Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

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. THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL Fy) AN ENCOUNTER WITH GYPSIES It was the year 1915 that J met with my first encounter with gyp- sies. A thrilling adventure indeed! So that you can imagine how frightened I was I am going to undertake to describe my experience to you. I had just received a beautiful pony, a birthday present, from my father, and I was very proud of him. Arthur, my boy friend next door and I had decided that Pat should he taught some tricks. Arthur had brought over a bell, which he hung on the tree by a rope; this should be a signal to perform. Everything was arranged, when a red and yellow wagon was seen rattling up the road. Arthur said that he was sure that those were gypsies who, as George Severy said, had pitched camp on Gray Meadow and during the nigh t had carried off his habits which hung ona line on the side nearest the meadow. Fle said probably the dog frightened them before they had time to get the rest of the things. Arthur and I, for once in our lives, were brave. We left Pat tied to a tree and hurried to the front yard just as a dark man de- scended from the wagon and was now approaching us. “Flas your father any horses to sell?” “No, he hasn’t—he’s got two horses which do his plowing and hard work, and I guess he don’t want to sell those at any price. They're getting pretty slow and steady and he can depend on ’em.” “All right,” said the man as he turned to go. I gave a sigh of relief, but all too soon, for at that moment Pat, our trick pony, rang the bell and came bounding into the yard. The gypsy’s face brightened, as he tried to make a bargain with me. Of course I didn’t want to sell my pony. What was he thinking of? With a dissatisfied expression he again took up his drive. That night they gained permission to camp at Dry Pond. It hap- pened that the Baptists were to have a picnic there the following day. Arthur and I had already made our plans to drive up with Pat so that we might earn money for the Red Cross by giving rides at a nickel apiece. We worked hard all the forenoon and were very glad when noon beamed upon us. Several of the children were sent to the spring after water. Upon their arrival they saw a dark man fast asleep. Behold! It was the gypsy who tried to buy our pony. He asked if Pat was ready for sale and seemed quite amused when I told him in a very determined tone— NO! He told us that if we would come to the camp that the women would tell us exactly what the future had in store for us. Nobody was interested enough at the time. On arriving home we gave Pat a fine meal and locked him up in the barn for the night. The next morning Pat was not to be found

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4 THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL THOUSANDS OF VISITORS AT GRAY CELEBRATION The new cement State Highway connecting Portland and Lewiston, Maine’s two large cities, was opened with exercises in Gray Square. At ten the long line of cars in the parade from the city of Lewiston be- gan filling the square, side streets and all available space with hun- dreds of parked cars. The address of welcome was given by Perley C. Sawyer, chairman of the board of selectmen. Col. C. E. Nason and Hon. Matthew C. Morrill had a little history of Gray to tell the visi- tors. Prayer was offered by Rev. C. S. Cummings of Auburn. Visitors and townspeople joined in singing the Star Spangled Banner. Governor Percival P. Baxter, who was to speak, was unable to be present, but sent congratulations by his representative. There was excellent music furnished by the Iewiston Brass Band of fifteen pieces. A parody on “Tong, Tong Trail’ was written for the occasion. Leader Arthur Te. Sarton closed the program by giving three cheers for Gray. The prominent visitors were:—Henry I. Dunnack, State Librarian and representative of Governor Baxter; Major Bram of Lewiston; Major Cummings of Auburn and Chief of Highway Commission, Paul Sargent. . It was estimated that over 3,000 visitors were present. This town was suitable for the exercises because it is larger than any other on the road, and is located half way between Portland and Lewiston. LAURENCE HUMPHREY. The students of Pennell Institute were greatly grieved to hear of the death of Mr. Lee B. Hunt, last May. Mr. Hunt was at one time a prin- cipal of the school and was for many yearsa trustee of Pennell. Healways had the best interests of the school at heart. AN ACROSTIC J is for Juniors, all of whom are so fair. Uis for Unity, in which we all share, Nis for Neatness, which we hope to possess, I is for Ideals, that lead us to success; Ois for Order, which was heaven’s first law, Ris for Reaching, which Juniors abhor, S is for Seniors, when we won't be so raw! AW lire w ar

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6 THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL anywhere, though we searched “high and low.” How I wished I had had my fortune told and saved all this anxiety over my lost pony. A storm was raging and still no signs of Pat. There was but one thing left to do—search the gypsy camp. We turned into the woods at dusk just as the tribe was building a camp fire. The chief smiled in his usual way and asked if I had come to sell Pat. I stood amazed and found myself unable to speak. He gave father and me permission to search the grounds. Pat was not there. Ve thanked the chief for his kindness, and turned out of the woods. We learned upon our return that a second band were tenting up by Mayall’s tomb. I didn't wait for father, but calling for Arthur, who willingly consented to go, hurried to the spot. The last fence had been climbed and we were now in Sawyer’s pasture. In the lower end of this pasture we saw Pat tied to a tree. We were on the point of cutting the rope when we heard a deep, harsh voice saving. ‘Leave that horse alone.” The man stood before us. How could we prove to him that this was our pet pony? Arthur, as you all know, is noted for his brains, and proposed that we make the pony do his tricks, if the white star on his forehead and white spots on his legs were not sufficient to identify him. It was useless, the gypsy refused to believe us. At this moment, his wife appeared and told us that she would show us the horses back of the tent and perhaps we would find our Pat there. Both of us hesitated at first, but Arthur was much moved by her kind voice and induced me to follow him. : Did we find our pony behind the tents? I should say not, we found ourselves inside the tent. We were told to sit down while they made preparations for departure. She said if we would he good that we could go in a little while. We tried to escape but were caught and locked into one of the wagons. There in the corner was a bundle of clothes which proved to be the whole of George’s costume which he lost from the line. The next thing that we knew we were traveling briskly up the road in the red and yellow covered wagon. We had just reached the New Gloucester line when the wagon suddenly stopped. The entire police force of Gray was there to hold up this band. ie of ee rons were searched and cleared of their contents Aly pony was hitched to the end : in whi eo tee : of the wagon in which we were con- ned. $ more than glad to see him. As for George’s clothes, he was very glad to have them in his possession again. The gypsies were locked up within the dark walls of Gray Prison. They were set free a year ago last fourth of July. We all took part, on that day. in driving them out of the town. ; Be Ce, Cae