John Adams High School - Clipper Yearbook (Ozone Park, NY)

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Bane, her only playmate, and she, too, loved him. But as she grew in years and entertained more people, Bane became a handicap and she was resent- ful. As she talked with some ac- quaintances, her brother would whimp- er into the room and come towards her. Her simple resentment finally turned to a violent distaste for Bane. Flavian walked into the garden one mild day to go about her delightful task of picking a few roses for the house. The garden was filled with precious flowers which had been culti- vated for many years. It was the woman's greatest joy to walk among them and to weed and nuture the plants. It was something to occupy her weary hours, and it held for her a great significance. It was late noon, and the hues of the Scottish sky were blending them- selves with the clouds. Streaks of purple and gradations of red domin- ated the dainty pattern, sewn so care- fully together in the blue. Little birds flew with the tempo of the wind, they dipped with grace and cavorted without care. Grouping in their little clans, they were a definite part of that wonderful place. Their lovely- colored wings were little Scottish kilts, and they wore them in true Scottish fashion as they, too, exposed them- selves majestically for observation. The old bells from the village church were ringing. They still re- tained their melodious sounds. The bells resounded across the broad ex- panse of green grass, and drifted high into the distant clouds. Lady McCosh's eyes were suddenly drawn to a strange plant standing alone in a small plot of ' land in the center of a bed of roses. It was the century plant and it was blooming! The work of an ancestor was now bearing fruit. The woman was hushed by awe and she watched the wise old plant which bore at its summit a crowded head of large fleshy leaves, and at its base thousands of little flowers. She called to some workers plowing the fields nearby and bade them come and look at the wonderful sight. They came and they saw the fiowering herb, and, being men of the soil and know- ing what it was, also marveled at its wonder. Ah, see, said Flavian, an old life, with a new soul. Bane, who was playing with the cat in the garden, suddenly crept near to where the group was watching. Coming closer he saw the plant 'to- ward which all eyes were drawn. He saw the expression on his mother's face, and with his primitive love for her, wanted to do something to please. He drew nearer to the plant, but no one was aware of him. Suddenly he tugged at the old plant, and wrenched vigorously. The roots held tightly to the earth in which they long had lived. Bane renewed his efforts. What his mother liked so much she must have. The plant suddenly and inevitably was torn from the soil by those tiny hands. The Scots farmers were horrified. Within their souls they were shocked, but they held steadfast to their places, as Bane carried the plant to his mother and, stretching out his hands, offered it to her eagerly. Flavian McCosh trembled. Her lips quivered, her face flushing crimson. She raised her hand to strike her son, but let it fall back limply to her side. A little tear rolled from her eyes, and she cried.

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,Ti-Y 7 l I Ola, infinite time! lWhat .ftorier you can tell. A year, or ten, or A fleeling moment are all Eternity. PRINGTIME in Scotland is a gor- geous panorama of loveliness, In the neighboring sections of Glas- gow are huge, spacious fields of blooming life. The fragrance from the flowers seems to fill the invigorat- ing airs of the whole of the land. It is the time of the year when the Scots, proudly exhibiting their native gar- ments, roam the countryside to enjoy the simple, yet penetrating beauties of their land. Killin is a little town in the prov- ince of Perth, and stretched around it are the huge estates of many a noble Scotsman. The old castles of the clans, dating back many centuries, are still standing as the few remnants of that glorious age held so dear in the heart of the kilted laird. In the highland, near the outskirts of the town, is the wealthy estate of Bruce McCosh, winding itself for many acres around Killin. There is an old castle on the grounds, but it is quietly resting while the echoes of the past centuries reverberate within it. In the old castle have lived the long line of McCosh's who have, in the traditional way, handed it down THE AGAVE PLANT by MILTON STEINBERG through the years. The McCosh's were a fighting clan, and Bruce not only inherited the old castle and land, but the proud individualism of his ancestors. Bruce was a kind man, but firmness and force were his laws. He was living in the twentieth cen- tury, but acted as would have his ancestors. He had married a simple Scots maiden, whose parents were honored for having as kin an old Scots family with traditions. Since their marriage they had lived in the old castle, which to Bruce was life. However, for Flavian, his wife, it was misery to be kept in a cell without seeing much of the outside world. But as the wife of a noble Scotsman, she did not com- plain. The McCosh's had two children, a girl and a boy. When the first-born was a girl, Bruce was sad, for he had longed for a boy to carry on with the family crest. When the second child was a boy, Bruce should have rejoiced, but he was sad because the child was in feeble health. He was christened Bane. Bruce was indifferent to the boyg the mother had a maternal love for her child, and the child in turn had great feeling for her. Mary, the daughter, was a scholarly girl. As a child she would pass her time with

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YESTERDAY-TODAY EVETTE GALINSKY