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11-1945 The olonnC ade, Volume Vlll Number 1, November 1945 Longwood University

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NEXT TIME STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE PARMVILLE, VIRGINIA

VOL, 3aSt. NOVEMBER, 1945 NO. 1 CONTENTS

STORIES:

Kiss in the Dark Anne Willis 4 Erase the Puppy Margaret Wilson 10 The Climax Irene Pomeroy 14 Mr Simmons Settles Things Betty Deuel Cock 19 FEATURE

Our Rats 7 Thoughtful Satisfaction Martha Smith-Smith 9 Dear Mom 16 A Solan.e anrJ A Delight Margaret Willson 21 If You Lived in the Old South Lovice Elaine Altizer 22 POETRY:

To the Freshmen Betty Deuel Cock 3 Escape Mary Rattray 8 We Thank Thee Mary Lou Feamster. 24 Asked of a Gentleman Betty Deuel Cock 25 BOOK REVIEWS:

Loth: The Brownings: A Victorian Idyll Vivian Edmunds 18 Costain: The Black Rose Evelyn Nair 18

College Polish jane Philhower 26

Over the Editor's Shoulder Editor 2

THE STAFF Editor Nancy Whitehead BiLsiness Manager Catherine Lynch

Literary Editor Connie Ozlin, Typists Lucile Upshur- Evelyn Hair, Anne Willis, Annette Grainger, Nell Scott, Harriet Sutherlin, Charlotte Anne Motley, Virginia Tindall. West, Rachael Brugh.

Poetry Editor Lucy Bralley, Anna Kucera Bxisiness Assistants Mary Anne Loving, Barbara Lee Myers, Emily Carper, Dorothy Book Review Editor Lucy McKenry, Owen, Margaret McIntyre. Jane Anderson.

Alt Editor Carmen Low, BOARD OF CONTRIBUTORS Virginia Bland, Norma Howard, Glenn Ann Chairman Betty Cock Patterson. Margaret Wilson, Martha Wells, Naomi College Polish Jane Philhower Piercy, Mary Rattray. \^vet tne (^duat ^ <:z^/to^uldet

Freshmen, we dedicate this issue of THE COLONNADE to you, the class of '49. You have won your place in the hearts of the upperclassmen, and we all now have a greater oppor- tunity to work, to play, and above all to cooperate together. As you have gone through your daily routine, you have grasped and reflected the true spirit of Farmville, by your friend- liness, your happiness, and your endeavor to do an honest day's work. Your classmates are now members of your Farmville family; support them and never fail to do that little extra chore, which makes the task a finished job. Freshmen, you are our pride, and we have great hopes for the 1949 class of S.T.C. Dean Smith, our guest writer, gives you some inspiring thought in her article. Thoughtful Satisfaction. Carmen Low cleverly illustrated your cover, and the intriguing mice are the products of her humorous pen. In our poetry section, you will find a contribution from one of your classmates, Mary Lou Feamster. We hope to have many more from you. Also Mary Rattray and Betty Cock display their poetic talent. We congratulate the winners of our short story contest:

Anne Willis, who wrote A Kiss In The Dark , and Margaret Wilson, who wrote Erase The Pappy. Also honorable mention goes to Betty Cock and Irene Fomeroy for their stories. We pause a moment before closing to thank our faculty and our fellow contributors for their constant help and encouragement. We should also like to leave with each of you this thought, your college magazine is a representation of you; therefore, help us each time to make it a little better. We'll be seeing you around, and the next COLONNADE will appear in January.

-^^^^ft^Y^^^^'^^^^^^'^^^^^^ ; o;||J¥g«M^

tlie ^i^te^lti4teH.

Betty Deuel Cock

Racing through these hallowed halls

Chasing dowti the hill

Tacking "Frankie" on your walls . . . Yet writing home to "Bill".

Getting homesick, making calls, As every Freshman will.

Checking mail-box twice an hour; Missing breakfast daily;

Wondering if you have the power To live this life so gaily.

Sleeping through an 8 :05 . . . Apologizing, palely.

Flying through this year of yours As fast as Living speeds you.

With "piece" of mind that still assures The fact that Living heeds you.

Fly onward, Freshmen, race away . , . For College Living needs you! —;

^^A Kiss I

TERRY WADE leaned back comfort- view, but its fairy-like quality had flipped tfl- ably against the leather cushions, of the calendar backwards—back to another the cab which was threading its way through spring night when he had been an inebriate a maze of dinner-time traffic. As it sped on of youth and a song. and lost its identity among hundreds of What an eternity it seemed now since he other scurrying black cars, Jerry felt a and his current date (whom his friends had wave of inward peace—a sense of mental dubbed "Terriffic Sal" in tribute to her wholeness which had been foreign to him -like proportions and her round-about during the long months he had chalked off glances from beneath long smoky lashes) in the war-theatre of the Pacific. And, he since he and Sal had terminated a gay eve- reminded himself with a wry smile that he ning "with an exclamation point," as Sal hadn't felt such mental wholeness since glibly phrased it, with a bang-up that week-end at State so long ago when he fete at Jerry's fraternity lodge. It was a clinched his half-formed desire to enlist. warm night, and the wide French doors and Pe-^haps, he thought, his grim experiences low slung windows had been spilling out with Jap snipers and Kamikazi divers had handfuls of overheated "brothers" and served to erase the memory of what hap- "drags," who, mellowed by expensive pints pened during that interlude and to relegate of gin and bourbon, were wrapped in an it forever to that realm of forgetfulness aura of brotherly affection. where it belonged. Quite a paradox, he It had been a pretty trivial incident, he mused, if his empty sleeve could make him realized, which had tormented him so often mentally whole again and cloud out the throughout those endless weeks. He wonder- of hair like melted sunlight and still ed now what foolish errand had sent him the music of a girl's voice. down those deserted steps which led to the unused chapter room in the basement. He, The taxi was far along a broad boule- as "Keeper-of-the-Key" been desig- vard now, leaving the city din behind. They had dispose some recently emptied we-e passing through a sleeping suburb, nated to of rolled guilelessly underfoot sentineled by rows of watchful maples. bottles which dwelled Jerry concentrated on the spasmodic white in the cramped basement bar. He on his vagueness concerning the mission line unfolding before them and stretching up to the Big Dipper hung above. As the with sad satisfaction. taxi surmounted a small incline, the outline The steps had been steep with a sharp of another auto was visible just ahead. As curve midway down, as if the architect had it swerved past, the proximity enabled squeezed them in as an afterthought. The Jerry's eyes to trespass for a split second only light had been a beam from the half- inside of the other car. A hand rested on the open door above. Jerry had felt slightly open window, and he caught sight of a withdrawn descending the stair, as if he did sparkling object. It was dinner ring — a not belong to the procession of moving feet large sapphire edged by clusters of tiny scuffing across the dance floor overhead diamonds. Almost instantly it was lost to somehow he had been a stranger to the in- 'he Dark 99

