Ruperts Land Girls School - Eagle Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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R U P E R T , S L AN D C O L L E G E -xusf-sus-nxn-s-axe--scAg--xuxnx.-snxnxuxnxnsuxnx.-xipx- Page THE PROCTORS SOME members of Grade X put their heads together over a joint piece of work. Marjorie Chisholm wrote a description of the members of the Proctor family, and Audrey Garnett illustrated them, Frances Hunt described their house, of which Jocelyn Richardson had drawn the plan, Stephanie Richards planned their estate, which Betty McDonald des- cribed, and Virginia Cameron wrote a story about the lives of this famous Proctor family. Not all of this work could be reproduced, but here is some of it: is a mirror in a gilt frame. The only pictures in the room are water-colours and etchings. The furniture consists of a grand piano,Ichairs and chesterfields upholstered in either rust or green. The dining-room furniture is mahogany, with mulberry-colored drapes and rugs, the pictures are sea-scapes done in oils. ln the library there is a large brick fireplace, the bookcases reach nearly to the ceiling, and on the tops of them are busts of the great musical composers. The inantel-piece is ornamented with cups and other trophies won by members of the family. Scarlet and ivory form the colour scheme in the kitchen, where there is every modern convenience to help the cook and maids. The bedroom of Colonel and Mrs. Proctor contains l l t :nfl l gg V' z 30 I I Z n 'HALI' A1 t. l I' j 119 snooei E cz I 3, Oi 3, wfinrmonr D 3D F 0- F I i I -C IRTHKYW 5-fm-my r'lmD's - r1AlD'5 Btbnoorl summon U1 1 FV :, 5 . n I- r1nio'S Bnnn 2 BEDRQQI-1 2 S, CUYUDHIDF ,,,...m,. :..i ..., j msg-Eiwg--ff-cg? D '-sgopdi' g:,....,':.-ga 5 Dv'-1 'C5-IQUQOU' - 3' CD-cu'7 'SD,f'v' C 31 garb Zffbv-siggbv-,UQ ID ev-'D ,22g'3.sQ:, 'j m gpg:-ng-4....m ...D -1. O :-'1 f p m QE-m5'IQQe+'pq4 i? 5' ::S.O'D-cvfs'-.. 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He is a healthy, robust man, with frank blue eyes which twinkle out of a ruddy countenance, and his greying hair and sandy moustache give him a very distinguished appearance. Mrs. Proctor is the kind, thoughtful and sym- pathetic mother of her affectionate children. She has golden brown hair, brown, laughing eyes and a lovely smile. Many a time her short, comforting figure is seen in poor wards in hospitals and homes, and someone will smile in a knowing way and say that Mrs. Proctor is doing her usual helpful work. Patricia is a tall, slim, popular young debutante, about eighteen years old. She has her mother's colouring and friendly smile, enjoys all sports, and although sometimes thoughtless, she adores her younger brother and sister. John is the eldest, about nineteen, with an infectious grin and teasing ways. Although active in all sports, his one ambition is to be a doctor, and he spends much of his time in studying medical books. Barbara and Malcolm are six year-old twins who spend most of their time playing pranks on the elder members of the family. Their heads are a mass of fair, curly hair, and their deep brown eyes radiate happiness. The house, which was primarily de- signed for comfort, is built of dull red '-'1-v-' there. Directly in front of the main door of the house there are stone steps leading down to a beautiful, green, creeping-bent lawn on which are clumps of lilac bushes, heavily laden with blossom in the spring, Beyond this is the half-moon-shaped sunken garden, a flag-stone terrace and a lily pond. The ground slopes down to the river on which stands a large dock, and stairs running up to the top of the boathouse where the gardeners sleep. Below, in the boathouse, there is a small Dodge boat, a Ditchburn, two canoes, a rowboat and an outboard engine. East of the boat- house lies a fair-sized vegetable gardeng to the west, beyond a clump of willows, a perennial Hower border runs along the edge of the garden, the whole of which is surrounded by a tall caragana hedge. There are many other features which there is no space here to describe: a fountain, a croquet lawn, a Hagstone walk, the garage in which the Proctors keep both their big and little cars, the tennis court and numerous clumps of trees of different kinds. brick which is partly covered with vines, the White door with a fan-light above it gives it a Georgian appearance. Broad, shallow brick steps lead into a vestibule tiled in black and white marble, up two more steps is a long hall carpeted in green broad loom. A door at the end of in it reflects a the hall with a mirror mahogany console table with two small antique chairs on either side of it, and a mirror over it. The living-room is carpeted in pale green broad loom, in front of the fireplace is a huge polar-bear skin. The French windows have drapes of white monk's cloth, and all the woodwork is - If - - - Jw f ee DROOV1 25 3 .1 T 8 41 S5 ' :J F' rn 'J' P3 4 s f J l enrimom-ig in WLNC, . H mo N i J BATNROOYS u J BEDROOM 5 -. LIVING Room I 'L e H QU-. ' l L4 . l J, ctosu'-I J 2 BEDROOM CHIWFFEDR 5 SHMK 3 E-.cnecovi U G BEDPQON if DQv.sswc Room BHTHROOH Q ,-1 q-i i i 4 1 ' white. Over the white marble mantel-piece

