Lee Academy - Crescent Yearbook (Lee, ME)

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6 THE CRESCENT bell, and escort a girl,-even though it is Helen--to the Dormitory in three minutes. Later, however, two minutes were added to the three and as, Hpractice makes perfeetsll Karl has succeeded very well. Karl and his love affairs remind us of Page, who has also had rather hard luck in this line. After the Senior Play, however, he made such a hit at playing second fiddle, while some- body else played the first, that he succeeded in winning the heart of the one girl in the world. We congratulate Page that his troubles in this line are now over. Last lout not least, comes our class president, who has always looked up to the higher classes ir. general, and down to one member in partic- ular. This year Lester has become interested in school-teaching and has been taking a cor- respondence course in this subject. llc has de- cided that, although he likes the people in the profession,he will not take it up as his life work, As I have been truthful so far in this llis- tory, and wish to eontinue so, I think silence in regard to myself will be the best policy. And now a word about the good times we have had this year: our reception to the new teachers, our trip to the cottage with Mrs. Bridges, the Senior Play, Hllown By The Seaf' both at Lee and Carroll, our Senior spread at the Dew Drop on New Year's Eve, the trip to H. A. C. with Mrs. Averill, and so many morel If, however, I should start to tell all the good times of our Senior year, I am afraid you would still find me talking when you came to graduation next year, so with these few events, I will bid you adieu. Swim A NNE llAT1I,xw.x Y. Egelginm lgesterhag auth Un-img. ,Q VNDBEDS of years ago, when Home fmt, was in the height of her power, Caesar was waging warin what was then known as Gaul. That region was the land now oceu- pied by France and Belgium. In his commen- taries on the Gallic War, Caesar relates that, of all the tribes with which he waged war, the bravest were the Belgae or Belgians. This bravery has been clearly shown in the present great war. HAS brave as the Belgians,'l has become a. familiar saying. This little country, one of the smallest of Europe, is situated in northern Europe, borde1'- ing the North Sea. Lying between Germany on the east and France on the west, Belgium is overshadowed by her powerful neighbors. ller area, ll,3T3 square miles, is only about one third of that of Maine. Vermont and New Hampshire are each nearly as large as Bel- gium. ller population before the war was about T,00tl,llOO, making her the most thickly populated country of Europe. Antwerp, Liege, and Brussels are her best known cities. Farm- ing is carried' at extensively, every square inch of the soil is utilized. Belgium has many scientific and literary societies, public libraries, music and art schools, some of the greatest artists and musicians of the world are num- bered among her population. The history of Belgium as a separate king- dom dates from the year 1831, when she part- ed from Holland. The government is a con- stitutional monachy in which the succession is hereditary. The people are liberty-loving, kind, and democratic. There seems to be a closer feeling between the people and their King than in any other country. King Albert,

