Eastern High School - Echo Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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ose 06111 Whose Story Brings Phyllis to Reason By .ANNIE LAMPTON TQELL, '32 HYLLIS threw herself petulantly on the sand, face down, and vigorously dug holes with her bare toes. They were hardened little feet, well accustomed to hot sands and cold waves. And that was the reason for her peevishness. It was a foolish reason, no doubt, but if a big girl twelve years old couldn't go in bathing without the entire family's being present-well, who wouldn't be cross, she would like to know. Doctor Daddy had said that mother must come away and be very quiet this summer, and that Phyllis must be careful not to cause any anxiety and must never, never go into the water alone, because it would make Mother nervous. Could you beat that? Now, when the sun was blistering hot and the waves were calling, teas- ing, jeering. she couldn't go. Daddy was away from home, and Mother was too busy with Baby Brother to go into the water even if she had not been forbidden to swim this year. Phyllis almost wished she were one of those girls who howl about things. But, on second thought. she didn't wish that. She hated red eyes and drippy noses even if they did excite sympa- thy. Besides, she had learned early in life that crying meant only one thing. The few times she had given way to this desire, she had been coni- pletely undressed and. in this mortifying condi- tion, had been given a thorough and rather un- pleasant once over which several times had re- sulted in a little bitter medicine and invariably a whole day in bed. t'Children who are well never cry, had pro- claimed Doctor Daddy. As her irritation grew, she threw herself over on her back. One foot struck something which proved to be Sing Lee's leg. Sing Lee was the houseman who had come with them from the city and was now taking care of both the cottage and the family. The Chinaman's narrow, slanting eyes were smaller than usual as he smiled down at the little face. Sing was a privileged character in the house- hold. He had been gfElI1llll1Oti1CT'S houseman, but. upon her daughter's marriage. unheralded and much to Grandmother's dismay, he had trans- ferred himself with bag and baggage to the new domicile. He was now threatening to do the same Nineteen thing again when another home should be set up many years hence. Phyllis looked storniy at her devoted friend. UGO away, Sing Lee, she said, I want to be alone. The man obeyed by sitting down near the girl's feet. Missee want to pout? he inquired solici- tously. VVithout waiting for a reply, he went on. Sing Lee ever tell Missee about Rose Foam? he asked. As Phyllis was shaking her head, Sing Lee began his story. HRose Foam was a beautiful lady of China, whose father looked upon her with adoring eyes and brought many rare and costly gifts to her side day after day. The little lady was very happy in her wonderful garden and believed that everyone in the world was as happy as she until, one morning when the sun was shining warmly on the flowers and the birds were trill- ing and warbling in the trees overhead, the dragon Doubt entered. Just outside the gate near which the beautiful Rose Foam stood in her stiff bro- caded garments, a strange face appeared, looking intently at the jewels on the lady's arms and hands and neck. H fVVho is that?' asked Rose Foam, and the companion turned quickly to look. The man did not run away, but in his expression there was most deplorable distress as he said, 'O, Glorious One, turn not aside. I am poor and hungry. My wife and my little ones are sick for lack of food and warmth. Help us for the sake of our An-- cestorsf The beggar's bowings were most humble, but the companion bade him begone. However, the heart of the lovely lady was touched. Pluck- ing from her finger a costly jewel, much against the desire of her attendant, she placed it in the man's hand, begging him to sell it and buy com- fort for his family. 'lThe next day, the man again appeared. Be- lieving that the heart of her attendant was hard and unjust, the lady quietly bade the beggar see her again at sundown, when she would appear alone in the garden. fC01Iff7lllCd on page 963

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THE EASTERN ECHO prairie, without a house or a village in sight. There was nothing except a sun-parched sea of grass. Suddenly Captain Hammond spoke. See that level space between those two ridges over to the right? It's a perfect spot for a land- ing. I.et's see how you manage your landing on a strange field. Dick nodded his comprehension. He looked the Held over carefully, circling lower that he might distinguish any small depressions which might be in it. Throttling down his engine, he sent the plane downward in a long glide. VVheels and tail skid touched the earth, and with a barely notice- able shock the plane settled on the field. Splendid! the captain cried, clapping Dick on the back. Couldn't have done so well my- self. Dick's face flushed with pleasure. Captain Hammond. he knew, was not given to praise, and when it came from him, it was sincere. Dick reached for the throttle to start again, but the captain laid a hand on his arm. Hold on. Craig: I think I see a prairie dog village over there. That's something I've wanted to see ever since I was a kid. I'm going to stretch my legs a bit by walking over there, he said and swung himself to the ground. Prairie dog villages with their yapping inhabi- tants did not interest Dick, who, unlike the cap- tain. had been born in the NVest. He remained in the cockpit. idly awaiting the captain's return. The wind. which had grown stronger, was shift- ing. The plane. as it stopped after landing, did not head straight into the wind, and now it was still farther off. Dick decided to turn the plane, so that they might take off without delay when the captain returned. He began to warm up the engine. The propeller began to spin and Cap- tain Hammond, hearing the roar, looked back, startled. Not knowing what idea Dick might have taken into his head. he broke into a run toward the quivering plane, reckless of his footing. Dick saw him racing toward him and instantly re- gretted his hasty actions. He shut off the engine just as the captain staggered, threw up his hands, and fell forward on his face. Dick scrambled out of the plane, ran to the fallen Figure, and lifted it from the ground. My hip V, Captain Hammond gasped. 