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paw 20 .,..x..x..,..x..x..,,.,..,..x..,..,..,..,..,..,..x..,..x..,..,..,..,..,..,..x..,..x..031 T H E E A G LE Ig.. The following letters are supposed to have been written one hundred years ago. Actually they were written by Joan Macaw and Barbara Hamon, descendants of these men. Salter and Hollis, Halifax, N.S., June 25, 1336. My dear Haliburton, Congratulations on that last most expressive speech of yours, also on your sketches in the Nova Scotianf' My family and I enjoyed them so much, and hope to see them in a book some day. Have you heard any more about Howe's Railway Scheme? He is still trying to persuade the Government. to support him. Railway enthusiasm seems to be increasing. They tell me that the Albion Coal Company at Pictou is considering importing an engine from England to haul coal from the mines to the dock-rather an expensive project I should say. I also hear that there is a horse-drawn railway running from Richelieu to La Prairie, do you know of it? The new steam-sail supply ship arrived last week. Sir Colin Campbell said that the dispatches report that the King is ailing, after all he is quite old now. I suppose Princess Victoria will be Queen next, since Princess Charlotte is dead. Do you think a woman would be a satisfactory ruler? Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne brought us prosperity, but would Victoria? Howe was elected to the Assembly yesterday, He made a rather good speechg declared that the English Parliament couldn't understand Canadian affairs, and so shouldn't rule Canada. I think he is crazy. How can a set of uneducated backwoods-men know enough to rule their country? I suppose that now he is elected he will try to pass his Twelve Resolutions. Of course Parliament will not accept them, although they have some sensible suggestions. I must close my letter as the stage coach will leave in half an hour. Hoping you will excuse my incoherence, I remain, Yours sincerely, Maalchi Salter. PS. The Governor has suggested that I call my home 'A House of St. Andrews because of the diagonal cross on the door. NVhat do you think of this suggestion? Names for houses are becoming the fashion now, you know. M. S. Clifton, Windsor, NS., .Iuly 4, 1836. My dear Salter, Thank you so much for your congratulatory letter. I am so glad your family enjoyed my sketches in the Nova Scotianf' I have had so many exacting criticisms thatfwcll, here is an excerpt.- I read one of your sketches in the 'Nova Scotian' and am astounded at your appalling judgment. You will entirely corrupt the keen intellect of our Canadian youth, and I hope you will abstain from further expression of your views .... etc. I am forced to believe someone disagrees with me. I do not think Howc's railroad scheme will come to much, as it is too expensive, and Parliament is rather pressed for money at present. I had a letter from a friend in Quebec who told me of the following incident which happened on the little horse-railway running from Richelieu to the St. Lawrence. He says, HI got on the railway at La Prairie: we jolted along at the tremendous speed of seven miles per hour. The road is very hilly, and we had to walk up the hills as it was too hard on the horses to make them pull us. As hills occurred often, we walked most of the way. lYhen we at last arrived, I felt for my brief-case, which I had put under the seat, and all I felt was space. A board had dropped out of the floor and my case was gone. Is that the kind of railroad Howe is advocating? I was talking to one of the directors in charge of t.he Albion Mines, Pictou, and he says they have decided to have a railroad from the mines to the harbour, The engine is to be run by steam. Quite an improvement, eh? But will it work? Howe made a fine speech at thc Opening of Parliament last week, didn't hc? Too had he was on the side of Responsible Government. I wonder if parliament will pass his 'fTwelve Resolutions. If they do, he will send them to England, and that will be unfortunate. The one about education is reasonable, but the rest are not. Responsible Government is only for an independent country like the U.S.A.g if this country had it, we should soon be at cross purposes with Great Britain and that would mean-Revolution! Responsible Government is Responsible Nonsense. I heard your wife, Susannah, was going to Boston on Captain Mulbery's ship the t'Abergail I hope she has a pleasant time. Would it be too much trouble for her to get my wife twenty yards of crimson broadcloth and some gold braid, as it can be obtained more cheaply there? I think House of St. Andrews is a very appropriate name. Sir Colin Campbell is certainly to be congratulated on his choice. You know he suggested Clifton, the name of my home. It is very sad to think of King William dying, but I believe Princess Victoria will make a very good queen. Give my kind regards to your family, Sincerely yours, Thomas Chandler Haliburton. CD56 OVERHEARD IN THE LIBRARY CAn. Early Victorian opinion. of modern stylesj QDF ALL the rooms in the School, the Library, situated on the first floor in the East wing, is the most pleasant. It