Eastern High School - Echo Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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THE EASTERN Then came the departure. One last look at the Potomac from the hill, one last look at the old mansion, a buttercup, a piece of ivy to take home, and we went slowly clown t0 the boat. The return trip to Washington was very pleasant. Lunch boxes were opened, and all kinds of goodies appeared. We enjoyed our- selves t0 the highest degree. When we got off the boat, we found special cars again waiting for us. After a short ride and a long walk we reached our destination, the Zoological Gardens, but what was a little fa- tigue to a merry crowd of girls, accompanied by the best chaperons that ever lived? There were so many strange and unfamiliar things in the Zoological Gardens that we were obliged to keep our eyes open very wide, so as not to miss anything. The one animal which interested us most was a huge manlike chim- panzee, a probable ancestor. its peculiar antics, we went away less inclined than ever to believe in a certain theory! After Visiting the Zoological Gardens, we were taken in the Royal Blue Line buses through the principal streets of Washington. The homes of well-known people were point- ed out to us ,and many other places of interest, the trip ending at the Congressional Library. Before entering lVlr. Flowers told us to keep together so that we should not get lost. While we were in the library we realized fully the wisdom of this advice. The Library is gorgeous, but, like the dear old garden at Mt. Vernon, it is indescribable. It would take many weeks to become fully ac- quainted with the numerous rooms and their precious contents. The Mosaic of Minerva was especially impressive. After watching I ECHO We left the Library wishing we could stay very much longer. Nobody got lost, but we were obliged to go after a few girls who were loathe to leave. From the Library we were taken to the depot in the buses. We had some time to spare in the station, so we wandered around. Many girls visited the soda fountain, and the balloon man must have made a good deal of money. A surprise awaited us here. Lady Astor was about to board one of the trains and gra- ciously agreed to speak to us. She was very anxious to give us some good advice and did so. Now we have the privilege of saying that we have seen a real lord and lady! When the gates were thrown open, we ran for our train. Once on it, coats, boxes, cam- eras, and other articles were quickly deposited in some convenient place, and we settled down to enjoy our return trip. We had a splenclicl time coming home. Everyone was in a good humor and ready to partake in any merriment. There were songsp feasting and even a make-believe wedding, which ended with a solemn uAmen. As the train slowed down at Mt. Royal Sta- tion, such ejaculations as uVVherels my coat? , uMartha, have you my kodak? and even Home, sweet home! were heard. We were all tired but happy, and as good-nights were said, all agreed that they had had the most wonderful time ever. It will re- Even more last- l922 will never forget that trip. main in our memories forever. ing will be our remembrance of those who made that wonderful trip and glorious time possible for us. SUMMER MEMORIES Ada French, Do you mind the time we wandered here? ,Twas on a summer night; The nightingale sang from yonder tree, And the moon was still and white. A night moth Buttered to and fro, The crickets hummetl a song, The flowers boWecl to the sweet night wind That carried their fragrance along. 1923. But you could sing like any bird, Or dance the moth to shame; And the wind that went a-whispering by Made music of your name. And still your feet go dancing on, As you lift your bird voice high To challenge the trilling, unseen lark That's singing in the sky.

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19225 TRIP TO WASHINGTON AND MT. VERNON Irene Habnicht, '2 2. BRIGHT sunny morning! One hundred girls, happy and gay, were waiting with impatience for the train to start. Such was the spirit of the Class of l922 on the morning of Saturday, May the thirteenth. Finally, with a snort and a grunt, the train started, and wonder of wonders, every girl was on time, nobody was left! The time passed quickly among such a joyous group, and we soon reached the station in Washington. Coats, lunches, and kodaks were hastily grabbed, and we were off the train in a second. For those who had never been to Washing- ton it was a pleasing and delightful sensation when they caught their First glimpse of the city. People were hurrying along; automobiles clashed hither and thither, quite as regardless of life and limb, as in Baltimore. The scene was a very busy one, and it seemed to us as if we were in the very center of events. As our time was limited, we soon found our- selves seated in our very own special street cars riding to the wharf, where we were to board the boat that was to take us to Mt. Vernon. We settled down With sighs of satisfaction and contentment when we were on the boat. Joy! But wasn't it fine when the boat began to move slowly, and we were at last drifting down the Potomac! Songs and laughter came from the various groups on the deck. Some of the girls who are inclined to be shy in school cast off their shyness and entered whole-heart- edly into the fun. When the boat was nearing Mt. Vernon everybody ran to the rail to catch sight of the famous mansion. There it stood proudly on the green slope, its white columns gleaming from out the foliage of the trees. Soon we landed. It