Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

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el THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL 9 THE PIPES AT LUCKNOW I enjoy the selection ‘Poems of Action” very much. There is variety enough to satisfy almost everybody. When asked to choose my favorite, I have to pass over many which I like very much. Perhaps it is no coincidence that my favorite poem, “The Pipes at Lucknow,” is by the poet of whose verse I am most fond, John G. Whittier. There is power in the poem which is very musical and inspiring. One can imagine the Scottish pipes sounding through the mountains and lowlands. How clear and encouraging they must be to the clans- men! Jfach clan has a different call which is readily recognized from the others. It is a rest to read the Scottish poems. One feels more satisfied with life and is thankful that there is the country of Scotland which produces the bravest, tenderest, and most wonderful people in the world. In this poem the pipes bring encouragement to the despairing soldiers, because help is coming and the clansmen are gathering against the Sepoys. The setting of the poem is in India. The British forces at Lucknow with several hundred women and children are besieged for several months during the Indian mutiny by thousands of wild and fanatical nations, and fear every day the defeat that will mean nameless shame and cruel slaughter. The brave company in a starving condition are finally relieved by a handful of British soldiers under Henry Havelock. A Scottish lass suddenly recognizes the call of the pipes. She calls the attention of the rest but the man whose ear is untrained to the sound does not feel the thrill that the Scotch do. For one who learns to love the music from childhood it stirs the heart like the National song of a country. W.H.L. SITTING FOR A PHOTOGRAPH Ma and Pa Hickson were taking their family of eight into town to have their pictures “took.” The years were rolling swiftly by and Ma greatly desired to have a picture of her little brood while they were comparatively young, if a suitable photographer could be found. They had arrived at the Corners, which boasted of two studios. Ma proceeded to go first to one and then to the other, trying to decide which was the best. At last she decided on “Brown's,” which was so small that her eight crowded it, and so Brown decided to have it taken out of doors with

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THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL Soon I was settled comfortable As anyone could wish, No trouble crossed my pathway Until there happened this: Upon a Saturday afternoon I went to the town hall; The students craved it as a boon, For the game of basketball. They were going to hx up that abode, As it never was before. But the town the measure vetoed, Which made me awfully sore. Though sad a wanderer to be, I packed my things that night, And that burg had seen the last of me Before the morning light. Warren Linpy, ‘25. THE GYPSY’S PROPHECY Under a spreading tent near me, A traveling gypsy stood, With beady eyes so black and wee, And a kerchief for a hood. “Your fortune told, my little maid?” She kindly said to me; Then with her dirty hand she laid A knife upon her knee. Under her dark-topped tent I stood, Trembling like a leaf; While she stepped up in mysterious mood, To pull the flap beneath. She told me that I’d live not long, And that my fears were vain; Thus with a gesture and a song Turned sunshine into rain. When I awakened from my trance, She kindly whispered me, That I would travel far in France, But always a maid would be. She turned the crystal ball again And to her own amazement, She said that I would marry twain, Then refuse a third engagement. I would not have her tell me more, Because I wished to think I'd live as happy as before, And to her health I'd drink. She took my hand and said farewell, But looked off into space, Then walked down to a little dell, And cursed all her dark race. I.M.S.,’ w a

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gee 10 THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL the distant mountains asa background. So after much disputing they got intoas smalla group as possible, and justas Brown told them “to look at the birdie,” little Freddie began to whimper, or, rather gave a good lusty baw! and asked if it would hurt. After being assured by his mother that it would not, he said, “Well, that’s what you said about having my tooth pulled, but it did.” Ma pacified him, however, and all settled down again, when Pa backed out; said he would not be in it if the kids wouldn’t stand around him just as much as around Ma. This was settled without much trouble. When a definite agreement was reached and all stood ready once more, Henry began to cough violently, and Ma said, “Well, I do declare, I believe he’s got the whooping cough, I’ll have to go right away.” And so off she started with her clan, leaving the photog- rapher turning the air blue behind them. E. F.S., ’25. SEPTEMBER TO JUNE How strongly we yearn for the first of September, (?) When back to the schoolroom we go with a will! There are happy mectings and friendly greetings With teachers and schoolmates as we climb up the hill. October is here and with it much cheer. The bright autumn leaves make the landscape superb. School is progressing, and this, I'm confessing, I'm having my troubles with noun, clause, and verb. November advances with more somber fancies. We are well settled now on the school year’s routine. We are all looking forward and into the cupboard For turkey and vegetables, pudding and cream. The snow has been falling and I have been calling And sending my greetings to all I hold dear. For this is December and you must remember It’s the merriest time in the whole of t he year. It is right colder now, and the evergreen’s bough Is heavily laden with snow. The air is a-tingle and how the bells jingle When out for New Year's calls we go. February’s on time and with Saint Valentine And the birthdays of Lincoln and George Washington, A HOLDUP ON THE INTERURBAN “Halt! or we will shoot,” three men yelled as the Portland-Lewis- ton Interurban car was quietly speeding along, about twelve o’clock between Gray and North Gray. The motorman was busy, of course, and the conductor was talking with his pretty young lady friend. The crowded car stopped as soon as possible. The people started to get up to see what the delay was. “Don’t anybody attempt to leave this car,” commanded the outlaws, “Keep your seats.”