Anson Academy - Anchor Yearbook (North Anson, ME)

Page 23 text:

THE MOST FAITHFUL PAL Tommy Simpson, a cute little eight year old boy, lived with his mother and father on a large dairy farm in Indiana. He had helped his father with the chores and fished in the bubbling streams but there was one thing he longed for more than anything else and that was a com- panion. He wished for someone to run and play with, someone to keep him com- pany. The nearest neighbor lived two miles from the Simpson home so they seldom visited there. In the meantime Tommy was terribly lonesome. One day he came in from outside and went into the kitchen where his mother was busy preparing the evening meal. He sat down in the little red stool his father had made for him when he was hardly more than a baby. He was silent for a minute and then he asked the question: Mother, will you and daddy buy me a dog? Why, yes, Tommy, said Mrs. Simp- son, of course we will. We were plan- ning to get one for your birthday in October but, if you would rather have it now we will get it for you the next time we go to the city. What kind of dog would you like? By this time Tommy was jumping up and down clapping his hands and shout- ing for joy. When he had calmed down enough to answer he stammered: I want a big, big Collie dog and I wan'na teach him a whole mess of tricks and he can go everywhere with me 'n every- thing. When can we go to the city, Mom- my? Can we go today? Can we, huh? His mother laughed and said they couldn't go for two or three days but they would go very soon. Two days later a very proud little boy was returning home from the city, for there in the back of the car with his head in Tommy's lap was a big beau- tiful collie dog. The next few weeks were packed full of fun. Tommy immediately named his dog Laddie. Laddie got just as much fun out of learning the tricks as Tommy did out of teaching them. They explored nearly every inch of the farm, went fish- ing and had jolly times together. Laddie never left Tommy's side. He even slept on a rug beside Tommy's bed every night. One nice afternoon in June Tommy decided he would like to go fishing. He had always been fishing within sight of the house before when he had been alone but there was a much better place about three-quarters of a mile away in the big pasture behind the barn. He had often been there with his father. He ran into the house and teased his mother to let him go. His mother soon consented trusting Laddie's watchful eye and faith- ful care. A half hour later found Tommy with a fishpole over his shoulder trudging along the lane leading to the pasture with Laddie trotting close at his heels. A fifteen minute walk brought them to the shady fishing spot with which they were well acquainted. Tommy seated himself upon the bank and dropped the line into the water He fished steadily for an hour with Laddie lying close by his side. The dog soon be- came tired of lying there, and without Tommy's knowing it got up and wander- ed around and soon started for home. Eventually Tommy had had enough of fishing. Also enough fish, so leaving his fish and pole on the bank he began hunting wild flowers for his mother. He had noticed Laddie's absence but think- ing the dog had gone home and believing he himself would be all right, he con- tinued picking flowers and without thought wandered further than he real- ized. He then discovered the sun was low in the west so he turned back but soon found he didn't know which way to go. He became frightened and wished llraddie were there to show him the way ome. Back at the farmhouse Mr. Simpson and the hired men had come in for sup- per. The sun was nearly down and Mrs. Simpson was worried. She went outside to see if Tommy were in sight and saw Laddie lying by the front steps. She re- ported this to her husband and he and the hired hands along with Laddie were at once on their way to find Tommyv. When they reached the fishing hole Mr. Simpson said: Go find Tommy, Lad- die. Go find Tommy. Laddie ran around in circles for a moment but soon picked up the sce'nt of Tommy's footsteps and started on the trail with Mr. Simpson and the other men Page Twenty-One

Page 22 text:

