Foxcroft Academy - Review Yearbook (Dover Foxcroft, ME)

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14 ACADEMY REVIEVV . My THE MYSTERIOUS BOX On a certain May morning back in 1904, there was no happier boy in the city of Boston than seventeen-year- old Jack Hubbardg for at last his very poor mother had consented that jack should work his way to California on the ship Roxbury, under command of Captain Boyle, a friend of Mrs. Hubbard. Fifteen months before VVilliam Hub- bard, -Iack's father, had written from California that he had discovered a very rich mine, but owing to bad health could not work it. He had said in the letter that he was going to write down the location of the mine and then start home for a rest. NVhen he had rested sufliciently, he would take some trustworthy friend and, with the map, go back, find the mine, and make him- self rich. But unfortunately, both for his family and for him, the ship was wrecked and he never returned. Neither was the spot where the boat went down ever determined. E LULJ I . 14-.J 1' ,f J' At California jack hoped to find his father's mine and lay claim to itg but there was little hope of this. because his father had never told anyone, out- side of his family, about the mine, and even they did not know where it was. Mrs, Hubbard was at the wharf to see jack leave on his long quest, and despite jack's best efforts, he was cry- ing like a child when at last the ship weighed anchor and headed out to sea. The Roxbury was laden with a cargo of goods for California and car- ried no passengers. jack's duties were very light, and he became a close friend to both the captain and the crew. He gained such knowledge as would give him the rank of an amateur sailor. The owners of the Roxbury, in order to avoid the rough voyage around Cape Horn, instructed Captain Boyle to go through the Strait of Magellan. The captain believed that this would be a very difficult passageg and it proved to be as he thought. The ship's progress was very slow. and several times she was even obliged

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ACADEMY studies, we are forming a worthwhile habit. Therefore, the main thing for F. A. students to remember is that they must try to raise the scholastic standing of the Academy. Since we have just spoken of the value of scholarship, it might be well to discuss some of the school activities that help to develop it. Every year the members of the Senior French class form a French club. lf this kind of club does not make a definite appeal to F. A. students, they are ignorant of the pleasure that is obtained from it. Short literary programs are usually given at each meeting, but the re- mainder of the time is spent in playing French games and conversing in French. No special talent is needed to enjoy this club, only an earnest desire to be able to speak one of the modern languages. It may seem cruel to the members of the 1926 French Club to reveal the fact that their club meetings do not consist of lofty and elevated dis-E courses on philosophical subjectsg but by this revelation we hope to induce more students to take an active part in this delightful organization. Since we all may not be interested in French, an linglish Club has been formed. ln order to obtain admit- tance, a high grade in linglish must be maintained. NVe do not think it nec- essary to discuss the advantages of this club in detail. The linglish language is our language, the language which we shall probably speak all the days of our lives. NYhat could be more impor- tant than to increase our knowledge of the mother tongue? REVIEW 13 Another one of the activities of the school which we urge the underclass- men to participate in, is athletics. The day has passed when only boys could enjoy exercise in the out-door air. Now the privilege is given to both boys and girls. VVe all know that ath- letics help to develop clean sportsman- ship, and what is more important than anything else, they aid us in building up strong physiques. Since these facts are true, we should all take part. if possible, in some form of athletics. F. A. is a many-sided' school. None of the major branches of learning seem to be neglected. The students who have musical ability are given an ample opportunity to develop their talent in the band, orchestra, mandolin club, or chorus work. lf we only would realize the importance of music in our lives, we would make a noble effort to obtain musical instruction in some form. F. A., in addition to all these oppor- tunities, oiiiers training in dramatics. Many of us possess dramatic ability if we would only develop it. Shakes- peare compares life to a stage where we all take part. lf this is true, each one of us should develop whatever dra- matic ability we possess. Although all of the school activities are important we urge each of you to remember that high schools are pri- marily for intellectual development. Keeping this in mind, select as many of the school activities as you feel ca- pable of supporting. After selecting these activities, however, remember that supporting them means giving them the best you have. VVhatever you do, do it well. F. A. expects it of you.

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x ACADEMY to tie up for a few hours. On one of these occasions jack asked if he might be put ashore and hunt. Captain Boyle was willing that he should go, because he saw that it would be sev- eral hours before they could make any headway against the wind. Being very close to shore, he ordered several sailors to lower a boat and put jack on the mainland. Jack wandered far into the woods, and when he decided to return he found that he did not know in which direction to go. He had heard it said that when lost in the woods, the best way to do was to go in one direction, making sure you were going straight. He tried this and walked until ex- haustedg then he lay down, and sleep was soon upon him. Meanwhile, on the Roxbury,,' all was dismay and excitement, when it began to get dark the captain sent an armed party after jack. In the morn- ing the party returned with the report that Jack could not be found. Parties searched day after day until a week had passed. Then Captain Boyle felt that he could delay no longer, so he headed out to sea again. In truth. he felt that the boy was dead. But contrary to Captain Boyle's be- lief, jack was very much alive. He lived on deer and berries, which he found were very plentiful. Then, on the morning of the seventh day, he came to a river. From his knowledge of geography, he knew that there were mountains b e t w e e n him and the Pacific Ocean, and therefore this river must lead to the Atlantic. REVIEW I 15 Fortunately Jack had a. of stout string with him and he soon con- structed a hookg with these he caught a great number of fish. He studied the sun and the direction in which the river was flowing and soon decided that he had better start off across country for the Strait. It took him four days to reach the Strait, and when finally he did so, he found himself, to his great astonishment, within a few yards of where he had first entered the woods. The Roxbury, of course, had long since gone, but he discovered, above the high-water mark, a large pile of stones, and on pulling it to pieces, found that it covered a perfect magazine of supplies, which was made up of food and ammunition. He also found a letter with the supplies from Captain Boyle. The Captain in this letter told Jack how to live until help came. He also said he would return in two months. He had done this, it seemed, as a last resort to save Jack, should he be alive and find his way back there. jack built a small cabin from drift wood and swale grass. He fished from a sand bar when the tide was out and then went hunting when it was in. Shell fish could be picked up on the sand and there were large birds to be shot. Jack fared quite Well, the only draw- back to his happiness was the thought of his mother and her lack of money. As weeks passed, he became more lonely and wished the boat would come. ri Y :Z 'S rf.: .2 a:L?Aa?x4-F .-.1 1-M