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Turn page, please THE COLONNADE toxicating gaiety of the dancers. Since he sultry voice crooning the chorus. The mo- had always been especially sensitive to ment had been so enchanting that it seemed beautiful sounds, his mood that night may to Jerry that the Big Dipper had reached well have been induced by a song—a lovely down and scooped them up together in her melody which had seemed to sing out into ladle. the night for him alone. The girl beside him had been so much a part of it that he had felt she, too, must It had been just a popular hit tune have sensed the bond between them. had which he recognized as "A Kiss In the He been anxious to dispel the anxiety in her Dark." But at that moment it had held him eyes; so had said kindly, "Don't fret, spellbound, and he had stood rooted on the he lady. This isn't the first time a nice girl has last step—aware of nothing save the final been forced into a jam like this. The beauty notes of the trumpet. At that moment he of life is not knowing what Mr. Destiny has had seen a tiny glittering object tossing its scribbled on the next page for you. Look up of light into the dining room. As his there at Orion. Isn't he beautiful?" eyes accustomed themselves to the dark- ness, he had seen that it was in reality a "One of the m.ost beautiful sights I've large dinner ring, an oval sapphire with a ever seen," she answered earnestly. circle of tiny diamonds. It was the loveliest "Well, you know on clear nights like thing he had ever seen, and it was resting this, it's a perfect set-up for a baseball on a slim white finger moving nervously team." He pointed to the sky. "See that lit- back and forth in one corner. Looking more tle sparkler in the center? He's the pitcher. intently he had discovered the slight figure The one just below him on the left is play- of a girl bent over in a relentless effort to ing first base. And if you look closely, you'll prod a shapeless bulk which lay at her find a man on second and third and a short- feet. He had brought himself swiftly to her stop between them. Those three to the far side. south represent batter, catcher, and umpire —all ready for action." Could I be of any help?" he had inquired evenly, meeting her startled eyes. Fascin- Her smile this time had been very real. see," mused, that ated, he had noted they were blue, like the "I she "The only star that fellow stone which shone on her finger. Even in the doesn't seem to fit in is twinkl- grayness of the night, he had caught the ing between third and home. What's his look of humiliation and pain which had part in the Big League?" flashed across her features as she looked "He's my $64.00 question," said Jerry, up, but she had only said simply with a warming to her quick sympathy. "As I see feeble attempt at a smile, "My date for the it, he's on third and doing his darndest to evening!" sending a meaningful glance come in home. Somehow he always reminds toward the on the floor. Without a me of the human race in general. Nobody word, Jerry had hoisted the prostrate form can tell what will happen to him next." across his strong shoulders where it had "I understand. Thanks, Jerry." Her hung as yielding as a heavy cape, and had answer came, soft as a prayer. A sudden carried it to the exit. On the terrace they impulse stirred him to take her in his arms. had stood for a moment ankle-deep in the Then he had become conscious of the dead dew-sprinkled grass, and Jerry had become weight across his back, and of his tense even more acutely aware of their peculiar muscles. "Shall we hail a cab?" he asked. remoteness from the others. Tiny shafts of She had nodded slowly as if unwilling to light had sifted through the budding trees believe that this was actually happening. which isolated them from the commotion of Once inside the cab with the inert young passing autos, and had kindled little fires man between them, he had had a chance to in the girl's soft blonde hai*". And as if some study her more abstractly. Her simple black unseen hand had been raised in a myster- dress was relieved by insets of ebony lace ious cue, the strains of "A Kiss In the Dark" over high young breasts which rose and fell had come down, and he could hear Sal's Continued on page 15

Mary Rattray

When I am here, far inland, 'Tis only my body you see; Inside I'm empty and hollow,

For my soul I left by the sea.

My soul was left by the seaside. High on a surf-swept dune;

I laug-h at the water's fury.

And I bask in the sun at noon.

I dance on top of the water; The moonpath shows me my way,

I laughingly open my mouth. And catch the chill salt spray.

Crash over me wild waters,

Hold me; I'll never be free; For my arms are the long waving beach grass. My heart the pulse of the sea. Thoughtful Satisfaction

Martha Smith-Smith

XF I could, I should like to bring you a message of Peace. I should like to be able to write something that would quiet tense nerves, relieve strain, and restore serenity and calmness of spirit. Unrest, however, seems to be the order of the day. The steady course of events has brought us a cessation of war but not peace. Rumors and reports, some inaccurate and confusing, have left us restless and upset. Peoples of Europe lie uneasy, wretched, DEAN SMITH hungry. Even in classrooms, some of us seem to one of the benches into the sunlight and sit endorse unrest. I too have repeated to my there for awhile. Look up through the leaves students Robert M. Hutchinson's statement, glowing in their multi-shades of gold, and "Thoughtful dissatisfaction has produced drink in the beauty of the clouds and the most of the things which are indispensable blue sky. Fall is unusually beautiful this to civilized life." Unrest has become a fet- year. The air is bracing and is a good tonic. ish. Rest your eyes, and relax. You will emerge My message is a plea for peace within from a world of magic with your soul you. Thoughtful dissatisfaction? Can't we refreshed. take time out for thoughtful satisfaction? Another sure remedy is to bury your- Armed with this philosophy of life, we are self in an intellectual pursuit. Master some- much more able to meet emergencies and thing. Not so that you can lord it over your to act as if conditions were normal. fellow students, but for the sense of satis- Pinned to my desk calendar is a clipping faction that comes from the mastery of from one of Victor Hugo's poems. In French some subject. As you progress in your pur- it says suit of knowledge, your attention will be turned from yourself; you will be absorbed "Homme, ne crains rien; la Nature, in what you are doing. This harmony of Salt le Grand Secret—et sourit." character is the very essence of thoughtful Translated it means: satisfaction. "Man, fear nothing; Nature Knows the Great Secret, and smiles." If I could, I should like to bring you a message of peace—a feeling of thoughtful satisfaction such as all those Surely Nature is smiling today in the must have experienced rich abundance of Autumn's blessings! who heard little Pippa of Browning's Passes" sing If you are restless or worried beyond "Pippa as she passed their the 'point where you can do effective work, window: one remedy is put aside your books for a "God's in His Heaven while and to go out on the campus. Move All's right with the world." — —•

IE IC A S IE ¥

Secor

was certainly, as Cora remarked which would mark her sixteenth birthday. XT bitterly to herself, no laughing mat- Well, she guessed that she could wait for ter. A light breeze, carrying tantalizing them. But, with her, love seemed to have kitchen-smells in her direction, temporarily come in a little ahead of schedule. "This,"

distracted her from the sober thoughts with she sighed, "just happened." "Why" . . . She which she had been occupying herself. struggled to remember the lines— f^om the body, she recalled pensively, had once made last page of "Glowing Ember" "Why has her read a poem about a couple of kids visit- an unkind fate thus—thus" ..." Oh.well, ing "out to old Aunt Mary's." The poem the case of the girl in the book has been was something about slightly different from hers anyway. It was at this point that Cora awoke to

"Wasn't it pleasant, O brother mine, the prosaic fact that a noisy fly was dis- ?" In those old days of the lost sunshine . . . rupting her thoughts, and that the t^ee "The jelly, the jam, and the marmalade. stump on which she was sitting was begin- ning to get very hard. Rising, she strolled— And then, further on, reference was she hoped as did the Lily Maid of Astalot made to languidly toward the house. Arriving in the kitchen, she forgot And the ch-erry and quince preserves she made, temporarily that the throes of unrequited And the sweet-sour pickles of peach and pear." love were supposed to have left her totally without appetite for food. And so she thrust That was as far as her recollections an exploratory finger into the first pot on went, and she supposed she only rememb- the stove. It was chocolate sauce—mildly ered that much because, vaguely, she associ- hot. Her appetite, fading after five or six ated old Aunt Mary and her peach pickle licks, she proceeded listlessly to comply with Aunt Ellen and hers. with Aunt Ellen's request that she set the Cora wasn't sure why she had wandered table for supper. off onto this tangent. Food, she thought Once at the table she turned her gaze to with a mental sneer, was certainly a mun- Hank and smiled complacently as she dane and prosaic subject. With a jolt, she passed him the corn-on-the-cob. Hank, she to the problem at hand. called herself back reflected, was her friend : Hank didn't ever Considering them as a wTiole, all people chuckle under his breath and inquire bant- over fifteen were reasonably intelligent eringly whether she had seen Harvey; he about most things. However, she had learn- always smiled understandingly. And, priv- ed of late that these normally understand- ately, he sometimes gave concrete advice on ing people could be, at times, hopelessly the gentle art of intrigue ; privately, because dense and unsatisfying about some things Aunt Ellen's raised eyebrows bespoke elo- love for instance. quently her distrust of the intrinsic value Cora understood that for all such of such advice as Hank might give. Hank, strictly adult commodities as lipstick and you see, was an engineer or something -for permanents and coffee for dinner, she must the highway people, and in this capacity wait until that not-too-distant April 5, had seen, as it were, something of the world.

