Nazareth Academy - Lanthorn Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Progress of Senior the Pilgrim S I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain by-way, secluded and sheltered, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I saw that along this by-way, wending toward the place where I was, came a company of maidens blithe and merry and singing as they came. As they approached the shaded place where I rested, they entered a field; and I beheld that they all went on merrily and thoughtlessly until they came to the hill at the bottom of which was a Spring. There were two other ways besides that which led straight to the top, to Graduation with Honor: one turned to the left hand, and the other to the right, at the bottom of the hill; but the narrow way lay right up the hill; and the name of the going up the side of the hill is called Difficulty. One maiden, whom I understood was called Freshman, I marked among the group for her clear eyes, and earnest face. Freshman now went to the Spring about which stood bright-faced and black-robed women, each bearing in her hand a drinking vessel of a different shape and appearance. Although all had filled their pitchers from the same spring, yet when Freshman drank from each in turn, she found that each was different in taste and in the effect of the draught upon her. Freshman secured a flask of the potion dispensed by each of these Guardians of the Spring, and proceeded on her way, straight up the hill according to their advice. The others of the company, who came to the foot of the hill, when they saw that the hill was steep and high, and that there were two other ways to go, and supposing also that these two ways might meet again with the straight road at the top of the hill, therefore they were resolved to go by these ways. Now, the name of one was Pleasure, the name of the other was Carelessness. Some companions took the primrose path called Pleasure, which led them into the dark wood called Failure; and others took directly the easy Way called Carelessness which led them into a wide field called Trouble, full of dark mountains, where they stumbled and fell and rose no more. I then looked after Freshman to see her go up the hill, where I perceived she fell from running to going, and from going to clambering upon her hands and knees, because of the steepness of the place. Now about one-quarter way to the top of the hill was a station, built by the lord of the hill. Here all comers were examined as to their fitness to go on up the hill. Those found worthy to proceed were given a pass card, certifying the same, and after refreshment and a long rest, were permitted to go happily forward, called now by a new name, Sophomore. Those who failed in the test were detained for a long weary time. Thither, therefore, Freshman got, where also she sat down and began afresh to review the Roll, that had been given her at the foot of the hill, which would prepare her for the ordeal. At last the encounter was over. She was found worthy of the new name, Sophomore, and a longer garment. Thus Sophomore began again to go up the hill, after refreshing herself from a second Spring of sparkling water which stood close by the station, with Guardians about resembling the ones she had seen by the Spring at the foot of the hill. These Guardians likewise held curious flagons from which Sophomore filled vials to refresh her on her way. She soon came to a pleasant arbor, also made by the lord of the hill for the holding of “spreads for the refreshment of the travelers. Here, therefore, she sat down to rest and thus pleasing herself a while , she at last fell into a slumber. Now as she was sleeping, there came to her one in form and Continued on Page 32 Thirty-one

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SENIOR DEBATING TEAMS 1 wjf K .: Thirty

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a z a r e t h, 5 £ i n et e e n Eighteen figure like to the dark-robed ones she had first met at the foot of the hill. She jogged the sleeper, saying, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise.” With that Sophomore suddenly started up and sped her on her way and went apace until she came to the next station placed about mid-way to the top of the hill. This station was like to the one Sophomore had before passed only by answering many trying questions put by the lord of the hill. Again she got by with another pass card and the name of Junior, and again drank deep of the water of a third Spring, and once more filled her vials from the flagons of the Guardians of the Spring. After this the road became a little steeper and rougher, if that were possible. Now when Junior had got well on her way, there came two running to meet her amain; the name of the one was Frivolity, and of the other Discouragement; to whom Junior said, “Friends, what ' s the matter? You run the wrong way.” Frivolity answered, “We were going to the top of the hill where we hoped to reach Graduation, but the farther we go the more difficult is the road and none of the joys of life are found therein; as for me, I cannot abide it, and have turned back. It is much easier to go down the hill, and toward the foot I will find my boon companions and with them I will enjoy the sunshine, the pleasant grove and the goodly company that sport therein.” “Ah,” said Discouragement. “Just before us in the way lay two Lions; on the collar of one was engraved Physics, and on the other, Cicero. 1 could not think, if we came within reach but that they would presently pull us to pieces. Then said Junior, “You make me afraid; but I will drink of the vials given me by the Guardians of the Spring, and I will yet go forward. So Frivolity and Discouragement ran down the hill, and Junior went on her way, wearing now upon her breast two Greek letters in shining gold, Beta Phi, which gave her much joy and comfort. And now there was much encouragement, for far ahead, Junior, could now and then see a faint glimpse of the Palace which she knew to be the summit of the hill, and which only those who had attained Graduation could hope to enter. And so anon, when her footsteps la gged in a stony bit of the road, she had only to look up and behold the goal of this long, weary journey, and go on refreshed. Soon she came to the third Station where again the multitude of hard questions made her heart quake and her head ache. A pass card was again given her, however, and again a new title by which she would be known, the heart-gladdening name of Senior. Forthwith, she began to look about her for the Spring which she knew must be near, from which she needs must drink, and must also fill her vials from the flagons of the tried Guardians of the Spring. So I saw in my dream that thereafter she made haste and went forward that betimes she might gain the top of the hill. Still shone the golden letters upon her breast, and the companions she had met along the w r ay became more and more dear. Flowers were blossoming all about; the sun shone bright and birds sang from every tree, making the end of the journey pleasant. As she neared the top of the hill she came to an Arbor filled with merry folk. She, with some who walked beside her, entered in and found such pleasantness and good will that Senior and her companions were minded to act a play for the merry folk, which play was named Thirty-two Continued on Page 33