Hartland Academy - Ripple Yearbook (Hartland, ME)

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ica and adopted its customs, taking them back to his homeland. He writes the same story of the final sur- render of Manila, Corregidor, and Bataan that we have all heard several times, but this is as clearly described as any motion picture could possibly show before our eyes. The agony, hunger, cruel treatment, anid the tor- menting hells of the peninsula are very vivid- ly pictured in this book. This book keeps the readers constantly wondering what information was censored from it. There are some sections which are almost meaningless because of the censorship. The parts we do read surely strike home. One can't help feeling that we on the home front are to blame for the destruction of these peo- ple and their homes, All valiant Americans should read this book, history classes should be taught about it. The Voice of Freedom there kept the people from quick surrender. Why can't it keep us over here from shirking? -Charlene Stedman, '44 BURMA SURGEON by Gordon Seagrave, M. D. Long before this war of ours was started by the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a surgeon was giving everything he had in the great battle of medicine. Dr. Gordon Seagrave was doing a remarkable joib with scarcely nothing to work With. When he and his wife arrived in the North Sham States, they knew scarce- ly a word of the native language. His surgi- cal instruments and supplies were poor. With no knowledge of the tribal customs, he was compelled to train native nurses to aid him. However, he was -extremely lucky in being aible to overcome many of the obstacles and in having luck on his side more than a few times. With his tremendous energy and will- power, he succedded in setting up a compar- atively modern hospital in the wilderness and rapidly decreasing the large number of deaths. Many died from diseas-es frequently found in hot climates such as in this settle- ment. Time passes. The Burma Road is built. An airplane fartory is erected near them. Dr. Seagrave learns that he and his medical unit are needed greatly in the army. He is com- missioned a major in the medical co1'ps and is appointed to the Chinese Sixth Army. Y Through days of terror he and his small unit p'8I'I01'I'1'1 operations among the flaming ruins or .Japanese bombs. Each and everyone labors at ms utmost skill to save the Wounded until they are forced to evacuate. Written on the pages of this book is the doctor's daily ac- count of the hard retreat to India. As he ends his great and fascinating story, he looks for- ward to giving more of his services in this fight for freedom. -Elwood Gray, '45 ii...- A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN Among the crowded tenements of Brooklyn there grows a tree. No matter where its seed falls, Irom it there grows another tree which struggles to reach the sky. It survives with- out sun, water, and seemingly without earth. It cannot be called beautiful, for it is too com- mon, ibut some call it The Tree of Heaven . It was this tree which became the inspiration for Francie, the young heroine. When Francie was a little girl, too thin from hunger, -she sat on a broken down step and lost all sight of her dark and poor sur- roundings. She forgot the cries of hungry children as she watched the tree flourish in the slums. Although her people suffered pov- erty and misfortune, they were fun loving people and their life holds excitement and color. From them .she inherited laughter, ten- iderness, and a strong spirit. However Francie Nolan possessed something else that was more important. This was a -deep craving for fknowledge, a love for writing, and a hope to possess finer things. During her teens, she was compelled to give up school and writing to became a la- iborer. She became acquainted with the heart- aches which fell upon her. For a long time all sense of beauty and warmth are lost from life and she learns to accept the hard things and bear them. When the pain is over and vision is cleared, her eyes fall upon the tree which is grown and aged. With her face up- lifted, Francie Nolan looks ahead to meet the years. with a stronger heart. ' My opinion: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of the most interesting novels I have 'ever read. Because of its very clear discrip- tion of the setting and its characters, a greater interest and a finer understanding is given the reader throughout each page of this book. -Delma Smith, '45 .4271-

