Rockland High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Rockland, ME)

Page 11 text:

THE CAULDHON 9 In a fiash Mother, Dad, and ten year old Donnie came rushing down the stairs. Pam handed the phone to her mother and from then on there was a hubbub of happiness as each had his turn at the phone. The sound of J immie's voice had transformed this lonely household. Dad's shoulders straightened up, Mom looked years younger, glowing in the warmth of finally realized relaxation, and the children were excited as they had been when awaiting their first remembered visit of Santa Claus. As soon as Dad put down the receiver, the family began piecing together the scattered details of Jimmie's coversation. The still only half-appre- ciated fact was that Jimmie was coming home as soon as the train could bring him. Sleep was impossible for the rest of that night. Mom was busy making a list of Jimmie's favorite meals. Dad sat in his favorite chair, thinking how nice it would be to have his eldest son home. Pam was worry- ing about what she would say to her big brother who had been just a memory for three years, while little Don was thinking of all the questions he would ask Jim about B-29's, Jap air attacks, and the other things which make up a ten year old boy's dream world. No one thought of the time until little Donnie said, Look, the sun is shining ! Each member of the family put aside his reveries, and the house was filled with joyous laughter. Jimmie was coming home! CAROLYN HOWARD THE MIRACULOUS PRANK It was an established fact, founded upon experience by the juvenile citizens of Harborsville in the year 1890, that Mr. Percy Vaughn was a mean person. Therefore, the fact that he was the schoolmaster was con- sidered the hateful injustice of fate. To have to go to school, according to the younger generation, was worse than a big dose of horrible boiled herbs, administered each spring. Alas, Mr. Vaughn was also a firm believer in wielding the rod and disci- plining the child, and if practice makes perfect, he was a champion in his own right. Like the rod, he laid down the law where it would do the most good and expected to be obeyed, which he invariably was. The complaining words of their offspring fell unheeded on the parents' ears. If there was any person who could put the fear of chastisement into the minds of their little darlings, he had their blessings. On one stormy winter's day, Mr. Vaughn sat, as usual, upon the long low platform behind his wide desk. The lines in his forehead formed their un- ceasing frown and his spectacles hung precariously off the tip of his very long nose. Every now and then, he raised his head from the map he was studying and surveyed the classroom with a quick scowl. Assured that no foul-play was in progress, he returned to his work, giving a long grunt which never failed to give the dainty maids cause to jump. The pupils, pigtails occupying one side of the room and swains, the other, were supposedly delving into the history of the world when the big oak door opened and closed again with a decided bang , All eyes jumped to the right and grew wide with pity at the sight of a fellow-child, although a stranger, standing there, one hour late. The young man swaggered nonchalantly across the room and stopped

Page 10 text:

8 THE CAULDICON and implicate her in the first killing. Duke also confessed to the murder of the banker. Patsy asked for mercy because she claimed that she had changed her way of living. Both verdicts were-- guilty as charged. They were to die in the electric chair within two months. Jim testified at the trial. Well, Jim, it's time to go. Are you sure you want to? You seem to be taking it plenty bad. Yes, I want to go, and I'll be all right. Jameson didn't believe him but said nothing. Neither spoke on the way to the prison. Hello, Warden Kaler, this is my assistant, Jim Lassen. The warden was a tall chunky man, who puffed impressively on a cigar. Howdy, Jim. This is a bit unusual, you know, but go right in. There are only a few minutes left. As he said this he went to the prisoner's cell. Come then, J img the reporters must be there already. The lights were bright as Patsy was led to the chair. The priest was mut- tering a prayer. Before she sat down Patsy looked up to the observer's window and saw Jim. Then they placed her in the chair-put the clamps on-the lights dimmed-the warden nodded-the switch was thrown and Jim jumped. Half an hour later the prison doctor pronounced Patsy dead. That was about noon. Late in the afternoon just before closing time Jameson looked up from his work to notice Jim coming through the door. I've been Wondering Where you ducked out to. Couldn't find you any place. Oh, Jim, don't mind if I ask you but how come you wanted to go to the girl's execution and not Duke's ? I've got something for you, Hal. It's my resignation. Your what! You must be kidding, Jim! Why this case made you. You've got great possibilities! You'll get used to these things. I'm not fooling, Hal. Here it is. Jim's voice was hard and his face strained. You asked why I went to Patsy's execution-and why this, well, I'll tell you. I can never be a lawyer or have anything more to do with a court room again. You see, Hal,-I loved her! ELIZABETH FRASER COMING HOME The moon was sinking low in the west and the twinkling stars were beginning to dim. A lingering moonbeam extended its ray until it illum- inated an earthly star-a blue service star, the kind that was found in many lonely windows during the grueling war years. This particular star had been receiving the moon's rays for three years, but tonight it seemed to shimmer and dance in the moonlight, perhaps because this day was destined to be a special one. Inside the house, all was serene. The hungry fingers of light from the street-lamp outside found their way to the picture of a smiling soldier, dimly lighting it. The family clock had just chimed three, when all this serenity was pierced by the shriek of the telephone. It rang impatiently as if eager to have its receiver lifted! After what seemed an eternity, Pam, the teen-age daughter of the family, came stumbling down the stairs and, taking up the receiver, said in a drowsy voice, Hel.lo . As if by magic her whole countenance suddenly lighted up and turning, she fairly screamed upstairs, Oh Mum! Dad! It's Jimmie! Oh, It's Jimmie!

