Brattleboro Union High School - Colonel Yearbook (Brattleboro, VT)

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8 The ial FRENCH DEPARTMENT FRENCH IN B. H. S. French has long been taught in High School. It is only recently, however, that it has played such an important part in outside activities. There is a splendidly organized club, known as the Cercle Fran- cais. The members have very good times at the seiances and incidentally learn to speak French more fluently by using it al- together at their meetings. Two columns of the DIAL are devoted to French, either composition or translation. This inspires the students to work harder in their free prose composition and translations. To be able to converse freely in French takes a great deal of practice, so in the advanced classes the recitations are being carried on entirely in French. And the students in French 3 and 5 are taking the Petit jour- nal , a French paper published twice a monthg so, besides learning the French language, the students are becoming ac- quainted with French ways and customs. -ALICE DARLING, '26 AU BORD DE LA MER Cet ete je suis allee au bord de la mer. ,Vai fait beaucoup de choses. Mais je vais vous dire du premier jour que je suis allee me baigner. Vers midi le soleil etait si ardent que le sable nous brulait les pieds, mais l'eau etait si froide qu'il fallait sauter et danser pour nour rechauffer les jambes. Nous etions dans l'eau jusqu'a la ceinture quand une vague nous enveloppa et nous repoussa vers le rivage. Mais mon ami et moi, nous nageames a travers. C'etait la premi- ere fois que je me baignais at la mer et j'ai trouve cela bien amusant. -GABRIELLE TURGEON, '27 THE DIAL Pour le bien de tous les lecteurs nou- veaux du DIAL je desire le leur expliquer. Le DIAL est le meilleur journal ecolier de l'etat. Il se publie par les eleves de l'ecole de Brattleboro chaque mois. Le journal se divise aux departements de litterature, de francais, d'histoire, d'echanges, de sports, de plaisanterie et ainsi de suite. On obtient les histoires pour le DIAL des classes en Anglais. Les plaisanteries sont prises de la salle de classe. Cett annee le DIAL sera mieux que ja- mais mais il ne le sera pas sans votre aide. -DORIS WOOD, '27 TRANSLATION FROM LE BON- HEUR I-Iuit Contes Choisis, de Maupassant Five years ago I traveled in Corsica. This wild island is less known and farther from us than America, although sometimes, as today, they see it from the coasts of France. Imagine a world still in-tumult, a whirl- wind of mountains which separate narrow ravines where great rivers roll, not a plain but only huge billows of granite, and great undulations of land, covered with a thicket or with lofty forests of chestnut trees and pines. It is a virgin soil, uncultivated and deserted, although occasionally one sees a village similar to a pile of rocks, on a mountain top. No culture at all, no indus- try, no art. One never comes across a carved piece of wood, a bit of sculptured stone, never the reminder of ancestors' taste, childish or refined, for graceful and beautiful objects. That is the very thing which is most impressive in this noble and hardy country: hereditary, indifference to- ward that pursuit of attractive objects which is called Art. -CLARA CROSIER, '26 LA PARURE La Parure est une histoire d'une jeune fille, Mathilde, qui etait tres jolie et charm- ante, mais elle n'avait pas de dot, et elle ne pouvait pas esperer at epouser une homme riche. Par consequent elle s'est mariee avec un homme pauvre, Monsieur Loisel. Elle desirait demeurer dans une grande maison et elle desirait de belles robes et des bijoux. Elle desirait etre seduisante, enviee et recherchee. Une fois, on l'a invitee, elle et son mari, at assister a une soiree at l'h6tel du ministre de l'instruction publique. C'etait une belle occasion! Mathilde n'avait pas une belle robe 21 porter mais elle travailla fort et elle fit une tres, tres belle robe. Mais elle n'etait pas con- tente parce qu'elle n'avait pas de bijoux. Tout it coup son mari avait une idee. Il dit, UVa a ton amie, Madame Forestier Celle etait richej et lui prie de te preter des bijouxf' Elle alla a son amie et lui dit sa distresse. Son ami lui dit qu'elle pourrait choisir le bijoux qu'elle voudra et elle a choisi une riviere de diaments. A la fete Madame Loisel eut une enorme succes. Elle etait tres jolie, elegante et gracieuse. Tous les hommes la regardaient et voulaient valser avec elle. Apres la fete Monsieur et Madame Loi- sel