Pio Nono High School - Pio Nonite Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

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19 THE PIO NONITE 25 ANCIENT HISTORY. Very Rev. M. M. Gerend. The other day a truck halted in OUT yard, and the driver inquired for thc manager. I was informed and promptly went out to see what it was all about . That morning I met with a happy surprise. 1 V On the truck I saw a musical instru- ment, and was told that it was a glft of the Singenberger family-for St. John's Institute. lt was a small reed-organ that the Professor had used in his home for almost half-a-century-preparing lns mn- sic that made him famous. Quite a sou- venier? Well-it landed in the right place, not because we at St. Jolm's are particularly musical, but because we have already quite a collection of historical relics, on our premises, that are a source ot interest and pleasure for our friends when they come to see us. The sight of the old organ made me reminiscent. l thought of the old profes- sor and his former pupils, who took the Normal course, in preparation for teach- ing school, and directing church choirs, I thought, too, of the meetings of the Catholic '.llCHCll01',S Association-the first one of which was convened at my invita- tion in the early nineties, when l was ltee- tor of the Teaeher's Seminary. l These biennial gatherings, or reunions, were wonderful affairs. Teachers and or- ganists from all parts of the country, young and old, would attend-come to visit their Alma Mater, meet old friends, and listen to the discussion of papers on diverse topics pertaining to their profes- sion, they were not overwhelming social affairs, as is often the ease, but in the main educational, and a great help to many in their life-work, and they would invariably close with a pilgrimage to the little chapel in the woods. It was inspir- ing, at such times, to listen to the Virgin songs as rendered by these pedagogues and instructors in music-the open woods resounding with sweet echoes. Raise your voices, vales. and mountains, Flowery meadows. streams and fountains, Praise, oh praise the loveliest Maiden Ever the Creator made. Murmuring brooks, your tribute bring- mg, Little birds with joyful singing, Come with mirthful praises laden, To your queen be homage paid. Say, sweet Virgin, we implore Thee, Say what beauty God sheds o'er Thee, Praise and thanks to Him be given VVl1o in love created Thee. St. Alphonse Liguori. The writer remembers especially well one of the last conventions when Prof. John Rueping, even before graduating, had been asked by the committee to read a paper, which he did in a masterful man- ner. Somehow, in amore or less myster- ious way, one of the many loose leaves of his manuscript had taken wings-un- known to him. It goes without saying that this was most embarrassing when he noticed it. Cool as a chunk of ice he fum- bled through his papers for a while, but finally took up the thread of his discourse and finished. There can be no doubt he was well prepared for the occasion. Prof. John rose high in the estimation of all present that day, and received ap- plause-sueh as no one ever had received before him. He was the hero of the day. TIDINGS OF SPRING. The birds sing carols, blithe and gay Like minstrels lays of old. The sparkling sun at the break of day Shines through on an earth of gold. What is that spell of beauty rare, That wondrous spectacle That comes but once in every year? 'Tis nature's oracle. The Spring, Ah! what a wondrous thought When moments of despair arise, Sad moments and with terror frought, When world and all in sorrow lies, The budding flowers and the trees, Dame Nature 's hoarded treasure Breaks ope, so all the world may see And conquer grief by pleasure, When wintry blasts blow loud no more And coldness disappears, Fair Spring arrives and in its store Has smiles instead of tears. Clem. J. Tesensky 11

