Lee Academy - Crescent Yearbook (Lee, ME)

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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

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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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THE CRESCENT 21 they are tl1e highway to success. Afflic- tions are but blessings in disguise. The nrst lesson in the art of living, is to learn the value of misfortune. There are natures that would only wither and de- cay in an atmosphere of ease and comfort, which blossom and ripen amidst trials, It is the surmounting of difhculties that makes heroes. Trials are a part of our training and without them character would not be complete. The most precious things of life are acquired only through difficulties. If there were nothing to overcome, there would be nothing to achieve. Misfortune teaches us the common things of life, and develops contentment. to appreciate sympathy, patience and As we endure misfortune and surmount difficulties the thought should come to us, 'fNothing is Lost. In nature, this great truth is illustrated again and again. There all is useful, all is beautiful, nothing is destroyed. Things which seem to be lost are only trans- formed. Are the many kinds of seeds hidden in the soil lost? From them grow the plants which furnish us with food and clothing. In the autumn the beautiful flowers lose their bright colors and wither to the ground. No life is visible and they seem to be dead, but in the springtime they begin to bloom again, The leaves of the trees which turn from vivid green to crimson and brown, and then fall to the earth are not lost. These leaves give new life to the tree, they enrich the surrounding soil, and nourish countless plants. The bleak winds of spring seem to be useless, as they blow the snow about and sway the branches to and fro, but do they not have a purpose? Were it not for the March winds which shake the branches of the trees, the sap would not be carried to all their parts. These winds are necessary to the development of the buds. Today coal is the fuel which supplies heat for manufacturing purposes. The coal which is so useful to us was formed from vast forests which grew many centuries ago. Those forests so long imbedded in the rock are not lost, but have been transformed into another form still useful to mankind. In history we learn of many events which may seem to have given nothing helpful to the world, but nevertheless, nothing was lost. The early settlers of our country laid the foundation for our present great nation. With Washington, Hamilton, and other prominent men as leaders, our Constitution was made. These men endured many hardships, and had it not been for their perseverance America would not be today a mighty nation. The Civil W'ar, the darkest period in our history, was not lost. As a result, our states are not divided by slavery, but are united with stronger interests than before. The United States is a country of equal rights and privileges,