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THECRESCENT 5 that has graduated from Lee Academy within twenty-six years. In our Freshman year, when we were young and irresponsible, we spent our time mostly in play, but have regretted it ever sinceg but the saying, iiChildren will be children,', has given us some consolation. The next year we returned wise and honored Sophomores,-at least in our own estimation, which is the way with most Sophomores. That year we were lucky in everything we undertook, even in winning the basketball game against the Seniors and Juniors. In our Junior year we distinguished our- selves by making ice cream once, and by look-- ing out for the Sophomores. In order that you may understand and ap- preciate our brilliant successes as Seniors, I think you ought to know the individual mem- bers of our class a little better. ' First, tlzere is Josie, who has always been held up as the one member of our class who was dignified and an old maid. But it was at Reunion in 1914, that a miraculous change ca.me over Jos, and now, when there is a boy in sight tmeaning one particular boy, of coursej .los always manages to remain in sight too. Since the Senior Play, when one of the boys in- formed her that she looked pretty on the stage, I, her roommate have been obliged to bear the name of HJeff because of her increased height. From Jos, my mind naturally wanders to Evan, the fiirt of our class. This little boy has gone through his four years at Lee Academy winning the heart of many a fair maid and then breaking it. But this year he has done no more than crack them, and as one of the Soph- oniores always has a bottle of glue handy, he has succeeded in repairing some of the damages. Then we have known of cases where Evan, him- self, came to the rescue. Avon also has an interest in the Sopho- mores. Although he is fond of study he does not spend all his time in this way, as those who have been in the Dormitory reception room can testify. Avon does not believe in flirting, but he has never been able to find a girl that thinks as he does, so his social life has not al- ways been a happy one. In her younger days, one member of our class formed the had habit of not studying. This was all right until our Senior year, when alas! we found that the back seats were for the brilliant only. This has proved hard eng the Senior class, hecausc many of us have been obliged to wear glasses because of the brightness in the front of the room. This is caused by Luda, the light of our class in good nature, hair, etc. Would you ever guess that Vance had been bashful? No, I think you would notg never- theless it is true. But when the Senior .Play came off, he surprised every one by his fine im- personation of the French peddler. We expect he will soon be looking for a girl. Good luck to you,Vance,when you decide to go a-courting. Helen, our gift from the Junior class, is noted for being true blue: she was true blue be- fore she carrie to Lee, she was true blue toPage for nearly a year: she has been true blue to Mike for over a year: and we wonder to whom she will be true blue next. E Following in alphabetical order, and other- wise, comes Karl, who, soon after entering our class, had a chance to make a choice between girls and A -Hs, and Karl decided in favor of the girls. This choice has caused him some trouble, asit is no cinch to ring an Academy

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THE CRESCENT 7 the present ruler, has been called the most democratic King of Europe. On the 19th of April 18357, a treaty was signed in London by the King of Belgium on one hand, and by the Emperor of Prussia, the Emperor of Austria, the King of Russia, and the Queen of England on the other. One of its articles made the declaration that Belgium should form a separate and perpetually neu- tral state. The consignatories promised for themselves and their successors, upon oath, to fulfill and observe this treaty in every point. The world was greatly startled at the out- break of the great European conflict which has already, in lives lost and money expended, surpassed any war that history has ever known. All eyes were fixed upon Belgium to see if Germany would violate Belgium's neutrality. Germany, bent on invading France. at once rushed into Belgian territory. The act was an evident violation of Belgiuni's neutrality, however tl1e little country was entirely justified in taking up arms against a foe, entering with- out giving any explanation of the act. At Liege the Belgians displayed great bravery, holding back the enemy for days at a time when Germany wished tobe invading France. From here the Belgians were driven slowly out of their country, but not until they had inflicted terrible losses upon the enemy. Love of their beautiful capitol, with its priceless art treas- ures, caused them to abandon it rather than expose it to the horrors of a siege. Fighting bravely, the Belgian army was foreed back into Antwerp, where a furfile attempt was made to check the enemy. Forced almost to the bor- der of France, the Belgians rallied aml with the help of their allies, stopped the tide of in- vasion. War has to be paid for in money, but of far greater account, is the price of human life. Belgium has been practically blotted from the earth by the blight of war. A large propor- tion of her young men has been killed or wounded, her women and children are starv- ing, all because of war. Out ofa total popu- lation of 7,000,000, it is estimated that 1,000,- 000 have lost their lives. No people have shown such fortitude under such hard con- ditions as the Belgians. Under the power of an enemy, only a little strip of land in their possession, crops and homes destroyed, they are attempting to rise from ruin. We all recognize the pitiable plight of this little coun- try trampled upon by immense armies and with her fields soaked with blood. As soon as her condition came to the atten- tion ofthe world, the Fnited States, as the nation best fitted for the work of rescue, made plans to help the needy. Through the gener- osity of American citizens ship-loads of food- stuffs were sent to the stricken country. The so-called Belgian relief societies were formed and donations of money from private citizens were sent to relieve the suffering. Even our own state has responded with ear-loads of potatoes and other necessities. Belgium is a typical example of the destruetiveness of twentieth century warfare. Here started the great war that has made her the cemetary of so many soldiers. The world cannot but admire the way in which she has acted under such circumstances. P The question may be asked as to the future of Belgium. Knowing the conditions under which she has been placed, we all hope that she will continue in her untiring efforts to re- gain her independence, and when this great war