfolk.
Mrs. E. P. Parsons, nee Josephine Goodwin,
'01, spent
Thanksgiving in Washing-ton, D. C. Mrs.
C.
A.
Taylor,
nee
Claudia
Perkins,
'04,
spent
Thanksgiving in !Newport News.
There was a delightful tea given in the Normal School parlors on the afternoon of December 5th, to the Farmville alumna}.
As
a result of this meeting,
an alumnae chapter
was organized with the following officers: President, Mary o'ackson, '98; vice-president, Grace Watton, '06; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. A. A. Cox,
'92.
m.
S=1L
E4eE 1^
Young
Women's
Christian Association
At a business meeting of the Ason December 5th, it was
sociation,
voted that the time of the regular
meetings be changed from five to two o'clock on Saturday afternoons during the month of January, as a test as to whether meetings held at that time
would not be better attended. It would seem as though it would be a more convenient time both for the members in the building and for those in town, and an increased attendance
is
eagerly anticipated.
Attention
is
just
now
centered upon the coming debate
under the auspices of the Missionary Committee. ject is
:
"'Resolved,
That Islam
missionary propaganda
is
waging
in Africa
more
a
than
is
The
sub-
creditable
Christianity."
Invitations have been extended to the missionary societies
Judge J. M. Crute, Rev. H. T. Graham, and Dr. Millidge have consented to act as judges, and Mr. Grainger will preside. The bi-weekly sewing and reading circle proves that two
of the town churches.
things can be done at once
;
for
Christmas presents are fast
taking shape there, and at the same time a very interesting
book
is
being read
—"A
Blue Stocking in India."
circle is a "drop-in" social affair,
to
and more
The
girls are invited
make use of the opportunity it affords. The Extension Committee sent Thanksgiving baskets
two families in town, a pair of blankets
to
to a crippled girl,
THE FOCUS
390
gild
two of the members called upon a very old lady and
left
her a basket of fruit.
hold
its
Friday evening
The committee
will continue to
and sand-
of hot chocolate
sales
wiches, and helping to supplement the work of the Mission-
among
ary Committee in distributing clothes
the needy at
Christmas time.
A
month
Town
ago,
Girls'
(Sarah
Estis,
Association girls in town elected a
the
Committee,
composed
chairman),
for
greater Association activities
of
twelve
purpose
the
among
their
members promoting
of
number.
As
a
evening prayer groups have been formed, and seven
result,
Their
houses hold prayers regularly.
will be held
first social
on December 15th.
December 14th
the date fixed
is
by the Devotional Com-
Christmas sale of fancy
mittee for
its
ceeds will
go towards sending their
articles.
own
The
pro-
representative to
Asheville in June.
$29.30 on December 6th.
The
majority of the pledges are being redeemed promptly,
week
The thermometer
registers
by week.
Athenian Literary Society
On
November
the evening of
held in
Room D. In
Prose and
which was
and
Society was
accordance with our study of Southern
Poetry, the following
program was
rendered,
a continuation of the study of Poe.
Humorous Reading ''The
10th, a very interesting
the Athenian Literary
profitable meeting of
of
"The Raven".
Raven"
^'Annabel Lee"
^'Comparison of These Poems" ''Secret of the
.
.Florence Bufoed Mildred Flournoy Eva Larmour Isabelle Lackey
Beauty of Poe's Poetry," Annie Laurie Stone
Carrying out the weirdness and beauty of Poe's poetry, a piano
by
solo,
May
Schubert's "Serenade," was effectively rendered
Wilkinson.
:
THE FOCUS After the
891
our president announced that the meeting would then adjourn to the Kindergarten, where the critic's report,
regular reception of the society was given for the
new mem-
bers of the society, as well as for those of the Faculty.
The
the evening was spent in "Ye Old-Time which old games were played. "Going to Jerusalem" was the one which seemed to afford the most rest
of
Party,"
in
pleasure,
and
all
entered into the spirit of the occasion most
heartily.
