Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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f ' ' Q 1 ITEIZFITVIZE Romance of 1150 jungle 'QThen, I dare you!,' And, I accept your dare!', A group of people on the little veranda of the only decent house in Baucho had been discussing various things, among them the secrets of the jungle. These people, young and old, were all adventurers. Some were there in Africa merely for the sake of seeing and boasting of having visited the dark continent. One or two were there on business, but only one or two. Even they, business men that they were, forgot all else in the excitement of the moment. A young woman, Betty Lavors, had arisen from her seat and was shouting loudly, And now, he'll most likely go back on his boasts. Oh, yes, he could fly over the jungle and over to Okanga safely in his plane. Oh, yes, I think not! It might be safe and all that, but you'll never catch Ralph Linton risking his neck, even for a thrill. Now if I had the nerve, which he hasn't, I'd go with him, just to show you that I mean what I say. The young man, too, had jumped to his feet and was himself shout- ing, addressing his sneers to Miss Lavors. Oh, so you think I wouldn't, do you. Well, I'll show you a thing or two. But, I'd sooner hang than fly with you. So that's going to be your excuse, is it? You have no one to go with. We,ll fix that, no fear. You can take--. She looked around, wondering who would do. Then she cried she had found the very one. Take Eileen Waters with you. She'd make an excellent com- panion. But perhaps Eileen, too, is afraid of the jungle, even in a plane. Oh, hum, these people that brag. Miss Waters snapped back at her, So this is your way of backbiting! But then, it's just what I'd expected of you. And another thing, I'm not afraid of that old jungle, in or out of a plane, so there!,' Then, I dare you! Nine

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THE REFLECTOR Crowns ROM time immemorial, the crown has been an emblem of authority and of attainment. In all ages, it has represented the height of power, the goal of achievement. Let no one take thy crown is an admoni- tion heard since childhood. And while it usually has fallen rather lightly from the lips of the speaker upon ears that listened somewhat inatten- tively, fascinated merely by the sound of the words themselves, it deserves a far greater depth of thought. There are many crowns in a lifetime for which all should earnestly strive if one would lead a worthwhile existence. The crown of health. How often do we trample beneath our feet this diadem and make little or no effort to obtain it, or, having obtained it, to keep it. Exuberant physical and mental health is indeed priceless. The sacrifices and deprivations necessary to maintain a healthy mind and body are well worth the effort. The crown of health! How it glitters on the brow of the wearer. And how much more can be accomplished with it than without it. The crown of character. This is the most precious of all possessions. When lost, it is well-nigh impossible to regain it. Therefore, it is impor- tant to begin early in life to develop a character of which all can be proud. Cultivation of a desire to possess a good character is the first requirement. With that seed planted in the breast, great progress has already been made. In the age of improvement in methods and development of the mod- ern machine, we sometimes get the idea that newer methods in character- building should also be developed. Strange as it may seem, such is not the case, for the same spiritual and natural laws remain in force as when the world began, and the young man or woman of today would do well to remember that Nature still exacts her toll from him who disobeys her laws and that God still rules the Universe and demands of men obedience to his mandates under penalty of serious consequences. The crown of character can be won only by constant effort, but it is a crown of pure gold. The crown of success, that crown which all seek and which so few obtain. While environment, selection of companions and friends, and other things play a large part, success in life depends for the most part upon one,s self. If one of these things is hampering your progress to- ward the goal of success, try to eliminate the obstacles. Remember that you have a right to yourself, to do with yourself what you feel sure is right. You are the captain of your ship, and it is you who are respon- sible for the result when life is finished. Others may help you win the race, but when decisions are to be made, when battles are to be fought, it is you and you alone who must stand the test. Eight

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gg THE Rnrrmcfron And, I accept the dare! The little gathering sensed the tenseness of the situation, and all re- mained silent. The experiment would be as thrilling as it was risky. Thrills were their aims in life, it seemed. Perhaps that was why they allowed the couple to take the hazardous flight. Ralph, however, was far from being optimistic. The affair might be adventurous, and all that, but he felt greatly dubious about it all. But then, the girl was willing, so why shouldn't he shrug his shoulders as well? It was a week later. Preparations had been made, and all was in readiness. It was five in the morning, and the African sky was coating the sun, which was already beginning to waken to its daily task. With an effort old man Sun began to stretch, and immediately long gray streaks appeared in the east. Last minute good-byes were said, and the plane was sent off into the sky, its nose pointed far over the jungle. The little group watched it pass from sight. Betty was stamping her feet and say- ing, The fool, the foollv It wasn't long before Ralph had ascertained that the wind would be of great aid to him, it being at his back. Hours passed. Eileen looked up and smiled at the sun, which was trying its hardest to blind her. But she giggled delightfully, it was all so thrilling. She turned around and waved her hand at Linton, who responded by waving back, as he, too, was enjoying the novel experience. He couldn't imagine what he had worried for, there wasn't anything to worry about. They were well, the plane was running smoothly, they had plenty of fuel, and were hav- ing loads of fun. His feelings were so high that he instinctively felt a desire to adjust the altitude accordingly. Down to the joy-stick went his hand, and up rushed the plane. The girl's head went dizzy with the sudden change, and she gasped. XV hat in the world was happening? She looked behind and saw Ralph grinning mischievously. Oh, so it was a trick of his! Oh, well, it was all in fun. Linton, in order to do the thing up brown, sent the plane's nose up higher and higher. The grade was frightfully steep. The motor responded hesitatingly and coughed. It sputtered, while Linton frantically clutched at the controls. The engine had gone dead. The plane slipped back into a tailspin. It was suicide to remain a moment longer! Ralph screamed at the top of his lungs: Out! Quick! The parachute! They both jumped, opened their parachutes, and sank slowly to the jungle underneath. They had been in the air only a few seconds, when darting and screeching the plane rushed past them. Far below the sound of the crash came to them. Ralph looked down, and then to Eileen. She was a little above him, and as far as he could see, she was delighted with something. He had no idea with what. The ground was close now, and they prepared to meet it. They landed with a bump, Ralph quickly untying himself and running to Ten