sont retournes chez eux dans un vieux coupe noctambule. Quand Madame Loisel ota ses vetements elle decouvrit que la riviere n'etait pas autour du cou. Ils la chercherent mais ils ne la trouverent point. Ils acheterent une autre riviere et la ren- derent a Madame Forestier. ' , Monsieur et Madame Loisel devenaient tres pauvres, par consequent, et ils travail- laient dur il y a dix ans a payer la riviere. Au bout de dix ans ils avaient tout restitue. Madame Loisel etait vieille et sa jupe etait fi travers et elle avait des mains rouges. Un jour quand elle vit son amie, elle decida, maintenant qu'elle avait paya la dette, qu'elle lui dirait tout. Elle lui dit toute son histoire- et Madame Forestier lui dit que la premiere riviere etait fausse! Monsieur et Madame Loisel ont passe toute leur vie en travaillant pour payer la riviere et maintenant quand il etait trop tard, ils decouvrirent leur erreur. Ne sacrifier pas toute votre vie pour un seul instant de plaisir. . -DORIS ROBBINS, '26 TRANSLATION FROM UPECHEUR D'ISLANDE A great racket in Paimpolg ringing of bells and chants of priests. Rough and monotonous songs in the tavernsg old mel- odies to lull the sailors to sleep, old ballads collected from the sea, of unknown origin, from the dark night of that period.-Groups of sailors shaking handsg groups of girls in the white headdress of the nun, the old houses of granite enclosing that swarm of peopleg old roofs telling of their struggles for many centuries against the winds of the west, against the sprays, the rains, against everything impelled by the sea. -ALICE DARLING, '26 L'ORCHESTRE DE L'ECOLE SU- PERIEURE A BRATTLEBORO L'orchestre de l'ecole superieure at Brat- tleboro promet beaucoup cette annee. Il y a vingt membres et de cette nombre, huit en sont violinistes. L'orchestre est sous la direction de Madame MacArthur, le chef est Walter White. Il y a, au moins, un recit par semaine qui dure une heure et demie. Bientot, des nouvelles pieces de musique seraient employees. Cet Orchestre sera organise comme l'annee derniere. -CLARA CROSIER, '26 HISTORY DEPARTMENT PIONEERS The obsolete meaning of the word pioneers is somewhat different from the association that we now have with it. Originally, a pioneer was a soldier who repaired roads and paved the way for civilization. The modern association with the word is a man who is the first to go into a new locality. Perhaps many of us when we hear the Word' pioneers say 'AOII yes, the forty-niners who went west for gold. But the word pioneers has a broad- er meaning than the modern interpretation. A few of the pioneers are, the explorers who by exploring often pave the way for civilization. There are the pioneers of re- form in society, religion, government and the pioneers of industry, woman suffrage, and science. One of the greatest pioneers, in whom we are all vastly interested, is Christopher Columbus. Many, many years ago it was a common belief among the people of Europe that the world was flat. However,

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STORM The peace of the midsummer afternoon is broken for a moment by a distant rum- ble, a Warning of an approaching storm. The droning of insects seems to grow louder and the shrill barking of a dog is heard from down in the valley. A breeze rustles the leaves and murmcrs among some nearby spruces. Off in the west, huge billowy clouds pile themselves up, each seeming to strive for the uppermost posi- tion, all falling and tumbling about in their efforts. The sky grows steadily darker and the wind increases. The soft mOI1O'f0I1C grows fainter and the air feels tense and strained. Soon the sun is gone leaving the sky, -which at intervals is cracked by a Hash of lightening, dark and threatening. The Wind sweeping about the brow of the hill whistles and strikes like a wild crea- ture. In a torrent of rain, the storm breaks upon us, and the very heavens seem to be ripped asunder by a glaring light. Then the roar, crash, and heavy rumble, dies away in the distance leaving us in darkness with only a swift patter of rain on leaves. -KATHERINE Locxa, '26 AUTUMN VVho of us does not love the sweet melancholy of autumn, and with this mel- ancholy, the tang of exhilarating October air and the blue haze on the mountains? Going along the country-side the traveler notices the blatant tints of autumn, the great clusters of fire-red berries decorating the mountain-ash, the shy, heavenly blue twirls of closed gentian, and under a row of sentinel