St Johns Catholic Academy - Eagle Yearbook (Syracuse, NY)

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Twenty THE EAGLE HIS SACRIFICE The clock on the mantle struck nine. Adriano Darreti nervously paced the floor of his apart- ment. It seemed to him that the one decisive moment of his life had come. At ten-thirty he was to make his first public appearance as a violinist,-an appearance which would decide whether he was a success or a failure in the vocation upon which he had set all his hopes. In his hand he held a telegram, stating that his mother, who was lying in a semi-conscious con- dition in a hospital some hundred miles away, was calling for him. It would be impossible to cancel his engagement at the opera. It would spoil his only chance to show to the world the skill that was born in his fingers. Yet, although his debut should be a success, he would never forgive himself if his mother died before he reached her. All his life he had dreamed of the opportunity which lay at his feet tonight, still, had not his mother sacrificed much for him and was she not dearer to him than all worldly honors? These thoughts passed through his mind. liloments like these were precious. The seriousness of his mother,s condition had not been explained in detail. Now she might be on the brink of death and here he stood, weighing in his conscience the steps he was about to take. As the thoughts of his childhood came before him, there seemed to be no choice. Early the next morning he ascended the steps of St. lNIary,s Hospital. Five minutes later he was ushered into his mother's private room. Here lladame Darreti, who was suffering from injuries resulting from an auto accident, had recovered consciousness. She received her son with that show of affection and love as no other in the world bore for him. It was the look of tenderness in her eyes that rewarded Adriano for the sacrifice he had made. Here, clasped in her arms, he realized he would have given life itself rather than forsake her at death. Rczcnrdcfl. lfadame Darreti was slow in recovering from the injuries that physicians had thought fatal. The thought of what the accident had cost her son caused her more worry than the wounds. Though she prayed unceasingly that he might be given another opportunity, all Seemed ill vain. Darreti, during the years of his mother's convalescence, was not idle. So diligent was he in the practice of his loved music that he added a touch of unrivaled sweetness to the beautiful and passionate melodies. Seven years passed. Adriano had more friends, he had gained a foothold in society and was fast gaining prominence in music circles. Then Fate seemed to smile on him. He was to be the first player in a concert being held at the Metropolitan Opera House. Rosa Ponsello, Fritz Kreisler and others, masters of the arts which they practiced, were also engaged. De Barro, one of the greatest violin- ists the world had ever heard, was on the same program. It was this DeBarro that Darreti had held as his ideal and in all his dreams had come visions of this great musician. Thus it was that Darreti had but one thought in mind. That was to equal his ideal. As the curtain rose, the orchestra played a selection from lIoZart's Unfinished Sym- phony.', As the beautiful notes of the prelude died away Adriano Darreti walked from the wings and gracefully bowed to his audience. For this, his first appearance, he had selected Ivagneris Evening Starf, In this, the greatest of his works, IVagner poured out the hopeless and ardent longing of his own unhappy love. From the standpoint of technique and emotional intensity, this is an epic work. From the first stroke of his bow Darreti held the hearts of his amazed audience. Ivhen his bow again rested at his side and the recesses of the opera house were still echoing with the strains of the beautiful music, Adriano waited for the approval or the disapproval of his critical audience. There was a brief moment of silence. Had he failed? But no! Listen, Darreti! The spell is broken and the audience is acclaim- ing you. Receive, Darreti, your reward from the musical world. Then go to her who awaits you in success or failure. She will say to you as the Maker of us all said to His Son This is lily Beloved Son in Ivhom I ain well pleased. II.-XYMOND H. BILLS.

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THE EAGLE Nineteen Last Will and Testament of the Senior Class of 1928 This is to certify that, We, the Class of 1928, of St. John's Catholic Academy, Syracuse, County of Onondaga, State of New York, United States of America, do hereby make, pub- lish and declare this document to be our last will and testament, in manner and form follow- ing: To our teachers we leave our heartfelt appre- ciation for all they have done for us during our four years in high school. To the freshmen we leave the honor of ad- vancing to sophomore sophistication, To the sophomores we entrust the faithful perpetuation of our highest ideals. To the Juniors we leave the dignity, praise, and cleverness of the Seniors. Raymond Bills bequeaths his noted love of athletics and exercise to Casimir Laskowski. Bernardine Blaney Wills to hlary Swift, her desk, with the ardent Wish that no f'pest will occupy the desk in front of her. Agnes Sheedy leaves Blargaret Cavanaugh her position as 'cwvater-boy, hoping she has something beside paper to carry the water in. llildred Clisson bequeaths her automatic re- filling tablet to Catherine Boyle. Florence lvhelan wills to Eunice Olbeter her mastery over languages. Bfaurice lloriarty bequeaths the checker- boardv to John Goff. To lfarion Conohan, Margaret Shaughnessy leaves her one o'cloek dismissal, with best wishes for enjoyable afternoons. Hfargaret Hennessy leaves to Frances Baker her place during noon hour at the southwest windows. Catherine Stack Wills her keen sense of humor and Wit to Virginia Schmidt. Herman Klotz leaves his ability to complete his course successfully and early, to VVilliam Bishop. lNIae Koch Wills her angelic countenance to Bernice Fenchel. Geraldine Brien bequeaths her attractive smile to Harriet La Mott. Bose Young leaves her French note books to Marian Shumway. These notes tell of a new method for translating French. Frances Culkin wills her never failing alarm clock to Rosalind lvfurphy. To Virginia Harter, Bernardine Blaney leaves her method of collecting dues by forcef, Lawrence Long bequeaths to Peter Hopkins his ambition to get to school on timef, Katherine Fehr wills her talkativeness to hlarian Tanski. Catherine Stack leaves her tendency for changing seats to Jane Klotz. Agnes Sheedy leaves her debating talent to Frank Nagy. llfaurice Moriarty wills to Dominic llfazza his fondness for language. fTeutonic.j To Jane Brillbeck, lNIae Koch bequeaths her skill as uoflicial prompterf' Herman Klotz leaves his hobby, capturing birds', especially 'fbatsf' to VVilliarn lvfurphy. In witness whereof, the Class of 1928 has caused this instrument to be signed and sealed under the hand of the President, on this the eighteenth day of llflay, in year of Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight. Signed, QLSJ BIAURICE MORIARTY, Presidemf. In presence of: AGNES V. SHEEDY, Class Lawyer.

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T H E E A G L E Twenty-One ADVICE T O UNDERCLASSMEN VVe have come to the parting of the ways. After four years spent within the walls of our Alina Mater, we are about to pass the first great milestone in our journey through Life. And it is only now that we realize fully what our years at St. Johnls have meant to usg what, in the course of time, they will mean to you. Now, having attained the realization of our dreams-gradu- ation-let us give these few words of advice to our underclassmen. Be ambitious, young friendsg aim high in lifeg endeavor to achieve some- thing great for yourself and for mankind. Be capable in what you undertake. Be honorable in all things. Be afraid of nothing but evilg be anxious for nothing but good. So you will honor God and serve your country. If you heed the foregoing suggestions, yours will be the power to travel to your destiny on a path which no cloud can darken. Success will favor you and your life will be filled with a peace and love which no worldly sorrow can destroy. SENIOR CLASS. -ol nr It PRGBLEMS YET TO BE SOLVED How Florence can be so dumb? Why Kate Stack wanted a back seat? lvhere Ray gets it fhicj? How the bat got that way? Yvhat St. Vincentas would do without Agnes? VVhy Frances Culkin doesnlt invest in an alarm clock? VVhere Maurice Moriarty gets the right to wear green? VVhere Kochski got the brogue? YVhy Agnes couldn't wait?