Westbrook High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Westbrook, ME)

Page 33 text:

Utne Blue anb white Z7 rocks. Oan't some of the braves dig them up for me? No, they are very busy, was the laconic answer. Oh, no they're not, was the calm retort. Ugh, replied the stubborn Enni. However, the wise Laoh saw the expression of his face and guessed that she would have her way if she teased no more. And, indeed, who could have withstood the bewitching little pleader? When the braves received their orders, they readily consented to the labor of love and dug many, many feet into the mountain-side with their awkward, self-fashioned picks. Con- stantly, however, they came to large pieces of the shining rockg the little girl was exultantly happy to have so many of the beautiful stones to deco- rate her little Wigwam. One day a white man from North America came paddling up the river by the side of the little Indian settle- ment. The old chief greeted the paleface kindly and gave him food to eat and water to drink and a place to sleep. The stranger was grateful and accept- ed the hospitality for the night.. Next morning, as he was about to leave, the chief's little granddaughter skipped merrily into the Wigwam, but paused at the sight of the stranger, whose gaze appeared to be rivited upon the child's moccasined feet. After the first astonishment, the little girl let her eyes follow the direction of the man's glance till they rested on her moccasin. fThen, indeed, her bewilderment grewl. What could there be about her moccasin which seemed to in- terest this man so? She wondered, and she looked at the pale stranger with questioning eyes. He made her understand that it was the little shin- ing pebble set in the toe-clasp that interested him. When she under- stood him, she laughingly seized his hand and drew him toward her own little tepee, where on every hand lay pieces of rock encrusted with the sparkling gems. ' As little Laoh saw the stranger's look of bewilderment and admiration, she fetched a little box from which she took five glistening pebbles. These she presented, without cere- mony, to the stranger. At first he refused to take them, but seeing the hurt lookin the chi1d's face, he ac- cepted, realizing of what little value they were to her and of what inesti- mable value they would be to him. u Six months after the visit of this white stranger, he returned, this time accompanied by a score of men, all carrying strange looking implements. The following year found a great, busy mining camp located on the land where the Sabigans had hunted and fished in peace amid the quiet of the forests. Before the echo of the first pick-axe had scarcely ceased, the old chief died, heartbroken. His Indian braves, however, soon learned the new lang- uage, entered the service of the white men, and now looked back upon their happy past only as a beautiful dream that had been ruthlessly broken. And the poor, little Laoh. in spite of the desire of her paleface friend to make her happy in his own home, surrounded by comforts and love of her adopted father, grew daily quieter. Her dark eyes betrayed her yearning. One night, unable to sleep, the girl rose and went quietly out of the

Page 32 text:

26 T mba Blue ante white Scrub? Nurse? Sew? Anything that she could do would bring her bread. Sew? That was a word that brought a ray of hope in her dark hour. Yes, she could sew. Happily her American mother had retained enough of the spirit of her practical American home to teach Jeanne how to use the needle. How she blessed her mother for taking such pains with her sewing. It may come handy some dayj' her mother had laughingly said. Now it was Jeanne's friend in need. .She was taken into the hospital and given food and shelter. Now day by day she busily plies her needle, making things that are needed in the hospital and at the front. Sometimes, as she lifts her eyes to the blue sky beyond the hills, does she yearn for the chateau by the sea? A momentary longing may pos- sess her thoughts, but her heart is so thoroughly in her work that she feels no unrest nor counts her task a bur- den. Out of her trouble has been born a new woman, fully consecrated to her country's service. ' LAWRENCE H. PLAISTED, '18. ALL FOR A TINY STONE. Down deep in the bowels of Mother Earth long centuries ago, lay a great lake of seething carbon. Thousands of years passed. Then great evolu- tions shook and rent this old planet until Mother Earth was forced to yield up her marvelous treasure. The greatmass of boiling liquid thus thrown to the surface, flowed into every cran- ney of the rocks and in the course of ages become crystallized, and lay in its mountain bed, a shapeless mass of sparkling glory. When man came upon the earth he slowly but surely set about to dis- cover naturels mysterious and beauti- ful secrets, this all in the interest of civilization. And so it came about that a little tribe of Indians chose one of these mountain lands for a camping ground. These children of nature were happy and content, feeling that the Great Spirit had willed that this country should be theirs for always. Their chief, although an old, old man, was still loved and respected by his braves. His only living relative was a little granddaughter, the pride and joy of her grandsire's heart, and the darling of the tribe. One day as little Laoh walked by the side of the river, a bright, gleam- ing stone attracted her attention. She bent and picked it up to examine it more closely. How brilliant it Was! It almost seemed to be on fire. Where could it have come from? With the jewel in her hand she ran swiftly back to her grandsire's Wigwam. Oh, Enni Enni see what I've found I Laoh shouted joyously to her grandfather as she sprung madly into the Wigwam. Her grandfather turned slowly and with a great show of dignity but with- out the least sign of curiosity regard- ing the find. However, at the sight of his adorable granddaughter, his grim countenance softened into one of his rare smiles, for the expectant, childish face was a truly beautiful spectacle. Well? he grunted. But see Enni, it is a pretty stone which seems to be on fire. Isn't it wonderful? Ugh, ejaculated the impassive chieftain. Enni, I want some more of them, was the next imperious decisions. There must be some more in the

