Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

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16 THE LAUREL carefully trained Laddy had put her. I-Iad we not reason to be proud? It was one beautiful September morning at daybreak as Laddy and I stood on the slope of a lhill watching the sunrise, for in those days we were 'up before the sun. As the mist from the valley crept up, a purple haze enveloped the hills and the dusky-red streaks in the sky perfected the appearance of a vast eternal fire consuming the earth. Then suddenly tlhe sun burst forth in all its glory. The beauty and picturesqueness of this scene thrilled me and all I could do was to stroke my pet and say, H This is our great day for it means victory or defeat. How well he understood those words was doubtful. We were entered for a race that after- noon at the Fair. The time passed swiftly that morning and the next eventful hap- pening was tlhat the ponies were under the wire ready to race. The crowd was clamoring and 'betting as usual, but as I looked around I saw that a new, strange pony had entered. But Laddy, with his head erect, neck arched, ears pointed, and his wavy mane flying in the wind, pranced, feeling himself monarch of all. The signal was given and the ponies were off, Laddy and Uhe new one head to head. I encouraged, spoke sternly, and even whipped my pony and yet we were even. Was this to cause the downfall, the ruin of my hopes? No, never! I cried, and yet we were even. Shame, terror, and sorrow entered my mind. I began to think that I was not so big, important, or mighty and that there were others besides myself. At last tlhe end came when all my pride, superiority, and self-importance fell to humble insecurity for-I lost first place. Sylvia MCLd'ltg11fl'f7Z. YT My Eighth Grade Graduation Miss O'BR1EN was one of that rare type of women, who could speak without shout- ing and at all times keep her voice under control. She was a slim, tall, brown-haired per- son of an' extremely fine idea of how classes should be conducted and children treated. For days beforehand, slhe minutely coached us as to how we should walk for- ward, how, and say H Thank you, when they gave us our diploma. On the eventful morning we assembled, dressed all in white and with shining faces -due either to the newly born desire for cleanliness or lack of powder, 'hair won- derfully and fearfully frizzed-and more or less conspicuous as a whole. However as long as I'll live, never shall I forget one dress. It was a white organdy with ruffles, and all the necessary trim- ming to produce the effect of a doll, and being worn hy a plump girl, increased the idea. Another girl had a crepe dress, with real flowers on the shoulder, a girl of extraor- dinary good looks and who since has failed to see the need of education and discon- tinued the practice of going to school. Special mention must be made of the present President of our class, who on trhat day, was exhibiting his now famous grin and taking in everything whiclh was going on around. After graduation, everyone shook hands with us, wishing us well and offering many hints as to what our future life would amount to, now that we had progressed so far along the sea of educa- tion. When we finally went down to Luce's to have our pictures taken, it was a self- important group. I wondered, feeling that my mind was so far superior toimy associates, what un- told heights might I not reach. My castles were complete. I possessed the self-confidence of youth, whiclh is a wonderful thing. , Since then, my would-be assuredness, has been sadly routed by stern authority. Thelma Meisner.

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THE LAUREL 15 continued to throw stones. Suddenly I heard 'him scream and a moment later saw him emerge from the corn. To my horror I saw the blood rushing down his face. It was the only time in my life that I felt like fainting. I think then that it Was more because of shame than for any other reason. It Was about the first time in my six years of existence that I felt truly ashamed of my temper. The stone had struck the boy just a bit above the eye and I have often thought since that my lucky star 'Was surely shining on me that day for if the stone had gone a bit below its mark it would surely have hit him squarely in the eye. It Was necessary for him to have a few stitches taken in the cut and in a few days We were playing together as usual. Nevertheless the shame of allowing my temper to govern my mind and actions so completely, stayed 'With me for some time. As far as I can remember that was the first really important lesson I ever had in learning to control my temper. It cer- tainly was a lesson for I shall never forget it and it has helped me immeasurably to curb my Worst Weakness. Ella Hujf. YY My Sister I WAS about seven years old when I first realized one of my great desires. I had always been the only child and much Was my chagrin When my greatest friend had a little sister. Returning from play at her house I -would always lie on the bed and cry for hours at a time, simply because I had no playmate. If anyone has ever felt this Way they Will know how unhappy I Was. Nearly every day in school, some teacher would ask, How many have little brothers or sisters? I looked at my desk each time to keep back the Hood of tears that was always pushing With increasing force. Each day, the desire grew greater until one day I found it fulfilled. I-Iow happy I Was. I think I experienced one of my greatest joys on that day and it has been more or less influenced on my life since tlhen. How sweet she looked to me all Wrapped up in a Wooly White blanket. I 'Wanted to take her and play With her but shewas too small. I Watched her grow and it seemed to me that 'she did something new each day. I loved her from the Hrst time I saw her and delighted myself by doing things that Would please her. I remember When she first tried to talk. How happy it made me to have people ask me if she Were my sister. f Now, as I recall these delightful days I am reminded of what I might have been had I not been granted this favor, a lonely child, always pensive and unhappy, think- ing only of myself and misjudging the World in general. How unhappy I would have made my mother and father 'Who have always done tlheir best to make me happy. fNor has this influence lessened, but it has grown as she has grown until it is one of the most vital in my life. Arlyne Clark. My Laddy I WAS, undoubtedly, the most content or satisfied with myself at the age of eleven, when mounted on Laddy , my pony, We stood aloof and gazed with utmost superi- ority upon my friends. Tlhere was pride not only in my own eyes but also in Lad- dy's for We could challenge any pony for miles around to race and With perfect security We would infallibly come in first. Not only this but on meeting a school- mate,- Whom I did not particularly care for, a Wicked little thought 'Would Hash to my mind and on rushing up Would kindly ask her if she Wanted a ride. Delighted with t-he opportunity and thinking how kind I Was she Would spring to the saddle but fate did not favor her for in less than two minutes I was triumphantly, galloping away While she lay on the ground Where

