Villa Maria Academy - Trumpet Yearbook (Erie, PA)

Page 57 text:

how sorry she was for every unkind word she had uttered. Mother smiled but was too weak to assure the brokenhearted daughter that she had long since for- given her. As the days wore on it became quite evident that the patient was beyond all earthly he-lp. Just before the dawn of an early May morning her soul took flight to its Master. Tenderly Mr. Thorpe carried the unconscious Stella to her room where she was obliged to remain for the whole day. During the quiet hours of the night Stella stole into the dimly-lighted liv- ing-rooni where her mother's corpse lay. How those closed eyes which she had caused so recently to fill with tears tortured her! How those motionless hands th at had served her every whim made her heart bleed! There in those grief-sticken mo- ments Stella changed from a carefree, quick-tempered girl to an amiable, serious woman. i M. E.. '3l. 0300-150 A Tribute 020 To them we owe our greatest thanks, Not one can we single from out the ranks Theylre all so kind, so true, so good, These Sisters lneath St. Joseph's hood. They've taught us since we've been in school. And showed us the wisdom ot' every rule. Their patience well deserves our praise, Theylve gladly helped us through many a maze, WVith encouragement here, and helpfulness there, And a sincere trust that leads not to despair. ' Tn rrismi-y, mini, ri-61,011 and Mah, They've guided us thus far on Life's path. ln practical knowledge their methods are wise , It' we follow their teachings, we're bound to rise. Their friendlv spirit has made itself known At parties and dances and not that alonee At programs, recitals, athletics and meetings, Theylrc always present with their friendliest greetings. Wlicn our school days are o'er and we think of the past The most prominent memory-the one that will last Will be the days spent in dear Gannon Hall, Surrounded by the goodness and kindness of all THE FACULTY. V. M., '31 -fi' 03 i

Page 56 text:

While Mrs. Thorpe sat there still stroking the face and hair of her beloved child, Stella tried to imagine home without her moth-er. How she regretted, too, the many rude words she had spoken, and, as her thoughts came thick and fast, she prayed from her heart that God would return this precious gift. Soon after Mrs. Thorpe's departure, Stella experienced the terrible loneli- ness which only a mother's absence could produce. As Mr. Thorpe7s business forced him to be absent every day except at mealtime and a few e-venings a week, Stella did not have a hard time cheering him. It was then that she missed her mother most. It was then that her conscience smo-te her for the many unpleasant words she had spoken to her best earthly friend. Oh, how she regretted the cutting words she had uttered to her dear mother's request that she refuse a certain invita- tion! lt was then she resolved to guard carefully this abominable habit and never speak an impatient. word to her mother again. But, how often one forgets resolu- tions made with the fullest intentions of keeping. lt was with great joy that Stella looked forward to the day of her motheris return. How happy she became as she freshened the house and adorned it with flowers. How her heart sang as she made these preparations! With What out- bursts of greetings did she not welcome her at the station! However, after a few days life began again to fall into routine. Stella soon found her old habit asserting itself and though at times she fought bravely she gradually drifted into a discorntented miss whose bitterness of tongue in herthome was far from edifying. As she returned from a party one evening her mother pleasantly inquired whether she had enjoyed herself. Quick as a flash came the answer, As good as can be expected in a dress one has worn continuously at every social affair for a whole year. Marion's mother cared enough about her to have finished making the dress, the material of which she bought the same day I bought mine. Poor 1nother! How that hurt! Silently she rose from her chair and left the room. Stella's heart sank for she knew that her mother had been feeling poorly again and that as a result was obliged to lay aside the unfinished garment. Sadly she sought forgiveness which was graciously given from the lovable and Weary woman. After a restless and troublesome night Stella rose the next morning at the call of her father who informed her that he had called Dr. Post for mother was quite ill. Half-dressed she rushed to the bedside of the patient only to be turned away as the doctor and nurse arrived. Finishing her dressing she anxiously awaited Dr. Post's coming from the sick room. Calling Mr. Thorpe aside, he was about to speak to him when Stella, unable to control herself any longer cried: 'fTell me, too. My mother will get well, won't she?,' Gravely he turned to the tear-stained face of Stella and full of sympathy said: 'fPossibly, but there are complications which means a hard fight. Dutifully and lovingly sho watched her mother suffer. How she longed to change places with her. Over and over again she tried to tell the patient sufferer rt G2

Page 58 text:

The Best Alms Oli The crisp November morning had dawned bright and clear and already famous Broadway was thronged with traffic. Its sidewalks were alive with humans all hurrying to their respective duties. Faces-hundreds of faces-sad faces, joyous faces, faces on which time and care had left their imprint, faces reflecting prosperity and poverty, young faces and faces robbed of youth. All of these received casual glances, but one, the face of a middle aged man which commanded a second glance. His face radiated pros- perity, his step was light and elastic and he was dressed with meticulous care. What was the cause of this happiness? W'hat made his face radiate such joy and peace? Were we to look into his mind we could easily realize his happiness. This was the trend of his thoughts :--- t'By Jove, this is a wonderful morning! I surely feel happy, and why not? Am I not a successful broker, have I not a comfortable home, a beautiful and loving wife and two of the sweetest, sturdiest children on the face of the earth? Ah, indeed, who wouldnit be happy? thought he as he turned into the doorway of a famous brokerage company-but. wait! Standing in the doorway, there was a pencil vendor grasping his pencils and tin cup in one cold hand and vainly endeav- O1'l1lg to keep warm by holding his thin and worn coat close to his undernourished body with the other. The broker's heart expanded with pity at this sight, and stuffing his hand into his pocket, he drew forth some change and dropped it into the cup at the same time informing the man to keep his pencils. This he did every morning until it finally became somewhat of a habit. A year had passed and the broker was sitting in a swivel chair before a desk in his large and well furnished office. Business had lulled for a time and he was musing. His mind traveled to the pencil vendor in the doorway. He began weav- ing a romance about the poor fellow's life. Perhaps he had a wife and children, too. With a pang he realized that they would not be well supported if they de- pended entirely upon the vendor-'s earnings. The man should have a better posi- tion, but, indeed, was he not encouraging the man's condition? He was lowering the man in his own conscience, making a beggar out of him by not accepting the pencil he had paid for. The next day, as he dropped the usual change into the man's tin cup, he said, You know, my friend, I have been giving you charity and you are a mer- chant! W'hy, I have been doing you a great wrong! From now on I am going to take the pencil that I pay for. The vendor looked into the broker's eyes. No, there was no sign of mockery in them and slowly a light dawned over his face. In a few months the vendor had opened a stand in the lobby of that broker- age house. It was a great step forward and he accredited his success and pros- perity to the man who had called him a 'Kmerchant. Years have passed since that November morning when the broker for the first time addressed the pencil vendor, but the light in his eyes is even brighter and his step lighter for he realizes that true happiness consists in service-first to God, then to His creatures. J. s., 'aa 'ti 64 it