Guilford High School - Rostrum Yearbook (Guilford, ME)

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26 THE ROSTRUM whv we are here. A Nazi rat in America sources here in discovered through unknown t-hat a German-American was Germany. Ile got my complete descrip- here It tion. Because of me you are all 'N . was no fault of yours. You should not die for what I have done. If only some well- meaning American had kept his mouth shut. In America there is too much free- dom of speech and too much freedom of the press. I wish a few of the Americans could see the suffering in France. They would never again complain about sugar rationingf, Shut up talking back there. It disturbs us. You must leave us supermen alonef, These orders came from the Nazis in the front seat of the car. The automobile drew up in front of the court house. They all got out and ran up the steps and into General Varott von Garmains' office. The oHicers clicked their heels, raised their arms in the Nazi salute and evilly barked, Heil, Hitlerln General von Garmains also rose and gave tihe regulation yell. Then he went on, Who are these people? VVhy have you brought them here?', The officer in charge answered him. This is the German-American, Herman Gunther. These girls are Theresa Pirout and Ieanne Fortin. They aided this man, Henri Pellitier, in the sabotage of the Tennerie ammunition plantf, So he is the one who was responsible for that! Take all of them but this one away to the cells. All right, now, Pelli- tier, whom are you taking orders from? Who are you working for? You had 'bet- ter tell me, because if you donit I will torture it out of youf, K'If you really want to know, I will tell you. YVho am I taking orders from? I am taking my orders from God, who sits in the high heavens and rules over all of mankind. He orders me through my conscience. Who am I working for? I am working for a lady whom you and your kind would not know. She has an odd name, but it is beautiful. Her name would not mean much to you because you are taught that she is no good. Her name, my friend, is Freedom. She is worth more to me than life. Are there any more questions you wish me to an- sweriy, KYOII are an impudenit pig! Guard! Take him away. My orders are to exe- cute the four of them immediately. I donit 'care how, nor wheref, The guards took Pellitier and hurried him to the cells. Then they rounded up all four of them and led them into the street to be shot before the public. The guards gave the firing squad the order to shoot and soon tlhe dastardly work had been done. Henri Pellitier, Jeanne For- tin, Theresa Pirout, and Herman Gun- ther, loyal and valiant fighters for free- dom, died as bravely as they lived, be- fore the Hring squad. On the outskirts of the crowd was an old woman, bending feebly on her knees. She was praying. As the watch- ing crowd, with tears in their courageous eyes. listened to her, this is part of what they heard: G-and may Go-d have a beautiful home in heaven for those who die that we may live to see a better and a peaceful worldf, Dora Taylor ,43. MY BELATED POEM I completely forgot to write my poem, Until this very day, And now I'm in a hurry- And don't know what to say. I could write of lots of things, But they'd take too much time, So Iill say 'Hu revoirf, and sign my name, And end this little rhyme. Patty Knowles '46. A MOTHERS SORROW '.l'hc telegram lay open In the mother,s trembling hand Only mothers know the heartache Of a son in foreign land.

