The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-04
Bachelor Queen

Nc girls al the summer lnsuLut6 Oh
Forest Lake were busy ct work at
their benches preparing lettuce slips
for transplanting. They we're enjoy.
ing camp life with its attendant dis
cipline and studying school gardening
at the same time. At the bugle call
Of "reveille" they arose each morning
and worked, studied and recreated at
stated periods. Every night when
the sad echoes Of taps" reverberated
from the surrounding hilltops. all
lights were out. the camp was still,
and Morpheus reigned supreme
'Oh. the odium attached to spinster-
hood" laughingly interposed Miss
Gordon, one of the summer school in.
structors and matrons of the dormi-
tory, suddenly appearing in the door
way. What horrible creatures old
maids are. Why does not Osler ad-
minister some of his soothing chloro-
form to these useless creatures and
consign them to sweet oblivion? Girls,
| beg of you, escape If possible this
sad state of single blessedness: but
If Fate should unkindly relegate you
to sip your cup of tea in lonely cor
ner when you c-e old and gray, reject
the odious title OF old maid and adopt
the modern term of bachelor girl. +"
The girls stood aghast at this unex.
pected speech from their beloved
teacher. She was a woman in middle
life. intellectual, refined and sympa-
thetic, the idol of her girls because
Of her scholarly attainments and her
sterling qualities. In youth she had
been fair as goddess. Her Grecian
head. crowned with a glory of silver
gray hair waved over a smooth, broad
forehead; grayish blue eyes, patrician
nose and firm mouth bespoke honora-
BILE ancestry and gentle breeding.
The years had dealt kindly with her:
nature had not robbed her of many OF
her youthful charms, for she proved a
kind mother to her ardent devotees.
Marie felt that she must redeem
herself in her favorite's estimation,
and apologetically added, Miss Cor
don, when girls get together, the eter-
nal he is generally the subject of con
sideration. l wonder If the eterual
She is the topic when the lords of
creation assemble"
Undoubtedly 1t is" said Miss Cor
don, although I say so tentatively, as
| have not had the opportunities af-
forded me to settle that question be-
yond the shadow OF a doubt. But.
jesting aside. girls, | have come TO
ask you to honor me with your pres
ence at a farewell chatting dish and
| marshmallow party tomorrow even
ing at the Bungalow The board of
administration has allowed us the use
Of the building until the first call OF
taps VIII you come. my friends?''
"Of course we will" chimed all the
girls, surrounding their summer
mother" dancing and singing a song
composed in her honor by one OF
their number.
The next evening the Bungalow
presented a scene from fairyland. A
log fire was burning in the open FIRE
place. lighted Japanese lanterns
swung galy to and fro, and the girls in
their airy muslin gowns gave the final
touch of fresh, vivacious, bubbling
| mirthful life. Miss Gordon presided
at the chafing dish. assisted by her
| dancing butterflies. Marshmallows
galore were toasted on hatpins before
| the open fire. Finally, the repast OF
| fudge, sandwiches and fancy cakes
was spread upon the floor, and all
sat IN circle around the fireplace.
"A story, a story from Miss Cor,
don" shouted athletic Alice Burk
hardt when interest in eating began
! to wane. Miss Gordon bowed graci
ously. saying. II will tell you a true
| story OF "A Girl That Have Known
Some years ago in New YORK
| knew a young woman OF 10 who was
! preparing to be a teacher. She was
OF an intense nature, strong in heI
! likes and dislikes The mediocre new
er satisfied her; she was seeking the
ideal in life. Her friends said she
would never marry because the para
gon she sought did not exist in hu
man form. Yet they were wrong il
their conclusion.
when her training was over she
! elected to work in the East Side, il
that congested district where the
stunted flowers in the Lords garder
do not enjoy their rightful heritage O
fresh air, sunshine and cleanliness
Here she met young physician, an
other enthusiast aiming to be lead
er in his profession. His specially
was the study of the Great White
Plague its cause. treatment and era
dication. These two idea!ists became
engaged, but their hopes of marriage
were never realized, as he died vic
tim of typhoid. She still labors il
her chosen sphere, teaching the beau
ties of Gods creation to the childrei
of the Ghetto. Her labor may no
bear fruit in this generation. but 4
cannot fail to reap results in th'
next"
Just then Miss Gordon arose t
sound the first call of taps" Tn,
girls remained motionless, awed b!
the subdued voice Of the narrator an,
the dull flashes OF light reflected OF
| ka A.fr