The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01
THECOLLEGE LIFE OF GIRLS.
SOME OF THE PITFALLS WHICH BE-
SET THE BEGINNER.

1t is not cheerful | admit" said the Senior 10
tho Freshman She cast a comprehensive look
around and continued: But my room was Just
the same when l first came had the same ugly
oak furniture and bare walls and uncurtained
windows; but come and look at my room now l
want TO talk with you, and can't in this barn
Ct a place
That Is lust what II is a regular barn" said
the Freshman, dolefully, as they went through
the long corridor Now and then door was open,
giving glimpse Of cosy room.
AS soon as the girls get settled" said the Sen.
ior. In her wisdom all the doors will be open
1t is a regular exhibition. and we walk up and
down deliberately inspecting the rooms But |
think IL is going step too far when you sta nd at
the door and critcise in detail | used TO find
girls doing that to my room II was feeling
good natured used to walk past but il was
cross would ask II they calling on me- :"
by this time they had reached the Seniors
room. II was dark and the Senior apologized as
she hunted for the matches Il have not been UP
hero since dinner" In a moment, however she
had two candles burning on her bookcase and
third on her writing table. A soft light filled the
room. In the corner, couch glowing with dark
rich color. In front Of the couch large Daghes
tan rug. Nearby, a mahogany writing table
At the windows. rufIled white muslin curtains
against which the palms and ferns on the window
seat made delicate tracery Of green. Along one
side Of the room. low bookcase Of cherry stained
mahogany color. and filled with books. On the
top Of it, a few carefully selected ornaments q
single bronze. bit Of cloisonee, pair OF brass
,andlesticks and a cut glass bowl filled with vel.
low roses. On the walls good pictures varied
In size and color effect, and skilfuy hung Across
one corner Of the room screen Near the win
dow, a tea table with a half dozen cups Of fine
china all alike and polished brass tea kettle
\ big chair with dark green cushions, a brown
Madag ascar chair. an Indian stool and the revolv-
ing chair provided by the college completed the
furniture.
1t is beautiful" said the Freshman, settling
herself the couch. but it Is not what expected
a college room to be l thought it would be post
ers and silkoline draperes and makeshiits."
only freshmen who don't know any better
have rooms like that" replied the Senior. Il
want to warn you against them Get every thing
nice. Remember you TO use the room four
years so you can afford to be a little extravagant
You don't need very many things. and good
deal you can bring from home You wait for
some of your pictures and cushions and ornaments
It is a pleasure TO add something every year, and
you don't want to be crowded at the end. But
get what you need for comfort Above all, get rid
of the college furniture as quickly as you can This
chair is all have left except the bureau behind the
screen. II could have afforded il, would have
had chifouier a chest of drawers, and good
mirror instead Of the pictures over the bookcase,
a good many girls do something OF that sort"
How would you dress"
Il keep washbow and pitcher for emergencies
on a shelf in the closet. but ordinarily go down
the hall to the bathroom, Just as l would at home.
] dress behind the screen, but the girls who do
away with their bureaus get on very well When
you live in single room, you have TO get used TO
putting your clothes and toilet articles away as
soon you are done using them, and little extra
putting away makes difference"
Perhaps can have room like this later on"
the Freshman said My father said he would
give me money to fI up my room in frstclass
style my junior senior year, but he thought
Just college and college life would be enough the
nrst year"
That is where he makes mistake" said the
Senior, promptly. Il am going to tell you some
plain truths this evening, and you can write home
10 him as many as you remember. II you
going to Ok your room all do il the first year.
You will have the pleasure Of il Just much longer.
and you will find that it will make difference
with the other girls in college. II will be visible
sign OF your good taste and OF your money. You
might make friends that way whom you would
never make in any other way. | don't mean
they would know you on account OF your money.
For instance. they would never drop your
Quaintance il you became as poor as Jobs turkey.
But they might fail 10 be attracted TO you in the
first place. You see the distinction make
But thought college was place where there
were no social distinctions" objected the Freshman.
Il thought money and dress made no difference"
Yes" interrupted the Senior, and you thought
that mind met mind, and there were fine friend
that counted. That may have been true when
women first went 70 college, but it is not now.
that we have higher average OF intelligence
and greater intimacy in our daily life There
are some girls who come here TO 1T themselves
9uantances and some Just for the fun Off And
they come from almost all classes OF society and
from all parts of the country. II isn't reasonable
10 suppose that coming here makes them all alike
or puts them on the same level; Haven't you
speak Of your brothers. book? And haven't
they introduced other girls TO you Immediately
nd then Una. we're
That is what mean when say girl does not
stand altogether on her own merits when she
70 you on accoun, Of your brother, ! admit that
have told good many girls about him to arouse
interest in you. ! have let people know. too.
that your father is rich man Pretty soon
shall bring my friends 10 call on you. and as
meet other freshmen who are nice girls shalt
and invite freshmen who will be congenial, and
SO bring you all together"
think that is horrd OF you" blazed the Fresh
man You make college life artificial and de
tes'abe. will not believe you. Those girls
were not nice to me Just because my brother wrote
book"
My dear child, when you have been here three
years, as have instead Of three days, you will
kn0w that am tell ny you the truth Ordinarily
should go ahead without saying anything 10
you But | know how ideaistc you are, and
how ready 10 disregard convention and so | am
AFRAID OF your making some bad mistake and
spelling your college course at the beginning.
but you Just SAID my family gave me ad
vantage, according 10 you II does not depend
on me at all
our family merely introduces you 10 desirable
tMlN and gives you an opportunity 10 know them.
:tHeI ihat everything depends on yourself, and
u, on close acquaintance, they don't like you,
'hey VII dropyuu,. For instance II you, while You
ate sun freshman, CrtlClSc the college unfavor
GoIy as YOU have tendency 10 do, you will end
ny beihg Unpopular. II ~ your place To accept
thc college traditions and conform with the usagcs
~ other girls dress for dinner you must dress for
Ilhnef 4 other girls do not study or read at
Ine breakfast table, you must not For the present
s"I an you eau, think what you will and keep
Tito yourself
hen too you want To realize that you are
w.. we most important girl here, but merely one
., GOOD many. Don't Try Ia make Others under
S,Hnd you, but be passive and try 10 understand
a, IiTa mi lint