Hanover High School - Hanoverian Yearbook (Hanover, MA)

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THE HANOVERIAN 27 BOOKMARKS It was early spring in Hempstead. The business of the small down-town bookstore was dull, accounts were due, and Bookey Sam was having a hard time trying to raise sufficient funds to keep his business out of the hands of a receiver and bankruptcy. Sam was the slim and tortoise shell glasses type of a man with little ambition and a firm belief that a man running a book- store does not have to exert himself to keep his customers. In his opinion, they should just come to him if they wished to pur- chase books. An absent minded old gentleman came to the store early one morning. Sam looked at him and decided that perhaps he might be able to please him. What can I do for you this morning, sir ? he asked. Well, I should like to purchase something for my daughter, who has just left for college. Perhaps you have something that would interest her ? Do you think that she would be interested in travels or a good biography? Those two shelves are full of books on travel- right in that corner. Perhaps you might find something there that you would like. So saying, Sam again sat at his desk and busied himself with his accounts. After poking around for an hour or so and deranging nearly half of the two shelves of books, the old gentleman came to Sam's desk. I think that possibly a pair of beads, a trinket, or a ring of some sort would do better anyway. said he. I am so sorry for the trouble I have caused you. I may be back later. Then he hurriedly left the bookstore. An hour passed, uneventfully as usual. Sam was besieged with a bit of the blues. A young man came into the store bursting with excitement. Has an old man with white hair and a grey coat been in to look at some books ? Why yes, answered Sam. I guess he couldn't find any- thing to please him. Would you please show me the books he was looking at? Sam was amazed. No one had ever shown such interest in his books before. Surely, he was looking at those books on the second and third shelves in that corner, right over there.

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26 THE HANOVERIAN Carried around the bend like a shot, we were borne swiftly towards a huge cave and entered its mouth at a terrific rate of speed. In a few moments we were plunged into deepest darkness. We sped into a vast hallway, the distant heights of which dripped unceasingly. We were soon drenched to the skin and our canoe covered with a fine beady moisture. Every moment the air became hotter. In the distance we could hear a humming sound, which burst into a loud roar right over our heads, as we were borne into a narrower passageway. 'That is the forest fire.' said John. For half an hour or so we kept on our course hearing moan- ings and rumblings all around us. Ahead we could see a faint red glow, and hear the rush of falling water. That glow became a lurid bar, slanting across our path. We shot over a little fall and found ourselves precipitated towards-Oh God! shall I ever forget that sight I-Hell's own river, dreadful river of fire, sucking and smacking its horrible lips to receive us. Not one hundred yards ahead the cool waters struck the fire in a cloud of steam. Inhaling the gases was be- coming every moment more piercingly painful. Suddenly I fainted. When I came to, I found myself sliding down a radiant, lurid river. Black scum gathered around the prow of our boat. Far ahead, I could see the rounding billow of a giant cat- aract, plunging down with a hollow roar into the heart of the second crater of V mountain. For you see, we had entered the side of the big mountaing the unusual season and dreadful forest fire had awakened the old sleeping dragon, whose warning growls we began to hear as we were leaving the vast hall-ways. We had rushed headlong into the stream of lava, racing down its former course from the first to the second crater. In a few seconds, we would be hurled over the cataract to death. The canoe was gaining speed. I called to John, but he was lying back, his eyes closed in death. A few feet more and- 'We are going over the cataract! We living, are cast into the fiery pit! Oh God-!' A confused mummur arose around meg soft cool water was at my lips. I opened my eyes and saw before me, the old school building, blazing with fire. 'Where is John?' I whispered, but I already knew the answer. I have finished my story.

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28 THE HANOVERIAN The young man took each book and opened it carefully, right before Sam's eyes a small envelope fell out of each one. What does this mean?', asked the bewildered Sam. Well, you see it's this way, the young man replied. This old gentleman is pretty clever. We've at last caught him with the goods. We've been after him for two years. He has been smuggling dope into this country and we have been on his trail and I have been following him all day. Aha, I see. Quite clever, eh ? said Sam as the importance of the capture in his little bookstore dawned on him. I was so busy trying to straighten out my accounts that I did not take any notice of him at all. I will have to take these books as evidence. I guess that I can take them all in my car. By the way I represent the Federal Narcotic Squad. Here are my credentials, the young man in- formed Sam as he handed him some papers. An immense re- ward is offered by a drug syndicate? Sam testified in court as to the actions of the old man. Since all of the old travel books which had been on his shelves for years had been purchased for evidence, he received 3250. clear proiit. Sam's debts were settled, publicity brought business. N ot such a bad World after all, thought Sam as he cheer- dusted books. Marjorie 727. MOTHER NATURE'S WORK The apple tree is a beautiful sight With its starlike blossoms of pink and white. Old West Wind made the branches weep, And stole its beauty with many a sweep. The petals fell like fieecy snow Then slowly leaves began to show, Before September morning dews, There were apples of green and rosy hues. After the fruit the crisp leaves fell Drifting and whirling in each little dell. By Christmas tide the tree was bare Mother Nature shows her care With lovely touches, to bring us cheer Throughout the seasons of the year. Edna Sangster, '29.