Allentown High School - Derrick Yearbook (Allentown, NY)

Page 11 text:

Upon hearing Gary’s superb singing voice he imm- ediately accosted him hoping bo acquire Gary’s signature on a contract. Gary willingly consented. Again we leave Gary; On a balmy spring day soon after his departure, an old gentleman decided to drill a water well in-the lawn. After writing to ask Gary’s permission, he efficiently sfrted''the proceedings. After sinking the shaft a reason- able distance they noticed that they had struck oil. Consulting the old man, he concluded that it would be more profitable to drill for the oil. Both Gary’s talents and the vein of oil have now been brought to view. Gary was a tremendous success on the radio. His sweet, melodious voice brought daily enjoyment to millions. Many people atte ipoed to adopt him but at his own wishes he remained an orphan. Meanwhile they discovered that there was an abun- dant treasure stored underground. Gary ordered the profits from this well to be distributed a- mong the poor people of his home town. Now we can visualise the value of each. Both are mak- ing many people happy. When Gary was making a public appearance on the stage of a vast auditorium in New York ,a fire started back stage. As quickly as he heard this he quietly announced that the audience must leave the building in an orderly manner at once if they wished to receive an autographed picture- free. While the people headed for the lobby, he, stand- ing erect on the stage as the mighty derrick in the fields, kept them quiet by singing some of their favorite songs. Waiting until the last rapt listener had vanished through the doors, he hurried for the nearest exit. Just as he leaped from the stage the floor collapsed. Few people knew of this hazardous, self-endanger- ing exploit for the shy lad of fourteen did’nt like headlines about himself.

Page 13 text:

Our oil well has also progressed rapidly. It was shot on the some day that Gary saved the thous- ands of lives. Similarly, it was its crowning achievement. All through his life Gary made oth r people hap- py. Gallantly the oil well struggled to keep a- breast of Gary’s accomplishments. Finally after a short, but courageous career, Gary was acci- dently killed. Coincidently the well soon pump- ed dry. Perhaps now, when your gaze wanders idly around, you will notice the heretofore seemingly unim- portant oil wells. Try to think of them more as humans instead of merely mechanical devices. If you stop to consider that they are actually the main scource of our existence, your respect for them should increase.