Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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19 Settling himself in his chair, he once aga'n dozed off and finally was sound asleep and snoring. All the day's happenings were lost in his dreams. CAROLYN RICHARDSON-Grade VII Until The Next Time Tying my shoelace, I stared wistfully at my empty bed where any person in his right mind should be at four-thirty in the morn- ing. Trudi looked up and laughed when I sighed. Perhaps you regret now that you want- ed to see sunrise from one of our beautiful mountains? asked one of my room mates. No, if you've seen it hundreds of times and still think it's worth the effort of getting up, it must really be something! I replied, yawning over the last few words. I still think the sunset would have been just as nice, and we wouldn't have to get up at this unearthly jhourf' argued julie lean ing on the window sill and watching the road. Here comes someone, she finally an- nounced, A'Perhaps it's Franz. Trudi con'- firmed her guess and the three of us trooped down on to the porch. Franz smiled at us as if he knew what we were suffering to see Apollo start his journey across the sky. It is not necessary to go too high on the mountain, he explained. If we go to the end of the path, that is quite far enough. And please keep in a group, it is not diffi- cut to get lost with all the twists and turns. 'Lrudi glanced meaningfully at me and I knew she was remembering the time that I had wandered off and got lost when we were visiting Rome. When we arrived at the end of the path, we were thankful we did not have to go to the top. We all sank down to the ground, except for Franz who unbuckled his knap- sack and pulled out some sandwiches, to our great delight. A'What is that awful smell? I suddenly asked, looking around and, realized to my horror, that it was the sandwiches, Do you not care for Gorgonzola cheese? asked Trudi, biting her sandwich. Following her example, I tried mine, but de- cided that I would rather go hungry. How- ever, Franz was quite determined that no one should do so and pulled out a peanut butter sandwich that I received with much more enthusiasm. Look, he said suddenly, and we all obeyed. The dreary grey sky turned to a lovely blue and the snow-covered mountain tops began to sparkle like diamonds. The yellow and red flames of Apollo's chariot appeared above the horizon and spread their light over the valley below. We sat there spellbound until Apollo was well on his way. It was just gorgeous! exclaimed julie, again attacking her half-eaten sandwich. A'Too beautiful for words, I whispered. Franz nodded and then said, The sun- set - it is beautiful too. After supper, I suggested that we go to see the sunset. All we needed to do was follow the path. Trudi did not agree though: it was too dangerous, she had said. However. julie and I paid her no heed, but as she might worry, we did not tell her. Half way along the path, there was a division and we were not sure which path to take. Trusting to luck, we decided upon the left fork, It was very easy to follow in daylight, but as dark shadows covered the sky, we began to worry. I'm beginning to wish we had a guide even though that would finish our allow- ance, whimpered julie. A'It is getting awfully dark. Maybe we'd better start back, I suggested, It's too late to see it now. Turn on the flashlight. Flashlight? she repeated, 'AI thought you had brought it. I groaned. Well we haven't any time to waste: we'll have to try and get back before dark. We hurried along the wind- ing path as the dark night set upon us. I could barely see three feet in front of me when I tripped in a rut on a narrow stretch of path, I screamed as I slid down the rough, slanted rock which came to an abrupt end thirty feet below me. I grasped and clawed at the rock and the next moment I was hanging onto a branch which had squeezed its way through a small crevice in the rock. 'AHelp! julie! I shouted, although I do not know whyg there was nothing she could do. I hung there not daring to look down as I slowly began to lose my grip. Instead of thinking about falling, I wondered what julie was doing. Hold on! yelled a voice that was cer- tainly not julie's as I looked up into the glare of a flashlight. We're coming. I summoned my last bit of strength to hold on just a little longer. Suddenly I heard a

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18 wore off. They began to wonder if free- dom was really worth this great risk. How- ever when they thought of the hunger and pain of their past life, they waited patiently . . . for freedom. Tom came faithfully every week with food and water. Although once a poor serf like them, he was one of the few who had escaped as they were trying to and now Tom was a prosperous tradesman. The months dragged slowly by and fin- ally there remained only two days until they would be free. Father, Tom didn't come last week and we haven't much water left. An' well I know itg we'1l just have to manage on what we've got. jeanette woke up in the middle of the next night and heard her mother moaning in her sleep. Her father sat up. Seeing that Ieanette was awake, he sadly said, This lack of water is especially hard on your mother. lt won't be long before she'll have to have water. I knows it, whispered Ieanette thoughtfully, as she tried to snuggle into the cold hay. Her mind was already forming a plan. She could not bear seeing her mother suffer in this way and so she decided that the next day at dusk she would slip out to the town well and fetch water. lt would not be difficult as no one would pay attention to a small child. The next day she and her father began to feel the lack of water but her mother was feverish and getting worse. jeanette waited until the darkness gave her safety and pro- tection. Taking an old jug she had found, As she crept along the narrow street, every step she took seemed to be loud enough to alarm the whole town. Every shadow seemed to be moving, and then she saw one that really was! She pressed her- self against the nearest wall. A flood of re- lief passed through her as a scrawny, black cat stalked by, followed by his grotesque shadow. Finally jeanette cautiously approached the well. As the cool water slid down her hot, dry throat, she felt proud of her cour- age in going to the well. