Anderson Union High School - Aurora Yearbook (Anderson, CA)

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Evidently Juno was not aware of her faults or she would have sought to mar the beauty of the wonderful gift. Mars arose, his mighty muscles stretching. I have one gift to give, he said, and .l willingly submit it. My gift is strength. i Yours also is a good gift, Marsf, said Minerva, no creature, mortal or immortal, could accomplish without strength those things which we desire this one to accomplish. Your gift is of no small value. Come, Apollo, you seem impatient. 'W'hat is it you wish to give which will be a valuable aid to the world, through our gift as a medium F IVith agility, Apollo sprang to his feet. No beingf' he said, is complete without a love for music and poetry. I give them both for the good of the cause. Also, from my shining' chariot, the rays for a bright and sunny disposition. Uh XVoncler Creation, there is nothing you can not accomplish with your power, your strength, your modesty and artsf' cried Minerva. You next, Neptune. I have nothing to give, said the god of the waters. 'fAlready I have given my best treasures-the pearls from my palaces under the sea. I have given thirty-two in number of my most perfect pearls-each one of which is worth a pot of gold to a human being. And that is enough, interrupted Minerva. You next, Venus. The personilication of grace and beauty, Venus rose to her feet. A creation such as ours can do much with beauty alone. Love and beauty go hand in hand and help greatly toward lessening the burdens of life and brightening lives. I give beauty. My son Cupid found it necessary to attend a wedding, the most beautiful which he has ever brought about. between Pan and his lnost favored Dryad and determine into whose hands the bride's bouquet should fall. I-Ie asked me to tell you of his promised offering. He gives lovcg love for all mankind. lt is perhaps the best gift of all, though given by one so young. Our creation would be most incomplete, Venus, without your aid and that of your son. said Minerva. Now, where is Vulcan? Pluto sprang to his feet. Vulcan asked me to make excuses for him. He was very busy and also said that anything which belongs to a rough and lame blacksmith would hardly be suitable to present to such a divine creature as was spoken of last evening. I also wish to be excused. I have nothing to give. I will do no good, but on the other hand I promise to do no harm. USO- long as you refrain from playing the part of the tempter, Pluto, said Minerva, we will not complain. lfVe know your gift, Vesta. It is purity. and no other gift could be as suitable and blend so nicely with the other characteristics of our ideal. Now, I shall give my gift of wisdom and I believe this creature divine will be complete. 'l'he only thing left for us to decide upon is how she shall be called. For nine long days they discussed the question, each one suggesting a different name and each one determined to have his own way. T'zve1zty-eight

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desses were again assembled around the throne of Jupiter, and Minerva was again appointed spokesman. No one was late but Apollo, who wandered dreamily in and took his place at .lupiter's feet. Apollo is now in the land of poetry, said Jupiter in as hushed a voice as he could command, for poetry is a sacred thing to the gods as well as to human beings. Come, Apollo, what are your thoughts ? he asked as soon as the god of poetry and music began to stir. Apollo's lustrous eyes narrowed as in thought for only a moment, then he spoke. WX form shall be made from the earth and air. lfrom the sun's bright beams of radiant hue WH: will spin a web of golden hair. The eyes, from the stars and the heavens blue. The pearls from old Neptune's Ocean, The teeth so white shall be: '.l'he pure soft clouds in the skyis commotion, The skin so velvety. lle hesitated and then continued in a more prosaic frame of mind. Now, having called upon the elements of heaven and earth, we will call for personal gifts. .-Xs it is becoming late and time for Diana to awake the moon and sail O11 her nightly voyage across the sky, I suggest that we call upon her first. Diana, with boyish grace, arose, and in a silvery voice began: l have not much to give: Venus is more beautiful than l: Minerva is more wise: jupiter more powerful: Vesta more pure: Juno more1 liInough, thundered jupiter in his gruff but kindly voice. You will in- spire yonr virtue of modesty into this creation of ours. It is your best gift and a virtue most admired by all. And, while lf am on my feet, he continued. I will give my gift. It is my best gift and l believe it is good. lt is called power-power to rule and to influence mankind. ff this creature have power and is a combination of all the gods, my gift will, l am sure, be used to good advantage in benefiting the world. Your gift is good, said Nlinerva, and it is worthy of you. Now will ,limo kindly present her gift? ,luno arose, her eyes flashing and head held high. A shiver ran through the assembly. Could it be possible that Qluno would spoil their gift by giving a part of her own questionable disposition? .lnno spoke: l, queen of all gods and goddesses, have been called upon thirdly. to present to this foolish creation of yours, my gift. li, who should have been tirst. No, I decline to give up one single thing of mine to this crea- ture: but, mark ye, if this idea of yours, Minerva, turns out as well as you expect, and you decide to create others in the likeness of this half human, half divine, l, hluno, will have a hand in the making. Furthermore, I will not deign to listen to your silly quarrelsf' NVith a toss of her superb head, which would strike any one other than a god quite dead, Juno walked away. There were audible sighs of relief. Y'zt'e1iz'y-setwiz I

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.lust as the gray dawn peeped over the edges of the horizon indicating the begiiming' of the tenth day, jupiter arose and demanded silence while he spoke. 'f'his gift was a suggestion of Minerva's. tive all agree as to its wis- dom. l,et her settle this dispute as she settled the former one. Minerva, the wisest of all the wise, arose, tall and stately. Froin the nrst moment we began work on our creation. l have known what it would be called. Vtfhen you hear it you, also. will know that it could not be named but one name and that is 'woman. ' 'he iavrnra Efhat Bib nt Bic Ry 'f'f1:.xNc14:s M. JESSEN, '16, tlaiety was everywhere in the brilliantly lighted dance hall. for in the little mountain town society and pleasure slumbered during the week only to burst 'forth on Saturday nights with a greater energy. XVhile youth whirled across the floor in each other's arms, mothers and chaperons bustled about in the banquet room arranging for the midnight lunch, now and then stopping at the doorway to enjoy the almost irresistible music and the dizzy sight within. .Xmidst the gay laughter and stolen whispers. the rapid hoofbeats upon the rocky streets outside were not observed except by Hfanda Preston, the only daughter of Colonel Preston, the most influential man in the sleepy little town, and Captain Perry, who sat together near an open window. . Xttracted by the unusual sound Wanda seized the opportunity to turn the conversation into channels of a less personal natu1'e. lsn't it strange that someone would be coming' here at this time of the night, and on horseback? she asked, assuming' a tone of interest. Yes, rather, he answered patiently. flut when a shrill bugle note echoed above the noisy room, Captain f'erry leaped to his feet, all attention. X'Yanda clutched her lover's arm- one thought reflected from his eyes, flashed across her mind and pierced her heart like an arrow, for such a note connotates only one thing' in this time of shattered dreams of world peace. And had not the governor only the other day, issued a call for troops to quell the raids along' the Mexican border, and was not Captain Perry a soldier? ln the tense silence that followed the messenger was easily heard when he shouted out briefly: Friends, l was sent here by the lieutenant of the militia of this county to inform the men of this eonununity to report for duty to-morrow at 3 P. M. lrlere is the letter for Captain Perry of Company D. .Xs Captain l erry dashed back with his letter of instruction in his hand. unmindful of the blanched cheeks and lips of his sweetheart, his eyes flashed with excitement and his heart was seized by the spirit of adven- ture. Twenty-urine