Harmony High School - The Ferguson Yearbook (Harmony, ME)

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ONCE IN A LIFETIME QSee Editor's Note belowj John Tolliver rang the doorbell. He shiver- ed as he stood there. I don't know why he should for it was a warm day in August. Still, his knees wefre like macaroni. A butler opened the door and bowed. Dudley Brooks? he asked. Yes, sir, John answered and smiled, showing his white teeth. You shall go to your room now and get ready for dinner. You are not going to me-et your aunt until dinner time, explained the butler, picking up John's bags. So the butler led John into his room and set- ting his bags down left him saying, IE you want anything, you may ring for me. Then closing the door, John heard the butler de- scend the stairs. Whew, John exclaimed. It had all hap- quickly. Dudley Brooks, John's pened so roommate had received a letter the night be- fore from his aunt, inviting him to spend the week-end with her at her home. Although the woman was Dud's rich aunt, he did not wish to go. Dud had finally managed, after six months of hard trying to get a date with Bet- ty Brown, the prettiest girl in college. Now, he coudn't have it spoiled by this noozy old woman, just because she was his aunt. So by means of impressing upon the mind of his best pal, John Tolliver, the impossibil- ity of his going, Dud had finally acquired John's promise to impersonate him and go to his aunt in Dudls place. So here he was, and feeling plenty worried. Dud hadn't even told him the name of that aunt. Just given him the address and sent him off on Friday afternoon. John washed and changed into some fresh clothes. He combed his handsome yellow hair that curled so like a little bovis. How he wished he had Dud's straight black hair that laid just where it was combed! Then putting on his new necktie, he flashed a smile of ap- proval at the mirror, but with fear in his heart, started down to dinner. What would Dud's aunt look like? Was she one of those big, fat ladies? Was she tiny and skinny with white hair and specks pulled down on her nose? Well, he'd know before long, he decided. When John got-to the foot of the stairs, the Vbutler was there. Dinner's waiting, sir, he -said, and they started toward the dining room. The butler left him at the door and John looked around seeing nobody. Just then he heard light foot- steps behind him on the heavily carpeted floor. A lump rose in his throat. Now he'd know what she looked like. But when he turned he beheld nerither a big woman nor an old cne. This must be somebody else. But who? This person was only a girl. Probably not more than twenty-one. Her eyes were as blue as the sky had been that day, and her hair was as black as a raven, hanging about her slender shoulders in long beautiful curls. John thought she must be something out of the movies. When she smfled she showed even pearly teeth that gleamed like the snow does when the sun shines on it. She was dressed in a long, pink dress that swayed about her ankles when she walked. Gosh! She was prettier than that Betty Brown. So, you're Dudley Brooks, she smiled, Well, just call me Daisy, she added, holding out a small, white hand. Oh, and John extended his hand. My, but she must think he was dumb, for he never spoke a word. Well, sit right down. Dinner's all ready. They sat down and she began to eat. John couldn't eat, looking at those slim, graceful hands, which moved so easily. He dabbed away at whatever was in his plate. He didn't know what it was. All he knew was that someth'ng serious was happening to him. Before he knew it, dinner was over. Like music? she asked, as they rose and she led the way to the parlor. Love it, he murmured, not knowing what else to say. By now, John was wholly intoxi- cated by the beauty of this lovely girl whom he had met so unexpectedly. As she sat dovim to the piano and ran her fingers nimbly over the' keys, he swallowed a lump in his throat. He wished Dud's aunt would never come. He liked Daisy too well, though. After she had played a couple of tunes, John noticed the music, Pennies From Heaven. Oh! Play this, please, he gasped. What was happening to him? He could hardly talk. She -smiled again. Gee! He wished she'd be careful how she smiled at him. She made him want awfully to sit there on the piano bench with her. He loved that song, too. He'd spent hours learning it over the radio. Why don't you sing? she asked, looking

