The Portland daily press., 1899-04-01

sold.
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Both Of these elements ara represented
In tho annual basket ball game between
tho freshmen and sopohmore classes,
which is one of the great :events OF the
year for Smith" 1t took place this year
on Saturday. the 2Sth Of March, at the
Alumnae Gymnasium. This exhibition
is indeed a most fascinating function of
the. college, and one which requires
much training and regime. Social Gull
ture and beauty, as we'll as athletic d isci-
pline, are alike brought out in this dis
play of ply steal talent. The game as de-
veloped and played hers has become
quite famous throughout the county,
and many new features have been
intr oduceu since 1t was first taken
up in 1898, and DOW the Smith rules are
being adopted, for this captivating game,
in many o;her sections of the United
States Only those who are proficient in
their studies ars allowed TO be on the
teams, .the best players often being le-
fused mem bership by the faculty on &C.
count Of low grade marks.
Outside Of The technical routine, there
are many picturesque features connected
with this girls game which can not pos
sibly be seen on the foot ball team. The
guard police force or ushers. as you may
Coii bnoiuy lOF buey hCb III aii tnTco
capacities, Is composed OF twenty -four
picked maidens. who are indeed adorable
creatures, before whom the sirens and
mermaids of legendary history pale In
figure, complexion. styls and dignified
b,aring they are unrivalled; in "a word
they are bewildering. Their snowy white
dresses are set of by dainty, be yitching
hats. of ye low and scarlet color, accord
ing to the side on which they belong.
The marshalling in ia a long process,
and with.the whole campus this year
shrouded in glistening snow rivalled by
their immaculate garments, It seemed
hardly possible that some of the ushers
would not subsequently feel the effect Of
the chilly north east wind, unless the en-
thusiasm of the occasion was sufficient to
keep them warm.
At 2 80 =. IN. the girls began to line up
in front of the two doors of the gymna-
stun. the yellow line representing the
sophomore spymathizers, the red line
thUse of the freshmen, while with the
former was mingled the green of the
seniors, and with the latter the
purple OF the juniors. The picture was
rendered exceptionally effective, as the
scene for q moment burst forth on the
white background of snow.
At O'Clock the doors were opened, the
running track being. crowded with girls
who oslentatiously exhibited their colors
in sym pathy with their chosen side, and
overhead and around the track was a
mass of elaborate colored decorations.
AS members of the faculty came in there
were cheers and songs from this respective
side according To the color worn. When
President Seeiey entered with both colors
dispaysd on his coat, there was renewed.
universal and continued applause ard
songs After this the mascot5 appeared,
the ono Of the freshmen being tiny lit
tie girl in gymnasium suit with red
trimmings. leading pug dog with red
and purple embroidered blanket inscribed
with "1903." The mascot of the Sopho-
mores was a frightened little boy in gilt
armor and among his sunny curls Il yell
low plume while on his left arm was u
golden shield. The subs then came in,
and last of all the two teams which We're
to play. These maidens In their eymna-
SUM suits seemed like girls OF thirteen
or fourteen years beside the diRnited
ushe-s whose curious hats made them ap.
pear very stately. and tall; but. the players
were no pigmy people as was proved by
their skilful manoeuvers.
As the game commenced the 1901
centres crptured the hall, and in
an instant one of them tossed
men played little nervously, which
resulted in some otherwise unav oidabls
failures to basket the ball. Then one of
the freshmen sprained her ankle in a,
orimmage and was carried. off the field
'hus at the beginning handicapping tqat
side. The game grew very exciting as
the yellow team captured goal after goal
and executed so accurately that for n
long time they kepttuhe ball. The girls
could not suppress their screams and the
spectators could scarcely resist the i'm
pulse to join in their cries. Time at this
juncture was called and the mascots were
paraded.
After the recess the freshmen played
with DESPERATION: but the superior Draw
cry and long experience of the sophomores
was ms usual disastrous to their chances
of SUCCESS.
When the score was at last called with
wild cheers, and the captain OF the yell
lows had been torne of on the shoulders
of some members OF her team. it reckoned
81 to o. But the game was said by experts
not to be altogether one sided, as several
or the strokes on the freshmen side were
superior to any during the afternoon.
This basket ball game at Smith is no
small girls show. 1t Is absorbingly in-
teresting, and the ia sh and energy and
rapid movements indicate that it Is the
work of trained athletes who have sur
prising endurance They fall upon tie
ball with rs much enthusiasm oftentime 3
as the boys in foot ~ team. Any one
who goes in. thinking g watch a mandy
pamby snow for u moment goes away
after an hour much surprised and delight
ed. A. ii. u.