10 IP u IP IP y

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Aunt Ellen's doubts probably arose from very afternoon when Harvey, tramping into the fact that while his advice would un- the kitchen and brandishing a couple of doubtedly produce results of a sort, she was very dead squirrels, had waved the things a little skeptical of the sort of results. under her nose with fiendish glee, and then,

Anyway, Cora valued ; Hank's counsel his remarking that they were for Aunt Ellen, interest was genuine, and he did not retire tramped out again. Was a figurative pat on behind a hand or a newspaper to smile in- the head and a literal, "H'lo, brat," all she dulgently at quite the serious problems of was ever to get? The outlook was certainly unrequited puppy love. Startled at her own dismal. use of this slandering term, Cora hastily Cora pulled herself together as she erased the "puppy" from her thoughts, and realized that Aunt Ellen was remarking, resumed her analysis of the case. doubtless for the third time, that the bis- Harvey, she reflected, was hard to figure cuits were probably done, and that Cora out. At times he was at least aware that she had better go and see if they were. was around. She had been plunged f^^om the It was the following morning that the heights of bliss to the abyss of despair that Turn page, please 11 —

THE COLONNADE blow came. It came suddenly—without even Soliciting comfort from Aunt Ellen a warning click. Hank, coming upon Cora, proved futile. The sad tale met with a still musing over the losing race she was vaguely sympathetic cluck, followed by a running %\'ith the dogs, horses, and squir- burst of laughter, and a passing remark rel rifles which were Harvey's real loves, about having warned her about Hank's made an opening remark about the weather. methods. In short, for Cora, the morning This he quickly followed by the earthquake and afternoon wore away in a cloudy maze announcement: "Well, honey, I fixed you of misery, and, for Hank, in a complacent up." feeling of having done his good deed. "If only," Cora snapped indignantly to a pass- Cora's first reaction of hopeful attention ing rooster—"If only he wouldn't look so was soon replaced by a look of wide-eyed pleased with himself!" horror. "No, oh No!" The cry was as if it It was nearly six o', and almost were the anguished groan of the mortally time for Uncle Lee to get home. There was wounded. 'Hank, you didn't—you couldn't! a chance, Cora thought, watching the road Oh, Hank!" But Hank had taken the well- expectantly, just a chance, that she might kno'\\Ti bull by the horns and with fatal — find some consolation there. He might even masculine directness had plunged in, where tell her that he thought that Harvey was delicacy and subtly were the only means just bashful, and needed a shove. Ve"^y slim by which she might hope to win. She had chance, but, she decided, worth a try. And trusted him—and this—this monstrous er- so it was that destiny, or the three fates, or ror was the result! Crushed, crestfallen, whatever you call it, dictated to Cora that utterly sunk, Cora retired to consider the she be sitting on the bank by the road, when damage. He had done it! There was no Harvey hove into sight around the curve. doubt about that, for Hank would surely Glancing about wildly, she saw nothing but not joke about a thing like this. The ques- a field of golden rod, one peaceful cow, and tion now was whether or not there could be a long st'^etch back to the house. In short, any salvaging from the wreck of her always she saw nothing behind which she could fragile hopes. To brazenly, baldly, com- hide. pletely unreservedly, announce to Harvey "Make the best of a bad situation, Cora," that there was "a good-lookin' gal carrying prodded a small inner voice. "H'lo, Harvey," the torch" for him! Carrying the torch! she said gayly. Hank and John Alden—two of a kind! Cora paused a moment in her reflections to con- "Hi, Cora," said Harvey, gi"atulate herself on the comparison. But Dimly, through what seemed to be a she soon realized that, while the cases had small grenade exploding somewhere inside certain similarities, there were also various her head, she became aware that Harvey's dissimilar elements which caused her high- lips were still moving. This being the case, brow comparison to fall a little flat, even he must be saying something. With utmost in her own estimation. Having disposed of physical exertion she was able to pick up this, she resumed her scrutiny of the situa- the last few syllables. Harvey, if she heard tion. There was nothing, she concluded correctly, was asking her if she would care nothing at all, that she could do about it. for a short horseback ride ! He was, she dis- She would simply melt into the nearest wall covered, already sitting on one horse, and the next time Harvey appeared and remain leading another. Cora hoped fervently that there until some kind sentinel advised her she would be able to say yes without a too that it was safe to come out of hiding. She obvious stammer. She must have managed even considered inserting a small quantity it, because soon thereafter when she pinched of arsenic into Hank's next ear of corn. She her own arm so hard that she yelled abandoned the idea, however, after reflect- "Ouch," she was able to tell Harvey calmly ing that, after all. Hank had meant well, that a passing branch had hit he^ in the eye. and that he couldn't help it if he were a Harvey, she learned, was no ordinary little dumb. bridle-path canterer, he favored the deep

12 a

ERASE THE PUPPY

woods. Well, she could overlook a few hard let's go," and grasp of Harvey's hand, steer- licks from backward-flying branches, and ing her through the woods around the she could laugh off an army of bat - sized stable, finally convinced her. gnats, and she could lightly pass off an Now, vaguely, through the echoes from almost broken neck if her horse stepped the hand grenade which was still sputtering into a gopher hole, or whatever those holes in her head, Cora remembered Hank — were. As a matter of fact, she did. And she Hank, whose morning announcement had figured, gritting her teeth, that she hadn't sent her into morbid despair. With a pang, been studying Harvey closely for something she remembered the horrified gasp and like six months for nothing. She knew her gross ingratitude with which she had repaid man, and she knew better than to complain. his efforts. For surely all this was too much When they emerged from the wilds, for mere coincidence! It could be nothing something like a half an hour later, Cora less than the result of a master stroke— was battered but triumphant. In the words coup from of genius. Cora was of the poet, her head was "bloody, but un- hazily conscious of having read that some- bowed." She was, in a word, exultant. Hav- where in connection with Napoleon Bona- ing met the challenge, and having recovered parte, but it did suit her case. Bonaparte somewhat from the initial shock, she began and Hank ! They knew how to handle men. to review the circumstances. "Could it be," Harvey even went so far as to say "The she asked herself unbelievingly, "oh, it moon sure is pretty, isn't it?" and to sug- couldn't be—that Hank's frontal attack gest that they sit a while and gaze upon it. had had anything to do with it." That just When Cora said good-night at the door, wasn't the way these things worked. and melted, so to speak, into the living- "Chance," she concluded. "Mere chance. room, it was to a barrage of questions, Harvey had a horse, and seeing me, simply lifted eyebrows, and insinuating winks. But put the two together—the horse and me. He for the first time she found that family will now return to the stable, feed the horse-laughs failed to disturb her. She said things, and that will be the end of that," an airy good-night, and took the steps lead- she signed. ing to her bedroom three at a time. stable, that Once at the Cora learned Lipstick, coffee, silk stockings, and per- Harvey was not kow-tower to feminine pre- manent waves must wait beyond the horizon rogatives she with tugged ; struggled and of her sixteenth birthday. But some kind at the unwieldy saddle until it slid off unex- fate in behalf of the fifteen-year olds has somewhere in pectedly, and hit with a bang, made a concession in regard to this most the vicinity her middle. Harvey, she of interesting of adult commodities—love. She thought, watched the performance with a must remember to thank Hank, to beg for la'^ge amount of uncalled-for hilarity. He forgivness, and solicit advice on how best did, however, condescend to pull the thing to follow up her precarious toe-hold. Hers off, and lend her a hand in restoring her was certainly not puppy love. She wouldn't, equilibrium. of course, sleep a wink tonight—not a wink. Having seen the horses comfortably set- That was her last waking thought. tled for the night, Cora remarked that she had better be getting home, since Aunt El- len might be wondering where she was. By this time it was growing dark, so Harvey volunteered as escort. "This," mused Cora to herself, "is too much". "This," she added more emphatic- ally, "cannot be." But the musical sound of Harvey's voice blasting: "Well, come on^

