Oriole and Tower-Light, 1922-1927, Part 38

Author: Maryland State Normal School (Towson, Md.)
Publication date: 1922-1927
Publisher: Maryland State Normal School (Towson, Md.)
Number of Pages: 1024

USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Towson > Oriole and Tower-Light, 1922-1927 > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

of joy, especially from Wilmont, who had now become an officer. This, by the way, had caused Clint to despise him more and more.

The last evening in New York was spent by the boys disenss- ing the wonderful prospects of their trip across. A chilly, drizzling rain was falling and they were off to their bunks at an early hour so they could rise early on the morning of departure. But Clint knew all was over and his manifestations of sorrow and distress made things unhappy for all. Clint was sitting on his bunk with his face half buried in his hands, and as Wilmont looked at him, he longed to go and cheer him up, but he dared not advanee a step.

On the day of departure, a display of patriotic daring was witnessed. The scene was indeseribable. The morning was bright and cool. the water was calm, in short, everything was favorable for sailing. Now, that the soldiers were aboard, a day of relaxation from the rigorous routine of drill was given them. Orders were given for them to engage in sports and amuse themselves in such sports as they chose. The men, released from the toilsome duties which for weeks had pressed upon them to the entire exelusion of everything like pleasure, entered upon the enjoyment of the oeeasion with the keenest zest. Fiddles were produced and while in one part of the ship daneing was going on, in another part groups sur- rounded Wilmont, their singer, who, to the accompaniment of an old fiddle, was singing songs of home. Others were writing to their mothers, their sweethearts, but Clint sat leaning over the Bible his mother had given him before her death. Some lounged about, some said nothing, others thought nothing.

The routine of the ship proceeded monotonously, making the days pass slowly and more slowly. There was no thought or pre- sentiment of the awful seene so soon to present itself, but it is always the unexpected that happens. Suddenly the seene was changed. In the twinkling of an eye, every man was filled with exeitement. A submarine had disabled their ship, but it was too far away to do much damage. In the uproar, the Captain glanced out into the water and spied two figures battling for life. Those safe on board could hear some one saying, "Save me, Wilmont ! Save me!"

The only answer was "I will try."

"It is Wilmont and Clint," came the sudden eries from aboard. "We must save them."

Life savers were thrown out and sinee the boys were drifting toward the ship's side, they grabbed the savers. In a few seconds they landed both safely on board.

Night had fallen and only the conversation between Wilmont and Clint broke the deep, midnight stillness. "Forgive me, Wilmont, may we never have cause to be angry with one another again. I owe my life to you." With these words he fell, as though lifeless, on his bed, and Wilmont kissed him good night without the least feeling of ill-will towards him.

They reached France safe and sound after a few days, and their first abode was Paris. At sunrise they could hear the noise of battle, the fire of the German guns approaching nearer and nearer. They were ordered to the trenehes. Here and there they could see hundreds lying around, horribly mutilated by the shot and shell. These sights only spurred them on.

In a very hard struggle, some were killed, others slightly hurt, but Wi'lmont was seriously wounded, and no doubt would have died in the trenches if Clint had not seen to it that he was taken to a hospital.

For six months Wilmont lay pale and wan in the hospital. ( lint never failed to come and see him during his spare minutes.

The end of the year had eome, yet Wilmont stirred not from his bed, until one cold evening Clint whispered to him, "Wilmont, when do you leave for home?'

He answered slowly, "Don't mention it. God only knows when I shall ever look upon the faees of the loved ones at home. I have been thinking, thinking, if, when I should return. my mother would receive me as her only son. I fear-"

Clint eagerly interrupted. "As soon as you are able to get out of your bed, we are going to leave for the good old U. S. A. Cap- tain Reynolds told me today that we had been so faithful and had fought so well, that we deserved a reward, and that it should be a trip home. We are given three weeks. Think of it, Wilmont, I have no home to go to, but you. you have!"

Wilmont did not seem to breathe, but there was upon his face a deep smile, one of joy, of gratitude. In a few weeks he was able to leave. Oh, what a joyful trip across the ocean! After landing, Wilmont hurried to his home, Clint accompanying him.

For a whole year Wilmont's mother had been praying for her hoy's return and in the dim twilight, as she sat by the glowing fire- place, there eame a sound beside the noise of the storm withont, it was a sound of footsteps, a hand upon the lateh, the door was pushed open, letting in a blinding rush of snow and iey air. Before the motionless figure in the chair stood her boy. She sat, oh, so still, but at his touch the blood leaped to her cheeks, and giving a ery of joy so sharp that it rang on the air, she fell forward on his breast. For many minutes they remained without sound or motion, lost in the rapture of their rennion, and only the raging storm outside broke the golden silence within.

