Boody Junior High School - Beacon Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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value on love also! Yet we don't place enough value on such wonder- ful things as war, sickness, crime and laziness. Without laziness where would we be now? Do you know that through plain downright lazi- ness I saved the lives of hundreds of people? It happened like this. I was migrating to the west with a covered wagon troupe. They always called me Iazy Maggie. That was because I was of less use than Mrs. O'MaIIey's two year old. When they called on someone to do something, I was always the last to volunteer. Whenever some- thing was done wrong, they called it lazy Maggie's work. Many's the time they would wonder why they ever allowed me to come along. One day as I was walking slowly along and the last person was a few yards ahead of me, I saw some wild flowers and stooped down to smell them. Just as I was about to take a sniff, I saw some bushes moving. Jumping backward, I saw a red hand and part of a tomahawk and heard many faint footsteps. Running as fast as my trusty feei' could carry me, I at last reached my friends. In an excited voice, and panting hard, I informed them of what I saw and heard. I wasn't any too soon, for just as they formed a barricade, the Indians attacked. We were ready to fight and the Indians were scared away. They be- gan to praise me for being so brave. We had a feast of buffalo meat in honor of me and my laziness that evening. Florence Resnick, RDZ 0 A TEACHER'S ABSENCE One sunny bright morning in April, the children of Westville were hurrying to school, each and every one of them expecting to see Miss Rogers at her usual place behind her desk. With the young and beau- tiful Miss Rogers the little red schoolhouee wasn't such a terrible place to be. But in place of their beloved teacher was another woman whose looks and manner were rather the opposite of sweet Miss Rogers. This teacher, who said her name was Miss Straddy, was stern to the chil- dren. Lessons that day went as usual, but there was a touch of a for- mal feeling in the hearts of all the pupils. At last the recess bell rang. As the girls gathered in the yard, Mary said, Oh, what a strange teach- er we have. Zenith pouted seriously. Well, I feel like a little chick that lost its mother. So do we, echoed everyone. In a while, a warning rang, telling them to get back to school or they might be late. Everyone got in extra early for fear the teacher would report them in Miss Rogers' gray book. I4

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still in motion. His men saw this and started blocking players from Jim's way, and in a moment Jim was over the goal line for the second and winning touchdown. The kick was good and the final score was Harding l3, State 7. Jim was carried along the field in triumphant victory by his team- mates. But he had something else to attend to. He ran across the field and up to Bob Larsen, who was walking to the club house. He roughly put his hand on Bob's shoulder and turned him around. The crowd suddenly became quiet. They wanted to see this. Marjory, who .happened to be on the field to meet Bob, stood still also. What would happen now? Jim eyed Bob angrily, the gleam in his eye giving Bob the jitters. So you caused my breaking with Marjory, eh? asked Jim in a slow tone. Bob was still not daunted by Jim's question. He stood firmly and said, Sure, and what are you gonna do about it? Jim took off his helmet and said, Just this, and this. Biff! Powl Whaml Bob was rolling on the ground with Jim, wrestling and fight- ing to the end, it seemed. Jim grabbed Bob's jersey, and stood him up. Bob's features were badly damaged. He was pleading to be left alone. Jim saw Marjory and called her over. Somehow, she could not snub him any more. She slowly and shyly stalked over to the two tired fellows and Jim said, Okay, Bob, spill it. Bob nervously answered, Yeh, yeh, sure. I told Barbara to break you two up. Sure, sure, only let me go. Let me go. Jim angrily released his grip on Bob's jersey and said, Don't let me see you around Marjory's for as longl as you live. Here he paused. That is, if Marjory understands now, he imploringly continued. The girl ran to his arms and said, Oh, Jim, darling, what a fool l've been. As she kissed him, Jim thought he had won a disputed game-and a girl. Aldo Sigismondi, 9B4. O A BACKWARD MIND IN OUR MIDST What causes war? Why do we have exams? Who blew out the flame? l was sitting in the bathtub trying to solve the problems in life. At last it struck mel We place too much value on such common things as money, education, art, recreation and love. Yes, we place too much l3

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During composition lesson, Estelle and Carla, who sat close to each other, were gossiping about Miss Straddy. Estelle said, Look at those clothes she wears. Even if she had nice clothes, they wouldn't look good on her fig- ure, said Carla. Suddenly Miss Straddy turned her eyes on them. Those girls come here, she ordered sternly. Yes Ma'am, both girls answered at once. What were you two talking about that's more important than a composition lesson? demanded Miss Straddy. Estelle, who was more outspoken, said, We, we-were talking about you. About me? asked Miss Straddy. Yes, ma'am, we were admiring your looks and your clothes, lied Estelle. A-hem, a-hem, back to your seats girls, and no more of this non- sense. Understand? The girls giggled behind her back. After school they made a B-line for Miss Rogers' cottage up Sunset Hill around Memory Lane. Rose rang the bell and a colored woman came to the door. Is Miss Rogers in? Is she sick? How is she? asked Estelle, all in one breath. One question at a time, chiIe, said the colored woman. May we see her? asked Lawrence, a bright boy in the class. Sho' as yo' Iivin', chillun. Com'on in. Ah jus' baked some scrump- tious cookies fo' yo' alI. Who cares about cookies! I want to see Miss Rogers, exclaimed Frederick, who was quite fond of cookies. And there behind a desk Miss Rogers was writing something. Everyone ran to her. Well, I do declare, this is a surprise, said Miss Rogers, and the sunlight that came in from the window made her look more radiantly beautiful than ever. Oh, we missed you so today. Why didn't you come to school? asked Lawrence. Miss Rogers smiled and she unconsciously showed her lovely white teeth. OhI it's nothing very serious, you see. As I was coming down the steps this morning, I tripped and fell, and my leg was hurt a little, so I could not come, she said. , . nu- . I v 1 I I -.v..-v 1 1 1 . I5