Philadelphia High School for Girls - Milestone Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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A Prince Among Men Mildred E. Runyeon ANY, many years ago, on the borders of the civilized world, there lay a mighty kingdom, famed throughout the earth for its mar- velous natural beauty. One day a stranger from a foreign land crossed the lofty mountains which served as a protection to its inhabitants, and descended into the valley. He, too, had heard of the charm of its hills and vales, and had come from far, hoping that here he might be free from the harassing cares which had surrounded his life in the great, envious, toiling world beyond those barrier ridges he had so lately crossed. The last rays of tihe setting sun were gilding the western sky ere he reached the high walls of the royal city. All that glorious summer day he had feasted his eyes on sights of such loveliness that he had many times caught his breath in bewilderment, and wondered if this were not a veritable fairyland. Yet the busy people, laboring in the warm sun-lit Gelds, had given it all an air of reality and their happy songs, the expression of the peace that filled their hearts, had connrmed the truth of the name which they had given to their country, the Land of Brotherly Love. H The impressions of the day were still fresh in the mind of the weary traveller as he sat that night in the great, cool hall of the inn and engaged in conversation with his host, a venerable, white-bearded man. The spirit of peace which had Hlled all nature had rather surprised him. He could not comprehend this distinction from the world of man in which he had always lived. Perhaps his companion would explain it. Sadly the older man shook his head. Even here it was not ever thus, he said. Years ago, when l was but a mere youth, the king perceived that his people, in the multitudinous cares of life, had lost sight of the significance of the name of their country, and he feared lest their petty quarrels should breed internal strife. How to meet the threatening danger he did not know, for he realized that no royal mandate could ever change the hearts of men. But this was not the only question that troubled his mind. There was another, just as important, just as difficult to answer. He had one daughter, a lovely, golden-haired, blue-eyed little maiden, the joy of his life. Now princes from foreign lands were eagerly seeking his court, each hoping to win the beautiful princess as his bride. As for the little lady herself, she disdained every one of them, and inwardly vowed that she would never, never leave her royal father's kingdom. Thus matters con- tinued until one day there arrived another suitor, who, by his personal charm, changed the course of events. But although he found favor in the eyes of the princess, he was coldly received by his rivals, more powerful men than he, who soon made it clear to the old king that, should he consent to the match, it would not be a very difficult matter for any one of them 9

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QDLI1' Gllaaa O, our Class's like a bright, bright star That twinkles in the sky. O, our Class's like the shining sun That's above our heads so high. So brilliant you are, beloved class, lAt least we think it's trueJ- And so it shall always be, dear class,- Dear Class of White and Blue. After we leave old Reading High, We still,shall think it's sog And so we shall always be, O shining class, Wherever we may go. Other classes may be almost as bright, Or so they perhaps may seem, But they cannot exceed the brilliancy, 3 Of the class of 1916. -Laura E. Britton 8

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to lead armed bands against this fair land and destroy its beauties. So day after day the king delayed his decision, while the princess fretted, and the prince almost despaired. lt was well that he did not entirely give up hope, for one night a wonderful plan suggested itself to the princess' father. The next day he announced to the assembled princes that they themselves should decide who should have his daughter. Exactly one year from that day she should be given to him who had done the greatest deed for the upbuilding of the kingdom. And looking down upon the eager, thoughtful face of the favored one, the king smiled a wise little smile, which no one but the princess saw, and even she did not understand. Then the national activities tfook on a new aspect. Most of the foreign princes were displaying a zeal that made every one of the inhabitants of the land wonder. They were spending great fortunes upon the work, which each felt would be greater than that of any of the others. But one of the company was performing his chosen task in a far different manner from the rest. His greatest resources lay in his own keen intellect, his power of perception. Wisely he worked among us, quietly he carried on his ditiicult undertaking. The people did not recognize him as one of the rival princes. To them he was simply a youthful stranger who worked and talked with the highest or the lowest subject in the land with the same thoughtful, winning manner, displaying in his intercourse with all a spirit of friendliness that quite disarmed the most prejudiced and self-centered. Totally unconscious of the powerful influence to change the trend of their lives which lay behind his quiet words, they loved him for himself, and their regard for him became the first common tie that had ever united their lives. And as the year drew to a close the old king's heart glowed with pride and satisfaction in the favored prince. At last the great day came, and the princess, lovelier than ever before, took her seat beside her father, and anxiously awaited the moment that should decide her fate. The people of the land eagerly thronged the great castle hall. Rich and poor alike were there, keenly desirous of knowing who their future ruler would be. Of all that mighty company the king alone was calm, for he had watched and knew. Gravely he listened to the rival princes as they told of their achievements. Some had built great highways of intercourse with other nations, bridges, and buildings, others had, in various ways changed the commercial standard of the kingdom, each felt that he had done the best. At last all had been heard save one. Slowly the last prince stepped forward. His thoughtful eyes swept the assembled company before him. A prince! The murmured surprise of the people died down into expectant silence. What was he going to say, they wondered. Then his simple, quiet words rang clear and true through the hall, 'O King,' he said, and again his eyes dwelt upon the happy faces of the people, 'I have not added to, but taken from thy kingdom. I have banished the Spirit of Discontent! And the old King smiled, while the shout of his subjects hailed the future 10