Bar Harbor High School - Islander Yearbook (Bar Harbor, ME)

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M The Islander h 29 Feathers' ' The autumn sunset was reflected from the glassy sur- face of a small lake in the Maine woods. On the eastern shore of the lake Charlie Durant, a city sportsman, was preparing for his first experience in duck-shooting. He packed his wooden decoys in the stern of a light skiff and then went into the camp to prepare his supper. So far, he was greatly pleased with life in the Great Outdoors. On the western side of the lake stood a small log cabin. Pete Berwick, an old hunter and trapper came out of this cabin with a dish of corn for his tame decoys. He was very fond of these ducks and had refused many offers for them. The next morning the weather was ideal for duck- shooting and Charlie put out his decoys on the west side of the lake and waited for the ducks to come. His hand trem- bled a little when he heard the whistle of wings and saw five ducks coming straight towards the boat. When they were in range, he fired both barrels and a large duck fell. Charlie quickly picked it up and examined it with great pride for it was the first duck he had ever shot. His meditations were rudely interrupted by a terrible volley of oaths. He turned quickly and looked into the muzzle of Pete Berwick's shotgun. Drop that gun and row ashore, commanded the angry hunter. Charlie obeyed and when he reached the shore, Pete took the duck away from him. Nobody can shoot my ducks and get away with it. Them ducks are the best tollers in this country. Charlie explained that he did not know they were tame ducks and offered to pay for the one he had killed. I reckon you're going to pay for that duck right now, said Pete. You're going to eat some of his feathers before I count to ten or you'll get a charge of shot. Charlie argued, threatened, and be ged Pete to be reasonable but he kept on counting. Wien he got up to nine he cocked the gun. Charlie took a hasty glance at the large barrel of the ten-gage and at the man who held it and decided to eat the feathers. When he thought Charlie was sufficiently punished, Pete took the duck and started for his cabin. Charlie was very angry as he picked up his own gun and shouted, Come- here and eat your share of the feathers. Pete obeyed sullenly. Charlie took his gun from him, unloaded it and left it at some distance from the old hunter. Then he returned to his camp. The next day when he was at the village store, the owner was telling of Berwick's skill in hunting and of the fine de-

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?8.-n Tllflslflflfilffi E A Circus Incident Rosalie was of the big tents. She had been all her life and so had her parents before her. She had been a trapeze performer but, owing to her fright of the spaces, she had been given other work to do. By losing her position, she- also lost her social caste which is a thing very valuable to circus people. The Rutledges were also of the circus and were trapeze performers and there were four 3 father, mother and two sons. They were of the highest caste and had been great friends of Rosalie but after losing her position she had fallen in their estimation. Their actions touched Rosalie to the heart, but she was of a proud, stubborn nature and would not acknowledge a slight, so things continued. The younger son of the Rutledges, whose name was Ernest, followed in the foot-steps of his parents and brother and gave promise of out doing them. The circus tent was crowded and as Rosalie's days' work was done she wandered into the great tent because she still liked her former work and hoped in some future day to be reinstated in her position. The big act drew near and each of the family had done- his stunts but Ernest, whose work was always the climax of the performance. He took to the ropes high up from the crowds and he seemed to fly from strand to strand as he went. Then there was a gasp, a stifled cry and one of the ropes parted. Ernest clutched at it in time to save himself from being killed but he knew he was doomed if help was not received soon. Everybody seemed to be fascinated by the sight and un- able to move until there was a flash of color seen flying through the air to the boy. It was Rosalie-every bit of fright gone in the danger of the moment. She passed nimbly from rope to rope as she never could have done before. Reaching one of the ropes nearest the boy she grasped it and by the momentum of her body sent it swinging back and forth until it reached nearer and nearer to the boy. Just as Ernest was releasing his hold upon the rope, Rosalie clutched him. Reaching ground again she was surrounded by the Rutledges and a crowd of grateful people. She was, at last, reinstated. -FRED LUCKINGS, '24,

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The Islander 30 .O he - - coys he owned. While they were talking Pete Berwick came into: the store. H I suppose you two have met, remarked the store- keeper. Why,1yes, answered Charlie, we dined together yesterday. g 4R. A. H. '24 A Song of Praise Oh State of Maine, my rugged home Once more to be with thee, Once more within thy woods to roam In blest tranquility! To once more see the sun's red blaze Light up the evening sky, And hear the thrush his song of praise Lift up to God on high. 'T is vain! It may not ever be That in thy land I roam To wander by the restless sea, In Maine, my native home. H. DOW, '25 A Watch in the Night The sad world slept in the stillness, That follows a day of pain, Night fell on the quiet city, Peace covered the outer plain. Above, the shadowy mountains, Faint stars in the vigils shone, Below, in the darkened garden, A watch and a heart of stone. The night wind sighed in passing, Its sorrowful, lonely wayg Light mist arose to the herald, The day broke cool and grayg Soft crouched 'mid the branches, A bird in her little nest, Feeling her wee ones nestle Closely against her breast. -AL. JOHNSTON, '24