Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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ITe spread his huge wings, and findi,ng them unhampered, he seemed to realize his oppor- tunity. With a miglity leap, he shot into flic air and went spiralling upwards in glorious sweeps and curves. As he strode to the edge of the clearing, Joe King, the true sportsman, waved his cap to the eagle, saying, So long, old friend, I ' ll be back soon, and you w ' 1l ne er be trapped again if I can help it! ' ' II may or may not have been a coincidence, but the eagle screamed harshly in farewell, once, twice, tlirice. And the rising sun, peejjing over the edge of the forest, beheld the scene; and the frow. ' i (in its rotund face was displaced by a satisfied smile. A. E. TEKKINS, ' 2;! pain. Perhaps these plants are not capable of the sensation in quite the way we under- stand it, but surely they can stand no rougii treatment. LOIS PARKS, 25. CAN A PLANT FEEL PAIN? Some very iiiteiest i-iu ' cxiieriitients have re- cently been carried out in coniieclioii wit ' i the well known sensitive plant. Its habits are so peculiai ' that no one evei ' witnesses its strange lieliavior without astonishment. Wh: n the phuit is healthy, it needs only the touch of a finger tip to bring about the closing of the little leaves and the dro()))ing of the stalk . Kven a lireath of cold air makes the jilant huddle together; while ii su(blen .j(d mak ' . ' s a lightning-quick drawing uj) of the leaves to the stalk. The shrinking is so sudden that one might really believe the plant to be frightened. It has been known for some time th.-it the sensitive-plant is easily effected by the fumes of chloroform, . ' inil these special experi.ments were performed to tind out if the jilant could still, when unconscious (if that word may be used) feel. First to show the effects of hot air on a nor- mally healthy plant, a piece of wadding s.it- urated with oil is liighted and passed (|uicklv back and forth under the leaves. Remember that the flame does not touch them, yet the little heat makes the plant droop imme li- ately. They then give this fascinating plant chlor- oform, and it is carried out in this manner. . second piece of wadding is soaked in chloro- form and placed beside the plant; both being covered quickly with a glass shade. In al)Out a half-hour the leaves begin to droop, in fact, i i a very short time the whole plant seems completely under the effects of the anaesthetic. Now, when the plant is tested in these various ways, none has any effect; the tip of the stalk is even touched l)y the flame with no result. One wonders if this curious plant feels THE LIGHTHOUSE Perched on a great, grey rock the little lighthouse stands, year in, year out, guarding the barren coast. In summer when the light- ning flashes and the thunder crashes, it sends its brave little beacon across the angry spra3 When the storm king of winter grips all in its sway, when shrieking winds tear through the su3-f, the lighthouse is steadfast. Its light forever guides the v.orn sailor on its way and welcomes the homeward schooner. Above the storm and thundering sjiray it s ;iuds . ' I monument of man ' s love and care for his brotluM ' . The lighthouse is a symbol of (ic-d ' s love. DORIS DUTJ V, 2 ' k THE FALLS The majesty, the power, the grandeur of the falls! One is held spelll)ound by its tei- rilde thunderings and its wild beauty. The Niagara, that river famous ' n legend, i-ushes on tO ' its doom. In vain the angry waters attempt to draw back. In vain thev leap into the air or tumble back over them- selves. They sweep along in their narrow con- fines uttering a mighty song, the awful song of death. The raging flood is (piieted for a moment just before reaching the brink. Per- hajis freedom awaits at the bottom of the un known! With a sudden eageiiiess and a roar wli ' ch increase ' s until the ei ' y heaxcns le- sound with its thunder, the waters sweep ovei- the !)rink and fall down — down — down to the rocks below, which for centuries have been resisting that terrible attack. Such is the force with which they fall that tons of the Ijluish- L;reen waters are thrown even higher than the top of the falls, an l lose themselves in mi.st, a white dazzling mist in which dwell a thou- sand rainbows. Hut what of the rest? Stunned by its tre- mendous fall, it slowly takes its way along its course. Gradually, however, it awakens and soon is tumbling and raging through wild rapids and thence to the sea. EMILY SMITH, ' 25. 17

