Elmira Catholic High School - Victorian Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

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other kind. The kind of things that make you happy. Maybe that's why he was always smiling. Jan. 9-Still no word from him. Aunt Mary is worried but she never says anything. School is very boring lately. All the teachers are in horrible moods. I suppose you can't blame them. They Ive just been correcting exam papers. Jackie was eight years old Tuesday. He's growing to look like Jerry but he dosen't smile so much. I guess he's too busy talking. He made me feel his muscle a few minutes ago. 'Now I know why he always wins whenever we have have a wrestling match. It 's beginning to snow now. Feb. 2-We just had a letter from Jerry. He's overseas, but he can't tell us where. Hels someplace where there's fighting though. He didn't exactly say so but you can guess. I took care of the Darby kids tonight. Mary Ann 's front teeth are out and she can't talk without lisping. She kept telling me that, Thally Thimthon hath a thore knee becauthe Thammy thocked her with a thtickf' I think she was hurt because I cou.ldn't under- stand her, We had a snowstorm last night and this morning the trees and streets were all a soft glistening white. Jerry used to say it was fairyland. Mar. 4-Helen and Louise and I went to the show today. Jackie went too. We saw Shadow of a Doubt. It was really wonderful. The acting was perfect and the directing was even better. I like McDonald Cary. Poor Jackie was a wreck when he came out. He was so excited he talked all the way home but nobody listened to him. We went over to Helen's house and made fudge. Her father and mother donft eat much sugar so she saves it up until she has enough for some candy. April 8-It's rained for nine days. It 's been very dreary but today I didn't mind the rain. It seemed different somehow. Maybe it's because I remembered how Jerry loved to watch it rain. He used to stand for hours watching the drops sparkle on the brown sidewalks. VVatching them today made me think of him, May 4-Today we went back to school. VVe had a long Easter vacation so we could help the farmers. I went out to Hogan's. Aunt Mary said I should go some other place because she was afraid I wouldn't work after Page Forty-nine

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fbiaaq 404 fefmq Sept. 21-Jerryis gone! He left this morning. It was a beautiful morning -Mthe kind he loved-with the sun shining through a faint mist and chasing it away. It seemed so quiet here. Even Jackie was quite subdued for a change. Helen and Louise can.e over this afternoon. Vile played croquet until it got too hot. Then we just sat and talked. You know, dear diary, why I'm writing all this. Itis for Jerry to read when he comes home again. He said to tell everything even what seems unimportant. Sept. 30-Itis beginning to feel like fall today. The lawns and trees are still green but there 's a new crisp feeling in the air. 1 wonder what it's like where Jerry is. I suppose lie'll have a lot more summer down in Georgia. Jackie and I helped Uncle Steve pull up the tomato plants tonight. Jackie really seems to be growing up. I thought he 'd never get over being a baby but all of a sudden he has developed into one of those nice pesty little brothers. I wish he really was my brother. Nov. 16-VVe're having Indian summer. Jackie and I walked out to Hogan's farm today. Mr. Snedeker gave us a ride on the wagon, from his farm down .to Hogan 's. Jackie and I took turns driving. VVhen Jackie drove, the poor horses went so fast Mr. Sued nearly fell out. At least he pretended to. NVe helped Mr. Hogan gather in the hay but I guess we really did more fooling than working. Mrs. Hogan gave us some of her molasses cookies- Jerry 's favorite kind. She sent him some a few years ago. I suppose he won't get them, though, if all those soldiers see them. Jim Hogan is going in the army some time next month. It would be nice if he were sent near Jerry. Dec. 15-Here we've been planning on Jerry's being home for Christmas and we just got word that hels leaving the country. VVe don't even know where he is. It's going to be terrible without him. Ever since I came to live with Aunt Mary and Uncle Steve, Jerry has been my brother, almost. I think we liked each other more than most brothers and sisters. Of course, we used to squabble a lot and he loved to tease me, but he was never mean. He taught me so many things, not the things you learn from books, but the Page Forty-eight

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being used to playing there. I surprised everyone, most of all myself. I worked very hard but it was fun. T'here were some other kids there from our school. VVe tried to see who could work the fastest and the best. Nobody could agree who it was because each one thinks he was the best. But personally, I feel that no one could hold a candle to me. Jackie was feeling very misused because he couldnlt go to Hogan's too. And, of course, it didn't help any when Uncle Steve said they wanted someone who would be a help not a bother. June 6-We got a cable from Jerry today. Guess what! IIe's coming home. I didn 't think he could come so soon. Nothing else important happen- ed today, dear diary, or if it did, it seemed unimportant along side of Jerry's news. June 14-VVe had a letter from Jerry. Ile will arrive the twentieth. His letter was typewritten and he certainly has lost his touch. About every other word was misspelled. I guess thatls what comes of not practicing. The kids are having a picnic tonight and I have to make some sandwiches. I can hardly wait to see Jerry. 2 June 20-This morning it was beautiful out. It was Jerry's favorite kind of day-just right for his homecoming. The sky was a deep deep blue with puffy white clouds. Our rose bushes were bursting with color and all the trees and lawns were a fresh bright green after last eveningls rain. The sun was shining harder than ever before, making everything golden with light. I couldn't help feeling that the old world had done itself proud for Jerry. I was upstairs when a car drew up and Jerry got out. He was pale and he came up the walk very slowly. But I knew nothing was wrong because on his face was that same old Jerry-smile. I nearly fell downstairs in my rush to see him. And now, dear diary, I won't be writing in you anymore. You See- J erry's blind- Eleanor Maloney '43 paiceafaaeecfom I shall walk in the fields today, Over the wide brown plain, I shall feel the chill swift wind- Hear its lone refrain. I shall run through the fields today. Breathe the cold, clear air, And Illl lift up my face to the sky, Feel a swift, sweet prayer. I must go from these fields today T'o a far-off shoreg I must torture and slaughter men In a cruel war. As I pull forth a bloody sword From a dead man's breast, I must forfeit these fields of mine. No more will I rest. Eleanor Maloney '43 Page Fifty