Ashtabula High School - Dart Yearbook (Ashtabula, OH)

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THE DART The Influence of a Vision RUTH SWEDENBORG 12 First Pri « Story XCITEMENT ran riot on the camps of the Royal School of Music. The girls stood about in little excited groups, discussing the great event. They had been assembled in the auditorium of the school for the morning exercises, when the Dean had taken the opportunity of announcing that one of the school’s wealthy friends would present a scholarship of two years' study in a leading European conservatory to the girl who gave the best evidence of her musical talent at a concert to be given in three month’s time. Do you wonder that the girls could talk of nothing else? “Am 1 going to try? Yes, but I know 1 11 not win. The chance lies between Stella Manning and Amy Reed, and I’ve no doubt but in the end you’ll win. Stella, one of the girls said, turning to a tall, slight girl standing beside her. “You’ll try of course?” “Oh, yes. I’ll try. I intend to go anyway, but if I should win it would please mother and father, and perhaps I can persuade them to take me out of this place another year,” and the dissatisfied look on her face made her seem strangely out of place among the eager group. “Stella Manning! How can you! Talking that way about this dear old school!” “Well, I never wanted to come, in the first place, and now that I’m here, I don’t see much to be crazy about. No chance to wear pretty clothes, a bell to get up by, eat by, study by. go to bed by. and—well you just live bv bells! Stella Manning was the wealthiest girl in the school. Her mother was one of the social leaders in her home city, and her father, a leading lawyer of the state. She was the only child and her parents, seeing her growing up into a vain, spoiled girl, had placed her in this school, hoping that she would find better influences among a set of happy school girls than the girls gave her in her home city. •Tin sorry you feel that way. Stella. I have had such a lovely time here. I want to cry every time I think of leaving our dear school. Rut. O girls, wasn’t it lovely of whoever offered that scholarship? I mean to try so hard for it. It would mean so much to me. Amy Reed finished speaking with a sigh. Never again would she have such a chance, ami she must make the most of it. Her mother had died before Amy was five, and her father, a poor musician, left her an orphan when she was ten, with an old violin and a few compositions as her only heritage. Her uncle had cared for her and placed her in the school, but the following year she must leave it and make her own way in the world. Do you wonder that she was so anxious about the scholarship? The girls began to discuss the kind of pieces they would play. Everyone seemed to have an idea but Amy. “What shall I play? she wondered. “Some- 31

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THE DART All of these traits were noticeable very early in their career. As Freshmen they exhibited great spirit and devotion to their school. Their literary societies excelled those of the older classes in the earnestness and enthusiasm displayed by their members. They chose Paul Callendar, president, for a leader in their struggle for existence among the older classes of A. H. S. They soon established themselves. As Sophomores they astonished and puzzled their instructors, who little realized at the time what potential genuises the members of that class were. Their ranks were somewhat thinned by examinations and withdrawals, but their spirit was unchanged. Lyman Boynton served as class president that year. When their Junior year came around they elected Robert Burwell, president and proceeded to set a mark for coming classes. The class was a very efficient unit in the make-up of the school. It supplied a large number of athletes. If it had not been for them the glory of A. II. S. might have been dragged in the dust. They gave the Seniors a reception which, in pure satisfaction rendered, exceeded any other. Then their last year came around. Lyman Boynton was elected president and the class fittingly rounded off its career. They were a band of young men and women properly trained for the world. They lacked not in energy, cleverness, and initiative. In athletics and debate a higher standard was reached than before. Early in May they displayed their capability in another light, viz., the six)t-light. A play, “Bluff” was finely given before a full house. In fact, they had an entirely satisfactory year and filled out every corner of their place in school. And now, gentlemen, we come to the part that interests you. On Commencement night near the close of the exercises a comet crossed the sky and stopped squarely above the building where the exercises were being held. This event attracted eager attention from the astronomers. Other jiersons who saw it. regarded it as a very happy omen, and prophesied a great future for the members of the class. I will confess, young men, that I joined in that rather super-stitious feeling, and I think you will see that it has in many ways been justified, as a study of the subsequent history of those Seniors will show. They have made good in every walk of life and are making their lives an inspiration for others. I cannot wish you more than that you should equal them.” 30

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THE DART thing lively or solemn, gay or sad? She could not decide. The next day she was no nearer her decision than before. If only she might ask one of the teachers to help her, but that was forbidden. Some of the girls had begun already to practice, and she knew she must make up her mind soon. Stella went about with a satisfied air, for she had found a piece which suited her exactly. It almost maddened Amy to think of it. That evening Amy looked over all her old music and several new pieces. None would do. Finaly she gave it up and went to bed. She could not sleep. Getting up, she went to the table and took up the little framed pictures of her mother and father. The gentle face of her father smiled back at her, and the sweet look on her mother’s face seemed almost to speak the words of encouragement she need so much. “O mother and father.” she cried, “your little girl will do her very best, and if she does not win, she’ll accept her defeat as you would wish her to.” She put away all thoughts of her music and went back to her bed, thinking of the sweet mother whom she could scarcely remember, and the gentle father who had been both mother and father to her. Soon she fell into a quiet sleep. Once again she was back in the old days of her childhood. But her mother as well as her father seemed to be with her. It was in the evening and the lights were low. The open fire place glowed with embers. The chairs were drawn up close to it. and she sat at her mother’s knee, her head in her mother’s lap, her mother’s hand smoothing her hair. Presently her father began to play. Softly at first, then louder, the song rose and fell in the quiet room. Soon it grew weird and the sounds were those of wild beasts howling. Another time the wind called. Another, the birds were singing to her. Presently the music ceased. Her father stood up and putting the violin in her hand spoke softly. “Amy, my daughter. I have given you your piece. Play it as I have, and all will Ik? well.” Once again he drew her to him and kissed her. Then her mother’s arm went around her. and a parting kiss was felt on her lips. The vision vanished, and she was alone, sitting up in her bed, her cheeks wet with tears. “Ah, father. I will!” she cried. “Only help me that night as you have this, and I will, I will win!” It was the night of the concert. The great auditorium was filled with people. riie girls took their places on the palm-covered stage. Most of them were nervous; all were more or less excited, altho some managed to appear serene and self-possessed. The program l»egan. Amv hardly listened to any of the girls, till Stella took her place. Gowned in a beautiful dress which her mother had sent her especially for this occasion, and which brought out more than ever her beauty, she aroused a great deal of admiration. Her playing seemed wonderful. She surpassed by far all the other girls who had taken part. When the last vibrating tone ceased, the hall almost shook with applause. Confidently she made her way back to her seat, and sent a triumphant look over to Amy. 32