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Whenever an unwelcome word is dropped
Which brings to mind that near Examination.But in the future gleams another scene,
Well known to weary students as Vacation.
And strengthened with the hope of reaching that,
We'll brave the horrors of Examination.
In the editorial of Jury 12, 1866, occurs an account of a fair given by the faculty and young ladies, the proceeds of which were devoted to purchasing a new piano. Fancy work, made by the young ladies, refreshments, flowers, etc., were sold, and also a number of framed pictures of Bishop Clarkson, one of which most every young lady purchased.
Speaking of examinations reminds me of the story of a pupil of this time. On the Board of Examiners was Mr. O. P. Harford, a resident of Omaha in those days, who was blessed with a dry sense of humor which would keenly enjoy the dismay of the pupils and their too evident awe of the august board. A class was up for examination in History. Mr. Harford picked up the textbook, and glancing at the questions with a perfectly sober face propounded, "Whither went the Jews?" Evidently expecting the pupil to be overwhelmed with confusion at her inability to answer. But her common sense rose to the occasion and she as calmly inquired, "Where had they been?" Mr. Harford's enjoyment of the joke was probably none the less keen that it was turned upon himself.
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February 15, 1867. In looking over pictures fresh from the studio of time, and hung in the gallery of our memory, we find a painting not yet completed. With difficulty do we trace the outline, but the subject is Examination Day. In the foreground we see the Board of Examiners in formidable array, the "literatissimi" of Nebraska, propounding all sorts of questions to the trembling fairies, who shrinking far into the background secretly wish they had the magic lamp to summon genii who would convey them to some bright sphere where Examination days would never dawn. Few of us, I believe, have come forth unscathed today from the contest of sharpened wits. We wonder if Plutarch or Socrates held public examinations and if so who were the Board of Examiners.
April, 1867. Since we last listened to the Chimes, Brownell Hall has been favored with a call from General Sherman. He visited the school room and one or two received a quiet blessing, while others more favored - ,were granted a cordial shake of the hand. It would be difficult to describe the enthusiasm of the young ladies after he had made his exit. Those who had been so fortunate as to receive his attention were seized and nearly torn in pieces; the organ which he had leaned against during his stay was really an object of interest, insomuch that it was saluted almost as respectfully as if it had been General Sherman himself. We think even the General would have been flat-
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tered had he known the sensation that his presence created among the young Brownellites.
May 24, 1867. Order of Exercises at Brownell Hall:
Part First--6 o'clock a. m. Exordium, Morning dawns followed by his majesty the Sun, which throws its golden rays over the earth giving all mankind a feeling of cheerfulness. Second--"Grand Martyrdom" with a coarse towel. Third--the devotee in bath--the Deluge. It is generally received in breathless state. After recovering breath anew, the "Grand Martyrdom with variations," excites a healthy action and rosy color. Fourth--Fifteen minutes to don oneself in appropriate toilette. Fifth--Fifteen minutes to seven we are reminded by the faithful monitor the bell, to assemble in our pleasant school room where we all unite in praising God for his goodness and for our preservation; we read the psalms for the day, the Creed, ended by prayers offered up by our worthy rector. Sixth--Attack of hunger appeased.
Part Second--First--"Knowledge is Power" Study hour from eight till nine. Second--Recitation hours from nine till half-past twelve o'clock, with recess of five minutes between each' recitation. Third--Variation on the pedals, duration thirty minutes. Hunger appeased.
Part Third--First, Croquet, duration thirty
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minutes. Second--Recitation hours from halfpast one till five minutes past three, intermission as above. Third--the bell again sends its clear notes echoing through the walls of B. Hall summoning the teachers and scholars to the school room to read the evening psalm. Fourth--Exercise an hour, pedestrian or croquet or on rainy days gymnastic. Fifth--"The Harmony of all Things," study hour from half-past four until six. Sixth--Hunger appeased.
Part Fourth--First--Croquet, duration thirty minutes. Second--Study hour from half-past seven until half-past eight, intermission five minutes. The monitress rings the bell for evening prayers. Third--Half an hour to gossip, then the bell is rung for us to scamper to our rooms. Lastly the bell resounds through the hall for us to put out our lights. Morpheus, who visits the humblest cot as well as the princely mansion, is impatiently waiting for his weary Brownellites to rest their brains and invigorate them for the coming morning's duties. "Oh happy, happy be thy dreams."
In the editorial of July 12, 1867, we find the following:
"The sorrow of our farewells today are twofold, for the dear proprietress of the Chimes will depart not to return again to this office. Since the first day of Brownell Hall's advent into the educational world, she has been with us always faithful, patient and kind, and not
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only in the editorial sanctum will we miss her, but the school room, the table, every exercise, every nook and corner of Brownell will demand her back. Words are weak when we endeavor to express our thanks for her kindness, and we can only assure her that we shall ever cherish her memory in our hearts, following her with our earnest prayers for her safety and happiness." This referred to Miss M. Louise Gillmore, who gave up her position after occupying it for five years, and took up her residence in Chicago.
