Galt Collegiate Institute and Vocational School - Specula Galtonia Yearbook (Galt, Ontario Canada)

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SPECULA GALTONIA 27 llwllglllffgl l . X! .Rf And oft, while in pensive mood, Sir Archer dreams aga' the many tales Which, in his memory, he has hoarded from the past. L st is he then in an ecstasy of delight or in a cloud of sorrow ..... in rse and in prose ..... the gems of literature ..... K' r By MARGARET DAVIDSON QPrize Story at the University of Torontol HIS is the story of a man who lived in the town of Wentworth. Wentworth is situated on the banks of a canal-the residential sec- tion being on one side, and the business section across the water. Joining the town is a swinging bridge. When a boat comes along the canal, it sounds a warning whistle as a signal for the bridge to turn. VVhen this happens, the traffic on either bank is held up until the return of the bridge permits passage. James Jackson had been born and brought up in Wentworth. As a little boy he had played near the bridge and it was a great honour, indeed, to be allowed to stay on the bridge while it turned out. It was an opportun- ity to see a real boat close at hand. When Jackson reached years of discretion he decided to marry, but he did not wish to ask the future Mrs. Jackson if she were willing until his business was well established. One day Jackson received word that he was to meet several well-known business men and discuss certain financial matters with them. If he agreed to their terms his business success would be assured and he would be free to marry the lady of his choice. Eagerly on that bright summer morning, Jackson left his house for the oflice. With his mind filled with rosy thoughts, he did not hear the whistle of an approaching boat. As luck would have it, the very moment he reached the canal's edge the bridge swung away. A trifle impatiently Jackson brought his car to a sudden halt, with the result that it stalled. The boat passed along and the usual crowd was waiting to cross the bridge. In a few moments it became obvious that something was wrong with the machinery. It was a matter of some ten or fifteen minutes before the bridge resumed its normal position.

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26 SPECULA GALTONIA been given a topic of conversation, promenaded about the hall. Dancing was very strictly forbidden. However, as the demand for this pastime in- creased the rule became less rigid and dancing was permitted during thse last hour between eleven and twelve o'clock. These dances have grown in favour until now we have the annual school social evening devoted almost entirely to dancing. Among Miss Carter's pupils in Galt have been : The late Fraser Kerr, winner of the coveted V.C. by his bravery during the World War, Capt. Harold Oaks, who has won a foremost place in Aviation in Canada, Pro- fessor John Detweiler of the University of Western Ontario, Hubert and Charles Evans, sons of a former teacher, Mr. W. S. Evans, the one making his way as a writer of Western stories, the other prominent in the geo- graphical science at Ottawa, Miss Donalda Dickie, one of the foremost educationalists of Western Canada, author of several historical works, Miss Marion Ferguson who, after valuable service in India, is now secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in Toronto, Frank Panabaker, of Hespeler, an artist who has attained some fame and whose pictures have been accepted by the Amer- ican Academy, and Miss Christine Elmslie, who captured the Prince of Wales Scholarship at the University of Toronto and is bringing honour to her school by consistently heading her class in moderns. The staff of the Specula Galtonia take this opportunity to wish Miss Carter continued success in her activities in our school and every pleasure and happiness in her associations here. ABL Tune :-Soldier's Chorus from Faust By JAMES TAIT Honour we school of the red, blue and gold, Honour we shades of her heroes of old, Honour the memories that grow not cold, Sounding her name, ringing the fame Of Specula. Strive we the colours to bring not low, Strive we the spirit of yore to show, Strive, that her virtues new glory know. Sounding her name, ringing the fame, Of Specula. Trust we to others our heritage, Trust we the tales of our yesterday, Trust that they'll ever prepared be, aye, Sounding her name, ringing the fame Of Specula.

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28 SPECULA GALTONIA I It was then a question for Jackson to get his car started. Although it took but a short time he was in a frenzy. When he arrived at the oflice his business friends were leaving. The deal was settled and he had been left out. One of the more sympathetic of the men advised him to introduce good methods and habits into his business life. Jackson was forced to postpone any thoughts of marriage for a few years. During this time he worked steadily and well. At the end of several years of hard work he felt that he was in a position to marry. Happily the object of his affections was still single and it was to her he turned. Ar- rangements were made for the wedding and Jackson felt happier than he had since the incident of the bridge. It so happened that, as he was driving to the church, the bridge swung out as they drew near to it. Nothing disastrous occurred, but the event, coupled with the memory of the former one, completely upset Jackson. During the ceremony his replies were halting and indistinct. His friends believed him to be nervous and they were right. They often jollied him about it in later years, but they never knew the reason for it. Many years later, Jackson and the bridge again met, but under very different circumstances. Mrs. Jackson was lying in the hospital across the canal. She was very ill. The doctors told Jackson that he had better stay at home and that they would call him if he were needed. Now the call had come and it had been urgent. But once more the bridge came between Jackson and his goal. When he reached the hospital his wife was dead. A few days ago I was visiting in Wentworth and as is usual was exam- ining the points of interest. A friend took me along the canal till we came to the bridge. Since a boat was nearing he suggested that we get on the bridge and stay there while it swung out. I was very glad of the chance as I happen to be interested in that sort of thing. As the bridge swung outwards I noticed a line of cars halted by the edge of the canal waiting for the bridge to be swung back. A funeral '? I asked my friend. Yes, he answered. Why, it must be old James Jackson's. Poor devil! He had a strange horror of this bridge-it amounted almost to a craze with him. He was always afraid it would keep him from his destin- ation. Just as well, then, I suggested, that he can't see himself now. F215 Demeter Smiles By HUME WILKINS NE cool summer afternoon we were paddling through Echo Lake in the canoe. The water lapped softly against the crimson sides of our craft and impelled by the rhythmic stroke of the paddle, the canoe glided over the rippling surface of the lake. Before us was a wide stretch- ing bed of water lilies, and in the brown, shallow water, stood a solitary bittern watching for his evening meal. As we approached, he spread his mighty wings and flew away out of harm's reach. Steering the canoe through a narrow channel was no easy task, but the beauty which was besieging us on all sides, was ample reward for our