Prairie Du Chien High School - Blackhawk Yearbook (Prairie Du Chien, WI)

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So it happened this time Prince Discontent had barely got out of sight of his father’s castle when Adventure came, in the guise of a band of robbers, who burst from the forest and surrounded him. Quickly, they stripped him of his clothing, giving, in exchange, the ragged coat of a beggar. For his splendidly caparisoned mount, he received a wornout horse which had done service for innumerable years in carrying the baggage of different masters. It had at last fallen into the hands of the outlaws and, so old and disabled was it, that they were only too glad to get rid of it. Sir Discontent, after the robbers had left him, was in a most pitiable plight. Not only was he in raiment totally unsuited to his rank, but he was cut, and bruised, and almost exhausted, for though he knew it was hopeless, he had fought bravely when the bandits attacked him. “Surely,” he said, “this is Adventure, this is what I have wished for. Yet, truly, it is not so desirable as I thought. Perhaps this is not the usual Adventure, though, so I will go on, and, perchance, I may find her in a better mood.” The road led on through a dark ravine. On one side, huge trees shut off the light, their branches dropping and interlacing with those across the way. On the other side, the trees were separated from the path by the sinuous windings and twistings of a deep, black-bedded brook. Indeed, everything was so gloomy that the Prince could scarcely repress an apprehensive glance over his shoulder. VVliat he saw startled him, for there, close at his heels and silent as a shadow, came a gnome, riding on the back of a huge, black bear. When he found that he was noticed, the gnome spoke, saying, “You are welcome, Sir Knight, to my humble home. We are almost there, and perhaps it would be best for me to lead, so as not to miss the door.” The Knight, struck speechless by the gnome’s evident knowledge of his identity, followed him into what appeared to be merely an especially thick hedge. He found himself in an underground passage, and having left his horse outside, now proceeded on foot. As the passage widened, a gleam of light came from ahead, and the muffled sound of an anvil reached his ears as from a great distance. Suddenly, the walls on either side opened, and he found himself in a huge, underground cavern, dimly lighted by the glow from a circle of forges, at which tiny figures were working as though their life depended on the amount of energy they put into each stroke. As h.c stood, amazed by what he saw, his companion touched his arm, calling his attention to the first forge on the left, which was idle. The prince, seeing jewels glittering in the handle of the hammer near it, reached out to examine it. But, the minute he touched it, an irresistible power compelled him to go on with the work. Now, the Prince knew that this was caused by magic, but he had no way to break the charm, so he had to work, and work. Strange to say, though his muscles were tired, he always had strength enough for another stroke. A long time afterwards, the dwarf, who had disappeared, came back, leading a young man, in much the same condition in which the Prince had been. Prince Discontent found himself at the next forge in line, and the new traveler took his place. After that, he was moved again and again, until, when taken from the last forge, he arrived in a narrow passage leading away from the place of torture. Following this, he met the gnome who had led him into the gruesome cavern. “I am Adventure,” he said. “Have you had enough? This is the 27

