The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-08-16

poughkeepse. n. Y, Aug. l6.-SOciety
and etiucat ional circles in this city are
profoundly shocked by the announcement
I'm q local paper yesterday that one of the
graduating class OF Eassar College this
wear was 4 negro girl, who, concealng her
race, entered the college, took the -four
wears couiye, and, finally, confessed the
truth to professor a few DAYS befosecoIn
mencement. The facts were communicated
20 the faculty, W hich body in secret session
decided 20 allow the girl TO Receive her
diploma with her class.
VasSar is noted for its eXclu 3veness, and
every Official of the college refuses to
cav aughi regarding this girl graduate. She
has been known as one OF me most beauti-
full yourg women who ever attended The
great institution of learning, and even now
women who received her in their homes as
their equs.l 10 not deny her beauty. Atthe
RECEPTION, on Founders day, Phiialethian
day and the other holidays OF the college
wear none of the fair students was more
eagerls sought by the men from Yale,
Harvard AID the other universities who
attended these events.
Her fellow students called her THE beau-
tiful brunette" Her manners were those
of a person of gentle birth, and her 'ntelli.
geuce aud ability were recognized alike by
her classmates and professors. Her skin
was DARK, but not swarthy. Her hair WAS
taacG. but straight as an Indians, and she
usually gathered IL in a knot at the back
OF her head. Hereyes were coal black, and
OF piercing brilliancy. Her appearance
Was such that in other environments she
might have been taken for an Indian; in
deed, not a few OF the students whispered
that Indian blood flowed in her veins.
In her tlard year in college il was hinted
that her ancestors might have had coiored
blood mixed with the New England blue
hood, Of which ste wes fond Of taking
She wouid often speak OF her brother, OF
whom she seeme q to b. proud, and Oncethe
young man came 10 see her. The other
girls eyed tim curiOu1y. His skin was OF
the same dusky hue as his sisters.
In her senior year the statements this
beautiful dark young woman made about
her relstives. their SIS yie OF living the splen-
doI of her room, etc, prompted her room
mate, who already had her suspicious
aroused by gossip, to repeat them TO her
father. a well-known business man.
He caused inquiries TO be made about the
pretty brumette's family in her native town.
The Investigation failed TO find the culture
and wealth and family name OF which she
boasted. The name was the same, but
the family was that OF respectable negro
who owned a small estate The brunette
beauty few da Us later lost her room
mate, upon the advice OF the latteT's father.
This incident added TO the gossip in the
college. and a few DAYS before commence
Iaent tie whisperings OF her classmates
reached tie oolored girls cars. she was
heartbroken to learn that her secret was
suspected perhaps known. Going to one
of the professors she bravely told every
thing.
As little girl she said she attracted the
attention OF a woman or wealth and posi-
tion who saw her possibilities or noble
womanhood. This woman took. the little
colored girl into her household, gave e. her
all the advantages OF money and refine
ment, and as a result she passed the re-
Uired examinations, entered Fassar and
completed the prescribed course of study.
The kind-hearted professor, a woman,
wiped away the girls tears and spoke
words or encouragement Then she
went TO President Taylor with the story,
girl of commencement bonors and
diploma. The faculty considered the
matter gravely. Never had colored
girl been a student at aristocratic Vas
sar, and professors were at loss TO
foresee the effect upon the future il this
one were allowed to be graduated Yet
there il nothing In the college rules that
prohibits : oolored woman from entering
Vassar.
Commencement was but q few DAYS
off, and the girl would soon be gone and
forso:ten So it was decided 10 conceal
the facts, and 20 allow her to be gradu-
ated with her classmates. On class day
ana commencement the young woman
took a Prominent part in the exercises,
and OF all the hundred or more girls in
the class OF 'eT, none looked more at
tractive or acted more becomingly than this
girl OF negro birth