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to pay their expenses by painting portraits of the European residents of the islands. Arriving at Sydney, they took the Ma- taram to Tulagi. Their fir-st model turned out to be the Scottish captain of the boat. He proved an interesting character study for painting and literature. In the course of their adventures, they en- countered many distinct hardships. Their paints were destroyed, so they were forced to concoct their own inferior substitutes. Be- cause of the dampness and intense heat, their shoes quickly wore out, as well as the rest of their clothing. In addition to the constant wearying heat and trowblesome insects, there were island sores, measles, and shanghai feet to add to their physical miseries. The dreaded malaria was an unceasing fear. The many local cure-alls were often as dis- tateful as the disease itself. Often they had difficulty in securing the necessary native models because they were distrusted or 'because of tribal taboos. Oc- casionally the local white planters were able to help them. Among their experien-ces were long tramps through the jungles to distant native villages. They witnessed an exciting and almost distressing riot among the na- tives. They Were permitted to accompany the men on a turtle hunt, a custom habitually de- nied native women. Naturally, they observed and narrated for us' many strange, native ceremonies. and customs. The two women ex- perienced also shipwreck, fire, and earth- quake. The last occurred at Rabaul and dte- stroyed their hotel. The natives were fascinating as slave labor loading copra, as help on the plantations, as houselboys, as indifferent villagers, as frantic fantastic dancers and warriors, and always as willing and unwilling models. This fbook should be of interest to everyone because it presents a pre-war picture of the climate and life on the Solomon Islands, where many of our 'boys are fighting today. -Gladys Deering, '44 CHICKEN EVERY SUNDAY by Rosemary Taylor It is hard to imagine how hilarious life can be until you have read Miss Taylor's ac- count of the many amusing episodes with the boarders at her home. I am sure that a book with sufficient humor could be written of the family alone. However, when there is a steady stream of strange characters to be ta- ken into consilderation too, one can begin to realize the constant turmoil in the family life. Mother had started in taking boarders a few weeks after she was married for she liked the extra moneyg father didn't object much lbecause he enjoyed spending the money. Per- haps an outline of a typical day in the house- hold would help in convincing you that there were few boring moments. In spite of Mother's apparent good nature, she was intent upon having things done her way. Consequently, she was always hiring or firing a cook. Father, a bit inclined to make rash decisions, was usually starting a new business or finishing a not too old one. As for the boarders, there were all kinds and types. Once, a religious elderly couple preach- ed sermons incessantly throughout the day. One woman boarder spent all her time cold creaming herself. A boy who wrote poetry and had been bossed by his mother all his life finally learned to stand on hi.s own feet during his stay at the Taylorfsi. Much to their excitement, they even discovered that they had had a German spy under their roof at one time. ' A fun-loving family, they represent the people who believe in sharing their joys with others and offering help whenever it is need- ed. Although many difficulties arose, the peo- ple who came to board with them always re- membered their stay at the Taylor's. They had chicken every Sunday and enough laugh- ter to carry them through the rest of the week. -Delma Smith, '45 I SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES by Col. Carlos P. Romulo This book was written by Colonel Carlos P. Romulo as he witnesslesd the fall of each section of the islands. He was called The Voice of Freedom in the Philippines. He broadcasted in Manila until the very end. He was separated from his family when he was forced to leave Manila for Corregidor. The story of his life is typical of all Fili- pinos. He saw the rise of democracy under President Quezon and General McArthur. He once hated Americans, but the hatreds. entirely left him long ago. He was educated in Amer-

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4..-..,..,..-....-.,..-....-....-....-....-....-....-......,,.-....-...,-..........-,...-..........-...,-,,..-....-..........-....-....-..........-....- - - l FRENCH AND ! l 'I' MYTHOLOGY UP T0 DATE Cast of Characters Nurse ....,...,..... Special nurse for Maia Jupiter . . ..,,.....,,... Mercury's father . . . . , . . . . . . . Mercury's mother Apollo ..i., .,.. A god taking care of cows Policeman . . . ...., The ofiicer who aided in the search for Mercury Mercury ...... young son of Jupiter and Maia Maia ,... Act I Scene: the Olympian hospital. Jupiter is pac- ing the fioor as the nurse enters. Nurse: It's a boy! Jupiter: Where is it? Nurse: Well, I'm not sure. He's gone some- where. Jupiter: Gone? What do ou mean, gone? Nurse: He's a very amazing childi. He has wings on his feet and shoulders. I was just going into the nursery when he fiew out. Jupiter: Jumping Junip-er! We must find him. Send out an alarm at once. Several hours later. A policeman enters. Policeman: I think we've found whom you're looking' for. Nurse: Good. I'll send Jupiter right away. Jupiter enters Jupiter: Have you found him? Policeman: You'd better come right away, sir. Jupiter: Lead me to him. Act II Scene: Outside on the hospital grounds. Ju- piter and the Policeman have found Mercury. Jupiter: Mercury, where have you been? Mercury: Who, me? I've been making an instrument. It's going to be called a lyre. Jupiter: But this isn't supposed to be. You're only a few hours old! -nulun-un1euu1uu1nn-nu1uninu1un-nn1un--uni n1nn-nn LATIN NOTEs i .-....-....-....-....-M..-nu-.......-.....-....-...-....-...-.....-..-..-4. Mercury: Well? What's so terrible about that? Jupiter: Oh dear! I wonder what I'm in for? Later in the afternoon in the hospital room. Maia: I don't know what we're going to do with Mercury. He's such a little devil. Where is he now? . Jupiter: He's probably up to some mischief. Loud knocking at the door Maia: Come in! Apollo: Jupiter, have you seen any cows go by here? I was tenlding the cows of Ad- metis. I fell asleep and when I woke up, they were gone. I must find them! Playing Little Boy Blue at my age! Mercury come skipping in. Jupiter: Oh, Mercury! Have you seen any cows this afternoon-the ones Apollo tends? Mercury: Who, me? What kind of cows? Jupiter: fsternlyj Did you see any cows? Mercury: Well, I did see some cows. Apollo: Well, where are they? Mercury: I-ah-I guess they're in the cave on Mt. Olympus. Apollo: Well, letls go get them. ACT III Scene: A cave on Mount Olympus where the men find the cows. Apollo: Well, here they are. But . . . ten of them are missing. Do you know where they are, Mercury? Mercury: Well, I-er-I ate them! Maia: Ate them? Oh, Mercury! What will I do with you? You'll spoil your appetite. Apollo: VVhat will I do? Ten cows gone! Mercury: I'll give you my lyre in payment for the cows. Apollo: Lyre? What's that? Mercury: lshows him lyrej See, this is it. Apollo: Well, now, that's real nice of you, Mercury.