maples, one of Nature's crazy- quilts made of vari-colored leaves, spread in layers of a curious pattern. Suddenly, he sees the breezes, in a fit of playfulness, catch up a cloud of the mottled leaves and dash down the road in a whirlwind. Then passing by the farmer's orchard, our traveler sniffs to get the smell of apples and dreams of the story of olden WintC1'S when folks gathered 'round a huge Old lire-place Where the cider simmered in its jug and apples were baked on the hearth- stone. -CLARA CROSIER, '26 EXCHANGE JOKES Teacher: George, what are nitrates? George: Well er-they're cheaper than day rates. The teacher wrote 92.7 on the blackboard and to show the effect of multiplying by ten, erased the decimal point. Now, Barbara, he asked. Where is the decimal point ? On the eraser, replied Barbara. Ghz tal BOOK CHAT How many of us are merely readers of reviews or book chats? As the words reader of reviews are Written, it oc- curs to me that those words might make a fitting title for a very amusing book on the subject. One could draw a character sketch from real life quite readily! No one can expect to gain any real value from a book by reading a review on it, no matter how complete the review may be. It is not only the plot, but also the de- velopment of it and the style which make the book worthwhile and of value to us. Instead of expecting that a review has told us all we need to know about a book, let it serve merely as an incentive to read that book. Let us avoid being merely a reader of reviews. VILLIERS5 HIS FIVE DECADES OF ADVENTURE An Autobiography For a half-century or so Frederic Vil- liers, English war artist and correspon- dent, has been covering 'the wars and minor ailments of the World's nations. Of the experiences given him by this profes- sion he writes fascinatingly in his auto- biography 'tVilliersg His Five Decades of Adventure. Mr. Villiers had intimate glimpses of the Turkish Balkan warfare, the dragged-out Boer struggle, had a close view of the British Indian troubles, the Russo-Jap quarrel, and the colossal ex- plosion which shattered the world in 1914. He has been with British troops in some of the tightest and hottest scrapes of the Egyptian uprisings. He went with a gov- ernmental expedition to the King of Abys- sinia in his mountain fortress of wild Af- rica. In his more quiet moments he became acquainted with the Prince of Wales, now Edward V of England, with one of our presidents, and with some of the greatest figures of modern history and civilization. Mr. Villiers received far more than the average correspondent's share of real adventure, of the glory of dangerous places and of the living of life to its fullest scope. You will not be dis- appointed in the reading of his unusual experiences. -L. W. SEXTON, '26 SOUNDINGS A. Hamilton Gibbs It is interesting to contemplate a title, and attempt to imagine its connotation, before we read the book. The name Soundings is one of those mysterious titles which can have any amount of mean- ing as we hear it. But how much it por- trays to us after we have pondered the thoughts it contains! Those of you who have not read the book have no idea what the title holds for you. Read this delight- ful new novel, and the thoughts revealed '7 to you through it will be thoroughly charming. HALF HOURS J. M. Barrie Do you remember those childhood days of make-believe? Have you never wanted to visit again that land where everything is fanciful and you may forget the dust- heap of reality? With a book of Barrie's short plays, go to your favorite nook, and read Pantaloon. Your fancy will find wings, soar high, and, if you are one of those who have an imagination or can ap- preciate an imagination, you will experi- ence that light happiness of unreality, re- vealed in the thoughts of Harlequin and Columbine. Money! What it can bring! We have all found many occasions when we wanted at least a few bits of that elusive metal, and a few crinkling, green notes to pro- cure the latest rage in sweaters, in stock- ings. The crinkling bill can also bring about want and jealousy, and too much of it may mean the loss of love and of the beautiful things in life. Too much money and a too-ambitious desire for position meant to Sir Harry Sims in The Twelve- Pound Look both the loss of love and of true living. Do you know others like him? -DOROTHY PETTEE, '26 MISTRESS WILDING Rafael Sabatini As anyone who has read any of Rafael Sabatini's books would imagine, Mistress Wilding, by that author