Clear Lake High School - Echo Yearbook (Clear Lake, WI)

Page 33 text:

Stories The Shirker’s Dream The long, sultry days in the latter part of May moved lazily by. Every morning it seemed more difficult for me to go into geometry class, as my lesson was never prepared. Every class m the day was the same, for school and study was a punishment instead of a pleasure to me. The nights were pleasant though, for I spent the greater part of them in studying, or at least my mother thought 1 was. but in reality I was reading stories and books which would have been destroyed if my mother had known I was reading such literature. One night 1 went to my room and I was afraid to go because my mind was so disturbed by the memory of the book I had just finished reading. It was “The Mystery of the Haunted Glen.” I sat down beside the open window, afraid to look to the right or left. I heard a strange fluttering like that of a wild bird trying to free itself from a cage. I was too frightened to turn and account for this strange sound. But it was not necessary for me to turn for two radiant beings stood before me. I was terrified, for I didn’t know what this could mean. They couldn't he ghosts which I called into being by reading wierd stories, for ghosts would not be so beautiful and angels would not visit one who practiced deceit as 1 had. The mystery of their identity soon cleared, for one spoke. She had a strange silvery voice, but somehow it had a harsh sound when she addressed me. She said. “I am the Spirit of Achievement, and this,'’ pointing to the other being, “is my sister, who is tin Spirit of Perseverance.” The Spirit of Achievement was tall and fair. She had an abundance of golden curly hair and large, blue eyes. ! never had seen anything nearly so beautiful and I probably never would again. I hoped I never would at the time. The Spirit of Perseverance was beautiful, too. but she looked nothing like her sister. She had straight black hair and beautiful brown eyes. Her hair was combed straight back and she looked very studious. I always imagined that if Perseverance were personified that she surely would be an old maid. She did not look the least bit like one. i I was trembling with fright when Perseverance laid her hand gently on my shoulder and said, “ Do not fear ns; we are your friends, although you have treated us terribly.” This didn’t comfort me much for I felt they had come to give me a punishment which I no doubt needed but was afraid to receive. Achievement spoke again and this time her voice was wonderful, for the harsh sound had vanished. Sin said. “No. there is no need to fear us. tor we are your friends, as my sister said. We have come to show you the advancement of the school world which you and others like you are holding back by shirking your studies. I gathered my courage and scattered wits and said, “Well. I don't see why not studying holds the advancement of education back, for it surely can advance without me.” Neither Spirit answered, but Perseverance took my right hand and Achievement my left, and they carried me through the air to a strange country, which they called “The Land of Days to Come, and took me to school. Before we entered, Achievement said, “Now we aren’t going to hurt you. but remember we are invisible and we must speak very low when we do speak. 1 promised to remember and we entered a very strange building.