The
old girls sang several songs for the
new
girls.
While
the refreshments were being served, a most original
and
appropriate toast, written by Maria Bristow, was read.
The Virginia Reel concluded
the
merriment
for
the
auditorium was
in-
evening.
Our second open meeting
in
the
on account of the play given by the Training School pupils, and by the Thanksgiving Song definitely postponed
Service coming
when our meeting was
to
have been
called.
Jefferson Debating Society
The
Jefferson Debating Society entertained
new memThe rooms were decorated in the society colors, middle blue and gold. The 2)resence of several honorary members added a great deal to its
bers ISTovember 10th, in the Kindergarten.
the enjoyment of the occasion.
A 1
6th,
business meeting of the society
and the following
officers
was held l^Tovember
were elected
Claka Nye Susie Phillippi
i^ANNiE Lou Delp Kate Reynolds
Maey Ring Cornette JuDSON Robinson Juanita Manning
Myrtle Huddle
President Vice-President
Recording Secretary
C orresponding
Secretary
Treasurer Critic
Be porter Censor
THE FOCUS
392
A
very interesting closed program was rendered November
24th, consisting of a debate on "Kesolved, That an eight-
hour working-day should be established in the United States
by law."
The Ruffner Debating Society
On December
6th, our last regular
meeting was held, and
the following officers were elected:
Nannie Ceowder EuTH Phelps Susie
President Vice-President
Holt
Trasurer
Lucile Blood
Recording Secretary
Amenta Matthews
Corresponding Secretary
Maggie Gilliam Elizabeth Chappell
Critic
Reporter
The Cunningham Literary Society The Cunningham Literary Society held informal
meeting in the Kindergarten on
October 30th.
It
was
a typical
senting a reunion of old
decorated cornstalks;
with
At
of
The room was
ghosts.
Jack-o'-lanterns,
the lights were dim,
member
the night
Hallowe'en meeting, repre-
Cunningham
pumpkins.
ghostly, sepulchral voices.
each
a very enjoyable
and the
first,
signified her presence
the roll
by
was
telling
and
leaves,
talked in
girls
called
how
and
she died.
Then, the ghost of Miss Annie Banks gave her experiences
on her return
to the
Normal School
a
hundred years hence.
was intensely interesting, as it showed us our new Next came a ghost story girls in many amusing situations. (which gave us a wild desire to run) by Miss Elizabeth Downey; then, Miss Lucy Strother, as a witch, told another story, followed by the witch scene from ]\Iacbeth, by Misses
Her
story
Frances Graham, Grace Woodhousc, and Honor Price.
For a
few minutes we really thought that the Coburn days of
last
THE FOCUS Miss Grace Woodhouse
spring had returned.
"Absence," and
a solo,
393
Crump
Miss Susie
with a very effective mandolin
also
gave us
entertained us
Alabama Picka-
solo, "Little
ninny."
On
1st, we had the pleasure of welcoming the new members: Frances Andrews, Ethel Abbitt, Emily Minnegerode, Ruby Keith, Mary Brew, Margaret Boatwright, Alma Poindexter, Elsie Gay, May Bell Frantz, Ruby Keller, Anne Woodroof, N^ema Lockridge, Janet
N^ovember
following
Xicholson,
Barbara
Janie
Briton,
Couch,
Annie
Margaret Tignor,
Jackson,
Mary
Olie Hurt,
Sterling
Smith,
Frances Smith, and Margaret Rogers.
On
November 11th, we entertained the new The drawing-room was beautifully decorated in green and white, Cunningham pillows and pennants, and cedar. The affair was entirely informal. Each member received a souvenir in the form of a Cunningham pennant, and each new girl entertained us by some particular Then, we played "Conclusions," which imme"stunt." diately made us all laugh, and established a perfectly free The rest of relationship between the "new and the old." the evening we spent in dancing, and last, but not least, we drank punch to the health of our new members and sang the Cunningham song. From the standpoint of old members, will you think us conceited if we say that the new girls went away that night passionately in love with "Old Cunningthe night of
Cunninghams.
ham" ? Argus Literary Society
On
the evening of
November
Society entertained the girls as to enroll as their
the tenth, the
whom
Argus Literary
they were so fortunate
new members.
