Dexter High School - Signet Yearbook (Dexter, ME)

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THE SIGNET 23 THE RETURN OF HANS The little island village of Antigonish awakened with a start to the work of the day. Chimneys smoked and the rising sun made a fairyland of the small village. The thatched roofed houses, the narrow winding street, all was of an age gone by. The inhabitants of the village were kind- hearted, simple, fisher folk who had crossed the rough seas from their native Holland to build a new Holland of their own in the far western land. They had succeeded in their undertakings for behold the peaceful settlement. Look at the smoking chim- neysl Feel the happy air of contentment. Because the people of the village were .simple folk, they had a simple creed. They prayed to a great god of the North who cared for their crops and sheep, who watch- ed over the toiling fishermen. This god, strong and ruddy-faced like themselves they believed, dwelt in a cave of snow. His king- dom was a region of snow. His assistant gods and goddesses were the snow Hakes. Although this land was one of snow it was also a cheerful country. The sun always shone over the snow, and Phoepus himself gave forth the heat for this northern realm. On this fine summer morning, as the wo- men of the village prepared their morning meal, a small boy might be seen joyfully dancing in his golden door yard. A voice was heard calling, Hans, and the small boy disappeared into the house from which he had 'just come. This small lad was Hans Brinker, a true son of the village. He was .always a jolly little chap with his golden hair, his rosy cheeks, and his wooden shoes. He was loved by both young and old. How proud the mother and father were of their tiny lad. Hans had teased his father for some time to take him fishing and this morning Hans was going to accompany the bold fishermen in their heavy schooner. Hans came forth from the house again and holding his father's arm, now skipping on one side now -on the other, he went through the village and down to the wharf. As he boarded the schooner, he waved his hand to his mother, who watched him depart. The ship's sails were raised and the ship, like some phantom of the sea, skimmed over the calm waves of the harbor and out, by the lighthouse into the deep sea. .Hans was happy. He watched the men getting ready for their day's work and thought of the time when he too would be a fisherman. The fishing grounds were reached and the nets were cast. Hans became tired of watching the nets and longed for some ex- citement. He disappeared over the side of the schooner into a small boat at the side. His father, intent on his work did not miss his small son and the fishing continued. The day's catch was good and as the sun began to sink the men prepared to sail homeward. They called for Hans but there was no reply. The frantic father looked through the schooner but could not find his small son. With no signs of Hans the ship sailed by he lighthouse and into the peace- ful harbor. The moon had risen and the songs of the housewives Hoated over the water. The village was aroused by the sad news of Han's fate for onenof the fishermen had discovered the missing boat and believed Hans dead. They uttered prayers to their god and begged for the return of the little village boy. The poor mother wept on her husband's shoulder. Some of the older inhabitants had great faith in their god and they believed that the lad would be safely returned to the home folds. One old man, a great friend of Hans, was faithful to his god. He climbed to the top of a hill and waited for the re- turn of the lost Hans. Suddenly a black speck in the path of the moon seemed to approach the village. Snow seemed to be falling around this speck. The old man quickly scrambled down to the town but in his excitement had great difficulty in telling the people. The wharf was crowded. The speck ap- proached on the rising tide and grew in shape until it seemed to be a boat. It came nearer and washed onto the sands a short distance from the wharf. Han's father went

