New-York tribune., 1907-09-07
Country Or City?
Respective Advantages of Urban and Rural Schools Pres
by Enthusie Pupis-The Girls Point of View.
CnlOra do Springs.

strange to think that we haven't seen each other
since last October, when you went to Hillside
School and I entered Mrs Whites school, in
New York! Then father was ordered West,
and I've spent my vacations out here; but the
doctor says father may return to New York
soon, so Wen meet you and I, at Christmas.
Il Inside School must be perfectly delightful.
but Mrs Whites school is,Well, it's all right! /
never supposed that I could like school so
much. Mrs. White gets up all sorts of larks
for us, and when she's doing things with us
you'd think she was a girl; yet you never forget
that she's the principal; you'd hate to be rude,
or fail in an examination, or do anything she
doesn't like
She always went herself with US to the thea
tre last winter-the matinee. il was, generally.
We all the best things. and when l think Of
you, Doris, taking long journey TO see play
feel it's rather nice to be in city school Next
winter We're to be taken to the opera sometimes
and to the symphony concerts. Mrs. White has
heard all the great singers abroad she knew
List, and has heard Wagner's operas again and
again at Bayreuth. That's what makes it fas
cinatng to go to things with her here II re-
minds her, and then she talks
Did you ride horseback at Hillside? We rode
last winter and spring in the park every day
when the weather wasn't too stormy. There
We're nine of US girls who went, and two Of the
teachers with US, aud a riding master from the
academy. Wed SO in the morning, and in the
spring, when the park began to look beautiful,
W when he . how ia learned arm to ride T didn't
think you could do that in Central Park he
said.
l learned quite a lot of French last winter. !
think ii was partly because Mademoiselle,
French teacher took to French plays and
lectures-when the accent could be relied on
and sometimes Sundays she went with to
quaint little French church that's not far from
the school and following the responses and all
helped us a great deal.
Do you go in for dancing? You don't say a
word about it. had il last winter; next winter
I'll take up water colors. once a week We
copied in the museum. till spring came. and then
we'd go sketching in the country. That was
loads of fun. Every Saturday afternoon nearly
the class and Miss Derby. our teacher. would go
to the Palisades or some picturesque place and
we'd do some sketching. and tramp around, and
have picnic luncheon and make coffee over
big fire Of sticks.
1 believe the day l enjoyed most last year was
the one on which Mrs. White took the whole
school TO West Point. 1t was in October. and
we went up the Hudson by the Albany day
boat. We had permission to poke around
everywhere in West Point. and We did poke,
with guide 10 lead US, but 1 liked best watch
ing the cadets drill.
We had several excursions last fall and spring;
they were generally TO some point Of historical
interest but we didn't let that bother us very
much. OF course we listened to the history the
teacher who chaperoned US told US, but she was
generally diplomatic about not telling us more
than our young minds would bear and we man
aged to have a good time But what 1 liked
best was the walking tours and I'm crazy 10
get back to school we can begin them again.
We go by train 10 Van Cortlandt or some such
place and then start a tramp across coun-
try We do whatever like, botanze, geolo
gize, quote poetry If we get sentimental, or
sketch; and some of the girls have kodaks and
are collecting photographs.
/ wish We could meet your school at tennis
not though, till were all in shape again. OF
course we've all played more less this sum-
mer wherever we've been. but that's not like
the regular practice had at Mrs Whites
school. We usually played in the park, or at
Van Cortlandt. What our school IS proud OF.
though is its basket ball Twice week some
OF us-those who played-went to the gym
nasium Of an athletic club. the use Of which Mrs.
White had arranged for. and their trainer-it
was a boys club-Coached US. I heard the
coach say last spring were fit to meet any
girls team in the country
I'd like to be at school with you, Doris. Re-
member the way used to plan how we'd
room together and everything? But 1 couldn't
leave Mrs. Whites if Mother'd let me. I'd
have to give up so many things-the art exhibit
tions we are taken 10 see. and the plays-NO,
couldn't, And l couldn't forsake the children
some of us children are going to trim Christ
mas tree for. They're the children of East
Side kindergarten, and we began doing things
for them last winter. 1t was such fun.
haven't said a word to you about Pixies Peak,
and my letters so long must stop this minute.
I'll tell YOU about the mountains next Christ
mas Affectionately.