Holbrook High School - Echo Yearbook (Holbrook, MA)

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8 THE ECHO A SPECIAL ON VIOLETS It was ten o’clock on a bright sunny May morning, and quiet peace hovered over the comfortable houses of Cedar Avenue. There was hardly anyone about. The golf players long ago had departed in their gay plus fours and with the back seats of their cars piled with golf sticks. The lazy souls who were staying at home were, for the most part, still asleep or else interested in their Sunday papers. Benjamin Gregory, in a fit of rare energy, was cleaning the car. He had just started the final rubbing when his son Richard, who had approached silently and was standing there watching him, inquired casually, “Do you need some help. Dad?” “Why — thanks, son,” he remarked with some measure of calm. “If you like. There’s an extra chamois under the back seat.” Dick silently took the chamois from under a number of old inner tubes, spark plugs, and other assorted tools; silently he began polishing the hood. Mr. Gregory also polished silently, for he was very patient, and decided enlightenment would come if he waited long- enough. “Uh-Dad. It’s almost time for my allow- ance. Isn’t it?” “Well, a couple more days, son. But — how many weeks are we ahead on that al- lowance now?” “I know,” Dick hastened to assure him. “Uh! that is, I guess it’s about three weeks ahead now. But, y’see, Dad, this is serious.” “I thought,” Benjamin Gregory reminded his son in a mild tone, “that you were go- ing to get only two dollars a week, instead of the usual five until you had paid up the extra you’ve had?” “Yah, I know,” Dick’s tone assured him, “but,” he began again in hoarse voice, “it’s about Dolly.” “I see,” his father replied. “But what about this allowance business?” “Oh, yeah,” Dick returned. “Sure I was coming to that. Y’ see, tomorrow’s her birth- day, Dad, and none of the other guys know about it.” “What makes you think she hasn’t told the others the same as she told you?” in- quired Mr. Gregory. “Aw, Dad!” Dick exclaimed shocked. She’s not like that. Gosh, she didn’t tell me. Y’ see the other night at the movies she had a little locket on, and — y’ know — the chain broke, and she asked me to keep it. It was — uh — engraved inside, ‘To Dolly, five years old. May 10, 1921.’ So that’s how I know.” “I understand,” said Mr. Gregory serious- ly, “but you’re getting worse and worse on the money part, and this time it isn’t going to work.” “But, Dad,” said Dick heartbrokenly, “Gee whiz, her birthday’s tomorrow and — ” “You might see if someone wants a job done — you know mowing lawns or some- thing,” replied the father. “Uhuh,” said Dick sadly, and went toward the house. His father looked after him until the screen door banged shut. Mr. Gregory was suffering but assured himself that he was doing right. At dinner Dick’s appetite seemed in no way lost, for when he had finished the last crumb of his banana cream pie, he excused himself politely and strolled out. A little later he was seen talking with Bill Martin, who lived next door. Dick was up bright and early the next morning. He was rather quiet at breakfast, his manner being mildly reproachful. He and his father left at the same time. Paus- ing on the front steps, Dick inquired, “Want a lift. Dad? I’ll take you to the bus.” ‘‘No, thanks, son,” Mr. Gregory declined politely. “I’ll need the exercise. You — uh going uptown?” “Yeah,” admitted Dick, “s’long then, Dad.” Dick’s first destination was the K. B. Store. He passed through the store into the office of Mr King. “Business isn’t very good, Dick,” he re- gretted. “I wouldn’t have a thing for you ’til — well, maybe Saturday.” “Thanks, Mr. King,” said Dick politely and went out. “Saturday — a lot of good that will do,” he thought. He then tried the Green Front Butcher Shop, the Filling Sta- tion, the Parker’s Drug Store, and the Cam- eron Flower Shop. There were, it seemed no jobs to be had. Dick went back to the car and was slumped in the front seat when presently Pink Junes came in view. Pink was whistling “It’s the

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THE ECHO 7 MURIEL MAY RICHMOND (Richie) Linwood St. “Happy I am, from Care I’m Free.” Hobby: Walking Activities : Glee Club 2, 3 ; Commercial Club 3, 4. MARY E. RUGGLES (Lizzie) South Franklin St. “Gentlemen prefer Blondes’ Hobby : Swimming KENNETH G. STANLEY (Beansie) Adams St. “Faint heart ne’er won fair lady.” Hobby : Going out at night. Activities : Echo 2. 3 ; Editor- in-C ief 4 ; Glee Club 1 ; Basketball 3, 4 ; Senior Drama ; Athletic Drama 2, 3 ; Pro Merito pin ; Class President 1, 3. MARGARET M. STRAIN (Peggy) 618 South Franklin St. Hobby: Swimming “Lead and I follow” Activities : Librarian 3 ; Glee Club 1 ; Commercial Club, 3, 4. WILLIAM R. TAYLOR (Bill) North Franklin St. “Better late than never.” Hobby: Camping Activities : Rifle Club 3, 4 ; Glee Club 1, 2, 3 ; Basket- ball, 2, 3, 4 ; Senior Drama. LESLIE JOAN THORUU (Red) South Franklin St. “She blusheth like the shy and drooping rose.” Hobby: Riding, Swimming Activities : Glee Club 1 ; Re- porter 4 ; Athletic Play 3 ; Senior Play ; Echo 2, 3. 4 ; Rifle Club 3, 4 ; Lunch Room 4 : Class Officer 1. CHARLES G. WHITCOMB (Ooftey) Platts St. “Good things come in small packages.” Hobby : Driving Activities : Glee Club 1, 2 ; Orchestra 1, 2 ; Rifle Club 3, 4 ; Commercial Club 3, 4 ; Apparatus 2. ELEANOR WOOD Winter St. “Strong and stalwart as a sturdy elm” Hobby : Skating Activities : Basketball 2, 3 ; Glee Club 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Com- mercial Club 3, 4 : Office 4. This issue is lovingly dedicated to the Senior Class of Sumner ms