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weeks Joe cared for the great bird and even tried to tame hiaii, but witlioiit success. He did, however, learn to respect and admire the eagle ' s dignity, pride, and the flashing fire in his eyes. At times he felt pity for the poor eagle, es pecially when he saw the free bird circling in the sky, utteri,ng plaintive cries, ever searcii- ing, searching, searching, with those piercing eyes, for the body, dead or alive, of her lost mate. When the capti,ve heard these cries, he would lift his wings, run around excitedly, and seek to find an opening of a size to squeeze himself through. These attempts failing, however, he would shi.ft nervously from one foot to tfte other, darting his head rapidly from side to side, now and then angri- ly snapping his curved beak. He would the.i lapse into a sulk and sit with featliers ruffled ; but as mealtime approached, he would rcga! i his usual poise. The eagle possessed nn ex- traordinary intelligence. He never answered his mate ' s signal; probably because he thought she would rush to aid him . ' ind so be drawn to the foi,ls of captivity. Then one day the city sportsman arrived. .Toe at once began to dislike him, for he un- consciously compared the man ' s blusteriiit? manner with the eagle ' s quiet companionshi.p. He gave Joe five twenty-dollar bills and de- manded a receipt. Somehow Joe was down- hearted tha,t niglit and he vaguely wondeiel why. The would-l)e mayor proposed to stay a few- days and try his new angling outfit. Il. scoffed at Joe ' s advice about fishing and boast- ed about the fish he would catch the next day. In fact, he caught only a few, foolish, tiny panfisli, and his ill temper increased with his failures. At last he gave i|t up and lounged around the camp. He seemed to take pleasure in plaguing the kingly bird and this both- ered Joe a great deal. Tlie alderman ' s cruel- tj ' increased and to Joe ' s protests, the answi r was What is mine is mine and I ' ll treat it as sucli! Wlio are you to preach kindness to animals, you who make your liying l)y killing tliem? ' ' Of course, Joe was at a loss lo nn- swer this high-sounding retort. But events soon came to a crisis. The iildei- man was regarding the eagle with a complac- ent smile. Ah there, my fine fellow, ' lie said. What a fine speech I shall make when I present you to my townsmen! Then I shall announce my candidacy for the office ' f mayor. Then poking a stick under the eagle ' s wings to make liim spread tliem, he stretched his arm into the cage. Tlie eagle, striking with lightning rapidity, inflic+ed three pain- ful wounds in his tormentor ' s hand. The furious man, swearing savagely, began to dri- c the bird around the narrow cage. Suddenly lie felt a strong hand on the collar of his eoar. He looked back ijito the glaring eyes of Joe King, who almost choked vith wrath as h-; commanded, CJuit chasing my eagle! He ' s mine! retorted the alderman, and I allow no man or beast to injure me as they ])lease. Furthermore, take your hand off my collar or I ' ll have you sent to the ' jien ' for a year! ' ' I may go to jail, returned Joe, but I ' ll fix you first. The bird did nothing until you bothered him. Then, as his anger increased, he exclaimed, Here, take your filthy money! I don ' t want it! You ' re not fit to have a bird ; I ' ll keep him myself. The alderman cooly picked up the scattered bills, and then said with a sneer, Since you give ine the money, I will take it; but the bird is still mine, for you have failed to re member that I still hold the receipt. Then Joe liegan to see straight; he realize! that the alderman held the whip hand, aiiil according to law, was the rightful owner of the eagle. Having a mighty respect for the law, Joe decided to find .some other way o. ' getting even ' . He turned away resisting an impulse to idant his fist sc|u:irely in the other fellow ' s face. The alderman continued to strut pompousi.. ' .about the eanij), but lie no longer tormented the eagle. He began to make sarcastic com- ments to Joe, thinking the latter was thor- oughly cowed. Joe disregarded his taunts and kept his temper by going i.nto the cabin. The alilennan w.is soon startled to see his cot and bedclothes come sailing out of the door. Joe appeared on the threshold and said terselv, ' ou ' ll sleep in the woodshed tonight. Hut to Joe the sun seemed to have a frown on it:; face when it sank behind old Baldy that nigh:. •Just as tlie first grey streaks of dawn bega.i to lighten the eastern skies, Joe King rolletl out of his iilankets. Moving about quietly, he ])i)cked up the most of ii s food and dotii ing supplies, strapped them on his back and went out, locking the door of the cabin. Pans ing at the door of the woodshed, he assure himself that the alderman was still sleeping soundly. Then Joe went over to the cage, pulled our the bar, and threw the door wide open. The ea},le drew l)ack, fearing some new trap. No- ticing this, Joe walked awa.y from the cage and the gi-eat bird stepjied forth haltingly. ;l€

