Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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24 THE T A R G E, T almost deathlike, although every now and then the crack of a sniper’s rifle could be heard. When the boys left the train they learned that one of the most desperate battles of the war had just been fought here. They were stationed in one of the rear trenches where they were to wait for further orders. And orders, which thrilled even the dullest hearts, soon came, for their regiment was to relieve another which had been occupying the first line from time to time for the last two months. They soon were on the march, and brought up at their trench that even- ing. It was well protected by sand bags, and was not like some of them, muddy and cramped. They were hardly settled when they noticed movements in the enemy’s trenches which seemed preparatory to an- other attack. The inference was cor- rect for very soon the enemy rose from their trenches in absolute si- lence and formed their ranks with- out the least confusion. Then, si- lently and in perfect order, they made at double quick for Joe’s trench. In the meantime, however, things had been happening on our side. Ma- chine guns had been fixed in place, rifles examined, and even the big guns in the rear had been telephoned as to the position and movements of the enemy. Suddenly the Germans broke into a fast run and in an incredibly short time entered our trenches with a shout. Immediately the dim, which the boys had heard on the train, was renewed. Joe, as flag bearer, was attacked oftener than the other sol- diers and soon almost overcome by exhaustion. Suddenly he felt a stinging sensation in his right shoul- der, and on looking down found blood running down his chest. Now, with his right had disabled, he made a vain attempt to hold the flag and keep off the enemy with his left. As lie felt himself gradually growing weaker, he called a comrade, who was fighting near him, and said, “Will, I won’t be able to hold the flag much longer, for I caught a bullet in my right shoulder. Come quickly.” Will rushed up to him just in time to grasp the staff as Joe fell, gasping,, “Stand by the flag, Will.” JOHN ELDREDGE. SECRETS. Oh tall and stately redwood, Oh softly rustling pine, That whisper in the breezes Your secrets I wish were mine. Oh grand and solemn forest. Your secrets you ne’er tell, Save to the silent flowers Or the Dryads in the dell. DOROTHY BATTEE. MARY’S SURPRISE PARTY. “Croak, croak. My but that’s nice,” said Mr. Croaker Frog as he read an invitation from Fluff, one of the fairies who take care of the rushes that grow on the river bank. It had just arrived that morning by the Snail Express, and read: “Dear Croaker, Please come to my house at five o’clock to-morrow morning as I am going to give a surprise party in honor of Mary. The guests will meet at my house, and then go in a body to the oak tree in the middle of the meadow by the pond. Please wear your best clothes. “Your old friend, “FLUFF. “P. S. — Do not bother about re- freshments as they will be served at Dewdrop Inn by the old bridge.”

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THE TAR G E T 23 Our Flag By FRANCES B. SEYMOUR. See my country’s flag on high, See it wave o’er yonder hill. For that flag Fll live, and die, No other flag its place could fill. There’s a subtle dignity in its wave, Old glory’s honor can never lag; We’ll all stand for it,— the weak, the brave, Dear starred and striped, beloved flag. OUR BANNER. Hail, to our flag, which o’er us doth wave, Honored by all, for to us it gives Freedom, liberty and justice to all In the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Red stands for loyalty, blue for the brave, White is for purity, the stars for the states. Three cheers for the banner which always shall wave “O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” PHYLLIS HARMS. THE REASON. It’s not for any mortal’s gain. And not to brag of gore Which they have shed on the battle field, ' That true men go to war. It’s not to gain a well known name, As knights would do of yore, For wealth, or praise, or highest rank, T hat true men go to war. The true man doesn’t lose his life To be enrolled in lore; Because he loves his own dear land. The true man goes to war. WILLIAM WARREN. THE SPIRIT OF SEVENTEEN. Hark! do you hear the bugle s blast The drum beats’ echoing roll, The fiife’s shrill cry, as when in the past Men rallied to freedom’s goal? Can you see the flag afloat in the air The eagle above awing? Do you feel the pulse of a nation stir To war-time marching swing? The spirit of seventy-six, of old, Is born again today. We’ve pledged our faith — a faith we’ll hold, To “A World of Liberty.” EDWARD SCOTT. FOR THE FLAG. Toe, the flag bearer of his com- pany, was only nineteen years old and could still be called new to the service. As the boys were on their way to the front there was great con- fusion and crowding at the sta- tions through which they passed. They were approaching the trenches and they neared their destination they heard the roar of cannon and the reports of shells bursting, which became almost deafening. Suddenly the awful din ceased, and the silence which followed seemed

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THE TARGET 25 “Well, well; I must practice in or- der to live up to my reputation of being the best croaker in the land.” When the day of the party dawned, Croaker could hardly wait to put on his shiny new green dress suit. Finally the appointed hour arrived, so he gathered up his music and hopped off to Fluff’s house where guests were rapidly assembling. After exchanging greetings the whole merry crowd trooped off to the big oak. Here they saw, to their great delight, that the fairy carpen- ters had put up a wonderful dancing platform by order of the Fairy Queen, who just loved to spring pleasant surprise on her friends. They decided to hide under the platform and pop out suddenly on May as she passed by. Soon May ar- rived in her chariot drawn by but- terflies. She was simply overwhelmed by the delightful surprise. After greetings the dance was on. Croaker never had such fun in his life. He danced every dance though he became somewhat winded at times. At sundown they set out for Dew- drop Inn, where they had delicious refreshments consisting of butterfly sandwiches, elder-berry wine, huckle- berries with blueberry sauce, and frozen honey garnished with candied violets. It was so dark when they finally stared for home that the Queen or- dered her fireflies to light the paths for them. Mr. Frog, whose croak was more fascinating than ever, es- corted several ladies home and went to bed so happy, that he dreamed sweet dreams of all that had hap- pened during the day. BARBARA H. AMES. Miss Hartley in L. 9Music: “Go back to Heaven.” TROUBLE AHEAD. One night just before a certain train pulled out of the station, the engineer, who was noted for being very superstitious, told the crew that he had a feeling that something dreadful was going to happen. The men paid no attention to him as they had heard him express such fears on other occasions ,and laugh- ingly boarded the train. After traveling several miles, the engineer noticed that from time to time a flickering shadow suddenly appeared, kept a pace with the train, and just as suddenly disappeared again. He became very worried, as he could not account for it in any way. After the third occurrence he became so alarmed that he was un- able to run the train. Calling the crew together he told them what had happened. They tried to seem in- terested, but judging from the smiles on their faces it was evident that they did not take the matter seriously. Two of the trainmen, who knew the engineer’s failing, gave no heed at all to his words, and walked around a bend in the road to smoke. In a few seconds they came running back, shouting at the top of their voices, “The bridge is broken!” The engineer called back, “I knew it, I knew it. I told you something was going to happen.” When the excitement over this dis- covery was at its height, behold! the shadow appeared again. At this, the terror-stricken engineer lost control of himself entirely, but his more practical fellow-workers began an investigation of its cause, and found — a little moth caught in the head- ] ' g h t- ETHEL ALLEN. Mr. Beardsley: “President Taft is good in his way and he weighs a lot.”