Southold High School - Snuffbox Yearbook (Southold, NY)

Page 24 text:

THE SNUFF BOX AN ACT OF HEROISM The waves were dashing against the rocks, and there was a high wind. The people of a little town near Cape H— were on the shore. There had been a shipwreck, and the men of the Coast Guard were doing their utmost to launch a small boat in a brave attempt to rescue the unfortunate people on the ship. It seemed to those on the shore that the boat had been swallowed by the sea again and again, but each time it would rise dominantly to the top of the wave and the men would be seen bravely struggling to reach the ship. At last, with extreme difficulty, the task was accomplished. Marette and her dog, Tokon, watched the little boat. At times, when it was on the point of capsizing, Marette would gasp and shudder. Her sister was to come on this boat that was on the rocks, and she was anxious that she should be saved. The boat came in three times to bring the people ashore, but the girl did not see her sister. Are you sure there is no one else on the ship?” she asked one of the Coast Guard men. Pretty sure, miss,” he replied; were you looking for some one?” Melisse, my sister, was supposed to be on the boat. Oh! don’t tell me you didn’t find her!” ttr ’ I am sorry — A faint call for help was heard above the wind, as it abated a little, Oh! maybe that’s she. Go get her! Go get her for me, please!” begged Marette. The men tried in vain to launch the boat. The waves were very high now, and the wind was again raging furiously. A figure could be seen struggling in the cruel waves. Tokon! Tokon! See! Look in the water. Bring her to me!” cried Marette, frantically tugging at his collar and trying to drag him to the water’s edge, where, at last, after a little pulling, he arrived. The girl knelt beside the dog, and pointing toward the object, encouraged him to do as she had commanded. When Tokon saw the figure, with an eager whine, he immediately sprang from her side and plunged into the waves. After many struggles he reached the figure just as it went down, but when it came up, the dog caught its dress in his mouth and swam toward shore. The people yelled and frantically jostled one another to get to the edge of the water where the dog would come in. Many times Marette thought that the dog and his burden were gone, but Tokon would rise again with Melisse after a wave had swallowed them. The crowd waited breathlessly—no longer yelling. Bit by bit the dog fought his way until at last he reached shore with the girl, where 22

Page 23 text:

THE SNUFF BOX ning her bathing suit, she made for the beach for her morning duck. It seemed to Rosalind that the weather was much colder than usual, but after running for about a quarter of a mile, she soon forgot the chilliness of the air, and upon reaching the pier, she dove into the water. Her plans were to swim from the pier to the dock at which the steamboats landed, a distance of about a mile. Rosalind was quickly brought back to her senses, however, on striking the cold water. At first she began splashing vigorously in hope of getting warmed up, but in spite of all muscular gymnastics, she felt the chill of the water gradually penetrate her body. It was then that she made the hasty decision to turn back and reach the pier before her limbs became numb. Little by little she was making the distance, but the pier was still a considerable distance away, and she was experiencing most extraordinary sensations. Her arms and legs began to stiffen, and before she could think, her movements had ceased altogether and she was frantically calling for help. Then things became black and she knew no more. When Rosalind recovered consciousness, she was lying on a couch in the bath-house. A young man’s anxious face was bent toward hers, and as Rosalind opened her eyes, the stranger inquired, How do you feel now, Miss - er -?” I guess I wouldn’t have been here if it hadn’t been for you,” replied Rosalind. I’m afraid you wouldn’t, child. I’m mighty glad I happened around. I was just going swimming myself and, as I came down to the pier, I saw you struggling.” Oh, I’m so glad that you happened around instead some of the girls. It seems so much more heroic to be saved by a man. Are you a life saver?” At this the hero laughed heartily and answered, Something of the sort.” During the days following this incident, Rosalind was seen most of the time in the company of her hero, instead of the little group to whom she had formerly been attached. The letter which Mr. Scranton and his wife received, telling them when Rosalind was coming home, also contained the following: No doubt you will both be surprised as much as myself when I tell you that my hero is the Reverend John Swift. I was unable to find out all of his name until after I had consented to marry him. He was afraid that I would change my mind if I knew, but anyway I would have married him even if I had known the Reverend was attached. I guess that all of dad’s brethren aren’t so bad after all. Your frivolous daughter, 21 Rosalind”

Page 25 text:

THE SNUFF BOX he dropped, panting and fatigued. Marette knelt beside him, and taking his wet head in her arms, she hugged him tightly, while he tried vainly to lick the hand of his beloved mistress. Many honors were showered upon the brave dog, who so gallantly saved the life of Melisse, and the people of the village still take delight in relating the glorious tale. L. S. '31. THE WOODS IN WINTER It is cold, and the gray murkiness of the hour before dawn makes it all the more dreary. Behind the tall and silent ghost-like forms that seem to be reaching clammy fingers out to snatch anything that should come within their grasp, looms a white figure of immense proportions. This figure rises majestically above the smaller forms and its head is enveloped in a mist. Dawn is coming. Slowly the ghostly bodies take shape. Along the horizon, on each side of the giant-like figure, the sun god paints his glorious colors. And look! There is the sun god’s chariot rising. At first a speck of it is seen, but little by little it climbs the sky until it is resting on the peak of the great figure—and lo! the ghost-like figures become many snow covered trees of a forest, and the huge form turns into a white mountain. The trees seem to welcome Apollo’s awakening, for their tall forms sparkle like tiny gems and the icicles shine like diamonds. If the forest could give voice to its gladness, I think a tinkle of icicles and a tiny tinkle of fairy bells could be heard. The mountain itself is sparkling and seems to look befittingly enough for the honor of having the sun god rest on its white-capped summit. L. W. S. ’31 NO USE SIGHIN’ No use frettin’ when exams come ’round, No use grievin’ when the teachers frown, No use sighin’ when there’s work to do, No use wailin’ when you’re blue. Only thing that you can do Is work an’ wait till the sky gets blue. No use mopin’ when the Seniors win, No use sobbin’ if you’re free from sin. No use cryin’ when the harm is done; Just keep on tryin’ an’ workin’ on. For it’s how school is an’ the way things are That you’ve got to face if you travel far. J. W. ’30 23