Biddeford High School - Olympian Yearbook (Biddeford, ME)

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THE OLYMPIAN THE PRECIOUS MANUSCRIPTM It was just before the end of see- ond period and Miss Thomas was speak- ing to her English class. I know it is early, but I want to prepare you ahead of time. On june twelfth there will be an essay due, not less than seven hundred words and not exceeding one thousand. The topic of the essay will be, VVhat I Plan to Do During My Summer Vaca- tiou.' I will select the best according to ueatness. originality. and naturalnessg and the winning essay will be read in the assembly hall on the last day of school. This announcement was greeted with many ohs and ahs, and eveiryone seemed to talk at once. The hell rang for the end of the period and the class left the room. Two girls lingered behind, intent in their conversation. I-Iow I would like to have my essay read before the entire school. But I have no plans for this sunnner. I suppose I shall stay in the hot city all season, said Laura with in- dignation. But, said the other girl, named I-lelen Taylor, I am going to New York City this summer to visit my uncle, and what an exciting time I shall have! There will be the Empire State Building, Radio Ljity. and so many fascinating places to visit to tell of in my essay. A cold stare for talking so loudly from Miss Thomas end- ed the conversation' for the time being. But as Laura Mitchell hurried home from school that noon her thoughts were only on the essay, and as she rushed into the kitchen of her home a stream of chat- ter burst forth from her young lips. Take your time, dear, and tell me what you're trying to say, said her mother, and Laura was 06 again, with every last detail. Suddenly a frown ap- peared upon her pretty face. But what am I going to do this sum- mer ? VVe'll think about that later, you have plenty of time, said Mrs. Mitchell. By the way. a letter came for you this morn- ing, it's on the dining-room table. I think I recognized your cousin Anne's hand- writing. Laura went into the dining- room, and after being gone about two minutes, returned. as elated as before. 'iJlXl'I1lC has invited me to the farm for a month of this summer's vacation l said Laura. Ancl now, said her mother, as en- thusiastic as Laura, you know what to write about for your English essay. That evening found Laura Mitchell and Helen Taylor intent upon writing about summer vacations. For the next two weeks it was the topic of conversa- tion in school. By this time both girls had finished their essays and felt confi- dent that each had written the better work. Laura. after finishing hers, won- dered where she could keep the precious manuscript until it was due. After care- ful consideration she tncked it away neat- ly in the side pocket of her new suitcase. 'lThere, she said. as she locked her case, I won't have to worry about that for a long time. Little did she realize what this incident would mean to her later. School work continued as usual and the days passed quickly for the girls and 'Tune twelfth was drawing near. Five days before the compositions were due, most of them had been passed in. One afternoon Laura said to her mother, I think I'll get my composition and take it to school. Now where did I put it? Oh. of course, in the desk. She searched the desk in vain. VVhere could she have put it? She searched every corner of the house with her family's help, but to no avail. Laura cried herself to sleep many nights after and in school she had to listen to Helen Taylor tell of her vaca- tion and how hopeful she was of win- ning the contest. School would soon be over and Laura began to think of her summer vacation l53l

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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

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THE OLYMPIAN and the wonderful time she would have with Anne on the farm. She was to leave on the fourteenth, after the close of school. Laura, said her mother one evening, why don't you take your suitcase out and clean it? It's only three days until you leave. Laura left the room to do as her mother suggested. a bit sulky, the thrill gone out of the trip because of the lost manuscript. She retrieved the key from her dresser and began unlocking her suit- case. The lid snapped open and Lo! and behold! the familiar white sheets of l1er essay appeared before her startled eyes! She knelt over the pages and began read- ing' the lines. Laura's spirits soared and she ran downstairs to tell her family of The principal of the school was just rising. It was the last day of school. Today is the day we've all been wait- ing for. The best essay has been selected. You all remember our English teacher told us the best essay would be chosen for naturalness. That is why this one was chosen. Many others were also ex- cellent but not as hne as Miss Laura Mitchellisf' Everyone was surprised and glad for Laura, and as the familiar essay was read aloud. she 'felt it was the happi- est moment of her life. And, continued the principal. nl wish to announce that Miss Helen Taylor received honorable mention from the judges. At the close of school, Helen came up to Laura and shook her hand. You de- served the prize, Laura, but didn't you the glad news. The next morning Laura sci Z! 'UUUCY P1526 Ol' ?1UY!!!i1l2fH Mitchell walked to school on air with her head high and the precious manu- script tucked securely beneath her arm. She passed it in to Miss Thomas on the very day it was due. No, said Laura proudly, only a mil- lion dollars worth of glory. THERESA SULLIVAN, 43 MIGHT IS. RIGHT The snow fell down in a veil of white, The branches bent 'neath their heavy load, Softly, gently, a blanket at night Covered the iields, the roofs, and the road. The sun shone down on the world next day, On a world with its sins all covered. The people rejoiced and knelt to pray, Vlfhile about them the enemy hovered. Then down the hills shot their men on skis And ruined a Russian divisiong The orders were. Fight men! Fight if you please, Or our maps will need a revision! The world was stripped of its white disguise, And its sins lay exposed to the heaven. There was no remedy in Godys eyes. He'd said, Forgive, thou shalt be 'torgiv'n.,' Son Christ, thought God, didn't die in vain, Although there are those who believe it. And Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again, just open your hearts and receive it. NIARGARAT VBEECROFT, '40 l54l