The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-06-17

y -
cans the Boozers' retreat
member of the class of '99, she is hon
ored and respected not only by her
teachers and classmates but by the
best and most influential citizens Of
Pana. On class day, June 2, when she
stepped to the front Of the stage and
recited her class poem the whole au-
dience was breathless. The poem was
rendered in faultless style and by re-
quest of the class and audience she re-
cited it again in the evening and was
| applauded to the echo. Some idea of
the esteem in which she is held may
be CLEANED from the number OF mag
nifcent presents she received from the
best citizens, few of which are Civ
en-: ga Century of German LYRICS
from banker H. N. Schuyler Venetian
fan and ruby lace pin, from Col. and
Mrs. P. G. Calvin; all the classics, in
Guiding Greek Mythology, and the pro-
auctions of all the American poets of
| note She has a small library, ex-
pensive and beautiful jewelry and the
memory of her great success to take
with her to her home in Springfield,
ILL.,, 1923 E.SMonroe street. Her friends
in Pana are profuse in their praise of
this proficient young woman, who has
before her bright future and above
all an aim, determination and will
that will surely win for her fame and
a name.
The local paper of Pana has this to
say of Miss York and her poem:
The Beacon Light is pleased to sub
NIT for the delectation of it's readers,
an original poem by Miss Minnie York
(colored), a graduate Of the Pana High
School class of '99. The poem was re-
cited by Miss York at the class day ex-
f., ercises, and tits said easily ranked as
| the masterpiece on that occasion.
The crowds present at these exercises
were also present at the commence
| ment exercises when the poem was re-
recited and received with volley upon
volley of encore.
We give the poem space as much for
the credit it reflects upon the colored
| race as that which 1t most certainly
! reflects upon the author-a progresses
ing and self-made young lady.
During Col. John Hayward's man
agement of the st. James hotel, Miss
Minnie's father, William York, served
in that hosiery as head cook. This
was back in the 7O's. About nine years
ago Miss York nlourned the loss of a.
kind mother, and five years ago saw
her an orphan and without any con-
siderable financial means. But Miss
Minnie. possessed two willing hands
and an ambition-which needs no bet
ter mention than obtains in the prod
uct of her mind which is here appen-
ed. Hers is lesson well worth emu
lating by whites" as well as s1blacks'':
The sun was peeping DER Olympus
tall, n
Painting in gold a water fall;
A tiny rill flowed from its base, V
And water nymph gazed in it's mir
ror like face.
On it flowed, with increasing force,
Turning but slightly from it's course; s
Till swiftly flowing meadow brook
Met her in shady nook
Other streams joined her on her.
way, - 49, r
Broader and swifter she grew each
day;
y She flowed through Athens of an
cient Greece,
.And@heard the tale Of the Golden
Fleece.
A Spartan mother sailed across her
breast,
And warned her son to do his best;
MY child, forever. keep your shield,
Or die upon the battle field.
Life in school is but a rill,
Flowing from towering hill;
Some are sluggish on the way,
Some are lost as silvery spray.
Others are rapid to the end,
They the path study wend;
81 And like the Spartan with his shield
Stay forever on the field.
Glass mates, life has just begun,
For us hath risen another sun;
We are manned to sail on life,s dark
stream,
Will all the voyage be calm, serene?
Some to other schools will go, ;st
Wondrous tact and aptnesss show;
Is Few will great success attain,
But all must work with might and
main S. 81 $3.50.
3 Perseverance, lis the oar,
X. guide us through the Whirlp ool's
roar; zsEEssfSsss4
And God the pilot Of us all, 81
Will ever raise us when we fall.
-Four short years in our High School
here, 49,
Have fitted us for higher sphere:
Fools more knowledge vainly
Spurn, So sslgszz
But the wise forever learn. 2
From classic Greece fair wisdom's
stream,
Is flowing DER our prairies green;
lis Of Champaign i proudly speak,
Whose open portals all should seek.