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

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THE BLACK AND GOLD 29 ing, then on through a by-path she brought us into a barren, wasted land, strewn with fragments of building materials, broken and defaced. The Plain of Failure, said Imagination. 'Tis here in this suburb of Ideals, that many, losing sight of lofty aims, waver in their purpose, and so, swerving from the path Ambition would have them follow, waste their lives in fruitless endeavor. Un every side you see signs of greatness, but alas, greatness accom- plishing nothingg for without steady Purpose, Determination and Stick-to-it-ness no one can accomplish Life's tasks. And just over the way lies Successf' I murmured, for through the wavering tree tops I could detect the shining turrets of the House of Success. Just over the way, repeated Imagination, but separated by a deep ravine -and so saying she brought me through a rugged path into-not a clear, beautiful country as I had always thought Success to be in-but into a hard, forbidding land. Can this be the end of our quest? I cried. Is this the House of Success? And I pointed to the unadorned, rather insignihcant structure standing before me. Yes,,' answered Imagination, but see, the House of Suc- cess is built on the foundation stones of Hard-work, put together with Thoroughness and Determination, and see, though the out- look is poor, how bright is the uplook- and she pointed to the dazzling radiance above the turret-tops. Just then the portal of the house Hew open and Patience, with her ponderous keys, stood ready to unlock for us the shining treasures within. But Experience, grave with the weight of years, gently thrust her aside. Not yet, she said, not yet-may a representative of the Class of 1916 enter the House of Success. Go back to your classmates, she turned to me, and say to them that some of them will go into the world as lawyers, doctors, busy workers, others will remain in the quiet circle of the home, but no matter what their work, no matter what their sphere of influence,

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28 THE BLJCK AND GOLD En Hirtnrg T was the night before Commencement. My mind I was filled with joyful anticipation of the morrow and yet mingled with the joy was sadness, for the i i ties of years were to be severed, our class, bound by common interests, was to be broken, our loyal band was to send its boys and girls out into the world, into the world as individuals with individuals' work to do. Woiild the coming years fulfil the bright promises of the present? As if in answer to my question, Inspiration softly touched me. I should like , she said, for you to go to the Land of Ideals. Imagination shall be your guide and Hope and Joy your companions by the way. And so saying, she called Imagination, and quicker than thought spread before me the fair Land of Ideals. In the heart of the Land was the Fountain of Purity, its waters flowing deep under ground, making all about it sweet and fresh, and hard by the Fountain stood the Temple of Endeavor with its altar of Faith, its walls lined with Courage, Fidelity and Perseverance kept the Temple of Endeavor and they seemed to diffuse an atmosphere of their own about the place. Yes, whispered Inspiration, anticipating my thought, only those who take Fidelity and Perseverance as their companions really succeed in the Land of Ideals. Tell this to your class- mates and friends as you meet with them on the morrow. And tell them also, she added as stern-faced Duty greeted us, that only he who makes friends with Duty earns a place in the House of Success. just then Duty beckoned to us to follow her. But Imagina- tion had other sights for us to view before she left us. Into a quiet, sequestered vale she led us where lVIodesty, fearing lest loud-sounding Praise make her known to the world, was in hid-

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30 THE BLACK AND GOLD lessons of purity, truth, perseverance, determination, unswerving obedience to duty must be heeded if they would crown their labors with successf' The vision faded. But clear in my mind remains the lesson it brought, and gladly did I share it with my classmates. MADGE S1LLs. Smnzet lflanh Did you ever hear of a wonderful land just beyond the sunset glow, Full of birds that warble throughout the year And Howers wherever you go? The land is there if we only could reach The signboard that points 'the way, And the path that leads to the open gate Is for only the joyous and gay. 'Long the path grows the dew-sprinkled Violet and rose, It's but wide enough for two, And the luscious berries that sparkle near by Would be food for me and you. There is music there and the melodies Are tuned to the Maker's ear By the bubbling brook as it gurgles along And the breeze singing far and near. And through the gate stretches far away That beautiful sunset land. There'll be merry, laughing children there, And lovers strolling hand in hand. So please go with me to the little path Near hidden in its winding way, And together let's find the gate and the joy Of our Sunset Land, today. LUELLA COCHRAN.