Washington County GaArchives History .....Story Written By: Georgia Brantley 1919
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary Esther Lord Smith http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006600 March 5, 2012, 12:52 am

Found in her estate papers: I think some of it is missing.

  In the year 1919 there were 180 young birds in one nest, now this was their
parental home; it was an educational nest where they had been placed by their
parents, who were so busy feeding them that they had ___ for the teaching
process. So in accord with custom they confined the fledglings to the care of
specialist fitted and prepared to train the infants for life. There the
younglings met each day, learned what wings were for, how to use them and the
dire consecuence of failing to use them. Well in time the nest became over
crowded, what was to be done? The wise teachers never ____ that the fledglings
were not all of a size and age to leave the nest and out of the vast number
eight were decided to be old, big, and wise enough to be removed from the nest
and make room for those seeking admittance. However they did not think
themselves old, big, and wise enough to make the venture, and stood there,
trembling and frightened. What happened? The wise teachers summoned the parents
and friends of the over grown fledglings and applied an instrument they called
"A Diploma" in a manner called graduation and thus forced the frightened birds
out. The nestlings fluttered about awkerly for awhile, but so wisely had their
preperation been conducted and so ___ couraging were their parents and friends
that they were soon off on the wing flying and singing as the more experienced
inhabitants of the air.
  Dear friends the Class of 1919 was such a group, raw, enexperienced fledglings
we were afraid to leave the nest, we clung desperately but soon felt the last
prop leave our feet; and as we flew we heard our friends, teachers and parents
who had gathered to witness our flight say, "Poor young things, they are
frightened well nigh to death at the thought of going out into the world to make
a place for themselves." We full well realized that night that in a way we were
ending the preperation and beginning the work, ending the dreaming and beginning
the deed, ending our scolastic training and our real education began.
  Dear me it is hard to realize that five long years have passed, during those
years many changes have taken place. Women has beaten her way to the front, in
spite of ridicule, jealosies and opposition. College trustees no longer resist
the opening of their doors to her.
  After a busy day I sit by my fire which has burned down to a bed of coals and
I watch the little blue flames as they shoot up and dream of days gone by, first
I think of my modest little class mate Albena Grayham who is now Superentendant
of one of our greatest Institutions of learning. We all used to have such fun at
Albena's expense. Teasing her about a tall slender light haired boy, my how she
would blush and say, "Ah, foot". But no such expressions of a slang is allowed
to pass her lips now.
  Next I think of Mary Lou Shurling who is associated with Albena in her work.
Mary Lou could never be satisfied to merely preside over things she has too much
energy for that she must needs to get at the center of things and bring them to
pass. So she teaches a special course, "I have have heard that, but believe I
have forgotten, let me see! It must be Latin! Yes I think it is now I remember
she was always fond of Latin in those old days now she is teaching ideas to
young sprouts".
  Now I am thinking of a trip I took to Philadelphia and how suprised I was
while walking thru a building I saw there among the names of prominent Drs. and
Lawyers, Dr. Mary Delle Chivers office hours from 8 to 4. I knew Mary Delle was
studing medicine but had lost sight of her for a little time and could hardly
realize that she was really practicing her profession. Guess she must have begun
to think about being a Dr. when she use to work in the Drug Store at Harrison. I
remember as clearely as'twas yesterday how our class use to go around and chat
with her after school hours or on Saturdays. She would say, "Have a dope girls"<
then such a jolly time we would have teasing her about a certain soldier who had
gone to France. Well I went up to chat with Mary Delle and found her the same
dear girl as of yore. She has grown somewhat taller perhaps a little more
dignified.
  After we had chated a little, I asked, "Do you know anything of Mattie Lee
Wammock" she replied, "Yes she is in New York practicing Law she has been very
successful indeed in her chosen life work. The same Lawyers who have laughed at
the suggestion women entering their profession, the judges who have refused her
permission to practice courts are now enjoying and appreciating Mattie Lee's
talent. I am indeed glad to know that she is doing so well.
  I had almost forgotten to tell you I had a letter from Susie Peddy recently.
You remember she went to Japan as a Missionary about a year ago. She says that
she is enjoying her work fine. Her patient gentle ways and noble christian
character peculially fits her for her work.
  Then Mary Delle ask, "Have you read Esther Young's latest books". No but I saw
an editorial in one of the Souths leading Magaxines concerning her work that
read something like this, "Miss Esther Youngs new book is just off the press",
Its a wonder, in reading it you feel her cheerfulness, thoughtfulness, and
courtesy. She seem to understand men and women perfectly and has a great power
in portrayal of human nature". Then we both exclaimed at once arn't you proud of
the fact that we always loved Esther. She is such a gifted child.
  Mary Delle asked have you been to see Ruth Young since she married, was there
last summer you know she lives in the suberbs of Washington she has such a
lovely home, sloping lawns, hot-houses, with rare flowers of all kinds. She
spends a good deal of her time in Settle-ment work being a good sameritan to all
with whom she comes in contact. She is expecting our entire class to spend a
month with her this summer and has promised that she and her husband will in
return make each of us a visit. Though we are badly scatered as to location they
will enjoy it all the more as they have an aeroplane. I wonder sometimes if Ruth
has not chosen the better part after all. She is so happy and that handsome
husband of hers looks as if he would like to say with Rogers the Poet, 
"His house she enters there to be a light,
Shining within when all without is night;
A guardian angel O'er his life presiding,
Doubling his pleasures and his cares dividing;
Winning him back, when mingling in the throng
From a vain world we love, alas too long,
To fireside happiness and hours of ease"
  
   

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