At last he drew away from her and looked into her face. Where were the fair and youthful features he had left behind him -where, the bloom and brightness? As he gazed at her he seemed to see death written on her face. She kissed him and said, "My dear boy, I am very happy. God has been good, he has heard my prayer; he has brought you baek to me." With this she sank ex- hausted in her ehair.

He went on talking in the wild hope of rousing her. "Would you like to hear how I passed this long year away from you? It's a long, long, story of marches and battles, with sometimes vietory, sometimes defeat, with cold and hunger and fatigue and innumerable hardships, but we were soldiers, fighting for our country's good, and we did not complain. The hardest of all to bear was the ab- sence from home, without hearing a word. I was wounded and in the hospital, but I came out as strong as ever."

He knelt beside her, she held out her arms to him, whispering : " My boy"-and then passed into another world.

Wilmont now had very little to live for, except his country. After a few days stay, he and Clint, closer friends than ever, boarder the ship which carried them back to France and service.

SADIE UHLER, Sr. I.

SELF SATISFACTION.

I wish I were possessed of talents which might enable me to conquer that great menace to human society, known as self satis- faction. How much more we might accomplish if this demon did not have such influence over us! Some of us, to a greater extent than others, yield to his ever-inereasing power, but even over the most ambitious persons he has some control.

Of course, we can't all be leaders in our respective fields, but we can desire to be. It is easy enough to repeat what someone else has done, so why not have a little initiative of our own and start something original ourselves ?

Let us reflect for a moment on the familiar scene of a country village. In front of the village grocery we find the town constable. I do not mean to east any reflection on such an important position as this citizen holds, but I should like to use him as an illustration of what I am driving at. There he sits on the old familiar soap box, shoes half laeed with old broken twine, socks ungartered and hang- ing loosely about his shoe tops. He is gazing intently at nothing and chewing his eud of tobaeeo by the same old motion he learned when he was a boy, from the old cow.

Then we think to ourselves; why couldn't that man have been an engineer, a professor in a university, or for that matter, even the president of the United States? Didn't he have the brain ? Didn't he have the opportunity to go to publie school and from there to college? Then comes the answer. .. .. He was making a living. He was satisfied with himself. He had no other objective. He had nothing to fight for. He had no goal ahead, no desire what- ever, to progress, but just to sit there on that old soap box day in and day out and run opposition to the old con across the road.

Let us now consider a man of the opposite type; a man of ambition and determination. There is no character in history who

better represents this type than Alexander the Great. This man, whose ideals surmonnted his every diffienlty, when he was victorious in battle, and was successful in putting to flight the mighty host of Persians, did he conclude his con quests here? Did he accept the peace proposal of Darins, which offered the Euphrates as a bonn- dary line between the Persians and the Greeks, and live happily ever after? No! And when advised to do so by his counselor, Parmenio, he tore the proposal into shreds and made further preparations, not only for the subjugation of the Persians, but for a world empire, dominated by Greek civilization.

What is the objective of each member of the student body? Each of us has a purpose in coming here to school. To be sure. some have higher aims than others, but every one has that incentive to climb to the highest possible round of the ladder.

So then, while we have the opportunity to advance toward our ambition, let us make the best of our chances. Do not be con- tent with being a satellite; be a star of the first magnitude. Let us shine through onr deeds, through our bodily efforts, through our mental attainments, and above all. through the vision of our spir- itual eye.

J. S. PRICE.

BLUE BLOOD.

It ain't the guns nor armament, nor funds that they can pay, But the close co-operation that makes them win the day. It ain't the individual, nor the army as a whole,

But the everlastin' team-work of every blooming soul.

Kipling.

Dirty and ngly he eronched in the gunwale of the life-boat. One might truthfully say he was a model of Atlas, on whose shoul- ders, they say, the world rests. In the stern sat his opposite, a elean- shaven stalwart son of Old England. One could not put forward a single word against the statement that "blue blood" ran in his veins.

Hour after hour the two sat there, never speaking, but ever watchful for a friendly sail over the bonndless horizon. At last the dirty coal-heaver moved and spoke. "What'a we got for grub?" The animal instinet had won.

Silently, the Englishman moved and took from a haversack thrown over his back, a drink of brandy apiece, and two hardtaek biscuits.

The sailor took his share and hastily put it away, while the Englishman ate slowly. watching the while, the sailor's animal actions.

