James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

Page 27 text:

Planting tlie Snnuumn There on the edge of the woods by the Frogpond stood our tree, slender and straight. When we saw it, all feeling of ill-humor because of the mu 1 and slush we had encountered in our search, gave place to visions of nodding white blossoms on our campus when spring should complete the awakening of our State flower. Prompted by a wise forethought of possible stubborn roots and rocky ground, we had prevailed on Mr. Little to go along and help us untangle the one from the other. Apropos of the tree, we Juniors tried our hand at versifying. For several days we had a dogwood renaissance, wherein facts and bits of sentiment and legend, centering around this American tree, were collected here and there, some of which were distilled into poetry. So worthy a theme caused even the humblest of us to call up a bit of past experience related to our old-time friend, and to fit it to metre. One evening at twilight a long line of white-clad Juniors formed a pro- cessional and encircled the tree. We planted it, various wishes and remin- iscences being sifted in around the roots with each shovelful of earth. Every- one ' s thoughts went back to the old woods and to her own particular dog- wood tree that had served as a spirited steed in childhood days. This led the way to other memories — the first bloom as a signal for corn planting in the spring, and the abundant red berries in the autumn as a warning of a long, hard winter. The deepest impression of all seemed to have been made by the dogwood switch, used occasionally in lieu of the proverbial hickory by the schoolma ' am to force the erring into the straight road. Then amidst all the good wishes for our tree ' s long life, a dog-lover bit- terly yet humorously reminded us that the same Legislature that last winter adopted the dogwood tree, almost abolished the dog forever. Perhaps the law-makers intended the State flower as a memorial of the forsaken Virginia dawg — bark and all. The old legend was brought to mind of the bad little elf, intent on mis- chief, who once pulled the white petals off and scattered them all over the ground just before the children came to see the dogwood tree. A good fairy was distressed, for she knew that it would never do to disappoint them. So she stuck the petals all on again with magic, but in her haste she put them on backwards; and that is why they always have the little brown points on their edges. Virginia chose wisely her symbol — a tree that shuns all things low and dark and leans always towards the light, a tree with flowers as pure as Vir- ginia ' s name, and limbs as strong as the deeds of her men. Now this slender tree, waiting to ensnare all the magic of the moonlight in its white blossoms and all the strength of the sunlight in its straight branches, stands on our campus, first to meet the eye. a symbol of Old Virginia and a memento of the Junior Class. Mamie Omohundro

Page 26 text:

Htnjtttta JFlmurr ' Twas in the springtime, fair to see, When o ' er the hill and o ' er the lea The soft, sweet breath of Life beguiled From sleep each blossom of the wild. Out from a dark and shady bower, Where mightier trees did o ' er it tower, Reached forth the dainty dogwood flower To sip the nectar of Life ' s kiss, And, sipping, fill the woods with bliss. The chaste, sweet beauty of the flower Is symbol of our State ' s high power — Her faithfulness to that clear call Of peace, love, liberty for all; Its lifted blossoms, purest white, Leaning ever towards the light. Call, On! Virginia, for the right! Some day shall come that fairer spring When every man shall be a king! Ykrlie Story

Page 28 text:

Spacing September 27, 191 ' JTTHEN sang Dsborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people will- ingly offered themselves. Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir. when thou marehedst out of the held of Edoni, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the Lord, even Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel. Awake, awake, Deborah; awake, awake; utter a song: arise, Barak. and lead thy captivity captive. For the divisions of Reuben there were great search ings of heart. VVhv abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his harbors. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. . . . They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people will- ingly ottered themselves.