Page 28 - 1922 Hartridge

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over and see the conditions in India for themselves. Thev set sail and that was the last ever heard of them. Eleanor told me, however, that thev lived
there (jiiietly for several years and that the natives hecame violently attached
to Peggy because she used to knit sweaters for them—something that they had never had before. Meanwhile the climate was working physical changes in Beebe to the end that she developed a divine soprano voice, and together
she and Peg held a series of concerts for the natives. They became incensed at the miserable condition of the black people, and through the influence
gained over them bv their music thev incited them to rebellion. Thev were
forced to flee the country by night, as their lives were seriously in danger, and
Eleanor says that they are now living in China, disguised, and continuing their concerts.
“MTll, I guess I’d better stop now or you’ll------
---- What about mvself?
You’ll get cjuite a shock when you hear. You see a few years ago. Miss Hart- ridge got discouraged with trying to teach Virgil, and decided that it would be much more profitable and amusing to raise dogs. She’s out at the Mellicks’
old place, and every year she turns out hundreds of charming St. Bernard puppies. She says that on an average they are more easily managed and more intelligent than girls. Before she left she appointed me as the new principal. She said that I had been in the school so long (thirteen years, you know!) that she hated to see me separated from it. Yes, I’ve made some changes. Eor one thing I’ve bought an old Eifth Avenue Bus to accommodate
the increased number of girls. I’ve also instituted Pogo Sticks, and Plainfield
is agog to see the line hopping to school each morning. Oh, and I must tell
you of the new course I’ve just started. On moonlight nights the girls
assemble on the campus and have lessons in aesthetic dancing. Margaret
Button is in charge, and she’s really f\[uite inspiring. I seem to see a change in the girls’ sense of beauty and spiritual nature already.
“Do I have any serious difficulties? Oh, no, and if I do I just run
over to see Miss Hartridge. She is always kind enough to put aside the puppies and solve them for me.
ii\\ hat s that? \ou cant hear? \]\Iust be a storm coming’ up. Try
tuning a little higher. There
---- No. I guess Tve lost her now.”
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