University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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JKrrfihnum (Sitting at the UiUa by llir £ ra AFTER a long session of hard study the Freshman Class and its professors looked forward with genuine pleasure to the annual outing. In High School a day’s picnic was considered sufficient recreation, hut the increased study and “dignity” accompanying the name of “Freshman required an excursion of at least two days. Through the kindness of Rev. Fr. R. A. (Ileeson, S. J. we were granted the freedom of Man-resa. a delightful villa overlooking the placid waters of the blue Monterey I lay. After a month of preparation, we were at last off for the finest time we had ever experienced. And then when we arrived there and gazed about in silent admiration of the encircling beauty, ejaculations of wonder and appreciation escaped the lips of all. The Villa commands an unobstructed view of the water. There not a ship was seen, no sign of man’s hollow conquest over the deep. The bay was as smooth as glass; the sunbeams played among the wavy hills and valleys with sparkling energy. The billows charged upon the seemingly primeval shore with an unrelenting persistency to reach the rocky bluff that stood as a hairier to their advance. Turning, we behold the mountain clothed in all the splendor of its virgin growth. There we see a farm house nestling amid the shelter of an orchard: and far beyond the towering summits of the Santa Cruz Mountains peer above a grove of giant redwoods. We do not wonder when told that this is where the fathers of the Society of Jesus seek a retreat from the bustling activity of college life. Again we survey the surrounding glories and utter a mental “Laud ate ” 'Then of a sudden we are startled bv the shrill whistle of a locomotive and snatched from our Eden and thrown again into the world of progress and action. but the sweetness of that stolen dream shall ever remain with 11s. Dropping our luggage in the house we all raced to the beach to enjoy the indescribable pleasure of a dip in the surf In mad haste we jump into our suits and all made a wild run to revel in the ever-advancing breakers. Oh! the glory of a plunge in those playing waves! Enlivened with renewed energy, we dress hurriedly and return to the house. “And what a sight was there.” The sizzling of steaks, the mashed jx tatoe the aroma of coffee, all uniting to increase our ravenous appetites. We can neve repay ilia1 (Jood Samaritan who gave up the pleasure of a swim to prepare our dinner: but we are sure

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T II E E R ES II M A X . 23 daloary’a (Crnaa (Planted by Archbishop Wemany many years ago,on a mountain overlooking the city.) edemption's sign! I plitted High o’er the western title: t h! tell the varied stories That in thy breast reside: The tales of wild adventure: The tales of bitter woe: The tales of holy comfort That set thy heart aglow. Alas! the proud invader ho trod this hallowed spot. W ho scorned my saving lessons And my warnings soon forgot. Mis wailings ever haunt, me As the dismal night wind howls: When earth and sea are shrouded His spirit ’round me prowls. I’ve watched the storm tossed billows Dash 'gainst the (iolden (late. With the lightning from the heavens Sealing mortals' fate. I-or years I've stood to brave it— guide to point the way I nto the realms of gladness I ’nto eternal day. I've seen the Jasons enter. The burnished strait below. In quest of gold and treasure: nd I’ve seen them go Proudly sailing to the sea Rich with their yellow gain. I’ve seen them ride the billows. I've seen them dashed amain. The just are gently sleeping In the shadow where I fall: And calmly they are waiting (iabriel's judgment call. P.ut throngs around me gather And listen to my voice— These turn my tears to gladness— These make my heart rejoice: Led by the sons of Francis They climb the way through me That leads where bask the nations 'Xeatli the sun of eternity. — I’RANCIS J. ('RKEI)K.

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T 11 E F K E S 11 M A X . thu on Reckoning Day lie will gain a high place tor his generous services. ()ur table was set in the open, amid a groping field of grain; and as tile last dish was cleared away, we turned to view a glorious sunset on the water. I never could do justice to a description of our ensuing joys. A moonlight walk through the canon and a grove ot palms completed that day's outing, and returning, we rolled in our blankets and gazing into the starry realms above dropped oft into a welcome slumber. And then I dream, a beast of prey is at ni side. I awake to gaze into the light of a dickering lantern while a voice commands me to “get up and see the comet. ’ I jump up and join in the sport of arousing our sleeping fellows. Soon all are awakened. I;ar to the east we gaze and finally a keen eye shouts, “I see it.” And sure enough driving amid the accustomed stars is the intruder who has come to glide across the picture of the heavens. At first the comet seems out of place hut as we gaze it grows in beauty and magnificence and soon it is an integral part of the firmament. It holds our awestruck gaze until it falls a victim to the brilliant rays of the coming dawn. Then we manage to snatch an hour’s sleep. As a fitting start to the day. which was Ascension Thursday, we all heard mass. There upon a rude altar in the villa was offered up the body of Him for whom we live. Xo choir to extol 11 is praises with chants of melody, no marble pillars to adorn 11 is home, only a rough altar and a hand of twenty-two adoring souls, yet the simplicity of mass in that beauti- ful scene surpassed the splendor of the grandest cathedral. After breakfast in which we heartil indulged, we tried a game of baseball This over, it’s hack to the beach for another swim. And how we did enjoy it' This time the whole party of twenty-three plunges in and delights to revel in the waves. Then we lounge about in the sand, forming in groups and chatting. Having gone hack to the house, preparations were made for our last meal We resolve to make it one never to be forgotten. A lamb is secured from a neighboring ranch and we start a barbecue. My power of description is too limited to attempt an account of it. suffice to sav that we consumed it all. including the inevitable beans, potatoes and coffee. With no little reluctance, we make preparations for our departure. Cameras have been clicking all the time but now all are busy snapping groups, scenery and individuals. Pleasures of this life are fleeting and it was not long before we were hoarding the train for home. As the train pulled out we looked back upon that scene where we spent such a ha] pv time, again we contemplate the glories that Xature has spread around the vilb « Then our backs turned to pleasure we return, refreshed, to conquer a month of repetitions and to weather the gruelling storm of a week of examinations. I »ut even now we recount with joy the many happy incidents of those two days we spent at Manresa. the villa by the sea. John If. Grady.