Athens Area High School - Athenian Yearbook (Athens, PA)

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plained how the guns were fixed, and after showing him the various things that the age of electricity had constructed for the use of man, I asked, “Now that you are going to return, tell us, what do you think is the greatest thing of the a ;e?” “I think,” he replied, “that the spirit of America is the greatest thing have seen.” As we gazed at him he seemed to go farther away from us and finally faded into thin air and was seen no more. DONNA MILLS, ’18 EVANGELINE FRANCKE, '18 fca Rs EVERY ATHENIAN, FIRST SCENE By the School where our education began Description: The High School situated on the banks of the Susquehanna, in the little town of Athens. The place where every Athenian gets his start in life. On the opposite side of the river in the distance is a very steep mountain, known as Round Top. A very pleasant morning. Discovered: An Athenian standing on the bank gazing in the direction of the school. At the thought of work, a gloomy expression passes over his face. Enter Ideals, another Athenian, who approaches him. Ideals: Good morning, schoolmate, why so gloomy on such a perfect morn- ing? Athenian: Oh, as I was standing here, my thoughts wandered back to text books. Just to think of it. But I suppose we are fortunate, aren't Ideals: Sure we are fortunate. Are you really gloomy, or is it jr. t ; Athenian: Well, I don’t think that I am really fond of the thought of grinding over the textbooks again, but I’ll show what kind of stuff I’m made of. (Athenian tries to forget his former thoughts and seem happy.) Come, let’s sit here together for I have so much to tell you about. (Bell is heard in the distance.) Ideals: Listen. Did I hear the word of warning? (Pause—both turn in the same direction.) Athenian: It seems as though school were calling me. Ideals (With a note of sadness in his voice): Yes, schoolmate, that is the message of the old Athens High always ringing out to her children. (He turns and starts to go.) Come, come, five more minutes she sends out her last message. (Looking at his watch, starts off, saying): I had almost forgotten; go on I’ll follow. (Opportunity enters. He stands in the crossroads watching the 2 Athenian: I can never complete the course in Athens High. EveryL. -in.- so hard. Think of the work we are doing this morning! Of course it’s glorious to listen to the deeds of renown done by those who have completed the coin . But this very moment my heart yearns to be free on Round Top. Ideals: Come! Come! You’re forgetting your promise. The course is yours to •onquer. Do it. Athenian: Yes, but consider—well— (Picks up courage.) All right. Go on, I’ll follow. (Opportunity walks up to Athenian and speaks to him as if to an old friend): So these are all your impressions of the school. Well put, my friend. Athenian (Turns and speaks to him coldly): Pardon me, I don’t know you .sir! Opportunity: My name is Opportunity. You’re going to know me well. We’re going to be great pals. Athenian: And who are you ,that you take the liberty to speak to me in ach a manner? Opportunity: I’m the most exacting person in the world. Ideals: Come on, school-mate, we are losing time. Opportunity will come with us. 5

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The Athenian. Vol. VIII. Athens, Pa., June, 1918. No. 6. FOR AMERICA We sat in the evening twilight and were watching the street cars and the various automobiles glide slowly down the street between the silent policemen and rows of electric lights, and we wondered what Benjamin Franklin would say if he were to see all these things for which, in a way, he was responsible, and what he would consider, in this age of science to be the greatest of all improvements. As we gazed listlessly down the broad street, we saw a dim, odd, out-of-place figure approaching slowly, gazing first at the lights, then at the cars and automobiles. Immediately as he stepped under the light, Evangeline said to me, “Donna, that man is Benjamin Franklin himself. I wonder what he is doing back here now.’ He approached us, saying, “I have just heard that you girls would like to know what I think the greatest thing of the age. Perhaps you would take me about and then I can tell you better. We wore delighted at this idea. We took him to the movie theatre. He was very much pleased with it, and after we told him it was all done by electricity he . .. “I have always said that electricity would rule the world. We then played the Victrola for him and his pleasure could not be surpassed a he b John McCormack, who was thousands of miles away, sing Mother Machree. After hearing and seeing all of this he calmly said, “I rather expected all this, but please tell me, girls, what is the meaning of these red and white flags with a blue star in the center that I see in nearly every home? “Those are Service Flags, explained Evangeline, who hastened to tell him what they meant. “Well, well, said he. “Is there a camp nearby? I should like very much to visit one. The next day we went to one not far away. The old man’s eyes filled with tears of pride and pain as he looked at the long files of khaki-clad youth and realized that these were the ones who were giving their all for America. We watched the cavalry, infantry, machine gunners and air-men drill with a spirit of true patriotism and then filled with the spirit himself, he said, “The greatest joy of my life is that I am an American. The next day we asked him to go to the Red Cross rooms to see what the women were doing to help the orphan children of Belgium and France, the boyi fighting “over there and those in the training camps. In this working room there were many women who were running sewing machines, others cutting, basting, knitting, wrapping and packing various articles to send to the boys on the firing line. When the women explained to him the different kinds of work, he said, “You are • ' -••'-'•C. I am sure your devotion will never be forgotten and trust that the c f. ;r day will be better equipped and clothed than they were in mine. I or’ wirh that I were young again, that I could fight for my country. Ti e day following we took Franklin to the shipyards, where many large ships were being built. He said, “Isn’t that a very large ship? “No, we replied, “this is nothing out of the ordinary. Franklin said, “If some of our great men of the past could see it, they would be very mreh surprised. Donna then said, “Well, I guess they would be. They would see many changes in the art of shipbuilding and the engines by which they are run. We went on board a large steamer that seemed like some wealthy man’s residence to Franklin. He said that one would hardly know whether he was on land or sea when he was In the rooms of this magnificent vessel. . Next we were permitted to go on the deck of one of our great war ships. Here the o,!ors woi'fe just having their daily drill, and the many large guns and shells on board the ship again opened his eyes in astonishment. One of the men ex- 4