is an ideal place in which to write a story, all you have to do is to sit still and let your imagination work, and then you can hear many things. One day as I sat in the Library, I thought I heard the following conversation between some of the people in the picture of The Court at St. James' Palace, on the west wall, and Archbishop Strir1ger's picture over the Hreplace. Cozuitess of Spencer: My dear, I think that one of these days I shall faint with horror and fall right out of the picture. Lady Augusta Stum't.' I quite agree with you, those atro- cious costumes the girls are Wearing. Just see! Their skirts don't even reach their knees! They have cut their hair! They aren't fit to be seen in public, yet they go about as if it were quite natural. Duchess of llIrm.cl1esLcr.' Times have changed! VVhy, at fifteen we would no more have thought of wearing short skirts and bobbed hair than we should have thought of riding astride. It's so undignifiedf' Lady Augusta Stuczrt Yes, and the way they speak. They are so impolite, and they never have the decency to curtsey to their elders-they simply standf, ffounless of Spencer: Outrageous! And did you see that girl in here todav in pants? .'ll'!'llb'l!Sll01J Stringer: But my dear ladies, times have changed. These girls are as much up-to-date and act with as much propriety for their times, as you did in yours. C'nu.ntess QfS1JPlLCE7'.' Maybe so, Your Grace, but I think that if Her Majesty were not looking at the Marchioness of Carmarthen and that if she saw them, she would send them at once to a Reformatoryf' IJILNPFSS of rwrmchestcr: Disgraceful! .-lrclzbishop SLr'z'ngcr: Ladies! Ladies! Please remember this is 1936 not 1836. Styles have changed. Lady Augusln Stuart: Just the same, I don't approve! This beautiful room is absolutely spoilt by these new ideas. It's dignified air is stolen away. It's infamous, infamous! Prince Consort: Ladies, we are past and goneg the King of England approves: it is not for us to object. -Joan .'l1'acf1u', Grade IX.

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Page sxuxniuinxau'snliuLnlLnnLnsunLuslnLuinlL0L1- -A uxnsnsnxnsuxnxnxusu-Lu T H E E A G L E THE GRr:1sNwooD The Proctor family was sitting around the fireplace in the library, after dinner. The glow of the red flames was reflected on their faces, and played upon Mrs. Proctor's golden-brown hair, as she sat near the fire, quietly talking to her husband. The twins, Barbara and Malcolm were sitting on little foot- stools by their grandfather's knee, listening eagerly as he told them stories of the war. Patricia was engrossed in a popular magazine, and John was off in a corner, listening to orchestral music on the radio. It's a long time since we've all been together for an evening, remarked Colonel Proctor to his wife. Yes, dear, and I do enjoy it after the hectic days when Pat was making her debut, said Mrs. Proctor with a smiling glance at her family. Presently grandfather, after finishing his story, turned to his son. Hart, he said, I'm leaving for Scotland tomorrow. Colonel Proctor looked at him in amazement. Leaving tomorrow! echoed his wife blankly. Why, gran'pa, we won't let you go. Please don't go, chorused the youngsters. Do explain what you mean by that perfectly impossible statement, begged Mrs. Proctor, surely you can't mean t.o leave us? Yes, my dear, I'm afraid I must. You see, I have not found what I have been looking for, and I shall never rest until I do. When I find the spot, I shall settle down and spend the rest of my days there. But it is so futile! Think, argued Mrs. Proctor, all you have to go by are the words 'Bois Vert,' and an idea that it is somewhere in America-in Louisiana. It's a beautiful senti- ment, and 1 know how you must long to find what you are seeking, but it would take a lifetime. Mr. Proctor shook his head. 1 shall never give up looking, he said simply. I know I shall find it before I die. There was something of the spark of long-buried hope in the eyes of the man, something in the earnest manner in which he spoke, that silenced any further persuasion on the part of his children and grandchildren. We'll miss you, father, said Mrs. Proctor, her voice betraying the emotion she felt, ' ' but I think I'll miss you most. There were loud cries of dissent from various members of the family, but Mrs. Proctor ended it all by saying that no matter how much they would miss him, they would all look forward to his return. Grandad, said John suddenly, what is the meaning of 'Bois Vert'?' I don't mean the literal translation, but why are you looking for it? Is it something connected with your life, or what is it? It was an anxious moment for Colonel and Mrs. Proctor, for they both knew how near the subject lay to Mr. Proctor's heart, however, he only smiled and said, Would you like to hear a story? Oh yes, gran'pa, cried Barbara and Malcolm in unison. May we stay up, Mummy, just this once? Whatever grandfather says, children, she replied, with a glance at her father-in-law, who had been like a father to her ever since her own father passed away. Yes, I think so, he replied, -and are you and John interested, too, Patricia? he asked. Oh, of