Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 25 House and Day Seniors. The Sky Blackest velvet is the sky. Pinioned by a star on high; Crystal silver is the moon, A tiny silver cradle soon. Brightest diamonds are the stars, Guiding symbols from afar; Tiny little lamps of light, Shining in the sky at night. Deepest azure is the sky, When the sun is riding high; Golden ball of living flame, Gorgeous symbol of His fame.

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24 The Branksome Slogan Revenge! It happened long ago in Scotland. Sandy Maclntyrc was a blue-eyed, fair- haired, cheerful young Scotchman who was possessed of a most winning smile and a sunny disposition. His father had recently put him in charge of their most cherished possession — the most wonder- ful herd of cattle in the countryside. This was a greater responsibility than you might at first think, as it was no easy matter to keep such things as cattle from falling into the hands of some mar- auding MacGregors, who regarded the property of the Maclntyre ' s as something to walk off with any day. However, Sandy had so far protected his father ' s cattle, till this, the last night of the trust. Now it happened that Sandy was in love with Jean Campbell, a very bonny lassie, who lived not far away. But so also was James MacGregor, a dark, slightly morose, but very distinguished- looking man, who found it impossible to help being proud of his handsome, aristocratic nose. This MacGregor, knowing it to be the last night of Sandy ' s watch, determined that he would make one great attempt to steal the cattle and disgrace his rival. Jean hadn ' t shown which of her suitors she favored, but surely she would never marry a man who could not keep his trust. To bring shame to Sandy would leave the field clear for him — and he would never tell of his part in the affair. In this way it happened that late that night — so late that Sandy had at last gone home to sleep, being tired with so much watching — a little band of dark, silent figures crept softly over the top of a hill, and slowly approached the cattle. Three faithful men were left to guard the precious flock, but they were com- pletely taken by surprise and easily over- whelmed in a short skirmish. In an un- believably short time, the valuable cattle were being driven boldly off by James MacGregor and his men. Sandy Mac- Intyre was disgraced indeed. Next morning, Sandy ' s horror and consternation were almost too great to picture. He realized that the men he had left had done their best, but he cursed himself for leaving his charge at all, and, incidentally, he felt no friendly feeling towards the MacGregor, whom he strongly suspected in his heart. He knew the reason for the raid; knew that it had accomplished its purpose, and so, al- though he had by no means a war-like nature, a very natural wish for revenge would spring up in spite of himself. It was a very vital point he was con- cerned with. Jean might have been per- suaded to marry him but for this. Nearly a week went by, during which Sandy ' s blue eyes lost their customary twinkle, and he grew surprisingly gloomy, and one might almost say grouchy at times, if the idea of Sandy being grouchy were not really too im- possible. Then one day, without warn- ing, his chance came. Walking along slowly, thinking deep- ly, he looked up and suddenly saw James MacGregor at the bend of the road. Both men stood still. They looked into each others ' eyes and seemed to under- stand each other. Then, without a word, they closed in a grim wrestle. Both were nearly matched in strength, and both were equally fierce and deter- mined. It really was a glorious fight, in which neither Scotchman disgraced his name. But at last, indeed one might say by a trick of fortune, both men went down, but Sandy went down on top. The fight was over, each man presented a most woeful picture. But alas for the Mac- Gregor ' s aristocratic nose! Not only was it very bloody, but it had been knocked absolutely crooked and out of shape. Never again could he be proud of that beautiful, classic feature, and ever after he was called Cameron , meaning crooked nose . But as for Jean, do you suppose that she would have a husband with a crook- ed nose? It was out of the question. So she married Sandy, and, of course, they lively happily thereafter. BETTY ROBSON.

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26 The Branksome Slogan Canada ' s Past and Future Twenty years ago, in Southern Al- berta, a small sod house was built about seventy miles from the railroad. The land was all in the raw state, with no trees or shrubs of any description to be seen. The closest neighbors were about fifteen miles away. Barren, indeed, and lonely, were these prairies of the West. You would never know our little sod house now though! It is quite grown up, and very modern. Eight acres of trees and garden surround it, with a little lake in one corner of the garden. Perhaps the little sketch of the sod house, and the picture of the new home, will give you an idea of the changes made. Large fields of wheat now wave in the breeze, where there was only prairie grass before, since this part of the country is in the greatest wheat raising district in the West. The farm has grown so that it now consists of 4,500 acres, and is divided into three farms known as ' Togelvik Farms . Neighbors are only about a mile away, and the railroad is eleven miles distant. Trees have been planted around most of the homes. Per- haps you would like to come and see my little home when passing thro ' the West? Do! HELEN ANDERSON.