is a book full of romance and history blended in that charming way which is Sabatini's alone. The novel is woven around the spread- ing of the Protestant religion throughout England by the Duke of Monmouth's fol- lowers, one of the foremost of whom is Anthony Wilding. We nnd plotting against Mr. Wilding in his affairs of business as well as those of the heart, a Richard Westmacott, broth- er of our hero's fiancee. It it through this disagreeable person that the necessary fiavor is added to the story. Were it not for his plots and schemes Mr. Wilding's daring, shrewd and altogether remark- able personality would not be revealed. To be sure, there are other characters about whom the interest centers aside from Mr. Wilding and Mistress Wilding, and we find ourselves engrossed in such his- torical characters as the weak, but hand- some Duke, the shrewd and ambitious Frazier, and the cunning, scheming Grey. If you desire entertainment with a his- torical background meet Mr. Wilding, his friends and enemies. -MIRIAM Frrrs, '27 . E- to and

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there were a few individuals who believed it to be round. Could people live on the other side of the world? Did they walk on their heads? These were the questions commonly asked. They believed that if ships went too far they would slide down the slope and be unable to return. People told fanciful tales of the other sides of the earth. Later on they were convinced that the world was round and that one might reach the eastern coast of Asia by sailing westward. But who would venture on such a journey across the perilous sea of darkness? Yes, there was one man, Christopher Co- lumbus. He was born in Genoa and as a boy he watched the stately ships sailing in and out of the harbor and he finally re- solved that he would become a sailor when he was a man. When he was a man he obtained permission from the Queen of Spain to sail eastward with Spanish ships and sailors. For a time, all went well, then the sailors wished to turn back, but Colum- bus' only answer was, Sail on. At last, land was reached and there was great re- joicing. When Columbus returned to Spain, he was received with great honor, but'not even to his dying day did he know that the land he had discovered was not the Indies but a vast new continent! That dauntless and courageous pioneer had paved the way into a new world. Another group of pioneers are the Pil- grims, that little band of pilgrims, who struggled so hard to get to America and then after arriving had sickness, and end- less conflicts with the Indians, They founded churches, schools, a strong govern- ment, and other institutions. Their primary motive for coming to America was free- dom to worship God. This they accom- plished but it was not all. The country which was the fear of some and yet the hope of others has grown into one of the most powerful nations on earth, Its aim is for a square deal at home and free- dom and justice throughout the world. Then, again, we have the forty-niners who suffered hardships and trials to get to Oregon and California, They paved the way westward and settled on land which hitherto had been barren or inhabited by Indians. There are a great many pioneers of re- ligion. The first ones were the early Chris- tians, many of whom died martyrs to the cause of Christianity. But for them we might still be worshipping idols and the sun. Then there were many leaders of the Reformation Period in Europe, such as Martin Luther who dared to defy the old ideals of religion and founded the Protes- tant Church. Later on were the first founders of the different Protestant sects, thus making the principle of worship ac- cording to the dictates of one's conscience The tal 9 more freely applicable. As for the pioneers in the scientific field, one of whom we have all heard a great deal is Louis Pasteur. Pasteur, laboring under many difficulties, discovered the germ theory which has been proven to be so important. He also made discoveries about the causes of dis- eases which made it possible for his fol- lowers to carry on his work. One of his students, Sir Joseph Lister, worked out the methods of antiseptic surgery against much opposition and reproof. Walter Reed, the Chairman of the Yellow Fever Commis- sion, devoted his life to studying the causes of the fever. Many of his workers sacrificed their lives to prove the cause of the disease. On the surface of the subject it may seem to some as if those men were not