24 ACORN A TRIBUTE. As prattling boy beside his mother's knee, Her Willie cited what he'd do and be. When he to stature of man had grown, Almost impatient for such time to come, And she, perchance, like that sweet one of old Pondered o'er things his baby lips had told. The years passed on apace and as he grew, So longings, ideals, inspirations, too; The child the father of the youth became; In naught but good was ever found his name. And she who gave the earth this noble son Rejoiced in things attained, in victories won. In church, in school, 'mongst comrades always found, Faithful to duty, leading all around To higher ideals, nobler deeds and life, Combatting wrong with love, this quelling strife. His Heaven-born soul knew naught of doubt or fear, Fostered by mother, loved by friends so dear. An early mission was his heart's desire, To do, to be, his soul must still aspire, And when a hard field appointed was to him He said, "I'm glad," with all his boyish vim, For spartan mother quelling all his fears, Had girt his armor, smiled adieus through tears. None in the field more valiant than our youth, No hero higher held the torch of truth, One trial great, 'twas said, his lot should be, But through his faith his triumph he should see But mortal vision scans not from the earth. Nor grasps things gained but through celestial birth. And so we weep today that one so young, Should end life's race when seeming but begun, While parents' hearts are crushed by such deep loss And human frailty groans beneath its cross. And yet, O mother! e'en as she of old On thy son's brow the martyr's crown behold. ACORN 25 Willie's short span was lived in deeds not years, His work is finished in this vale of tears, This house of clay his spirit could not hold, He now achieves within the Heavenly fold, Aye, all things longed for will he there attain And priest and king with God forever reign. His mission he'll resume amongst his dead, And they who long have waited will be fed, United with his grandsire, he will be A Saviour of his race eternally; O parents! canst thou say o'er such a son It is the Lord, "Thy will not mine be done." Canst see all pain and trials overcome, E'en victory over death thy boy has won, Henceforth his feet will press the Golden Shore, With all the martyrs who have gone before; O may the visions of such bliss attend And soothe thy paths, unite thy journey's end. A FRIEND. (Athletics Continued) Basket Ball Banquet. To show the appreciation of the work done by the basket ball team, the Athletic Club, consisting of about twenty loyal male students, with their ladies, gave a banquet the night of the ninth in honor of the team. The faculty and Board of Education were in attendance. They expressed by their presence as well as speeches their appreciation of the accomplishments of this important institution. Music was rendered by the school orchestra during the five-course supper and at intermissions speeches were made by representatives of Board, Faculty, Student Body and Team. Each speech was a booster more or less for a new gymnasium, which is in prospect as yet, but will soon be real, we hope. After supper all adjourned to the ball room and finished the evening's enjoyment in lively dancing. Track Work. The athletic part of our school will now begin track work and, with such material as Clark, Roberts, Ingles, Watson, Critchlow, Ballantyne and others, we expect to make an excellent showing. There is good material in our school and if the male portion will turn out in greater numbers we have no doubt that Harker could work up a first-class track team.