The day passed slowly, but with the coming of night a speek appeared on the horizon, closely resembling a hugh point on a coast line. Only the Englishman saw it. As night drew rapidly on, it soon faded from sight.

The ocean became quiet and under the starry canopy of the skies, the little boat sped gaily along, blown by the warm South winds. Is it any wonder that under such circumstances these men's thoughts, though widely different in character, should seek expres- sion ? The college man spoke first.

"Do you know that though some people are of the opinion that only in the veins of the aristocracy is there to be found blue blood. I believe it is in nearly every man, and when the occasion arises, it will come forth and show itself in its true form."

All uncomprehendingly, the sailor merely expressed himself by a loud "bah !"

"It's strength that counts with de men, dis blue blood stuff may be all O. K. wid de big bugs, but in the coal heavers union, it's all nixy."

The Englishman remained silent and the other, muttering to himself, soon fell asleep. All through the night, he of the "blue blood" kept watch, in hope of sighting land, but when the faint crimson darts of the sun began to illuminate the dark waste, only a heaving mass of billows met his tires eyes.

Soon the big man awoke, and dividing the last of his rations with his companion, the Englishman immediately fell asleep. When he awoke, night had enfolded them once more. Silently the little boat swept the waters as it had done the preceeding night, but the men's faces now showed more emphatically than ever, the strain they had been and were under. No sleep that night !

Dawn came, day passed and night once more, and before the dawn of a nother day the college man had on his hands, a stark. raving maniac.

Wearily and with weakened hand he guided the boat towards a distant object, which rapidly took on the form of an island. The sailor soon passed from the maniac stage, to one of a dead stupor, and fell on the floor of the boat. Unmindful, the helmsman kept on and just as the golden dusk of the tropical sun plunged into the ocean, beached his boat.

Dead with weariness, he managed to get his companion ashore before he fell asleep, exhausted.

On awakening. he found his companion in a delirious condi- tion. Then followed days and nights of endless watchfulness, until he had nursed his comrade back into health.

Two things worried him. One was the idea of rescue, and the other, how to avoid the band of man-eaters who came regularly to a beach not far away in order to carry out their practices.

One day the outcasts saw a schooner lying at anchor, and as day advanced they hurriedly made a flag out of their shirts and waved it in order to attract attention. Thank God they were seen- a boat put out to the shore, and scrambling down the hill they started for the beach.

Just then a band of savages burst forth from the forest in

wild pursuit of the fleeing men. In another moment the Englishman fell, breaking his leg. "Go on, go on," he cried. "Save yourself."

The sailor clambered down the steep cliff, hurrying as fast as he eould. Suddenly he stopped. What took place in his mind we know not, but immediately he climbed up the torturous path again to the fallen man.

The savages conld easily be heard breaking through the brush. Grasping his burden, he quiekly lowered himself once more. Arrows fell near the struggling figure, but still he kept on.

At last, when he thought he could go no further, strong hands gathered him and his burden, hurriedly placed them in a boat,-in blessed, beloved safety once more.

"] knew it was in you, 'blue blood,' " said the Englishman.

"Bah!" was the reply.

I leave it to you. What was it?

DONALD DAVIES, Sr. IV.

HOW THE VIOLET GOT ITS PURPLE COAT.

Once upon a time all the violets which grew on this earth were white. One day little Sue, who had big brown eyes and beau- tiful eurls, went skipping down to the woodside to play. Here, warm sunshine sifted through cool shade; there was a gurgling, drowsy brook, and best of all, there were many spring flowers already blossoming. Sue gathered many blossoms and was just going to go home when she found a large pateh of white violets. Soon the violets felt themselves being torn from their Mother stem and they thought they would die. Indeed, some of them were smothered from being so elose together away from air. But when they were taken into a cozy little room and placed in some cool, sparkling water, they began to revive. They looked about and saw an old lady, who was saying in a very weak voiee, "How these sweet little violets do cheer me, and make me cease thinking about my trou- bles!" After this the violets did not mind their fate so much. until they began getting weaker and weaker. and just as all such flowers do, they died and were thrown away.

As soon as the old lady missed the flowers, she asked Sue to get her some more. The little girl hurried off to the woodside, but found no violets. She returned to her grandmother with a sad face. but grandmother said, "Never mind. Susie dear, you may look again tomorrow, and probably some more will have opened." The next day Sue visited the violet patch again, but was no more suc- cussful than before.

By this time, Mother Nature had heard the story. Immedi- ately she flew off to the woodside and ealled to the violet plants, "Are there any of you who have not bloomed this spring?"

At first there was no answer, for the violets who had not bloomed, knew what had happened to their brothers and sisters.

