Dexter High School - Signet Yearbook (Dexter, ME)

Page 30 text:

28 THE SIGNET Doing so, he found that he had a one legged soldier left over. What could be done with him? He had lost his other leg in a war a long time ago. So Tommy let 'him join the American army, so as not to cause any trouble between the two. They appointed him as chief surgeon, because he had graduated from a medical school before he had joined the army. The town was named Toyville. 'Tommy christened it by breaking a Ibottle of water on the town hall. Now Toyville was a very thriving village for its size and considering its people. The principal buildings were: a town haill, church, schoolhouse, bank, gen- eral store, an armory for the soldiers and several small houses. Everyone had 'been happy and the town was increasing, until the governor of the district, who was at that time called Will Wimble, sent an ord-er to enroll an army by drafting what citizens and farmers they needed. The armory was to be their headquarters. The governor had given this order, because the summer before, the British had come and shot the mayor and three others. Thus a .small army was collected, mostly of farmers and had chosen General Freeport as their lead-er. They re- solved 'to put -an end to them if they should come again. They were trained to shoot and to protect the town. The following summer the enemy march- ed to this 'town and planned to take posses- sion of it because of its favorable location. The brave farmers, no longer innocent of war, were ready for them. Surprised to find a force to oppose them, they stopped their march and sent back for more troops. Each army toiled all night building forti- fications for the morrow. What would be the result? Only little 'Tommy knew. The sun was just creeping up over the hills when the first cannon of the enemy boomed. The little toy drum of -the Ameri- cans sounded loudly in the stillness. Sold-- iers began to rush in many directions, and their swords dashed brightly in the morning sunlight. Some rushed to the trenches and -others to their cannons. From that time on the battle waged furiously. Charges were made by each army. But so closely matched were the two armies, that no ground could be gained by either one. Many were killed on :both sides, and the Ameri- cans were glad of Doctor One-leg's,-as the soldiers called him,-services. At last after fighting stubbonly on and dying of thirst and exhaustion, the armies were glad to re-- treat to their trenches and to carry on the battle from these. The sun sank in the west as if it had been ashamed to have witness- ed such a dreadful battle. The cannons stopped their awful roar. A shot rang out occasionally in the still night and echoed among the hills. Finally everything was silent. Both had lost many of their little tin soldiers, but were no-t ready to give up. All fought hard, the Americans, because they had to iprotect their homes and the British because they had reinforcements coming. Men had fall-en where they stood in the trenches, because after they had fought all day -they were too tired to go to their tents. Only one s-entinel stood on guard. All were sleeping soundly when a lone figure crawled toward the British trench. The soldier was Doctor One-Legl Everyone had scorned hiam when he had asked to join the army, but because of his knowledge of medicine he was -enrolled. Finally he reached the trench, :but only paused for a moment to listen. Reaching into his pocket he took out a small bottle. It was a strong drug which he had prepared for this occasion. It was not long before he had drugged the re- maining fifty men. The sentinel had fallen- asleep, so 'he was also given a dose. Run- ning back to camip, lbecause he wasn't afraid of being seen any longer, he awoke General Freeport. He told him what he had done and suggested sending men over and cap- turing them before the arrival of the other troops. After much difficulty in waking the soldiers, they accomplished this and laid a trap for the reinforcements. Peace was then asked for by the enemy. It was brought about and the Doctor was given a de 'Coverley medal of honor for his brave deed at Doughnut Creek. The God- dess of War, who was Tommy's mother, gave him a new leg for 'his deed. Gee! that was some battle, exclaimed Tommy to his mother that night. If it had-

Page 29 text:

