University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

Page 31 text:

Frances Burke Simble-F infers X«nr t» «• Chief dwell Nlinbli-Plngrni. Maiden with the eye that twinkle, with the hair of Jet-like Mnrkm-x : and they named her from her power, from the Klft the gods Rave to her. “Nlmble-FIngers. the obliging • -Much revered by all the tribesmen wax this aentle Xlrnhle-Fingers; -he the best of all swift writer , she the Rontlest of all eterks, quiet as a gentle rain drop, pleasant as a ray of sunshine. For her gentleness they loved her. and the magic of her finger . Ivan Vincent “Wieldcr-of-the-Big-Key” l ong, long ago. near I he shores of Winnebago, dwelt a tribe renowned lor learning. Hither, then. • aim- youths and maidens from the Fast Wind and the West Wind, from the North Wind and the South Wind.—eame to listen and to learn of the knowledge of this people. All the tribe gave wisdom to them— wisdom gained through year of study—all the braves save The -Wlelder-ofethe-HIg -Key. And this short but sturdy warrior held the key which closed the wigwam. when the sun hid all Its glory.---closed It to tin-many students, until the sun should rouse them for another day of study. Then did ”Wielder-of-the-Itlg-Key open wide the wigwam, and the youths and all the maidens, entering, brought the sunshine and the gladness of their youthful, happy hearts. Thus. long, long ago did the ’■Wkdder-of-the-BIg-Koy ' ever keep the key that closed the wigwam of that tribe of learned people living near the shore of Winnebago. “Keeper-of-thc-Council-Fire” Far to the westward near the shining Blg-ttea wall rs rose up a great volcano. For rains upon rains the spirit that dwelt therein had sent up his smoke continually. One day he neglected his fluty and so that day no smoke arose from the huge mouth of the mountains. The Great Spirit was very angry at this and he sahl to the spirit of the volcano. “'Sit more may you live here In peace. You shall go among the restless Northern Nation and there you shall have long and troublesome labttr In keeping the Council fires burning. This Oshkosh Nation will call you Kcepor-of-the-Council-Fire. The spirit of the volcano left his quiet home with sadness. Now no more does he neglect his fluty. Tin- smoke from his fires Is seen to rise slowly up, up until It gradually vanishes from the sight. »)

Page 30 text:

Mildred A. Coffman ”Quaint-of-Manner” In (lio roll Ion whonoe the warm South Win.I .loth blow, ami wliore there Im continual spring time. lived a thoughtful maiden. Sin wan not Ilk. other children: II w« her wont to sit quietly by ami thoughtfully watch tin children play In time she came to understand them won.Irons well. Then she heard a rail from the Northward.— Come unto us. Maiden wise, our children need your help. And for days she travelled, borne on by her friend (he South wind. At last she came t« u strange city of monstrous si . and here she found that she was sorely needed. Hard she worked, and each night, shadows brought her a message that the Spirit was pleased. One night all was silent, and as she waited listening, she fell Into a deep sleep. When she awakened she found herself In an upper chamber of a mighty Council House Here her life Is peaceful and secluded, but she loves to tell of the people to the southward among whom she has labored. R. E. GRUENHAGEN “Hit-the-Nail-on-the-Head” Some little Indians are had little Indiana. Tills Chief when be was a boy was one of that kind. He did not wish to be civilized. Barefooted, lie hunted and tlslicl. He. heeded not the councils. Misfortune overlook him and he was sent away to learn wisdom He went to big schools. One was .-ailed the Oslikosh High. Another one was the University of Wisconsin. There he learned to understand the big black engines. Ugh’ how greasy and black he used to get. but he did not care; he was not vet civilized. Many winters passed liy. The young Brave Iwid grown to be u big warrior. Chief “Hit-the-Nall-On-the-Head lie was called: for many things he could fashion out of wood. He could drive the nail straight and true, wherefore lie was called to teach others his secrets. He found his way to the Tribes of Oshkosh. Now he wanders among the Braves and Maidens, teaching them much wisdom. Now Is he civilized Myrtle Holmes ’Star-Beautiful” One a beautiful star came to earth. For a long time it had watched the endeavors and weak strivings of the Braves and Maidens after knowledge It said I love these Indian people and I shall go down and live with them and try to help them. So one night the star shot down, down and entered an upper chamber of the Great Found! Hall. Here the Braves and Maidens found her. They called her Star-Beautiful. and great was their love for her. When the Maidens ami Braves were tired from their labors they ascended to the lodge of Star Beautiful. and her sweet, beaming face and spirit thrilled them with new hope. Slowly departing they often wondered and •mentioned. How did we live before «»tir ‘Stur-Bcautlful came? Mrs. Mabel Riordan Cheerful-Solver-of-All-Questions” In a small tepee adjoining the lodge of the High Chief. Keeper-of-the-Paths-of-Men. lives she that answereth all things. She did not always live In this small tepee. When a little child she wandered happy and care free This little girl had one hud habit. She wanted to know everything. She bothered the warriors when they were smoking their peace pipe In their councils. She bothered tile women with her •im-stlous When they were cooking their lords supper. One day she wandered Into the woods On the mossy ground she saw an old chief sleeping. Her mind was full of questions; she woke the old chief to ask the questions of him. He was very angry and black, thunderous looks overspread Ills face Much frightened, she started to run away, but the htg chief caught her. crying. Why have you wakened me from my winter slumbers to ask those foolish questions? You shall he punished. Kverywhere you go. shall questions be asked of yon that shall make you weary and sick at heart, hut you must cheerfully answer them, no matter wtiat they may be. -JX

