Herkimer High School - Ye Green Quill Yearbook (Herkimer, NY)

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22 The Green Quill A MODERN ODYSSEY Odysseus was a big handsome man of the Wide open spaces. In order to avoid going to war, he pleaded insanity. He hooked up his ten ton tractor and started plowing a field and sowing salt. All went well for a time, but the Senator from Missouri put Odysseus' son in the way of the tractor. O-dysseus turned away, showing that he was not entirely crazy. He had to go to the sieze of Troy, N.Y., the home of the Arrow Shirt and Collar. The dispute was settled after ten years of war, and then Odysseus proceeded to pillage Soconyland, otherwise known as the State of New York. Then he sailed down the Hudson till he came to Albany, the Land of the Cigar- ette Smokersf' The inhabitants of this place offered cigarettes to Odysseus saying, Eventu- ally, why not now? 'There is not a cough in a carload! Odysseus refused, however, and sailed on till he came to the prison at Warble-twice on-the-Hudson. Mr. Zeus pointed his toy cannon at Odysseus' private car. Then fhe shot it off, and the explosion blew Odysseus back to Long Island. Here he was royally entertained by Mrs. Calypso, a lady very prominent in social circles. After seven years of leisure, Odysseus de- cided he wanted to go home. Mrs. Calypso gave him a speed launch, and he set out. He landed in California. Will Hays, King of Movie- land, had Odysseus taken home in his Packard. When he got home, he found a, 'great many suitors on fhis ranch. They wanted to marry Penelope, his wife. wHe got together several of his old cowboys and soon killed all the suitors. Then he and his wife lived 'happily ever after, -Alexander Husband THE SPIRIT OF THE VALEDICTORIAN The rain poured down on the nearly deserted street. Dusk had deepened and the dark was broken only by the yellow street lights blinking grotesquely down at each passerby. All the people that night were passerbys save one girl. Night after night she had' come home down that street now washed by the rain. 'Other people had passed by a weather- beaten old house and had never turned in between the two tall elms. Each night she had turned in between the elms sadly knowing that not one of the passerbys had preceeded her up the walk. 'Thoughts had been racing through her mind ever since she had started home. Should she tell her mother that she was vale-dictorian? Should she tell her? She thought she should but could not. She knew it would thrill but hurt her too. Her mother was an invalid. The two of them had lived on the meagre income left by her father. Now it was nearly gone. If she told her mother that she was to lead her class, her mother would insist upon buying her a new dress. They cou1dn't afford it. They must use the money for doctors and good food for her mother. 'She could wear her old best dress and she would! Her mother needed the medical attention. Nancy opened the door and called cheerily to her mother covering up thoughts tumbling around in her mind. She prepared supper telling her .mother everything that had 'happened that day, as she did so. After the dishes had been washed and put away, Nancy sat down to the table- to study her lessons. It had been hard to keep her in school and to show that she had appre- ciated it, she studied very hard. Now she would reap what she had sown through her effort. Nancy, 'come here a. minute, will you, dear? Mrs. Blake called -softly to her daughter. Yes, mother, coming. , Mrs. Blake sat in a dim corner of the room watching her daughter. Nancy crossed the room and' dropped down on a hassock at her mother's feet as was her wont. I hear, my dear, that you are to be vale- dictorian and lead your class, Mrs, Blake spoke softly searching her daughters face. Why, why mother, how did you know? Nancy was so astonished that she could scarcely speak. How had her mother found out? You must have a lovely dress for it, Nancy. I have been thinking a'bout your dres-s for a long time but now that you are to head thc class you must have an extra nice one. No, mother, I can't have a new dress now. You must have Dr. Lostorn come to see you and make you well. You have waited for it too long to lose your chance now. The Doctor was here to-day. He says I will live for years but will never be able to walk again. Don't cry for me, Nancy. Weep only I could work for yourself. If I had my legls and 'buy you all the clothes you need for gra- duation and much m re besides. Well, if the doctor has been here, I guess there won't be any money left to buy anything. His bill will be big. Did 'he give you his bill? Yes, Mrs. Blake drew a folded paper from her cuff and 'when she opened it, Nancy saw a twenty-dollar bill. Nancy sat wide-eyed. It had been a long time since they had seen so much money all at once. He told me y u were to be valedictorian. He wouldn't take any money for his service and gave me this. I told him I could not accept it, 'but as he insisted it was for you I took it. I could not take it for myself. And you should not have taken it for me either. While you have been at school I have been sewing. I made you a dress for graduation, but now this money will buy you one much better.

