St Simon High School - Corolla Yearbook (Ludington, MI)

Page 25 text:

HOME SCENES The subject of my essay is a grave one, you will say, and a wide one! Yes, so wide that I shall make no effort to touch the compass of it. I will try only to bring before you a few simple thoughts of Home, which press themselves upon me every day more deeply, as I watch the modernization of American homes. I could write solumes, and not express all that the word Home conveys. Home is a sacred word. Modern customs and manners may be introduced, but that true old fashioned affection is ever there. The first American home was a rude Indian Wigwam where love and contentment held sway. The men busily engaged in fur trapping and on the war-path, the women in pursuit of their home duties. Their love of wild free life had no effect upon that love that was centered in Home. If they were rude and uncivilized, they were still human at heart. Their love of home was just as great as their hatred for their enemies, who persisted in depriving them of their lands and homes. How happy the Pilgrims were, in the poverty of their houses, but the luxury of their homes. Their family circles were complete and their joy unbounded. They were unconsciously laying the foundation of the millions of American homes now in existence. It is interesting to discuss the scenes of home life immortalized by some of the great writers. Whittier describes in Snow Bound the winter evenings by the open fire place, roasting apples and telling interesting and novel experiences, while the mindless wind shrieked and howled. Every heart bounds with love and devotion, while every face is wreathed in te-nder smiles. They were not a handsome familyg they were not well dressedg their shoes were far from being water-proofg their clothes were scantyp and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker's. But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time. and Tiny Tim voiced the sentiment of the family in his, God bless us every one! Thus Dickens, in his favorite theme, portrays his ideal of a poor but happy family, in his description of the Cratchits. He means to assert that wealth and luxury are not prime factors of happi- ness. Who could paint more vividly than Longfellow, the tie of filial love that bound Evangeline to her aged father, and the love and grace with which she governed his modest home in her efforts to satisfy all his wants and desires by her simple tastes and gentle manners? Picture the typical American home, after the shadows of night have begun to fall, when the family gather near the fire to tell the interesting events of that day. The younger children with their toys and dog-eared books, struggling to accomplish their difficult tasks by the aid of their ever faithful guide-Mother. The father reading the papers, will stop ever and anon to cast a coveted glance at the lovely picture, made still lovelier by the ruddy glow from the leaping flames. And lastly, the evenlng's pleasures are crowned by the family prayers, for true parental love gives vent to its force in grateful thanks to Him who has blessed their humble home, and in seeking graces and blessings for the loved ones of home. This is expressed by Whittier in the beautiful tribute he renders to his mother: And while, with care our mother laid Her work aside, her steps she stayed One moment, seeking to express Her grateful sense of happiness. For food and shelter, warmth and health, And love's contentment, more than wealth. MILDRED ROCK.

Page 24 text:

THE SE-NLORS WILLIAM JOHN ALBRECHT 'Strange to tlie world l1e wore a bgshful look. OOOiOI MILDRED FREDA ROCK A full, riclw nature, free to trust Trutluful and almost sternly just. OCDi3X MARY MONICA MASSE mln every cleecl of mischief, slme has a heart to contrive and a llancl to executef, OO0iJXD MARGARET MARIE KOUDELKA Her loolis clo argue ller replete with modesty.

Page 26 text:

TH-15 sgmoigs MILDRED CHARETTE ELIZABETH MARGARET NEHS Gooci nature and gooci sense must ever join. Gill!! MILDRED ALICE CHARETTE HA generous heart O'er prompt to do with heaven its part. O MARGARET MARIE DUTCH HA maicien never bold, a spirit still anci quiet.H