Houlton High School - North Star Yearbook (Houlton, ME)

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through the azure-blue sky. Sometimes the clouds could hardly be distinguished from the great white gulls that flapped merrily all around. Dr. Brent sat in his deck chair, an open book lying on his knees: but he wasn't reading. He was staring vacantly into the distance, thinking, thinking, thinking. Oh, it was horrible. An passed through him that awful night two that wasnit all. Five done the same thing, involuntary shudder as he remembered weeks ago. Yes, but times before he had only he hadn't been lucky enough to wake up then. He must not think of it. His brain was becoming so muddled, he might do some- thing that would leave Annie alone in the world. He thought how it would feel to sink into the sea, to feel the cool water closing over his head, and know that all was over. But for Annie's sake, he must remain sane. must live and suffer this unbearable men- tal agony. Perhaps he shouldn't have left Annie. Suddenly a great loneliness descended on him. He wouldn't stay long in Bermuda. Surely he'd find some solution to all this. Everything would turn out all right, and he and Annie would be very happy. For the first time in days, G'eorge Brent's thoughts turned from the awful reality. and gradually he sank into a peaceful sleep. Minutes later, he was awakened by a steward. NVireless for you, sir. He hand- ed Dr. Brent a copy of the message. Thank you, said Dr. Brent, and start- ed to open it. Suddenly a child's shrill scream cut the air. People started running madly here and there, shouting, Child overboard ! George Brent sprang from his chair, ripped off his coat, tore his shoes from his feet, and dived into the sea. Seconds seem- ed like hours as each onlooker held his breath. A lifeboat was loweredg and, just as it hit the water, two tense hands raised the child to the surface, then began to sink slowly back into the cool, green waves. Someone got the child into the lifeboat. Others dived for Dr. Brent, but it was of no use. He had simply disappeared into the depths of the sea. On his deck chair lay the message he had received just before jumping into the water to rescue the child. The captain pick- ed it up and read it. A look of horror pass- ed over his faceg then he read it aloud: Annie killed instantly. Return on next boat. Even then, in some far-off 1'eal1n beyond this world, George Brent was walking to- ward his wife and little daughter, his face alight with happiness and sublime peace. He had thought everything would turn out all right, and so it had! MY ROSE GARDEN Beautiful to see are they, l Growing in my garden gay. White and pink and yellow iaie, Only God could put them there. Merrily the breezes blow. Kissing every dainty roseg Butterflies around them stay, Flitting, playing, all the day. When I'm blue and skies are gray, Silently I steal away To my roses, sweet and fair, God then takes away my care. Dorothy Wood BY THE HAND OF MAN Back, back a thousand years ago. Across this chasm of time a stone we throw, Back to the days when the redman Through these virgin forests ran, And o'er and o'er this hallowed land Peace and quiet were in command. Then came the white man. O, a superior being was heg But he could -not see the beauty, The work of God in each and every tree, Arid he, where this virgin forest stood. Instead, a dirty, smoky city placed. And God in Heaven up above- How must he have wept To see his Virgin forests, work of a million years, Ravaged and swept, Swept away by the hand of man? Charles Hannigan Miss Henderson: Do you think you will pass this course? 'Carl VV.: NVell-yes. Miss H.: Well-you had better think again. 24 L l

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after spending the evening at home with his ten-year-old daughter, retired early. An hour later, a whitefclad figure stole silently through a hall in the Brent home, quietly opened a door. and slipped into a room. Annie Brent, a doll clasped tightly in her arms, was sound asleep. The man crept stealthily to her small, white-painted bed, From his pocket he drew a can and a large piece of cotton. The can was covered tightly, but. since he had had much practice, it took him only a se- cond to open it. He saturated the cotton with liquid from the can. The scent of chlo- roform filled the room. .lust as he bent over the child, the wet cotton in his hand, a breeze swept in an open window, knocking a small lamp from a table beside him. There was a sharp crash. The man awoke. Dr. Brent stood staring at Annie, who by this time was awake. t'Xl'hy, Daddy, what are you doing here? cried Annie. What have you in your hand? What is that funny smell? Dr. Brent's astonished gaze fell on the cotton in his hand, then the horrible truth dawned on him. Go back to sleep, Annie, he said, his voice shaking. I just came in to see if you were asleep. With trembling hands he tucked the covers under her chin, then left the room quickly. In his own room once more. George Brent sank weakly into a chair, He must think. As the full significance of the can of chloroform in his hand penetrated his brain. he gasped in hor1'or. He, who had saved so many lives, was a murderer. He was The Cross . He had given money to help in the search for himself. No, this was silly - only a crazy dream. But it wasn't. it was stark reality. and he must face it! Should he give himself up? If he did, it would be Annie who must suffer the disgrace, the heartbreak of it all. Her mother was dead, and there would be no one to shield her. On the other hand, if he didn't give himself up, he might keep on doing the same thingfmurdering people in his sleep. He wanted to save life, not de- stroy it. He would take a trip. Yes, he would go away for a while. No one would ever find out about him, and Annie would he saved the disgrace. The following morning, Dr. Brent began arrangements for a trip to Bermuda. He ex- plained to his friends that he had been working too hard and needed a rest. At the end of two weeks, Annie had been enrolled in a private school, and George Brent was on the way to Bermuda. Tiny, white-capped waves rippled play- fully against the side of the boat. Fluffy- looking gobs of whipped cream scudded THE FRESHMEN 'Looking Forward 4 r in ,

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i l 1 i l THE SOPHOMORES Something behind us, something ahead CHRISTOPHER COLOUMBUS By Anna McDonald fPrize-winning Essay! Three little ships put out to sea Three little ships of destiny, Bearing cargoes of hopes and fears Fruiting now after many years. The human will, the guiding hand, These steered the ships to that new land, And the weary leader and the sullen crew Each builded better than he knew. Four hundred and forty-six years ago, an important event occured. A new land had been discovered. By whom? XVhat was his story? What characteristics does the world admire him for? XVhat does America owe him? There a1'e very few students of history who do not know that on October 121492, Christopher Columbus, after months of drifting withlthe wind, landed on a small island, later to be called San Salvador. By doing this, he proved to the Old XVorld that the earth was round instead of flat. Of Columbus's birth, history has no re- cord except that he was born in humble surroundings like many other great men. He was just a normal boy with a boy's as- pirations. I like to think of Columbus as predestined and inspired by God to lead our ancestors from a land of greed, super- stition, and persecution to a land of liberty and freedom. The World admires Columbus for his courage, his Christian character, and his faith. XVhen he needed help for his venture, he never despaired before sailing, but pray- ed for God's guidance. VVhen his sailors mutinied, he did not lose courage: but, after asking divine help, he ordered his sailors to sail on. VVhen he landed, his first act was to fall upon his knees and thank God. Yxie. the descendants of the old world, owe Columbus a debt of gratitude in dis- covering the greatest country in the world, one that has a Constitution and a signed Declaration of Independence. a country where we can think, talk, and vote with- out a bayonet at our backs. And the immi- grants who have crossed that ocean since Columbus pointed the way are grateful to him for his courage in discovering the New XVorld, where neighbors live in peace with , 1