Dexter High School - Signet Yearbook (Dexter, ME)

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THE SIGN ET 21 she was living under,,of her illness, of her ignorance of her parents whereabouts, of her lack of money for further board. The red-headed girl was stranded in the quiet village of Hillsborough. The de Jongs had come to town as members of a Chau- tauqua. Her father had given recitationsg her mother had played the cello. However, illness prevented Weola from going on, when the week of the Chautauqua came to an end. The de Jong's had to leave their daughter behind and continue with the com- pany. They paid her board as far in ad- vance as they could, and mournfully de- parted. After Weola began to gain, she began to think that her stay in the pretty town was going to be a delightful episode in her rather barren life. There seemed to be plenty of girls here, and they had wonder- fully good times. From her window, Weola had watched them in their frolic. Weola planned to join them in their fun when she got well. She wanted friends, a chum- things she'd never before stayed in one place long enough to ever have. Somehow, nobody seemed to bother to make friends with her, after she was well enough to be out again. After overhearing just what the girls thought of her, the red-headed girl never again stationed herself in the high-backed chair in the hallway. Once, though, after a meeting she did go into the parlor to admire the pretty costumes which were nearly completed. Here, on the floor, she picked up a torn, discarded copy of the pageant. Many of her evenings after this were spent in learning parts that appealed to her. When the great night of the pageant finally came, Weola Jong had firmly de- cided she would not go to see it. Then, at last, when the music started and the crowds were pouring into the academy, Weola, because she was so very lonesome, couldn't resist crossing the street and slip- ping into a back seat to watch the per- formance. The pageant opened with a bang. The orchestra played The Star Spangled Ban- ner. Through an archway of flowers, the nations of the world began to come. From her pedestal, beautiful, stately Columbia, her torch lifted high, welcomed them-the Italian, the little wooden shod Hollander, the almond-eyed maid of Japan-of Japan -of-- Down in the audience Weola's spine prick- ed uncomfortably. What ailed Columbia, why couldn't she go on? She was spoil- ing the pageant. Weola caught her breath sharply. Oh, my-oh, my, the whole pa- geant they'd worked over so hard, was go- ing to be a failure. It served them right for being so stuck up and unfriendly. She knew a way to help and knew that she must help quickly. Very quietly, she slipped out of her place and glided up the dim aisle to a shadowy corner near the front. Another second passed, Columbia stammered and came to a long pause. Then suddenly she began to speak her part brilliantly, fluently. Her voice seemed a shade deeper than in the beginning. The pageant moved on smooth- ly. Maid after maid marched through the flower arch to her welcome. Then came the finale with the whole gay, glittering company grouped together and singing, We've a Story to Tell to the Nations. Up in in her room, Weola found the long looked-for letter from her parents. It was a fat one, full of cheery messages, and they were sending money for her to stay on longer if she wanted to. Only, she didn't want to, Weola told herself fiercely, and she just hoped there was a train she could leave on early in the morning. But as she sat there, there came a rush of footsteps on the stairs and an excited knocking at her door. Please, may we come in? called girlish voices. Weola shot the bolt back and opened the door a tiny crack and Laura Alden, Miss Brazil, China, Persia, and Japan wedged their way into the room. I-I- said Laura, er-we want to thank you. We've been narrow minded pigs, and in spite of it, you were big enough to save the pageant for us. I'd been a fail- ure if you hadn't thrown your voice so as to make it sound as though I were saying my part. But what made you do it-when all along we've acted so horrid to you? Had to, said Weola. The starving babies you were raising money for, I-I

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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

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22 THE SIGNET was bound to do what I could for them. Oh! said Laura, Oh! Her eyes were a little misty as she finally went on. If you don't mind-at our meeting tomorrow- would you come, and join our club? Would I! cried Weola de Jong, of course I'd be delighted to be a member of your club. And you yourself, are just wonderful, put in Miss Persia. I hope you'll stay here a long time. Oh, I intend to! said Miss de Jong happily. Beatrice Bragdon '24. THE LAST FEW SECONDS Terryville was proud of its basket-ball team. For two seasons the Terriers had won from all neighboring contenders. So when news came that they had been invited to Dennison, one of fifteen teams to com- pete for the state chalnpionship, Terryville fairly swelled with pride. Pop was coach, and the invitation pleased him. He had worked for this for three years, and to him it signified success as a coach. Terryville was all for the team, but Terryville was not a wealthy community, and the school treasury lacked sixty-four dollars of the amount required for expenses. On account of this shortage, only the regu- lar seven men were to go. Of course some of the players were disappointed, but no one so much as George Lamar, otherwise known as the kid of the team. The Kid was sixteen years old, and this was his second year on the team. He was far too light to play basket-ball, and it was chiefly his ability to cage free throws from the foul line that kept him on the team. This particular night he had asked Pop to be allowed to go, but had been re- fused, Pop saying that if extra men were to go, they would be older players. That night the Terriers departed for Dennison, and among those to send them off was the Kid. If Pop had known what was revolving in the boy's mind, he would not have been so much at peace with the world. For that night directly after the depart- ure of the team, the Kid started on foot for Dennison, seventy-five miles away. The Kid had left Terryville, soon after ten o'clock and had walked many miles before he obtained his first lift. An hour's walk- ing followed this ride, and after resting a few hours, daylight dawned in the east. Fortune againl smiled on him for an auto was stopped while the driver asked him if he wanted a lift. When the car finally stop- ped at a small village, the Kid was happy in the knowledge that he had covered half the distance. After eating a light dinner of three sandwiches and two apples which he took from his pocket, he again renewed the journey. Two lifts and three hours' walking, brought him to a town within ten miles of his destination. The Kid decided to spend some of his money so he bought a ticket and boarded the next train for Dennison, arriving there safely at six o'clock, tired out, but happy. He immediately spent half of his remain- ing money for lunch, and spent the night sleeping on some hay in an old shed that stood on the outskirts of the city. The next day he immediately hunted up the hall where the tournament was to be held. The very first person he met was Pop. Surprised! Of course Pop was sur- prised, and asked to hear the whole story. His only comment was that he was there and that he must make the most of it. That afternoon the Terriers were sched- uled to play Tidal for preliminary honors. They had no trouble in defeating them. The Kid had no chance to play in that, or in the semi-final which the Terriers played with Jonesport. Much to the surprise of every- body, and most of all to the Terriers, they defeated Jonesport in a hard fought battle, and were scheduled to play in the finals with Dennison, who had easily de- feated their opponents. Of course Terryville was excited, what team wouldn't be, playing in the Hnals of the tournament with their biggest rival, Dennison? When at last the word came to take the fioor, the hall was packed to over- flowing. Terryville supporters were out in force and occupied a whole section.