The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-29

nings, so began this class / ween
For from the dear old kindergarten
where Miss Bette reigned as
queen,
Proudly tripped three small maidens
to Miss Stevens room, to find
Greater truths anG greater problems
to extract each tender mind.
F'r1eo ), as now we stand before you.
and in wondrous amaze,
You pause and question, whence this
vast knowledge Of these gladstone
days.
To Miss Stevens we will lead you, for
just here, as we'll you know,
First began this vast knowledge. as
large oaks from small acorns
grow;
Likened now unto ladder, with its
rungs one dozen strong,
Reaching ever onward, upward, cast.
ing out all thought of wrong.
On the first rung of this ladder, stud
ded DER with pearls anew,
Theo stepped one bright, glad morn
ing in her little creaking shoe.
Every morn came happy Theo,
through the rain and through the
dew,
Bringing with her the glad, sweet
music of her little creaking shoe.
On and on climbed happy Theo, till
she reached the seventh round
OF this jewel-studded ladder, where
we all our skirts let down.
Our tangled tresses tightly braided
now we'd reached another rung-
all but Theo-
Would she braid those golden tresses,
while her hair she yet could bob?
Would she leng.hen her short dress
es? Would she? No, though we
did sob
Our loud entreaties all in vain, our
implorings all for naught;
knowledge only filled Ger brain, in
dependence was all she sought.
From the ladders lowest rung came
two maidens fair to see,
Both of them by name of Gladys, both
of them so blithe and free.
Day by day we've watched them
closely, as they've journeyed right
along,
Gladys with the gold-brown tresses,
Gladys with the love for song.
Steadily they have climbed each rung,
each vieing with the other,
In their many lovely virtues, all wrong
thoughts and deeds to smother.
Gladys with the dark brown hair, the
land of music is her choice
Gloomy days she has made more fair
by the magic of her voice.
And Gladys Wallis sunny smile has
cheered us these twelve years
through,
Not soon shall we forget this friend,
ever faithful, kind and true.
"Now at this portal thou dost stand,
and with small but kindly hand,
Dost help us ope the mysterious gate
into the futures undiscovered
land"
Yet scarcely would I be complete in
the chanting of this ode
Did | not forthwith here explain that
this same girl is pigeon-toed.
This same year of 1902, we'll remem-
bered by us all,
Sent to us boy companion, who had
fears of study hall;
One fault only he possessed, his great
height mismatched his desk,
How his useless hands he folded, his
long limbs were such a pest.
His tall form seemed scarcely mould
ed for the seat where he did rest.
Cartons ear was trained for music,
but for Latin, never! No!
How he studied, how he pondered,
Twas of no avail we know;
But to Nellie Beckham's desk we now
see him creeping, creeping,
Her kind help impploring, and ms Lat
in translation seeking
Did he get it? All, yes, ever-no Sc
crets l am telling,
Or no news am l now giving when L
say before you all,
That Nellie was quite willing to heiP
this boy so straight and tall.
Now, again upon this ladder, born
with purpose to advance,
Steps our Rexie, grave end thoughtful
never with a backward glance.
Rung by rung she climbed this lad
der. till we introduce this lass
To YOU all as the book-worm OF TINS
years graduating class.
Cuided nv the hand so kind of our our
Miss Clark, teacher dear.
The second rung we left behind, and
entered on our third grand year:
Tins we studied, thus we labored' ana
gained our fourth rung without
fear.
Then came a maiden fair and slender
upon one sunny morn,
Joined us in the same glad year OF the
reign of our Miss earn.
What a worthy climber she, Laughing
at each dire disaster,
Nothing daunted, ON she went, chmo-
ing ever onward faster,
AS she wrestled with her science
with her Math, and with her MS
tory,
Climbing ever upwards. faster, as she
solved each new found mystery
Nellie Beckham, as you see her. Is
this modest maiden's name
And nv deep and earnest effort she at
last has reached her aim.
Bedecked with the gayest Of flowers
the long, sweet years glide on,
As with effort we climbed the fifth
rung of our ladder so strong.
Then there came to us upon the way
a maiden young and fair,
xxy:4b . NANNY twinkle in her bright