The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-17
Ghou9hts?
TBY THE ID OIL

r-bfa ia the season OF the year When
all the soninaries and female colleges
in the land throw open their portals
ard deluee the universe with legions Of
fair. sweet graduates. This is the sea-
son OF baccalaureate sermons and class
exercises final musical iecitals and the
comforting Of diplomas.
The lovely month OF June sees the
future debutant learned in all the wis
dom and sophistry OF her sex, issue forth
to revolutionize science and to eniishten
this benighted age. No artist OF pen
or brush has ever ventured TO intrude
sufficiently upon the domain of the iair
awe-inspiring graduate. TO describe her,
though one writer more bold thah MS
fellow colleagues has dared TO say that
they look like a tempting peach IN
tub of soap-suds. The smile 10 say the
least IS certainly descriptive reierflhs
as he did to graduation day. when tIe
rosy faced damsels appear In whlte u,
customary Of numberless hounces anu
fold. and the effect IS even STRENGTHENED
in this day of gigantic pun sleeves.
Perhaps Of all the agony ana pauent
suffering that admiring friends ana rel
atives are called upon 10 endure, none
are equal to the final musical; -,
thorght that. when the book or destiny
IS omen numbers OF musical instructors
VIII receive their reward. You ana 1
have been there. we have all been uleI,'
and suffered IN common. a cro"uet n CO,
the air so thick that a cross cut saw
could not make an impression upon IT.
while the heat causes small rivers 10
run off the ends OF our noses ana makes
us long 10 start for the land OF sno"
And the programme-so long that you
wonder II it has any end. ana every
number-Oh! the inconsistency OF the
whole affair." selection from some mn gIe ,,I
composer Why will dear nlammas ana
papas insist that Mary Jane or susan
Smith. as the case may be. must s I up
and mutiiate some divine composiI lon
What did Chopin, Bach, Mozart, ana the
rest of those dear old fellows do that
thev should be thus remembered 1t
my be that the attraction Is IN the
name and mamma thinks that Mary
James cognomen would look much more
aristocratic opposite a number from III
Blue" or "Whistle and Walt for Kate
In the course OF human events these
same female graduates settle DOWN ana
become sensible women, but what you
ana have to endure Before they awak-
en- to the fact that they are not All
Clara Belle Palmers or PATHS. Is simply
terrible. ,.
What a girl graduate does not know
when she first issues from the academic
shades Of her Alma Mater, Is not worth
knowing. The most trying experience
ever went through with. happened to me
upon the occasion of my nrst meetluS
with a Nassar graduate can 6eheI-
ally manage 70 carry on an average con
versatiOn with a girl, but the yours
lady in question, whose name was Smltn'
IL 1 remember correctly, was one w
many for me- l had just been intro,
duced and was forecastiug in my nina
during the first lull in cur cCnNersauon,
as to what / should say next, when she
suddenly took the breath cut OF my
poor cSrcass by asking me II was IL
terested in Protoplasm; Now / 49,
heard Of men who think twice before
they speak. II | Lad followed such
course I should have SAID 10, and ended
the subject. but l did rot want 70 APP
pear d fool So ! answered yes. nave
dcnc scme queer things IN my NJ ~ "a
that was the worst. With an ABSORBED
look. that as loaded up 10 the brim WIN
matured wisdom my fdlr lIltnd HtNt
asked me if ! agreed WIN Moil' I'M la1
Il was the nitrCgeEous material IN Nesr
table cells that produced secretion ana
Growth. This vas awful. ] had not the
slightest idea what protoplaSm meant 70
start out With, much less what the al
ferent authorities held upon the ques-
ton. ! was helpless. ! knew t9at inc
gr.Iin of common sense. but that did
not matter, she was well up on Internal
prctoplasm, and before she got thr0ush
/ figured as a perfec; blockhead l have
graduates and protoplasm.
Richmond was recently visited by
large unveling, and as II 70 make mat
tiers worse, quite Speu OF pedali!
weather in addition.
This historic city was invaded b. such
an army Of Veterans, and more youthlui
confederate soldiers. as would nave
caused the late General Grant TO shudder
for the safety Of the north II there snouid
ever be another conflict. For TWO days
the city simply turned itself wrong side
out in order TO do the honors OF the &C
CASTOR. 1t was strictly speaking private
unwilling, though the public were present
in large numbers.
The soldiers were here, innumerable
bands played patriotic airs. the rains de-
scended and vet everyone was happy.
The parade was a grand success as far
as marching in the mud and getting Wet
was concerned, while as II TO crown the
entire success Of the occasion the veil
refuse TO fall off when the cord was
pulled.
But dispite of the inclemency Of the
weather, and the long wait in the ram
while the grafton was being delivered,
the boys declared that they had de-
lishtfuI time after: it was all over
It will soon be time for the elite Of
Richmond TO take their departure Tor
out of town resorts Then Franklin
street viii assume much the same cast
of countenance. that a fellow does when
Angelica Shocks tells him she will IN
crease the number OF his sisters by one
The residential part Of the city vii
be dad for the next three months-yes as
dead. If not more so. than a dead mack
eral. The debutants and their fair sisters
Of somewhat longer soiourn upon the
tapis. are busy at present preparing for
the summer sel2e.
Bewitching morning gown. walking and
driving suits. with unique conceits In
the way Of the ballroom garb are husily
being gotten ready by the fair damsels.
Some are going away for rest and health.
avowed intention OF taking the degree
Of Mrs.-but apropos 10 this, next win
ter weddings will tell the successful ones.