Lawrenceville High School - Sentinel Yearbook (Lawrenceville, VA)

Page 19 text:

The Four Leaf Clover This lady entered an opposite room and, impelled by something more than mere curosity, I followed her. The instant she entered the door the noisy hum caused by the chatter of a class of girls was immediately stopped and as she walked up to her desk and opened her text book, a perfect and respectful silence pervaded the whole room. The instructor proceeded to expound the deep and interesting truths of that wonderful science, Chemistry, in a calm and masterful way which clearly showed her an adapt at her art. The students listened with rapt attention to every word which fell from her lips and seemed to thoroughly enjoy and understand the lecture. As soon as the lecture was over she asked the girls to proceed to the laboratory for the experiments. Mechanically, I followed them into a spacious room, thoroughly equipped with all the modern apparatus for trying the most complex experiments. Here, also, perfect order was maintained although not once did the girls have to be reproved, so it seemed that she ruled her pupils by love rather than by force. In the laboratory, as in the class room, the instructor proved herself a master of her subject for she performed the most difficult experiment with the greatest ease and accuracy. All this time I was struggling with my memory to recall where I had seen that refined, gentle face before, and after the recitation I asked one of the girls to introduce me. Imagine my surprise and delight when she introduced me to “ Our Science Teacher, Miss Indie Griffin.” I was not so much surprised after all, for in the High School Chemistry had been Indie’s favorite study. A change came over the spirit of my dreams. I was strolling along the banks of the Meherrin River. The odor of newly mown hay and the drowsy tinkling of bells from the distant sheepfolds had almost lulled me into the land of forgetful¬ ness ; but being impelled by an unknown power, I wandered on through fields of waving grain and over hills covered with lowing herds. Far back ’midst a grove of stately oaks, I saw an old colonial mansion. I sauntered up the shady lane, up the gravel walk and there I stood in front of that massive mansion, a monument to a glorious past. I thought of those who had gone out from its portals never to cross that hoary threshold more. I thought of the merry laughter that had once echoed through its stately halls, but now—all was silent as the tomb. I thought of the brilliant social functions that had been given there by a generation now long since passed away; but now the clinging ivy held its sway. The doors that once were always open to the aristocracy of the South, had not passed for years upon their silvery hinges. I looked over to where there once was one of the most beautiful flower gardens in all the beautiful Southland, and there, half hidden by the shrub¬ bery that surrounded him, I saw a middle-aged man. Around him were strewn, promiscuously, volumes treating on almost every conceivable subject. There he sat; away from the haunts of men, away from the tongues of women, buried in his books. I advanced a few steps and saw that it was one of our old classmates. Jack Shell. The poor fellow had become disgusted with women, as he had graduated the only boy in a class of six. There were no further changes. I awoke; happy indeed I was, for I had foreseen the future of ray classmates and that their ways were to be ways of happiness and their paths—the paths of peace. 15 Lily Baugh Percivall.

