R J Reynolds High School - Black and Gold Yearbook (Winston Salem, NC)

Page 25 text:

THE BLACK AND GOLD 23 gold, but after Eppie came to brighten his life and home, he rarely ever thought of the stolen gold, and when he did it was not with a feeling of regret, but with a spirit of thankfulness that this ray of sunshine had come to him in- stead of his gold. After the great crisis in Marner's life, he became a true human being once more. He loved Eppie with all his heart and did everything in his power to please her and once more he began to serve God. He saw why his gold had been stolen and why Eppie had come to him and he thanked God with his whole heart for it all. In another way Eppie changed Silas' life in that he became an object of pity rather than an object of suspicion. Before Eppie's coming the inhabitants of Raveloe thought of him as an evil being, but after they saw the goodness in him, he became an object of pity. In short Silas Marner was changed from a miserly, nar- row and suspicious man to a generous, open-hearted and happy man and this change was brought about by one per- son--the golden haired, blue-eyed sunny Eppie. -Emily Gray, '13, Nnnvmher The woods begin to look sad and drear, Each falling leaf is brown and sere. The golden rod and gentian blue Have said their last sad adieu. Soon the little brooklet's merry song Will be hushed and still all day long, And the lowering cloud of leaden gray Foretells that the first snow is on its way. -Blanche Buxton, 'l3.

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2,2 TH E BLACK AND GOLD Elie Elranzfnrmaiinn nf Silas Jllarnrr M Nw OHE people seem to think that the time of mira Wlarnei how Eppie changed the character of Q J FJ Nlarner, surely they cannot entertain the slight est doubt but that the transformation of Marner was a mira- cle. When we study the character of Marner after he was accused of the theft, we find in him all of the traits of a miser, an unbeliever in God, and one who is uninterested in his fellow men. He is entirely alone and lives simply for his gold. He worships his gold, glories in it, and day and night thinks of nothing else. In 717' A , Y , , . - Q, 'fi'-3' - . . . cles is past, but after they have read in Silas xi, X , :N ' 'M-T 'X' x, A Q ' . . jjffl e ' - ' ' - The people in Raveloe thought of Marner only as a wicked, harmful and ghost-like being, while in reality he was just a poor, lonely soul, perfectly harmless, with no desire to hurt any living creature. That he had good in him, is clearly brought to light when sunny little Eppie enters his life. It is a very dramatic moment, when Silas coming to his flreside. sees there what he thinks is his precious gold and reaching for it. Ends instead of the hard, cold coins the soft, warm curls of a little c-hild. We wonder why he does not show disappointment: but from that moment we see his life and character begin to change. First there is awakened in him memories of his early life, and then the attending of so fair a specimen of humanity as Eppie began immedi- ately to render him more human, and then, too, his mind became somewhat clearer. That the child loved him almost at once shows plainly that there was something good and lovable in him, for children have that peculiar instinct which makes them love the right person. If Silas had been a hard man Eppie would never have clung to him as she did. At one time Silas thought of nothing but his loom and

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24 THE BLACK AKD GOLD Elie Qlnmhai an Seen hg at Mrraian Snlhirr A ES. my little Hajah.. it has been some four score years and more since that awful combat be- 53iSy tween the renowned Rustum and brave Sohrab, Q' It was when I was in the great Persian Army. as a guai d to the good General Ferood. The heavens even took part in that battle and it was so impressed upon my mind that it seems that it was only yesterday that I saw it. Great was the rejoicing in the Persian camp when the great Rustum agreed to tight for them and he looked like a giant tower as he stood upon the sands awaiting the com- ing of Sohrab. IYhen Sohrab came forth he looked like a lily. just plucked from some fair lady's garden. while Rustuin was more like the magnolia. the tree having strength, while the blossom has its delicate beauty. although the petals are thick and hard to tear. I was somewhat surprised to see Sohrab fall at Rus- tum's feet. instead of beginning to tight. I could not hear what was said, but from the scornful look upon Rustum's face and the painful one on Sohrab's, it seemed to be a very touching conversation. All at once they ceased talking and Rustuin, his face showing both anger and scorn. hurled his spear: but the boy stepped aside and the spear went deep into the sand. Then Sohrab hurled his spear. It struck Rustum's shield but it was turned. Then the mighty Rus- tum seized his great club. which none but he could wield, and struck at Sohrab with all his strength. but 'the boy' again stepped aside and the club thundered to the earth. and Rustum fell. too. I feared for what might follow: but Sohrab only waited for him to arise. Then, after a short conversation. which seemed to anger Rustum all the more, they rushed together, more furious than ever. raining blows