The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-03

ITOIH the latest issue oil the Earm.
Vile Herald we learn the story of the
unselfish, fine service that the Vir-
ginia Normal League is doing for the
poor girls at the state Normal School
at FarmWlle. The League is chiefly
composed of the young women attend
Ing the school. Its purpose is thus
stated: "Tho State Of Virginia gives
free tuition ut the state Normal
School, Farmville, toasevcraI hundred
girls. There are many, however, who
cannot take advantage Of these
scholarships, because they cannot af-
ford to pay their board The main
purpose Of the League Is to maintain
an aid fund to help such girls attend
school. so that they may become self
supporting and means of support to
loved ones"
This organization began without a
cent OF capital. The treasury is not
large. The dues are one dollar the
year for members. A few gifts
have been made to the League, bus
they have been small. The member
ship is practically confined to the
students at the school, its alumnae,
and Its faculty, although few people
unconnected with the institution have
availed themselves Nof the privilege OF
associate membership.
How quickly funds are put to use is
demonstrated by the following Incl
dent related in the Herald: "At the
beginning of last session one of the
to the League. AS she handed this
money to, an officer. she said. L have
saved this for the League. for / be-
lieve in it, When the chairman or
the finance committee saw this money
she said. oh, that looks good to me.
am going to give 1T to a girl who
is here without q cent"
That the spirit of service dwells in
the school at Farmville is shown in
the way in which this movement has
the backing of the young women there.
1t cannot be said that many of the
students have much money, and
yet they are willing to give what
they can to this excellent cause. Last
April the student body made a con-
tribution. The basketball teams did
likewise. The class of 1910, "preferring
flesh and blood to pictures and
statuary.' made up the sum of one
hundred and forty dollars and left 1t
as their parting gift to their alma
mater. The class president, speaking
for the class, said. 81 want to do
this. for there will be no end TO the
good the money will accomplish She
knew whereof she spoke.
Not a cent of the Leagues money
lies idle. 1t is in constant use. For
the coming year. eight hundred dol
lars has been promised. Several
young women will receive this aid as
loan. to be returned in easy pay
mcnts. without interest and without
compulsion, when they have become
self-supporting. 1.-THE young women
itude and their staunch integrity by
the touching sacrifices which they
make in order to return the money
as soon as possible. so that it may
help some other girl. -. /. One young
woman left school in, June, saying she
was going to teach next year, for she
couldn't ask aid again and so deprive
some other girl of a chance. Two
officers of the League had to plead
most earnestly with another young
woman before she would consent to
let her name 60 in as asking for aid
for another session. She left in June,
saying that she was going to work
this summer and try to make some
money so that she would not need
what the League had promised her.
The efforts that she is putting forth
to get an education are truly heroic"
Each year the League has to turn
away deserving girls for the reason
that it has lent all it's funds. There
are many capable and line young wo-
men who need friendly help Gust long
enough to give them a start From
all parts of Virginia come appeals to
the League for aid-"heart- moving ap-
'peals from girls themselves, from
friends. from anxious fathers and
mothers. Quite recently letter came
from a good woman much interested
In two girls who went last session
four miles to school. The roads We're
very rough and often the weather was
bad. yet they went, sometimes walk
ing, and sometimes riding the same
horse. The woman said she felt tho
League could make no mistake in aid
ing these girls, for they We're girls
of fine mind and excellent character
and the best pupils In school. The
superintendent Of the county in which
these girls live said, 4 have taught
them. All they need is an oppor-
unity"
Other demands made upon this orr
ganizatio are by girls who have al
ready been to the school, but who
have found on going home that they
have not enough money to return.