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

Page 33 text:

THE BLACK AND GOLD 31 Extracts Hrom a Diary of 1942 IS rather gloomy tonight, the twilight seems to have a tinge of sadness in it. I suppose it always does for us old people; there is a soft wind blowing from the sea and it brings a bit of spray in it which kisses my cheek with a soft gentle touch. I have been sitting here looking out over the wild waste of the swirling waters and dreaming— dreaming of the days that have long gone by. Memories—ah! they are wonderful things—to dream over the times that long ago seemed to me so full of joyousness. I have been looking over my old diaries, and out of the mist of the past, faces rise before me, the faces of the friends I used to know. It was in my diary for 1942 that I ran across some remem- brances of my old High School days. I copied out some extracts, for I loved them all, and of all the days I ever knew those were the happiest. So I’m reading them in the twilight and reading—I’m floating back across the years, to the days when these silver locks were brown and this bent back was supple. Friday, January 6th, 1942 I have just been to Keith’s with the dearest, sweetest, most adorable person in the world. I won’t put his name for fear other eyes than mine will see this. And that would be awful! “The most remarkable thing happened though! During the showing of Pathe’s News I recognized some of the Class of ’17 on the screen and heard their voices just as natural as 25 years ago. I have been trying in vain till now to find out something about them, too. This was what first astonished me so: RuraAL ScHOOL TEACHER Becomes Famous ACTRESS Mademoiselle Folly Farrell That looked interesting to me and especially when in introduc- ing the famous personage the speaker said that she had been dis- covered when she was carrying pansies and other flowers to the French teacher in the same school. A noted playwright happened to be there at the time and he was struck by the grace and per- sistency with which she sought her end. It was queer, but between the name Farrell, pansies, and French teacher, I couldn’t help but think of Ada Gray Ogburn, and that was who it was. Then they showed an orphan asylum that was established by Frances Barrett. It appears that she is very fond of cooking, and having already lost five husbands by her cooking, she decided to try her luck on an asylum. She took a notion that she wanted a “‘chief-

Page 32 text:

30 THE BLACK AND GOLD Class Porm Hark! there’s a call that strikes the ear. Forth to the conflict, free from fear; Tis duty calling and we must hear— Life’s race is just begun. Up to the heights and on to the goal, Courage and valor within every soul, From every temptation ourselves to control, Till the weary toil is done. There may be hardships, trials, and sorrow; From our grief others are tempted to borrow; Let’s turn away to a glad tomorrow— ‘The storm is soon past, and so Still pressing onward with noble pride, With lofty aims, and by his side Who lovingly promised to be our guide To victory we will go. The day may seem dreary and sad and long; We may feel neglected in life’s busy throng; But we fill our hearts with a gladsome song And make the day worth while. It may be that we’re misunderstood, Even while trying to do good— We've enemies—quell the angry mood And greet them with a smile. For enmity can’t long remain To break the bonds of Friendship’s chain; For the sun shines on behind the rain, And gloom is changed to cheer. For truly we must all admit Life’s just what we shall make of it; So may true joy enthroned sit ‘Throughout each coming year! Our High School days are over now; Thus far, we’ve borne it all somehow. Into the deep we turn our prow To sail life’s stormy sea. Let’s be content, and nobly proud, A silver lining’s in each cloud, And thus, at last, we’ll cry aloud: “We've won the victory!” VERNIE Fercuson, ’17.

Page 34 text:

32 THE BLACK AND GOLD cook-and-bottle-washer”’ and so sought Gladys Harris, who was traveling at that time with a Tabloid show under the direction of Howard Barnes. Howard reluctantly gave her up and only did so on the condition of visiting them real often. Monday, January oth Well, Bailey Liipfert, I see by today’s “Evening Mail”, has at last attained an ambition he has cherished for many years! Ever since he left High School he has been an ardent advocate of the Anti-Latin crusade and has finally succeeded in getting that study dropped from every High School in the country. Rumor has it that he is to be wedded soon to Miss Louise Henley. ‘There is some doubt of it though, as there is a certain demonstrator of Ford cars who is endeavoring to regain the place he formerly held in Miss Henley’s affection. Bailey labored under intense difficulties, for he did not see Louise until five years after leaving school. He was lecturing one day at Flossidale Academy for Young Ladies when he noticed a young lady on the back seat looking out of the window. Instinctively he raised his pencil and as he hit the desk before him she jumped up screaming, ‘Don’t you dare bring me up before that old student council!’ A mutual recognition followed and ere Bailey left, the fate of the Ford was sealed. “They spent their honeymoon at the Hanestown Hostelry which has for many years been conducted by James Conrad. James found out that no boarding house could fill his elongated frame; so he started a hotel. It is said that his life was blighted after he left High School and that even today there is a room in his apartments where a Davidson banner is hung. Oftentime at night he has been heard weeping bitterly and vowing that it and it alone stole his heart away. Poor James—I can sympa- thize with him! Wednesday, January 18th I believe I will go in town today and get a new pair of wings. It is so hard to keep up with the styles in these, they are always changing so. ‘To think that Robert Fry invented them makes: it all the more wonderful. We really didn’t know we had such a genius in our class, but appearances are deceitful. “They say he makes $1,000,000,000 a week. Really, John D. didn’t have a thing on him. Robert had a dreadfully hard time deciding whether to keep on being a newsboy at $3 per or turn inventor for $1,000,000,000 per. He very reluctantly decided to adopt the latter course. Yesterday they filmed the department that dyes and designs these wings. Jessie Cofer is general manager. She believes in “Get- Rich-Quick-Wallingford” for she makes $1,000,000 a week merely for “bossing the job”. It is rumored that she would not have ac-