'AI caught my leg in a prairie dog hole. It's broken, I'm afraidf' His face went white and he fell back limply. Dick stood still, uncertain what to do. and bit- terly regretting his rash action in starting the engine. Here he was, far from a doctor, with not even a ranch house within miles. Hopelessly he looked across the endless stretches of the monotonous prairie. He could not expect help from there, but he must act quickly. At any rate, the captain must now be brought back to con- sciousness. As gently as he could, he half carried, half dragged his helpless companion to the plane. The plane! Dick stopped short. Wfhy hadn't he thought of it at once? There was only one thing for him to do-he must fly for aid. He must take his solo flight now. There must be no hesitation, no fear. The water from the can- teen revived Captain Hammond for a few mom- ents, and then he slipped back into unconscious- ness. Placing the man in the rear cockpit, in as comfortable a position as was possible, he fastened the safety belt about his body so that he would not be hurt by the motion of the plane. Study- ing the map, Dick found that the nearest town was thirty-seven miles away. His young face was set and grim as he took his place in the front cock- pit and buckled on his own safety belt. Before he started the engine, he looked up at the sky. The wind was stronger. A band of clouds had gathered and was slowly spreading, denoting a sudden shower or worse. The plane taxied over the field, headed into the wind and took off. Dick's hands on the controls grew firmer as the plane roared ahead. He felt a new confidence in himself. It's only thirty-seven milesf' he thought to himself. If I can't make thirty-seven miles be- fore the storm meets me, I'd better stick to the ground, that's all. But Dick had not counted on the rapidity with which a storm can form and break on the open prairie. Before he had fiown fifteen minutes, the clouds were above him and were sinking lower to earth. HThere's not enough ceiling to fly beneath them, he reflected. remembering the captain's often-repeated instructions, Unot enough gliding room. I must get on top. He pulled back on the control stick slowly and carefully, and the plane obediently nosed its way upward. Dick's confidence increased as he felt the obedient power of the plane. Now they were in the clouds, and a rolling mass of gray fog enveloped the plane, shutting out earth and sky. Even the wings were hidden in it. He was fly- ing blind now, with only the instrument board to guide him and keep him on an even keel so that he might not find himself flying in a steep bank, or upside down, when he emerged from the fog. He now searched for a break in the clouds. XVhen he found this, he nosed the plane fCm1fi1111r'd on page 1203 Eighteen

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pring, ozautiful pring Or The Other Side of the Question By PAULINE HoBBs, '32 PRING has come in all its glory! At the very mention of it, our thoughts turn to the beautiful and romantic or are supposed to do so. It is the time when flowers of delicate hues appear on a velvety green carpet of grass. Birds fiit about among budding trees and sing sweet songs. The clear blue sky above is just the right complement to the ravishing beauty of the earth. All nature is awaking after its winter's sleep. Our souls sing out for joy at the sight of so much new, young life. At least, that is the way we are expected to react to the coming of spring, if we take our cue from the poets. There is, however, another side to be considered which, though less beautiful, is certainly real. Spring weather is just about perfect, but not quite. There is some difficulty in keeping houses at the right temperature. At times, it is so pleas- ant that all heat is turned off. Then, before we realize it, the house becomes cooler and cooler. It is entirely too cold to live in a place with- out some artificial heat, so the fire is rebuilt. VVhen the furnace is working once more, it be- comes so hot that something simply must be done. Accordingly, the windows are raised. There are no screens, because it is so early in the season that nobody has thought of them. Before the windows have been open for five min- utes, the room is filled with insects of many varieties. Pretty little messengers of spring! Their backs are beautifully colored. Their wings are so delicately formed that one must wonder how so small a creature can be so perfect. How- ever, in spite of their many attractions, they are a nuisance. It is not altogether pleasant to have them using our hands and faces as landing fields or feeding grounds, so the windows are shut, no matter who suffocates. VVe decide that going to bed is the only solu- tion to our heating problems, only it does not prove a solution. The question is, Shall we put on a blanket or not?'! It is just the kind of weather for colds and other worse ailments, so the heavy covers are put on the bed. That night we swelter under the weight of blankets. The next night, determined not to be so uncomfortable again, we leave off the blanket. At three o'clock in the morning we awake, chilled to the bone. There has been a storm, and a cool wind has arisen, making it as cold as the average winter night. A shower of this kind is just as bad during the day. ln the morning, it is warm and clear, so we put on new spring clothes and go out. XVhen we are at the other end of town, a storm suddenly comes from nowhere. A drenching rain ruins our clothing, and a chill wind makes us wish for our winter coats. But this is the beautiful spring, and we must remember that f'April showers bring May flowers. The flowers really are beautiful, only some of them are a bit too plentiful. I mean the dandelions. On one fine spring morning we look out and see the lawn fairly covered with blossoms of this variety. They must be gotten rid of, for, if they are allowed to remain, the place will cer- tainly be unsightly. VVith all good intentions we have them pulled out, Roots and all, ma'am. That night we congratulate ourselves on having improved the appearance of the place to such an extent. There is not a single dandelion. VVe go to bed feeling pleased with ourselves and the world. Comes the dawn! VVe go to the window once more, this time to admire a lawn free of these weeds. But lo and behold! Today there are six of these beautiful nuisances where only one stood yesterday. They can never be lost. They are ever with us. There is much to be said, but we cannot go on in this way forever: right now our thoughts are being interrupted. lt is the radio announcer, tell- ing us that, The next number on our program for this evening isiRubinsteinys 'Melody in F, -better known as 'XVelcome, Sweet Springtime' ! Twenty