Holbrook High School - Echo Yearbook (Holbrook, MA)

Page 19 text:

THE ECHO 17 first one, I believe. But what did I care about the first car when at every corner in prosperous cities or ob- scure places one would dodge from one now. My mind was racing around the track in some unthought of speedster at that time. I confess that I would have been deeply interested in automobiles, had I at that moment been out motoring, but to be sitting with half closed eyes, and a mind miles away, reading of events of years before, brought me to the limit of endurance, “Mon Dieu” ! I exclaimed, as I stretched my arms, “what wouldn’t I give for a ride now to wake me up !” How it came about I do not know but it was not long before my wish was granted. A red roadster had parked outside the gate. In a mo- m.ent I had forgotten everything. My incorrigable eyes ceased to blink, and we were speeding merrily on our way. As I think of it now I do not even remember who my companions were. We came to a very high level of a h‘11. At our left was a deep decline. I look over the precipice, and a feel- ing of awe crept over me spontane- ously. It might have been only my imagination, but the road at this point seemed very narrow and the fence at the side looked much too weak to hold anything back. Perhaps this was exaggerated in my mind, even the precipice probably wasn’t as deep as I pictured it. I did not have many more moments for re- flections, however, for suddenly we heard a noise — something broke. It was the steering gear, then sudden- ly the car swung to the left. A plung down the precipice was inevit- able. How or where we landed I do not know. My first gleam of con- sciousness showed me that I was sit- ting on the carpeted floor with a history book on one side of me, the chair on the other, and my hand tightly grasping a leg of the “preci- pice” (really not so deep as I pictur- ed it.) I took a deep free breath, but the prespiration streamed from my forehead after my most exciting adventure. THELMA PETERSON, ’25. William Dean Gees Camping A little yellow cat sat on the door- step with his tail drooping and his ears lowered dejectedly. Poor Wil- liam Dean had overheard a conversa- tion, accidentally of course, between his mistress, Katherine Hayes, and Narcissus, the cook. William did not understand what was going on; his dear mistress would not even hold him in her lap, but just gave his ear a loving tweak as she passed in and out the door. William was justified in feeling sad because his mistress was going away to leave him. She, with six other members of the Girl’s Club, was go- ing on an overnight camping expedi- tion. Miss Hayes, their chaperons, had made the plans and had chosen the camping spot with much inward trepidation. Promptly at nine o’clock Miss Hayes and the six girls arrived at Katherine’s house, which happen- ed to be centrally located. Judging by the amount of supplies one might think they were going to spend two- weeks. As Katherine was about to bid farewell to her mother her eyes fell upon William Dean following them down the walk. After shower- ing him with endearments and dain- ties from the picnic lunch, a tall girl cried, “Oh, Kathy, why can’t we take William Dean with us?” A chorus broke forth from the re- maining five: “Oh, let’s take him.” The yellow cat was soon settled com- fortably in the tall girl’s arms. A half hour of riding in the trolley brought them to their destination. William Dean was somewhat alarmed when he boarded the car, but remem- bering the rides he had taken in his mistress’ automobile, he was soon able to assume a bored expression, much to the amusement of the pas- sengers. The campers alighted from the car near a farmhouse, where the key to the camp was obtained from the farmer. Several cats of assorted

Page 18 text:

