Biddeford High School - Olympian Yearbook (Biddeford, ME)

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THE CLYMPIAN IMPGSSIBLE Gathered around an old stove in a small general store in the town of Bear Creek. Canada. was a group of trappers and traders. Everyone seemed intensive- ly interested in the story an old half- hreed was telling. Everything about the old fellow pro- claimed him a veteran of the wilderness. his heavy fur-lined jacket, his worn moosehide mocassins, and even his wrinkled, weather-beaten face. Among his listeners were two young men who, by their dress and actions, seemed to be more or less tenderfeet. Strangely contrasting were the 'features of the two boys, for they were hardly men. hut both. had something about them that was the same, It would he hard to decide just what. but something. They were dressed much alike in heavy boots, corduroy trousers, and leather jackets. One was a lad of about medium height, dark, and muscular. Thei other was tall. fair. and slender. just the opposite. Both were as intensively interested in the story as were the rest of the group. As the old half-breed finished his story there came a silence. it was broken after a few moments by another old trapper, who said loudly. lmpossihlel The two boys did not speak but it was evident that they were thinking. VVith the end of the story the group broke up. The hoys put on their jackets and stepped out into the starlit street, the main street and only street of the town. They walked silently toward their shack on the edge of the town. Both were silent as they undressed and climbed into their hunks. After about half an hour, and neither was asleep. the tall fellow said, slack, do you believe that story ? I don't know, Dick, returned jack sleepily. He might be telling the truth but I think he's stretching it. Again all was silent for a few moments. then Dick said, jack, let's find out for ourselves ! His answer came in the steady snoring of black, and a moment later he, too, joined in. The next morning was cold. crisp, and sunny. A perfect day. The boys iinished their breakfasts and started for the frozen river to inspect their plane. As they neared the landing they saw their red Bellanca gleaming in the early morning sun. They examined it carefully, then went up to the store to get a few days' supplies. The storekeeper was rather curious as to where they were going, but found out nothing except that they were going north. An hour later they took off under the admiring eyes of most of the town. The more I think about that, the less l believe it. said Jack. T can hardly believe it myself, re- plied Dick, hut we'll lind out for our- selves. Say. jack, get me the map will you? It's in the locker over there. 'W hen jack returned with the map. Dick spread it out on his knees and traced their course with his hnger. Wie ought to he at Hudson Bay by noon. if nothing happensf, he said after a moment's hesitation. just at noon the Bellanca circled down to a perfect landing on the ice in front of the trading post. The hoys had a lunch and took off again at one o'clock. This time. however, Tack Hew and after gaining altitude headed' northwest toward Alaska. It was about four o'cloek when the motor began to sputter and finally stopped altogether. Below was nothing but a barren ex- panse of snow with groups of trees and bushes clotting it here and there and off toward Alaska, mountains were visible in the last rays of the sun. jack held the plane in a steep glide toward one of the small open spaces. The plane came down fast and just as it was l51l

