Freeport High School - Clarion Yearbook (Freeport, ME)

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THE CLARION saying that she was going out and for them not to worry. The note did not state where she was going nor how long she would stay. Grandma laughed to herself in sheer mischief at the thought of her adventure. The day was fine and the road enchanting. lt stretched out a smooth, winding ribbon towards that mysterious city whither Grandma was hound. She had made up her mind to go for a visit with Tillie Marshall. Tillie was always asking her, in the letters she wrote, and had often deseribed to Grandma the de- lightful times they would have. Grandmafs mind returned, from the eontemplation of her glorious adventure, to rest again on the scenes they were pass- ing. The driver was slowing up a little for a curve. There was a breath-taking instant of fear. as two ears came eareening around the eurve side by side. II. Grandma Morse awoke in a hospital, with a terrible headache and without the least recollection of her surroundings or of the accident which had necessitated her being brought here. The doctor told her that calling cards with the name Mrs. tl. Fred Morse on them were found in her pocket book with some money and a few small articles, but that they were unable to find out where she had come from or where she had been going. The bus driver, poor fellow, who might have been of assistance, had been killed. Grandma recovered rapidly and was soon able to be about, apparently as well as ever, hut not a shadow of the past dark- ened her mind. As time wore on, the doc-tors gave up all hope of her ever regaining her memory. She was fortunate in find- ing a home with two elderly ladies. Her duties being light, she managed very well. All attempts of the kind people of Bucks- port to discover traces of her former hoine were in vain, hut though Graudma's past remained a blank she seemed perfectly happy in this new state. One day, however, the postmaster was seen hurrying up the steps of the home where Mrs. Morse lived. ln his hand was a letter and he asked to see Mrs. Morse at onee. The envelope bore the address HM rs. .T. F. Morse, Boothsportf' It had been missent to Bueksport. The postmaster had been on the verge of marking it Missent', and putting it in the outgoing mail, when I8

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LITERARY could win if hc really tried but they weren't sure he would try. From the beginning Henderson had been ahead, with Tom ten paces behind. As Tom ran he felt a pain and cramp in his stomach, probably caused by eating forbidden candy that fore- noon, although he always argued that eating candy never would hurt him and if it did it would be his own loss. How hot it isv he thought as he followed Henderson around the track. He fell back still further. He heard howls of despair from the Hancock portion of the grandstands and shouts of satisfaction from thc lVlcAyne part. Then it came to him what school spirit really was, what it would mean to the school to win if he only was able. His stomach ache, the heat and the exertion forgotten, he lengthened his stride and his speed so quickly that it seemed to the crowd as if he had been standing still. Henderson also saw him gaining and also increased his speed but he was no match for him and Tom crossed the line and broke the tape yards ahead of him. School spirit had won the meet and given the state championship to Hancock. lJANIFZL TU'r'rLE, ,29. GYHITDUIH 'IRUI15 HWHQ The motor bus plying between llellcview and Arlington was rolling smoothly yet swiftly along, carrying Grandma Morse farther and farther away from Tom and Alice. She sat, enjoy- ing to the last atom, her glorious exhilarating holiday. Oh, but it was wonderful to get away for a few days from the humdrum existence of every-day life with her son and his family. Not that Grandma didnlt think a great deal of Alice and the children, but their habits were so different from those she had practiced before Tom's marriage. The kiddies were reared so differently from hers-a time for this and a time for that. Somehow it didn't seem natural. Alice was good to her, of course, but Grandma didn't feel free. Besides, there never seemed to be any tasks for her to do, and it made her feel old, out of things. To escape this, for a time, she was running away, actually, at eighty-five years of age! She had left a note I7

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LITERARY he chaneed to think of Mrs. Morse. The cards in her case had been those of Mrs. J. Fred Morse. Might this not he some relative of hers. He questioned Grandma hut got slight satisfaction, although he did think he caught a glimmer of understanding in her eyes at the mention of Boothsport. Finding no clue he departed. He took the letter to his pri- vate office, where he sat debating as to whether he should open it or not. Opening another's mail is a, serious otlense in the Civil Service and the postmaster was well aware of the fact. Never- theless, he reached a decision and, steaming the letter open, he extracted the contents. The letter was hrief and read: '4Hamden, Ohio, Nov. 19- llear Fred: As much as I hate to say it, we can find no traee of Mother. VVe have advertised and called the police on the ease, hut no results as yet. If you find a clue, wire at once. Yours, Tom. As the man finished reading he jumped to his feet and started in search of Grandma again. Mrs Morse, he began, when she answered the door, Udo these names mean anything to you? Tom, Fred, llamden, Boothsport ? and he seanned her taee intently for any glimmer of recognition. Slowly Mrs. Morse repeated them after him, t'Tom, Fred, Hamden,-7' her voice trailed off into a whisper as she sank to the doorstep. Quickly, the postmaster lifted her and carrying her into the house, placed her on a divan. However, it was only a faint from which Grandma soon revived. As soon as she could collect herself, she said rather hesitat- ingly, I know, it all comes back. Tom and Fred are my sons and I was living with Tom when-when l ran awayf, she tin- ished with a feeble smile. Telegrams were sent to the 'fhoysv to announce the glad news, and that night two sad-faced men were again smiling. Vvhen Tom came to take her home, Grandma asked, lVhat will you do to me? When the hahy runs away, you put him to hed. Tom only took her in his arms for answer. Dems REID, '29. I9