Wilson Central School - Crest Yearbook (Wilson, NY)

Page 10 text:

His curly locks hung loosely over his shoulders in great tumbled masses. His eyes were of a bright, shiny blue and seemed full of laughter and sunshine, Still upon a closer examination they show'ed a trace of sorrow and suffering. His mouth was very small and delicate, slightly turned up at the corners. His chin was rounded as though it had been placed in a mould. His left sleeve hung loosely at his side, showing that one of his arms had been removed. The same German bomb that had crippled the little lad, had also been the cause of the death of his mother and little sister. His father had been killed some time before while in the service for France, and his brother a young man of eighteen had been wounded a few weeks later, after taking his father’s place. The young man was now in a base hospital. Was there any wonder that the little fellow’s eyes showed a trace of sorrow? His faithful old dog was all that he had left. Although his bare feet were sore and bleeding and his heart nearly broken with grief, he could not give up. He must push ahead with as much speed as his little tired limbs would allow, for he had a message for the General. This lie must carry without delay. Nearly twenty-four hours before, a large body of German Infantry passed through 'this town where once had been the home of many happy people, but was now a pile of scattered and uninhabited ruins. The heartless Huns had destroyed the entire village some time before by bombs dropped from aeroplanes. As the body of Germans halted in the ruined tow'n to rest and refresh themselves by a drink from a well in the center of the mass of ruins, the little lad, from his hiding place, discovered a young man in the uniform of a French soldier. The boy curiously crept forward and discovered that the the young man had been severely wounded. He had fallen to the ground never to arise again, and his captors, knowing that he could be of no further service to France, left him there. The boy crept nearer and as the young soldiers’ eyes fell upon him, his face brightened. He now realized that perhaps there was still hope of saving the dispatch, which had been entrusted to him, delivered to the General. Still he knew that there was much danger for he apprehended the cruelty of his captors. It was his only chance, so he feebly beckoned to the boy to draw near. The boy did so, and he told him the nearest way to reach the camp where the General was located. The young man paused. He closed his eyes. Then feebly opened them and looked directly into the face of the little fellow.

Page 9 text:

next day a petition was circulated that we should have school until four o’clock and be given our vacation. On November eleventh the armistice was signed and we were told that we should have our vacation November twenty-seventh. School was closed for the Thanksgiving vacation until December second. Soon after the vacation the seniors entertained the Juniors at the Wilsonian Club. We thought best to entertain the Juniors first and set a good example also there had been so many disputes when we were a Junior class over who should entertain first, that these all resulted in the Juniors and Seniors not having any parties last year and we surely did not want that to happen again. December twenty-fourth school closed for our promised vacation, and re-opened on January second. We found upon our return that Mabel Plumb had also returned and was again one of our crowd, also everyone was glad to see Rex back after being out so long with the “flu.” February tenth the Juniors entertained the Seniors at the Club and ithey certainly profited by the example we set for everyone had a most enjoyable time. By this time we had gained another member, Cora Anderson, which increased our roll to the “lucky thirteen.” March thirteenth was our last social gathering which was a candy pull at the home of Esther Johnson. Max and Charlie both attempted the laborious art of pulling candy, but both had to be helped out of their difficulty and Rex wouldn’t even attempt it. We also made a great discovery, that we have a donkey in our class, but we do not care because we couldn’t exist without her. March twenty-seventh the real work began for we started the Senior play, but we all can work and it surely is going to be a great success. April 9th “The Red and Blue” goes to press and we all await anxiously its results. E. A. J. '19. A French Hero. As he stepped from his hiding place from among the bushes by the roadside, he had the stately air and appearance of a general or an officer of higher rank, if there be such. But with all his stately airs and pride, he was nothing but a bright, suuny lad of eight.

Page 11 text:

“May I depend upon yon” he whispered. His answer was a cheery smile, a slight nod of the head and a gentle kiss upon the cheek. The young soldier smiled and closed his eyes. He had done his bit for France and now he could die in peace. The boy cautiously crept ,baclc to the ruins, and then to the meadows. He must reach the General, and it was upon this errand that we first saw him as he stepped from his hiding place by the side of the road. He did not realize that he was so near to the end of his journey until he was ordered to halt by an unseen friend. The boy did as he was commanded and stepped forward. The guard smiled, and asked what he wanted. The boy said that he wanted to see the General. The guard laughed, but finally consented, after looking at his sad and sorrowful face. He then directed him to the place w'here he might find the man, to whom the message was to be delivered. As he finished his message a puzzled look crossed the face of the General. Could it be true? Could this lrd know what he was saying? He would investigate. He did so and found that the boy’s statement was correct. A large detachment of French soldiers was soon on the way to check the movement of the enemy and a great victory was soon added to the credit of the noble French. Had it not been for the little boy the advance would not have been checked, and thus the Huns would have driven the French back. Was the litle lad proud? Why shouldn’t he be, he had done his bit for France. M. D. ’19. A. Dream. The other night I had the queerest dream and as it was all ;.bout members of the Senior class 1 thought it might interest you. My dream was sort of confusing as dreams are you know and perhaps it will be difficult to follow me in my travels thru Dreamland, however, I will try and be as explicit as possible.