Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 26 text:

The Castle Throned on a height of elevated land, Tow ' ring in hoary might, surrounded in gloom, There like a frowning guardian does it stand, That ancient castle, dark as any tomb. And when the dusky shadows ' gin to fall, And laccedged trees are outlined ' gainst the sky, When the whole world is held as in a thrall. While the moon peeps out, and breezes softly sigh, Then people passing near that castle grim, Hasten their footsteps, glance round fearfully, Starting at fancied sounds or shadows dim. For haunted is that castle said to be. And so it stands, and so will stand for aye, Till some wild storm will fell each mighty stone, Until its crumbled ruins are in decay; Till then ' t will stand, forbidding and alone. N. Archibald, Form IVa. On Visiting New York Letter from Grandmother to A Mere Child The Maples, Danville, Quebec, April a7th, 1927. My dear Granddaughter: This morning I received a letter from your dear mother telling me of your intended visit to New York. It is many years since I was there but I do not think it has changed so very much. I am sorry that I shall not be there with you, but I shall try to tell you some points of interest of this great city and also advise you about a few matters. Your mother, I am afraid, is too indulgent with you and sometimes forgets how young you really are. Now, my dear, you must be sure not to attend any theatres or other such immoral places. There may be one or two good plays but it is better not to take any unnecessary risks. An occasional concert would be very instructive as well as entertaining, but you must not attend too many as such excitement is not advisable for a child of your years. Your mother tells me she plans to remain there for two or three days. If you use your time wisely I do not doubt but that you will have a most enjoyable stay. A very beautiful spot is Central Park, and if you go there for a walk, besides seeing this delightful place, you will receive the full benefit of the fresh air. But keep away from the bridle paths for you can never tell what these reckless young riders will do. You should also make it a point to visit the Museum of Natural History as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are some very good bookshops in New York and I should advise you to visit one of these and purchase one or two good books. You will be able to read these in the evening before retiring, but do not read too late for it is not good for your eyes, and your light should be out by nine o ' clock. I hope, my dear, that you realize how fortunate you are to have the opportunity of visiting this well-known city. If you follow my suggestions I feel sure that you will have a most enjoyable stay, but remember at all times that you are only eighteen — a mere child. Your affectionate Grandmother.

Page 25 text:

I stared at him dumbfounded, thinking that he was either out of his mind, or else making me the object of what he considered a joke. Very tender skin you have! The needle went in beautifully! he remarked, putting away his instruments. My eyes wandered to my arm where, as proof that the deed was done, a small reddish lump resembling a mosquito bite marked the place where the doctor had grabbed me. Gradually the realization that all was over penetrated my dazed brain, and picking up my hat I hastily left the room, leaving the doctor no doubt astonished at my rude departure. Once outside, I stopped in my mad career to collect my scattered senses. I had actually not even felt the needle enter my skin! Gone were my fond hopes of dying a heroic death, a martyr to brutal torture; and I heaved a sigh of remorse to think that my stirring epitaph was wasted, for the time being at any rate. The next morning, however, on awakening I was forced to think myself somewhat hasty in coming to this conclusion, for the excruciating pain which I experienced on rolling over on my left arm called forth a groan which truly sounded like Tennyson ' s swan fluting a wild carol ere her death. I was a little comforted on arriving at school to find others undergoing the same torments as myself, and I immediately joined the ranks of those who wandered around the gym. nursing their poor afflicted limbs, and dodging nimbly at the approach of any of the fortunate ones who had not as yet been inveigled into being inoculated. Dorothy and Lorraine Ward, Forms Upper VI and IVa. The Demon Doorkeeper EFORE I came to Trafalgar I used fondly to imagine I was quite good in gym. I was wrong. I erred. I admit my mistake. I am no good at all. If I was better than some, it was only because they were worse than I. On several occasions I had viewed Trafalgar gym. demonstrations and was quite intrigued with the feats of prowess performed with such apparent ease on ropes and horse (since my later acquaintance with this beastie, I infinitely prefer a Ford any day). I pictured myself in a tunic springing lightly over the tape to the accompanying applause of admiring parents and friends. But, alas, this was not for me. Instead, in the gymnasium demonstration, I distinguish myself as doot ' keeper, and earn my mead of praise for my conscientious efforts in guarding the sacred portals. However, I did not arrive at this state of proficiency without some training. A successful doorkeeper must, above all things, have tried to scramble over the horse before she realizes that doorkeeping is more in her line. And I have tried, with varying results. My first close contact with that noble animal, the ' orse, was when I amazingly discovered myself suspended across the brute like a bag of meal, after a mighty spring which should at least have taken me well over the beast. Again, when I try merely to sit astride him, my spring, like Macbeth ' s ambition, O ' erleaps itself and lands on the other. With ropes I fare better. I have now become so proficient in rope climbing that I am almost half way up by the time my partners in bliss are safely back to terra ' firma. Ba lancing, I have down to a science. I merely put my tongue in my cheek (the left one preferably), cross my eyes, and forge ahead. In drill, I am able to distinguish between left turn and right turn almost immediately. I never require more than five minutes for this, and have frequently been known to accomplish it in two minutes and seventeen seconds or two minutes and seventeen and one-fifth seconds. I can also halt now, without ruining my nose or without taking off the shoes of the person m front of me. But in spite of all these accomplishments, or perhaps because of them, I am still better as a door- keeper than as a gymnast. And I do loathe that horse! Margaret Bell, Form Upper VI. f 23 1

Page 27 text:

A Nova Scotian Legend TT THILE travelling in Nova Scotia last summer we were much impressed with the stories and W legends connected with the different parts of the country through which we passed. One very interesting legend was that of Glooscap, the great demigod of the Micmacs, who was supposed to have ruled the world and by means of a magic wand was able to bring the birds and animals to his side. Early one morning we set out to view the haunts of Glooscap. We motored some miles through a very beautiful country, until at a sudden turn in the road we came in sight of Cape Blomi ' don, a very bold cliff rising high from the waters of Minas Basin. We were told that from Partridge Island there would be a much better view. This island is a beautifully wooded mountain almost joining the mainland near Parrsboro. We climbed through winding paths, up and up, until we came to a clearing about seven hundred feet above the sea. It was here that Glooscap and his friends had their feasts, and from here we had a most wonderful view of Blomidon. Blomidon is famous for its amethysts which are said to have been scattered there by the Indian god. The legend tells us that a strange light called the ' ' eye of Glooscap is often seen flashing with unusual brightness out of the dark face of the mountain. Cape Split, at the opposite end of Cape Blomidon, was once joined to the mainland, but one day Glooscap in a rage brought his axe down on the ridge and it swung around, at the same time making a gash in it, while the piece fell out and is now a small island. Although Glooscap loved the birds and animals, the beavers were his special enemies. The Five Islands are supposed to have been rocks he threw at them when in great wrath one day. These islands differ from each other in size and shape, perhaps the most interesting being Cathedral Island which, however, is not rightly one of the five, for at high tide it is joined to one of the others, but at low tide, if one is in the right position, one may see the exact shape of a cathedral. After one of Glooscap ' s quarrels with the beavers in which he was victorious as usual, he and his friends had a feast on Partridge Island. With the aid of a blazing pine tree for a torch, they speared a whale, cooked it, and ate it — blubber, bones and all. Glooscap then kicked the kettle THE. Five ISL MC 3. 1 5 I