Mother Nature was just about to fly away, when a tiny voiee ealled, "I am just getting ready to blossom."

: "You are very brave." said Mother Nature, "and 1 shall reward you for your bravery. Hereafter, all your flowers shall be a royal purple instead of white." With that she vanished. and from that day to this, there have been purple violets with golden crowns.

Emma Weiss, Sr. I.

THE VALLEY.

The day was fast drawing to a close as we started up the long, rocky slope which led to the jagged promontory above. On we struggled until our very hearts seemed like trip hammers pound- ing against our breasts. At last we reached the top and the sunlit valley. with all its splendors burst open before our eyes like the door of some huge furnace suddenly opened. Hundreds of feet below us it lay stretching away into infinite space, like a huge, green. carpet, indented here and there with fields of waving, golden grain or tasseled corn, like some delieate pattern of art. Here and there a solitary cabin stood. the sentinel of civilization in that lonely, secluded spot. In the distance, the slow, meandering river seemed to refleet the beauty of the place as it went murmuring softly on its way. Over all, the crimson beams of the sun just sinking in the West, seemed to throw a magic wand of gold, enriching the whole scene, and, striking the rippling water at a thousand different angles, refleeted its rays like myriads of diamonds.

MENARIS FRANCE, Sr. IV.

Mistress-Why are you feeding bird seed to the cat? I told you to feed the canary.

Maid-I know that. That is where the bird is.

Mother-Nothing seems to kill that rat. After giving it rat killer, rongh on rats, and goodness knows what, it's still running around.

Little Kenneth-Mother, why don't you give it ptomaine poison ?

Judge-What were yon doing singing at 12 o'clock at night ! Negro-I'se was a passing away de time, Judge.

Judge-Well, let's see if you can't pass away thirty days in jail.

Mr. Dubbleigh-"Why do you bring me so much water. Tommy? I merely asked for a drink."

Tommy-"I thought you'd need more than a glassful, 'cause sister said yon was the dryest old stick she ever knew."

PEN PICTURES OF THE FACULTY.

Drawn by Hazel Wright, Mabel Harrison, Alvina Trent, Ethel Jones.

Our Normal School Factulty is large, that's true, How can we portray each member to you ?

To sketch you a few things, we'll do our best-

So agree with our verdicts and guess the rest. MISS AMBERSON :

Pleasant and cheerful and always neat,

A kind of person you like to meet ;

With deft, useful hands, willing to lend,

Miss Amberson ranks as a true, sincere friend.

MISS AYRE

Miss Ayre is our Social Director fair, In work efficient, and charming in play,

She is always gracious and often gay, And has ever a kindly word to say.

MISS BIRDSONG-

With smiling lips, and eyes intent, Our specialist in Measurement Of Education, trots along. Long may live, our Miss Birdsong.

MR. BROOME-

He teaches Rural Sociology, He teaches it to you and me; Of Montgomery he is Superintendent, And to the Hall of Fame, he'll be sent.

MISS BUCKLEY- Sweet and charming, Happy and kind, An excellent teacher, Miss Buckley, you'll find.

MISS CARLEY- She's a small, lithe body, With a mind sagacious, Miss Carley, our Registrar, Is friendly and gracious.

MISS COOLEY- Miss Cooley stands for history, A word with meaning fraught; And we will carry on with us, The lesson she has taught. MISS COOK-

Miss Cook is capable, inspiring and sunny, She sees the serious side, the clever and funny ; Encouraging, helpful, with spirit and grace, In every girl's heart, she has won high place.

MRS. DINGLE-

Jolly, joyous, Mrs. Dingle, When she walks, her keys do jingle, Her midnight knocks, they make us tingle, Jolly. joyous, Mrs. Dingle.

MR. DUNKLE-

Who's the man with the smiling face? Who is he, with the quiek, firm pace ? He's Mr. Dunkle, our teacher of psych (sike), A Faculty Member, whom all people like.

MISS ECKHARDT-

Miss Eckhardt guides the "ship of state," Of thirty-five youngsters, early and late. Her students love her, 'tis easy to see, As they want to stay with her long after three.

MISS FARREL-

Miss Farrel's a black-eyed, raven-haired maid, Who teaches in the seventh grade. With quiet mien, and voice quite mild, Up the path of learning, she guides the child.

MRS. FOX-

Dark eyes and hair, and smiling face, And a pleasant word for every one, You'll find her willing to talk and help, Though there's always work that must be done.

MISS GILBERT-

With buoyant step, and head held high, Miss Gilbert goes about her work; She's lots of fun for everyone. But never, does her duty shirk.

