DYouville College - DYouvillian Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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i T- Tm: SJSX .s 1 HIHI , Y v.cQUVILLIANI In the early days certain of those who had now achieved the dignity of sitting in the supreme inner Council, Senior, went off in a fragile bark exploring nearby lands. They made their way even to the shores of a strange country where the people spoke an unknown tongue, that was strange to all save one Loyola, who was exceedingly well versed in this same language, and who interpreted for her companions what the natives said. These same were most kind to them, and at length they came to a civilized port, one Fort Erie, and there they spent the Sabbath. But at length they were convinced that they should return with all speed to their own land lest the greatest and most feared of all people thereabouts, proctors, should fall upon them, and destroy them, cutting them to bits as was their barbarous custom. Soon after this came a momentous day in their livesg and it was the last golden day of autumn. After sunrise they set out, making their way to where the great cliffs rose above the lapping blue waves of the BigfSea Waters, and there was a mighty spectacle as they made merry. All day they splashed in the Waters, and lay upon the sandy shore. And they feasted on roots which they roasted in hot ashes, and on game which they held on pointed sticks over roaring flames. As the dusk came on they prepared to return to the home fires. After this last orgy of frivolity they decided to put from them all childishness. It was the Death Dance of their youth. On the seventh day after this then, they were solemnly invested with the ceremonial robes of state, and took their places in the inner circle. And on the diaz sat the Princess Celina, and below Margaret of the' tribe of Murray, and to the right was Marie of the tribe of Sullivan, whose birthplace called to mind stringed harps and dancing fairies, and on the left was Dolores, she who came from the place of silvery waters. And in the great Council Hall, there stood one Agnes of the tribe of Creahan, and near her was Jane, whose tribe was White. And now there was dignity and solemnity in the bearing of these of the inner and smallest circle, yet they put not gayety from their lives, but soughtfto be as a beacon, guiding those who were yet far down in the council ranks. And those who had come but recently to the Temple regarded them with awe and reverence. Now, while it was good that they should do so, yet the exalted ones wished that it might be known that they saw and noted these lesser beings and welcomed them to their midst. And so it was that they prepared the autumn carnival where they frolicked together with the spirits 'mid the swirling leaves. Now at this time when the year was drawing to a close, it was fitting that all should offer thanks for the fruits of the harvest, and hence a great pageant was held, as was wont each year, that should commemorate the deeds of their ancestors, and should fire all with new zeal, should spur them on to fresh efforts, being withal a thing of beauty. And this was called A Rose O' Plymouth Town, a pageant beyond all others as this Senior Camp Fire rose above all Camp Fires gone before. fini herein did. the Princess Celina and many of her braves hold forth and charm a earts. Soon, before one could have believed it, they had made the last winter pilgrimage to their home lands and had returned to confront for the last time plague of the Mid Years, mighty in which was Hist. of the tribe of Ed., he who had darkened the days of many, keeping them even from Sheas by day, and from sleep by night. 48

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. ,IOUVILLIAN 1 C TT Tm: v C Isaixs And now it was time for the departure of the expedition carrying supplies to the orphans in the nearby territory of Lackawanna. And all was done well. So great were the demands made upon them in this cycle that it became imperative to repair at shorter intervals to the nearby countries of Austins and I'Ioeflers for auxiliaries in the way of stimulating sundaes and confections, and for recuperation to the healthful plateaus, Sheas, I'Iipp and Lafayette And at this time, to try how well they might do later, many went forth through the countryfside instructing the young in outlying districts in the way of righteousness, and many, again, did bind up the wounds of those whom they found languishing by the wayside But the time anxiously awaite wa , the sun lay deep over all, and the rivers were as shining glass and the very twigs cracked in the snowy stillness, the Council held their mighty Sun Dance in the beautiful lodge Statler. Though all without was bitter cold, warmth and beauty reigned within. Countless maidens and braves from near and far, attired in full ceremonial robes, held forth in a pageant of beauty, while the sobbing wind instruf ments cast their spell of enchantment. ' Swift upon this followed a day, awaited as with great joy. For upon this day signalized by the totem shamrock, each spring as many of the dauntless ones who had gone forth as could retrace their steps returned to tell of their experiences in the great open spaces, and in the dark jungles. Sometimes it brought forebodings, some' times courage to those yet in training, but they continued fearlessly ahead. And now once again evil days were upon them, for those who had been near to them, who had always sat one step above them in the great council hall, were preparing to go forth as their predecessors had done. And varied were the emotions of the brave spirits of the third or junior Councilg for pride at their coming dignity was commingled with awe at the thought of the accompanying responsibilities. Sn, in accordance with their custom, one spring evening when there was promise of a full silvery moon, they might all have been setting forth mounted on autofmobiles, animals much smaller and more agile than the Conn Belts, and much used on festive occasions. 