Lansdowne High School - Lahian Yearbook (Lansdowne, PA)

 - Class of 1935

Page 17 of 108

 

Lansdowne High School - Lahian Yearbook (Lansdowne, PA) online collection, 1935 Edition, Page 17 of 108
Page 17 of 108



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Page 17 text:

Vo 1. SIX The JUNE 1935 Here floats a light all built of thought.” LEGEND of The LAHIAN ISLES By NELLE KELLY ■ Among the strange tales which have baffled the wisdom of Science for centuries, the story of the Lahian Isles remains shrouded in mystery. From neighboring coasts these islands are visible only twice a year — in June and in September — and it is said they cast a singular enchantment over the children of fishermen who live nearby on the downs of Lans. These curious children often explore the uncharted seas beyond the horizon where lie the Lahian Isles; and as they approach the islands, they can see that there are three of them lying close together and that the outlines of the most distant seem to recede into the clouds. At the entrance to the harbor of this strange port o' call there are massive portals inscribed in curious characters with the words, To Teach the Art of Living Well; and whoever passss under these portals is consumed with a burning desire for knowledge. To all skeptics, however, the harbor is a closed book. As they approach the isles, the enigmatical shores fade from view, leaving only the ghostly gleam of a lightship's blinkers and the washing of waves on invisible sands. These miniature continents are the abode of all that is young and eager — they are the home of imagination and poetry and the realm of Moby Dick. The inhabitants live in a world of contemplation; they dream away their time in cool, secluded grottoes, forgetful of mortal cares. Indeed, they are said to be immortal, but this is true only as long as they remain on the enchanted isles; for once they leave this port, unless they come in quest of more learning, they can in nowise enter again. There live also in these cool slate-lined caverns, a group of magi, Harbor Pilots, as they are called — those who have long followed after Truth, and who seek to lead others less fortunate. They have youthful followings to whom they impart their particular philosophy of Wisdom, for it is believed that thus a broader experience in learning is gained. Nor are the magi alone in this task. They are assisted by the Gov ernors of the Isles, the Port Captain, and the Chief Pilot who have ordained that the Por be closed to those who do not come in earnest pursuit of Knowledge and continue in the paths thereof. ■ As a new group of adventurous Landlubbers immigrates to the Lahian Isles each September, there departs also a group who have found to their satisfaction that which drew them thence. This group which emigrates each June is called Master Mariners because it has passed through the different stages of apprenticeship that are required by the laws of the islands. They are then licensed in steam to build their own craft and to navigate in their own guidance. 13

Page 16 text:

 . . . there are three of them lying close together and that the outlines of the most distant seem to recede into the clouds. --From the Legend.



Page 18 text:

After four years, if they hold a Passport with a proper Vise, they are free to leave the islands, and to recount tales of wonderful adventures to spellbound fishermen. What strange happenings take place in these chalk-marked grottoes, - only one who has known them as intimately as these youths, can tell. But those who have been under the spell of the magi say that here indeed, is the land of opportunity. ■ Once the portals are closed behind them, drawn as if by the siren songs of Neptune's many mermaids, they are compelled by some powerful force to search for the secret of what lies beyond; but this is denied them until they have mastered certain prescribed requirements of Freshwater apprentices in sail. Here, almost under the very gates which they have so longed to enter (for indeed, this island, which was once a part of ihe adjoining one, is now cut off by a narrow channel of water, and stands aloof from the others like a small dot in the ocean), they must find a means of crossing to the next shore. This island, which seems within a furlong's distance from the gates, withdraws if they approach by swimming; then it is that they learn what the purpose of their being held here is -— each must build his own raft for the crossing. This is the first test of the immigrants' Fortitude. ■ Those successful youths who cross the channel find themselves on a larger island, called by the quaint name of Ess , because of its curving shores and the strange swishing of the channel waters as they beat against the shore. Since they have passed their first test, the Landlubbers take the name of Shanghaied Sophomores, because they are no longer attracted by the novelty of life on Lahian Isles, therefore, they are pressed into service.- The island of S — as it is oft abbreviated — is beautiful with verdant herbs and riotous colors, and many are the temptations to remain forever to revel with queer creatures who live on a strange diet of red ink and are known as F's. But the next island with its lofty rock cliffs remind the merrymakers of their mission. No frail craft can make this crossing, for it is dangerous with shitting tides and coral reefs, where the wrecks of past attempts lie shattered. The Sophomores, who have learned that unity is the greater part of strength, must resolve to combine their indi- vidual knowledge and to build one ship for all. They appoint officers, and guided by one of the Harbor Pilots who is hired as the Supercargo in charge of all the commercial affairs of the voyage, they spend the long winter laying the keel of a '37 foot sloop. When spring comes, the ship is finished, and fearfully they launch it into the long swells and tall waters, and quickly they unfurl the sails and set their course ahead, steering carefully between the treacherous shoals. Behind them follow the anguished cries of their comrades who have spent the year in idleness and whom they have left at the mercy of sea serpents and the ancient octopus never to see again, unless one ‘should by chance attain the island by crossing alone during the summer typhoons that originate in the Temple of the gods. As they approach the stormy coast of the third island they see no harbor for their ship, for there is only foam dashed high against the forbidding rocky cliffs. There is no turning back — they must enter this land by their own efforts and at their own risk. This is the second test of the traveler's Fortitude. When the sloop is shattered on the rocks, some escape death by clinging to drifting planks, on which they are eventually washed ashore, but the waters are filled with the shrieks of the drowning. Survivors find this to be a bare island inhabited by a group of merciless pirates. This island is a perfect pirates' hide-out, for it is almost inapproachable except at either end, where there are narrow lagoons of calm water. These are separated by a rough embankment, which gives the island a resemblance to a ragged H. The apprentices, who have spent three years before the mast, are called Junior Seamen. They think that the key to the treasure they seek is hidden in the island. The magi, however, counsel that the real treasure lies beyond these shores, and that its snares are placed in the pathway to test the sailors. ■ Those who heed the magi prepare to leave the island with great speed, and they build a craft with the remains of wrecks which they find on the beach — they fashion the body of their ship from alumnus wood and cover the bottom and caulk the seams with old examination papers which are scattered all over the island. They then paint the top-sides of their pirate ship with several coats of oil and prepare to raid the next island the moment the S. S. Senior steams out of the harbor. 14

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Lansdowne High School - Lahian Yearbook (Lansdowne, PA) online collection, 1937 Edition, Page 1

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Lansdowne High School - Lahian Yearbook (Lansdowne, PA) online collection, 1938 Edition, Page 1

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