MISS GREENLAW-

Miss Greenlaw stands as a master of art, You may be cheered by her big, bright heart, Sincere and mannish, this quaint queen's smile, Gives hope and fervor and love worth while.

MISS HILLHOUSE-

A gentle, retiring, lady is she, Who guides little youngsters from nine 'till three, Her kindly ways have won our heart, Miss Hillhouse has learned the demure are.

MISS HOLT- With business like, yet gracious mien, Miss Holt about the library goes, She charges books, she charges fines, Of every book, the place she knows.

MISS MATTHEWS

With sweetest of smiles, and bitterest of pills, Miss Matthews charms away all of our ills ; She toils for us from morn till night, But our pains are so many, we fear she'll take flight. MRS. MeCORD-

With firm, and quiekening pace she walks, With wisdom, and with truth she talks, Of modern methods, she uses the best, The skill of her pupils, her merits attest. MISS MEANS-

Businesslike, jolly, industrious and kind, A friend like Miss Means, is hard to find, Ready to help in work or in play, You'd find her the same true friend each day. MISS MEDWEDEFF-

Miss Medwedeff teaches of flowers and bugs, And mysterious animals pickled in jugs, She isn't afraid of lizards or snakes, A wonderful Biology teacher she makes.

MISS MUNN-

Firmness, pep and laughter, Dignity and fun, Put these in our English teacher, There she is-Miss Munn!

MISS ORCUTT-

Friendly, loyal, sineere and just, To her our wealth and riches we trust, She puts them in bank to make them grow, This friend is Miss Oreutt, whom all of us know. MISS OSBORN-

Busy as a bee could be, always on the run. Still with heart for friendship, and with love for fun, Miss Osporn's our librarian, a leader strong and true, Giving love and knowledge, her philosophy-for you. MISS RICHARDSON-

Miss Richardson, teacher of history bold, Knows all about knights, and the days of old. Her classes study of Romans and Turks. And she'll soundly seold the student who shirks.

MISS SAMMIS-

A pal and a comrade,-to all the same, She cares for the player, not score nor game; With a heart so true, and mind so sound, Miss Sammis' equal is not easily found.

MISS SHURTZ-

To have a friend when all goes wrong, Is as helpful as a cheery song ; We all love Miss Shurtz, and we believe, We'll carry her with us, although we shall leave. . MRS. SIBLEY- Mrs. Sibley, gracious, and gay, Goes smiling all through the livelong day ; She teaches little folks to read and to spell, For her word of praise they're sure to work well. MISS SNYDER

Miss Snyder's heart delights in art, Her eye in beauty all around ; She loves all colors, bright and gay, These in our work are always found.

MRS. STAPLETON-

Charming, loving, smiling and gay, Is our Mrs. Stapleton, every day ; She teaches us English, and does it well, As a friend or teacher, there are few who excel. MISS STONE-

A soul enriched with noble views, And a mind to rightly judge and choose, Have framed Miss Stone's ideals tall, Her pleasant countenance crowning all.

MISS TALL-

With strength of mind and soul and will, With love and justice for us all, With measured thought and word she acts,- Our Principal-Miss Tall.

MISS TIMBERLAKE-

With Southern, slow, and serene grace, And always with a smiling face, Miss Timberlake gladdened the Normalite's heart, And for our school, ever did her part.

DR. TOWLES-

Dr. Towles teaches Senior Hygiene, A much jollier person we've never seen, Good natured, laughing, full of fun, You'll find her a help to every one.

MR. UHLER- A very fine coach of dramatics is he, The "making" of some of our plays, Hopkins has sent us one of her best, To help us in troublesome days.

MR. WALTHER

There is a man in our school, and he is wondrous wise, Into the ranks of famous men he is quite sure to rise, His specialties are geography, and education, too,

And then he's always finding ways of helping me and you. MISS WATKINS

Lida May is bright and gay, Working through the busy day, With a calm, efficient way, Pretty, charming, Lida May.

MISS WELLS-

Miss Wells is peppy and full of fun, Her hiker's suppers our hearts have won, And when in clubs or seetions we dine, She starts us singing, all down the line.

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Oriole and Tower-Light, 1922-1927, Part 38

Author: Maryland State Normal School (Towson, Md.) Publication date: 1922-1927 Publisher: Maryland State Normal School (Towson, Md.) Number of Pages: 1024

Author: Maryland State Normal School (Towson, Md.)
Publication date: 1922-1927
Publisher: Maryland State Normal School (Towson, Md.)
Number of Pages: 1024