THE SIGNET 27 deep, warning, ominous knell. The shriek- ing wind picked up the white crests of the seas and hurled the salty spume in our faces. The outlook was fearsome. Just then, the anchor rope parted, we were at the mercy of the sea, in which there is no mercy. With no stay to hold us head on into the gale, we rolled and tossed about sickeningly. We were fast drifting onto the ledges, now hidden under a seething mael- strom of raging waters. My face blanched with terror, and a grim, set look crept into my fat'her's weather-ioeaten visage. Scarcely could we keep our feet in our tiny craft, so as to turn the fly-wheel over. In our excitement we flooded the engine, which was a cranky, delicate ipiece of machanisfm at best. Desperately, we toiled over it. Death loomed appallingly near. Despair filled my soul. I felt a fierce, ach- ing resentment toward this sea, which seem- ed to be gloating greedily over our misfor- tune. Was I in the flower and pride of my youth to die a terrible death without a chance to express my real self? I cursed the day I fwas born, life was only a cruel joke. Soon I was to be food for the fish. They would prey upon my body as I had preyed upon theirs. Those lashing s-eas, that terrific wind, that awful darkness paralized me with terr-or. Then I looked at my dear father, now toiling over the engine. A great wave of courage swept over and revived my sinking soul. Consigning my soul and his, to that supreme being who marks even a sparro-w's fall, I resolved to struggle as best I might and when at last these seas should drown us, and should pound our bodies to .pieces on the ledges, we should have the satisfaction of dying bravely and well-- man can do no more. A great roar was in our ears. The surf was deafening. A second or two more and we would be Hung into the jaws of those ledges whose sharp teeth would crush our boat like an eggshell. Then-a sputter or two, and the engine started! At the cost of almost swamping our boat, we brought her about and quartering the seas started for the mainland, which we could only glimpse for a moment or two from the tops of the waves. A great feeling of victory swept over my soul. Although we were not yet out of danger I shook my fist at the raging winds and the towering seas. I taunted them and mocked them, as cheated of their rightful prey, they seemed to re- - double their efforts in baffled fury. We seemed to be sliding over the great backs of deep sea monsters which reared their snowy manes on high, but were un- able to touch us. An hour later we reached home. My grief- stricken mother, joyous at our safe return, welcomed us with ia tearful embrace. So ended the most terrifying experience in my life. I know what it is to be utterly at the mercy of the elements, I know how puny is man's effort when 'pitted against the mighty, resistless strength of the ocean. And now when I se-e the calm, restful face of the sea, I smile sardonically at her. I know how she in a sudden fit of anger can be transformed from a glorious playmate into a pitiless foe, against whom there is often no escape. I remember vividly the wild face of' the storm, demoniacal in her fury, and I stand her-e on the safe, firm shore and laugh at the sea, as she beats a sullen roar on the rocky headlands. There is no friendship between her and me. I entertain no delusions about her, for I am disallusioned, ra sadder and a wiser man. William Dunham '28, THE BATTLE The Jones family was very much at peace this fine, cold December day with the exception of little Tommy. Tommy was five years old. He had many wonderful toys, especially some tin soldiers which his uncle had sent to him the last Christmas. His father was a carpenter by trade and had OF TOYLAND given him a -present for Christmas, which Tommy enjoyed very much. Unknown to Tommy he had built a small toy village for the playroom. Little Tommy decided to have a battle that very day. He collected all 'his soldiers together and divided them into two armies. 1

Page 31 text:

THE SIGNET 29 n't been for the crippled soldier, which you wanted to throw away, the Americans would have been captured, he continued. He is the bravest of all my tin soldiers, and I will make him a general in my 'battle tomorrow, since he has his other leg. With this thought in mind he went soundly to sleep. Robert Bucknam '30, . A VILLAGE AMONG THE VERMONT HILLS In a quiet little village in the hills of Vermont, I saw the early home of our presi- dent. What is now the gen-eral store and postoflice was the birthplace of President Coolidge. T-he store 'has but one .small room with two large iwindows, one on each side of the door. One counter displays sou- venirs of Plymouth. Some of 'these are post cards, address books with pictures of Plymo-uth upon them, pine pillows, and books. In this store wie can purchase any- thing from a postage stamp to a pair of shoes. Beyond this room there is another which is furnished with old-fashioned furniture. In the center of time room is a mahogany table with a mat and 'oil lamp upon it. In one corner is a desk on which is a register for the use of tourists, supplies for writing material, and a picture of the 'Coolidge fam- ily. Around the room are .several easy chairs and on the wall pictures of the presi- dent's ancestors with gilt frames. This room is used only for tourists. Beyond this room is a screened-in porch which has tables set for lunches. This little village off Plymouth lies at the top of a long steep 'hill. It can scarcely be called a vill-age for there are but five or six buildings. One of these is the little white church, another is the home of the presi- dent's late father, two are private homes, and the other is the general store and post- oiiice. . Until the past few years this little village has known no excitement. I fear in those years it has had enough to make up for those past. The private hofmes have been made into tea rooms, and gift shops. A farmer's field 'has been used for 'parking cars. The daily routine of these quiet fam- ilies has been completely changed. About two weeks after the death off Cal- vin Coolidge Jr., there were so many tour- ists visiting the cemetery that secret ser- vice men were stationed along the road. Some of these people were carrying away 'bits of earth and stone for souvenirs. It was said that every state in the Union but one was represented in one summer. The curiosity of the public was so great that this tiny village witnessed much excite- ment. - Just outside of Plymouth we .may see a tumlble-down set of farm buildings. Here lives a little old man who used to go to school with Coolidge. He raises turkeys and each year this man raises one for the president's Thanksgiving dinner. It is well worth while to take this trip for the scenery alone which is among the Hnest in the state. Grace Call '21. THE HOUSE THAT TOOK A SEA VOYAGE One of the strangest things seen by the summer people and residents ailong the Maine coast two years ago was that of an old colonial mansion taking an ocean trip. It was moved from the pl-ace where it had stood so many years, perhaps a hundred, at Phippsburg, loaded on a scow drawn by several powerful tugs- and given an ocean voyage of about sixty-five miles to Rockport, where it was to be transplanted and restored to its original beauty. The old mansion or S'pite House as it