Dexter High School - Signet Yearbook (Dexter, ME)

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THE SIGNET 19 did, so she took the paper and pencil and sat by the window. Do not talk to me at all, said her mother. Look out of the window, and then write everything you see. Susie wrote about the sunset. As she went on writing, she forgot all about the composition. She wrote about the appear- ance of the distant hills, the trees, the river, the garden with its gay flowers and the birds flying past the window. Just as she had reached the bottom of the page, her mother came in. Well, Susie, inquired her mother with a smile, how is that composi- tion coming ? Composition, exclaimed Susie, you told me not to think about it, and I have not thought of it once. I have had such an enjoyable time writing about what I saw from the window. ' Mrs. Smith took the paper and read what Susie had written. There Susie, said Mrs. Smith, that is a very good com- position. A composition! exclaimed Susie. Is that a composition ? Yes, my dear, and a very good one too, said her mother. The next morning Susie copied her com- position very neatly and started for school with a happy heart, saying as she kissed her mother good bye, Just think how fun- ny it is that I should have written so long a composition without knowing it. Lois Pendexter '26. A TRUE Oh Marie, Marie, you've come back. You old sport, I could squeeze you to death. The girl who spoke threw her arms around Marie Delmont, who had been the recognized social leader of the college the last two years, and this was her third year. Are you going to have your same room, Marie? asked a tall dark haired girl. Marie suddenly sobered. No Amy, I can't have that because Daddy has met with some heavy losses and I'll have to work my way now. What are you going to do ? inquired Amy coldly. Marie bit her lips and tried bravely to smile. I'm going to wait on tables and Prof. Brown's wife has asked me to help her, and-there will be other ways. With the exception of Amy all of the girls were very sympathetic. Marie found many ways of earning mon- ey. She tutored some, did typewriting on themes, notebooks, etc., however, with all of her new duties she found time for some athletic sports. She was a star at basketball, and had won prizes at tennis. Amy was very jealous. In truth, they had been rivals from first, and now that Marie was poor, she tried in every possible way, to become the leader. SPORT She finally succeeded in dividing the group. Just after Christmas, Marie's father met a second loss due to heavy speculation in oil stock. Marie had a hard time as the school expenses increased, but she was de- termined to finish her college course. Only a few of the girls knew of the sec- ond loss but Amy was not slow in spreading the news, and in less than a month Marie had but few friends left. I think Amy is a snob, declared May Brown, You ought. to ignore her, I would if I were you. Marie smiled, No, I don't agree, I be- lieve that the only safe way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend, Don't you think so, girls? The college had a swimming race once a. year, and a S25 prize was given the winner. Marie being an excellent swimmer decided to enter the contest. She was chosen cap- .tain of one side and Amy was the other captain. Marie was the better swimmer. The day before the race Marie was away from her room nearly all dayg she returned just in time for practice, and rushed to the closet for her bathing suit. It was gone, she could find it nowhere, neither could she find her room-mate's so finally she had to borrow Mary Brown's. This delay made her late for swimming practice and she received

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18 THE SIGNET used again. There were thirteen stars at the time of the Revolutionary War, fifteen in the war of 1812, twenty-nine in the Civil War, forty-five in the Spanish Ameri- can war, forty-eight in the World War. There are seven simple facts we should bear in mind as we handle our beautiful flag: 1. The flag should not be hoisted be- fore sunrise nor allowed to remain after sunset. 2. When the National and State or flags from other countries fly together the National flag should be on the right. 3. When the flag is used as a banner the Union should fly to the north in streets running east and west, and in the east in streets running north and south. 4. The Hag should never be fastened to the side of a building, platform or scaf- folding. It should never be used as a cover over a table, desk or box or anything set or placed upon it. 5. The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground. 6. When a flag is flown at half staff it should be first hoisted to the top of the pole and then let down half way. 7. On Memorial Day the flag should fly at half staff from sun rise to noon and full staff from noon to sunset. During the life of Old Glory half of the nations of the world have become re- publics and increased in liberty and rep- resentative government. To-day our flag' is the sign of peace and prosperity of a hundred million people. The flag certainly must have been a beautiful sight in war as well as in peace. It must have been thrill- ing to the soldiers in France during the World War and to soldiers and sailors who fought in other wars to have seen the flag still flying. It is no wonder that Francis Scott Key was inspired by the sight of Old Glory riding on the breeze and en- abled to write the words that are always on the lips of Americans And the Star- Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave 0'er the land of the Free and the home of the Brave. James Clark '26. SUSIEYS COMPOSITION Susie Smith came home from school and had no sooner entered the sitting room than she burst into tears. What is the matter, my dear child? asked her mother, draw- ing her daughter to her side and smiling. O, Mother, matter enough! Sobbed Susie. All our class must bring a composi- tion tomorrow morning and I never, never can write one! We must write twelve lines at least, and I have written only a few words, after trying nearly all the after- noon. See what work I have made of it! Mrs. Smith took the rumpled tear-stained paper which Susie held in her hand, and glanced at what she had written. She had written only a few sentences. Now, said Susie, I can't think of an- other word to say. I know I shall have to go to school without a composition, for I won't copy one or ask you or papa to write one for me. That is right, my dear, said her mother. You will be far happier with a poor one, if it is all your own, than with a good one written by somebody else. But cheer up! You have not begun right. You have been trying to write on a subject you know nothing of. Run into the garden and play. I will call you in half an hour. But my composition, began Susie. Don't think about your composition while you are gone, said Mrs. Smith. Play and forget. It seemed but a few minutes to Susie be- fore she heard her mother's voice calling her. She went into the house at once, her hands full of flowers and her cheeks rosy with exercise. Now, Susie, said her mother. I want you to sit by the window with this sheet of paper and pencil, and write something about everything you can see. But my composition, mother, said Su- sie. When shall I begin that? Never mind your composition, my dear. Do this to please me, and we will talk about that by and by. Susie thought her mother's request was a strange one, but she knew that she al- ways had a good reason for everything she