13 THE CLIMAX

Irene Pomeroy

Honorable Mention in Short Stoiy Contest

gathered —riM glanced at his watch; it was only drug store where the young folks latest jazz and jive talk. ^^ two o'clock. The train ride was a to catch up on the town sound like long and tiresome one, and he, a bit restless He had made the old home there were things now, was glad in a way that he had two the ideal place to live, but Tony more hours before his arrival at Venton. he had told nobody but Tony. Only life in Venton. Closing his eyes, he could see the old famil- knew about his miserable two years iar station as he had left it nearly He and Tony had met first at the induc- the ago. He wondered whether it would be tion center. They had been through basic same. Of course, old Mr. Mason would still together and had become close friends. station be there. For years Mr. Mason, the Later, they had shipped over together and go; master, had watched people come and had shared each other's troubles and pleas- filled with there had been bridal parties ures. It had been hard for Tony to break gaiety, happy families off on their summer down Jim's quiet reserve; he had not pried off to college, vacations, the younger set into his affairs, but there had come a time loved and in recent years, men leaving their when Jim broke down and told Tony the been one to fight in the war. Yes, Jim had whole story. of those men, but with him, there had one They had been sitting quietly in the difference. When he had left four been a undergrowth waiting for the attack. It had years ago, there had been no dear ones to been a tense few minutes; thoughts of life good-bye. Some people, perhaps, bid him and death had been running through their been glad to see him leave. had even minds. Jim recalled that they must have In all the crowd that was cheering the said nothing for several minutes; then he, other draftees as they climbed onto the fo-" no reason, had told Tony. The story train he had caught the eye of only one girl had run like this. He was born the son of looking furtively toward him. She looked a wealthy man who owned half interest in away quickly, as if she hadn't wanted any- a big meat business. They owned a chain of one to see her. As he passed near her in meat stores and had profited well. He had the line she had looked back and whispered gone through college, not an outstanding "Bye," and looked away. Why should he student, but above average. He had been have remembered a little thing like that, quite contented with his life; there'd been and felt hurt? She was much younger several girls, but Joan always stood out in than he—only a child in fact. And why had his thoughts. They had been very much in he decided to return to Venton? Perhaps it love and, for a short while, planned to be was because of dreams of home he'd had married. That had been before the climax while overseas. All the fellows had talked in his life. When he was twenty-two, his of home, their sweethearts, and all those father had died leaving his share of the pleasant memories one recalls when far business to Jim. As his mother had died at from home. He had told them of Venton; his birth, he and his father had been close.

it was a small tovm, a homey place where Deeply hurt by his father's death, Jim had everybody knows everybody else and his failed to take much interest in the business business. He had told them of Carters, the Continued on page 29

14 ; —

A KISS IN THE DARK

A Kiss In the Dark of its warmth. And the girl was gone! The radio had been turned low, and Continued from page 6 from somewhere a band was musically say- with rapidity that revealed the turmoil a ing good-night. The song was "A Kiss In within her. But her voice was calm and the Dark", and Jerry had known its subtle unhurried as she directed the driver. "Left harmony w|ould always echo in the recesses at Sherwood Place, please. Block and half a of his heart. Then he had experienced a down," she had said tonelessly. "Here we sense of loss and loneliness, so deep that it are, and thank you so much." had inter- He had been a powerful virus seeping into his cepted her move to pay the fellow and bloodstream. But that disease of unrest and helped her gently to the pavement. Easily longing had been cured by a host of insidi- he had swung his burden shoulderward ous little yellow doctors—that backwash again and followed her down the rock- of humanity we call the Japanese. studded path to a rustic little cottage. As Now he lit a cigarette and tried to visu- they had entered, mixed aromas of stale alize the looks which might appear on the cheese, liquors, and tobacco had assailed his faces of his Jap captors should they learn nostrils. The room itself was Bohemian to that their treatment had given him this a collegiate extreme. A chaise-lounge casu- freedom. He exhaled the smoke in a long ally faced the fireplace in which a few deliberate cascade and thought : "From now embers still glowed. The cottage, he remem- on my life will be sane and normal again bered had been almost identical with the office hours, weeks-ends of golf and fishing, one he had shared at State, and for that etc." He would take hold of the little wheel reason he had been able to locate shower of society Which was his heritage and be and medicine cabinet. And so, with a dex- content with spinning it dutifully. No dis- terity born of long experience, he had gone turbing reveries of a slim figure silhouetted through the routine of conditioning his way- by the moonlight to haunt him, no fragment ward charge for slumber. of a song to flood his ears and overwhelm In his mind's eye, he saw himself un- him with unfulfilled desire. These things dressing the boy, and he remembered how had all slipped away from him, just as she he had been irritated by the drunken boy's had slipped away into the night. insistence that each shoestring be unlaced all the way down and entwined about the bedposts. He had humored him even in this GENEALOGICAL REFLECTION yet he had noticed with distaste the weak lines of his sullen profile. He had paused No McTavish dressing table ex- for a moment at the to Was ever lavish. amine the diamond cravat pin carelessly —Ogden Nash flung upon it. "Unforunate offspring of the awful rich," he had decided. "He'll never be con- tent until he has the moon, all wrapped up COMMON SENSE and tied with a satin bow. And he doesn't Why did the Lord give us agility give a damn that the loveliest girl God ever If not to evade responsibility? him right now more con- created is giving —Ogden Nash cern than he'll ever deserve." Thinking of her, he had hurried his steps back to the room where he had left her. All was as it had been when they enter- Alexander Pope said of words . . . ed; the littered desk and crumpled divan "Words are like leaves . . . where they most were in the same position as before. But abound, the fire had burned itself out completely Much fruit of sense beneath is seldom now. Only grey ashes remained as memoirs found."

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tion and a delight such as is seldom achiev- ed by biographers. It is evident that the THE BROWNINGS: A VICTORIAN author has written this biography out of IDYLL full knowledge of and genuine affection for Browning, the poet. Here is a creative life David G. Loth, Coward, McCann Co., New York, 1931, $2.00. of a creator. —Vivian Edmunds

-|p

and straight-forward story of two poets of Thomas Costain, Doubleday Doran Co., New the nineteenth century is primarily a per- York, 1945, $3.00. sonal eulogy, it is also liberally endowed with pertinent history. Mr. Loth explains /|^R. COSTAIN has writen another fas- the influences which shape Browning's life, ^JL^ cinating historical novel. This time his attitude toward religion, his diplomatic he places his characters against the exciting and social relationships, his family, his background of thirteenth century England friends, and his "Ba." and Cathay. They are vividly portrayed so that they stand out against even so exciting Browning is read mostly by people who like to delve into the recesses of hidden emo- a background. tion. Lovers of poetry will never again read The story begins when Walter of Gurney Browning's poems with the careless aban- and his best friend, Tristram Griffen, be- don of an earlier time. Modern readers come so involved in the Oxford riots of 1273 feel that they are amply repaid by the deep- that they have to flee the country. Their ening of their understanding and apprecia- imaginations had often been stirred by tion and by the emotional depths which they accounts of a far-off land called Cathay; find in the great Victorian poetry. so it was there they decided to sail. Walter married In spite of Mr. Loth's emphasis on left behind Lady Engame, who had another he still remained true to scholarly research, and ample data, his book man, but her until he met Maryam, lovely daughter is not difficult to read. Browning is a good crusader Grecian wom- subject. The author lights up many facets of an English and a an. Tristram haggled with the of the Brownings' lives, characters, and Walter and fought poems with new facts and new thoughts Antioch merchant, Anthemus, and Kublai Khan's greatest general, Bayan which are a constant delight to the reader. with W. B. Shaw comments, "He has not written of the hundred eyes. a literary biography in the accepted sense The story moves rapidly and is filled of the term. His book is about two human with action, but it is essentially a love story beings." of great warmth and tenderness. The reader feeling -of The prologue of this biography, an eth- finishes the last page with the ereal introduction, uses exalted prose for having gone through many adventures in mystical Cathay of poetic purposes. It is an effective stimulus turbulent England and to press onward through the pages of the that time. book. The main body of the text is a revela- —Evelyn Hair