THE GREATEST SCARE I EVER HAD One late afternoon last fall I was crashing home in the dark. I say crash- ing because it was so dark one couldn't see anything ten feet in front of him. I had been hunting but I'd had no luck as there seemed to be no deer prowling around that afternoon. I knew exactly where I was, otherwise it would have been easy to get lost. As 1 wallowed through an extra noisy brush pile, a light suddenly swept across the rather open country in front of me. I don't know whether my eyes would shine like a deer's or not, but I took no chances. I stepped quickly be- hind the nearest tree. Just in time, too, for the light swept slowly by, changing the darkness to daylight. The operator satisfied that it was his imagination he had heard, switched off the light. I stayed still for a few minutes not daring to move. Although I had no way of tell- ing, I had a growing suspicion it might be some trigger-happy night hunter who lived in that vicinity. I started to move again but kept close to cover all the while. On came the light once more, and this time closer. I was safely out of sight, however, by the time it reached me. It began to look as if I would have to stay out in the field all night. Then a happy inspiration came to me. I whist- led as clearly as I could manage. Im- mediately there was the sound of a man moving rapidly for the road nearly half a mile away. In less than five minutes I heard a car start and go tearing off into the darkness. I, breathing a deep sigh of relief, made my way home and without further mishap. -Ralph Manzer '48 SEASONS I LIKE THE BEST Spring and fall I like the best, But we have to live through all the rest. Though winter and summer are very good seasons, Really to like them, I have no reasons. Spring is swell, and fall is better, But I don't like the winter weather. When summer comes, and kids holler and shout, I just go down and catch some trout. Page Twenty Then when it's fall, I never pout, For I get my gun and hunt about. When winter is here, and kids run a race, I curl up by the fireplace. So spring and fall I like the best. Other people can have the rest. Robert Burns '50 A LETTER TO MISS TRUMAN In the Freshman English Class one morning of the week following the radio broadcast of Miss Margaret Truman, we decided to write her a note of congratu- lations. The letter which follows was composed by the class and was copied by the Secretary, Shirley McLean. North Anson, Maine March 25, 1947 Dear Miss Truman, In behalf of the Freshman Class of Anson Academy, I am writing to con- gratulate you on your excellent radio debut. Many of us heard your program, and listened to it with great interest. We wish you continued success in your mu- sical career. Have you ever visited this grand old State of Maine? We hope if you haven't. you will have the opportunity to enjoy our mountains, lakes, and our rocky coast, sometime this summer. You may be sure the next time you broadcast we will all be listening. With best regards from us all, Shirley McLean, Secretary of Class The class was made very happy by the thank you letter Miss Truman was kind enough to write. The White House Washington April 2. 19471 Dear Miss McLean, Thank you very much for your kind letter in behalf of the Freshman Class of Anson Academy. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of all of you in letting me know that you enjoyed the Program. Most sincerely, Margaret Truman Miss Shirley McLean Anson Academy North Anson, Maine

Page 24 text:

close behind. Frequently Mr. Simpson would shout in an attempt to locate Tom- my. They continued for a few minutes. By this time it was nearly pitch dark and the men had to use flashlights. Presently Tommy heard his father's shout but be- fore he could answer Laddie came bounding through the bushes. Tommy fell upon his knees and threw his arms around his pet's neck. When he looked up his father was standing over him. That evening, after both Tommy and Laddie had been fed a good big meal, the family gathered in the living room. Tommy played with his faithful dog while his parents happily looked on. Suddenly he sat up and said: Laddie is the most wonderful pal a person could ever have. Don't you think so? And his parents agreed. -Shirley Ann Viles '49 A TYPICAL MAINE LIAR A weary fisherman had stopped at Joe's camp and asked if he could put him up for the night. Joe had lived in the northern parts of Maine all his life and knew just how to treat these city slickers. Wall, Joe drawled, I don't know why yuh can't come in and make yerself tuh home. The visitor stepped in and set down his knapsack. Thar's a bunk in t'other part, go in and take a nap whilst I rustle up some grub. I guess I will, the stranger ans- wered. After he'd had a nap of about an hour the old woodsman got the stranger out of bed and gave him some stew. When he had finished his supper he shoved his chair back and said, Boy, that sure was swell, what was it? Beef? Son, the old woodsman said, you jez had a taste of one of the best gol dern stews in this part of America. It's a concoction of crows, skunks, wood- chucks, beavertails, porcupines and squirrel. The stranger turned white, gagged, and made a hurried exit. When the visitor returned he seemed much relieved and asked, Say, pop, what makes the tree tops so square? Page Twenty-Two Oh, that's where I cut muh wood in the winter time, yuh see the snow gets so deep we can't cut thuh hull tree so we cut as much as we can, the old trap- per said. I noticed an old graveyard when I was coming along here. This must have been quite a town, the stranger re- marked. Yep, the old man answered, Sun- cook used to be quite a town. Few men ever died of a natural death. What happened to them? the visi- tor gasped. Wall, there's old Pete, he used to make and sell booze for the river driv- ers. One night the drivers got a little out o' sorts with Pete and weuns found his body next day full of holes where the drivers knocked him down and trod on him with caulked boots. 'Nother guy got his when he was pushed off his front porch. The porch was on the edge of a three-hundred foot cliff. And there's ol' Zeb, he started up his fire one night and got blowed out through the side of his camp. Some kind hearted friend of his put a charge of dynamite in his stove. Then there are quite a few men that ducked out here because they were in1someone's way, the old man conclud- e . It-w-well-goodnight p-p-al. See you in the morning. When the old man woke up in the morning the stranger had gone. -James Farley '48 FIREFLIES I like to watch the fireflies on a clear, cool summer night. To see them flying to and fro is always my delight. On their little wings with lights aglow, They soar up high, then dart down low. They gather in groups with flashes bright, And add strange beauty to the night. They seem like fairies that dance in the air. With magic wands, and feet all bare. Nancy Fish '50