Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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THE QUIVER 13 —hast thou no speech? Oh, horror! horror! (Rushes out.) Scene IV. Castle yard. • Elaine: Why, Father, we know not our own dwelling. Lord of Astolat: My good servant, thou art indeed an honorable man. Thou hast suffered the loss of thy tongue, but thou shalt be well repaid for the services rendered to us today. Whilst I do dwell within these poor walls, thou shalt be to me as one of the family. Lavaine: And I will always think of thee as our protector. Come Sister, let us to the hall, and give thanksgiving for our safety. Torre: Yea, it is but fitting. (Exeunt). MARGARET M. DONAHUE, ’21 “DOLLARS OR LIVES?” America, a tall, beautiful woman, stood in her pantry looking with a satisfied air at the well-stocked shelves. The barrels were well filled with flour, wheat, corn meal, etc. She went to each barrel and looked also into the different bins as she mused to herself : “I shall have a large surplus this year. I wonder where I can sell my surplus for the largest amount of money?” Her musings were suddenly interrupted by the peal of the doorbell, and she passed through her luxurious home to meet her caller. At the door stood a neighbor, Europe, a much older woman than America. Her face was sorrowful; her clothes were poor. Her sorrow had been caused by the quarreling among her children. She stepped into America’s parlor, and said, “America, I must have food for my children. My oider children, England, France, Spain and Italy, are again in their fields, and do not need help; but they are unable to give aid to my smaller children, who are still weak and who are struggling bravely for life.” America answered, “But, Europe, I have given you a great deal of food already. Why, only yesterday, I sent some clothing and food for the Near East Relief.” Europe shook her head sadly and answered, “America, come over to see my house and family. When you see them, you will understand.” America consented, and they wended their way to Europe’s shattered dwelling. They entered and Europe led the way to the

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12 THE QUIVER THE COMING OF THE DANES TO ASTOLAT Scene I. A meadow near Astolat. Lord of Astolat: Daughter, these times fill me with woe. We know not what moment we may be set upon by a Danish horde. Elaine: Fear not, Father, the Lord is all merciful. Lord of Astolat: Where are thy brothers? I would they were here. Methinks I hear a distant tramp; thinkest thou so? Enter servant and the two sons. Servant: Flee, my lord! Make all haste! The heathen Danes are but a few paces away. Soon they will overrun the place. I do beg thee to flee. Torre (son of Lord of Astolat) : Ay, Father, I did see them with mine own eyes. Lavaine (younger son); And I, also. Come, “Lily maid of Astolat ' this is no time to muse! Lord of Astolat: My children, to the boatman’s hut by the river! Torre, Lavaine, look to your sister. I follow after. Get thee hence. (Exeunt as the Danes enter the gate.) 1st Dane: Churl, where is thy master? 2nd Dane: Thou hadst best tell us, or thou wilt fare the worse! 3rd Dane: Make answer with haste. It profits us not to wait all day. 1st Dane: I say, what does thy master? Servant: No answer will I make. 2nd Dane: Then you’ll fare the worse for it. 1st Dane: No honor to us to slaughter this dog! Out with his tongue! 3rd Dane: Ay! I shall do it at they command. (He d.ags him one side.) 1st Dane: We will help ourselves to the spoils. (They retreat in triumph.) Scene II. Boatman’s hut. Lord of Astolat: I fear for the safety of our faithful servant. Torre: Belike he hath fallen into heathen hands. Lavaine: Nay, Father, I pray thee, give me leave to seek hint No harm can come to me. Lord of Astolat: I do not— Lavaine: Give me but one word, and I go. (Exit). Scene III. Castle yard. Lavaine: Speak, good servant, speak. How dost thou? What

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14 THE QUIVER parlor. There was a young girl reclining on a sofa. She was very, very weak. Europe drew America aside and said, “There is Poland, who is struggling to become strong like her other brothers and sisters; but how can she become strong when she is starving to death ? A young man, thin, but sleek, with long finger-nails that would cut the flesh if they came in contact with it, sat near the sofa, bending towards the young girl as though he were beseeching her to do something. Europe frowned and said, “America, Poland is struggling to overcome this persistent and dangerous lover, Bolshevism. He promises that if she will marry him, he will provide the necessary remedy that will make her strong and well, better off, in fact, than her brothers and sisters. While Poland has strength she will resist Bolshevism, but she is losing her strength and will accept if no other means are offered. Come this way. Europe led America up a pair of stairs to a bedroom where a young woman lay ill. Europe said, “There is Armenia. She is beautiful, but has been tortured for years by that terrible disease, the Turk. It is killing her by inches. She bravely fights it, but she cannot hold out much longer, for I cannot give her the nourishment she needs. She is also wooed by Bolshevism, for his belief allows him to have more than one wife. She is strong enough to fight him now, but she is rapidly becoming weaker. Europe then led America through the rest of the house, showing her all her smaller children, who were weak and were being overcome by disease. Outside again Europe continued: “You have seen for yourself; you understand my circumstances. I do not ask that you give with out expecting a return. I ask for a loan. Only a little of your surplus foodstuffs would give the proper nourishment to my children and make them strong again to resist temptation and disease, that would lead them to ruin. Think, America !• I entreat you to think of what will become of my children if they are offered no helping hand. If Poland and Armenia marry Bolshevism, their children and their children’s children will mean numbers added to the cause of Bolshevism. It will then be a greater fight for you. It will mean the loss of life of your own children. America thought several minutes, then replied, “I will consider it and tell you tomorrow.”