'Twas not a solemn nor lugubrious procession that wended its way to a nearfby mountain known thereabouts as Orchard Park Country Club, and in h there was feasting and chanting and ceremonial dances, and the light of t e moon, there was peace in the hearts of all, despite the sadness of the coming parting. But now memory of past achievements gave new confidence to our fearless ones, so that they faced the finals bravely. The warfare lasted some six days and they gained additional distinctions for they had at the same time conquered a newly sprung up enemy, Majors Some of the most illustrious who fell in this campaign were a chieftain known as General Psy, and a woman warrior called Analytics, When hostilities has ceased, decent and fitting burial was accorded the enemy slain in the far famed burial plot BookfRoom. Then the amazons quietly departed for visitation to their kinsfolk before gathering about the final and greatest Camp ' cl s the great festival of the Council So when a last Fire of the Temple. Wh h summer had passed then, and the autumn haze lay over all, and en t e the blue smoke of smouldering leaves drifted lazily upward, wafting their pungent odor abroad, the strong hearted ones returned for the last time to the beloved spot 47 '

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THB f X' X f . Quvxru g 51- Ei.. And now, there remained to them as to jason in days of old a few more trials before they should have shown themselves worthy to go out and fight. But these tasks were severe, for they must conquer Ethics and Methods, vanguards of the ' bd the descendants of General Psy, scourge of finals, and again they must su ue and of General Soc, who had banded themselves together under the leadership of the warrior SocfPsy. But in these times there came to pass a strange thingg for there came a day when there was no sun, and all was dark as night. Many were terrified and fled to the hills, but these intrepid ones stayed on, some exposing themselves even to hardships and dangers in order that they might go out, and teach the people the nature and the cause of these phenomena, so that they might be without fear in the face of the strange things of nature. And presently too, they made merry with those of the third Council who were then at the time of their SunfDance. Each year there had come to them a wise man from afar off, a black robe, who spoke to them words of counsel and of wisdom and of hope, and who brought them the message of the Great Spiritg and they sought to know His will for many of them were seeing visions of farfoif things. And for three days all was silence and peace, but even in this very peace, they accomplished their greatest fighting, and they laid up in their hearts strength that should stand them in good stead in the days to come. And when they went again into the turmoil many carried with them small, quiet, happy thoughts. During their first days about the Senior Camp Fire, one, led by her visions, had gone from them to dwell forever in the Tabernacle of the Eternal, called by mortal tongue Carmel. And now again there were many concerns. For they must be about the prepara' tions of memorials and the completion of their chronicles, in order that future generations might read on the stone tablets the record of what they had clone and had sought to do. And again many were perturbed about what road they should choose through the new country. In these days too, many were feting them, even as they had done in former times, and in the joy, there was a shadow of sorrow, for partings are sad. h ranted a token of accomplishment and of rank, and this In these days t ey were g , same was a seal, which was placed upon the hand of each. It was decreed that when they should have fulfilled the last mighty task-Afacing the last great onslaught E -th re should be a festival of seven days and seven nights, at of the June xams e the end of which time they would set bravely out upon their separate ways, some l ' l. travelling close together, some far apart, but all toward the same gorious goa Though they pleaded: Time, you old Gypsy Man, XVo'n't you please stay? Put by your caravan, he would not. ,lUSi for ll dw, And so, they were content, that it should be so, only hoping that they might be worthy to carry the standards entrusted to them, and confident in their hearts that they could nevergbe completely estranged from the Temple. For they knew lk ' ' th ll lo ed laces full well that their spirits would oft return to wa again in e we v p of happy memories. MARGARET MURRAY 49