The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-27
LIFE IN VASSAR.
Miss Abbie Ware Tells Something
About It-Mr. Wares Impromptu
Speech.

An amusing story is told of Mr.. EIu-
gene F. Ware who, with his wife, at
tended the commencement Of Vassar
college last month.
It was at dinner given by the trus-
tees Of the college to the alumnae and
no one attends these dinners unless
they have some close connection with
the college. But Mr.. Ware was there
and the postmaster arose and said
that he wished to hear from some one
west of the Mississippi river and called
upon Mr.. Ware. This was complete
surprise to Mr.. Ware and he tried TO
back out by saying that he was there
on the merits of his wife and daughter
who were both graduates of the college
and he was not prepared to talk me
POSTMASTER insisted however and MT
Ware was compelled to speak. he kuadS
a humorous speech which was quoted
at length by the Poughkeepsie Eagle
Mrs. Ware and daughter, Miss Abbie
Ware, are among the few graduates OF
Vassar college, living in Topeka. Mrs.
Ware graduated in 1870 and Miss Ware
in June, 1899. So many people have an
exaggerated idea. of Vassar and think
that the students do nothing but grind
away at their work the entire year,
with the slightest of recreations. But
this notion is all wrong and according
to these ladies it is one of the most de-
1ightfuI places imaginable, with
clever mingling Of work and amuse-
ments.
In speaking or NaSSaT MISS wa
said: During the week everything is
quiet and we attend to our studies but
on Friday and Saturday nights there
is sure to be some amusement, either
social or literary; we have the very best
Of lectures and concerts at Vassar.
HAt the beginning Of school in the
fall there are always a number OF
social affairs before settling to work.
Twice during each year, on the birth
day of the founder of the college, Mat
thew Wassar, and on the anniversary of
the founding of the Dramatic club, big
hops are given, to which the men are
invited. On WashingIon's birthday
character hop is given and all during
the year there are pleasant social af-
fairs.
There are no fraternities in vassar.
but there are any number of clubs and
societies Of all descriptions. The Self
Government club, the Dramatic club
organizations in the school. The ORA
matte club has a well equipped stage
and four or five plays are given each
year; the plays are all up-to-date as
they send direct to the managers of the
New York theaters for the manu-
scripts.
athletic sports occupy a great deal
Of the Vassar girls time; there is
basket ball, fencing, rowing, golf, ten
mis- and a fine gymnasium. Vassar is
the first distinctive woman's college to
have the key of the Phi Beta Kappa
society bestowed upon it. This society
is in nearly all of the mems colleges
but a school has to attain certain
standard before it may found one.
1.-The commencement exercises last a
whole week and the time is devoted to
all kinds Of festivities. Glass day is
one of the most interesting features;
the exercises are held out of doors, and
it is then they have the daisy chain
of which nearly every one has heard.
THE daisy chain is about as large
around as a girls head and takes sew
era1 days to make it; the men go into
the field with scythes and NOW the
daisies, the girls then gather them UP
and make the chain. 1t is carried by
q committee ofthe Sophomore class. The
girls all wear white dresses and walk
two by two, several feet apart and
carry the chain over their shoulders.
They precede the seniors and make a
pathway for them. It is afterwards
circled around the class tree, at the
foot of which the seniors bury their
class records. Oh, 1t makes me feel
! dreadfully blue to think that I am
! through and not going back any more