Three Rivers High School - Reflector Yearbook (Three Rivers, MI)

Page 14 text:

Somewhere in France HE lifted her drawn white face to the image upon the wall, her whole being drawn in an attitude of worship, and of fear. Oh most Sainted of Saints, this blessed day of the birth of our Lord, give me a brave heart, and make me strong, but for the sake of little Ekue, spair Dennis. It had been her constant prayer for a year. Could it be, could it possibly be, that now it was not to be answered? As she knelt by the crucifix the door opened silently, and in a moment, two soft childish arms were around her neck and her little Ekue whispered with his tiny baby voice, Mamma, Mamma, daddy won't go, will he? Don't let Ekue's daddy go: Oh! don't we love him so! He can't go from his Ekue! Her eyes filled with hot tears and in silent agony she kissed his fair forehead and told him to be a brave little man-as daddy was braveeher little soldier man. In a childish spasm of comfort, the babe drew his mother's face down, and with large luminous eyes and his little fists clinched, he said, I'lI fight too, Mamma. I'll never let them harm you. Wait till I am a man. just wait andng' His sentence was broken and both mother and child became rigid. The steady tramp, tramp, tramp, of the troops sounded away down the street. The soldiers were coming. The mother ther face white and set as though carvedj, firmly clasped her babe to her, and turned her face bravely towards the door. Mamma, Mamma, don't let them take daddy. We need him. He musn't go: don't let? The sentence was never finished. -A footstep sounded on the stoop, and Dennis with white set lips strode into the room. The dumb agony in his beautiful young Wife's face stopped him, and, turning where he stood in the doorway he folded his arms, and his face grew more set as his resolve shaped itself. On, on they came, louder and louder. There were a few sig- nificant strips. They were drafting their men. A minute more and the company stopped before the cottage and a gruff voice cried, Mr, Dennis DeArkey. Report at once to Co. 17, First Reg- ment, Forty-third Infantry. Two officers marched to the door and stood waiting. The wife clinched her hands and moved her lips. That was all. Then with a long steady look into his wife's eyes, Dennis turned, and looking straight into the commander's eyes, he said, I love my country, but I am not going! 51021

Page 13 text:

Eu Qylll' lfathvrs mth ,Htlutlpcrs tuhu, murr than all nthcrs. mnurn mith us num' nur failurvs, amh rcjuirc with us in nur triumphs. 1112, thr Class ut IEI 1 7, lovingly hrbiratr This livflvrtm'

Page 15 text:

An ominous silence followed his words. The wife clasped the child closer to her. Her lips moved convulsively in prayer, and a joy shown in her eyes. Dennis stood like a statue. There was strained silence, Then the deep voice, Not goingfbe a traitor to your country by not going? Officer, lead him out! The two seized at Dennis, but he was like iron and he did not move. His face was white and he repeated in his steady voice, I am not going. A single word, a single move, and a sharp report rang out. Dennis, stretching his hands to heaven, fell before the shrine. His wife swooned over him. And somewhere in France, out of the dark night rang a childish voice, crying for a lost daddy, ffflflabclle Cozvgfll, '18, 126' A Youth's Love Breathes there a youth with soul so dead Who never to a lass has said: You are my own both heart and hand. NVhose heart has ne'er within him burned As home his footsteps he has turned, From wandering with her hand in hand. If such there breathe go mark him well. For him no wedding bells shall knell, High though his standard, Great in the game. Boundless his wealth in football fame, Despite that standard, title or wealth, The wretch whose thoughts are all for self, Living is talked of a kern, And repenting shall return To the first girl from which he parted. Unhappy, lonesome and brokenhearted. -Ninn Bernlztzrtlt, '18. H031