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if 0 ' BEBE'S SOLDIER In the little French town of Guarde the rain dripped .steadily down upon t'he rough walks and trodden ground. The night was dark and gloomy and there was an air of lonliness and unhappiness all about. But in the Cafe de Malonne there was light and laughter. A group of stalwart American soldiers stood in a circle in a corner of the room, clapping and shouting. In their midst fwas one of the sweetest, danti- est little damsels of France. .She was about seven years old but small and chubby for her age. Her hair curled in little dark ringlets about a. rosy, dimpled face and her black eyes sparkled with that free child laughter. To the hungry, homesick men about her, little Annette or Bebe, as she was called, was a bit of memory of home and loved ones. As the tiny little feet pattered a quaint little French dance to the gruff tones of the soldieris voices,'the heart of each of those men beat with love and a little hidden homesickness. But suddenly the circle opened as the child fled into the corner of the room, where a young lad sat, his head in his arms and his back toward the gayety. Bebe tlmidly touched his hand and then tugged at his uniform. The young soldier looked up, and in his eyes was the stricken gaze of a lonely homesick lad. Without a word, but with that rare under- standing Bebe climbed on his knee. A few words passed 'between them and before long the lad's eyes shone with a different light and Bebe once again 'was merry. She jumped down lightly and holding out a. little hand cried- Vous etes mon soldat! Come, my soldier. So the two joined the expectant eager group for just a few moments before iBebe's mamam should come and carry away the bundle of happiness. From that evening on, t'he friendship of Bebe and her soldier, Jimmie, grew into a deep and beautiful love. Jimmie was an object of envy to all the troop. But with her unselfish, understanding little heart this wee soldier of France, lighted the spirits and hopes of the men of the troop. But one day the peace and quiet of Guarde came to an abrupt break. A cannon shot, a bomb, and the little village was in a havoc. The bugle called the men to battle. They came and crept stealthily on the ground shoot- ing into the distance. Jimmie was one of the first to hurry forward. But Bebe terrified, clung to his 'hand and tearfully begged him not to leave her. With a swift move the lad lifted the little form and 'pressed his lips to the tear stained cheeks.- I must go, Bebe-for France, for my country, for you! Don't make lt hard. Wait for me, Bebe, I'm coming back. Good-bye-little sister, goo-d-bye- Almost before he had finished speaking he 'had put the child down. Then with an uplift of his shoulders and a grim forced smile he set out to battle. From the safe shelter of the salon, Bebe watched soldiers valiantly struggling to save Clixterarg Guards. The noise of shots rang in her ears. Time and again the little shoulders shuddered as a bullet hit or almost touched her soldiers. Her eyes rested on Jimmie's manly form, moving slowly ahead with the others. Suddenly she uttered a sharp scream of hor- ror. Jimmie had tottered and dropped to the ground. Fearing to go out, yet unable to see her soldier suffering Bebe paused but a moment, Then with a swi-ft glance at her mother who was looking atxthe struggle, she sllpped noise- lessly out into No-Man's Land. The shreiks of gun and the moans of her dying soldiers made her head twirl and her heart hammer. But she had only one aim. Blindly she groped through dying and wounded until she reached the spot where Jimmie lay. With trembling hand she touched him. Jimmie, wake up-mon soldat, wake up! The white face was motionless, the eyes closed, and the mouth set in a grim line of pain. With tears trick- ling freely down her cheeks, t'he child seized his arm. With all the strength in her little body she tugged and pulled, sobbing his name aloud in terror and fear. Suddenly he moved restlessly, his eyelids quivered and his lips formed t'he one word- Bebe, Jimmie, wake up! she implored. But once alg-ain the lad 'was still. With a wild terror-stricken gaze in her black eyes, her head swimming, Bebe stood gazing about. Then her eyes fell upon a man's figure not far away. With a child's scream she rushed forward. On through the maze of bodies, through the screech of weapons, went. She staggered and fell, only to get up and go on again. Once a. bullet grazed the skin on her arm by its nearness. Then a face loomed large before her, t'There, she panted, pointing toward Jimmie, Help,-Jimmie, oh please, please help, monsieur, Jimmie- my soldier. The child exausted, fainted and fell in a lifeless 'heap at the feet of the soldier. What happened after that needs but little recounting. Brave little -Bebe was borne away to the salon to a frantic mother. Before long Jimmie, too, was brought to the -shelter. That night a tired but happy child was brought to the side of a wounded, yet smiling Jimmie. Without a. word he clasped Bebe to him and in that embrace was all the love and thanks of a brave lad's heart. lBebe nestled to him and murmured happily, - Always-Bebe's soldier. -Ethel Myers PRAYER To-night I feel lonesome and lonely: The world to me seems bare, From the depths of my heart there comes softly The words of a 'Silent Prayer. . ANSWER To-night I feel happy and cheeryg 'The world to me seems fair. From the depths of my heart there comes softly The thanks for an answered prayer.

