Holbrook High School - Echo Yearbook (Holbrook, MA)

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14 THE ECHO MONOTONY The monotonous movements of the tired, dark-skinned, patient slaves were back-breaking. The first slave in the line picked up the rock, passed it to the second slave who passed it to the third slave. The third slave gathered the rock in his arms and tossed it to the fourth slave, the fourth to the fifth, the fifth to the sixth, the sixth to the seventh and best man, who dropped the rock in a stone crushing machine. Another rock on its way! Another! Another! Another! The sixth man dropped a rock harder in the last man’s arms. The next rock was heavier. The next lighter. The next heavier ! Muscles strained! Dizziness! The men’s heads swam in dizziness from the unending, unbearable heat, and the unendurable sweat-shop work they performed. The first man’s arm finally became numb to all sense of feeling, and his work proceeded like that of an automaton. The last six men became dizzy from the continuous turning from left to right. To get — to give — to get — to give. These movements, too, were spon- taneous to the sight of a rock. Would they never end? Seemingly, no ! But the actions of the men at the sound of the bell which announced their half-hour relief soothed their tired and worn bodies for a surprisingly short time, for at one o’clock again they were pick- ing up, receiving, giving, and tossing heavy rocks for a seemingly endless time. Mabel Iveson, ’36. TRAVEL There is no better way to spend money than by traveling. The first place to see is the United States, for there is nothing more bene- ficial than knowing all there is to know about your own country. The climate in this country is so varied that traveling is comfortable at any time of the year — north in summer, south in winter. Canada, Mexico, Central and South America are interesting countries. After seeing all there is to see there, take a trip across the Atlantic to Europe, Africa, and Asia, and then across the Pacific to Alaska. It should be arranged so that you arrive in Alaska in the summer time as that is when the full beauty of the country is realized. Today travel is made very convenient and comfortable by good roads, modern automobiles, trains, buses, airplanes, and ocean liners. Automobile is the ideal waj to travel wherever and whenever it is possible to drive. With an automobile you can go places that trains and buses can not go. Trains, too, are modernized to the last degree. Buses, perhaps, are more cramped than the other means of travel but are, nevertheless, good. Airplanes, of course, are fine for speed, but they don’t give the passenger much opportunity to view the country. Today’s modern ocean liners are far removed from the old-fashioned way of ocean travel. The benefits derived from traveling are many and varied. It gives a person a broader point-of-view for one thing. Seeing how

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THE ECHO 13 (Snowball exits left.) Miss Martin (looking up at Ben. Hackett who is just entering with Snowball) : Yes we can make the decision without a great deal more thought on the subject. (After this speech Mr. Navarra alights from his position on the desk and moves backstage a trifle. At this point he begins to get a little nervous.) Snowball (going towards right and then exiting) : Well, ah guess ah’ll be leaving. Ah neber could stand seein’ anyone turned down. Ah only hopes dat de best man do win — ah sho ' does. (Exit.) (Miss Martin rises and crosses to the desk where the three men are. In her hand she carries the notes which she has just been taking.) Mr. Wall (clears his throat, and looks expectingly at Miss Martin) : Well, what do your notes show. Miss Martin? Miss Martin (with a pleased smile) : I’ve compared all my notes on both boys with the type you need for your production, and I And that Mr. Benjamin Hackett is just the type you need. It calls for a typical, all-round, country boy, and that’s just what he is. C. Navarra (very indignantly) : You mean to stand there and tell me you’re hiring that — that clumsy, corn-fed, hayseed in preference to a real actor? (At this moment Snowball comes hurrying in carrying Mr. Navarra’s cane, and he stands near him as yet unnoticed.) Mr. Wall (with a superior air) : I’ve hired my actors for nearly twenty-five years, and I guess I am still capable. (Looks toward Snowball who is standing next to Mr. Navarra, waving his cane.) C. Navarra (looking at Snowball) : What in the Sam Hill are you doing standing there waving my cane like an idiot? Snowball (grinning all over) : Ah was just a thinkin’ you will be leavin’ us. Is ah right? Mi ss Martin (smiling) : I think you were right for once. Snowball. (C. Navarra stands glaring at them all for a while and turns to leave.) Snowball (walking after him as if to lead him to the door) : Ah’s po’ful sorry you don come way up here fo nothin’ but as de sayin’ goes “May the Best Man Win.” Well, ah don think the best one did win. Goo’ by, Romeo. You better go on back to yo little Juliet. Maybe she still likes you little loves scenes. (Mr. Wall, Miss Martin, and Ben. Hackett all stand watching Snowball with an amused look, and Snowball makes a very stiff bow as C. Navarra exits left.) Mr. Wall (cheerily) : Snowball, you get smarter every day. Snowball (jumping out and shouting): Hurray! Doggone it, boss, ah don know, yo would discover mah talent some day. CURTAIN

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THE ECHO 15 other people live, what they do, and what they have makes it easier to understand their point-of-view. Travel in your own country is especially beneficial as it makes political and social problems clearer. It is always interesting and educational to meet people with whom you do not come in contact in everyday life. Ruth Martin, ’36. DAYS, MONTHS, YEARS I As the days roll by. The stars in the sky Appear much brighter to shine ; And here as I lie, The clouds drifting high, I sleep in rapture sublime. II Months come and go, To the back of us flow. Never to be seen again; But let the winds blow. And let the months go. Who wants the past to remain? III Years fade at last. On the wind’s gusty blast Our childdays are carried beyond. Our soul is cast Deep into the past. And our life is not prolonged. IV Now I am old. My marrow is cold. And I wish I were young once more. There’s no use to scold Or try to be bold To the past that has gone on before. Leo Randall, ’36. THE BROOK Little babbling, bubbling brook. How you go racing by this crook. Stumbling, mumbling on your way. Won’t you ever, ever stay? Little babbling, bubbling brook. Making cool this shady nook. Here I love to sit and brouse Watching the fishes which you house. Little babbling, bubbling brook. It seems my reason you just took. For here I sit and I amuse Myself by making leaf boats cruise. Geraldine Collins, ’36. THE OFFICE I We seven girls in the office work. Our studies, though, we must not shirk. One period each is the time a day, And for this help we receive no pay. II The work is not so very hard. We make out many a transfer card. Detention slips and make-ups, too We must pass out and collect when due. III The absentees must also be Typed for the teachers all to see. Then notices must go around When anything is lost or found. IV And these are only some of the things That working in the office brings. But we, the seven office girls. Are helped in our life to face its twirls. M. Severance. A SUMMER DAY The sun was shining brightly down — A golden light which filled the town. Oh, bright and cheery was the day With everybody happy and gay. The sky above was clear and blue; The lake below of silver hue; The fields stretched out so cool and green. Where once the dew was a crystal sheen. The flowers added to the cheer ; This made the day seem much more dear To those who like the refreshing air And to whom the world seems always fair. The flowers closed their petals bright. The day had just begun its flight. And slowly downward sank the sun. At last another day was done. Norma E. Pierson, ’36.