Dexter High School - Signet Yearbook (Dexter, ME)

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

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 32 text:

30 THE SIGNET was called was bought 'by a wealthy man from Philadelphia who wished to make it his summer home. A great .problem confronted him at first. How could he move it? Finally, some men were 'hired who were skilled in such work. They bought a huge scow, the largest in the world owned by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. This had been used to carry ten loaded freight cars at one time. Thus the contractors were able to transport the house successfully. T'hey promised not to injure a single thing in the grand old mansion, not even to crack the old plaster or paper. The chimneys were not to be 7 taken -down, but left standing, tied together like four sentinels. Even the original old granite door .steps were to be put in place when the house should reach its destination. The contractors waited patiently for a fair, calm day and then started with their precious freight. Slofwly they 'moved down the river and past the many islands, while interested people all along t'he way gazed at the strange sight. At length, the old house reached its new land home and now seems a part of the town. But another chapter has been added to its varied history. Horace Field 729. M. E. DYER BROADCASTING FROM STATION F. A. Y., DEXTER The whistle has just blown! The game is on! Capt. Bucknam barely got the tip- off. The ball is fast traveling around the hall. It is new in Pea.se's hands. Oh, a corking pass to young Bucknam and yes, Bucknam is going to shoot. Will he .miss it? No, the ball went clean through the net. The ball is again at center. The op- posing team has the lball. They are holding it. Bewildered and excited the red 'haired youth is trying to make a pass. The ball is now on its way 'to the guard but it did not reach its mark for Palmer with a swift and high jumrp caught the ball thus break- ing its course. Bang! The first quarter is over. The score is N. H. Fay 2. Columbia Falls O. The two minutes of rest are up. Our boys still look fresh but the Falls boys are panting and breathless. They are off! Bucknam missed the tap. Columbia Falls has the iball. Now, they mean business. They are doing some clean pass-ing that is bewildering our boys. The opposing right forward has the ball. Pease is guarding him closely. He fumbles and with a quick movement Pease has the ball. He is gain- ing much ground. The opposing team can- not stop him. He stops, he is taking aim and now the ball is flying in a straight course for the basket. Oh! What a neat one! Again at center. Bucknam has the ball. A quick pass to Gallant and Gallant is now shooting. He got it. Dexter has regain-ed their courage. Young Bucknam now has the ball. A grand opening. He shoots and two more points are advdedl Col- umbia Falls is tired, not of playing, 'but of trailing our fast quintet. Bang! The half is over. Dexter 8. Columbia Falls, 0. Folks, you should be in Dexter tonight, witnessing the cleanest, fastest game of the season. I hope I am conveying to you the excitement that is being shown. The time is up. Oh! The boys of 'both teams are looking muc'h fresher and stronger. There goes- the whistle! Buclnam gets the tap. The whistle is blowing. Foul on the opposing center for 'poking Bucknam while jumping. Bucknam is now in his position at the foul line. He shoots but misses. The ball is again at center. The red 'haired fellow -has the Iball. He is drib- bling, Pease is on his trail. The whistle. Foul on Pease for hacking. The .Flalls boy shoots and gets it. Their first p-oint of the game. They are jumping at center. The ball falls in Gallan.t's hands only to be grabbed at the -same tlime eby a 'Falls boy. Jump ball. Oh, -Columbia Fall's center is aiming, he shoots and gets it. Bang! The third quarter is over. Dexter 8. Columbia Falls, 3. Both teams are now sweating and tired.