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

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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

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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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equal opportunities for all. With Columbus as their patron, a band of -Christian gentlemen, at Hartford, Con- neticut, in 1882, charted a fraternal, patri- otic, and charitable organization known as The Knights of Columbus, whose duty it is to remind us all that this'country he discovered be kept inviolate, of the people, by the people, and for the people. In closing with the words of the poet, may I repeat, Along the waterfront there strayed a dreaming lad Who, unafraid of jeers and laughter for his scholar's mien, Begged rough sailors for tales of lands they'd seen. The sea gulls circling overhead, The ships with great white wings outspread Awoke in him a longing, fierce, determined, grim, To look beyond the broad horizon's rim. Centuries have passed, and we who own him great Bow to courageous faith that would not hesitate. Then dream on, youth-and make the dream come true- 'They open up new worlds, who dream and do. MUSIC By Philip Stewart Music is one great quality of beauty, which, if a man would really live, he must appreciate and enjoy. Whether it is the sweeping strains of a mighty symphony orchestra, with its per- fect interpretation of various moods, now rumbling like turbulent waters, now light and gay as tripping fairies, now in a pen- sive or melancholy mood, or whether it is the beautiful, thrilling music rendered by the vocal artist as he puts his whole heart into his song, the beauty of music has that touch of power which stirs the mind, raises the spirits, and puts its wondrous stamp upon the souls of those who listen, bring- ing thoughts and visions to the minds which will linger forever. The rolling waves of the mighty ocean majestic, unseen power. So the strains of music roll on, with all the gentle power and matchless grace that lies within its beauty, and move and stir the hearts of men as the ocean waves move and stir the sands on the beach. FUN By Jean Jackins Did you ever sit in the crowded bleach- ers of a small gymnasium and try to watch an exciting basketball game? The whistle blows shrilly and the game begins. Up go the fans in the bleachers. One comes piling down on 1ny neck and back. XVhere do I go? I fall down on someone, and not too easily, either. VVell, wl1at's a little fall when every- one is jolly? Finally, as we get situated, our cheer-leading squad starts us in on Fight, team, fight! Another fan begins keeping time on my shoulders with his big fists. What does it matter? We have lina- ment at home.-I hope. At the end of the half, our team is ahead and we cheer those thrilling, moving cheers. They're old, but oh, how much they mean to each and every one of us! The half begins and I find myself again on top of someone. In a moment my scarf and cap are gone, Someone quickly recov- ers them for me and all is great again, un- til there is two minutes left to play, and the score is tied, 24-24. Fight team. fight! bursts again louder than ever. Someone, who had extra healthy lungs, screeches in my ear. Is my ear d1'u1n all right? I can't hear! Someone's big paw lands a forceful blow on said ear and 1ny hearing is re- stored. The final whistle blows! Our team wins by one point. Ah! now to pile into a car and go get something to eat. Fun? We think so. For the benefit of the girls who are now eighteen-Mary Anderson has found it's the legal age to get marriedg isn't that right, Mary? J. Ward: Do you think opposites make the best marriage partners? A. McGowan: Yeah! That's why I'm move on, with seeming grace. yet with a looking for a rich wife.