Bucksport High School - Hillcrest Yearbook (Bucksport, ME)

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THE IRONY OF FATE The sun dawned on a little fish- ing village on an island off the coast of Newfoundland , casting its rays through the rising vapor that island on always enveloped the cold bleak days such as this. None of the coldness, however, could touch the heart of this little fisher- man's child. Why, wasn't she the happiest girl in the world? Wasn't she going to the mainland to start her elementary education tomor- row? Of course she was happy. Nothing could stand in her way now that her usually rigid father had given in to his small daughter this once. It was today or never for her be- cause soon the great width that was the river would freeze over' for the winter and the picturesque riv- er boats would discontinue their run to the mainland. She was quite safe though. Hadn't her father promised that the freezing weather would not -come for at least a month? He had read it in the sun- set only last night. This morning though she awoke and shivered. She knew not why, for her bed was warm and cozy. Maybe it was the excitement, she thought. Then came the loud, clear ringing of the chapel bells, tolling out their message. The ice! It had come in the night and choked out all contact with the mainland! There in that river of ice. hope and illusion were drowned by un- -conquerable fate. -Mura Small, '40. A LITERARY STROLL The Foolish Virgin , deciding that she had done sufficient labor for The Twenty-fourth of June , took Beautiful Joe and started on a stroll. Ever since she was So Big she had favored nice long walks, and this was an ideal day. With her Sketch Book under her arm, she and the dog started down Main Street . When they reached The Pool of Stars , she threw sticks in the Undertow for Beautiful Joe to fish out. They took the winding path through the woods and soon they came to the pasture where Black Beauty was grazing. They rested by The Mill on the Floss much longer than they had intended, and upon start- ing for home, they found it was nearly twilight. The Virgin noticed A Light in the Clearing and much to her surprise found that Rip Van Winkle , The Virginian , had in- habited The Enchanted Barn . Following the Trail of the Lone- some Pine , she encountered The Girl of the Limberlost . She was carrying The Magic Umbrella . Page 20 Why are you carrying that? Because I don't want to get 'Freckles' , the girl answered. Where are you living now? asked Ruth , the Virgin. We have moved to the House of Seven Gables . I should like you to bring some of your friends' to my Home as I get very Lonesome . Do you ever see 'Little Dor- rit' ? Yes, I often see her in 'The Old Curiosity Shop'. We go there to read 'The Fun of being a Mother', said 'The Girl of the Limberlost'. Suddenly a noise attracted their attention. Beautiful Joe had seen Blackie, the Cat who was his Dear Enemy , and was chas- ing him for his very Life , Beautiful Joe ran and hid un- der the doorstep of Bleak House . It was a tired Foolish Virgin and Beautiful Joe who finally reached Trick Away House in Rainbow Valley . As it was very late they entered the house very. quietly by the Secret Stairs . -Patricia Phillis, '40.

