Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 21 text:

it was a mystery to find how they all packed in — they began to go into the next room where all was cleared for the occasion, and the large bed, in which were two wide eyed little Indian boys, was pushed aside. Willie and one of his brothers then brought out their fiddles. Now the square dance had started, the men chose their partners and the fiddlers began their playing. Old and young joined in the dance, they turned and they spvin, round and round to the com- mands of the master of ceremonies, Elzear Simon, another of Willie ' s brothers. On they went, faster and faster as the fiddlers played. This is called swingay , in fact the whole entertainment is called either swingay or veille , swingay , somehow, seems to describe it better, and convey what type of entertainment to expect. In the middle of the swingay there was quite a delightful solo dance, performed by Elzear, the caller. It was an odd mixture of tap dancing and acrobatics; in the middle of tapping he would suddenly sommersault, jump up in the air and land in a ball, or bang his knees, elbows, then head, on the floor. Meanwhile the people gathered round him in awe and admiration, they all knew the steps well and knew when to expect his surprising antics. After he had been well applauded the dancing went on. Sharp at twelve the dancing stopped and fresh buttered bread and cold water was handed to all. Then slowly and reluctantly the people began to leave. The French Canadians are very polite; they thanked Willie and his wife cordially and did not outstay their time. At last they had all left. The air in the two rooms was blue with smoke and smelt of the strong shag tobacco so popular among these people. The two little fellows in the bed were sound asleep, and the fiddles lay worn and shaken after their long usage. Thus ended a happy evening in the life of a French Canadian. The customs, the lives and the simple entertainment of these people are things to be treasured and kept, through the years to come. Faith Lyman, Form Upper Vi. THE TEACHER ASKED THE GIRL {with apologies to A. A. Milne) The teacher asked The girl, and The girl asked Her neighbour: Could we have the answer for Is Alexander dead? The girl asked The neighbour. The neighbour Answered, Certainly, I ' ll look at The book Now. And ducked down the head. The neighbour She smiled. And turned and told Another girl: Can ' t find the answer for Is Alexander dead? The other girl [19]

Page 20 text:

suppress the nervousness mounting in her. At last sJie couhl see the cotta};;e, and as she drew near her father ' s angry voice rang out ahove the roar of the falls. Then he appeared, and at the sight of his face Anne ' s determination left her. She could not approach him now, not now or ever she thought, and yet she must do something. And as she stood concealed from the river bank watching her father climh into the hoat his back to her, she saw a bent little man creep up behind him, cast off the painter, and dart back into the woods. The oars were on the bank, and the warning scream which rose to Anne ' s lips was a mere whisper. The little boat swerved madly and swung towards the falls, her father ' s arms waved wildly as he fought to keep his balance. Anne stared, unable to shut her eyes as the boat dipped and swayed, and plunged over the rushing torrent, out of sight. Barbara Ward, Form Matric I. FROST ON THE WINDOW-PANE Stenciled on the window-pane Patterns white and fair Silently they formed last night In the midnight air. Lacy and so beautiful They seem to all our eyes As we note the figures rare And the shapes of every size. No human hand could fashion Or could mould those shapes so fair God formed them silently last night Out of the midnight air. Allana Reid, Form IIIb. A SQUARE DANCE THE village of La Minerve, Quebec, was wide awake to-night, there was going to be a veille at Willie ' s. Willie Simon, a charming middle-aged halfbreed, had a house in a strategic point in the village, opposite the post office and next to the general store. To-night people came flocking into his tiny house. He himself had built this crude square building with its sloping roof; inside, downstairs, were two combined rooniK, ihe kitchen and sitting room, and a large bedroom and dining room. Al llic moment, all llie guests were clustered in the kitchen and one could smell the fresl) hron( laid on a side board; near the bread stood a large barrel of water. For a goo«l lialf hour while llie guests were arriving, stories were told, mostly tongue twisters and yarns. Finally, when about fifty peo|)le wore all 8quashe l into the little room — [18]

Page 22 text:

Said sleepily: YouM better tell The teacher That many pupils nowadays Like Algebra Instead. The neighbour Said: Oh, fancy! ' And turned to The President She looked at the President and She turned a little red: Excuse me Dear President For taking of the liberty, But algebra is tasty if It ' s not too Thickly Spread. The President said: Oh! And turned to The teacher: Let ' s leave the question of ' Is Alexander dead? ' As many people Think that Algebra Is nicer. Would you like to try a little Algebra Instead? The teacher said: Hollior! And tlien she said: Oh, deary me! Tlu ' Icai licr wighcd: Oh, deary me ' And liirn(Ml away ber head. Nobody Sllf IIIOilMcd, ( ould call me A Fussy thing, I only want To know is Alexander Dead! The girl said: There, there. And turned to Her neighbour The neighbour Said: There, there Again turned her head. The President said: There, there I didn ' t really Mean it. Here ' s answers for most anything And Alex, is now dead. The girl took The answer And said it to The teacher; The teacher said: Answer eh? And didn ' t turn her head. Nobody, she said As she questioned Her again, Nobody, she said As she wrote On the board, Nobody Dear children Could call me A Fussy thing — But I do like an answer when its properly said. J. Seely, Form Upper V2.