Northrop Collegiate School - Tatler Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 32 text:

The Freshmansey (With apologia to Homer) Now a the Grecian maid »ai pondering O'er carved desks, upon the Trojan war, Ulystca wandering in the Odyssey, And other great events, which were long past, As one was turning pages of her book She came upon the illustrious part in which The Greek to Hades steer their roomy ships, And seek Tircsias, augur of the dead. To ask what fortunes to them will befall. Sagacious Hsthera. for such her name. Raised up her hand, to Pallas Brown on high. And to that goddess of the gleaming eye Directed her divine and noble prayer: Oh Pallas, blue eyed Pallas, warrior queen, Pray grant this humble wish, I beg of you, That I and others here may straightway go Unto Tiresias, seer of the dead. That he may prophesy our fortunes all. The Goddess Brown in answer to her prayer Nodded her head three times in silence great, A sign that she would help her on her way. Then did the Grecian maids hold counsel on Which ones with Ksthcra should go along. Two days they sat in counsel over this, But on the third day they all agreed upon Four maids who swore to Follow Esthcra. The first was Betty of the Godlike face. Next came the cunning, wily Deborah, Then Catharine, a wise and learned maid. And lastly, Tilia. of the glorious smile. Now while these maids at wrapt in solemn thought. The monarch, Jupiter Carse, had learned the truth That soon the virgins were to journey far; And liking not to have them from hit side Minerva Brown he summoned now, in haste And to her he bespakc the following words: Let not my Freshman maids to Hades go. For they are very young to journey far. The solemn covenant of the League forbid That they should leave a week-day afternoon. And death may overtake them on the way. But Pallas of the gleaming eye replied: Remember, father Jove, that it is now Quite safe to make a journey to the dead For Scylla and Charybdis are no more. Our ships of hurricanes need have no fear. And thus with pleading words Minerva Brown Persuaded Jupiter Carte to let them go. And so a roomy ship was fitted out On which the daring maidens now embarked. They took with them the noble Odyssey With well drawn map wherewith to guide themselves For seven days they sailed and seven nights, Until at last they reached the river Styx And Pluto’s realm, in which the shades abide. Then disembarking, Esthera called forth. Summoning wise Tircsias to her side. Who coming knew her and bespake her thus: Why, oh unhappy pupils, have you left The light of school to come among the shades? Then made the noble maiden answer, thus: Oh, thou omniscient one, it was to hear The counsel of Tiresias that we came. That haply he might tell us of our lives As they will be some twenty years from now. I pray thee grant this gracious boon we ask And thrust away the screen before our eyes. That we may know the fortunes of us all. The two and thirty maidens of our band. Tircsias then these winged words replied: Oh mortal, not for many of thy kind Do I unfold my gift of prophecy. But seldom in this sad and dreary land Do I behold such maidens, young and fair. Ye are the only women who have come Unto this, Pluto’s realm, in all my years. And therefore will I now one glimpse afford Of what the future holds in store for you: I sec the walls and towers of Northrop School, More thickly clad with ivy through the years But entering, I find not Jupiter Carse Guiding the ever great and virtuous school. But learned Catharine of Seybold’s house. And wandering farther on, I see still more. For Jane, the maid of amber locks, is there In place of bold Athene, warrior queen. Then prudent Harriet, conning books of French, And giving of her wisdom to the young. My vision takes me now still farther on Unto a boarding house, in which I see A buxom matron bringing bread and wine Unto a festal board, where tit the rest. The buxom maid is Anne of sturdy thigh. P »ge T u nit -right

Page 31 text:

The Eighth form made a discovery, namely, that on a muddy, rainy spring day the roof of the new uing makes a delightful ikating rink and recreation ground. Plenty of room there for all sorts of lively games. Perhaps someone will start a fund for equipment—bean bags, shuffle board, and what not. Page Twenty-sei en

Page 33 text:

The Freshmansey (Continued) Who own this hospitable dwelling house. Amoni; the lodgers many are your friends: Louisa and young Franny, bright eyed maids With brush and crayon while the time away. Then Helen, of the large and purple bow Gives lessons in the mighty game called bridge. Sagacious Mary Louise, close by her side, A wise and prosperous lawyer seems to be. Across from her I see fair Marian, The most illustrious actress of the age. Mi hile lastly plumed Fuzzy, glorious maid. And Barbara, her partner, sit and talk Of the interiors that they decorate. And next I sec a sunny circus ring Round which the charming dark haired Barbara Is circling as she stands upon her horse. A moment later Dimpy, nymph-like maid. Comes leading in the lions to their place. While they in terror of their tamer cower. Then, looking toward the radiant sky, I sec Two airplanes, which dart and loop the loop. For in them sit two brave and daring maids; Bold Jane, the Frcshman-qucllcr, in the one. And in the other, Fdith. lithe of limb. But as I watch, they steer their planes away Until they circle o’er the field of play. On which two baseball teams of females strive Fach one to gain the country’s championship. Now there I sec two players known to you, The mighty pitcher, dark eyed Kathalccn And catching, Barbara, all providing maid. Now I must hurry on to where I sec A brilliant night club, dazzling to behold, Within which Deborah, the owner, stands Among her dazzling patrons, watching now The handsome Duke of York who, with his spouse The queenly maiden, Tilia, proudly goes. Around the walls of this great club arc hung Large posters picturing the illustrious queen Of the talkies. Alice, fair of form. I see the next, the station K. T. K.” O'er which wise Jane the announcer loudly cries That now a great stateswoman is to speak. Then rising to the microphone is seen Tall Mary, Minnesota’s governor. As her brave speech it finished, once again The announcer comes to introduce one more. The matron of the school for the insane. Then Kelly, master of persuasive speech. And large of soul, comes forth to make her plea. A beauty parlor next comes into view With throngs of people crowding through its doors While the proprietor, Iona, stands And orders her employes here and there. Among them Henrietta, maid discreet. Within the crowds the mirrored walls reflect, , I sec a beautiful and dimpled maid Hastening toward the doorway, where she finds Her haughty suitors waiting her return With anxious eyes. They arc not merely ten. These suitors, nor twice ten, but many more. : nd seeing further on in Betty’s life. I do predict that she, like Helen of Troy, Will some day cause some noble city’s fall. And then in distant Africa I see A rocky jungle path along the which A group of weary tourist travelers march. Who with the firm of 'Gilman-Hardcnbcrgh' Do undertake, beneath these maidens care. To see all countries and their sights. Which arc full well explained by Fsthcra the wise. And now as they arc journeying along In deadly fear of meeting savages. A sudden someone of their number shrieks. For there before them stand three creatures strange. But Oh! what joy is theirs when they but find The strangers arc good Christians like themselves. And pious missionaries to be sure. And they arc also maidens known to you: Elizabeth, the prudent, F.leanor of winged feet. And Walker’s Jane the good. And this, the last that I may show to you: A little vine-clad cottage by a brook O’cr-toppcd by giant oaks and cypresses. Within, beside the cozy fire, there sits A matron taking stitches, sure and straight, For wise and well-instructed in the rules Of virtuous conduct is Lavinia. And frolicking around their mother's feet In simple happiness her babies play. While smiling at her from his big arm chair Her stalwart spouse contentedly looks on. The seer paused a moment, then went on, Methinks, said he, of all that I have seen Tis she, perhaps, who to life's happiness Has found the golden key. And that is all. For, look, the night is drawing to a close. And Dawn, the rosy fingered child of Morn Doth gild the heavens. Now for me the hour Of rest is come, and you must all away— May Neptune calm the waves, and guide you home. Sagacious F.sthera then raised her voice. And uttered thanks for his most gracious words. Then summoning the four about her, all Embarked again for the long voyage home. Anne Damsympm. Psge Turnty-nine