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Athenian: You know it makes me feel better to hear you. I’m ashamed of myself for wanting to give up the fight. (All proceed, chatting together. Curtain). SCENE 2 Description: Auditorium of the High School. A spacious, light, sunny room with walls decorated with beautiful works. One space on the wall is devoted to football pictures. Over the picture of the founder of the High School the Stars and Stripes are draped. Discovery: Every Athenian conversing with Ideals in the midst of other groups of students. Ideals: No, no, it isn’t like this every day. There isn’t a school more studious and orderly than the Athens High School. Do you want to go now to plan your studies with the Principal? Every Athenian: Not now. The others haven’t begun work yet. Let’s look around awhile. The building is strange to me and therefore is interesting. Frivolity: You’ll like it here, and I don’t blame you for wishing to look around now, but it would be a greater benefit in the end to you, if you would start aright, not by following the actions of others. Every Athenian: Do they have any amusements in the school here? Ideals: Oh, yes. Frivolity and her set have something on. as they say, con- tinually. It would be difficult to find a night they had time just to study. But here in school we have plenty of recreation that enlivens the sometimes prosaic school life; in debates, oratoricals, recitations and contests. Every Athenian: Debates? Oratoricals? Isn’t that great? Do you think that I will have a chance to enter them? Aud, Ideals, do you think that if I try my best, 1 could graduate first in my class? Ideals: Of course you can be Valedictorian if you try, and I’m sure the prize at Commencement, to the Senior who has been the greatest aid to his school during his four years spent there would be worth striving for. Every Athenian: I’m certainly glad I came to Athens in preference to other schools. There is so much of interest here. I believe I’ll go now and arrange my work. Thank you, Ideals, for the help and inspiration you have been to me. I hope you won’t regret your faith in my ability. (4 p. m. As he is leaving school Athenian meets Frivolity.) Frivolity: I am Frivolity. I believe you are a new student here, and as I am an old one I am taking this liberty. I wanted to invite you to join our circle in the ‘Thornless Path,’ as Ideals calls our club. Every Athenian: Thank you. I’m sure I would enjoy it. But what did you mean in saying you were an old student? A Senior wouldn’t call himself that, would he? Frivolity: But I am an old one. I am only a sub-Junior and have been here four years. I don’t seem to accomplish much. I wouldn’t stay here in school, but for the jolly times I have. But, will you join us? We are starting the year right by having a party tonight at my house. Be sure to come. Curtain THIRD SCENE In the Thornless Path Description: In a modern, richly furnished room. Small tables at which boys and girls are being entertained by different amusements. Discovered: Frivolity, Pleasure, Sport, Athletics, Politics and others may be seen chatting contentedly. Enter Pleasure at one side and Athenian at the other, both appearing very happy. Frivolity: Greeting Athenian): You are here at last—welcome! Athenian: Let me thank you, Frivolity. It’s so glorious. Everything is so pleasant and the music is just great! How wonderful you are to grant me all this! Frivolity: You’re entirely welcome, but come now and meet the rest of “our set’’ that I spoke about. (Turning, sees Pleasure approaching). 6