course, grandad, she replied, drawing her chair up closer, You haven't told me a story for a long time. After a moment's thought he began: It happened some fift.y years ago. I was the son of a wealthy Glasgow ship-builder, and I always used to go to the Highlands for my holidays. My father believed in hard work for boys, part of the time, no matter what station of life they were in, for a good number of lads used to waste their lives in cities, doing nothing. I used to go to a crofter's hut and work just as if I were his son. My father had rented land to him and knew him to be trustworthy, so he gave me entirely into his care. I liked the open-air life and the simple amusements. There were not many dissipated young lads and lassies among that lot-they were all too healthy and satisfied with their care-free life. After a day's work in the fields, and a hearty supper, with a pipe and a good fire to finish off with, all we felt like was bed. That is, every night but Saturday-that was the gay night. The crofters from all around would gather in someone's big barn and have a dance. I can still see the lads swinging their lasses to a tune played on the fiddle and, if we were lucky, the bagpipes. It was there I met your grandmother, and a fine lassie she was. Here his voice took on a tender quality. She was pretty and sprightly, and had it all over the other girls for dancing. She and I took to one another right away, and it wasn't long before I found out that she was doing the same thing as I was- coming to the country from the city to stay with one of her father's crofters. When summer was over I took her back to Glasgow with me. Imagine my surprise when I learned she was Lady Alice McMurray, daughter of Sir Donald Kennedy McMurray, my father's best friend. Both our families were pleased with the match, and we lived very happily for four years. Then we got the idea of going to America, so to America we went. We lived in a big house on a large estate on which was a beautiful wood, she called it 'Bois Vert,' for she was learning the French tongue. One day, when she was out walking, it started to rain, she was too far from the house to run for shelter, so she stayed under a large tree which was not, however, much protection. She was drenched, and so cold and numb that her limbs would not obey her. She stayed for over an hour under the tree and then lost consciousness. Her maid found her and brought her home, put her to bed and did everything in her power to ward off that which was certain to come-pneumonia. Here he stopped and looked into the glowing embers of the fire, as if he saw pictures in their depths. He was entirely lost in his thoughts, but presently he looked up, and picked up the thread of the story from where he had left off. Well, it seemed as if she would get better, everyone felt encouraged, but one day she called me to her. 'Campbellf she said, 'I am not going to recover. I thought you had better knowf That was all she said, and I felt it to be true. I used to take her for long walks through 'Bois Vert? She was in a push chair, and I would push her. Once, as we came to a lovely spot, she said, pointing to a green glen, 'I want to be buried there under the trees, and on my cross, I wish to have engraved Bois Vert .l Then, one lovely spring day, she slipped away. We buried here there, and I immediately left for Scotland. Later I heard it was the wish of certain people to tear down our house, since it was nearly in ruins, in order to cultivate the land. I gave permission, as I never thought to go back there. Then came the World War, and my only son, Hart, and I went. It was on a German field, I think, that I met her father. He was dying, and his last wish was that I should go back to Louisiana and be with her all my life. I thought I knew the spot, but I have searched so much, I'm afraid to go any farther. I shall go to Scotland, settle my affairs there, and devote my life to finding the resting-place of my wife. Pat had risen from her chair, her eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed. Grandfather, she cried, trying to steady her voice, this wood, our wood-why, only last week I heard the gardener saying how green it was, how it was often called the 'Greenwood' Could it be- But Mr. Proctor too had risen. I am going for a walk. I shall not be long. It is early yet. His voice was calm, but his face shone with a wonderful light. Some minutes passed. Presently John got up, took a flashlight from his pocket and said, I'm going out to find him. It's getting late for him to be out alone. His mother nodded in approval. As he ran down the steps he met the gardener. I'1l go too, Master John, them woods is dark at night. Not very dark tonight, Leonard-look at that beautiful moonlight on the water. How it shines! The moonlight bathed in silver the trees of the little glen, and a broad ribbon lay across the figure of a kneeling man. His head was bowed, it seemed in silent worship. The sight of the small stone cross with the words Bois Vertu upon it made the two men suddenly understand. It is not for us, said John solemnly. Slowly they turned and retraced their steps towards the house.