Retrospect01

 

Waupaca Republican

June 19, 1885

 

Essay by Maud L. Cormican:

A  RETROSPECT.

 

            And it came to pass in the second year of the reign of Andrew the great, whose surname was Johnson, that the people of the land of Waupaca, which is over against the river Waupaca, assembled together, and spake unto each other saying:  Behold, our youths and maidens have much need to be learned in divers ways, therefore, let us assemble and choose seven wise men and say unto them:  Build ye a temple wherein shall be gathered the youths and maidens of the land, divide ye them into tribes and give ye each a name.

            Now the wise men did as the people commanded them and a great temple was builded.  Behold it was a mighty structure.  The length of it was sixty cubits, the width thereof was thirty cubits and the height unto the caves thereof was twenty cubits, and above the roof did a great tower extend heavenward.  The number of doors and windows was two score and ten.  And behold, when it was finished all the youths and maidens gathered together and the wise men divided them into four tribes, and unto each tribe gave a name.  To the first, the Seniorites, to the second, the Juniorites, to the third the second yearites, and to the fourth the first yearites.  To the four tribes combined they gave the name the Waupaca High Schoolites.

            They placed over the tribes a king who was king over all the realm, and two minor kings or queens, and the kingdom waxed prosperous for many years.

            After a long succession of sovereigns, it came to pass, that in the reign of James the great, whose surname was Garfield, that the people assembled and chose the wise men of their own tribes and houses.

            Joseph, the mighty man of valor and much skilled in writing.  Charles of the tribe of Churchillites, who was famed in Israel as a man of wisdom.  Darwin of the house of Manchester, who was much skilled in herbs and the art of healing the sick.  William of the tribe of Chamberlainites, who has long served Israel by his wise counsels.  Talford, the Jefferite, who is wise and withal, much skilled in the ways of hens and horses.  Andrew of the house of VanEpps, who had long and faithfully served his people and who had been a warrior in the band of Gideon, and Milton the chief of the Baldwinites, who was a father in Israel, and who had given wise counsel to his people for lo, these many years.  These wise men took counsel together, saying, - yea, verily, as the people have commanded so will we do.

            These seven wise men chose Luther of the house of Wright, to be king over all the realm and for the lesser sovereigns, Clara, the Kennishite and Bell, the Smithite.

            All things being now ready, in the ninth month of the year, the four tribes assembled, and the king assigned to each tribe its task.  Queen Bell, ruled over the First Yearites.  We, her people, then numbered a score and five souls, and we were an innocent tribe for our years were yet few, but Queen Bell took compassion on us and watched us with great tenderness.  But a day came when she left her people and went to a distant city and there learned to play on instruments of divers sorts.  On the harp and timbrel.  She hearkened diligently to the voice of instruction and found favor in the eyes of all people.  Accordingly the seven wise men assembled and chose a queen of the same tribe and house.  So Susana, the Smithite came to the throne and rules well through all things.  Her stay was short, for she soon went to that distant land, where Queen Bell sojourned, that she might learn to sing psalms and raise her voice in praise with the timbrel and harp.

            Now it was the custom of the great king in the sixth month of the year to send the Seniorites to all parts of the earth to dispense the wisdom they had gained.  And accordingly the only Seniorite departed from the temple, and the place thereof knew him no more.  At the same time the king over the whole realm made known to his people that they should rest from their labors for eleven weeks, and that on the second Monday of the ninth month of the year that they should again assemble and we the First Yearites should become Second Yearites, and all the  people were filled with great joy.

            Accordingly on the appointed day, the people assembled.  Great were the changes that had taken place.  Of the former First Yearites only fourteen to assume the higher title of Second Yearites.

            Of the missing, some had departed to distant lands, others had dropped by the wayside, and others had wandered off in divers ways.  Queen Clara had gone to bear rule over a kingdom with but a single subject.  Yet as is the manner of Queens in that state, an Absolute Monarchy.  Queen Minnie the Clarkite, was placed on the vacant throne and Frances of the tribe of Chamberlainites was placed on the throne vacated by Queen Susana.  King Wright was still ruler over all the realm.

            Now it came to pass that the kings and queens made known to all their people the work appointed to each and each labored diligently.

            Peace reigned within our borders.  And it soon came to pass that the sixth month of another year had come, but the tribe of Seniorites had all fallen by the wayside.  Accordingly we, the Second Yearites became Juniorites.

            In the ninth month of the year we again assembled.  And it came to pass that there was a general assemblage of the people of the kingdom to reason together concerning a lyceum, and the people were in favor thereof and it was established and called the High School Literary Society.  It flourished for many days and waxed prosperous.  At the last meeting thereof was this mighty question reasoned upon:  “Resolved, that women are greater gossips than men.”  Edward the great of foot and Mary the blooming, spake in favor thereof.  Joseph the mighty of brain, and Winnie, an artless maiden, spake in terms of denial.  Where upon the judges confirmed the words of Edward and Mary.  Accordingly was Herbert, the solemn exceedingly wroth and stamped greatly with his foot saying:  “Why decide ye so?  Goeth any one before Winnifred, the artless?”  And lo, all the young men and maidens rose up saying: “Behold, how small a matter kindleth a great fire.  Go to, we will have no more meetings, less by contention we do each other harm”, and they all departed to their tents.

            Now the sixth month of another year came and the Senior of 1884 departed with exceeding great pomp and glory.

            Again did the people meet in the ninth month of the year.  Joyfully did the former Juniorites enter the kingdom for they had received the great name of Seniorites.

            The people of the tribe of Seniorites now numbered only four souls, the others had fallen by the wayside.

            The kind face of Queen Frankie was absent from the throne, and for a season did Queen Marie sit upon the throne, and when the people saw her they were filled with great joy, for she was fair to look upon.  But after a few days she was called to a distant city and Queen Frankie returned to her place.  Now the fifth month of the year King Wright said unto the Seniorites, go ye into all parts of the country and gather flowers of every description, place ye them in a press and when thou takest them out  of the press, place ye them in a book and the name of the book shall be called “Herbarium” and the people did as the king commanded them and ofttimes we wandered great ways from the temple in search of flowers.  When we shall have waxed old with age, we will look back on the happy days of botanizing.

            About this time, the great king said unto the Seniorites, prepare ye a writing and the writing shalt thou read in a great assemblage.  And the people responded, “Yea, verily, the writing will we do.”  But as they responded, each shook with a great shaking, for fear was upon all.

            Now it has come to pass that the sixth month of another year has come and we, the Seniorites of the Waupaca High School are to leave this beautiful temple and give place to others who seek knowledge.

            To those with whom we have sojourned in this goodly land, for the prosperous years of the past, - Grace be unto you and peace.  Our exhortation unto you, being, seek knowledge diligently, and search for wisdom as for hidden treasures.

            To the seven wise men be all praise and gratitude as are most justly due.

            To our gracious sovereigns, be dominion and power for ever. May thy days be long in the land and thy strength increase.  The gratitude, thanks, and affection of the people are most justly thine, and may prosperity and all good dwell within thy house, and may grace, mercy and peace be with us all through this life and the life to come.