Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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THE QUIVER “KONNITVERSTAND” ( Told nit in German a few years ago) There often conies a time in the life of a man when he becomes dissatisfied with his jxisition in the world and longs to throw off the shackles which bind him. Some resist the temptation, while others yield to it and venture forth to gain honor and wealth for themselves. There had come such a time in the life of Hans Vedder. and he yielded to the temptation without the least reluctance. He set out from his native village in (Germany toward Amsterdam, Holland, where lie was certain lie would make a name for himself. A month later, our hero was walking the street of Amsterdam without a single farthing in his pockets, thinking of the wrongs he had suffered in this cruel, cruel world. As lie delated in bis mind whether lie should go back home or not, his gaze fixed itself on a handsome dwelling-house, ornamented and decorated in the l est of style. “All. would that I owned such a house!” Hans exclaimed, and lie determined to ask a passerby who the jxissessor was. As lie could neither speak nor understand Dutch, lie put his query in (ierman. The answer was, “Kan-nitverstand.” which means in Dutch. “1 do not understand. '•sannitverstand!” lie ejaculated and walked on his way. contrasting bis mode of life with that of Kannitverstand. Suddenly hearing shouts, lie looked up and found himself near the harbor with its forest of masts. )ne ship, fairly bursting with goods, was lieing unloaded. He determined to find out the identity of the owner of this huge schooner, so he stopjied one of the men carrying a heavy load on his shoulders and apjiealed to him.

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Thk Quiver Hoard, 1926

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16 THE QUIVER How surprised Hans was when the man, looking angrily at him. shouted “Kannitvers'.and!” Again he resumed his walk, his thoughts now taking a more somher trend. “Why should one man have so much wealth, while others suffer in want?” he thought. Again he was aroused, this time by the treading of feet. A hearse, on which lay a massive silver coffin, decked with flowers, was slowly winding its way down the street, followed by a crowd of men and women. The deceased must have been a very rich man. Going over to one of the followers, Hans asked him the dead man’s name. How amazed he was when he again received the answer, ' Kannit-verstand!” “Ah, poor Kannitverstand !” lie exclaimed, “what enjoyment will your wealth bring you in the cold, dark grave? How much better off am I. although poor and wretched, since I may enjoy this blessed life God gave to us all!” Charles Mreuman. ’26. MY FIRST SWEETHEART One day. as 1 sat on Grandfather’s knee, listening to one of his many stories, he noticed that 1 was not giving him my usual attention. “V hat is the matter with mv little girl today? he asked. “Nothing, Grandpa. I answered. “Yes, there is. Now don’t you try to fool an old fool, ’cause you can’t! You just tell me what the matter is and I’ll see what 1 can do. Come, now. what is it ?” “Well, 1 said, gazing at one of the buttons on his coat, “I wish I had a sweetheart like Ruth’s—one that would send me flowers and candy.” Alxjut a week after that episode came Valentine’s Day, bringing Ruth a lovely bunch of violets. ()f course, I had been over to see them and had admired them, wishing, all the time, that I had been the fortunate one. So absorbed was I in thinking alxiut myself and wishing that I were eighteen— instead of five years old—that for fully five minutes after 1 returned home 1 sat in the living room, without noticing the large, red. heart-shaped lx x on the table. When I did see it. 1 found. “To my sweetheart, from ()ne who loves her.” How thrilled I was! 1 ran. with the box. right over to Ruth’s, and so excited was 1 that I almost spilled the candy on the floor in showing it to her.