18 Mr. Simmons Settles Things

Betty Deuel Cock

Honorable Mention in Short Story Coritest

:R. SIMMONS wiped his glasses with For the most part of their lives together, m' his handkerchief and put them back Mr. Simmons and Sue had dined out every on the top of his head. Then he stuffed his evening. Ever since the time when she was handkerchief back into his hip pocket and three and had embarrassed him to tears looked down again at the letter from his (Mr. Simmons was a gentle man, and hated daughter, Sue, who was away at college. scenes) by pouring gravy in her milk and The letter had just come, and for the first subsequently pouring her milk into the lap time since Sue was born, Mr. Simmons felt of a lady at the next table, he had deter- a little deficient as a father. mined to see to it that Susan's education included correct It wasn't that Susan had been trying to table manners. There had been similar instances for a long period of make him feel ineflficient at all ; on the con- time after that, until, trary, if she knew she had upset him so, indeed, Mr. Simmons Susan would have been more perturbed was glad enough to leave a restaurant with than somewhat. Mr. Simmons had been both nothing more than an over-turned chair to their credit. father and mother to the little girl ever But he never wavered in his since Mrs. Simmons died when Sue was two, decision, and as a result, was ever assured and there was a bond between them that of a no pleasanter dinner companion than his daughter. would never, never let anything else inter- own He had missed her dread- fully in her fere. Mr. Simmons had been terrified when two years away at school, but he still dined he realized that he was alone in the world out every evening. with a tiny mite to raise by himself, and As for outfitting the little girl, his own aside from the fact that he missed Mrs. dear sister had stepped in, unbidden but Simmons more than he had ever realized he thoroughly welcome, and had seen to it could miss anyone, he had never felt an from the start that Sue's clothing was of emotion as strongly as the one he felt for the best suited and nicest fashion, all the that miniature copy of his wife, who now way up from pinafores to dinner gowns. looked to him solely for every need and Truly, Mr. Simmons thought he had been want. Little Sue had never once complained most fortunate in his choice of sister and when her buttons were buttoned crooked or daughter, and he knew that Sue had been when her socks went undarned, and though satisfied as well. Her own taste had devel- there had been the best in the world of oped perfectly through her aunt's guidance, nurses, cooks, and housekeepers, her utter and Susan was as neat and trim a dresser devotion was lavished on Mr. Simmons. And as a trained Powers' model. Susan had grown into a lovely, gentle girl. All this was running through Mr. Sim- Worthy of her father's constant care, and a mon's mind as he sat at his office desk with tribute to his own style of up-bringing. the letter in front of him. What, then, was Yet now, in this letter, something Sue lacking? had written had made Mr. Simmons wonder "Dearest Daddy," (The letter read) whether he had been unwise in not marry- "A million thank-you's for the most recent ing again and providing more of a family atmosphere for his only daughter. Turn page, please

19 THE COLONNADE

addition to my cliecking account. It was duly Susan was very thoughtful, and quite un- appreciated. Yes. thank you, it was plenty-and- spoiled and wouldn't want to bother him then-some. and the party went off vei-y well about anything like that. Well, he'd speak indeed. Jane's mother had sent a cake, Lois' to Mrs. Kenny, and just surprise Susan. mother mother sent fudge and sea-foam, Peg's With the situation a bit eased, his pipe sent cookies, and I bought the ice-cream." failed to satisfy him, and Mr. Simmons noticed a gnawing in his stomach. When the phrase "I . . ... That was it . that was the gnawing had increased to an obvious hun-

bought the ice-cream." Bought . . . ! Jane's ger, Mr. Simmons wiped his glasses with

mother, Lois' mother, Peg's mother . . . and his handkerchief, replaced his glasses on Sue had bought the ice-cream. the top of his head, stretched his legs and "Thunder!" thought Mr. Simmons. "A proceeded to the kitchen. The clock struck man can't be expected to raise a daughter six as he opened the refrigerator door. for eighteen years out of twenty and have "Mrs. McKenny," he thought, "is a very to learn to cook, too. She didn't mean a efficient and understanding person."

thing by that . . . 'twas perfectly natural for There on the shelves he saw single serv- her to tell me what she did as her share of ings of jellied fruit salad, some sliced cold-

the party. Bought . . . bought . . . everybody cuts, and a custard dish of his favorite

has to buy ice-cream for parties. Can't make chocolate pudding. M':'. Simmons lost no

eve^rything. It was no reflection on me . . . time in going about supper. The cupboard Sue didn't mean it that wajL- Shoulda' provided potato chips and crackers and

taught her how to cook, though . . . shoulda' cheese, and he reached for a glass in which

learned m'self . . . shoulda' let her take a to put his usual nightly pint of milk. There course in cookin'. Shoulda' spent more time propped against the tumblers, was a neatly at home and less in the hotel dining rooms. folded note addressed to him, and Mr. Sim- Shucks ..." And again Mr. Simmons wiped mons' rising appetite w'as completely lost his glasses with his handkerchief and put as he read that Mrs. McKenny regretted the them back on the top of his head. fact that she had been called to the home All the way home as he walked that of her sister whose three children had the afternoon, Mr. Simmons felt what his secre- measles, and she would undoubtedly be tary would have called frustrated. He was quarantined for a week or so, and she hoped uneasy. He didn't notice the birds or the red that Mr. S. could eat his breakfasts out as leaves or the crisp snap in the October air. well as lunches and dinners, but she had He felt as if his favorite team had lost a arranged a snack for the next evening, until football game. He felt as if he had lost an she could be back on the job. important sale for his firm. All in all, he His pipe had gone out, and the jellied felt as if he had done a poor job at raising fruit salad was running all over the plate, his daughter, and he knew he had let her and Mr. Simmons looked the picture of down. Instead of going out to dinner, he dejection. He sat with his hands on his lighted his pipe and sat down before the knees and stared at the unfolded note. Why library fire to think out the situation. He did females always put into writing the wasn't hungry anyhow, and he was very, things which caused him so much conster- very lonesome in the big old house. Well, nation; make him face the written words there was nothing he could do ... or rather, again and again; lead him into frustration there was one thing. He could speak to Mrs. or dejection as the case may be? This time McKenny, the current housekeeper, in the all hope was lost. His plans had fallen morning and see about her making a box of through. He was worse off than he had been cookies or a cake or something and sending just after reading Sue's letter. Poor Sue

it post-haste to Susan. Yes, that was it. He'd . . . she'd been awfully patient about going never thought of that before, and he won- fishing with her. old father, or shopping dered why he hadn't Susan had never asked about strange towns while he attended Elks' for or suggested anything of the kind; Continued on page 30

20 "^^A Solace and a Delight''

Margaret Wilson iy^ILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY once However, Annie Mae's New Orleans \\y wrote, "Any little boy wiho was not background clearly asserted itself. She was raised with little negro children might just born to cook, and the family became so as well have not been raised at all." And enamored of her biscuits and coffee that her really, any child who has not learned to weakness for Ted was relegated to the cate- know ,and love the finer qualities of the gory of "things that will be," and was dip- negro race has missed a very beautiful part lomatically overlooked. When breakfast was of growing up. late after Annie Mae had had an especially gay evening she would say forlornly, "Law, I shall always be grateful for my early Miz associations with the various cooks who Wilson Ah done seen ever' bit of las graced my grandmother's Virginia kitchen. night," and all was forgiven. Most of these had managed to escape the The facts about Mary Lou and Annie sudden onslaught of the modern theory of Mae I picked up largely from listening to race equality. They were still natural and family discussions, but Gretchen I knew had soft, pleasant voices, and the most first hand. Gretchen was a tall, light, beautiful manners in the world. negress, with enormous black eyes, and straight black hair which she wore in a I can remember three. Mary Lou, for large bun at the nape neck. something like twelve years was virtually of her She was holding court a member of our family. She was troubled at the kitchen range when I was in the third grade. I with domestic difficulties of her own. Her used to come home from school husband, Robert, was a handsome, dark at two-thirty, pick up an apple from the sideboard, brown Lothario, with a distressing weak- and adjourn to the kitchen. There I would drape myself over ness for alcohol. I remember that one time the ironing board Mary Lou came to work with a broken arm. and beg Gretchen for a story. told the Which she philosophically explained as the She most wonderful stories! Hansel and Gretel her customary outcome of Robert's blacker was favorite, but the moods. tales that she made up herself were the best. Before starting one she always ironed Finally, for some reason which has ^way for a minute or two, thinking. Then become obscure in family annals, she abdi- Continued on page 28 cated in favor of her young sister, Annie Mae Inabinnette. Her name, Inabinnette, had been acquired from some Old New Orleans slave owner, and Annie Mae was inordinately proud of it. Perhaps that is why she scorned to abandon it in the inter- ests of matrimony. Had she condescended to wed the light tan young man, known only as Ted, grandmother's Presbyterian house- hold would have been greatly relieved. One small kinky head after another was added to her family. All bore the name of Inabin- nette, and all were supported by my grand- mother.

