English High School - Brown Owl Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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for all. The keeper pointed to the west and told them, that there they would find a small hamlet with a little tavern. Keeping the sinking sun in view, the still hopeful pilgrims found the tiny village and its one inn, built on a barren mesa, and overlooking the beaten path which led to the City of Desire. The tavern was uncomfortable, the place was crowded, the way, rugged and dis- couraging, but what were such trivial circumstances to those eager searchers? Their disappointments only served to teach them their first lesson, that they must humble themselves and be subject to superiors. A few messengers brought news from the Great Tavern, but they only increased the longing of that little band to join their comrades. Before those Wanderers reached their first goal, they were forced to strug- gle with the treacherous monsters which hindered their progress. Dragon Al- gebra, known to all who passed that way was overpowered, and deceiving Lady French's enticements to bring unfortunate way-farers under her influence, had to cease. They buried, for a short time, the unconquerable monster English under the dust which was raised during the strife. The victorious band again stood before the Great Tavern, and boundless was their joy when the keeper admitted them. After a short rest, the united band set out for the City of Desire. The barren mesa and the little tavern of 1907 were left far behind, and the way grew steeper and rougher. Ever higher and ever mightier rose the mountains before them and at everyturn in the trail monsters had to be overcome. Never- theless under the stern command of the Mighty Leader, almost all overcame their difficulties, but when they stood at the foot of Report Mountain, a few turned back, for they had lost sight of the Pearl of VVisdom on account of those great barriers before them, Freshman Hill was left behind, and as they gave a parting glance at the first mile-stone on the English High Road to Suc- cess, all seemed very trivial in comparison with what was before them. The road between the first and third mile-stones was pleasant, for the pilgrims were by that time accustomed to difficulties and disappointments, and they looked about for pleasure in the midst of their upward toil. They gath- ered herbs and roots, and dyed their socks and ties, as they were lured away by the Twins, Miss Goodtime and Miss Social. They had grown careless and did not notice how the wily serpent English was creeping so closely, and a hard struggle it was in the end, before they were ready to leave Mount Sopho- more and Mount junior behind them. Only a few were left behind, victims of the treacherous Swamps of Study. The third mile-stone on the English High Road was passed, and the pil- grims daily approached the city of their quest. The last great mountain lay before them steeper and more rugged than the others had been, and the trail less T 30 I A

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Qu lr Ds O , NED .L .tt he 2 s he L: hd T-ii :vital f ttf! 1 iii WJ X' Sp -is ti if X xp I 'I X -4 ...- md gf? tml Ili . w K my tg e ' 5 it , .1 ,rss as N ' r I if ss It Yltl ' l ll- ' .Ia is 2 ' fl V. QW I-IF, Father of Recorded Time murmured some incomprehensible wordslas he sharpened his quill pen for the third time. Numerous papers were spread on the table before him and the little writing that was on a large sheet of folio paper was scratched out, The old chronicler, with snow-white beard, shaggy eyebrows and stern features, leaned back in his chair, idly finger- ing the stained quill and mused. It is queer that I cannot write this history satisfactorily, and I would not for the world leave it out. That little band was brave indeed, Worthy of praise. I must record the history of the class of january, 1911, before I rest. Faithful pen, bear with me through this night-.H Resolutely he bent over the page before him, and far into the night the scratching of the pen was the only sound in the lonely den of the Father of Re- corded Time. The following is what was written: At the massive portals of the the City of Ambition stood an eager band of pilgrims, beginning their memorable quest for the Pearl of IVisdom. W7inter's snow and ice could not daunt them, nor did the appeals of those who were left behind prevail' upon them to give up the journey. The direction of the Great Tavern, their hrst goal, was known to all, and that ambitious little band plodded hopefully on until the Tavern of 1907 loomed up before them like a formidable castle. Ilere the first disappointment awaited them: there was no room in the Inn Z9

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beaten. Avalanches of Historic Dates checked their progress, and the monster English still followed closely, darting out his fatal fangs. The pilgrims had organized their company, and completed their journey under the wise commands of their chosen leader. Nevertheless, the Mighty Leader was always present to protect the little band against danger. Mount Senior was very steep, and the climb was hard and long. Halfway up the mountain side was a beautiful mossy terrace, and the pilgrims rested there for a few hours. So happy were they to be within sight of their journey's end, that they forgot their Weariness, and danced in the terrace until the Mighty Leader, who reckoned a late hour from the stars, sent them to rest. As the days wore on, the pilgrims became more eager and zealous. Some- where just before them was the Pearl of Wisdoinig somewhere in the City of Desire, that bright gem was to be found. Ever higher loomed up the gates of the city, and the walls seemed to become thicker as they approached. The Mighty Leader conversed with the Keeper of the Gates, and then to crown their success along the English High Road, the wearypilgrims were welcomed by others who were on the same quest for the Pearl of VVisdom. ' The massive gates were closed again. The pilgrims had been guided into a broader, wider sphere of experience than they had ever been in before. A great wave of gratitude swept overthe pilgrims, as they reviewed their four years' journey, for the higher ideals which they had been taught to follow, for the wisdom they had gleaned while on the quest for the Pearl of VVisdom, for the strength and manhood those trials had caused to predominate, and for a broader insight into human nature. 'A brighter pearl lies further onf they were told, and a few prepared for the second quest. The hoary head bent lower over the papers and the sleep of weariness enveloped the writer. Thelstained quill fell from his hand, and as it rolled back and forth over the papers, it left the mark of a star. May it be the Star of Hope, a happy omen, for the class of january 1911. ' 51