Twenty-One
Jennie Stark
BA, University of
Missouri, 1913
Orval was not too distant from the group, at least not in terms of geography. But Booche’s Pool Hall, quietly offering beer for a nickel “under the table,” was exactly where he wanted to be. There, he felt less likely to be judged. If one wished to be on the up-and-up, they could purchase liquor from the drugstore
just downstairs.
Drinking by himself, within limits, was an art Orval perfected many years prior. A rule he kept was to never come home drunk to his children. Of course, that sometimes meant he did not come home. For days. Even back when they lived in Chillicothe and Jennie was a teenager.
Orval’s three children fended for themselves, especially with others around who could look after them, especially members of their church. What Orval did not comprehend was the effect upon his offspring, except to feel that somehow Jennie became strong-willed, determined to make something of herself. The more he outwardly failed, the greater was her desire to reach her goals: college graduation, teacher certification, and gaining the respect of her fellow church-goers.Booche's Poolhall
University Archives
Orval did not realize, however, that Jennie had a secret goal, one hard to admit even to herself: having a college degree opened her world to a better class of man. One who could respect her, perhaps even more than loving her.
With her brother Jay, Jennie formed a bond which strengthened through the years. Together, they acted as parents—for themselves, and their brother John.
Orval wondered how the two boys would manage once their sister began teaching, living away from them. His musing drifted, as it often did.
#
Over at the quadrangle, Jennie and Jay approached the end of the columns, just beyond the line of people getting their photographs taken. Jay spotted Mr. Jenkins, the photographer, and approached him next to the third column from the right. Jenkins long ago established his spot, with a table nearby. There, subjects signed in for their appointment. Jay motioned to Jennie who then initialed a form. She donned her robe again, resigned that she would be stifling just for a few minutes. Jay helped her with the hooks in front of the gown and was her mirror, telling her that her hair was still in place. Then, it was her turn.
“Miss Stark, I want you to stand just so.” Jenkins lightly placed his hands on Jennie’s shoulders. “Now, please place your arm up on the base of the column.”
“I hope this is not poison ivy.” Jennie cocked her head sideways.
“I assure you, Miss Stark, it is not. It is English ivy. Such as you find on all the Ivy League buildings. Now, imagine you are graduating from Harvard itself.”
“The University of Missouri is fine enough for me.”
Jenkins arranged Jennie’s right arm and hand, showing her how to hold her diploma—rolled and beribboned—in her left.
Spectacles from my
Father's collection
“Oh, another thing. Miss Stark, please remove your spectacles. I am sure your brother can safely hold them.”
“I shall not, Mr. Jenkins.”
Jenkins was befuddled. Every subject, especially female, trusted his judgment to take the best photograph.
“Mr. Jenkins, I am who I am, glasses included. Now, if glare or the reflection off the glass is your concern, is there not an angle where that will not be a problem?”
Jenkins sputtered, “I suppose…” He remembered the sum Mr. Stark offered him and relented.
Jenkins snapped several photographs, Jennie hoping that at least one would turn out satisfactorily.
Jay handed over several bills to Jenkins—Jennie could not tell how much. “You may call to view the proofs on June twelfth.”
“One week from today.”
“Yes, Mr. Stark. Now, Miss Stark, Mr. Stark, I need to attend to the next appointment.”
Underneath one of the elms that rimmed the quadrangle, Grandfather Stark, Aunt Ella, and Aunt Lizzie sat on a bench, observing Jennie and Jay from afar.
“I believe this turned out to be a great investment,” Aunt Lizzie offered.
“Investment?” Aunt Ella turned to the other spinster. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, you did not know, then?” Aunt Lizzie looked at Aunt Ella, then J.K. Stark.
J. K. responded, “Ella, after Lizzie’s father passed away, her mother decided Jennie should immediately enjoy a share of what will eventually come her family’s way. And I,” he glanced at Lizzie, “decided I would match anything the widow Gardner contributed.”