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THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES Characters Dionysius — King of Sicily. Damocles — A fla.tterer. A group of flatterers or followers of the king. A complete train of attendants belonging to Dionysius. Many beautiful pages. SCENE I Time: Mid-summer. Place: In a beautiful garden belonging to the castle of Dionysius. (Diouysius, followed by many attendants, is seen walking about in a large beautiful garden. The green slirubljery and the bloom- ing plants form a background which sets off the richly ornamental robes of the king. The garden lies to the south of a castle which can be seen in the distance. In one corner of the garden is a group of men, some sitting and siome standing. They aire superficial, sentimental and insincere. One of these, a young man of perhaps twenty-five, named D-i- mocles, calls the attention of the others to tlie fact that Dionysius is aijproachiaig. They all arise and bow and acknowledge his pres- ence in a ceremonious way customary iu an- cient times. They gatlier around him and give their flattering opinions of his wealth and power. To them Di,onysius seems an ex- ample of perfect happiness.) First man: It must be delightful to have nothing to do all day but live iu luxury. Second man: Oh! IIow we envy you with all your riches. Damocles: And to have all of Sicily at yonv command. Third man: With all your wealth and pow- er you must be the happiest man alive. (Dionysius prejjares to sjieak but Damocles also begins. Dionysius simply shakes lii.s head in a dicspnting manner, meaning he is not happy.) Ah, Damocles! My Lord — (sees Dionysius shake his head) What Not hapjjy! All men (together): What! Damocles: Surely you don ' t mean that! You have riches untold. No man was ever gre;iter. No king ever had such extent of power. Your royal magnificence is the envy of all kings. Not happy — I don ' t believe it! (Shakes his head to emi)hasize the fact.) Dionysius: llast thou a mind, Damocles, to taste this happiness and to know by experience what the enjoyments are of which you have so liigh an idea? Damocles: That I have and would be de- lighted to share them. Dion3 ' sius (turns to the chief attendant) : Command the cooks to prepare the best supper possible for tonight. (He bids hi,s friends good-day and walks toward the castle.) Curtain falls. SCENE II Time: At the feast. I ' lace: In the great banqueting room of the jjalaee. (All are seated. In Dionysius ' s place sits Damocles. His countenance is marked with pleasure as he observes all the royal splendor around him. The numerous seats of honor are magnificent but his outshines them all. Pages of extraordinary beauty wait upon the table. The gold of the carved plates glitters under the lights. Flowers adorn the center of every table. Judging by the taste of the deli- cate foods, the cooks are the best in the land. Damocles is spellbound. He sits In silence. Upon glancing at the ceiling, hi pleased countenance suddenly freezes witli terror. Just above his head, hanging by a single hair, is a sword! He rises abruptly and ' stands behind his chair.) Damocles (in frantic apj)eal): Eemove this sword, O king! Dionysius (calmly) : When I am king, that sword always hangs there. Damocles (looking for a way to escape) : I don ' t wish to be king any more. Dionysius (smiling sadly) : I think then I have proven to you that wealth and power do not always bring hapiiiness. Curtain falls. Dramatized by LOUISE ALLMAN, ' 27. SOUNDS FROM THE OLD BARN oil, the sounds which resouiul from tlie old country barn Are so i)leas:int, so choery, so quaint in their charm That ii( ver could anyone hasten aAvay Fiom tlu ' ir sweet entioemeats, a gray, rainy (l:iy. There ' s the stamping of cattle upon the old floor, Tlie musical sound of the slijiling bai ' U door. There ' s tlie cl;u(ging of i)low chains wliic!i hang on the wall. And the neigh of Old Major who st;inds in his stall. Oh, tlie memories which linger of fresh new- mown liay Will ne ' er be forgotten, of that rainy ijiy ARTHUR NEWCOMB, 25. J8