Gilpin observer., 1917-01-18
The BLUE STOCKING
BY OSBORN JONES.

ans college," said Justine Craddock,
dean of Jones College for Women.
when Alan Kilby went to her Office to
consult her regarding his acceptance
Of position just offered him as the
new professor of economics.
Alan had gone to see her. partly be-
cause he had known her several years
before when they were both students
At a co-educntional college In the West.
and partly because the offer at Jones
college was distinctly better than the
assistant professorship he held in Ii
mans college.
at doesn't seem like mans job"
he told her frankly and she had looked
at him not with the amusement he
expected.
"Hang It all, Justine, It's just that
can't stand this blue-stocking atmos
phere. think It's that as much as
anything else"
"There are very few blue-stockings
here" said Justine. ain fact, some
times wish there were more. Blue
stockings have their good points, you
know"
From woman's point of view, per-
haps. But I'm primitive enough to
Hike a feminine woman. and II goes
against the grain to see these girls,
some of them pretty. almost all Of
them healthy and happy, being fed into
this mill, to have the woman and the
temininity ground out. They ought to
be marrying. most Of them-marrying
and making men what they ought to
be, and having children and keeping
house."
"Of course you have never married
Yourself" suggested Justine.
mo. and when do shall not look
to a woman's college for wife. I'm
not educated up to that yet"
"FrOm all of which. ! suppose, l am
10 infer that you do not accept the po-
sition?"
mo. The fact Is. think do. It's
TOO good to turn down."
So Alan Kilby became professor of
economies at Jones. The first lecture
was more uncomfortable than he had
expected 1t to be. AS time went on the
lectures were easier and Alan had time
10 look about him. Sometimes there
were suppressed glggles. and some
times three whispering heads bent to-
gether In the back rows of seats. un-
mindful of word of the lecture-un-
mindful, too. that from the vantage
point of his desk the professor could
not only see them but could catch
snatches of their whispered conversa-
ton.
''lf do say 1t, l look awfully well
IN yellow" said one whisper.
mot that lemon shade-more Of a
salmon. don't you think?"
How long is the skirt7 They are
getting longer"
short. Have you learned the new
steps. No, that new wiggly waltz step.
} mean. He doesn't see us, and we
ean get the notes from Ida" Isn't
he perfect deur?" "Ida's quite crazy
about him. That's why she sits In
front and takes such long notes."
And later: "Well, anyway. KiIbys
. dear. Did you ever see such eyes?"
Going down the corridor later in the
day he chanced the meet the dean.
Good morning, Mr.. Kilby," she said
rlwnys with the same serenity. How
are the blue stockings2'
Blue stockings" muttered Kilby. IF
there are any they haven't elected eco
nomics."
Kilby fed from the building to his
own study Ia his boarding house.
There as he puffed al his comforting
pipe he took Il leather picture case
from his pocket and opened II. Ii,
contained picture Of the dean that he
had clipped from the magazine article
on The Youngest College Dean" The
picture showed her in cap and gown.
with none of the grnciousness and III
most motherly large heartedness that
Kilby had come to. appreciate within
the few weeks he had been at Jones.
Still. he found satisfaction In looking
st the picture-just as reminder, he
snid. of the allegiance he owed to his
chief. This day he looked at the pie
ture longer thnn usual.
ave got to get better picture" he
told himself as he rose from his chair
ana hurried through the campus to
ihe deans office. But when he reached
there he forgot the picture and thought
only of the original"
How are the blue stockings7' asked
the dean, as she closed the papers she
was working over at her desk and pre-.
pared to take an easier chair by the
open fireplace, where she might chat In
comfort with Alan.
Blue stockings-there aren't any"
groaned Alan. you're a blue stock.
ing. and they're-theyre just girls.
Listen, Justine, I've decided that the
only type of woman ! truly admire is
a blue stocking. used to think that
thai was the trait In you thai kept us
apart. back In the college days when
] was half In love with you all the
time. But now ! know that's what ls