Aunt Lizzie nodded. “With all due respect to your brother Orval,” she said, touching Aunt Ella’s hand, “we wanted the money to directly benefit our darling niece.”
J.K. shifted on the park bench, turning slightly more to the two ladies beside him.
“We set up a trust fund. All of Jennie’s tuition was paid, plus a stipend toward her books and food. We thought Orval should have some motivation to provide the housing, which, fortunately, he has.”
Aunt Lizzie Gardner took her hand from Aunt Ella Stark and stared straight ahead. J.K. made a mental note that Lizzie remained unimpressed by his son. That he shared in the opinion was probably surmised by those who knew the two of them—J.K. and his son Orval—but he did not speak of it publicly.
“Miss Gardner, my son bought the house they live in. Or, rather, he bought the house they used to live in, but it burned down a couple of years ago. They now live in the house next door. I am unsure if Orval owns that one, too, or if it is temporary until a new house is built.”
Article, Columbia Missourian
13 October 1912,
The year before Jennie graduated
“Did you know of the fire, Miss Gardner?” Ella, too, was observing the approaching graduate and her brother, as she addressed the other woman. But, there was no opportunity to answer.
“Whew! I am smothering!” Jennie fished for a handkerchief. She had unfastened her commencement robes, but they were still on. She reached into a pocket and found what she was looking for and mopped her forehead.
“Here, Jay, can you take this?” J.K. arose, unsteadily and with the help of his cane, to assist his granddaughter, but she managed to remove her outer garment before he could be of much assistance.
Jennie also removed the commencement sash from her neck. The cap, however, would have to remain until she got home. So she thought.
“Miss Jennie, Miss Stark and I shall help you with your cap. Do not worry, we will ensure your lovely hairdo will not be rendered into a bird’s nest!” Aunt Lizzie set about removing hairpins, freeing the cap which she handed to J.K.’s outstretched hand. Aunt Ella smoothed errant locks back into place.
“There!” declared Lizzie. “Now you are most presentable for the party!”
The four Starks looked at Lizzie quizzically.
“Party?” Jennie looked from one to another. “What party?”
Lizzie blushed. “Oh, I assumed there would be one, perhaps at the house? To celebrate with family and friends? No?”
Aunt Ella, noting the tears in Jennie’s eyes, quickly responded. “Miss Gardner, we are…having a… modest gathering. Family only.” She hugged her niece about the waist. “Jennie, is there anyone you would like to invite?”
Jennie’s eyes grew wide, then narrowed as her forehead furrowed and her lips set in a straight line. “At the last minute? To a gathering for which none has prepared?” She looked at her two aunts. “No, I think it best if we…” Jennie gazed around the quadrangle. “If you do not mind, I should like to take a walk. By myself. The rest of you, do what you will.”
Jennie stormed off. But she got only about twenty feet until she spun around and marched back to the bewildered—and embarrassed—relatives.
“Grandfather?” she softened. “Would you like to join me? I promise I won’t stomp ahead of you. And… I am sorry. I actually did not expect any party. Who would we invite, anyway?”
“Miss Jennie, this was my oversight. In all of our preparations, I did not think of having a proper party for my darling niece.” Ella held out her hand. “Please, let us walk back to the house. Jay, did you pick up the sandwiches?”
“I gave the money to John. He is probably waiting at the house with them.”
“Jennie, it is a small gesture, but after we had lunch at The Palms the other day, I had Jay go and inquire of them if they could cater a small luncheon. Someone just needed to pick the food up.”
“Oh, Auntie!” Jennie looked at Aunt Ella in amazement. “Truly?”
“Come, child, let us go see what they put together!” Ella clasped Jennie’s hand. Jennie turned to her grandfather and took him by the elbow with her free hand. Jay offered his arm to Aunt Lizzie, and the five strode toward the house on Paquin Street.
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