Every one came arrayed in spinster costume the occasion being that of an "Old Maid's Tea." Each spinster brought some
relic of
an early romance, a fan, a faded tlower, a
:
THE FOCUS
394
The alluring tone of some wonder why there is ever a
daguerreotype, or a love-letter. of the letters caused us to
bachelor-maid.
We mittees
received
who
much
valuable information from the com-
reported on the following subjects
:
"The
Follies
"The Pro and Con of Divorce;" "The Bachelors;" "The Advisability of Marrying for Kevenue Only;" and "The Characteristics The treasurer's report Likely to Charm Young Men." showed that no money had been paid out lately for marriage of Matrimony;"
Ensnaring
of
Blind
licenses, the greater
bulk having been spent for "matrimonial
The "Tea" seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all, and most of the spinsters went home more hopeful for the ads."
future.
The society held its last regular meeting on Friday night, November the seventeenth, at 8 :30. The short story was the feature of the evening. The program consisted of the following
The
Maetha King Bugg Edna Landrum
Essentials of a Short Story
Vocal Solo Original Stories,
"The Legend
of the Trees,"
Baldwin
Lucix-E
Ruth Moran
Piano Solo
Flora Redd Fannie Louise Rixey Gertrude Keistee Elizabeth Hart
Original Story, "Marse Bob"
Piano Solo Recitation,
Original
"The Betrothed"
Poem
Athletic Report The
first
game
of the school championship series
Thanksgiving morning in
a
closely
contested
came
off
exhibition
between the Juniors and Seniors.
The first-named put up the managed to keep the wearers of
fight
the
of
their
lives,
and
Red and Green busy
:
!
THE FOCUS most of the time.
The
396
Seniors, however, played a strenuous
game, and the lively contest ended with the score card reading 8 to
One like
0,
with the Juniors holding
work of the grandstand.
contest,
down the zero. game was the
of the principal features of the
clock-
Just at the end of the fierce
on the very second, the grandstand folded up
Senior Class. Athletic activities for the present season ended with the
game played Thanksgiving morning between
the
Seniors
and Juniors, and the former have once more turned their attention to the serious business awaiting them. The matter demanding attention just at present is the Annual Staff. At the last class meeting the following members were elected
Anne Conway Mahy a. Holt
Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor-inrChief
Louise Balthis
Literary Editor
Sallie Blankenship
Avis
Assistant Literary Editor
Kemp
Art Editor
ZuLiEME DtjVal Bessie Trevett Louise
Assistant Art Editor
Business Manager
Rowe
Assistant Business
Manager
N'ews Items
The English Opera Singers made ing the past month.
a visit to our school dur-
This was a treat
The four upper grades
to all lovers of
music.
of the Training School gave two
very attractive Thanksgiving programmes.
Tableaux and from "The Courtship of Miles Standish" and "Hiawatha" were presented. These entertainments gave
scenes
evidence of the fact that the Training School
is
doing fine
work.
The game between Thanksgiving morning.
the
Seniors
Both
sides
and Juniors came
off
were well supported by
THE F00U8
S96
numbers of "rooters." Those supporting the Seniors were But at the close of the in turn supported by a grandstand. game, when the score was registered 8 to 0, the shock was Fortunately, no one was so great that the grandstand fell. seriously injured.
The Annual Thanksgiving German was held Thursday The Reception Hall was beautifully decorated in Punch was served during the German and red and black. at eleven o'clock supper was served in the Dra%ving Room. The scene was enlivened by fair women and brave men( ?).
night.
We
were delighted
to
welcome back
of the girls of the Class of '10
days with us.