The editorials make frequent mention, and always with evident pleasure, of visits from "our beloved Bishop," and recount sometimes the devotion of some of their number to the Christian life through confirmation.
The Fairies even rung the Bells for woman's rights. Just listen! "My dear friends and fellow sisters: 'Tis fully time that we, the inmates of Brownell, should heed the call which is resounding throughout our glorious Union, the call for recruits in the Army of Women. We must rouse ourselves from our lethargy and * * * we shall soon revel in the enjoyment of privileges which our quondam lords and masters have monopolized. We shall see the White House in the possession of our East Army Corps before the first of January, and on the fourth of March we shall place one of our most worthy sisters in the presidential chair. We will tear down the pictures in the Senate Cham-
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ber and substitute fashion plates. We will assemble each month to select and adopt new fashions. We will build a lecture room for Dame Grundy and Madame Rumor. * * * Into the kitchen we will hurl our conquered masculines. * * * We must collect immediately all the broom sticks, shovels and pokers into one place and bake a supply of gingerbread and cookies for the campaign before us. * * * Let us hasten our preparations to join the main army. Every volunteer will call at Dr. Vernon's office tomorrow and register her name."
Ah, now comes a name as editress that brings a tear of sadness, for its fair possessor left us years ago and joined the band beyond. She so beloved of all, dear Anna Barkalow, and her editorial seems an outpouring of her own nature, gentle, with a kindly word of encouragement for the striving beginner.
One young lady describes a trip to Europe, setting sail from Boston Harbor in the good ship "Imagination."
April 24, 1868.
"TOUT A FAIT PASSE."
Dame Brains did come by merest chance
In times long passed away
Upon these words so strange and fit,
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"She sent post haste for keen Sir Wit,
To hear what he would say,
Or if perchance he'd ever seen
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"
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And also to her council called
Lord Humorous, bland and gay,
For much these words did trouble her,
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"Next to her trusty friend Satire
She turned without delay,
She turned without delay,
That by his wisdom she might solveBut crafty Wit sent back reply
He'd come some other day,
While Humorous said his answer was,
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"And Satire, crusty and severe,
Did shortly say her nay.
He answer silly queries of
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"Then backward through the ages
All wrapt in shadows gray
She searched to find this mystery,
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"But though in every volume,
In almost every lay,
She found these words recurring,
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"They did not give her any aid,
But in their dim array
They seemed to mock at her and stare
"You're 'tout a fait passé!"
This had no signature, but was too good to pass by.
CROQUET.
Had I a quill from the wing of Time,
And a drop from an inky cloud,
Had I with the highest powers of rhyme
By Erato been endowed,
Were I a favorite of "ye muse"
Or an Everett's eloquence could use,
No words that I might find to say
Would justice do the game Croquet.
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It rivals every balm and lotion
For roseate cheeks and sparkling eyes,
It gives you easy, graceful motion
And makes you healthy, wealthy, wise,
It smooths all ruffled tempers high
And drives away both tear and sigh,
It calls forth smiles and answers gay,
This charming, witching game, Croquet.
A partial picture of life is foundBy the sober, sedate and grave,
In this arch array of the croquet ground,
The voyage from cradle to grave.
Full oft one in life a booby begins,
In the end from his fellows the battle wins,
And those who start most successful and gay
Do not always win in capricious Croquet.
It reigns supreme at Brownell Hall,And to assert its sovereign power
A happy Faculty can call
Its own at almost any hour.
A little nonsense now and then
Is relished by the wisest men,
And e'en our rector feels the sway
Of lr-re-sist-i-ble Croquet.
We "fairies" have only tried the gameIn matter of fact daylight,
I've heard that far more wondrous fame
It has won in pale moonlight.
We have the moon, but genii need,
Without whom it must be dull indeed,
But the time will come when we can play
In Luna's light that kind of Croquet.DI VERNON.
February 28, 1868. We are sure when our Brownell school days are past and gone that in calling up their pleasant memories we shall linger longest on those of the Friday evening receptions when the habitation of the "fairies" was lighted up so brilliantly for the entertainment of their friends. How hospitably they
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were received by the two elected to give them welcome, how we used to suffer from the intensely intellectual atmosphere of the Library until the guests had arrived and we were permitted to pass out. One long breath and we are ourselves again. The halls resounded with the merry voices of the sylph-like beings who flitted about and mirth and happiness reigned supreme. Suddenly the sound of music is heard, then hand joins hand, and away we all go chasing the glowing hours with flying feet. But everything pleasant must have an end. In the very midst of enjoyment, the ever present monitor of the school rings out the unwelcome warning that the hour has arrived for the breaking up of the Fairy Festival. The transformation is complete; the bright and happy things suddenly resume their every-day existence, a moment of prayer and they vanish into darkness and dreamland.