Page 34 text:

28 Ghz 381112 ante white house, down to the swiftly flowing river, beside which she had lived all her life. For long minutes she gazed into its dark depths, and then she murmured to herself, Oh, thou Great Spirit, all for a tiny stone! Then quietly she raised her arms above her head, made one resolute dive and sank beneath those silent waters, while civilization marched on. Esfrnun HUs'roN, '18. AN ILLEGAL BANQUET. There's a hamper for you, Rug- gles, announced Bates. Shall I help you take it up to your study? Ruggles accepted the offer, but without much show of gratitude, well knowing what the favor meant. Yes, come on, he replied. The two boys carried up the hamper, and began unpacking it at once. While the strings were as yet uncut, there came a knock at the door, fol- lowed by an eager Ruggles, want a knife? Got one, answered the hero of the hamper, but come in, Seely. Want a plate or two for cakes and cookies?'l asked another almost im- mediately. Come in, if it's you, Smithson, rejoined Ruggles, You can have my big biscuittin, if you like, Ruggles, offered a fifth aspirant for some of the good things. The lord of the banquet, addressing the hungry lad as Stedway, bade him enter. Shortly after came a penitent voice from Mitford saying, Ruggles, I'm sorry I called you a cad. Can I come in and make friends? No, shouted Ruggles, with his mouth full, you just keep away. There was silence for a time with- out. Then came a final appeal, you might give a fellow a bit of cake, but this met with no response. Hoping that Ruggles would relent, the disappointed Mitford still tarried. Presently he heard interesting con- versation within, and listened intent- ly as Ruggles remarked, You chaps all come to the dormitory tonight at ten. Of course, Smithson and Bates belong. Seely, you and Stedway can dodge perfect, can't you? We'll try, replied the two. Fm not going to ask Mitford,,' continued Ruggles. 'He's too cad- dish to me. Ruggles' guests agreed with him. In the face of this general feeling Mitford's heart grew heavy. He re- gained his spirits, however, as on the way to his room he thought of a scheme whereby he could get even with such mean fellows. Once with- in his room, it did not take him long to write the following: To James Rowe, Esq., Head Master, Upton House. Dear Sir:-We boys are to have a little supper party in my room at ten o'clock to- night, as I had a birthday hamper come this afternoon. We venture to hope you will oblige us by joining the feasters. We know it is rather cheeky, but we trust you will not mind. Yours truly, Ruggles, Stedway, Smithson, Bates, Seely. At ten that evening, the gas hav- ing been turned off, Ruggles lighted a candle, and three pajama-clad con-X spirators sprang lightly out of bed. It was not long before two associates in crime joined them from the west dormitory, and all fell to arranging the feast. Soon there was a tempting array of biscuits, cakes, different kinds of jam, a pot of ginger, ox tongue, sardines, and bottles of ginger-pop. Isn't it bully! exclaimed Bates,