East High School - Quill Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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A History Lesson in Rhyme The history lesson was about the progress of the early settlers on the frontiers. The teacher asked John, thinking that he was asleep, fas teachers always doj to tell of the journey of a pioneer to Iowa. This is what she heard. Listen, my children, and you shall not hear The mid-night ride of Paul Revere. But of a better thing, as you shall see, All about my history. It was in seventeen hundred and ninety-three That we left for Kentucky. my father and me? My ancestors were Swedish, so bold and so true. They helped settle this country, for me and for you. lNe lived in Richmond, a dear old town VVhose houses were painted, a red and a brown. VVe left by the way of the Cumberland road. A trail very difficult with a very heavy load. And when we reached the Cumberland Gap, We heard Indians coming like a loud thunder clap. The Indians came onward with an awful rush And we shot them from behind every tree. every bush. VVe killed them and killed them, and killed them with glee Until there was not an Indian to see. And when we had picked up our wounded and dead, We rolled up in our blankets and went right to bed. The next morning we got up with the sun, And soon the wagons pulled out. one by one. VVe traveled for a week or so Because you see, we went very, very slow. And one day we came to the top of a hill From where we could see the town of Louisville. Here we bought a big flat boat, A cow, some chickens. and an old billy goat. We floated down the Ohio, day by day, With our animals and a load of hay. And when we reached the Mississippi river, Thinking of going up stream made us shiver. But we buckled in and started out To make St. Louis without a doubt. VVe staked a claim for a little homestead And went out to camp and went right to bed. RUSSELL OLSON, '3l. Gangway A buzz of a bell, a shuffle of feet, They're running a race that's hard to beat. The clatter of dishes, the clashing of spoons, - A neck and neck race to reach the lunch rooms. Page Eigihtcan

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- T-2 a to rise but apparently unable to do so. They were held back by some un- seen force. They remained in this predicament for fully a minute, the most agonizing minute that either one had ever gone through. Then a fuse was kind enough to blow out in Ji1nmy's Searchlight, and a merciful darkness surrounded them again. V ' When the first person reached the summer house, he found -no one. Sharp eyes might have' detected a white dress disappearing around the house, but the only visible sign of anyone's ever having been found in the summer house was a medium-sized chair in the middle of the iloor and a generous portion of Bess's party dress sticking in the bottom of the chair beside the greater part of Mr. Tillon's spotless white trousers. - The next day, as Bess, now in temporary disgrace with the. family, was making up jimmy's room, she made two discoveries. The iirst was a note that fell out of Iimmy's coat when she hung it -up. The note had a strangely familiar look to her, so she opened it. Inside were written -the words, I shall be inthe summer house at nine o'clock tonightr, , 'Nuff said. John. ' ' ' ' ' ' b I ' ' The other discovery was a large bottle that had been full of mucilage a day or two ago, in Jimmy's wastebasket-empty. 4 CAROLINE DUNCAN, 30. These Hands What could I do without these hands? . Not a thing. Couldn't shoot marbles, couldn't make plans, Or anything. ' Couldn't ride a bike or catch a ball, Or hold a book, or anything at all. Without any hands life would be a pall - Over everything. What could I say without these hands? Not a thing. Couldn't shake hands, couldn't dance To anything. I Couldn't hold a gun or get a meal, Or rake the leaves up in the field, Oh, to get my hands it would take a deal Of everything. ' ' . . What .could I do without these hands? ' Not a thing. Couldn't make castles in the sands, I Or anything. ' Couldn't hide the tear when I was blue, Or hold the hand of my lady true.- Without these hands, what could I do? Not one. thing. . FELIX WILLIAMS, '30. Page Sevebztedn

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e '-16? X T:- A dash for a tray-a dash for a table. Squeeze into line, if you think you're able. Oh! VVhat a meal l'ni going to get, Do you smell those potatoes and red hot spaghet'? I can hardly wait to fill up the space, That lies under my -belt and all 'round my waist. Oh here we are now! l'll take some of that- Gee, but I'm hungry-quit pushing me, Fat. Now l'm all ready. Let's start with the feed. Oh ! I've got to hurrv-l've got English to read. ' L LILMA PATTEE, '32, The Back Seat Driver Mrs. jones decides that she would like to go for a ride in her new car. As Mrs. jones is used to having her own way, she and mischievous little Jimmy step into the back seat of the car, while Mr. Iones reluctantly climbs into the driver's seat. Now, Pa, begins Mrs. jones, do be careful when you back out of this driveway. You might happen to bump into that telephone pole. She sees a car approaching a block away. Pa! put on your brakes quickly. There's a car coming, up there a little ways oE. Mr. Jones slams on his brakes. It's all right now, Pa. That car turned at the corner. Thank good- ness, we came out of that driveway safely. Look out! There's a nail on the street. Don't run over it, or we'll have a blowout. Pa manages to run the front tire right square over the nail, Qwhich proves to be only a stickj. Pal Didn't I tell you not to run over that nail? By this time Jimmy thinks that it is about time to put in a word. Oh! Mother! Look at that pig. Look quick. Hush, Jimmy, I don't have time to look at everything. Silence ensues for a minute or two. Pa is so overcome with surprise that he turns his head to see if Mrs. jones is still there. Pa, ,don't turn around and look at nie. I'll take care of myself. You might run into a ditch. She sees a yellow sign, some distance away. y Now what in the world does that sign say? Oh! It says it's a 'turn.' Now drive slowly. Pa speeds up. Didn't you see that sign that said to drive slowly? Don't drive so close to the edge, you'll go right into that fence. Here comes a car! Get on your own side, quick. Papa, look at that house, screams jimmy. Hush, Jimmy. Don't bother papa when he's driving. Are we home already? WHS11,f that a nice ride? Didn't you enjoy it, Pa P . MARIAN CARLSON, '3l. Page Nineteen