St Francis Minor Seminary - Via Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

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f A N :33-29-593-3-3-3-3-33Qi61EQCE ?chE-e-e-e-cz-a-ae-a-e-ca-c What a Eiifervnrp 3'11 makw HE memorable twentyrfifth of December brings to our minds, first of all, worldly thoughts such as gifts, merry gatherings, and especially the spending of the holidays with our parents at home. But in the mind of every true Christian there also tarries fond memories of that first Christmas nineteen hundred years ago. We love to think of this sublime incident be- cause of the exhibition of the supreme love as- sociated with it. As we look back we can picture the rugged crib; we see the Divine Babe murmur- ing from the bitter cold; we see Mary, his Mother, answering His plaintive cry; and there, close at hand, is Joseph, trying to shut out the cold wind from his spouse and the Child; we hear the angels chanting the HGloria in Excelsis Deofi we vis- ualize the three kings adoring and offering gold, frankincense and myrrh; the shepherds are gazing with loving eyes at their long-sought-for Re- deemer. We are moved with awe at the simplicity in which this Saviour of the world came: a poor infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying on a bed of straw in a little stable at Bethlehem. While this holy thought occupies our minds, most probably this question will come to us: HWhat if this divine incident had never 0c. curred? Our answer to this is that history would be entirely changed, because the Catholic Church has played a great part in the history of the world; that we, as the people of old, would be praying to God to send the promised Messiah. eFRANCIS J. TENPENNY. . MW ssa- w t gm A Winter Scene. tujg-E'E'mE-E-G-E'CE-G-G 3E9- sagasmgi Page Fifty

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f A N esa-s-a-s-s-g-s-s-s-sggl ERCE ?:chwE-ch-cz-cz-ca'e-a-G-ca-c Swine Al? lEnfnrtunatp T WAS a very fine morning. My father, brother, Cy and I were spreading shocks of oats because it had rained the previous night; the shocks, if not spread to dry, would have been too wet to store away into the barn. It was about nine oiclock that morning, while we were very busy spreading the shocks, that my father noticed great rolls of smoke rising from behind a distant woods. The smoke became thicker and rose higher. I said at once that it must be a farmeris barn which had been set on fire, either by the combustion of wet grain or by the sparks of a locomotive. The smoke became still heavier. It looked as though there were an oil well burning. All of a sudden fierce flames arose amidst the thick smoke. Aroused by this exciting scene, we forgot our work and rushed to the road, where we got a ride in a short while. Rides were easy to get, because lines of autos sped to the big fire. When we arrived there, what did we see? Ah! We saw a fire, the like of which had not been witnessed by many. Fierce flames were devouring an immense structure which was filled with many tons of hay, many loads of grain, and much ma- chinery, the best of which was a thresher. This was all caused by the explosion of a lite tle two-horsepower gasoline engine Which some- one had tried to start in order to pump some water. The house and some other small buildings near it were protected by the many hands that helped to carry water to keep all sparks from starting a flame. Yes! It was a sad sight. It was a fire that was left to burn at its will. The flames devoured the large barn as a- wolf does its prey. Timber after timber, board after board, fell into the fire ,till nothing but a pile of ashes remained. This is one of the many instances in which the farmer is very unfortunate. On an occasion like this, he cannot call the assistance of a. fire department to check the flames, but can only be- hold the violence of the blaze, as it devours his costly possessions, and become discouraged. -ROBERT STANGEL. Glhnnzing A Huratinn HAT are you going to be when you become a man? This is a question that is frequently put to a little child. In response it will say, in its childish tongue, in whatever state of life it is particularly interested. It has been shown by many striking examples how a child, after having expressed its desire to choose a certain vocation, will direct all its ambitions to that cause. The time at which boys should think seriously about the choice of a vocation is when they are about to graduate from the grades. It is true there are but few that are chosen for that sublime vocation of the holy priesthood. Many of these, however, are doubtful as to whether they should take the step or not. This uncertainty often shows good qualities in a boy, for it plainly mani- fests carefulness and seriousness in selecting a vocation. If, however, one is impeded by doubts, the most efficacious means to obtain guidance is by prayer. If one confides in the Almighty Power, he is safe to select a vocation, and at the same time feel that he is doing rightly. A very permanent obstacle that impedes many , boys in selecting a vocation is interference on the part of parents. It is a grave injustice on their part to select vocations for their children. Parents do not know what the boy likes, nor do they know what state of life is most appropriate for him. Therefore it behooves parents to refrain from such intervention. If the boy is at liberty to choose his vocation, he will have someone to praise for happiness and success in his future life, and will have no one to blame for sorrow or failure. eJOSEPH STAGL. - 3-33-sz '92? Q36: ere;- - Page Fortysmlne

