Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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A Youth’s Journey Through High School ---- ' b AVOl I'l l oner left his father’s house to sec if he could reach the far away goal called “Life.” The morning was bright and clear and a song filled his heart. To the east, stretched a long white road with palm trees on either side. This was the road to “Fame ’ The boy thought a moment. “It looks beautiful!” lie said to himself; “but when the sun shines on that white sand it will be hard on a person, who is walking.” Then he looked to the west, a bright golden road stretched before him. This was the way to “Wealth.” All along the way were l old bands of robbers, and the youth thought, since he was alone, it would be wise to choose another way. He then turned to he south. A cool, shady road met his gaze. This was the wa to Happiness.” “Pshaw, that’s too easy.” said the youth. Anybody could travel that way all you have to do is smile, and you will soon be there. At last he turned toward the north, a dark, rough road lay before him. Stones and brambles filled the path. This was the road to “Knowledge. As he stood there trying to decide which way to lake, an old man called “Common-Sense came up to him and said. My child, choose the road to Knowledge, and then when you have reached the goal of Life. Fame, Wealth and Happiness, will all come your way.” How important the Youth felt as he realized that he was on the way to Knowledge! Many other boys and girls were traveling the same path, but he believed he could lead them all some day! Bye and bye the way began to grow steep, and the grown folks called Teachers, who were trying to help them along, were not half so kind as they used to be. I )ne day. a fierce monster, called Latin, came that wav. He was a terrible beast and the youth was afraid. So he sat down and began to cry. His playmates would soon be out of ight! He reached after them, and called them in vain. Just then, two Seniors came that wav searching for some idle moments they had spent in the days of their youth. The first peered kindly over his “specs” at the lad, while the second one scratched his bald head and said, “Why so sad, little one?” On hearing his trouble, they smiled and each lent him a helping hand, and all three started on the upward way. with lighter hearts than before. Gradually the road grew wider and not very far away was a bright light, at sight of which footsteps grew lighter. The Youth smiled and bent close to his books, that no small opportunity to learn might be lost. Just at that moment. Miss Frivolity came along. “Good morning, sir, she said. How can you study so. this beautiful May morning? The flowers arc so bright and the air is so sweet. I feel more like dancing. W ill you come walk under my new parasol? I just got it this morning and you will be the first one to walk under it. Do look at that beautiful white 13

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■ MIRROR BOARD

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cloud! How I wish we were on a fleecy white cloud, with nothing to do. I»tit sail, way up in the air. and listen to the birds! So she chattered away, while the poor boy stood and listened, with eyes very bright, and books forgotten! “Look out, she said, as she skipped away, and the Youth fell in a puddle of mud called Despair. What's the use of trying any way? he thought. It is such a long way to go! Then the light began to shine very brightly and the tall figure of a woman, dressed in white, appeared to him. Don’t give up when the goal is so near. she slid. My name is Hope, and if you have faith and believe, I will help you out. So she took hold of his hand and pulled him out. and lo, he was almost there! The light shone so brightly and the distance was so short and smooth that the Youth began to run. At last, with a sigh of relief, he sat down to rest by the side of a gate, over which the word Life was written in bright, shining letters. Looking back over the way he had come he wondered why it had seemed so hard. It was surely a beautiful road to travel, and somehow the Youth wanted to go back and try it over. On the other side of the gate was a wonderful, throbbing city. The Youth thought a moment. Would he be glad or would lie regret it when he had reached the other side? As he sat there thinking. Knowledge appeared with a diploma his passport to the wonderful City of Life. I. lie He Martin. 17. The Way of Life It's a brief way. honey, But the weather once was sunny. And the stars beamed in beauty in the sky; Then kiss your hand to sorrow; If we drift away tomorrow. It’s thank God, my honey, and good-bye. It’s a brief way, my honey, But your smile it made it sunny, And the song was sweeter for-the sigh; Lor all that comes hereafter We had sweetest love and laughter. Then thank God, my honey, and good-bye. Edivyn Morris, lb. 11