St Francis Xavier Academy - Xavier Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 23 text:

THE FRANCESCA s Our Margaret claims the letter S, And thinks with Horace Greeley, That those who love the breezy west Will live their lives sincerely. What pleasant stories she could tell! Each new one seemed the best; How oft we’d laugh when she’d begin “My uncle, who’s out west.” T T stands for Sister Teresa, Who from us did depart To heed the Master when He called, She chose the better part. When in the Convent Chapel, So humbly kneeling there, She will her class remember In the holy hours of prayer. May every member of this class Be true to graces given, That though our paths in life diverge We’ll meet again in Heaven. 19

Page 22 text:

THE FkANCESCA H And next comes H, to call to mind Our happy Helen C, Whose kindness and good nature Make friends so easily. J J is for Mollie Johnson Who loves sweet music’s strains, A very general favorite, Who every heart retains. L The letter L, with flourish great. Will stand for Lottie E, Who likes enjoyment when she’s dressed In style becomingly. M A very quiet student Our Mary M you’ll find She's fond of all the Sisters And has a heart most kind. o My next is O, to represent A name which should be near To E that stands for Eleanor; These two are friends most dear. And Mary O has tastes the same In Greek and English prose. That both their lives they’ll give to God, The future will disclose. 18

Page 24 text:

THE FRANCESCA CLASS HISTORY. HAT an interesting task it is to follow the varying course of a river as it ceaselessly flows along, and after many windings sweeps into the grand and mighty ocean! How smooth and tranquil it appears, the glorious sun smiling all the while! But, when dark clouds obscure that light from our view, fierce winds sweep impetuously over that once calm surface and drive the waves in angry breakers to the shore. Storms that arise suddenly as suddenly depart. Soon the heavens are again illumined and the sun shines brighter than before. In these respects does the course of a river resemble a school-girl’s life. Such are its lights and shadows, and many the trials and troubles. “Neque enim ignari sumus ante malorutn.” First, as freshmen, we entered the assembly hall, timidly, yet resolved to face the worst. The worst! Nothing but a roomful of harmless girls, laughingly reviewing the past and eagerly surmising the future. Immediately, on our entrance, we are graciously welcomed by the kind principal, who leads us to a group of happy girls, classmates, she tells us. Gradually all reserve melts away in that sunny atmosphere and we become like unto them, feeling every moment more and more at home. One by one other newcomers join us until finally we have become a band of thirty. Can that have been possible ? we now ask ourselves as we gaze at our well-thinned ranks. Tis true. In four short years we have dwindled from thirty to ten. Seventeen girls entered the commercial department and the remaining thirteen embraced the classics. The English course was deserted for awhile, but Latin, in pity, or perhaps fearing jealousy, soon sent two young ladies as peacemakers. Books, books, books follow one another in rapid succession: Algebra, arithmetic, Latin, French, English, history and Christian Doctrine. By this time the poor students are breathless, but with the aid of kind teachers, they take their first steps and, encouraged by 20