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THE ROSTRUM 25 them. As she narrated the events of the evening, Henri stepped out of the closet. Oh, Henrif, she said, I want you to meet Herman Gunther. Now, don't you draw your gun. He is a good Germanf, i'The only good Nazis are the dead onesf' But he isn,t a Nazi. He is an Amer- ican secret service man. He has been telling me all about himself. He just de- stroyed my oflice. YVe saved a lot of plans and important data for his govern- ment. Herman, what did you do with themiy, They are on their way to England, now. l left them in a garbage can as we came past that last alley. A friend of mine was standing there in a doorway. We have to work fast in our war against the Gestapof' I am glad to have met you, Herman. I must go nowf, Henri said goodbye to Herman and walked up to Jeanne, kissed her and spoke in a low voice. Goodnight and may it be a good night for us allf, Soon after Pellitier left, Gunther also went away. They would all meet in the morning. Theresa and Jeanne were dressing the next morning when the sun arose. Jeanne spoke, Theresa, do you feel the same as I do? I feel as though this would be the last time my hair will ever be brushed. Itis a funny feeling. I have felt it ever since early this morning. I do not know why. Do you suppose - oh, Theresa, do you suppose they will catch us? If they catch us what will they do to us? Will they kill us? I have seen so many people-women and children, so young that they could not have harmed anything, killed in the streets. No, not killed. They were murdered! Murdered by the maniac who calls himself our ruler, sets himself up as our God, and then murders us. He would personally stab every one of us who does not bow on our knees to him and beg him to let us spy upon our neighlbors. Theresa, cant we get out of France? Canit we get away from this hell on earth? c'Jeanne, you must not feel that way. You love France as I do. You would gladly give your life for her. You are worried. Never mind it, it will pass on. By the time we get to the plant you will feel better. Come, now. We must go if we are to be on time for the funf, The two girls left the house and walked down the street a few blocks to the factory. Theresa went on a few more blocks. She did not want the people to wonder what she was doing on the streets of Paris alone. Then she turned and went back to the house. She did not wish to be at the office when the Gestapo officers started their investigation. As darkness falls early now in the dreary, gloomy city of once bright Paris, it is dark when Pellitier and Jeanne Fortin leave the factory. Jeanne walks slowly down the street, hoping to be there to see t-he explosion, but not dar- ing to wait lest she be arrested. Soon Pellitier caught up with Jeanne. Walk- ing slowly down the street, they ap- peared to be just a pretty French girl and a young Frenchman, very deeply in love with each other. There was a Hash in the night sky. The Tennerie ammunition plant was in flames. Sirens were blowing and people were rushing toward the blaze that was tearing the heavens apart. Men in Nazi uniforms were rushing around. Through all the noise and confusion Jeanne and Henri hurried home, unnoticed. They walked quickly up the front steps and into the house. Then came the Curt command, Put your hands upl We have finally caught you. You will pay dearly for your sins against the almighty Hit- ler. Hans, tie their wrists. The car is here. Go, n0w.', They were ushered hurriedly into a car standing before the house. Theresa and Herman were already inside. Her- man explained fbriefly why they were there. I suppose you are wondering

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THE ROSTRUM 27 Her son was killed, her only son, Her hope, her pride, her joy, Why did disaster fall on him? XVhy, he was just a boy. She prayed and ibowcd her grey head, Her heart was full of sorrow, How could she live another day Inst live to face the morrow. Oh, God, you are so cruel To take my son away, My faith is gone forever, Did I have it yesterday? I prayed for his protection This the day and this the nite, But now my faith is altered, Do you think that this is right? She thought of God Almighty And she lifted proud her head, If my son died for freedom, Then mysonis not really dead. Dorothy Lewis ,44. THE ISLE OF LIBERTY ln this big war-torn world of ours, A-t some unknown place, A person can find the quest of life, An an isle of peace and grace. This isle will be known for miles around, Where one and all are free, A place to which we all are bound, The Isle of Liberty. Pauline Skinner ,46. WRECK OF THE PAPER DOLLS They were treasures once-though of little cost, Now they are torn and their cloths are lost! All their losses, I never could mention Why they look as if they had been through a depression! They inighft have fought in a battle in- stead .Xud in that tussle, Snow-White lost her head. Cecile is the only one left of the Quins, The others inustive jumped out of their paper skins! Charlie McCarthy has lost his false chin Now whatill he do if he can't even grin? Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose Have gone back to England-I suppose! Now wouldnit it be fun galore, Il' I could bring them back and pretend once more? Madeline Knowles '44. OUR PAL, BRITAIN The people of Britain are fighting swell, The weak, the strong, the sick and the well, To how Hitler's head and an Englishman said, I say, old chap, I'll he glad when you are deadf, Their tea is seldom and far between, But they donit mind, not even the queen, Their children are barefoot, their cities are bombed, But with the Yanks on the march, it xvon't last long. Their food is going, their logs are boomed, But Britain will fight ,til Hitler is doomed, Revenge is ours and Victory too, So keep thern flying, for the Bed, VVhite and Blue. Mary Moore ,47. SPRINCTIME Birds aisinging in the trees, Squirrels chirping with the breeze, Flies 21,l1ll1T1lTllIlg ,round about, Trying to tease the speckled trout Who lurk in every shady pool, Where the water's always cool, Deer and rabbits together rush, To nip the buds from nearby brush, While nature uses her strange po-wer, ln growing every plant and flower. All of this and more too, Wlill happen when this winter's through. Carroll Moore ,44.