Poor Clarence

Just one year after that first event

A fiercer scene in my mind doth dwell.

A plunging rearing maddened beast -

A mare whose mountain blood was roused

Refused to longer obey the will

Of the prim school-ma'am who spic and span

Awaits that slowest of mortal hours

When the old school clock chimes half-past three

When from the schoolroom she is free.

On this particular April night -

A pie-feast held at the Red-School-house

Attracts the attention of every belle

For many a mile in the country 'round

For a prize is offered the prettiest one

Who comes and brings a big fat pie.

But the mare is exempt from all contests,

Therefore she rears and falls

O who is this she's fallen on?

'Tis Clarence Young who months ago

Braved the wrath of the teacher that fateful day

When a school-girls voice broke the forests gloom

With that loud cry of "Raymond make 'em stop!"

But now her eyes hold tears of grief

As there on the grass right at her feet

Lies Clarence Young - the hero now

A fitting sight to melt the heart

Of the hardened miss who breaks the heart

Of every boy on Marble Creek.

Fear not Fair One he will get well

The fatalist injury he sustains

Is a chalk-white face and troubled head

Ah! No from this fatal afternoon

It is he who holds first place in her heart

And now who dares to repeat my words

Since the climax brought joy and peace

To the heart of him who won the day

POOR CLARENCE!

Written by Ida May Schaffer

April 1923

Age of 17