Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-11
A BOARDING SCHOOL SENSATION.
The Pupil who Passed HIms elf on
as n Young Lady-QuRker s Oeiety

The Pupil VINO Passed HimS eli On
as Young Lady-Quaker society
shocked.
New York Herald's Philadelphia Letter. De
cember O..
II the Quaker City is anything it is
hightoned. 1t has more blue blood than
Boston, and is quite as much given over
to aregard for the proprieties; henc so
ciety is easily shocked. just now we
are shocked. The gossips are in clover.
Philadelphia is an educated center.
We have all kinds of schools, good, bad
and Indifferent. But we are, perhaps,
most noted for number of institutions
denominated finishing schools for
girls They abound, in fact they may be
said to superabound; aud they grow
popular year by year. They are insti.
tutions, as your readers know, designed
to afford young ladies an opportunity OF
going to school without bothering their
heads over books. They thus supply a
crying want in society. Young ladies
are taught manners, and every finishing
touch is afforded One of the "insti-
tutes" even insttucts in the science OF
getting in and out of carriage grace
fully, and, believing in the virtue of
much practcing, ! am told an unused
coach has been provided in the back
yard Of the school, where the young la
dies can spend certain portions of the
day in acquiring this and other accom-
plishments.
OF course such institutions are in all
respects frst-class, beyond the suspicion
OF anything goirg amiss within their
vestal halls. Well, there has been a
lively commotion in certain one not
many blocks from Spruce street, never
theless. Not long ago an elderly gentle
man drove up to the door, disembarked
his trunks and introduced ain daugh-
ter to the matron. The daughter was
tall and handsome, tasteiully dressed,
and promised to be quite popular pupil.
In fact, just such one as the precep-
tress could take pride in sending forth
to the world, finished for society. So
when the father wanted to put her at the
school she was gladly accepted, both for
these reasons and for pecuniary consid-
erations. Then the father said good-by,
and, after leaving special instructions in
regard to the young girl, drove away.
Next, room was selected for her com
pany, of course, with the usual number
of roommates. Several days passed by;
the newcomer was growing very popular
with the other girls, as we'll as with the
teachers. Her wardrobe was extensive,
her manners attractive, and there
seemed to be certain charm about
her that all recognized, but none could
explain. She herself seemed happy, her
disposition was pleasant. and she laughed
a great deal. Sometimes the girls
couldn't understand why she laughed,
but a slight explanation satisfied. Well,
month passed away; the young lady
was a great favorite, hardly less SO with
all the girls than with her room mates, and
she was becoming quite accomplished.
But one day she sent trunk off for some
reason and pretty soon she left herself
Most of the household were astonished,
and Immediately the alarming story
spread that she wasn't girl at all. The
teachers tried to hush it up, but it
wouldn be hushed The room mates Of
the decamped young lady were besieged
for information. Then the story got out
of the school, it bas been verified. and
the result has been perceptible commo
ton in society circles.
There is, am told, no doubt that a
bold and audacious fraud has been per
pe,rated on the managers of the school,
and smoothfaeed youth of about twenty
introduced into the boudoirs of fash
ionable young ladies seminary. Any
wonder a sensation should ensue? The
scamp has not been captured and prob.
ably will not be, owing to q desire to
avoid publicity in the matter on the part
of the discreet, but nevertheless greatly
irritated, matrons OF. the school. have
not been able to get the full particulars,
and it would be improper to mention the
school; but enough has leaked out to
warrant thus much, and il there are any
further developments, you may be further
posted. This is given on the best of au-
thority. The room-mates are left in
particularly embarrassing position; bat
they have much sympathy, and | have
heard and hope to hear no uncharitable
insinuations