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by loud footsteps. She hurriedly filled the jug and started back. As Ieanette struggled along, the icy water splashed from the jug and trickled down her bare legs. Nearing the street where the stable was, a harsh voice broke the silence of the night. Hey, you there! Stop! I say, stop! Ieanette, pounding heart and trembling legs, turned the corner and saw the stable ahead. HI must keep on! I must keep on! she repeated wildly to herself. Stumbling through the stable door, she heard the footsteps no more. Her anxious parents helped her into the loft. Hleanette, where in 'eaven's name you been? Water, I got water . . . and she sank into her fathers arms. The family sat joyously around the win- rose 'ave dow sipping the Cool water. The sun slowly bringing a new day, a new life, and a new freedom. DENISE ROULSTON-Grade IX A Queer Customer Mr. Whittle, the hardware store's man- ager, lounged in his old, wooden desk. He was just dozing off when the bells over the doorstep jingled. Waking up with a start and silently cursing the person who had in- terfered with his sleep, Mr. Whittle crossed the room. A ragged hat was perched on his head and an ancient weatherbeaten face peered out from underneath. His small glar- ing eyes certainly did not expect the sight they saw! A voice called out, Wait a minute for me, Perkins, and a tall, middle aged wo- man entered the unclean, but reasonably tidy shop. In Mr. Whitt1e's eyes she was not a woman, but some divine personage! Her hair was a fiery black, perfectly straight and fell down loosely to her shoulders. Her eyes looked tired but at one glance one could see that she was the type who did not stand any nonsense. A straight Roman nose gave her a Uqueenly expression, as Mr. Whittle later put it. Her mink coat was draped over her shoulders and her dress sparkled with false diamonds and pearls. Mr. Whittle immediately straightened up, tucked in his tie and asked if he could assist her in any possible Way. She gazed at him without answering and walked slowly around the small shop. She inspected every detail carefully, the guns, knives, pots and pans and even his treasured toaster. Then as abruptly as she came in, she sauntered out! Mr. Whittle gazed at her retreating figure for some time. What a queer person she was! O11 well! He could not be bothered.

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20 sound above me, but it was of no avail: I just could not hold on any longer. I let go! Someone grabbed me and I fainted from exhaustion. The next day Trudi and Iulie came to see me in the infirmary, and l discovered that it had been Franz who had come to my rescue. That is the last time I go exploring without a guide, anywhere, I sighed, lying back on the pillow. Trudi laughed and added, U .... until the next time. CAROL EMERSON-Grade IX Un Pique-Nique Au Lac Un jour mon pere et ma mere decident de faire un pique-nique au lac. Ma soeur et moi prenons nos costumes de bain, et nos chap- eaux de soleil. Apres quelque temps nous Sommes prets. Nous montons dans la voi- ture et notre jour commence. Enfin, nous arrivons a un bon endroit. qui est situe sous beaucoup de grands arbres. D'abord, Marie et moi sautons dans l'eau et nous nous amusons bien. Alors, Maman nous appelle et nous venonS pour le dejeuner. Apres un bon repas, de toutes sortes de fruits et beaucoup de sandwichs, nous par- tageons une bouteille de vin. Alors, maman et papa se reposent sur l'herbe et papa fume sa pipe comme toujours. Marie et moi jouonS at cache-cache. Bientot. il est cinq heures et nous commencons a etre fatigues. Alors, nous montons dans notre voiture et allons chez nous. Nous aimons toujours un pique-nique au lac. C'est dommage que le jour passe si vite. N'eSt-ce pas? CATHERINE HAMILTON-Grade IX Mes Petites Amies I'ai trois animaux chez moi qui s'appel- lent les salamandres. Elles sont tres belles. Elles ont beaucoup de marques rouges et noires sur leur dos et elleS ont l'estornac jaune, Elles ont aussi la longue queue. Les yeux sont jaunes et noirs. Ces salamandres habitent l'eau et la terre - c'est-a-dire elles sont des amphibiens. ElleS ne restent pas plus que trente minutes a la terre. I'ai un aquarium pour mes salamandres. Dans l'eau il y a une echelle, des plantes, et un coquille. Tous les jours ces salamandres nagent et jouent dans l'eau. Ie nourriS ces betes rarement parce qu'elles n'ont pas faim en hiver. Elles ouvrent les bouches et man- gent les insectes. Ie mets de l'eau fraiche dans l'aquarium le samedi. Ie porte mes salamandres a la fenetre pour se baigner au soleil. MeS sala- mandres s'appellent Willibrord, Willford et Willibald mais nous appelons toutes les trois simplement, Bill. I'aime beaucoup mes pe- tites amies, les salamandres. MARTHA GREATREX-Grade VIII Un Pique-Nique Maman, dit Marie, allons faire un pique-nique au lac aujourd'hui. Cui, dit Marie, je vais faire un panier tu vas demander a ton pere si nous pouvons faire un pique-nique au lac. Oni, dit son pere, Hvoulez-vous partir a onze heures du matin? Qui, dit Marie, je vais faire un panier surprise pour notre pique-nique. A onze heures et demie toute la famille arrive pres du lac. Papa fait un feu. Maman ouvre le panier. Quelle surprise! Il y a beaucoup de sand- wichs, du lait, du cafe, du sucre, du beurre. et beaucoup de gateau au chocolat. Quelle surpriSe pour maman et papa! Quelle beau et bon dejeuner. Marie est tres aimable de faire un bon dejeuner pour ses parents. Quand toute la famille finit leur dejeuner, ils causent. LESLIE STOVEL--Grade IX R DRY IN THE couwrrzv- X THE seEN-ec Toun Nl W NV le tx X95 , XlNhXi.QlHQf.ll.iQgf.i