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

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YESTERDAY-TODAY EVETTE GALINSKY

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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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T the foot of the hill the torches, brilliant in the dark, looked like stars. The height and the lights below gave one the feeling of look- ing down at the sky. The singing grew louder. It spread, encircling the watchers like the wrinkles on water when a stone is thrown. Finally it rose to a pitch of exultation, and many who had not thought of going, sud- denly joined the pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims were those who sought peace of spirit, others escaping prosecution, others seeking a new life, but the goal for all was jerusalem. The day that brought Miriam to the group brought also news in the form of a bearded stranger. Miriam was eager to talk. She spoke of her past life, it seemed, to gain reassurance. She' spoke as if she did not quite be- lieve herself to be right in leaving her home and joining the group. Yet my friend Peter, who had come from Spain a great way, who had suffered much and left for a greater reason than she, thought her to be right. Perhaps it was because of her eyes which looked straight into his own. Miriam had a child called john, a small, silent creature. He did not play like other children but stared long in contemplation of a leaf or a stone. He had one champion, however, the dark stranger who, reticent about his past life, seemed to desire only one THE PILGRIMAGE by DORIS KLUDT thin g-our turning back. Through roads, whose dust quiver- ing in the heat formed strange pictures, we Walked. Ever our number in- creased in size. One day there would be three hundred of us and on the next another ten would be suddenly there. Always the stranger among us would give voice to terrifying things. There was a Crusade, he said, women and many children journeyed to the Holy Land. It was therefore called the Chi1dren's Crusade. They met with the Saracens who slaughtered every one. Q 4- ' He would look up then and watch the faces about him. There was sel- dom any fear shown. Then he would pick up the baby, John, and go off for a time. s On an exceptionally hot day when the water was gone and there was none to be found, a messenger brought terrible word of the approaching Sara- cens. It was not long before they came. We were too weary to give resistance. Peter and'I side by side, saw at the head of the long, winding line, Saladin, the leader, feared and even spoken of with awe. He looked down at our weakened numbers, and called for water to be given us, and food. Our faith does not differ greatly, he said, and rode on. The stranger smiled and walked away.