Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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The bells were over in England, For it was Christmas Day, But many many people Did not hear the bells that day. These men that I am speaking of Were far, far away, For they had gone to a Better Land That fatal Christmas Day. Just a little over sixteen years ago the Russia which is now so prominently placed in the spot-light of the world, did not exist. In its place was a regime which, though tyranically su- preme, was entirely played out. Then came the crash. The overthrow of the monarchy was as complete as it was sudden, and only a madman would dream of attempting a Restoration in Russia. The people are mostly peasants, whose life is made up of ceaseless toil to wrest from the earth enough to live upon. As such they do not take much interest in governmental affairs, but are content to do as they are told, and just eat, sleep and work. It is this apathy that has made it possible for a minority of opinion to become supreme. Although the bulk of the people do not agree with the methods employed by their rulers, they are content to let things continue as they are, without any attempt to reform hem. Slowly but surely this government, though it may be as tyrannical and severe in dealing with the mob as the Royalists, is yet pulling Russia out of the quagmire into which she has fallen. If the Russian peasants as a whole continue to take as little interest in their own politics as they have done so far, this party may make her again one of the most powerful countries in Europe. But, in opposition, Adolf Hitler is more and more, coming into an important place in international politics. Not many years ago his name was unknown; yet now it is either feared, hated or reverenced by every person who takes an interest in anything more than eating or sleeping. With his semi-military army of brownshirts, his suppression of the freedom of the press, and his theories of a nation in arms, he is fast becoming a menace to Europe. And while this time-bomb is ticking away in their very midst, the politicians at Geneva patiently discuss disarmament . -0- Whither By D. L. C. R. Todd. 13

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Dialectics in the Kindergarten. Motion for debate: Assuming that a cat and dog life in the home is not worth the candle, which of these two best known of domestic pets have the most estimable qualities? Mr. Chester Butterfield, opening the debate, made the fol- lowing pertinent remarks: I have a dog. He is a very good dog. He can do no tricks but one. That one is that he can catch a piece of bread in his mouth. (At this point the president rang his bell, remarking that the time limit had been exceeded, and would Mr. Butterfield be so good as to sum up. Which he did in the ablest possible manner.) Mr. Butterfield, summing up: — He can run very fast. Mr. L. Barnard, opposing Mr. Butterfield, defended feline domesticity in the following words: I have a cat. She is good for catching mice. She comes up to my chair at dinner time and goes down with a bone. She goes all over the place and comes home and has her bone. (Laughter). No she never forgets that. The president, thanking the two first speakers, threw the debate open to the house. Upon which there was a confused noise in the back of the hall, and Mr. Collin Selley, mounted on a chair, heartily seconded the motion of Mr. Butterfield: Mr. President, Sir. Gentlemen. I have a little puppy. Its name is Pat. It likes to jump upon a chair and beg. Result: — Owing to the untimely intervention of the lunch hour it was found impossible to take the vote. The Bells. By H. Russell. The Somme was filled with craters, With craters made by shells, And the soldiers who were dreaming Were dreaming of the bells. 12

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More About Dogs. By Arthur Motyer. There was once a little boy name Bob Smith. He was very lonely, because he had nobody to play with, and the ice was not thick enough to skate on. Bob sat down on the back steps in the yard, and just then there was a bow-wow. He looked up and saw a stray dog. Get out of here, you nasty dog , said Bob. The dog ran to the gate, and then looked back at Bob as much as to say, I thought I had a friend. Then Bob threw a piece of ice at him and he ran quickly out of the gate and into the street. He felt very sad and lonely, and looked for a dry place to lie down on. But just then the man next door came out, picked up Paddy, took him inside and gave him something to eat. His little girl Margaret was very pleased with him. They bathed him, and Margaret brushed him, and he looked quite a dilTerent dog. Margaret asked if she could keep him to play with, nd next morning they had great fun with a ball. Bob Smith looked over the wall and said he was very very sorry, as Paddy would have made a good playmate for him. o Robinson Crusoe. , , By R. C. Cooper. I have just finished reading the story of Robinson Crusoe, and how I would love to live on an Island like his, gathering wild fruits, and killing animals for food, making my own clothes from the skins. But my brother does not wish to leave home, so we must forget the idea of trying to find such a place. But one morning I had an idea. Why not play Robinson Crusoe at home? I called Peter, one of my friends, and made the proposal. How could we? he asked. We could , I explained, make bows and arrov s, and try and kill wild animals. I will be Robinson, and you will be Friday. It is an excellent idea , said Peter, and v ould be a great saving for our parents. The same day, we set out, each taking a bag, a thick rope, and our bows and arrows. Luck seemed to be with us, because at the entrance to a wood there was a donkey, who had neither bridle nor collar. We decided to capture him alive. I advanced carefully, and rushed towards the animal I was going to seize. Suddenly, Peter thought of a genial idea. Let us lasso him! But he frightened the animal, who galloped away, whil- 14