Holbrook High School - Echo Yearbook (Holbrook, MA)

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18 THE ECHO “HE AIN’T GOT NO TAIL!” A little “yaller” dog slunk warily down the street. Out of a near by alley crept two dirty little urchins carrying sticks over ther shoulders. “Yah! Yah! He aint got r.o tail,” they chanted in unison, “lil’ yaller dog ain’t got no tail, Yah! Yah!” The lit- tle dog turned tail (although he had none) ?”d fed, his only thought to hide from those shrieking little demons. The mongrel skirted several ash barrels, squirmed through a hole in an old wooden fence, raced through several back lots, un- der another fence, and thus came out on the same street from which he had been driven by the urchins. “He ain’t got no tail” went swiftly up the dirty street and then stopped suddenly, sniffing at the air. Then still more suddenly he bounded up the stairs end into a dilapidated apartment house. Presently a large funnel of smoke poured from a second story window and one could hear the muffled screams of children and a distant “woof, woof” of a dog. Just as the fire engines appeared on the scene, a little yellow dog with a badly singed face and coat bounded out of the door carrying a small, live bundle in his teeth. This he dropped at the feet of the spectators and then galloped back into the now furiously blazing house. Twice he went into the furnace-like building, and twice he came out carrying a small child. “Catch him. Don’t let him go again,” was the cry as the little yellow dog started back into the flaming structure, and some kind person laid a detaining hand on the pup’s neck. Soon the firemen had the blaze under control, and all the spectators were prais- ing the little yaller dog for his brave res- cue. The pup went home with good will in his heart for all mankind. A few days later the little “yaller” pup, as he was going proudly down the street, was seen by the two small ragged children who carried sticks in their hands “Yah! Yah! He ain’t got no tail at all! Yah,” was the taunt that rang out as the boys caught sight of the little yellow dog. But little, “Ain’t got no tail,” continued down the street, unheedful of the stinging taunts and safe in the importance of being the town hero. Penelope Hutchinson, ’30. Teacher: Johnny, put pasturize in a sen- tence. Johnny: A wad of paper flew past your eyes. A SUMNER JAY WALKER IN HEAVEN A Sumnerite had died and was now at the r ates of his celestial abode. The golden gates beckoned with a gleaming brightness rnd far beyond he caught a glimpse of the pearly streets. At the gates he met St. Peter. That benevolent gentleman smiled warmly and welcomed the newcomer. He received the Sumnerite’s pass-port and pro- ceeded to peruse it. “Well, my dear young man,” said St. Peter as he finished reading, “this pass- port speaks highly of you, but one thing is wrong. Your principal and teachers of vour high school state that when attending lhat abode of learning you were a chronic ' ay-walker. What have you to say for your- self?” “I can only say that I am sorry and will try to be better in the future,” replied the cor trembling Sumnerite. “Once a jay-walker, always a jay- walker,” growled St. Peter, “but we will place you on probation. Jay-walking is prohibited in our city because of its °rowded conditions. You may enter, but ” (, member if you disobey our rules, after ” ee weeks you will be punished.” The gates were flung open and the Sum- rerite entered. He stared amazed at the si erht which he beheld. The street resem- bled any busy down town street. Cars drove swiftly by, people rushed along, and everything was a bustle and hurry as in the world below. The Sumnerite wended his way along the street until he came to the house where he was to stay. The landlady showed him his room, and he sat down to ponder on the perplexity of things. The Sumnerite had spent two profitable weeks of his probation very well. He had secured a job and was conducting himself very well. His probation would soon be over and then he could live happily in this wonderful place. Not that he was unhappy. Oh, no. But he had to be so careful that his r»prves were becoming frayed. Soon he would have conquered this habit of jay- walking and then all would be serene. Oh, how he wished that he had obeyed the traf- fic rules of Sumner High. On this particular morning when the Sumnerite’s mind was dwelling on the traffic question he was walking along the main nearly street when suddenly he saw in the middle of the road a package of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum. Now, back in Sumner this had been the Sumnerite’s fa- vorite kind of jaw exercise. Many had been the times that the baskets of Sumner had held these specimens of Wrigley. Ever since his advent in this wonderful place the Sumnerite had longingly yearned for some of Wrigley’s masterpieces and now, before