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den on ah-ead, promising to wait for him when they found a good place to stop. Look there, Martha! exclaimed John. Martha looked but 'she could see nothing but a house. What is it, John ? asked Martha. It is a schoolhouse, replied John. We can go in and visit school while we wait for father to come. The schoolteacher might like to have visitors. They hitched their horses to a tree. The schoolteacher came to the door and let them in. There were only five children in the small room. There was a fireplace in one end of the room. The children sat on some logs. The schoolteacher gave John and Martha some logs to sit on. Now you shall hear the children say their lessons, said the schoolteacher. He began calling' upon the children to recite. Martha and John listened, for this was not like their school in New York. John kept looking at a small boy who was very smart. This boy knew all his lessons and did them very well. Wish I had some paper so that I could draw that boy's picture, said John, as he always Wanted to draw. But neither John nor his sister had anv paper. John saw an old cardboard on the fireplace. He asked the schoolteacher if he could have the cardboard for he would like to draw a picture. Yes, you may have it, replied the school- master. Bv the time school was dismissed John had finished drawinsr the picture. The children gathered around him to see the picture. That is very good, said the schoolteach- er. Let me write his name on it. John paid little attention to what the schoolteacher wrote in the picture. He folded it nn and put it in his pocket. Mr. Robinson was waiting for John and Martha. Thev said good-bve to the children and went to join their father. When they reached the wagon, Martha said, Look at those children, barefoot in this cold weather. Do you suppose they have far to Walk? It was the brave bov. the one John drew a picture of, and his sister. They were walk- ing alone' a path that led into the woods be- yond the schoolhouse. Do you live near here? John asked. Yes, we walk through the woods. It's only eight miles, replied the small girl. Many years later John and Martha were wait'ng for the train in Illinois. The presi- dent was on the train. As the train drew near them, Martha quick- ly looked at John. She knew the president. He was the one that went to school in In- diana, the one that was so brave, Well, Martha, remarked John, I think the country will be saved. -Helen Ricker, Sophomore THE PINE TREE In sprinrf the little pine tree Saw the apple tree in bloom: The nine tree sighed quite sadly And wore a look of gloom. One niafht in fall the pine tree Just cried himself to sleep: And while he slept the snowfiakes Fell soft and thick and deep. Some children came with laughter And dug him from the ground. Thev took him to a cottage: The gayest place in town. Outside 'the annie tree stood bare, A lonely, chilly sight. Inside the pine tree, gay and bright, Brought joy on winter nights. -Helen Ricker, '39 BORROWERS I like to give freely, But don't like to lend: To get my things back I often must send. As for my umbrellas, They go rain or shineg Conveniently borrowed, They're no longer mine, Books, pencils, and pens, Thev disappear toiog Of original possessions I now have but few. In matters of money, Some men, sad to say, Fleet-fonted to borrow, Are slow to repay. I like to give freely. But don't like to lendg I pray that my 'friends Their habits will mend. -Pearle Carle, '39 13

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up at John. So he sang as Daisy played. He couldn't help it. The song was in his heart. Finally she got up from the piano. Dud- ley, do you swim? Sure. You? Uh-huh. We'll go tomorrow if you wish, she yawned. As la rule, John thought it was awful to see a girl yawn, but Daisy looked like a beautiful cat stretching. We must go to bed, Dudley. I'll call you early in the morning and we'll go for a swim before breakfast. Suit you ? she questioned. Sure, any time-with you. He was sorry the moment he spoke those last two wcrds. What would she think of him? Besides, he didn't even know who she was. John went to his room and sat down on the edge of the bed. What had happened to him? Could a man fall in love in so short a. time? He was sure that he loved Daisy. But who was Daisy? At last John undressed and went to bed. Pl' lk Ill Bk 'lf 4' Dudley! Dudley! Who was that calling him? Then he recognized that voice and again, Dudley! Why! She was right out- side his door. Yes, D-Daisy, he answered. Aren't you going swimming with me this morning? The sun's been up three hours, she told him. Sure, I'll he down in fifteen minutes, he replied eagerly, leaping out of bed. 'Five min- utes later, he was bounding down the stairs. If only Dud's aunt didn't come today, John thought. Daisy met him at the foot of the stairs. It's just a little way to the beach, laughed Daisy gaily, we're going to Walk. Sure, I'm game, John nodded, smiling. ll' lk lk lk fk Ik A half hour later she came out of her lock- er, running along in an orange bathing suit trimmed with white, no back and none too much front. John had always thought that girls looked pretty showy in those bathing suits, but Daisy looked sweet. I'll beat you getting wet, she shouted, and headed for the water. But John wasn't far behind her. For a half hour they swam. Then they started back to the house for breakfast. if 12 lk if if 1' John was in the parlor listening to Daisy play the piano when he said, Listen, Daisy, can I trust you with a secret? Why, of course, she replied, turning and stopping in the middle of the piece she was playing. I'm not Dudley Brooks. Don't tell Dud's aunt when she comes, but he had a date to- night and asked m-e to come in his place, John stopped for breath. But why do you tell me? she asked, gaz- ing into his eyes. Because, I could deceive his aunt, but not you. Whether you're his cousin or just a neighbor or whoever you are, I doin't know. I don't even know your last name but Oh Daisy, Daisy-I-love you. He dropped onto the piano bench beside hier and took her slender hands in his. This was what Daisy had been waiting for. She ran her beautiful Hngers through his cur- ly hair and said, So you're not Dud! Oh, please forget that, Daisy. I want you to marry me, he went on. I will, John! John! echoed John, with surprise. Of course. I saw your picture in the paper that time you won the swimming race. I saw you coming up the walk last night when you came and I recognized you, but I was too astonished to see you then, so I told the but- ler that I'd see you at dinner time, Daisy explained. But he said, Dud's aunt would see me, John interrupted. That's me, Daisy answered. Bk Pk 31 ak 14 Dud couldn't tell what to make of it that night when he received the telegram: Won't be back -stop Am going to be married tomor- row stop I'ts your Aunt Daisy stop Come down and meet my wife sometime. John. A Junior Student Editor's Note: The above story, Once in a Lifetime , was written in the advanced English class. It grew from the following assignment: Work out a plot and write a story suggested by the following situation: A boy in his freshman year at college is invited by his wealthy aunt, whom he has never seen, to spend the weekend with her at her home in a neighboring city. A conflicting engage- ment causes him to persuade his roommate to impersonate him and go in his stead. De- cide upon an appropriate outcome. Will the