South High School - Tiger Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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The Class of June ’09 HERE once dawned a Monday so bright and devoid of cool, traditional color attributed to the innocent day that few, especially students and pedagogues, would now be able to recognize it. That September Monday of 1905 will be a date conned, loved and revered by future generations. For on that immortal day an army of what, semi-bug language, may be termed human caterpillars, had congregated in the world-famed South High Nursery. They were soon settled and ignoring the cruel taunts of the upper classmen, passed the first stage of their evolution in industriously devouring all that could broaden their youthful minds and subdue their animal spirits. The second stage in the unfolding of these interesting representatives of the animal kingdom was one of wisdom and knowledge. Cunningly they evaded the advice and demands of their beloved instructors and rapaciously devoured all of the forbidden fruit within their reach. Such a state might have seemed hopeless to the careless observer; but under that counterfeited exterior was a large percentage of unalloyed metal which came quickly to the surface in the third and present stage. During this happy period of the metamorphosis the various genera have been organized into one great class, which, although apparently dead, is undergoing the most wonderful transformation of all. But all have wisely agreed in the election of a mighty monarch whose only misdemeanor has been the bestowal of the abominable title of quitters1’ upon the innocent gentle sex. The purposed Leap Year celebration which occasioned the wrath of their wise ruler died a natural death, and preparations were soon begun for the grand Senior Reception. When the finances began to decline, the lady bugs came to the rescue, and cheerfully, at cut prices, disposed of a famous saccharine substance of their own concotion, and the admiring swains generously purchased this pennoche par excellence. In this manner, and by a poll tax the Page twenty-two

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necessary expenses were met, and on a beautiful moonlight evening when the grass was wet with fragrant dew, a grand informal hop was given in honor of the departing Seniors. It was the crowning event of the social aspirations of the class, well attended and particularly enjoyed by the Junior maids, the majority of whom through no fault of their own, found it necessary to hold individual fetes on their own lawns. However, while in this stage, the chrysalids are becoming not only socially but educationly transformed. They have dwarfed Shakespere and Scott by their world-startling works, ranging from the deepest prose to the grandest poetry, and they have produced athletes who deem it only recreation to break the records of great world champions. These ascensions, both of body and mind, are chiefly due to the absolutism of the good and wise paternal despots who are carefully preparing the beautiful Junior cocoons for the final transformation. Then when the dignified beautiful and renowned Senior butterflies have flown out into the great world garden to gather nectar and eat the fruit of their toil, these worthy successors shall fill the vacancy, and strive with all the combined originality and mimicry of their natures to live up to the standards of such an excellent criterion as the present Senior class has proved to be. When they shall reach this highest and perfect stage in their development, only one great sorrow will mar their happiness;—the loss of their beloved guardian angel—but unselfishly they will consent to his doing a little missionary work among the heathen in the West, and will graciously accept the new guardian. Then the gay butterflies will flit about the big sunny halls, while the more sombre moths will seek the light of the reference table, and for one, short, happy year all will dwell in that Eldorado which always makes good the dear, old South High. ETHEL KEATLEY Page twenty-three