We
as their presence
to the school
who came
hope they may be able was greatly enjoyed.
to
many
spend the
holi-
to visit us often,
OR NI55
IT Miss
0-e-a-l
ranks, girls!
New
Girl
:
''Straighten your
!"
(to
her partner)
:
''What's your ranks ?"
Partner: "I did not know that
had one, but perhaps it's a new name for your spinal column." I
AAA At
the dinner table
could raise the
:
"I wish I
window and
let
out some of this noise."
Dr. M-l-e-g- (in geography) steeper the water."
ISTew Girl
those
little
"The
swifter the slope, the
AAA
"What do
:
:
the servants in the dining-room wear
white caps for ?"
Old Girl: "To distinguish them from Normal School girls."
AAA
Miss Winston: water,
"What happens when you put
a tube in
Lucy?"
L-c- H-a-h
:
"It gets wet."
AAA Mr. Lear of the
New
:
"What were some of the manufactured articles England States in the eighteenth century ?"
D-l-a W-1-i-m-o:
"Rice and
cattle."
THE FOCUS
398
Mr. Lear
:
"What
other day in the year comes on
as seldom as the fourth of
March?"
Junior: "Thanksgiving."
AAA A
little
bird sat on a telegraph wire
And said to "When wireless
We
his
mates gathered there,
telegraphy comes into use
will all have to sit
on the
air."
Sunday
—
We
feel that a treat is in store for us
ever alert
with hungry
Thoughts
zines.
Christmas
of
—
yes,
to
the
gladdest, dearest, sweetest that possess his
He
the whole year.
we
are waiting,
eyes, to peruse the December maga-
student
He
have Christmas in his bones more than any one is
the
thinks these thoughts by day (in the
classroom, too), he dreams them at night.
whole being
are
mind throughout
so saturated
with Christmas
—
seems to else.
so filled
His with
boundless thoughts concerning this greatest of holidays that
it is
natural for a considerable portion of these to over-
flow on paper.
How
can the thinker retain them
all
?
And
these thoughts will furnish material for the best literature
for surely they are thoughts that are born of the heart, and
issued from the depths of the soul.
AAA
In looking over The University of Virginia Magazine we to notice that "Life in the Old West" would be
were glad
followed by other articles from this same series.
count of pioneer
life as
pictured in the article
pleasing to the reader on account of the coloring
Apart from
its
without value,
it
The acnamed is possesses.
meaning itself is certainly not "The Tunes That Told" is enjoyable from style,
the
a
THE FOCUS
400
The story entitled "Priscilla Hobbled" is Somehow, there is a feeling of disappointment
start to finish.
not so good.
when
the reader has finished
—
it
the ending
AAA
is
weak.
We are pleased to welcome to our exchange table The Sweet Briar Magazine. Among the articles contained in the November number, "A Yankee Defeat" stands out prominently as one of the best. It is interestingly told and the plot
!
ha
commended
loud and long from
!
We
for this.
having the blues.
Are asleep
for
?
One would think so number
tinued) that
it
is
the
The
of stories, essays,
it
to
anyone
etc.,
that
it
However, the one story (con-
"Memoirs of essay,
Ante-Bellum South,"
attention.
The
recommend
after looking over the magazine,
noticeable.
contains,
to be interesting.
It is to be
readers.
The Hampden-Sidney Magazine
lack in the
usually contains
in
heartily
its
AAA
the contributors to
its
"Ezra, the Progressive," brings
well developed.
is
out the ha
a Bachelor," promise
"Journalism and Authorship is
well
worth the
reader's
AAA
Randolph-Macon Monthly
quality for which
it
deserves praise.
is
rich It is
in
variety
—
not tiresome, a
fault of which our school magazines are often guilty, because it
has not that element of sameness throughout.
some of the
stories could be
However,
improved upon, especially the
one entitled "The Welcome That Never Came."
The author
had material for a delightful story, but lack of strength in its form detracted greatly from it.