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AUNT MARY’S FIRST GAME “Well, say, when I was in town I went to one of them ’ere basket ball games that you heard tell so much about. I didn’t know anything about it, but I declare I never saw sech rough and tumble in my life. “First, one fella had the ball, and purty soon another fella’d go tearin’ at him, like he’d like to eat him up. The fella what had the ball had the nerve to throw it at another fella with all his might. Lucky for him he had his eyes open an’ caught it or it ’ud a knocked him right down. This fella, they called “Wally,” threw the ball through a hoop with a fish net around it an’ then sech hollerin’ an’ yellin’ you never heard tell of. “Purty soon a fella hollered, “Time.” I looked at my watch an’ was a gonna tell him it was half past eight, (Imagine me out at that hour of the night,) when ’Lizabeth sez someone was hurt an’ I got all excitement. “They was a fella they called “Peaky” layin’ on the floor, but I didn’t see that he was very peaked lookin’. Two fellas they called “Otto” an’ “Gremore” was washin’ his face an’ fannin him. I thought maybe it was that he had fainted er sumthin’ but when he got up he had a black eye. I’ll bet his pa an’ ma thought he got in a fight an’ got the worst end of the deal. “Well, they played a little while an’ purty soon they was a revolver shot. I thought sure somebody was killed, but ’Lizabeth sez that half the game was over. I wanted to go home but ’Lizabeth, she wanted to stay dretful bad. Just then they was a yell, an’ all the kids in town, I guess, got in a bunch an’ hollered. You couldn’t make out much only “Prairie High” about every three words. “Well, the fella with the whistle cum back an’ blew till you’d think the roof ’ud cum ofif. Say, I bet he thought he was havin’ a good time, ’cause he blowed that thing about every two minutes, an’ he hopped aroun’ like a chicken with its head chopped off. “This time when they started playin’ again they was more hollerin’ than ever, so I guess “Prairie” was ahead. They usually are. When the revolver went off again I wasn’t so scared, ’cause I was expectin’ it. “I asked ’Lizabeth who that good lookin’ fella was standin’ over in the corner with such a big smile, like he was awfully happy, though his face was about the color of my red calicer dress. ’Lizabeth sez it was Kindley, ‘the coach’, whatever that is, an’ that he was turribly pleased. “Nine rahs for the team,” hollered a fella. Then Rah, rah, rah, ‘Hank.’ Rah, rah, rah, ‘Dick.’ Rah, rah, rah, ‘Ken,’ an’ they rah rahed off a lingo of names. “I tell you them young folks sure is glad when they win a basketball game. I kinda liked it an’ really believe I’ll go an’ see another when I’m in town.” —Eliese W. Boeckh. PRINCE DISCONTENT Many years ago, when the earth was young, and fairies and goblins inhabited every lonely cove or strip of wood, a certain Prince, Sir Discontent, decided that, in order to be perfectly happy, he must go in search of Adventure. Now, in those days, Adventure was not hard to find. In fact, she usually met a person when he least expected to see her. He was not even given the pleasure of looking forward to the meeting. 2(5

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place where I educate such as you, who, dissatisfied with a normal life, must needs seek me. After they have gone through all the pain and hardship which I can give them by my method, they may return to their homes with more experience, and a little more wisdom. If you follow the path, you will find your own horse and your proper raiment. Go, and seek happiness in some other way.” As he proceeded on his return journey, the Prince mused, “Have not the tales which have been told me been exaggerated? It was Adventure, but not nearly as pleasant when met with personally as when told of by someone else. I have my mount and my own clothes, and also some added experience and wisdom. Happiness I will have if I wait, and with it I will find contentment. I know now that things are not always as they are represented.” —Myrtle Hintze. EXTRACTS FROM A FRESHMAN’S DIARY Sept. 5—The first day of High School for me. How those “upper classmen” do stare at us. I wonder if we do look so green. Someone came up behind me this noon and told me to move on and not loiter in the halls. Of course, I thought it was one of those Seniors always ready to correct or advise a Freshie, so I just said, “Move on yourself.” If I ever was surprised in my life it was when, on being ordered to the office, I found that the supposed Senior was one of the teachers. Sept. 18—Just scared stiff to pass one of those Seniors or Juniors. They never mind their own business and no telling what they’ll do. I found out though this noon. Before I knew what was happening, they had me down in the basement and gave me a good ducking. Guess maybe they thought I hadn’t washed my face this morning. They said I was being initiated—I’ll have to look that word up in the dictionary. Sept. 29—What a relief to think this is Friday. I’ll have two days of “peace” anyway. Wonder how they expect us to find ourselves in that big building. Went into the “G” room this afternoon by mistake, 'fell you I got out of there in a hurry. It was those Seniors again— they were talking awfully funny, (think they called it German) but it sounded rather suspicious to me. Didn’t take me long to make myself scarce. Oct. 2—Began another week of agony this morning. I just wonder who invented that subject they call “Algebra.” My, I’d like to get hold of that man. I’d like to know what good that A, B, and C, is anyway; I’ll work my problems out with numbers any day. Oct. 13—They tell me I’m on for “Freshmen Rhetoricals” soon (whatever that is). Guess I’ve got to get up and speak a little piece. Good idea to skip that morning. Oct. 30—Well I’m still alive. One can’t take a step or make a misslip of any kind, but what there is a Junior or a Senior behind him to tell him about it. Don’t mind the teasing so much as I do the cold baths. Have had three or four now. Marched out with the girls today. Don’t see much wrong in that, but, of course, the school laughed. Nov. 2—Two of my classmates gave their little speech this morning. My I did feel sorry for them. They were as white as ghosts and you could see their knees shaking from the back of the room. When I do my little stunt, I won’t act as they did, I’ll be very calm, and composed. Nov. 14—Doesn’t take much to make these upper classmen laugh. 28