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THE ECHO 17 “I am the second sentinel of the Devil,” said he. “What is your mission here in Hell?” Noting the seemingly friendly tone in the deep, gruff voice, Hamel and Josh both braced up. “We come to capture the Devil’s Ruby,” said Josh in a voice full of confidence. The Chinaman stooped toward them and said in a low voice, “I help those who con- spire against the Devil.” Then with his big, burly hands he clumsily untied the knots in the ropes that held the two friends. With a bound Hamel and Josh were on their feet and ready to go. Even as they turned to continue on their way, the Chinaman let out a low, gut- teral grunt, and fell dead. Again the weird, whining voice screamed. “The second sentinel of the Devil is dead,” it said. “He died because he was a traitor.” And again the cold, clammy cur- rent of air swept down the passage. Only for a moment did the two remain still; then they proceeded with hurried steps. After walking a short distance, the two friends came to a city. I t was Sedah, the capital of Hades, and the home of the Devil. Disguising themselves in some old clothes that they found outside the gates, the two entered the city which contained only buildings of the blackest marble with splashes of red here and there for decora- tions. After a short search, Hamel and Josh found the palace and entered very cautiously. As they entered the Palace Boom, both men suppressed an exclamation of surprise; there before them was the Devil, the monster that couldn’t be killed, and beside him was the ruby, placed in an ebony box, the cover of which was up. The two youths left the palace very perplexed. How were they going to get the jewel? Upon talking to some people, Hamel and Josh learned that when anybody in the city died, the cover of the ruby box was closed and a window opened directly above it in the roof. This decided the plan by which the two young men could capture the ruby. Josh, having borrowed a long piece of strong cord, tied it to the handle of his dagger and hid it in his coat, while Hamel sharpened his dagger on the corner of a building. The time had come. As Josh sped off toward the Palace, Hamel seized a young man by the throat, dragged him between two build- ings and killed him. Then he ran out in the street and shouted the news of the sud- den death. As soon as the news reached the palace, the cover of the ebony box was shut, and a window above it was opened. Josh, who had gained the roof of the pal- ace, seeing the window open, took the dag- ger from his coat and with a little flip of his wrist sent it speeding downward. It was a perfect throw; the sharp blade stuck solidly in the cover of the box, and by a few quick pulls on the attached cord, Josh had the Devil’s Ruby in his possession. It was truly a miracle that Hamel and Josh escaped from the city unnoticed, and with running steps the two fairly flew up the dark passage. It wasn’t long, however, before their flight was discovered, and with a roar the Devil was after them. With an untiring pace the red monster followed them, while they, almost exhausted from the uphill run, crawled into a salt cave for temporary safety; how near they were to the mouth of Devil’s Hole they did not know. Almost ps soon as they had reached a safe place in the cave, their pursuer had discovered them. He stopped and crouched low, a deep, grumbling growl coming from his throat. Slowly he approached; always prowling. He had reached the mouth of the cave. He kept coming. He was almost to them. With arms upraised he was about to pounce on the two terrorized men when a beam of sunlight, coming from above, fell across his face. As if struck a mortal blow, the Devil fell to the ground and started rolling down the long, d rk passage. With ,Tr eary, but fast steps Hamel and Josh fol- lo’ T ’ed the guiding beam of sunlight to the mouth of Devil’s Hole. No crowds were there to welcome them. w hen they looked for the town of Bokenho, they found only the ruins of some old build- ings. They looked at each other. Both had lo’gg, white beards and the features of old men. Ah! they knew; they had been in HaJ s for many, many years. They had succeeded so far. But how were they go- inn- to get the ruby back to Heaven? The two old men needed a rest and both ! y down to sleep. No sooner had they s f rted to slumber than two beautiful, pure white angels, floating on silver wings, came from the heavens to greet them. “Hamel,” said Josh to his friend, “we are wanted in Heaven.” Then, assisted by the two fairies from Heaven, the two old men went up to the bine skies. There, after a council of the ods, Hamel and Josh were made saints nn.d given charge of the recovered Ruby of the Heavens. Now, each evening, when the world has b°en good for one day, Hamel and Josh flash the ruby before the sun and make the gorgeous red sunset. That, my friends, is the legend of the red sunset. Basil Martin, ’29. Frederick: Basil, what’s the best way to rawe corn beef and cabbage? Basil: With a knife and fork.