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22 THE SIGNET inounain deciding that his imagination was playing tricks on him. In due time he came to the Palace of Naxos, God of the Floods. As he neared the gates, they were opened and whom should he see to greet him but Dioxe. Lovelier than before, her eyes radiant, she welcomed him. You were a long time getting here, she said. I only know I was away from you a long time, he returned. From now on I am going to be'your guide, and see that you make more haste. We should have been home long ago, Dioxe said. At these words a servant came and in- formed Nonnus that Naxos desired to see him. Nonnus followed the servant through the magnificent walk and corridor and soon found himself in the presence of Naxos. He gave the god the manuscript and waited for him to read it. You are to Hy with Dioxe, my niece, to the land of Everlasting Peace, in the king- dom of Olympus, ruled by Zeus, King of all Gods, he informed Nonnus. Your acts are praiseworthy and your bravery and courage is excellent. You are a true soldier. Bowing before Naxos, and thanking him, Nonnus took leave and went in search of Dioxe. He found her standing beside her huge eagle waiting, to carry him to the land of Everlasting peace. As they flew up through the clouds to the land of perpetual sunshine, to the region where storms are unknown, Nonnus realized as he looked at the beautiful Dioxe that he would not only have Everlasting Peace but with her beside him he would have Eternal Happiness. Harold Gilman '25 AROUND THE The sun has set and only the bright crimson of the western horizon remains to tell of a most enjoyable day. As the dark- ness creeps over the forests, the stillness is broken only by the sounds of the woods, the wierd call of a loon, the plaintive song of a whippoorwill or the lesser chirps of a beetle. Thisis the time that Chief Mandi- kwam summons his people to council. The path to the council ring winds through a dense pine grove. The earth, carpeted with pine needles, gives forth no sound as the silent figures pass. When all are assembled the chief lights the fire as an emblem of the Great Spirit and as the frag- rant pine smoke begins to curl upward to- wards the stars, he speaks to them. O, my people, heed ye the teachings of the great spirit. Has he not been good to us? Is there not much meat in our lodges? Have we not riches in plenty? Health and happiness are ours. Seek not the false, deluding joys of the white man. There is no true happiness except that of the dwel- lers of the great out-of-doors. What sweet- er music is there than the songs of the birds? What is there more marvelous COUNCIL RING than the beautiful creations of the Great Spirit? Who are happier than we wood- land people. O, my people, again I charge you to seek no enjoyment except that which is ours already. There is a rustle among his hearers. They know their chief to be a great man. He has spoken little but he means much. Now there is a short time which, before the clos- ing of the council, is to be given over to entertainment. The young braves compete with one another in games which call for a keen mind as well as a fit body. There are loud wows of approval and wahs of disapproval as the games proceed. Every- one is enthusiastic about the outcome of the contests. However, there is an end to all things and the sports finish at last. The chief closes the council with the repeating of the tribal prayer. The people slowly return toward their lodges. But who are these who linger along the path? They are the young braves with their maidens, for who could resist such a night. The full moon smiles down upon the Indian lovers. A loon calls over the water. Carl Moses '25.

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24 THE SIGNET slowly toward the boat and as he reached it he saw the golden hair of Hans gleam- ing in the moonlight. Hans slept peacefully curled up in the bottom of the boat. The god of the North had returned the boy to his people and they rejoiced for their creed was a simple creed and their god was a faithful god. Eleanor Herrick '26. THE CAT What a wonderful beast is the cat! He is always affectionate, always frolicsome, yet always ready to eat. Surely, it is a cold, cheerless home that has. no puss by the hearth. Since the days of the ancient Egyptians, has he been a friend of man. He means al- most as much as a dog in the life of human beings. Ordinarily, he is a good natured creature, yet once in a very great while he shows resemblance to his primeval an- cestors-the lion and tiger. For instance, have you ever tried to introduce your pet cat to a neighbor's dog who chanced to bc an acquaintance of yours? If so, you probably know the results. It is really not a very successful plan. Many of these animals have I seen in the past but there is one that has proved him- self worthy of comment. In the eyes of the household he cannot be surpassed. Everyone recognizes his merits for he is not a common cat. When the mistress crosses the threshold at night he is there to greet her, welcoming her with the eloquence of a dumb animal. To the children he is a faithful playmate. Even a dog could be no better. A rough mauling means nothing to him, for he knows his friends. Surely, no harm could ever reach him within the walls of his peaceful domain. With the inmates of the house he is at ease, trusting every one. But if a stranger crosses the threshold-lo! where is the cat-he is gone, fied from the sight of the enemy. I well remember the day his mistress en- tertained. The living room was filled with guests, all talking together when suddenly a cry arose above the voices. The noise stopped. The guests looked at one another. What could it be. Rushing out, the mis- tress found to her amazement that the cat was sitting in the middle of the floor, passing remarks about the company. It was really a very saucy thing to do, but I believe his misdemeanor was good-naturedly forgotten. Somehow, he seems to know when its shopping day. When one enters the house with a red salmon can in his hand, the gray cat always stands near by. And he is not to be fooled either. With him there is no substitute. He knows what he wants, and demands it, but if the listener doesn't heed- well, he is sure to hear something sooner or later. And yet some people are ignorant enough to say that a cat has no brains. The per- son who makes such a rash statement does- n't know what he's talking about. For when a cat can substitute himself for a dog in the household, when he can become as a mascot to the children, a pet and plaything of the whole family, it is time some people changed their views. Virginia Clark '26. PRIDE Pride is a bane to happiness. It is a con- ceit of our merits and superiority, accom- panied by a mean opinion of every other person. It will be a source of such constant annoyance to us as to embitter life and make us very unhappy. A proud man esteems himself too highly, and is not satisfied unless other people treat