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20 THE SIGNET a severe repremand. She noticed a trium- phant gleam in Amy's eyes and felt hurt that Amy enjoyed her discomfort. The next day the race took place and be- fore it was half over, Marie noticed Amy, who had been swimming beside her, grow suddenly white and fall behind. Glancing back she saw Amy disappear. Marie forgot the race and the prize that meant so much to her. She turned back as Amy came to the surface and grasped her under her arms and held her head above water, while she slowly made her way toward an approach- ing boat. Amy regained consciousness be- fore they reached shore and explained that she had been taken with a cramp and was unable to swim. Marie was the herione or the day and received much praise for her bravery. Although she had lost the race she felt perfectly satisfied that she had been able to help Amy. A week passed and things were about as they had beeng Marie's friends lamented that she had lost the race, but she firm an her convictions of right, felt satisfied. One morning about a week later a letter arrived for Marie. It was postmarked 235. Louis. She wondered as she broke the scal, whom it could be from. Imagine her sur- prize to find it was from Amy's father. The last paragraph ran in this manner: Miss Delmont, words can in no manner express my appreciation of your brave deed but, that you may have a little recompense for the loss of the prize, please accept this check with my sincere thanks. Marie un- folded the check and could scarcely believe her eyes. It was written for 81000. Oh, I can't accept that she cried aloud. In- deed you can came an answer from the door. She turned quickly, Amy! Yes, Marie, it's Amy and now I want to know why you were so kind to me after all the mean things I have said about you and-Marie, I have a confession to make. It was I who took your bathing suit that last day of practice, I'm thoroughly ashamed but if you can, will you forgive me? Marie hesitated. Daddy said once, Be kind to those who hate you and some time you will gain their love. 1 tried that and I think I succeeded. I always thought said Amy slowly, that to be a good sport you must have money but, Marie, you have taught me what a true sport is. Helen Palmer '28. AN OUTLANDISH PROCEEDING The lanky girl with the bushy red hair settled down unhappily into the depth of the high-backed rocker, and tried to read. In the hotel parlor across the hall, some- thing in which the red-headed girl longed desperately to join, The Hillsborough Girls' Club, was holding one of its weekly meet- ings to sew on costumes for their pageant. It was going to be a splendid pageant, centered about a stately Columbia welcom- ing the quaintly garbed maids of many lands to America. The money offering collected at the performance was to be sent to the starving children of one of these far off lands. . A perfect babel of high-pitched voices arose from the long parlor. The Chinese flag has five colors - that Spanish dress ought to be longer - pass the cooky plate again - how bout lemonade - going to wear my hair up - little fans all stuck in it - Weola de Jong, you say. Out in the lonely stillness of the hall, the lanky red-headed girl leaped to her feet, eyes shining, YVeola de Jong-her name! They were talking about her, maybe plan- ning that she could join in-Why, she'd al- ready invented a part for herself in the pageant. She'd like to be Egypt. Weola de Jong, huh? Are you crazy? Laura Arden, the Columbia to be, lifted her shocked voice. That name, the plaid dress of hers-let's not invite a freak into our club. But she looks smart, said a weak voice. She's a barbarian, someone else added. Weola de Jong crept around the high- backed chair and ran silently up the stairs to her room. She flung herself across the bumpy mattress, her thin shoulders shaking as she tried to sob quietly. They were right. She was a freak and a barbarian. But those girls, in their snug sheltered lives couldn't know the strain