21 If You

LovicE Elaine Altizer

you had lived in the Old South dur- band, one cambric apron and three Holland XF ing the seventeenth or the eighteenth aprons, five cambric handkerchiefs, and sev- century, life would have been quite different eral pairs of green stockings. The handker- for you. chiefs would probably be for the neck and How would you have gotten an education not for pocket handkerchiefs. such as you are receiving at the State Teach- Had you lived in the eighteenth century, ers College in Farmville, Virginia? If you you would have realized that the most char- had been the daughter of a prosperous acteristic feature of the woman's costume planter, you might have been taught by a was her hoop-petticoat. At one time fashion private tutor or a neighborhood schoolmas- called for it to be six feet in diamter. Wear- ter. Your lessons would probably have been ing one, you would have found it difficult to in reading, writing, and casting accounts. enter a carriage or to walk with your friend Your father probably would have paid the along the street. Special chairs were design- tutor a thousand pounds of tobacco if he ed to accommodate this hoop, and in some agreed to teach you a term of one year. Or houses even the staircases were made with you might have been one of the few girls baluster curved to allow room for it. Be- sent home to the Mother Country for their sides the hoop-petticoat, your dress would education. How thrilling it would have been have consisted of a gown opening in front to make the long voyage with Susan and and drawn to the sides in folds. The bodice Ursula, daughters of William Byrd, and to of the gown would be tight fitting and cut go to school at Hackney in England. But very low in the neck. The material prob- that would have been rather an expensive ably would have been very costly. As small trip. Thus, many of our colonial families waists were the fashion, by means of a steel were greatly pleased when the fashionable corset you could squeeze in at the waist as boarding schools were established in many far as possible by a corset. of the towns. In one of those you would And your shoes, hose, and gloves, like have acquired all the branches of a polite your gowns, would be gay and colorful. education—reading in English and French, Your shoes would be clumsy in shape with ornamental needle-work, writing, dancing, extremely high heels, which would likely be and music. red in color, for red was particularly fash- However, not only would you have ionable then, and so it is now. You would desired a polite education, but you would have worn your gloves on almost every have given much thought to your personal occasion. Your white and black ones you appearance just as girls do today. Probably would have worn oftenest, but you would you would have carefully drawn your hair have worn bright colored ones on many back from your forehead and let it hang in occasions. ringlets on your neck. Your wardrobe in Furthermore, an indispensable part of the seventeenth century would have been your dress would be your fan. This you similar to that of Frances Prichard's of would use as a means of expressing your Virginia, which included a printed calico moods and emotions, for your fan would be gown lined with blue silk, several petticoats an important part of your equipment for of olive-colored silk, a black silk waistcoat, subduing your admirers. You surely would a pair of scarlet sleeves as well as a pair of have had to know how to flutter your fan Holland ones with ruffles, a Flanders lace properly.

22 IF YOU LIVED IN THE OLD SOUTH

Moreover, as a colonial lady, you would in the garden, and discuss romantic subjects have had many aids to beauty. Your house- with the other young ladies. wifery books would contain formulas for Most likely you would marry young. cosmetics as well as cookery. Besides these Colonel William Byrd, boasting of Virgin- home-made preparations, you would have ia's advantages, declared that "matrimony rouge from China, lip-salve from India, thrives so excellently that an Old Maid or "Jerusalem Washballs", and the "Bloom of an Old Bachelor is as scarce among us as a Cercassia" from Greece; for the women of Blazing Star." The disrepsect for spinsters, that day agreed as Molly Tilghman said together with the custom which pointed to concerning beauty : "Wisdom says beauty is wifehood .as the end of a woman's educa- a fading flower, but fading as it is, it at- tion and the object of all her endeavors, tracts more admiration than wit, goodness, aroused young girls to begin thinking of or anything else in the world." matrimony almost before they left the nur- sery. Lawson wrote of North Carolina: Now that you see how you would have "They marry young; some at thirteen or looked, had you lived in those days, maybe fourteen, and she that stays single till you would like to know what you would twenty is reckoned a stale maid, wlhich is a have done for pastime. Well, in Virginia, very different character in that warm coun- you would have private balls and dinners, try." But then your marriage would have amateur and professional theatricals, races, been regarded as a family matter, for a and frequent public assemblies. The balls couple did not venture to it without first sometimes would last for several days. One being assured of the approval of both his given by Richard Lee of "Lee Hall" appar- and her relatives. The custom which gave ently continued from a Monday through the parents such control over the marriages of following Friday and was attended by about their children made the conventional court- seventy persons. Had you been one of those ship often a tedious and matter-of-fact af- persons, you would have dined vdth the fair. So your lover would first ask the con- ladies at four-thirty. At seven in the eve- sent of his father, who, if in sympathy with ning, you would have begun the dancing in the proposed union, would give him a let- the ballroom : First, the minuets ; next, the ter to your father, telling him of his son's jigs; then the reels; and last, the country hope and informing him what property he dances, with several marches now and then. would settle on his son should the marriage Two violins and a French horn would have take place. Then if your father approved furnished the music. Most likely you would the match, in his reply he would state what have danced, but if you didn't want to dance he expected to give you as your marriage you would have been one of the party in a portion. Then your suitor would pay his separate room where you would play cards, addresses to you. In your care, doubtless, drink, and sing "Liberty Songs." At eleven the business arrangement between your you would have retired. parents would be merely a formal acknowl- Had you been a young lady in the coun- edgement of an arrangement already made try, visiting would have been your chief between you and your lover. But fashion diversion. You and your neighbors would would require that you reject your suitor's frequently dine, drink tea, or spend the day first declaration of love. However, you with each other. And if you lived far apart, would have to use tact in judging how long your visits might last from a few days to to keep him waiting. Weeks and months. Or you might have set Although your chief aim would be mar- out on a series of visits, staying at one riage, Whether you were educated or not, house several days or weeks, and moving on you would have "Knovdngs of the law of to another and then another until you had God." You would have for your use these made a round of your friends and kindred. books: a Bible, a Praper Book, and a copy Besides visiting and receiving a great deal of "The Whole Duty of Man." In your of company, you would ride horseback, walk Continued on page 27

23 — —— — — 'g^i^'^r%^^j^l

s.;:;' ^.-.tai.'st^.^^'^i^ssi'SSBa^fl^a-3!yBtKv;r-::A»^jgi.fct o fc.^-:-^A iiiasa^

l/Ue J-kan.k J-kcc

Mary Lou Peamster

For life i|i man Who from the dust Can scale The walls of eternity Dear God, we thank Thee.

For this old world Old in her tears, her sorrows, her joys Who in spite of man Will come through Triumphantly Dear God, we thank Thee.

For our America Which has been So abundantly blessed With graces from heaven For our America Which is life, hope, love, and happiness To so many of the world's peoples; Dear God, we thank Thee.

For Thy love and for Thy guiding hand Which prepares the way, And catches us when we stumble, And raises us when we fall Dear God, we thank Thee.

For the enchantment of the past, For the glory of the present, For the hope of the future, Dear God, we thank Thee.

For eternity, Which stretches Out before us like the dawn, Making The past a distant dream. Dear God, we thank Thee.

24 LI a- a ^<^entliem^cin^

Betty Deuel Cock

Though your quiet talk delights me, And your humor keeps me gay,

If the situations differed* . . . Then I wonder what you'd say?

Though the right's not mine to ask it.

And the chances have been few . . . Would you whisper age-old phrases In a wiay entirely new?

If we strolled along together O'er strange, rough land, Though you'd steer me 'round the dangers, Would you think to hold my hand?

If our path led o'er a mountain ... Paused beneath a shadowed pine, Would you talk about the scenery. Or would you press your lips to mine?

Though we know I love another . . . Your exasperating pride! If you came to my own wedding, Would you even kiss the Bride?