Page 12 text:

10 THE CAULDRON in front of the platform. The horrified on-lookers held their breath, Mr. Vaughn scowled his worst scowl. What excuse have you for entering the door of a school at this time of day ? rumbled Mr. Vaughn. I'm new here, answered the boy, in a somewhat shrill but very brave manner, it seemed to the admiring damsels. That's no excuse. Sensing impending danger, the gallant youth decided that a word to the wise would not be improper. My Pa owns the biggest button fact'ry in Fairfax. His name's Joel Slokum, jest like mine. In fact, he added, drawing himself up proudly, I was named fer 'im. Where do I hang my coat, huh ? By this time Mr. Vaughn was in a dark rage. The mere thought that any child would dare to address him without even having the dignity to tremble was suffocating. He seized young Joel by the scruff of the neck and escorted him, none too gently, to a seat near the rear of the room. He gave him a book and commanded him to study. Joel was not accustomed to this sort of treatment and, having been given a sample, didn't relish it all 3 therefore, he set to work. Very carefully, he stood the history book before his face, which, now, had taken on the kind of expression that one always associates with a pair of wings. Then, reach- ing into his trouser pocket, he pulled out a soiled page of the Harborsville Weekly Journal which he proceeded to tear, as noiselessly as possible, into bits. Having guessed, by this time, the nature of this industrious endeavor, the gentlemen nearest him watched with horror-stricken countenances. After he had acquired enough ammunition, he drew forth his weapon. The boys gasped with delight at the beauty of the thing. It was sandpapered to a smooth roundness, and painted bright red, the most wonderful sling- shot they had ever seen.'Crumpling up the pieces of paper into little balls, he dumped them carefully into the ink-well. Then he let Hy! The advance guard sallied a bit for a few practice shots at the heads of the boys around him and then was ready for bigger game. Mr. Vaughn nearly fainted. He stood there, ink dripping off the end of his nose and running into his eyes, shaking with fury. The girls sobbedg the boys squirmed 3 master Joel gulped. Instead of the customary two rods, Joel was the sorrowful recipient of three. But Joel was nobody's dunce. The next day he ambled in, an hour late, behind a tall bony creature who glared at Mr. Vaughn through small beady eyes. Yes, Mr. Vaughn was about to meet his match, and Joel could hardly wait. His mother could out-scowl the schoolmaster, out-stare him, and her nose was much longer. Well, baby-beater, what have you to say for yourself ? she fairly shrieked. Madam, your son is quite a grown boy, answered Mr. Vaughn, slightly bewildered. Oh, I ain't so big, am I, Ma Y wailed Joel, hoping to encourage friction. You keep out of this, she growled, then to Mr. Vaughn said, I want an explanation. P Some other time, perhaps. I ........ began Mr. Vaughn. Immediately 1 commanded the irate matron. Mr. Vaughn resigned himself to his fate and described the incident in