AAA
The Emory and Henry Era is to be congratulated on its "The Sweetness of the Other Fellow's Grass" is true verse. to
human
nature.
We
advise
all
who
get a chance, to read
it.
THE FOCUS "Dreams and Life"
is
among
Cat" has a good plot and rather tragically.
in
the best also.
"The Plaster
highly interesting, but ends
is
AAA
The Critic is a "wide awake" magazine. We are interested "The Castle of Fulfillment." "My Lady Fair" is an
attractive little
poem.
AAA
The Hollins Magazine tive is,
401
articles.
is
rich in stories
and other
attrac-
"Shakespeare and the Gifts of Stratford"
The
indeed, worthy of praise.
description
so vivid
is
had followed Shakespeare in his "haunts." The poems are somewhat in the minority; and some cuts would greatly add to the attractiveness of the
the reader feels almost as if he
magazine.
There
is
AAA quality to
eager to find out
We It
The
too late to be reported
attractive looking,
enjoyed by
its
are
will end.
AAA
gratefully acknowledge the
came
We
Oracle, if not quantity.
how "Splinter"
and we
readers.
Mary
on in
Baldtvin Miscellany.
this
number.
It is
very
feel quite sure it will be greatly
AAA
We would like to know what has become of The 8hirmisher. We were delighted to find the June number on the exchange table
on our return
when
the exchange
to school,
list
but
AAA
College men's stories, essays, pieces
we
was made out
etc.,
fear
we were
this year.
We
out
left
miss
it.
are not usually master-
and everybody knows they are not before reading
then; one
first
glances at the
title,
then at the length of the
—
THE FOCUS
402
story; if the title strikes the fancy it
and the
article is short
But, woe to the longissimum storium (pardon
will be read.
the pedantry) which hath a beginning and yet hath no end, for divers
men
shall pass
by
it,
and look the other way
shall hurl
upon
versity of
North Carolina Magazine.
;
they
sundry maledictions, because it doth consume the whole magazine. George P. Wilson in Uniit
Dfrectotp of autjertfsersi students, before you do your purchasing, read the advertisements, and who help you. Make the business men realize they arÂŤ not wasting money when advertising with The Focus.
patronize those
State Female Normal School
Company
Virginia School Supply Planters
Bank
of Farmville
The First National Bank
Mann & Brown Peoples National
Bank
Hunt's Studio Fisher
S. 0.
Anderson Drug Company
White Drug Company W. Garnett A Co Columbia Gymnasium Suit Company Chas. Bugg & Sons C. E. Chappell & Co R.
E. B. Taylor
Company
Mrs. Keister
Farmville, Va.
Farmville, Va.
Richmond, Va. Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va. Lynchburg, Va. Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
Boston, Mass. Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
Richmond, Va. Va. Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
Farmville,
Company
Ideal Shoe
Hillsman & Co Richardson & Cralle J. A. Garland Fleming & Clark
W.
Farmville, Va.
Eichmond, Va.
J.
Farmville, Vâ‚Źk
Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
Wade
Farmville, Va.
Misses Davidson
Farmville, Va.
A. V.
R. A. Baldwin C. C.
& Sons
Cowan
The Winston Drug Company D.
W.
W. Gilliam T.
Doyne Caf 6
Virginia
W.
Gooch
S.
Farmville, Va.
Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
Farmville,
Va.
University, Va.
A. H. Fetting
Baltimore, Md.
Wright
Philadelphia, Pa.
E. A.
Farmville Herald Job Printers L.
C.
Martin
Farmville, Va. Farmville, Va.
W. Beckham
Farmville, Va.
Dr. M. Powell Tynes
Farmville, Va.
Dr.
A.
P.
Goldfin
Farmville, Va.
William D. Martin Marccllus
HofHin
Farmville, Va.
Norfolk,
Va.
Garland & Martin
Farmville, Va.
Hampden-Sidney College
Farmville,
Va.
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