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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1887)
rT- THE HESPERIAN. THREE COLLEGE GIRLS. It was about the middle of March, and contrary to the usu al law of nature, winter already seemed about to melt into balmy spring. The sun shone brightly.and everything seem, cd full of life and vigor. Filled by this regenerating spirit three college girls met to discuss a scheme. At first glance it could be seen that these girls were marked by quite differ cut characteristics. Grace was small in stature, with ligh hair, cut close in the true college girl fashion. One look in to her eye was enough to tell that she was one of those gen. tic, mischievous maidens who delight to vent their storcd-up energy in perpetrating some innocent practical joke. Mattie was larger. Nature had not blessed her in so marked a de gree with a mild-, submissive disposition, but had endowed her with a brilliant intellect. She was of rather a serious mood and quite determined in her way of putting things.She wore a pair of dark colored glasses. The '.third was called Lulu. She was more thoughtful, but never failing to have a remark ready for ony occasion. She was quite bold, but not obtrusive just the girl whose sparkling eyes and merry laugh would catch a new college boy. All were grinning with delight, in contemplation of the plan they were about to per. pclrate. "I think this is just what we ought to do," said Mattie with such a determined toss of her head that her glasses trcm bled on their perch. "Thee boys think they can go with anybody. I for one will teach them a thing or two. They have the idea that a girl cannot go alone after sunset." Grace burst into a hearty laugh and said, "Pcally, I think it is nice of the boys to offer their company. Its dreadful to go alone, but just for the oddity of the thing, wc will give them the go-by this week." Lulu thought a moment, then in her lively manner said, "Well, girls I am in for it. I think I can stand it for once. Won't the boys' eyes stick out when wc go ailing in alone?'' The three girls laughed heartily. They sprang up and danced around the room until Lulu's best fellow's picture fell from the mirror shelf. Lulu carefully replaced the picture and said, "Hut what shall we wear?" This was a new idea to Mattie. She took off her glasses and wiped them. Lulu, who during the pause had glanced out of the window into the sunny outdoor air, continued gaily, "O, girls, it is so warm and lovely we can wear something light. Let us all go down town and buy enough two-cent calico to make three dresses." "O, wont that be just boss?"cried Grace in great hilarity, clapping her small white hands until they were sore. Away they scampered, making so much noise that the landlady thought her seven-year old son had tumbled down stairs. Soon they returned, each with a bundle. After a lit tle more discussion as to the style of cut, they parted with the solemn injunction that the whoje scheme was to be kept secret. Alasl A girl cannot keep a secret, any especially a college girl. Mattie unintentionally gave it away. A few of the college boys boarded at her home. Now when a lady is making a dress the house is littered from top to bottom. A piece of the skirt will be in the parlor on the sofa, the waist with necessary lining will be on the dining room, while cut tings may be found anywhere from the front yard to thekitch en porch. So it was with Mattie's when the boys came to dinner. They ventured a few questions and from the an swers gathered that a scheme was on foot. A little more in vestigation and two of the boys discovered the plan. In".introducing these gentlemen it is necessary to give a short description of each. One was a tall, wiry looking fel low who takes great delight in scheming, and especially in playing jokes on the fair co cds. The other one, who is Bob for short, is rather quiet, but deep down in his soul is a secret longing to do some meanness of a harmless nature. He and the tall student had met and were discussing the matfer. "I "would flunk willfngly in all my studies if I could do something to spoil their scheme," said Bob to the tall stu dent. "Hob," said the tall student, "lam well aware that Mattie would not hesitate a moment to throw a straw across an am bitious fellow's path, even if sho had to go to society alone. But I cannot understand why Lulu and Grace should have a hand in this job." "Whatever we do will have to be done up brown, because Mattie is as sharp as a tack. Nothing escapes her eyes, even if she does wear glasses. If she should catch us meddling our heads wouldn't be .worth my chance for the presidency in '92," said Bob. The tall student ran his long bony fingers through his hair and replied, "I know that, Bob. She is one of the smartest in college and her good will may be worth something to a fel low. But those three girls think they arc going to play sharp. Wc must burst their game if it takes five dollars worth of oysters to fix it up afterwards. I'll tell you what wc will do. I'll steal that dress when we go to dinner. It is too late now for her to make another before Friday evening." Bob igrced to help. They-waited impatiently for the next meal time. It came at last and the two boys walked rapidly towards the boarding house, conversing in a low tone. They found Mattie putting the last stitch in her dress. They sat down to dinner and the young lady talked and laughed as if she had succeeded in some .mportant matter, beyond her ex pectations. Bob was more talkative than usual. The tall student seemed to be in deep study and ate so rapidly that he did violence to good manners. Mattie suggested as much but he explained it by saying that he wished to get back to his room and cram on French verbs. Bob filled his -mouth with hot coffee to keep from laughing. His companion soon finished. As he rose he winked to Bob who immediately be gan a discussion with Mattie about the latest style of wear ing bangs. The young lady, who was a ready talker, soon did him up. In the mean time the tall student put on his ov crcoat, stepped into the other room, with a quick, nervous motion stuck the dress into his pocket, passed out as compos edly as his nervous temperament would permit and skipped for his room. Bob soon had enough dinner and debate rose and left the house. Two hours later a wild eyed co-ed might have been seen rushing along the street towards the college building. She made straight for Bob's place of business. Bob saw her com ing, turned pale and trembled. Her voice as she spoke be trayed a great deal of suppressed emotion. After a few random-like remarks that no one but Bob could understand she left, muttering threats of vengeance, She went straight to the room of her two co-schcmcrs. She rushed in without rap ping and found them standing facing each other, clad in their new dresses, admiring the perfect fit which promised much for the success of the scheme. "O, Mattie, do hurry and try on your new calico," they both cried at once. But one look at the disappointed face told them something had happened. Grace's sympathetic heart was touched and she asked in a serious tone "Why what is the matter?" "Some nasty, chicken-brained boy has stolen my dress," replied Mattie, stamping her No. 2 with rage. Lulu smothered a rebellious giggle and asked, "How did m - j. t-jj ; -v-mj in' jwiWiiHaj'iiitrm 1
