isa-normaladvance-1913-00065

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE65Christmas OTeefe at CollegeMARJORY B. CUPPYDID YOU ever read one of those collegebooks which seem to have been writteneither by someone who never saw beyond theentrance hall of a higher institution of learning or by a wily college president bent on luring unsuspecting youths and maidens to hisown domain? You remember that always,about half way through the book, the hero—or was it the heroine?—sprained an ankle, orthe twins got the measles, or the railroadtrains quit working—something, it did notmuch matter what, happened just in time toprevent the young student from going homefor the Christinas vacation. A tragic state ofaffairs, you say? At first glance it does seemso, I admit, but in reality it was always thehappiest of happy accidents. There w7ere always two or three more students and someof the faculty left behind in the same dormitory—do you remember?—and the facultymembers, their hearts softened, no doubt, bjrthe Christmas spirit, thoughtfully planned allsorts of little entertainments for the disconsolate students. Meals were served in thefaculty dining room, with softly shaded candles, the best linen and silver, and not aprune in sight. There was always a Christmastree, too, provided by that same amiable faculty, and a skating party or a sleigh ride toround off the good time. The box from homeplayed an important part, too. It was awonderful box, filled to overflowing with allsorts of delectable goodies, and the very giftsfor which our heroine—w7as it a hero ?—hadbeen - longing. Then there were letters fromeveryone, and all sorts of jolly surprise packages from distant friends. Finally, as if allthat were not enough, the twins recovered, orthe railroads once more became available andthe happy student reached home in time forthe New Years celebration.Were you ever really stranded at your college during the Christmas vacation, with nopossible chance to get home before the nextterm began? All the other students departedwith laughter and good wishes, the last member of the faculty hied him home withouteven bidding you Merry Christmas. Youspent as much time as possible wrapping upyour gifts and mailing them, because, for thefirst time since school began, you had plentyof time and nothing to do with it. You triedto read the. book you had brought from thelibrary, but it was deadly dull and you threwit aside. You put on your wraps and strolledgloomily down town. But the crowds maddened you and the general air of hilarity onlyenlarged the lump in your throat, so youwent home again. The mail man seemed tohave a grudge against you, for he passed thehouse repeatedly, his arms loaded with bundles, but not once did he stop. Christmas daywas worst of all. Your landlady went tospend the day with her sons family and youate your Christmas dinner alone at the restaurant. There was no stocking, no tree, nobox from home until several days later, thanksto the carelessness of the express company.The days dragged by with incredible slowness, each one greyer and more uninterestingthan the preceding one, until, when the longweek was at last ended and you went back toschool to register, you were too relieved evento join in the general condemnation of anidiotic school that began on New Years Day.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34510
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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