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THE ECHO 9 Girl” as though he hadn’t a care in the world. Maybe he hadn’t. Some fellows had all the luck. “Hi!” Pink stopped whistling to greet his friend cheerfully. “Hi,” answered Dick glumly. Pink jumped into the car with Dick and inquired brightly, “Where ya’ going?” Dick just raised an eyebrow and regarded his friend in a thoughtful manner. “What’s eating you?” asked Pink, who was a kind soul. “I got a date with Dolly tomor- row night. Did you know that?” “Got any money?” inquired Dick, ignor- ing Pink’s statement. “Me?” asked Pink, “Why?” “I’d like to — uh — have a loan,” remarked Dick. “That’s a good one,” said Pink with a laugh. “I got my allowance and that’s all, and much as I’d like to oblige a friend I need cash myself.” “My pal,” said Dick cuttingly. “S’all right, fella,” he said in a mild tone, “I don’t blame you. Money’s hard to get. I know.” “Attaboy,” said Pink, “no hard feelings?” “Listen,” Dick said, “we’re pals. Pink, and the way I look at it, what’re pals for if not t’help each other out?” “Yeah, but — ” began Pink with uncer- tainty. “Wait,” said Dick, “I happen to know something that a lotta guys wouldn’t tell, but we’re pals, so d’you know Dolly’s birth- day is today? I know exactly what she wants, and so that was what I was going to buy her, but I’m flat. Now, I’ll tell you, Pink, it’s violets.” It was two o’clock and the afternoon sun- light was streaming in through the windows of the Pratt’s living room. Dolly Pratt, her dark head bent gracefully over the delicate task of manicuring her pretty shining flnger- nails, made a beautiful picture when the doorbell rang. In came Pink with a large bouquet of violets. “Just a little-ah-remembrance-ah, happy birthday, Dolly.” “0-o-o-oh! violets! Why I adore violets. Pink.” At five o’clock when Dolly’s father came home there were fourteen bouquets of violets brought to Dolly from the boys. Mr. Pratt took the newspaper and went into the living room to read in peace; there- fore, .each of Dolly’s admirers left one by one. At about the same time that the boys left Dolly’s house, Dick approached the Camer- on Flower Shop. He hailed the proprietor with a pat on the back. “Hi, Matt,” said Dick. H’lo, Kid,” replied Matt, “I suppose you want your commission?” “Yeah?’ exclaimed Dick, “did all the fellas come here?” “Did they!” exclaimed the proprietor, “I had to send to the greenhouse three times for more violets.” He looked at Dick with admiring eyes and said again, “You don’t mean to tell me that the sign ‘Special on Violets Today’ in the window did the work?” “Oh, no, said Dick, “I sorta helped to. By the way, how much do I collect?” “I just figured it to be five-fifty. Gosh! I never knew boys your age went big for vio- lets for the girl friend,” Matt said, hand- ing him the money. “Gosh, thanks,” said Dick, “I’ve got to go now. Today’s my girl’s birthday, and I’ve got to get her a present.” It was just eight o’clock when Dick arrived at Dolly’s house. In a short time Dolly ap- peared, adorable in yellow organdy. “Oh, hello, Dick,” sang Dolly, giving him a slim white hand for a moment’s soul-stir- ring thrill. “Gee, Dolly,” Dick said flatteringly, “You look swell. That dress makes you look sophisticated. Have you had a nice birth- day?” “Why, Dick?” the amazed Dolly looked about. No green box could be seen. “How did jmu know?” “It’s a secret,” grinned Dick, handing her a small package. “0-o-o-oh! for me?” breathed Dolly. “Yeah. I hope you’ll like it.” Dolly opened it and found a compact. “Hlow darling of you to bring it to me,” said Dolly in a thrilled voice. “I think it’s really wonderful. Of course flowers are pretty and all that, but ...” “Yeah,” agreed Dick, “course there was a special on violets down at the florist’s. Say, Dolly, how about you and me going for a ride in my car? There’s a swell moon and every- thing. I don’t like to slam your flowers, but, honestly, it smells like a funeral,” remarked Dick as they went hand in hand toward the car. A WISH I wish I were a little bird Floating in the air. I wouldn’t have to brush my teeth Or comb my golden hair. I wouldn’t have to buy new shoes Nor have the old ones fixed Or buy a hat to match my dress. My colors would be mixed. I wouldn’t have to buy a car. Which means a great expense. I’d float about the air awhile And rest upon a fence. I wouldn’t have to use a plane To see the country side. I’d simply rise to heights above, Spread out my wings and glide. H. Baker, ’34.