Page 2
The CHEMAWA AMERICAN
CHEMAWA(f)AMERICAN
P ublished W eek ly a t th e U . S. In d ian School, Chemawa
Oregon. A d d ress all com m unications to
R uthyn Turney, M anager
«MuminiinimHiHiiimniiiiiHiiininiiinNUiiHiiiiiiiiiuinHimiiiiiiiiuNuniuiMUiiniHMiiittiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiuiHiiHiiiniiiiiiiiinHiiiiiiiniuiiniiiiinHiiitii
Subscription
-
-
-
-
-
- ' -
6 0 Cts per Annum
THE TAIL OE A DOG
Eet all give serious consideration to the tale of a
dog’s tail about to be related, for attached to this tale
(tail) is a moral second to none. It has often been
stated, and with truth, forsooth, that habits are hard
to break, be they good or bad. It is said that one can
learn new maxims far more readily than he can break
an established habit. And we believe this, as is proved
by the “ tail of the dog.”
For many years the school has been the home of a
dog known to all as “ Bobbie,” who has been a real
pal for the students. Who does not love a dbg? We
all recall the statement ip one of George Elliot’s books:
“ If you want a friend buy a dog.” There is a world
of truth in this statement, for many dogs are almost
human; so near it, in fact, that they form habits that
aye hard to break.
With the passing of the years “ Bobbie’* developed
the habit of chasing Southern Pacific trains off of the
school campus as they undertook to rumble by on a
schedule fast or slow. Scoldings did no good—“ Bob
bie” continued his chasing and eventually the ha h t
had a firm hold on him. He became more and more
determined to show the trains a “ thing or two” and
waxed both careless and overbold. In one of his bold
sorties he engaged his enemy at close quarters and the
train cut his tail off fairly high up. “ Bobbie” was a
sick dog for a time and we thought he had “ lost the
habit.” But with the healing of his tail the habit re
turned, Rand the chase was on again. In time our pal
bumped into the train as it whizzed past and lost an
eye. Didjthis cure his bad habit? No. Minus one
eye and nearly all the tail he ever owned “ Bobbie” is
still chasing S. P. trains.
So much for the “ tail of a dog.” Well, we fancy
some o f our reader"will say, “ What of it?” Just this:
Our little story should prove the force of habit. A bad
habit has^as'great a hold on one as a good one and habits
are hard to break. It would seem that the experiences
of “ Bobbie”1 would have cured him, but they didn’t.
And yet after all, sad to relate, we have known people
who succeeded in breaking bad habits no better than did
our dog. Does it notfseem that a human being should
do'better than a dog?j |I t willj prove a matter worthy
of experimentation.
CHRISTMAS TUBERCULOSIS SEALS
The Salem Indian School entered into the Christmas
spirit by buying and selling $80.00 worth of Tubercu
losis seals. Some of us1 bought duly a nickel’s worth
and some as much as a dollar’s worth. All of us were
eager to put in our nickels and dimes to help fight
Tuberculosis.
This is the first time that Chemawa has ever under
taken to sell these seals. Other years are coming in
which we hope the present récord will be often Sur
passed.—R obert P erkins , Student.
Miss Mary Fake, Marion County Christmas Seal
sales chairman, writing from Salem to Principal Mote
regarding Chetnawa’s commendable activity says:
I am sorry I was not at home to thank you person
ally for your very fine returns for your Christmas seal
sale at the school. We are very grateful to you and
all of the students for the fine interest and unselfish
giving toward this very worth while work.
I am enclosing the bond which you asked for. And
I am also sending in a separate package a book for your
library. I am sure that all who read the life óf Dr.
Trudeau will find it very inspirational and our Seal
Sale Committee presents the book to the students with
many thanks for their part in the 1929 Seal Sale.
With very best wishes to all, and will look forward
to next year in relying úpon the school as our District,
with,;®, seals per capita sold. Yours is the best report
sent in so far.
After seventeen years of faithful service as ¿Catho
lic priest at Chemawa Father Gall was retired and
took his departure for Mount Angel last Saturday.
Knowing him ifitimately during all of these ¡years' we
can sense his feeling on parting with Chemawa, his
flock, and his friends, all dear to his heart. In every
way he fulfilled his mission herewith the greatestde-
votion—a friend to all. We shall misshim, but we
shall ever wish him all the peace possible for body
and soul, both here and hereafter.
A week ago a heavy fall of snow covered the Wil-
laínétte Valley to a depth of nearly a foot. The snow
storm has not been confined to the valley, or the state,
or the Pacific Coast, but appears to be nation-wide. It
has been quite cold here, that is, for the valley, and
there has been sufficient ice <for skating. There are
folks in large numbers ,at Chemawa who reveled in the
conditions prevailing here during the past week or two,
but they are composed almost entirely Of our “ younger,
set,” not of plumbers, or engineers, nor is “ye scribe”
on the list> It is hard on our woodpile and our oil
tank and we are hopeful that the cold weather cannot
last much longer. As it is, we fear that much damage
will be done our fruit trees and that the price o f beef'
will raise.
•