seemed as if there should have been smiling darkies working cheerily about the little landing, to the tune of their dear old Southern melodies; but then came the remembrance that those days had passed away. We climbed up the mossy stone steps, over- shadowed by trees and hedged in by climbing tendrils of sweet-smelling vines. It was heaven to those who delighted in the beauty of nature! After a short walk we came to the old tomb of George Washington. An iron rail enclosed it, within which was the ivy-coverecl mound. We lingered here in respectful silence for a few moments and then moved on to the new tomb. An old colored man jealously guarded the way, and made us step lively. Nevertheless, many girls held back to gaze within its dark recesses, where lay the remains of the beloved man who was uFirst in peace, flrst in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. Five minutes of walking brought us to the mansion. We went through the front entrance, and in single file mounted the steps which George Washington himself had trod many times. We looked into rooms that had been honored by worthy men and women, and into the very room where the Father of Our Country breathed his last. Descending the stairs, we saw the dining- room, the music-room, and many other rooms, all of which contained sacred treasures. Finale 1y, into Martha Washington's cozy kitchen we walked, whereupon many of the girls who oc- casionally did a little work at home were glad they lived in the twentieth century! When we were once more out in the bright sunlight, we directed our steps toward the gar- den. Words cannot describe the beauty and loveliness of that wonderful garden. The per- fect way in which it had been laid out, and the exquisite colors of the fragrant flowers were delightful. We then visited the numerous ouithouses of the mansion and strolled over the well-kept lawns. During all this time cameras had played an important part. Exclamations of liOh, I hope my pictures turn out well were heard on all sides.

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BACKGROUN D AND FOREGROUN D Ruth Henss, '2 2. VERY picture must have a back- ground as well as a foreground. The background serves to bring out the objects in the foreground more prominently. Let us con- sider Milletis picture of the An- gelus. This painting represents a peasant scene, in which the peasants stop to pray at the sound of the bell. The bell in the background of the picture helps to bring out the reason for the toiIers in the foreground stopping their work and bending their heads in devotion. So every life also has a background and a foreground. Take as an illustration the life of Abraham Lincoln. When Abraham was a boy, he did not have the many advantages and priv- ileges which we have today. He had hardships and strenuous tasks, and was unable to attend school regularly or long. What IittIe educa- tion he received cost him tremendous effort and perseverance. In the evenings he would try to write with charcoal on the shovel, and it is said he would walk for miles in order to get a book to read from the nearest neighbor. But his love for reading and his desire to prepare for the future did not cause him to neglect the simple duties of each day. As he grew older he was a trustworthy and energetic young man, doing his best for his neighbors, his state, and his country. Through the love and prayers of his parents, his own willingness to work and his honesty and uprightness, he became a man of fame, a President of the United States, and one long to be remembered. The sacrifice made by his parents and himself helped to bring out into the foreground of our natural life his worth and his character. We, the students of today, are still in our early years, determining the thoughts and hab- its Which will be the background of our future life. Let us, too, put our shoulders to the wheel, and work to be more useful in our sphere, even though it be but a limited one. Let us strength- en our sense of duty and' our character and thus form a good background for our future 1ves. H GQSQDDE-m MT. VERNON Irene Habnicht, ,22. I O mansion on the fertile banks of the Potomac, You stand majEStic, calm, As in days that have long since passed. Now, as I traverse your shady walks, And smell the fragrance of your blooming Howers, And gaze on the thought-inspiring stream, A cloud passes over the sun's knowing face. I stand alone in your beautiful garden; I see still your columns gleaming white; I see still the river, reHecting, glowing; But standing in your stately doorways, Fair dames, courteous men of old, I see. Out on your lawns of shining green To me they come laughing and dancing. Bright fans are waving in measured time; Brown eyes, blue eyes, under sweet tresses, Roguishly gaze into manly faces. Night comes creeping over the earth; There,s a path of gold upon the waves; Indoors some dance the stately minuet; Into the garden two lovers steal. I see your windows sparkle with light; 11 I watch with eager eyes the fair sights. I see you in your old time glory; When, after darkness comes the dawn, Alone, I stand in your sweet bowers, The fairy vision has faded from me; I am in the light of my own bright day. Still you remain majestic and calm, O mansion, on the fertile banks Of the ever peaceful Potomac! But where are your friends of yesterday? These now have passed silently beyond. I tenderly tread on the ground they hallowed; I see the same sky they often beheld; Stiil Hows the same river, on and on. But 0! stately walls, come whisper to me! The romance which you saw, let me see!