Reedsburg High School - Gleaner Yearbook (Reedsburg, WI)

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THE RED BRICK (Lltr tftsion »f the Spirit of thr jfamity. Warm was the summer evening and still were the sounds of the trees and the wood folk; drowsy was the Spirit of the Faculty as he sat by the River of Wisdom, dreaming of those children who lately had grown up and left him. Alone they now sought the banks of the River of Wisdom; alone they fished in her waters, for so far had they gone up the stream that the Spirit of the Faculty was no longer permitted to guide them. A mist seemed to cover the landscape, obscuring the present and the future; and gradually out of the mist thirteen maidens and fourteen youths appeared. Arranged as for recitation the class of 1911 stood before the Spirit of the Faculty. The book that lay open before them was the book of the Way of Life and open it was at the beginning, for only through the first chapter might the Spirit of the Faculty guide them. The rest they must learn for themselves in the School of Experience. The lesson now had commenced, and to the first question asked one answered, “Did you assign a lesson for today? I didn’t hear you. A sigh escaped from the Spirit, “Will my children never learn that every day of life there’s a lesson?” Another pupil arose and in a mumbling voice recited the answer. “Alas! would he never learn to speak plainly?” Then a tall, slender girl with head erect and in a clear voice correctly answered the question. There was pride in the teacher’s heart as he said, “Very good,” to the maiden. One by one they recited the lesson; some with bold, confident manner, others as though they pondered each word that they spoke, and others spoke naturally and easily. Still others were timid and only by the untiring effort of the teacher would recite their lessons. Thus was the recitation ended and the first Chapter of the Way of Life was over. Then spoke the Spirit of the Faculty: “No longer is it permitted to me to point out your pathway. The way up stream may be rocky and rugged but climb it you must alone. Only remember that each day is a lesson for you to learn and pass upward; and if you would climb to the source of the River of Wisdom, each lesson must be learned each day as 'tis given.” Then the mist enveloped the children. The Spirit of the Faculty still sat on the bank of the River of Wisdom, and thought of the children who had gone from him, and wished he might smooth in some way the rough paths that were before them. But a voice came to him as he sat there: “Be comforted, strength shall be given to the children to surmount all rocks in the pathway, and stronger and better will they be, than as though the road were smoother. The rough path alone has its beauties, and it alone leads to the Source of the River of Wisdom.” —M. W.

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THE RED BRICK. fashion. Soon after her return she surprises all the inhabitants of La Valle by becoming the better half of a certain young druggist in that city. They will make their home in New York where the fortunate gentleman secures the head position in the greatest pharmacy in the city.” “After having been rejected by Tillie, Charles Finnegan will return to fronton and become boss of the circle there, and will manage it in the same way that he used to manage the affairs of the Senior Class.” Even after three years have passed, Icel Crall still retains her fondness for ice cream, as she is found eating more of it now than ever, for it is now a duty instead of a pleasure to feed on it, and she must encourage others to do likewise to help the good cause along.” Ten years will find Clarence Bohn no longer playing second to Russell Kellogg, but after having lost faith in womankind on account of a certain banker’s daughter, he will sadly take up the office of mayor of Limeridge.” “Paul Schewe has contributed to the High School that quality which at times has been noticeably lacking—the quality of dignity. Perhaps he feels that he must set a good example to Edna who holds him as her ideal. However “still waters run deep” and after five years we find him in his workshop in the Philippine Islands diligently endeavoring to invent a machine for perpetual motion.” “Edna Randall will become a great missionary in Africa. Here is a picture of her in her surroundings ten years from now. She is seated in a tiny room, with nothing to make it appear homelike, in a log cabin. She wears the same patient expression on her face that she did during her High School days. But what is she doing? On her lap lies a Bible, opened to a chapter of Paul. There is a far away look in her eyes and a smile draws over her face as she thinks of another Paul who is in the Philippine Islands working so hard for her.” “The year 1920 will still find Ben Paddock living in Single Blessedness but fortune seems to have favored him for he has not changed in the least. We learn that the Park—Davis Co., Detroit, Mich., has changed hands and it now reads 'Benjamin Paddock, Chemist and Druggist’.” “On the 6th of January, 1918, Miss Elsie Luedtke and Mr. George Hass will appear at the Opera House in Berlin, with the Burlesque Troupe, in the 'Legend of Sleepy Hollow,’ Mr. Hass impersonating Ichabod Crane while Miss Luedtke will act the part of the blooming Katrina Van Tassel.” And now I noticed that the smoke was growing more dense and the figure gradually becoming more indistinct. I feared that this might be all 1 was to hear, but the voice went on in a far-away tone. “In 1933, Justin Davis will have his reputation as an orator firmly established and his love of justice will be as great an example to the United States as Burke’s was to England.” The smoke rolled so thick that I could no longer see and suddenly I found myself once more in the bushes, so amazed and excited I could scarcely move. My head swam, I knew no more until I awoke to consciousness in my own home, when I hastened to write an exact account of the prophecy it had been my favored lot to hear. —E. K.

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THE RED BRICK