Catholic Central High School - Banner Yearbook (Fort Madison, IA)

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Commercial Department mmm IXHO W H' f'L11zr1f ' T af 5 . NND FIFTY

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N frantic. Why had she gone to that shallow, old party the other night? And then a temptation came to her. Something whisperedin her ear: Why dont you copy that poem out of that old newspaper you found in the attic the oth- er day? Dorothy tried to put the wicked thought aside, but it would not go. So in sheer desperation, she got the newspaper. My, how dark it is up here! exclaimed Dorothy. Oooh, what was that noise? I'm going to hurry. Finally after rummaging around, she found what she was looking for, and with many a glance backward, she hurried down the stairs. It was on the Commencement night that the winner of the prize was to be announced. The school was in a flurry of excitement. It seemed as though the air itself whispered about the great event. Girls in demure gray college gown and cap, their faces flushed with excitement, sat on the stage. Restlessly they moved from one position to the other, and though the boys too, were equally excited, they were trying hard not to show it. The auditorium was filled to its utmost capacity. Mothers, fathers, relations, friends, and teachers, it seemed the whole town was there. The program progressed, the diplomas were awarded, and then Mr. Alcott arose with proper dignity and went to the center of the stage. I take great pleasure this evening, my friends, in announcing to you the winner of the much talked of prize. Although there were numerous praiseworthy entries, the judges find that the most remarkable literary specimen was the poem,-the grad- uates shifted, the audience leaned forward eagerly-a sweet summer breeze from some whispering tree blew in through the open window and cooled Mary's fev- erish forehead-entitled To an Autumn Leaf, by Miss Mary Fulley. The hall rang with applause. Mary gasped. Ralph Fowler looked at first a little disappointed, and then he too broke into applause. But Dorothy, poor Dorothy, who had sold her selfrespect, her honor for a forged poem, and then didn't win! Mary rose in obedience to a common summons, and in a trem- bling voice uttered her thanks to Mr. Alcott, and to the audience. But what was Mr. Winly saying? And Mr. Gordan James accepts with great pleasure this young lady's poem. Another storm of handclapping. Both Dorothy and Mary sat with bowed heads, one with a light, happy heart, the other with a heavy cumbrous feeling clutching at her very soul. -ELLA BUCKMAN, '31. FORTY-NINE

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COMMERCIAL SPELLS SUCCESS Characters: Mother and her daughter, Marie. Mother: Marie, dear, you have many advantages in your high school today, and I hope you will use good judgment in choosing your studies. For my part, I prefer that you should take a business course. Marie: Well, mother, I shall never be a business woman. Are you forgetting that we are one of the wealthiest families of the ctiy? Mother: You never can tell what the future has in store for you. Marie: Why if anything, I would become a teacher, artist, writerg anything would be better than working in an office. Mother: Suppose you had failed or had no money to study these arts. Marie: Why discuss it? Such things will never come true. Mother: Perhaps if I tell you my story, you will see it differently. When I went to school we were very proud to say that our high school was one of the best in that district and that it offered a business course. I, being of a wealthy family, thought that I would never have to earn a living and therefore rejected this advantage. My friend, because her parents expected her to help support them in old age, worked hard to get a first-class com- mercial education and won the honors of her class. Sometime afterward she went to work in the office of the President of the City Hospital, where she had been offered a good position and a high sal- ary. After my father's death, mother told me that I would have to work. One night, after a day's walking and searching for work, I was knocked down by an auto. I was taken to the City Hospital and had to remain there for some time. A few weeks later the nurse was taking me about in a wheel- chair when we met my former classmate. I told her of my misfortune and said that she had been wise to choose a business course at school. After my recovery I took a commercial course at night school, at the same time earning small wages. With the aid of my friend I then received a good posi- tion. After I married your father and success came to him, I again enjoyed an easy life. Marie: Well, perhaps the commercial education would be best. But I hope I shall never have the misfortune that you had. Goodbye then, Mother. We'll arrange it. -MARY LOUISE FRIEMEL, '30. -CLAIRE EINSPANJER, '30. FIFTY-ON E