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THE LAUREL 17 My First Day in High School THE spring after I graduated from grammar school, there was just one thing that filled my mind. I was to enter high school that fall. Everything went tlhrough my mind. I was scared and pleased both at the same time. When September came I equipped myself with new pencils, paper, pens and note books as all Freshmen do. Then that awful day arrived,-my first day in high school. Tfhe night before I could hardly sleep a wink, and in the morn- ing I could not sit still long enough to eat my breakfast. I thought this was the big- gest day in my life. I went to school about seven-thirty, I thinkg anyway, I guess I was the first one there. I waited and waited for ages it seemed. When the up- per classmen began to arrive CI don't want you to think I was self-consciousj, it seemed as if their eyes were centered on me all the time. Probably they didn't even see me. All I could see was staring eyes. I thought I must be some kind of a freak. VV'hen the door opened I went in but where I was going I didn't know. You know how green Freshmen are, and I was one of the greenest. Well everyone had gone some place and I finally perambulatccl around until I came to this immense room. It seemed to be the largest I had ever seen. I found out afterwards that it was the Assembly Hall. Of course everyone turned to look at me for I had come in late. First I felt as large as a giant then as small as a dwarf. I couldn't see a seat for the life of me. I started down the aisle. It seemed as if I were arms and legs. Suddenly a great voice said, 'A Well, hurry up and sit somewhere. I almost sat on the floor, for in my rush I stubbed my toe and somelhow got into a seat. That was over, and I was some glad but the worst was yet to come. We then made out our study plans. I got all mixed up as usual, and was spoken to about forty times in one minute for whispering. Finally we were told to pass to our first class. I didnit have the least idea where to go, and after wandering around the schoolhouse for about an hour fit seemed that long anywayj, I decided to go into the room where Uhe most intelligent looking people were, for I knew they would be Fresh- men. I opened a door and walked in, but I couldn't rememlber of ever seeing one face, but I stuck bravely and sat down. Every- one was smiling and laughing. Here I was the joke again. Gee! but I must be funny. So to help matters out I began to laugh. VVe all had a swell time laughing, the teacher included. Then she said very kindly, and I know now t1hat she was sorry for me, f' You two belong down in Room Fourg this is the Senior Latin Class. I looked around and found I was not alone in my madness, for there sat a red-haired boy, looking just as miserable as I felt. We left that room pretty quick. I wasn't alone now. I had a companion who was also in distress, to navigate around with me. That teacher had said Room Four, and I was just as much at sea as ever, but we got there just as the bell was ringing. I told the teacher that I had been delayed and she smiled and said that I would know where to go the next day After that I got into the right place somehow. Pure luck, I guess. One thing was bothering me very much. Someone had told me that we were going to get it when school let out. Of course I wasn't scared, just a little bit afraid of what those horrid Sophomores were going to do to us. When it came time to go home I filled my arms high with all tlhe books I had been given. For I had that high ambition all Freshmen have for the Iirst week. It 's too bad how we slump. Vwhen we were dismissed the principal told the Sophomores to stay, and maybe that wasn't some relief to us. That noon I couldn't eat dinner I was so eager to study those books I had brought home with me. That was the first and last time I ever had that desire. I studied all Uhe afternoon and