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THE ECHO 19 him lay some. With a whoop of delight he pounced on the gum only to drop from the heights by hearing some one holler, “Say, where do you think you are,” accompanied by the screeching of brakes. Then he felt the heavy hand of the law upon his shoulder, and feeling that all was lost he turned and looked up into the face of St. Peter. “I’m sorry, young man, because I thought you had changed. I guess you did not ab- sorb all those lessons taught at Sumner.” “No, I guess I didn’t,” mournfully re- sponded the Sumnerite, “I certainly wish I had. If it hadn’t been for my love of Spear- mint gum and my habit of Jay-walking, I would still be living happily above.” Thus spoke the mournful boy as he plied his way downward. Look carefully to your own faults, and see that this is not your fate. Dorothy Huskins, ’28. BILLY DREAMS A steady thump, thump, thump awoke Billy from his sleep. Sitting up in bed he gazed with astonishment at a funny, little, round headed old man, swinging back and forth on the foot-board of his bed; hitting his funny little jointed feet against the boards as he swung back and forth in glee. The appearance of the little old man made Billy laugh. All head and no body he presented a funny appearance. A little bald spot on the top of his head glistened like snow in the moonlight which flooded the room. Peculiar little bumps stuck out all over his head, and the lights and shadows gave it the appearance of a large, wrinkled russet apple. Two bright spots of blue shone as eyes, and his mouth ex- tended way across his head. Billy’s talk with him was very interest- ing . “For goodness sakes,” said Billy, “Who under the sun are you?” “Well,” said the funny little man, as he stopped his swinging and glanced at Billy with a crooked smile, “I’m the fellow you threw into the corner last night when you said Geography did not do much good. Did you know, Billy, that I can tell you all about the land and people; how land and ocean, rivers and mountains, plains and valleys, temperature and wind and rain- fall control the ways in which men live, from the Siberian hunter in their land of snow and ice, with the prosperous farmers busy at their great harvest on the prairies of North America; with the Egyptians patiently lifting the Nile water with their long sweeps; with the wandering Mongols driving their flocks and herds over the im- mense steppes of Central Asia. From all of these, Billy, you can get a world of in- formation, and if you stop to think that the word Geography comes from the Greek words meaning “earth” and to “write”, you would have a little more patience with a fellow like me who can give you such a wonderful description of the earth on which you live. “Get busy, Billy, and don’t treat a fellow quite so rough when he is trying to help you out.” Myron Holbrook, ’30. THOROUGHLY FRIGHTENED One dark night I was going home from my friend’s house. She had given a Hal- low’een Party. I was passing an old empty house when I heard someone say, “There she is. Grab her!” A colored man stepped from the bush which grew near. I ran and he after me. Every minute he was gaining. I climbed a fence thinking he would not know the way and would not follow. I ran across the lawn towards my aunt’s house; and looking back, I saw the an scale the fence. I stopped running c nd hid in the shrubbery. The colored man looked around for a moment, then started for my aunt’s house as I had done. As I watched him, I realized that he knew the way fully as well as I did. Nearer and nearer he came. When he reached the shrubbery where I lay hidden, he stopped and said, “Come out from behind those shrubs. I know you are there, because I saw you when you hid.” I did not know what to do. Suddenly I remembered the trap door to my aunt’s cellar. It was close to where I lay. My fingers were feeling the wall in search of the door. I felt it al- most directly in back of me. The man made a movement as if he would enter the shrubs. I threw myself against the door, and it gave to my weight. I crawled in and locked the door on the in- side. I then lighted a match and found my way to the cellar door. I entered the kitchen by way of a short flight of stairs. 1 stopped in horror and was about to run down cellar again. There sitting by the stove was the colored man who had chased me. Seeing I was frightened, he said, “Do not be afraid, it is only your father.” Then he laughed, and I laughed too. He took a cloth and began cleaning the burned cork from his face. I asked, “Why did you chase me and not say who you were?” He smiled and replied, “This is Hal- low’een Night. I too must have fun.” Marietta Regan, ’31.