pioneers. Yet without the work of such men, many things today would be impossi- ble. They literally paved the way into that vast field of unknown scientific facts. From time to time, in the history of America, we have had various opposition to the government. Of course not every reformer's ideas will benefit the govern- ment. But without the pioneers in the cause of the American Revolution we might still be governed by England. With- out the person who first opposed slavery, today we might not be able to boast of the freedom and equality of our country. Sometimes when we become bored we think that there's nothing to do. But when we stop to consider things which have been accomplished in the last century and think of the problems which are yet to be solved there is plenty to do. There are vast prob- lems confronting us today. There are the problems of society, industry, religion, science and government, all of vital im- portance. Physically and mentally we are no greater than our ancestors. We live more comfortably than they lived merely be,- cause each generation has added to what it has been bequeathed. Evolution has un- doubtedly ceased. There will probably never be a higher typeof life on earth than man. Yet there are many things to be ac- complished in order to make the world better. That same dauntless and coura- geous spirit that enabled our ancestors to endure such hardships has been handed down to us. That is their gift to us. May we today be inspired by the stories of the pioneers in all phases of life and may we become pioneers in some cause to make the world a better place to live in. Have the elder races halted? Do they clroop, their lesson ended, wearied over there beyond the seas? Let us take up the task eternal-and the burden and the lesson. Pioneers-oh Pioneers. -DORIS E. ROBBINS, '26 AN INCIDENT OF MEDIEVAL TIMES The great hall was silent, a weird, fore- boding silence, broken only by the loud snores of the great nobles, who had fallen into a deep slumber following their drunk- en revel. The torches had long since gone out, and the only light came from the beams of the full moon, riding high in the cloudy heavens. It was the last day of the Duke of Navarre's great feast, and the mighty nobleman had made it a success. For all of the guests had vowed their alle- giance to him who was vassal only to the king, and then only vassal in name, for the king bowed before him when he so much as spoke a word. And now the king lay awake in deadly fear, for Navarre had ordered every knight in the marchise to be present at the feast, armed in full, and the act had its significance to the king. It was in that tumultous century, after the death of the powerful Charlemagne, and since the breaking up of the empire, no ruler's crown was secure overnight, and still less secure was the head that wore it. In the great dining hall there was a rustle. A spectator might have seen a figure staggering to his feet. In the light of the moon, one could see a tall, awkward fellow, wearing the cap and bells of the clown, gazing stupidly at the sleeping forms about him. One of the bodies moved, and as it moved the jester became suddenly active. He threw himself behind the draperies, and listened. The man who had arisen, was a giant in stature. He was dressed in the native garb of the Franks, but the gar- ments were of superior quality. A ray of the moon, falling on his jeweled breast- plate, brought into view the design of the House of Navarre. The Duke, for he it was, looked about him, and finding the per- son whom he sought, reeled over to him and picking him up as if he were a child, carried him without ceremony to an inner room of the donjon. The lord lit a torch, and shook his charge violently, until he came to life. To life, Sir Phillip, said the Duke gruffly, tomorrow we attack his majestic holiness, our King, and he laughed at his intended sarcasm. The man before him cleared his eyes and then, Wake the others, when you are ready send for me, and he fell asleep again. The Duke kicked him with his mailed foot, and went back to the hall where the others still slept. The jester stepped into a niche. From his position at the door, he had heard the dialogue. It is better to be steward to a King, he soliloquized half aloud, than to be jester to a lord. With this utterance, the fool left his place, and thence out into the courtyard. From there he ran to the stables, saddled the finest steed, and rode out into the forest. Q r - ..-L-L-- -L . L 4.4