The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-10

After the conclusion of the annual meet
ing of the w. G. A. in Philadelphia, IT
was our fortune to be invited to spend a
few days in what we have named ARC a.
Sia, y because it proved to be such rest
ful spot among the hills that cluster
around the countryside in the neigh bor-
hoodcf OgontG College, CheltoH Hills, and
other rural places wslich shall be name
less.
There we went accompanied by the
president of the association, who was
bound for Ogontz, but who had a few
hours to spare, and'shis is what we found
;aa old stone house built in Revolutionary
days, and having grown, bit by bit, until
it had become a rambling old mansion,
with the graces of old age blended with
the conveniences and modern improve
ments in way that was both picturesque
and delightful to see. This ancient manor
house is now occupied by FIVE sisters
F7riends-who keep ''worldly'' boarding
school. That is, the school is not under
the regime of friendly discipline, but as
ods as is the house of architecture.
The domain was originally farm house
surrounded by some thirty acres of land,
all up hill and down dale, picturesque, but
simply a plain farmers home, that of a
family who used "thee'' and 'thou'' to
each other in familiar conversation, and
still do, for that matter But strange
changes have come to this home. The
old people have gone to rest, and the
rooms once silent as tomb, because
music or singing savored of 'wordliness"
now resound to the tones of young and
happy voices, and of piano and stringed
instruments. Where newspapers were
once tabooed because they told of wars
and rumors of wars, they arrive daily
from various cities and presses and where
once the printed story was considered as "a
snare'' to be sedulously avoided, the
magazines, and the newest novels arrive
regularly, and LIBRARIES hold thousands of
volumes of tie classics, which both
teachers and scholars CLEAN from arou1ad
the many round tables in happy groups of
winter evenings, when the story is read
aloud to serve all interested in the same,
is common incident.
About thirty pupils, young ladies mostly,
find congenial home in this retreat and
their life is not confined to a daily routine
without variety, since it is no uncommon
thing for the pupils, accompanied by
teachers, to attend the theatre or opera
tie matinee, or take an excursion trip to
Washington or some other interesting
point during the holidays. Indeed, the
word education, as considered by the we'll
to-do today, has a much wider scope than
it once did, including amusement, recrea-
ton, travel and social life, for the occa-
sional concert ending with ''hop" is,
also, added to this friendly stock of possi-
bilities, and books are thus made to fit
into their places; study hours are not too
long, and school days become so pleasant
even young ladies, with bright social pros
poets, are sorry when graduation day
comes round, if they have not made up
their minds to go through college, for this
young ladies school fits for college, having
sent many pupils to Wellesly and other
higher seats of learning.
Gay Young Life.
To me this gay young life in this once
quiet home was most interesting as a
study of evolution, although, with the
exception of one member, the original
family still retain their fellowship with
the religion of their ancestors.
The school house is apart by itself, and
the greenest of lawns, with winding
paths under century-old trees, made it
seem like Already, the blest to me; and
for once my sense of locality, in the
house, was at fault. l always lost myself
going to my room, having an inclination
TO take the stairway to the right instead
of the left where my room was located;
as sweet, clean and dainty as though it,
too, had been dropped out of Revolution
airy periods; all its appointments being so
simple. A low bedstead stood out in the
down to the floor and from under a low
foot board. Deep recessed window seats
were piled with books and dolls, for this
was my friends private room, and she
occupied it with a little motherless girl
whom she took under her motherly pro-
lection.
Looking out one took in sweep of a
hundred acres, across the way, owned by
John Wanamaker, and it's castled walls
which he occupies as his country seat.
Indeed, the whole neighborhood was di-
vided up into more or less honey, or
show places, the homes of wealthy men
who do business in the adjacent city of
brotherly love, coming out to these re-
treats where, let us hope, they left their
cares behind them, being able to enjoy
their hedges, shade and luxurious sur
roundings.
Our friends took us little ride one
morning through this facinating region.
And we saw for ourselves how the pride
of man has TO sooner or later fall, )" for
Ogontz rears its proud walls over what
was once the stately estate and home of
the great banker, Jay Cooke. But deep
in the dell, almost hid by willow and
weeping larch, is the cold mausolem of
his wife; the first i'll stroke of fortune
was in depriving him of her companion
ship. She so loved the place it became
her tomb and shrine AS a college,
Ogontz has a name and reputation that
will ever keep its name synonymous with
all that is best for woman IS elevation.
Lucretia Motifs Home.
But more significant to me was the
plain stone house where that rarest, most
Loon.;f,,l ,.,ounan and cNvaataet of sri,;+s