25 College Polish

Jane Philhower

Baby ear of corn: '•Mama, where did I come A little Negro man came home one night- from?" looked at his wife and started stroppin' his razor. razor, Mama ear of corn: "Hush, dear- the stalk Wife: "What fo you sharpin' dat brought you." honRy?" Husband: "Well, I aims to shave if dere ain't nobody in dose shoes under yo bed."

First Old Maid: "I shiver every time I think of a handsome young man kissing me." Second Old Maid: "And here I've been think- Fido, a member of the WAAGA, has asked to ing you had St. Vitus dance all these years." bs transferred to a new post.

The doctor was visiting Late to bed. Rastus' wifs to deliver her Early to rise. twelfth offspring. While rid- Makes a girl saggy, draggy ing along with Rastus he saw and baggy, a duck in the road. Under the eyes. Doctor: "Whose duck is that?" Rastus: "That ain't no duck, that's a stork with his legs wore off." What makes people walk in their sleep? Twin beds! Then thers was the little tot who wondered, if all horses *^WC V\e%Q^Vt The Spectator say "nsigh," where in the world Q^PoLS&IOn do little horses come from?"

Senior: "How do you like our little school?" A Scotchman walked up to a friend at the bar Freshman: "It's the first cemetery that I've and began telling about a hunting trip. ever seen with lights in it." "We shot a couple of bears," he said, "but the biggest thrill was tracking yuers." "What's yuers?" asked the friend. "I'll have a beer, thanks," replied the Scotch- "This looks like the end of the re'gn," said the man. put a under the king's carriage. man as he bomb "Well, I'll have to be going. Got to gat home and do my chores." "What chores?" asked the Scotchman. "Beer, please." said the other. "I guess I'll cut in on this dance," said the surgeon, as he chloroformed the St. Vitus patient. "I let you have a cot in the ballroom," The Old Maid can replied the clerk in a Washington hotel, "But there is a lady in the opposite corner. However, if you don't make any noise, she'll be none the wiser." And then there's the one about the man who "Fine," said the tired Ensign, and into the had been walking down the street with one foot in ballroom he went. the gutter and the other on the sidewalk. He was not getting along very well. After about a half- Five minutes later he came running out to the mile, he met the shore patrol. clerk. "You're drunk," said the S. P. "Say," he said, "That woman in there is dead." "Thank goodness," he replied. "I thought I was lame." "I know," was the answer. "But how, sir, did The Log you find out?" 26 ::

COLLEGE POLISH

"Pardon me, Mrs. Astor, but it never would have happened, if you hadn't stepped between me and the spittoon."

Have you heard about the absent-minded American who, in an overseas air raid, rushed to the bomb-proof cellar, knocked three times and askeid for Gus. Coast Guard Magazine

Squire Pei'kins: "Nell, after I die, I wish you would marry Deacon Brown." Nell: "Why so, Hiram?" : "Well, the Deacon trimmed me on a horse trade once."

Breathes there a man with soul so dead That never to himself hath said. When he stubbed his toe against the bed,

* * * * ! : ! Blk? ? — — ! XX ; ; : X G The Spectator

"What are you putting in your vest pocket there. Murphy?" "That's a stick of dynamite. Every time that Riley sees me he slaps me on the chest and breaks all my cigars. The next time he does it he's •"•**?•*«*€« f»fiA^l«.«n \ going to blow his hand off."

Old Woman (to cripple) "My dear young man, you've lost your leg."

Cripple (glancing down) : "Well, darn if I haven't."

Will: "Aren't you getting tired of this bachel- or life all the time, Bill?" Bill: "Certainly not! What was good enough for my father is good enough for me!" The Spectator

If You Lived In the Old South Continued from page 23

library you would have also ; "The Practice of Piety," "Me(3itations on Eternity," "The Art of Contentment," "The Ladies Calling," Lord Halifax's "The Lady's New Year Gift," and William Sherlock's "Practical Dis- course Concerning Death." Probably you would not have restricted your reading to the work especially prepared for your sex. If you had a real interest in books, probably you would have become acquainted with standard works in history, travel, science, and English literature. And so you see how you would have lived during the seventeenth or the eight- eenth, century in the Old South.

27 THE COLONNADE

"A Solace and a Delight" tleman would be glad of a quiet day in which to meditate on his message for the Ccmtinuued fiovi page 21 evening. Binum, however, wailed, still in a she began her tale. And 1 melted away from hurry to be gone, that that was not the the ironing board into a misty, enchanted point at all. "Lawd, Mist' Lee, Y'all think world of gingerbread houses and sugar Ah'm gwine trust dat man by his se'f in plum trees. The witches were gruesomely mah house? S'cuse me ,suh! Ah'll be back real, and the good fairies delightfully love- soon's he leaves." Thus, he departed—a pro- ly. With a style which I still prefer to tective black bent on the defense of Grimm's, she created for me a magic world, his property. Doubtless Binum was among colored by the richness of her voice and the the most ardent of the worshippers at dramatic quality of her gestures. "meetin' " that night—responding jubi- Gretchen's only child was a hunch-back, lantly to the exhortations of an eloquent and wlien I was older I watched her as she preacher. for the little boy a world far apart made It was Binum again, with his faculty for see from his deformity, in which he might keen analysis of situations, who came into himself the handsomest of black princes. as my uncle's office, wiping sweat from his If the art of negro story-telling is ever brow with a large brilliant-colored handker- lost, children, white and black, will have chief, and remarked, "Yassuh, Yass-Suh! lost a precious part of their childhood, for Looks lak ever'body got more'n day kin do. nowhere is there found a more vivid imag- —Lessen' dey wuks by de hour." He had, it ination, or a more beautiful simplicity appears, been observing the activities of a than in the spontaneous folk-tales of the group of day laborers, utilizing their shov- black race. els as supports. This also childlike simplicity, especially Religion is inextricably a part of the among country negroes, is perhaps their lives of negroes, but it rarely seems to bind most appealing characteristic. They appear them to the prosaic "straight and narrow." to have an innate understanding of human A neg^o without a roaring Saturday night, nature. It is difficult to deceive negroes, for complete with dice games and flashing they are seldom awed by such externals as pocket knives or razors, is false to the tra- color, social position, or financial status. ditions of his race. There may be some The classic example of this talent for char- reason for the classic exclamation "Lawd! acter analysis is, to my mind, the remark Ah'd rather be a nigger jist fo' one Sat'dy made by a lively, middle-aged negro man, night, than a white man the rest o' mah who cooked for us on camping expeditions. life!" But, for the majority of negroes, at Binum had, in great agitation requested to least, "Sat'dy night" has no apparent effect be allowed to return home for the day. Nat- on the rest of their lives. In the words of urally perturbed at the threat of losing the William Alexander Percy, "Your negro best cook in Rockbridge County,, even for a nurse may carve her boy-friend from ear to day, my uncle inquired into the cause of his ear at mid-night, and yet at 6 A. M. she will haste. There was, it developed, a visiting be changing the baby's diaper while she minister leading a series of "preachin's" at sings 'Hear, the Lambs a-calling'." his church. The Reverend was spending his Somehow, their vices are accepted, as time between meetings at the homes of the Mr. Percy says, as "amiable weaknesses." various members of the congregation. Bin- They seem entirely apart from their reli- um's turn to be host had come. His wife had gion. been called away from home to minister to God is a very real part of the negro's an ailing grandmother, leaving the preacher life. His explanation of every phase of alone in the house, except for the children, nature lies simply and trustfully in God's who were going about their own business, hand. The most graphic description which

unmindful of their guest. My uncle sug- I have ever heard of the hot Virginia sun, gested, in good faith, that perhaps the gen- was given by an ancient colored man, pers-