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The 3:15 buzzer sounds, hardly heard, in the whistling force of the March wind. But ever watchful eyes knew by the clocks that re- lease had come. A straggling of hurried footsteps became a heavy scuffling tread as various rooms were emptied of their classes. One by one, giggling girls, silly boys, sedate girls and dignified boys, braved the sudden change of tem- perature in heated rooms to the crisp challenigng air of out-doors. Through the mud and slush they ran, walked, skipped or blew to the sidewalk, trying to become accus- tomed to the dazzling sunshine. So long: see you tomorrow. Don't forget, seven o'clock. I'll be up, 3'15 Bye. Back and forth the voices sing. While inside, ten weary teachers sit back and mop their foreheads, enjoying a minute's res- pite. Soon they'll have a second session, namely, detention students, but, for the moment-A hush set- tles over the spacious school. Foot- steps echo strongly. Suddenly a measured, firm and steady tread is heard. Those who are able, rush for cover. The more invincible ones stand their ground and hear the time-worn familiar voice say: No loitering in the corridors, and the measured tread passes with not a falter. School is definitely out, it is 3:16. -Adele Crooker, '40. THE ART OF SELECTING CHRISTMAS CARDS You know the selecting and send- ing of Christmas cards is an art and requires real skill on the part of the sender. If you don't think so lis- ten to this example of a modern college lass, skilled in the art of se- lecting and sending. She sits gazing at the cards dis- played before her and as she starts her selecting she mumbles to her- self: Let's see now-here's a cute one for Jim--he sent such a nice one last year. And here's the prettiest one lor Mother-that twenty dol- lars she sent yesterday certainly came in handy. Here's the senti- mental one for Bill-the engage- ment ring he gave me at Thanks- giving is such a beautiful thing! Now where's that homely one with the hideous flowers? Oh there it is. Afraid I'd lost it. That would never do because I bought that es- pecially for Aunt Laura. The old skinflint! Never even gave me a Christmas present last year and she's got so much money she doesn't even know what to do with it. Hmph! I could tell her a few Ways to get rid of some of it. I wouldn't bother to send even a homely card but 1'm afraid Dad would find out and wouldn't give me the fur coat he's promised for Christmas. Let's see, here's the pile of duplicate cards to send to the other aunts and uncles. Hope they don't compare them because I need the traditional stockings they always send, but it's such a job to select different cards for each relative. I've already mailed those penny Christmas cards to the kids back home. I suppose I should have bought more expen- sive ones but, honestly, if I had, I would11't have been able to indulge in that heavenly banana royal this afternoon. Oh! I nearly forgot to send one to the Peckhams. Boy, that was close! If I'd forgotten them they might have forgotten me when it came time for them to make their Christmas trip to the home town, and I might have been left behind! As you can see by this example it is a wise person who knows how to select and send Christmas cards so that the sender profits by it. -Betty Barnaby, '40, Page 19

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A Little Learning Is Sometimes a Dangerous Thing In the days of prohibition when liquor was scarcer than h-it is now, many people in desperation looked in all directions to find al- cohol to drink. Someone heard that there was a considerable amount Cof alcoh-oll in such products as lemon extract and canned heat. Grocers couldn't figure out the sud- den demand for these products which they never before had much sale for. But when the wise birds sampled their new form of alcohol they discovered that it had a very intoxicating effect. In fact it had about the same effect as castor oil only it put the sufferer out of his misery. This is also true of other alcoholic products, so remember just because it contains alcohol don't try antifreeze. -Charles Kloss, '40. THE DOOMED MAN The man had been sitting there a long time-for eternity it seem- ed to him. In. a few minutes it would be his turn to walk that last mile. The man had led a good life and had done no harm to anyone, but tragedy befalls many of us and it had this man. The perspiration rolled off him and fell to the floor in large drops, as he thought of the ordeal to come. Many thoughts raced through his mind. Will it hurt much? Will it be over quick- ly? Will I scream? All these thoughts raced through his mind. Oh! moaned the man, what have I done to deserve this? Just then a long screech echoed through the room. His hair stood on end and he started to pace the room. Back and forth, back and forth he paced. Oh! moaned the man, why must I go, even my family has turn- ed against me to send me here. The zero hour arrived and a door opened at the end of the room. A large portly man stood framed in the doorway. It is your turn, he said. The doomed man walked through the door into a room, with a huge chair at one end. Sit in it, commanded the port- ly man. The doomed man submitted ineekly. He was strapped in tight- y. Ready? asked the executioner. Ready, replied the doomed man, will it be over quickly? Yes, replied the executioner, what will it be, gas or novacaine- that tooth is pretty bad. -Joseph Nickless, '41. LES CHAPEAUX You show me a woman's hat and I'll tell you what kind of a woman she is. First, there's the sweet thing in a beribboned poke bonnet tied un- der her round little chin. She looks sweet sixteen but that hat neutrali- zes the rest of the adage. She dim- ples and coos from beneath the shadowy awning. She is a rare or- chid and often as poisonous. The next type always feels at home in a frame. She's a picture and her finish varies from the neg- ative to perfect development. She never wears rouge, for she believes in the outline technique. Her mouth is scarlet bow or something Page 21