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THE OLYMPIAN ing left but a flute. wailing in the un- utterable sadness. Silence. Then a hesitant. slow, but gradual rebuilding upon the one note left. The melody grew, and depth and beauty were added, which had not been there before. The song whispered. crooned, and ascended into a paean. not of joy. but of content. The audience burst into wild applause, renewed again and again, but Ixlore sat as if in a dream throughout the rest of program. VV hen it ended, he arose and made his way past the excitedly murmur- ing groups of admirers, past the con- gratulatory groups around Josef V al- yanov. and behind the stage to the dress- ing room. He opened the door and went 111. She was sitting there in the half light of a small lamp, with her hands 'folded in her lap, and her face turned away l'Ellen-oh, Ellenlu he cried. from him. Turning her face, she whispered, Nicky, After a long silence. in which she seemed to he gathering up her strength, she said: How are you. Nicky? It is long since I last saw you. I suppose you are married and have a family by now. I-le shook his head, and tried to interrupt. but she went on: No? That is a pity. One must he lonely. without a family. I have one. Papa Josef is a whole family wrapped in one. You must come to see us sometime, Nicky. We are in London for a fort- night. then we go to Australia. for an engagement in Melbourne. So you have composed a symphony, said More. stiffly, checked hy her reserve. l never thought you would inherit any of your father's genius. But one learns, and grows up to it, she answered. lt is my first, and you must be sure to say nice things about me -you are a critic now, are you not? I want to do a great deal more, but I :tm afraid l shall never be as great as Papa joseff' 1 can't stay any longerf' said More, desperately. I have an appointment, but perhaps I will come to see you again. Good-bye. Nicky, she calledg but all she heard was the door softly closing. The room. and her whole world, were dark. and must always be dark. Her head drooped, and the slow, bitter tears fell from her sightless eyes upon her fold- ed hands. Esrnizk Kl:INNIiDX', '40 'WVASH DAY The wind is making toy balloons of Dotty's printed frocks, And kicking up the saucy toes of twenty pairs of socks And pouring into pillow slips and stretch- ing every sheet And filling empty sleeping pants with puffy legs and feet. lt bulges out the tugging arms of shirts that want to Hy. Vtfhere trailing clothes of snowy white are blown along the sky. lt's washing day in Heaven, too, for On billowed line the angels robes are hanging out to dry. H. FRANCES PARISEAU, '42 l50l

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THE CLYMPIAN about to strike, -lack pulled the stick all the way back. The ship dived into the snow, raising a great cloud of Hakes as it skidded forward onto its nose. After a moment of silence, Dick ap- peared in the door. Hey, jack. are you all right? he shouted. l think so. said jack. and a moment later appeared in the door beside Dick. A fine mess. said .lack grimly. Your telling mel replied Dick, as they climbed down to examine the extent of the damage. The landing gear was crushed up against the fuselage of the ship and the bottom of the fuselage seemed to be dented up somewhat. No other damage was visible in the snow. ' lt'll take at least ten days to fix thatf' said lack, after thev had finished. There was no time left to work on the plane. so the boys ate an early supper and went to bed. About twelve o'clock. Dick was awak- ened by a scratching on the metal of the plane. 'Fle listened for a minute. then . said softly. black, are you awake?' Yeah, answered lack. what do You suppose it is? l don't know, said Dick. climbing out of his bunk, but l'm going to End out. He picked up his rifie and flashlight and tiptoed to the window. He flashed the light toward the wing-tip where the sound seemed to be coming from and there in the ring of light made bv the Flash. stood the biggest bear he had ever seen. blinking stupidly in the direction of tl1e light. Hlack. come here quickfl whispered Dick. excitedly. Holy Mackerel. exclaimed Jack when he reached Dick's side. As if he had heard, the huge bear l52l turned and lumbered toward the cabin. Dick thrust the Flashlight into lacks shaking hands and leaped toward the door. VVith a quick jerk he had it open and taking quick aim, he fired. The bear staggered slightly, then came on toward the door. It seemed hours to Dick be- fore he snapped another cartridge into the chamber. Again he tired. and still the bear came on. Dick leaped back- wards and quickly slammed the door. Vllith another leap he was at the window again. The bear lunged angrily at the cabin door, shaking the whole plane. lf he ever gets in here XVC'1'C donef' said lack. The bear turned and started for the window. I-lhhe's coming right in the windowf, cried lack, stumbling back away from the window. At this sound the bear stopped and listened. ln that, second Dick raised the window and thrust his rilie into the startled bear's face. llfhaml The bear stood totteriug for nearly a minute. then fell forward against the plane--dead. lVhew, was ,lack's only comment to Dick. who leaned weakly against his bunk. l,et's take a look at him. said Dick. a moment later. Together the boys climbed down from the cabin after opening the badly bent door. Gee, said lack, if he'd ever gotten inside . . . There on the ground lay a huge grizzly that must have weighed at least four hundred pounds. The boys looked at him silently for a moment, then climb- ed shivering back into the plane to bed. As Dick stretched out in his bunk again. he said to himself, Impossible, eh ? CALVIN BURUQIGH, 43 FRESHMAN