Lee Academy - Crescent Yearbook (Lee, ME)

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THE CRESCENT I9 into the clear water and, said 'tWatch it carefully. The feather floated on the water for a moment, then suddenly changed to a green disk, from green to silver and from silver to-VVhat! was I dreaming? I saw the interior cf a large and beautiful hall filled with hundreds of people who were leaning eagerly forward listening to a large man of about thirty- five who was speaking very eloquently. I was wondering what connection this had with the class of 1911 when a woman called from the gallery 'fThat's right Coffin In It was Paul without a question. I was anxious to know his subject and was moving nearer, when he raised his voice a little and I caught the words, VVomen's Suffrage. In connection with this visionI have had cf your future, my friend, I want to present you with this bottle of mucilage, which I hope will enable you to stick to the idea of convincing the nation that your sister classmates must vote. Another feather was thrown into the wat I-r,this time a blue one, and as I was pr,pared for a change, I was not surprised ti see it become a disk of beautiful azure l.lue which gradually turned to silver. Now, what next? An art gallery, and standing before one of the many paint- ings an enthusiastic group of people. just then one of the ladies stepped to one side and I saw the painting clearly. It was a quiet country scene. A stream,a mill near by and a high hill in the back- ground. Below were written these words, My Home Town, Lee, and in one corner I read the artistfs name, L, Merrill. Lena, little did I think, when you were awarded first prize for drawing the best goose at the goose party last winter that you would become the famous artist I have just depicted. Allow me to give you this brush and with it my heartfelt good wishes in your future career as an artist. This time as the feather disappeared a large white building came into view, behind which stretched a beautiful gar- den. There in its midst was a tall, dignified lady with four children. I recognized her in a moment. It was Ethel, my old maid classmate. Every- thing about her seemed strange. Where could she be? Suddenly it came to me. Ethel had gone to the Philippines to teach and had married for convenience' sake. , In view of your future matrimonial prospects, my friend, I have chosen this little book for you entitled, How to Manage a Husband, by Amelia D. Herrick, The next feather, a silver one, showed me Ruth who had gone West in 1913, after refusing several offers of marriage. At first, she taught school in Washington, but still fcllowed by a King she cen- sented hnally to wear the crown and to- gether they were happily ruling a large sheep ranch in California. When'I saw Ruth in her VVestern costume, riding over the Ranch, seated on a vicious 'id

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1 1 I I ig , I8 THE CRESCENT assist us over the rough places, but if we wish to be rewarded in mental strength we must exercise our own mental powers and think for ourselves. By a rigid self- examination, made conscientiously and prayerfully, we may discover our weak- nesses and conquer them. We may sometimes allow this thought to come to us, I'll hide my failings. The world will never know. But is it worth while to hide them? Why not erase them? Truly, it is not an easy thing to probe the hidden sin of which the world has no suspicion. However, if we appear what we are not, we are living cowardly lives, and are not only injuring ourselves but those about us. We all have influence, it may be great or small. Our words, deeds, and even our thoughts infiuence others. When we consider these things carefully, reason forces us to the admission that we owe it to ourselves, to our race and to our God to live a good, true life, to develop every talent we possess, and to reach the highest possible plane of living. And how shall we serenely accomplish the highest that lies in our power unless we know ourselves? Know thyself was the call of Greece to her sons and daughters. Know thyself is the call of the 20th century to each member of the class of 1911. May we obey. ETHEL A. IIIERRILL, '11. 1.....+.+.l4 CLASS PROPHECY The die was cast and I, poor un- offending victim, was declared prophetess of the class of 1911. But how was I to reveal the future? I couldnft find even a witch or a gypsy charmer, to help me in this delicate work. I became more and more discouraged. Easter Sunday still found me longing for something startling, adventurous and unique to happen. I realized that this was not the right con- dition of mind for Easter, atime when all should be happy and at peace, so I went forth into the woods to commune with Nature. I had gone some little distance, when I saw a rabbit bobbing out of sight. Going to the place from which he had jumped I discovered the most beautiful gold and silver Easter egg. As I stood looking at it the shell broke and a chicken appeared. He was very unlike most chickens when they first make their debut into the world. A green cocked hat was on one side of his head and under his wing a sword about the size of a darning needle. Suddenly he Hew to my shoulder andin a squeaky little voice said, 'tFol1ow me and you shall -know what the gods hold in store for the class of 1911? Here at least was my knight- errant and I followed him gladly, at first through tangled underbrush, but soon to scenes familiar. We reached the shore of Park Pond before I knew it. My guide, without a word, pulled from his tiny wing a green feather, dropped it

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20 THECRESCENT looking broncho, it brought back vivid memories of the time when she and I rode the mule. Wishing to give you something useful Ruth, and something that will always bring pleasant thoughts to you, I can think of nothing better than this A'Rex mouse trap. I trust that the name will enable you to make many a fortunate catch. Next, as a golden hued feather sank into the water I beheld a lady dressed in deepest black. From her quick move- ments I soon recognized Mearle. She had married-A. Alan of course and to- gether they had accumulated a large fortune in one of the up river towns, by raising potatoes. Mearle was just now in mourning because of the death of her husband, but I thought that her troubles would soon cease when I noticed on the table beside her a slide trombone. Mearle, in order that you may weep the more easily over the death of your second husband I present yeu with this onion. I wondered if the next feather, a brilliant red one, would show me a glimpse of myself, but no, it could not be I, for I could plainly see a man seated at a desk correcting papers and whistling softly to himself. It was Ernest who had become a successful teacher. looked much as in former times only now a number of gray hairs were notice- able among his brown curls. Contrary to all expectations he had not gone to Utah after his graduation, but to the surprise of all his acquaintances, had be- come a woman hater and settled down to a quiet bachelor life. I had intended to present you with a box of heart tablets, Ernest, but on further consideration I have decided to give you this bottle of pickles. The last feather, black as night, I knew must be mine. Who knows of my excitement as I grasped it in my hands and eagerly leaned forward to see what would be revealed to me. Alas, for my bump of curiosity! So intent was I upon watching the feather sirk down, down, that I did not know that I too was going down, down, until witl1 a mighty splash I struck the water. I lost all thought of the feather in my wild scramble to get out and when at last I reached the shore my chicken had dis- appeared and I was alone. Vlfith a light heart I journeyed homeward, thinking that if my future was going to be nothing but a splash I did not wish to see it. EDITH WEATHERBEE, ll. i.+.+.i. VALEDICTORY NOTHING is LOST Are misfortune and difficulties to keep us from the bright sunshine of life? Do they not have a purpose? Trials are to some burdens indeed, while to others