Macomb High School - Spiderweb Yearbook (Macomb, IL)

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Miss Arie Kenner prove l to he the valedictorian, while Miss Zella Provine held second honors. As we review onr history we can truly say, “We have fought a good fight, and we now look forward into a broader field of strife. W e look hack upon four years well spent. We have defended our school in athletics; we have shouted for the Orange and Black; we have perpetuated a school spirit at the peril of suspension; we have borne her through defeat and victory, always loyal just the same, and leave behind the Red and White to mingle with the protecting folds of the Orange and Black for years to come. We leave the school in June and not a member of the class can hut regret that four years have passed so quickly. To our faculty, which has helped us through the past year, we can hut extend our deepest gratitude and remembrance. To the classes behind us. we wish for your greatest enjoyment during the remainder of your High School epoch; and to our Alma Mater we can hut feel hound deeper with fetters of love and reverence than to any other institution. - 27 -

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and any perspn attempting to mar the texture of one of those head-gears was possessed of the “crminal instinct and would be justly punished. To celebrate the victory won by Miss Ursula Kennedy in the declamatory contest. Miss Lenore Stevens entertained on April 28. The evening was spent in a most pleasing manner and the guests departed at a late hour. But our class enthusiasm demanded another manifestation, and after the track meet at Galesburg, the most important event was a bavrack ride and supper in the Rexroat grove. After a pleasant expedition on the banks of Crooked creek, deviled eggs, sandwiches, cakes, and a two-gallon freezer of cream, satisfied the appetites of a hungry bunch. Miss Tayler chaperoned the excursion and after supper we enjoyed a ride to Colchester, reaching home the next morning far too late for our usual beauty sleep. We bade farewell to our old friend Mr. Croson. and our dearest c’asS friend. Miss Atkinson. Miss Brvant. our English instructor, resigned in the summer, leaving but two familiar faces. Miss Tavlor and Mr. Burns. SENIORS. On August twenty-eighth, 1909. we assembled for our last year in the dear old M. 11. S. Our Senior year opened with a rivalry between us and oursucceedin g class. Plenty of red and white paint added color to the situation and the school bell. Bag dolls in chapel aroused the Junior girls and the indignation of the facultv. The Senior boys' evening at Harry Gardner's home, with plenty oi chili, cider, and the “vile weed. tended to promote matters to a climax ; and as a result a fcxitball game was scheduled. The day approached with all the excitement it had promised, and the “stunt was “pulled off on the High School gridiron. Plenty of beefing. rag-chewing. and old-time “center bucks” gave an exhibition of antiquated football, with a result entirely in favor of our opponents. Plenty of good, clean class spirit was shown on each side that tended to bind the class in school unity, rather than incite further hostilities. ( hir three-weeks’ vacation on account of quarantine was thoroughly enjoyed, but Christmas passed without the usual intermission, and we recited in true Shakespearian style, O, Vacation! Thou crown of deepest desires! Thou wert so near And yet so far away! The last semester found us working hard upon the class play: the cast was picked and “The Rivals was soon under full headway. The idea of a year book was purely original: no such movement was ever contemplated prior to this year. — 26 -

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PEACE THAT PASSETH UNDERSTANDING The trees, house-tops, chimneys, the belfry tower were silhouetted sharply against the fast darkening sky. As the dusk came on a light flickered in the church windows and then continued to send forth its little rays of brightness. A solitary figure moved slowly along the street. When it came opposite the church there was a hesitation: then slowly it climbed the stone steps, moved up the dimly lighted aisle, and touching the forehead and the breast sank on its knees in one of the pews. Only two candles were burning; one lighted the altar, showing plainly the cross, the vases of roses, and the altar desk; the other fell on the uplifted face of an organist who was playing soft, low music. The figure, which sank on its knees, had been filled with struggling. hitter thoughts. Then, from the utter weariness of the long-continued struggle, the passionate bitterness of it gradually decreased : but the figure still knelt, for there was a weariness, the unutterable weariness of life, which needed someone to say, “Come unto me, ye that are heavy laden, and 1 will give you rest”—a rest which will give the peace that passeth all understanding.' Slowly the music sank into the soul of the figure, who for the first time became aware of it. It spoke of gayety, life, joy; then of passionate love and mistake and regret. It told of questionings, trials, doubts, and of terrible soul struggle. Then it became soft, yet strong as the love of God. It brought tears to the eyes of the weary listener. The strains ceased; the organist disappeared. But the music had performed its mission. As the figure raised its head to look on the cross, • he altar light fell on the striking, gaunt features of a man—a young man of twenty-eight years—a man whose long, dark-complexioned face showed passionate energy; whose high arched nose, blue-gray eves, shining under the heavy black brows, large mouth with its prominent under lip. spoke of power and of acute sensitiveness. “O, Lord God! whither Thou guidest. teach me to go. Make me want to be true.” The head sank again on the slim, delicate, almost transparent hands; then slowly, with bowed head and fingers clasping a black metal cross, he passed out. This man. the son of a wealthy family, had been brought up with the same advantages given his brothers and sisters, but with far different results. He was extremely sensitive, and as a child had often been hurt by his parents' coldness and seeming lack of love. An idea that all people were insincere and hypocritical grew from this lack of understanding. Throwing home, friends, society, all aside, world-weary at twenty he entered the monastery. After having spent the years of his novitiate, he was sent on a clerical mission to a gayer, livlier city, where he was put in a place all life and joy. He was young, and gradually a love for the light and glitter of it all grew upon him. There was a young girl, beautiful and sweet and pure, loving the life and flutter of the city, really innocent and ignorant of - 28 —