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19 'IIHE PIO NONITE 25 and when this Eastern gink moved down to his place in Connecticut, if the Pan- ther didn't pop. up an' come ridin' along. l most reckon he cornered this gink alone, cause he marched him into a gully an' gave l1i1n one of his guns, keeping the other for himself. They fought a duel? snapped Fin- nigan. Ya'a, an' that Eastern dude didn't deserve that consideration. Finnigan snuffed. It was plain to see that this was ettecting him. tt 'Olier' killed llilll. The other gink got it in the heart and the Panther was scraped in the rifrht arm above the elbow. D lteekon he's got a mark to show yet. And then? muttered Finnigan. You know the rest, answered lVat- son. 1-Ie's got all Connecticut, Pennsyl- vania and the whole works around here shot up and seared out. Even you guys ean't get him. You're eating out 0' his hand. He'll probably get the lead some day an' I'm hopin' he will. If I catch him 1 won 't take him back 'less he wants too. He's sure a menace to the whole dis- trict 'round Pennsy, ain't he? Didn't they ever get close to him? You bet! In the cemetery where he buried his mother. The place is alive with flowers. He crippled a couple of deputies there once. Next time he warned 'em. Said he'd bore every gosh-danged one of 'em if they didn 't stay away. He 's as bad as they make 'em, but he gives a guv a chance. He stole the money, making an big haul, that's why l'm at'ter,him, not fer anythin' personal. Twixt you land me. I'm danged sorry fer him ! As XVatson completed his story he felt the round end ot' a gun digging deeper ind deeper into his stomach. You move, and I'll fill you full of powder and lead, admonished the Penn- sylvania Mounted. You've shot your gab too ol'ten this time, Sir '0lier'. Watson turned white, white with anger. lle saw that Finnigan was in earnest and he raised his hands slowly. Finnigan removed the other's guns und backed away. You don't give me credit for having any brains at all. How d 'ye know the Panther's past like a book? The1p's a bulge in your saddle-bag-looks like a satchel--an' the kale in it at tl'xatll! I only heard the story from some other bozos out o' that territory and the saddle-bags--- Shut up! You've get convincing an' taking ways and the story ot yourself hit the core, but l could prove your identity by rolling up your right sleeve. I coulda shot ya' from the rock but I wanted to hear your story. l'm too familiar with your picture at lleadquarters that yaren't the 'Panther'. Ye're bright Olier' and ye're square! You coulda played safe and pulled a gun on me while we were ridin' along. Our bunch believes in sportsmanship. I'1l toss a coin. Heads up, I'll let you go, money and all. Tails up, you'1l come along with me. You ain't get the faintest chance of making a get- away tho' even if it does land heads up. There 's too many grey-coats in this coun- try now. Suddenly everything was silent. Fin- negan drew out a silver coin from the in- nermost regions of his person. He held it for a. minute gazing on it intently. Then he flipped it--where VVatson eouldn't see it. He glanced at the result a second. You win! Turn your nag around and get out. But-- Close your mouth and get out or I'll shoot. The other faltered, but seenting that Finnigan meant business, turned his horse and trotted away. Finnigan watched him till he was out ot' sight. Then he burst into long and merry laughter Before he started away he took another look at the glittering coin in the dust and it lay TATLS UP. He hopped to the saddle and as he rode away thought of the hole in his arm and the nunibngss of it, where one day. so long ago a bullet had lodged, placed there by the hand of an Easterner. Francis R.,'Soike 10

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19 THE PIO NONITE 25 A BIRD. A little bird on winged flight Did 1'CSt in the heat of day, A chattering, carefree, happy Wight IVho would his charms display. So I rested too, and sat me down, His secrets to unfold. And I said to him, t'My little friend, U Your fortune to me be told. And he chattered and chittered again some more As it, in despite of my cares IVho sitting here in the heat of day Should be mindful of his tares. In stubborn decision, I vied for might To mimic the joy of the bird, But of late deep oppression had shed its light Un nie whom grief' never stirred. llc awakened me to a broader view Of the flowers and things more dear. How I understood, I cannot tell, But his language was song to the ear. He sang me a song' of hill and dale, Of meadow and rippling brook, Ol' woods and fields and grassy plains And a tiny creek with a crook. llis song to me inspired great things, As T sat in the heat of day, And the happiness that goodness brings Resolved me. by this, God's ray. The moral in this tiny story is- Happiness can but be earned, And those who gain it without a strife Most ot't' are those who are spurned- By the God ot' might YVho is just and right A And who sees the good in men. So strive in earnest to do your best Before you say Amen --Francis R. Soike THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION. 1. What should be the attitude of a Catholic boy attending a Catholic Board- ing School towards the school he is- at tending? The attitude of a Catholic boy toward the Catholic Boarding' School he is attending should be such that he considers the Board- ing School with its authorities as one in whom he can place his trust and confidence to guide and direct him in his journey through education just as parents assisted by teachers guided him in his grade school education. ln training for character there is perhaps no better influence than the home infiuence but when the culture of the home is perhaps no greater than the culture acquired by the grades, Boarding Iligh Schools become a necessity in order that the subjects dis- cussed in class, may be discussed further with teachers and associates so that a real benefit may be derived from the education of the class room. It is the association that one finds in a Boarding High School, both with teachers and students that gives the student a chance to discuss fully and to imbibe the teachings of the classroom. Then, too, thc chance of educczting' the sex- es separately, which means again a better chance of advancing mentally instead of being filled with the gayety of the other sex at an age where giddiness shows it- self most and perhaps also awkwardness among the boys which oftentimes makes the boys feel interior in High School age to the girls. There is a. tendency among boys to feel that a Boarding High School means no more to them than to be sent to an Indus- trial or Reform School or to call it-Pa- rental School. Far be it from such an idea in a Catholic boy. One of the great- est helps in developing character, true discipline, true manly virtue, is a Cath- 12