The Republican journal., 1904-01-07
AMONG FRIENDS.
A VISIT TO THE FRIENDS SCHOOL IN
PROVIDENCE, R. l.

PROVIDENCE, R. l.
Whether being an inmate of the
postmaster's home had anything to do
with it or not, vii 81 way soc mystery;
y utsv-ve any rate the Stamford postman
whose route included 80 Forest street
was specially considerate of the visitor
from Maine. Scarcely a morning
passed when his shrill little whistle
sounding inside the gate did not mean
letter or two on the corner OF the
breakfast table addressed to an humble
private, U. S. A. Irregulars. On GER
tain Monday morning the Corporal
viewed from across the table, with
envy in her stern and military eyes, a
neat little pile of three missives. The
first, long looked-for home letter, was
soon disposed of, and the news of the
family Including the CATS was shared
with interested listeners. Next came
an envelope of generous proportions
with Friends School, Providence, R..
l." in neat blue letters in the corner
and addressed in hand wildly re-
calling the terrors of geometry, algebra
and physics, and bringing most forcibly
to mind the tremors of apprehension on
report day. After it was opened and
glanced over, however, recollectionS
quickly gave place to anticipations, to
Which the contents of the third little
envelope, also postmarked Providence,
only added.
After breakfast there was a rush for
calendars and timetables, engagements
were talked over and dates and trains
discussed, until finally the itinerary was
conn teted and a delighted girl flew up
stairs to write a hearty Thank you. l
should love to come,' as well as al
overflow letter home. Thus it was that
laden with little box, big box, band
box and bundle" and with the corporal
on special escort duty the writer
bought a ticket for Providence, and
stepped aboard the Boston Express via
New Haven one chilly day in late Oc-
sober. The foliage, so dull and sombre
month earlier had taken on gayer
zone and with box of luncheon,
magazine and interesting glimpses of
the Sound to hurry up old Father
Time temperate flight even the half
hour wait in the midst of an extremely
unexciting marsh on account of an ac
cldent to the engine did not seem un-
duly long
When the Providence station was
reached it seemed to be the destination
Of great many fellow passengers and
everybody made rush for the gates, on
the other side of which had espied ia
miliar, figure for which l steered as well
as the current of the hurrying baggage
laden crowd would allow. A final de-
termined tack brought me to harbor
and | hove to, letting 60 my anchor lin
the form Of suit case to receive
hearty handshake from Governor How
ard-not of Rhode Island, but of the
Friends school-the beloved Uncle
Billy of irreverent High school days.
To Market Square was but short
distance, and as we climbed the steep
hill N the electric, aided in the ascent
10y ''pusher," the buildings of Brown
University on the summit came into
full view The handsome new gates
We're passed, the clock tower in the
process of erection left behind and be-
fore velN long we were walking up
neat walk, through shrub-ornamented
and tree-dotted grounds. En- route /
Was Informed that that walk was the
Hateful line separating the girls domain
from the boys, and woe betides the
iuckless youth or maiden who steps
foot on the forbidden ground of "the
other side" AS we neared the build
ings giimpses of foot ball practice on
one side and of field hockey on the
other gave the first evidence of life and
] was initiated into the mysteries of
Alumni Hail. the Middle House, and
the boys wing. Up the stone steps and
lnto the fine entrance hail, up stairs
and along corridor we progressed to
emerge in bright and attractive sit.
ting-room where my hostess was await
ing US. After the warmest of greetings
had been exchanged was ushered into
the spacious guest room, which it was
suggested Friend Whittier may have
occupied on his frequent visits to the
school.
Slipping on a wrap Mrs. Howard &C
companied me out to the girls play
where two or three dozen girls,
- in gymnasium suits were play.
s;x, a vigorous game of field hockey,
hnder the direction of the physical in
structor. After our return to the
house, made rather quickly on account
of the chill in the air, we were joined
by Mr.. Howard, who escorted us across
to Alumni Hall, where the devotional
exercises are held. The walls are deco
rated with fine paintings-portraits
many of them, of prominent Friends of
past years. Off this room is the Libra
ry, where nine thousand volumes are
conveniently shelved. Returning to