St Marys High School - Labarum Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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For a while Francis seemed in deep thought, then his voice rang out, Sir, I am glad to meet you. We seldom have company here,--'sup- pose Molly is afraid they will hurt my feelings. I am blind but really, do you know, I'd much rather see again for M0lly's sake than for my own. You don't happen to be a doctor, do you? An interesting conversation took place and the two became fast friends. The doctor learned the history of the Maguires,-how a fall had caused Francis to become blindg how since their parents' death Molly had earned a living for herself and little brother by dainty sewing which she took to town to dispose of each day. Francis, in turn, learned of the doctor's sudden fortune that had enabled him to visit Ireland, and of his bright hopes for the future. Doctor Hastings was so impressed with the attitude of the child- his cheerful sunny disposition under such sad affliction-that he resolved then and there that if anything could be done for his little friend he would do it. Francis grew very fond of the Doctor and each day after M,olly's departure, the violin would send forth its special message, invi- ting him to his side. Under the doctor's care the delicate boy grew stronger, and Molly seeing him happy sang more frequently and became more beautiful. 'Then the autumn days came bringing with them the annual storms which frequently interrupted the doctor's visits, for true to an agreement with Francis he would come only when Molly was absent. It was late in November. The boisterous winds raged fiercely, darkening steadily over the sea and densely overspreading the whole sky were floating clouds of singular shapes, huge walls of water dashed against the rocks, decisive peals of thunder rolled in deep reverberations from sea to land. With the meeting of the opposing forces of clouds the war of elements began in earnest. In a brief hush of the storm came the faint sound of a horn. Francis knew that sound and sudden fear clutched his heart. Ted was hurt-he must find him, he must go to him. In his anxiety and fright he blurted out his secret to Molly. Both hurried into the open. Molly guided Francis while they care- fully picked their way through the water and debris. At last they reached a turn in the road where she espied a sorry sight. The one time proud little roadster was a pile of broken metal and glass while pinned beneath the wreckage lay the form of Dr. Theodore Hastings. A su- preme effort finally released him, bruised and shocked but miraculously saved from death. It was a painful journey back to the cottage. Matters became worse when the sightless boy was thrown to the ground by a falling bough. He was carried into the house and the Doctor, forgetting his own injuries and unmindful of the severity of the storm, hastened to the near- est village, there to telegraph to his friend, Dr. Nue, the famous optome- trist, asking him to come at once. The humble home now became a hospital, for both surgeons real- ized that the opportune moment had arrived when a severe and painful

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Patience Reunardcd I. HE banks of Killarney's sparkling lakes harbored many a tenant, but far from any inquisitive neighbor nestled a little cottage. Its two owners, the remaining members of the Maguire family, had lived in this lonely solitude for five years, in fact, ever since the famous doctor from Germany had informed Molly that quiet and rest was the child's only salvation. Therefore, with a heart full of loving sympathy for her sadly afflicted brother Molly left their friendly little community and moved here. She trusted that Nature's healing balm would bring health and vigor to little Francis and that God's providence would provide the way and means to restore sight to the aspiring artist. The great steamer from America had arrived bringing many visitors to the Emerald Isle, among whom was the modest Dr. Theodore Hastings. The following day his green roadster, brilliant in its native element, bore him with steady fidelity over the country roads, until with a jerk the car stopped and the young doctor found himself forced 'to get out and dis- cern, if he could, the cause of the trouble. From the distance came the sweet strains of a violin,-slow and soft at first,-the prelude to a flood of melody that bespoke the joyousness of a human heart. Lover of music, as he was, Theodore Hastings dropped his tools and wandered slowly in the direction from whence it came. He paused from time to time, realizing that skilled fingers drew the bow across those responsive strings. A beautiful scene met his eyes. A little rose embowered cottage gleamed white against the green of the hills beyond. In front was the flower-starred meadow that bordered the sparkling lakes. The air was scented with the breath of blossoms mingled now and then with briny fragrance. Francis was comfortably seated in the yard where the cool breezes fanned his golden hair. A gay-colored Japanese parasol shield- ed his delicate face from the warm rays of the sun. Near by stood his charming sister, who with sparkling blue eyes under wavy black hair, was playfully swinging a pretty basket. A few moments later she left the boy with a merry good-bye and a promise to return soon. The boy raised his violin and sweet strains filled the air. At the approach of the visitor the music ceased. The large brown eyes gazed unseeingly at the intruder and a soft voice spoke, Who are you?'t A slight suspicion now came to the doctor for, although no physical defect marred the boy's eyes, his manner of looking denoted loss of sight. With a sympathetic voice he answered,- I am a stranger in my own land, dear boy. I came from America to my parents' country, and here while enjoying the refreshing breezes along these lakes where they once lived, I heard the sound of your music and answered it.

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operation must be performed if Francis was ever again to look upon the beauty of God's world. Nurses were quickly summoned and all that gold could supply was added to make the doctors' efforts successful. Hope dawned slowly but surely. June found the boy's sight grad- ually returning, an ever increasing happiness filling each heart. Francis could see and his first day in the open air marked the day of Molly's marriage to Dr. Theodore Hastings. -Josephine M. Jacob, '22 The lleccls of the Dau FTER many pleasant years spent with our beloved pastor, teach- ers, and school mates at dear St. Mary's the time has come when we must go out into the turmoil of the busy world. No longer will we discuss the topics of the day but actually take upon our young shoulders immense responsibilities, with the intention of 'doing all for the greater honor and glory of God and of making a name fitting for a graduate of a school such as ours, As we advance in civilization, greater and more difficult problems must be solved. Gigantic, indeed, are the religious, commercial, in- dustrial, and social enterprises of today. The more extensive and complicated these enterprises are, the greater must be the strength and skill of the young men and women who must face themg the greater must be their capacity to carry out to the best advantage these numerous and vast undertakings. Many untrained men are today holding positions for which they are not intellectually equipped. This is due to the fact that properly educated men are lacking. On the other hand, there are a great number of men who are now working at uncongenial jobs for the want of better training in the various branches of work. Although the majority of men solving the present day problems are fairly well trained, yet, there are many instances in which the work might be carried out to a greater satisfaction by these men were they more opportunely instructed. What was it that made Hurley, head of the United States shipping board, so successful in the late war? What was the cause of Marshall Foch's unbounding success in decis- ively defeating the central powers? It was nothing other than their thorough training in that particular line of work and their strong be- lief in God. Aside from this, man's moral nature must be trained, for it is in his moral nature that the power resides to choose the right or eternally good and reject the wrong or eternally evil. No genius, no industry, no attainments can compensate for the lack of moral character. It is