Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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22 The Branksome Slogan A Swiss Wood-Carving Shop The film ' Tinnochio, held a particular interest for me because I once spent a very pleasant afternoon in Lucerne, Switzerland, in just such an atmosphere of amusing wood carvings. Instead, however, of Pinnochio, the puppet, who came to life, my little shop had for its heroes the favourite Swiss characters, William Tell, and his son. As I entered the door, a soft, musical tinkle greeted my ears. I soon discovered that the sound was coming from a music-box concealed in a fruit bowl, the lid of which had been lifted by the enterprising shop-keeper, on sighting a customer. There were many boxes and bowls which played delightful tunes and 1 was interested to learn that these music-makers are made chiefly in Cianton Vaud. I examined many carved bears, dogs, cats, horses, goats, and so on, but always returned to one little brown bear, which stood only about half an inch high, but its paws, ears, and facial characteristics were in- credibly clear. Its little back and tail had tiny ridges which gave an ap- pearance of hair while the beed-like eyes seemed almost human. I quickly paid for the little fellow and soon had a tiny parcel which was almost lost in the palm of my hand. I turned next to a table displaying gaily-coloured wooden, dwarf -like figures, and decided on an amusing little old man, perched on a carved napkin-ring. He wore ' a bright red cap and had a broad smile above his long white beard. A tiny wooden bowl and spoon were placed on his knee and he examined the contents of his bow l with apparent delight. The shopkeeper told me something about the people who canned these masterpieces. Most of the carving is done by humble folk who live in small huts, or chalets among the mountains. The carvers live quietly and simply and spend the long winters at their delicate work. Once or twice a year they descend to the towns in the valleys. Having carefully packed the work which they so laboriously carved and var- nished, they don their neat peasant clothes, pack simple lunches of bread and cheese and start out at dawn on their long trek. I spent several hours in this small shop and made many purchases. As I look back I feel that it was one of the most interesting features of my visit to Switzerland. MARY PERCY (FormVSp.).

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The Branksome Slogan 21 Albert Lines on a 6-in. gun (of ancient vintage!) mounted for anti-submarine purposes on, an Atlantic Liner. These verses were written as a contribution to a concert on board ship by three g-irls from Harrogate Colleg-e on their way home tO ' England, after a trip to Canada and a stay of some weeks at Branksome Hall. There ' s a famous six-inch gun Albert What ' s put on a plat at the back And nine gunners lovingly guard it For fear of a U-boat attack. There ain ' t much albout it to look at, It ' s all grey and rusty in part But when dressed up in tarpaulin jacket By gum ! our young Albert looks smart. We ' ve ' ad a few practices with ' im, But seein ' ' im work seems right strange, For lacking a target to shoot at They used the ' orizon as range. For sudh an old piece of iron- mong ' ry It let off a terrible bang : The passengers ' urried for shelter They thought it were Klaxon that rang. The n ' officers noticed the scuffle And ' urried to set things aright ; They said Albert begged them their pardon And ' oped ' ed not caused them no fright. ' Es really a lovable feller And ' ates ' aving caused a to-do. So ' es put on ' is tarpaulin jacket And stands there admiring the view. ' E ' opes ' e won ' t ' ave to work proper. But Adolph ' s a man ' e can ' t stick. And if ' e sends up one of ' is U- boats Our Albert ' ll pop it off quick. Now, just as the people was quieted Another crack sounded on ' igh — It were our Albert ' s young brother Archie Exploding a shell in the sky! Now this time the people was livid For Albert ' ad vexed them before For what with ' is young brother Archie They weren ' t going to stand it no more. So they went and complained to the Captain But ' e easy explained to them ' ow There ' d been a big notice on ' t stair- way Explaining the need for the row. So they went and examined the notice And found that ' is words was quite true. So, trustin ' in Albert and Captain A very safe voyage to you. BRENDA WORRALL MONICA ROPER MURIEL SPIERS

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The Bkanksome Slogan 23 A Word for the West You may sing of the joys of the city, You may tell of its gay thoughtless throng ; You may picture the countless amusemxents, The nights spent in revel and song. But give me a home on the prairie, Far away from all bustle and care; A home in God ' s wide open spaces. And contented I ' ll spend my life there. The howl of the coyote is music To the old pioneer in his shack ; It reminds him of days long since vanished. Of a time that will never come back. Tliere was a day when this pioneer Had hopes of a home of his own ; Where the girl of his choice, as in stories, Would reign as a queen on her throne. But one day rude death reached his hangout And claimed this fair flower for his own; And a lonely and heart-broken lover Was left in this hard world alone. And tonight on the steps of his cabin. Alone ' neath the glimmering stars. He thinks of his sweetheart in heaven And the glory that death never mars. And he yodels a tune, an old love song, And he lists to the coyote ' s wild cry. And he knows that some day up in heaven With his sweetheart he ' ll be, bye and bye. And he thanks the good God for the prairie. For its solitude, grandeur, and rest, And contented he waits for the summons To enter the home of the blest. LOUISE STEWART (Form IV C).