Northwestern State University - Potpourri Yearbook (Natchitoches, LA)

Page 21 text:

rabttton of tfje formal HE great State of Louisiana Boasts a splendid Normal School, Where the hills resound with music, Blown by breezes sweet and cool. Though the place may seem prosaic, Legend does its history fill, For the memory of the Convent Weaves a halo o ' er the hill. Long before the modern changes Laid the Convent building low, Nuns took up their habitations In the small cells in a row. There the nuns, in clean black raiment, Slowly paced the narrow hall; They had laid aside all pleasures, Answered quick to duty ' s call. Grave were they and very gentle, Smiles scarce ever lit a face; Worked here daily the sweet Sisters, Moving with a blessed grace. They had left their gay companions, Entered gratefully this life, Laid aside the world ' s vain dealings, Calming down its awful strife. Praying, and then starting over, Lingering humbly o ' er each bead, Asking that He would remember To fulfill their every need. Sometimes they would almost waver In their steps, so true and slow, But each one would help the other In their holy path to go. 19

Page 20 text:

Song ! And each class bears its own colors — such combinations : all the hues of the rainbow, with a thousand varied shades. But look, dear student. At this distance, with this perspective, do you not see that thev soften and blend into one harmony of color, the Purple and White. Student of 1912, you smile at the quaint pictures of old graduates in old cata- logues and annuals — old graduates, with their queer styles. You smile, perhaps, at their methods of teaching ; you do not use their old scratched-up desks and blackboards and plans ; you do not keep up their ol.l habits and customs ; they, departing, left behind them footprints on Normal Hill which you have not pre- served (since the new walks were laid) ; but there is something you have kept — something; that never could be improved upon, something you are proud to own — their spirit, that beautiful, kindly spirit of love and helpfulness and understanding that works for the uplifting of humanity ; that spirit tint makes all things possible. It is wonderful, the Alumni of your School, and the Old Normal loves her graduates and looks with pride upon them as a mother does upon her great grown-up successful sons and daughters. So, dear student of 19 12, do not forget what your Alumni means to you. Lift up your glass and drink a toast to them: Here ' s to tho. c e who have gone before, who have carried the standards of the Normal out of the life of school into that larger school of life where they labor for us yet. We ' 11 not forget. The Alumni! 18

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Night and day and day and night They walked their holy way, Training the young lives about them Jesus ' precepts to obey. All the time they never wavered In their teachings of His love, Till their tired, worn souls left them, For a resting-place above. Still, they say, the nuns do linger, Walking forth in bright moonlight; Without ceasing do they pace here, Praying always for the right. Sometimes, when the night is peaceful, Stillness reigns, and all is bright, We may see a sweet nun praying Ere she silently takes flight. 20