Page 32 text:

Senior Legend Thrice the summer sun has journeyed northward toward the frozen regions, southward toward the land of sunshine; thrice and once again has journeyed since these Seniors came among us. Some there were who knew the pitfalls, knew the dangers threatening Freshmen, for had they not tarried lately in the Training Schools? But those other ones who entered from the forests and the prairies, wrestled with examinations; tresh were they, aye. fresh and verdant to the ways of this, our nation. But. alas, for all these Freshmen! Little could sophistication or the lack of it avail them! Chieftain, sachems, upper classmen failed alike to understand them, withheld from them the great homage due their age and vast importance; treated them like mere papooses, teaching them much needed lessons in the way of speech and manners. And the Freshmen hearts were bitter, and they prayed to the Great Spirit for the sure and speedy dawning of the day of their deliverance, of the day that made them Sophomores. As when in the early springtime, from the bare and lifeless branches bursts the fresh and lovely verdure, so our Freshmen blossomed quickly into buoyant Sophomores. Gone was then the timid-fawn-look, gone the awkward rustic manner. And the scornful, haughty glances they bestowed upon all Freshmen, showed how deep and wide a chasm they had crossed in one brief season. Lest as Juniors in the national they esteem themselves too highly; lest they grow too proud and boastful, and become a public nuisance, the Great Spirit sent to join them youths and maidens without number. Graduates these were of High Schools, and they came from many nations. Many tongues and many customs were thus introduced among us. and our little band of Juniors, by these others far outnumbered. yielded, not without reluctance, to the law of strength through union, and became most loyal members of the mighty class of Juniors. Not like towering pines in stature, nor like boulders by the seashore; but like oaken trees these Juniors, reaching high enough toward heaven to receive its air and sunshine; stout enough in bark and fiber to withstand its storms and tempests; clear in grain, and fine and perfect without knot or sign of weakness. And their chosen work of teaching may be likened to the oak tree, in the shade and the protection which it gives to weary travellers. Well they loved the council chamber and the social joys it offered; well they loved the spreads and picnics and the trips on lake and river. They are now no longer Juniors. Seniors are they, awe-inspiring, full of dignity and purpose. Now remains no slightest vestige of the verdant youth or maiden,-types so evident aforetime but instead we see a body of young Braves and Maidens earnest, working side by side harmoniously, filled with what we call school spirit, setting to the other students an example strong of union and of dignity and labor. A few more moons, and this great nation, disbanded will be for a season; no more to this council chamber will return these well-loved Seniors. Forth they go from Oshkosh nation, some to distant tribes and peoples, each to win his place of honor in the records of our nation. Gitchee Manitou the Mighty, whisper to them words of wisdom, fill their hearts with understanding that success may crown their efforts. jo