May 8, 1868.
MAY DAY AT BROWNELL.
We chronicle since our last issue one of the merriest fetes that has dawned upon sober old Brownell. 'Twas on May day evening that a stranger peeping into our fairy castle might have been as startled at the unwonted revelries as Tam O'Shanter of old. Where in every-day life the bare walls of our school room greet the sight, the monarchs of the forest towered their lofty heights, and the graceful vines twined in
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rich festoons. Spring blossoms bloomed in all their native beauty, while crystal springs abounded from which we drank in long, refreshing draughts -- lemonade. Benevolent fairies distributed in jeweled caskets not dew drops and rose leaves, but jelly cake. The chief feature of the evening, however, was the recital of several favorite poems by our "fairy prince Arthur." Gaily we tripped the light fantastic toe until all too soon the evening drew to a close. In our dreams that night a band of angels visited us with strains of heavenly music. Long will that evening linger in our memory, and oft in the far-off future our hearts will live over again this May day at BrownelL
"Why ought our teacher in Botany to be classed in the vegetable kingdom Because she is a Flora."
October 5, 1866. Yesterday afternoon I was writing to--no matter whom--when Mr. Goodale came into the room and invited us to gono matter where--and help ourselves to muskmelons. Without waiting for a second invitation we went and were having a nice time picking out the largest, but not the best melons, when a buggy drove up to the fence with the Hon. Geo. Francis Train and Mr. Ruth inside. With pleased countenances they watched us, some climbing over the fence, and some crawling under laden with melons:
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"What kind of liquor do the young ladies of this school like best? Good Ale."
GREAT EXCITEMENT!!!!!
TRAGEDY IN HIGH LIFE!!!!!
VILLAIN ESCAPED!!!!!
$300,000 REWARD OFFERED!!!!!
Since our last issue a great disturbance has been occasioned through the instrumentality of one individual. We have an account of the affair from good authority which runs as follows
A fascinating young gent, calling himself Lieut. Harrie Rosebud, had made the acquaintance of the fair and talented Lulu M. and after a proper time had elapsed requested her hand in marriage. Being accepted, the wedding day was fixed upon for the first of November. The extensive preparations were completed and the friends assembled to witness the ceremony. In the midst of the solemn scene the doors were thrown open and Lawyer Ashton entered, leading a pale, yet beautiful Italian in whose name he forbade the banns, stating that she was the lawful wife of the groom-elect. While the consternation was at its zenith, Lawyer Montague rushed in with a lovely French lady claiming also to be his wife, and forbidding the marriage. 'Tis needless to say the excitement was intense. The deeply dyed villain in his despair attempted to put an end to his miserable existence with a dagger, which he had concealed in his bosom,
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but was restrained by Ashton. He was conducted from the room followed by his fainting would-have-been bride borne in the arms of her attendants. It appears that he had married the first lady in Naples seven years before; after squandering her fortune he fled, went to Paris, married the lady No. 2, came to America with her fortune, and had nearly added Miss M. to his list of victims when Providence happily interfered. Mons. Hal De Vere, a rejected suitor of R. 's last wife, had succeeded in ferreting out his designs and brought them to this crisis. The friends of the wronged have offered $300,000 reward to any one who will bring him back or give satisfactory proof of his death. When last heard of he was lurking round Brownell.
An editorial of February 26, 1869, says: We extend a loving greeting to our Bishop who is now at the head of this large family. * * * We trust he will find his stay among us pleasant and that we may prove worthy daughters.
And one of May 14, 1869: We refer also to the greatest work of the age, now completed, the railroad that unites the two oceans. This is completed, and while all the land is echoing with the shouts of joy and the thunders of jubilant cannon, it is right that we should chime in with the universal proclamations of a grateful people. The Pacific Railroad is finished! The deeps of the Atlantic cry out to the deeps of the
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Pacific, and the whole vast continent from New York to San Francisco is bound together with iron links.
The first number of "The Chimes," still extant, is dated March 11, 1864, and the last June 18, 1869. The numbers for 1868 and 1869 are very incomplete and imperfect, not having been securely bound. This includes a period of five and one-half years, and with two numbers a month there ought to be, to make the files complete, about 110 numbers. There are, I think, 76 numbers nearly complete, and perhaps a dozen more in loose sheets. These contain probably considerably more than a thousand articles from the pens of the Brownell Hall students. The publication was discontinued after the year 1869.
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