28 "A SOLACE AND A DELIGHT"

piring as he laboriously plowed row after see it now; the people would turn their row of corn. "Whee-e," he whistled, "De heads and whisper his name as he passed. Lawd done dumb up dar wid a can ob ile What had he to live for? Perhaps it would and lit dat bi-g lamp up!" have been better if he had not been one of No race on earth is more communicative the so-called lucky guys who survived the with animals than the negro. They can con- war. verse as happily with a hound dog or a mule Looking out of the window, as they as with an old friend. companionship The neared the town, he saw the familiar coun- between the old man who works on my tryside. Then he saw a young girl hurrying grandfather's farm and his mule, Jenny, down a shady lane. Somehow, she reminded has grown up over a period of some ten him of Joan ; maybe it was the way she held years. Dolphus scolds and praises the ani- her head with the sunlight catching her mal as he would a child. Jenny's tempera- hair. Joan had been sweet to him; she had ment being that of all her kind, she is at wanted to stay with him even after every- times moved to stop, usually in the middle one else had condemned him. She alone of a row, and regard the landscape with a believed him innocent. But her parents had peaceful eye. On one such occasion Dolphus caused them to break up, and sent Joan was heard to object, a little more vehem- away to live with her aunt and to forget ently than was his custom. "Git along dar, him. All during the time he was away, he mule!" he admonished. "You do de plow- had lost all contact with her and Venton. He ing'! do de lookin'!" Lemme wondered v^^ether she was married now, Surely there is no race so charmingly where she was, and whether she'd changed. simple, so completely averse to physical Yes, he admitted to himself, he was still exertion, so beautifully mannered, or so very much in love with her. exasperating to live with. As Mr. Percy con- The train was pulling into the station. cisely describes them they are "a pain and a He looked out of the window; things seemed grief to live with—a solace and a delight." about the same. Then he saw her! A tall young woman was standing there. Was it The Climax she? Yes, it was Joan! No, it couldn't be. Yes, there she was! How did she know he Continued from page 14 was on the train? Perhaps there was some- and had let things slide along for about one else on the train. The train stopped in to eighteen months. Then, he had gone suddenly. He was getting off. She stood his fill his father's place. Mr. Cawthorne, there wlatching, searching all the faces for Jim's father's partner, was very shrewd, but the one she waited. Her eyes met his. There father had been a good man to match him. was the familiar twinkle in them she could- He had kept Cawthorne out of trouble. But n't control. She stood there almost unable his Jim, always trusting, was not wise to to move; then as if someone had pushed started in busi- tricks. Soon after Jim had her, she stumbled toward him. Yes, it was ness, Cawthorne had brought charges he she'd been waiting for, against him for theft of a large sum of "Jim," she said breathlessly, "it's all money and had been successful in his trick- right. Your name's been cleared !" ery. It had taken all of Jim's money and "Joan, I don't understand." He had her stock to pay Cawthorne, but Jim had not hand in his. He hadn't realized when he had to go to prison. Perhaps it would have took it, only that it was the natural thing been better if he'd been sent to prison to to do.. Jpay his debt to society. All he had left in Venton was the old homestead, but what Tears came to her eyes, "Explain later was a home when the whole town held a when there's more time. I've waited for you, crime he'd never committed against him? Jim." Nervously, he looked at his watch. In a He took her in his arms. It was the hap- half hour he'd be back in Venton. He could piest moment of his life—the real climax. 29 THE COLONNADE

fine, once out of the oven. It was amazing, Mr. Simmons Settles Things because he hadn't known the first thing about Chocolate Jumbles or T's and Tb's, Continued from page 20 or moderate ovens when he decided to un- conventions, or sitting home with him at dertake their production. One thing that nights reading when she'd probably rather worried him, though, was the thought that have been out dancing with one of her num- perhaps he had just been hungry enough, erous young men. Mr. Simmons did hate to so that anything tasted good to him. Oh, let her down. If only he could cook .... well ... he polished his glasses with his

Wait ! That was it ! If Mrs. McKenney were fresh white handkerchief, settled them on only as efficient as he imagined her to be. the top of is head, scrawled a hasty note to Mr. Simmons hastily drew out his hand- Susan, and turned his attention to the kerchief, removed and wiped his glasses, papers on his desk. and put them back on the top of his head, The letter from Susan came two days and began squinting, bare-eyed, at the row later. Mr. Simmons started when he came of cook-books in the lower cupboard. The to it, sandwiched in between an ad from a first one he pulled out was not good. The law firm and a letter from his most hoped- second was written in French. The third was for client. He stared nervously at it for sev- old and worn around the edges . . . and in it eral moments, polished his glasses furi- he found a recipe for a Mammy's Jumbo ously, polished them again, and laid them Chocolate Jumbles. He scanned the require- on his desk. Then With utmost care he took they ments . . . .two eggs, well-beaten (did his letter - opener and slit the end of the come that way, or must he beat them?) . . . envelope. Yes, there were fresh eggs on hand. 1 c brown sugar. C would mean cup . . . Yes, "Deraest Daddy," he read. (Then all was well) they had that. 2 sq. chocolate, melted. That, "You're a miracle-man! Did you really make too, was in the cupboard. IV2 c flour . . . the chocolate cookies, or are you and Mrs. Mc- plenty of flour . . . c shortening, creamed V2 Kenny trying to put something over on an in-

. . . easy . . . creamed ? Oh, yes softened for nocent college girl? If they hadn't been packed mixing, not mixed with cream! Vanilla, in a shirt box, and addressed in your own nuts (chopped), baking soda, salt, milk . . . handwriting, I'd deilare that they came from Yes, investigation proved that Mrs. McKen- the bakery. Dad, why in the world didn't I ny was a very understanding and efficient know before that you are such a good cook? housekeeper-cook. Mr. Simmons rolled up They were the best Chocolate Jumbles I ever his sleeves, tied on a drapey apron, took a ate in my whole life long!" deep breath, and set to work.

* ^^ :!: * * Mr. Simmons stopped reading long enough At the office the next day, Mr. Simmons to straigten his tie and clear his throat, whistled about everything, and hummed a and then began again. His eyes widened at bit and polished his glasses more frequently the next sentence, and widened even more than usual. He was tired, yes, for he had at the next . . . been up much later than usual. In fact, it was nearly one o'clock when he had wiped "You see, Pops, it meant so much to me to the last dish, and tied up the generous-sized tell the girls that my own Daddy made them box of Mammy's Jumbo Chocolate Jumbles, for me, and it made them so nice and envious! and his right arm ached from beating and Their fathers naturally can't cook, and their stirring the gummy brown goo; and then, mothers never-ever have time. Do you remem- too, he had got up an hour earlier than ber the party I wrote you about three or four usual in order to go to the post office before days ago? Jane's mother sent a cake that she he came down to the firm .But he couldn't had bought at the bakery, Lois' mother s-ent help feeling things would turn out all right, candy that their cook made, and Peg's mother because gummy as they had looked in the sent cookies that she had bought somewhere

bowl, the Chocolate Jumbles had tasted already packaged, and honestly . . . when I got

30 MR. SIMMONS SETTLES THINGS

your no'te, and told the gang that YOU had made Chocolate Jumbles, all by yourself with-

out even Mi's. MIcKenny to tell you how ..."

Mr. Simmons was having trouble with his eyesight and with his breathing. Some- thing seemed to blur the pages of Sue's let- ter, and there was a lump somewhere in his esophagus that wouldn't go either way. But there was something akin to pride in his voice when he finally lifted the telephone and gave the number of the corner grocery store. From a file card in his pocket, Mr. Simmons read an odd list of articles and asked that they be sent to his home address before evening. The list included ginger and dates and raisins and a bar of unsweetened

chocolate . . . and confectioners' sugar and black walnuts. His life and his lonely eve- nings had suddenly become a beautiful vision of date-bars and ginger cakes, and Mammy's Jumbo Chocolate Jumbles. Mr. Simmons lifted 'his glasses from off his desk, polished them carefully with his handkerchief, and replaced them on the top of his head. Then he smiled a Mr.-Simmon- beycKiets b sy-sort-of-smile, and settled back in his 9 EAST SSIh STREET • NEW YORK 16 • Kerchiefs • Masterpiece chair to finish reading the letter from his creators of the Famous Four Print Romance • Flower of the Mon'/h ^ Career Girt lovely daughter Susan. JUST OPENED There are some thinkers about whom Farmville Electric Appliance we always feel easy, because they never have a thought of sufficient magnitude to Company be made uncomfortable by its possession. Expert Repair on Radios

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