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The Green Quill 23 You made me a dress? Where did you get the material? How did you do it? VVhere is it? Nancy was astonished, but this time she was not speechless, On your bed, dear. Nancy went into the other room and brought out a creamy-white taffetta dress trimmed only with line aged lace. It is my wedding dress, Nancy, made over to fit you. I wanted you to wear it for your wedding but you can wear it now instead. O'h no. after a moments silence, You will buy a new one to-morrow. No, mother dear, I will wear this one. It is beautiful. To-morrow we will send the money back to the doctor, We must not accept charity. When school is out l will have a better paying Job. Just 'working after school doesn't pay much. The week later Mrs. Blake saw her daughter in the creamy taffetta, tihe most honored girl in the class graduating that year. The bill went back into the doctor's pocket. -Emily Yale '28 AN AFTERNOON TOUR OF WAQHINNGTON, D. C. There are so many interesting things in Washington and vicinity that it is hard to pick out the most outstanding. To my mind, the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery are among the most impressive sights, We will first take into consideration Arling- ton. The cemetery was once the Estate of George Washington Parks 'Curtis who built the Arlington House ln 18402. Thru a series of marriages and adoptions, Robert E. Lee, the southern General in the Civil War and the later owner of the Arlington Mansion, 'became the adopted grandson of George Washington. The Cemetery consists of two parts, the old and the new. The old part is devoted to the Civil War soldiers. For four-hundred acres all one can see is row upon row of plain white markers standing for the men who gave their lives for the Union. A careful observer will note that a Igwreat many of these crosses are square while the rest are rounded. These square stones mark the graves of the soldiers whose names are unknown. The new part is dedicated to the World War heroes. Our attention is first taken up by the Ampitheater which has only recently been built as a place in which to hold the Memorial Day exercises. It covers thirty-four thousand square feet and has a seating capacity of five thousand exclusive of the stage which will hold several hundred. This structure is 'built of marble as is the 'Tomb of the Unknown Ampitheater. I think that a great many people Soldier which lies directly in front of the are not acquainted with the way in which this particular soldier happened to be selected. Four unkown dead soldiers were taken from the fourmost noted battlefields of the war. These were laid side by side in a tent. General Pershing was given a white rose and he was to place the rose on the -fortunate soldier after being blindfolded. The bo-dy lay in state for thirty-six hours over there and then was brought to this country to be interred. Guards from the National Barracks at Fort 'Myer are constantly on guard duty 'before the Tomb. The watch is kept up for two hours by one in- d1vidual and then he is relieved by a. second. On our way out of the cemetery we pass by the field where the World War boys are buried. There are nine thousand graves in this field. From Arlington we pass out of Virginia into the District of Columbia once more where the Lincoln Memorial claims our attention. This Memorial was constructed for a four-fold pur- pose: first, the statue o-f a man: second, a memorial of his Gettysburg address: third, a copy of his second inaugural addressg and fourth, a symbol of the United States. Each of these four purposes was realized. The union is expressed by the thirty-six columns which surround the building, texistlng in Lincoln's time.J The forty-eight states of the present Union are symbolized by the forty-eight memor- ial festoons which surround the top of the Memorial. We will now enter the main hall of the Memorial which is sixty feet long, seventy feet wide, and sixty feet high. Ionic columns separ- ate this central hall from two smaller sections. In the South section we find carved in the Wall Lincoln's second inaugural address: in the North a copy of his famous Gettysburg address. These, however, are not the most impressive subjects in the Memorial. The ob- ject which commands our entire attention is the figure of Abraham Lincoln seated in a chair looking thru the front of the building toward the Capitol. Here is indeed a. mar- velous piece of sculpturing. The very spirit of Lincoln seems to ibe looking out thru those carven eyes. Above his head, on the wall, ls written this inscription: In this temple As in the hearts of the people For whom he saved the Union The Memory of Abraham is inshrined . forever. With leave the Memorial. Our sight-seeing trip ls over for the after-noon. this message iilllng our very souls we -Lona M. Bills '30 The clouds are angry lions And chase each other 'round the sky. How they do it, no one knows Not even you or I, - -Beryl Helmer '31