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f Am; x 9-33-3-3-3-3'3.3-3-3EDQXC1:1 1312le :4. oe-e-e-e-cz-cacae-cz-cz-ca-c Eh? 17er I811? NE dark and dreary night in November, a se- vere rain storm came over Lake Michigan and gave full vent to its feelings when it found a bar- rier in its path. This barrier was our Seminary. 0n the top floor of the building there is a dormitory which faces the lake. The fame of this sleeping room is far spread. The reason for its renown can easily be explained by the nickname which it bears, namely, the HIce Box. The dorm- itory lives up to its name. At the time my story opens this room was oc- cupied by eight students, who had just retired. The noise of the rain beating against the win- dows was mingled with the deep breathing of those who were far off in ttslumberland. The silence was suddenly broken by a cry of distress. UJiminy, fellows, my bed is floating! shall I do? HGet an oar and go for a ride, sleepily drawled one of his mates. HSay, if you think Pm fooling, he retorted, come and see for yourself. Only I advise you to keep off the floor. By this time everyone in the dormitory was awake, and several went over to see what they could do to rescue their dorm partner. The lights were switched on, and then they saw that the rain was coming through the cracks in the Window sill. A conference was held; and, as they all thought it very funny, the meeting was interrupted time and again by some joke or witty saying. What Eh? 3135112 LA T HALF past five the seminarian is awakened by a large bell ringing out its discordant tones. He rises on his elbow, observes that his dorm- mates are not moving, and then he goes under his covers again, muttering to himself, H1,11 wait 'until the second bell; there is plenty of time, and I am still tired. . The boy dozes off, and awakes at the second bell. In deciding whether he should jump right out or not, he wastes about five minutes. He finally jumps out of bed and begins to dress Say, I've got an idea, exclaimed one. HTake it easy, old scout, you know you are not used to such a thing,H prompted another. ttHere is my idea, whether you want it or not, he replied. HTake the garbage can and put it against the window sill so it catches the water. That will save tPorky, from drowning, and also shut him up so we can get some much- desired sleep. Another thing, put some towels in the cracks of the window. This idea was quickly put into practice, and soon all was quiet again. During the night the rain turned 'into snow, the thermometer dropped steadily. When the first bell announced its sad news the next morning, not a single student made a move- ment to arise. At the second bell there was a sudden change; everyone dressed in a hurry, spurred on by the freezing temperature in the room. NSay, yawned one, how full is the garbage can?,, ttHalf full, and I think you better hurry. You have exactly two minutes to get downstairs, re- sponded Porkyii There was a general rush for the door after this remark. Such is life in the Ice Boxfl Cold though it may be, every member of the dormitory will agree that it is the best dorm in the Seminary. --PHILIP SCHWAB. $lrrp2r hastily. He leaves the dormitory before he is entirely dressed and rushes down the stairs, put- ing in his shirt and buttoning it on the way. He is down on time, and as soon as morning prayers are over he goes to the lavatory and washes the sleep from his eyes. He also combs his hair and adjusts his tie. He is about to leave the lavatory when he stumbles on his shoe-string, which has not been tied. After tieing his shoestring, he enters the study hall, thinking he will get up at first bell the next day. But this day never comes. eJOHN PFEFFER. - - 59.33-2m Page Fifty-one