16 T II E K G H O Detour The moon shone brightly overhead, the sky was studded with stars, while two figures, clothed in heavy motorists’ cloaks, for a heavy dew was falling, made their way to a secluded spot on the bluff where un- observed, they could w atch the high- way that wound in and out around the irregular shore. Two small boys, out in a row boat in search of adventure, heard the murmur of their voices floating out over the water. News had come to this tiny fron- tier village of the “bobbed haired bandit,” so naturally among the younger fry was the sense of pre- vailing danger, and possible adven- ture, in the nooks and crags of their rock bound coast. Stealthily manning their craft, they steered for one of the small in- lets overhung by trees and vines, that adventurous boys alone can And. Once here, they stopped, made fast their boat an d crept up the opposite side of the bluff. Upon reaching the top, the taller of the two nudged his companion, resulting in that person’s turning around and returning the compliment. A good whole hearted fist fight might have been the result, had not the wind shifted and brought the sound of voices once more to their ears. Friendship was once more restor- ed, and the two conspirators once more settled down to business. Ly- ing down, they wriggled snake-like toward the spot of their prey. When within two yards of the spot, they cried out simultaneously, for there, silhouetted against the back ground of rocks, resting on a man’s shoulder, was a bobbed head! Scarcely able to breathe with the excitement of it all, the boys lay face downward on the turf trying to still the wild beating of their hearts. The couple spoke in monosyllables, but enough for the boys to glean enough information to arouse their curiosity to a still greater extent. “They” would be coming soon. Who are “they?” The “sign” would stop them and “they” would get out, then we’d stop “them.” What sign, and again, who are “they”? Vir ue is always rewarded, and was in this case, for what is more virtuous in a boy than to keep per- fectly quiet for exactly three quar- ters of an hour, and what’s more, do ' ng it voluntarily. But as before stated they were re- warded. The “honk” of a car was heard coming through the village. The man and his companion rose, stretched their limbs, not at all ban- dit Lke and made their way toward the road. Unable to bear the sus- pense any longer the boys followed at a safe distance. Once in sight of the road, they learned what the “sign” for there over a pile of debris was a sign statmg that motorists must detour owing to a washout ahead. Hardly had they gotten over their amazement at this, for there was no washout, they heard the throb of a high powered engine as it neared them. Then, as the head lights were cast on the detour sign, the motor died down, the machine came to a stop, and a man jumped down with an ejaculation of disgust, followed by a small cry of dismay from within, accompanied by a giggle. Before anything more could be said or done, the air was thick with confetti, and two small boys were seen running toward their respective homes to ponder over the mysteries of fashionable weddings, while the bride and groom continued on their wedding journey wondering how their well guarded secret of escape had leaked out. LILLIAN LAKEWITZ, ’26. Most Exciting Adventure It was one evening, not very late, that I sat at the library table pre- paring my next day’s history lesson. Before me lay an open book, I was conscious of it but that was all, I was so tired that my eyes fairly closed after each word. I was reading about automobiles, the invention of the

Page 20 text:

18 THE E G H C) colors and varieties playing about the yard, cordially invited William to join them; but, feeling the dignity of his position, he thanked them politely and refused. After a general survey of the camp was made, the group sat down to a hearty supper. After washing the dishes they sat around the fireplace and sang songs. William Dean felt sure that his own voice was superior to theirs, but no one asked him to render a selection. The girls retired and were much annoyed because Miss Hayes insisted on leaving the door open. Soon all were fast asleep. William Dean was comfortably set- tled at the foot of his mistress’ bed which was contrary to all ho me rules. The forest itself seemed to be sleep- ing, but the forest never sleeps. Bright eyes shine in the thickets where the moonbeams penetrate, and padded footfalls sound in the shad- ows, as the hours of darkness are the playtime and hunger time for many dwellers in the deep woods. Crunch ! Scratch ! Crunch ! One of the girls sat upright and clutched the girl nearest her. The noise kept steadily on. With squeaks of terror the girls aroused their friends who listened with fast beating hearts. Out there in the darkness something was moving about. Even Miss Hayes did not know what strange creature had come to visit the camp. The sound came steadily nearer. Thump ! Thump! It seemed unbelievable but something ponderous was actually coming up the step of the cabin. A shadowy form appeared in the door- way with two gleaming eyes. No one dared to move save the only four legged creature in the camp. In a moment he was after the creature and was chasing him for into the woods. Occasionally a yelp could be heard from the invader. The next morning when the girls reached home they were very excited over their adventure of the night be- fore. They told their friends that they thought it must have been a bear. After a consultation with a neighbor familiar with the surroundings of the camp it was learned that it was only a wandering hedgehog and wouldn’t hurt a fiea. But the girls petted William Dean and still be- lieved him to be the preserver of their lives. PHILENA McKAY, ’24. Atoms and Atavisms Chapter I. The long, lean, supple hands, with only two stained and scarred thumbs, uncovered by the protecting rubber, nioved critically over the row of pre- cisely arranged instruments; linger- ed over one, fingered it carefully, picked up a minute crystal with it and inserted it into the amber color- ed liquid which stood simmering and bubbling under the fierce, penetrat- ing rays of a white scintillating tube. Somewhere a button clicked. A violet light added its glare to that of the white tube. Grotesque, awful shadows danced over the endless rows of flasks and retorts arranged on the opposite wall. For a moment the room was silent ' ‘My gosh!” yelled Avery to the medical appearing man pacing by his side. What in hang was that ! It sounded as if a Big Bertha had drop- ped a shell around here. Just like old times ! Say, there’s a crowd down the street now. Let’s go!” A fire siren screamed its approach and people scattered right and left. Avery and his companion pushed in its wake to where a little group knelt before the crumpled smoking walls of massive stone mansion. A still figure lay on the spattered grass. I am a physician,” announced Dr. Drayton. If I can be of any help — ” Sorry,” softly answered one of the kneeling group supporting the prostrate form. I guess Professor Dare is dead. Something must have gone wrong with his experiments. I told him — ” Dr. Drayton took one limp hand in his own and felt gently of the wrist. A look of astonishment came into his face. He examined more