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The Four Leaf Clover IPropbcc? of the Claso of 1910 jO gift of divine prophecy has been transmitted to me. I would that it had been so that I might have foreseen the future of this, the most illustrious cl that has ever passed out of this institution. But friends, if you will bear with me, I will relate to you a dream—not all a dream—for the future passed before me as though it were a stern reality. I was in one of our Western cities wandering alone. I saw carriages of the most modern and costly make, filled with men and w omen of wealth aud prominence. I drifted unconsciously with the tide, until I stood in the mansion of the chief execu¬ tive of that state. Never before had I seen such elegance, never had light shone over fairer women or more gallant men. I would have been, indeed, lonely had I not been filled with admiration. Standing in one corner of the room was the Gover¬ nor, a man of the most striking appearance and the hero of an admiring group. He came near me and leaning on his arm was his wife, a woman of dark hair and eyes, beautiful beyond description. As they came nearer, his wife smiled and lo, I recog¬ nized Bettie Short, the President of our Class. A change came over the spirit of my dreams. I saw a lonely little cottage almost hidden by. a magnificent grove of lofty oaks. On one side was a dear old- fashioned flower garden, brightly blooming with flowers of the olden times such as marigolds, hollyhocks, lilacs, heart’s-ease, and peonies. Being interested in the surroundings, I wandered toward the back of the house, where I saw a tall, slender maiden lady dressed in finery of by-gone-days, slowly descending the steps with a pan of chicken feed in her h ands. As I gazed upon her, L thought how beautiful she must have been in her younger days, and how many devotees had worshiped at the shrine of such beauty. As soon as she reached the ground the chickens flocked around her as did also a number of cats. As she forced her pets aw ay, speaking to them affectionately by such names as Frank, Jake, Wrenny, Richard, Robert, and Barham, I recalled some of the former suitors of Fannie Belle Spatig and as I watched her, I recognized our popular and much admired Belle, the Valedictorian of our Class. I was not much surprised to see Belle an old maid, for she always said that for her part, it would be single-blessedness instead of double-cussedness. A A change came over the spirit of my dreams. I was in a spacious ballroom, beautifully decorated in palms and cut flowers, and filled with people of fashion and elegance. In the center of an admiring group, in most elegant attire, was one, whom I recognized as a member of our class. I pressed forward to extend my con¬ gratulations to “The Belle of the Evening,” for the internationlal fame she had won as a poetess. It was the one whom we had often heard complainingly say that nobody loved her ; but Fate had decreed otherwise and Bessie Tyler seemed indeed to be the most beloved and most admired by all present. A change came over the spirit of my dreams. I was standing in one of the vast halls of Vassar surrounded by many volumes of scientific research. I glanced up at the sound of light footsteps crossing the room and beheld the thoughtful yet sweet face and neatly dressed figure of one of the instructors of this splendid institution. 14

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The Four Leaf Clover Xaet Mill anD ZTeetament E, the Graduating Class of 1910, of the Lawrenceville High School, in the town of Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Commonwealth of Virginia, being of sound and disposing minds, in the presence of friends and relatives, do hereby on the ninth day of June 1910, make, publish, and declare this to be our last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills at any time made. First — To Mr. Valentine, our highly esteemed superintendent, we bequeath a “ Senior Class ” that will never look at the Latin notes, but one that will pay strict attention to the forms, and a baseball team that will not tread on the grass. Second—Ho the Improvement League, better attendance from its members. Third—Ho our Euzelian Literary Society, we lovingly bequeath pupils who will pay their dues, and not grumble, but on the contrary will look pleased and say, “ Yes, we are willing to do more if necessary for our Society.” Also our very best wishes for the literary success of its members. Fourth — To Mr. Parrish, our honored professor, we bequeath the esteem of our class Seniors who will write at least “ six ” English papers every night that will excel Shakespeare and other very best writers, and not grumble or complain, no matter what are the duties thrust upon them. Last, but certainly not least, by special request, we bequeath to him an “ Old ham ” to chew on between class bells, a “ Roya](l) Home ” surrounded by a garden, in which “ Roses ” on the “ Lea ” may bloom in all profusion. Fifth — To Miss Wolfe, our esteemed and beloved History teacher, who always looks so trim and neat in her splendidly cut garments, we leave “one” suit, made by the “Taylor” whom she may adore, that may always bring back the pleasant memories of the time when she may take upon herself the most solemn and impor¬ tant oath, “ Wilt thou love, honor and obey ? ” Sixth — Upon Miss Roy all, our “dear little Science teacher,” first of all we bestow the individual love and affection of our Class, as she has had it in the past. And to her whose queenly blood courses through every vein, we bequeath nothing more than a king. Let it be that she may not only become England’s queen, of whom “King Charles 1 .” may be proud, but still again may “King Charles H.” value her far above any pearls or rubies that he or anyone else may possess in the kingdom. Seventh — To Miss Payne, our beloved teacher, we bequeath the love and grati¬ tude of each and every member of our Class, our sincere appreciation of all that she has been to us, and our very best wishes for success through life in all undertakings. Last a bottle of “ camphor ” and “ smelling-salts,” for fear some of the Seniors may be taken with a severe fainting spell, during that “awful” Trigonometry period, and if enough money is left in the treasury a “couch ” may also be provided. 16