Humboldt County High School - Winnada Yearbook (Winnemucca, NV)

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WINNADA The Legend of the Willow By Louis Peraldo I One day a golden-haired child, who lived where no trees or flowers grew, was gazing wistfully through the open gate of a beautiful park, when the gardener chanced to throw out an armful of dry cuttings. Among them the little girl discovered a tiny bud » just starting. Perhaps it will grow! she whispered to herself; and dreaming of wide, cool boughs and fluttering leaves, she carried the little bud home and planted it. Day after day she watched and tended it, and when, by-and-by, another bud had started, she knew that the slip had taken root. Years passed. Her lovely home gave place to a pleasant man- sion, with 3 spacious garden where many a green tree threw its shadow. But for the golden-haired child, now grown into a lovely girl, the fairest and dearest of them all was the one she had so tenderly nourished. No other tree, she thought, cast such a cool, soft shade; in no other boughs did the birds sing so sweetly. But while the tree lived and flourished, the young girl drooped and faded. Sweeter and sadder grew the light in her blue eyes, till by-and-by God's angel closed them to sights of earth. Loving hands crowned the white brow with myrtle, and under the branches she had loved, laid her tenderly to rest. But from that hour, as if in sorrow for the one who had tended it, the stately tree began to droop. Lower and lower bent the branches, until they caressed the daisied mound that covered her. See, said her young com- panions, the tree weeps for one who loved it; and they called it the Weeping Willow.

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FOR 1935 V This sounds very well to someone who might be interested but I'm not. Here, take this five dollar bill and run along. I have no more time to waste. With this the woman turned and walked away, leaving little Loretta wondering what she would do now. The town was big and she was lonely. She had five dollars and no place to go. Big tears started falling down her cheeks. She caught her breath with a convulsive movement. At the corner of the lobby a man stepped to the piano to play. He was Samuel Norton, a well-known teacher of music, arid popular with all the people in the hotel. The best people in town went to him for lessons, and he only accepted those who were talented. His students, almost without exception, had made a name for them- selves after having completed his lessons. Hearing music, Loretta dried her eyes, forgot her troubles for the moment, and devoted herself to the joy of listening. Evef ince she could remember, music had held a charm for her. She had been told that she could sing, but she had never thought that her voice could be made to amount to anything. The song Samuel Norton was playing was one she knew loved and an overwhelming desire to sing filled her. Rising from her chair, rather slowly, she made her way to the piano. Astonished eyes were turned in her direction. One woman whispered, What is this little vagabond going to do now? Hasn't she been bold enough? A beautiful voice broke the sudden hush. Such an extraordinary voice had not been heard before in that hotel. Here was a thin little wisp of a girl singing as if she had spent her whole life with music. Samuel Norton recognized the fact that when she sang her whole soul was in the music. When the song was finished, he turned to Loretta and inquired, What is your name? Loretta suddenly became embarrassed. She realized that she had done the wrong thing and that the people were probably laughing at her. Also she became conscious of the hole in her stocking and the small kitten in her arms. I am Loretta Langdon. I'm terribly sorry that I was so rude. When I hear music I can't help singing. I love music so. I've always planned to study but we've been too poor. Samuel Norton then knew that he would not let this chance slip. This girl had talent. That was difficult to find. He told himself that he could make this girl famous. Just a rmypent, please, he began, I have a studio where I give lessons in voice training, tou may live with my wife and me, but you will have to work hard. Here was the opportunity that she had longed for all her life. How odd life is, she thought. One moment I am plunged into a state of despondency and the next minute I have the chance of a lifetime. Oh! Could I? she questioned with eagerness. I would be so happy. The felicity in her face told Norton that this was so. Well, come! come! said Norton, We will go home and have chicken dinner, then we can get down to work. Five years later in the same hotel, there was considerable confusion. The great opera singer, Mademoiselle Langdon was going to occupy suite number 10. After a tour through Europe, Loretta Langdon had returned to San Francisco to begin work once more. At eight o'clock the night clerk was on duty when Mademoiselle Langdon entered. After staring at her, the clerk remembered that she was the same person who had asked for Mrs. Johnson about five years before. With all the grace and charm of one accustomed to luxury, she entered the elevator with her personal maid and three bell boys. As the door closed behind her, the clerk said to a man near by, That girl entered this hotel five years ago, cold and hungry. Today she has found her public.

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FOR 1935 Nothing Ever Happens By Bettye Herline Can I do something for you today? asked the young service station attendant. Fill up the tank, and check the oil. I've come a long way today and I imagine that most of the oil is gone. The attendant busied himself, while the man in the car lit a large cigar. The attendant thought to himself, I work day after day here in this station and what do I get out of it? Nothing but twenty eight dollars a week. I'd probably earn more digging ditches. This person seems to be a worthless sort. He drives a big car, smokes expensive cigars, and travels from town to town with no thought of the less fortunate people of the country. I rtai nly envy him all his luxury. The car will take about two quarts of oil. Shall I put it in? Yes, and you'd better check the battery water, too. When the attendant had finished he asked, Is there anything else? No thank you, was the response, Where can I get something to eat? Two blocks straight ahead, on the right hand side of the street. When the car was out of the driveway, the young man lit a cigarette and watched the glowing end of it, thinking. What a worthless life I lead. I'm here, every day of the year and what does it get me? There's not even any excitement. Nothing ever happens here. Hello, Lee, a young voice called to him. Hello, youngster. How are things? Swell, Lee. Listen, mother wants you to bring home a loaf of bread when you come. O K, Marge, I will. Lee grinned at his sister, Like to buy an ice cream cone, kid? Um.fium, she murmured as she licked her lips. Well, try and get it. Lee laughed at »her. With this the sister started running after him. After a scuffle, he finally gave her a nickel and away she ran calling back over her shoulder, Don't forget the bread, Funny Face. As he reentered the station, he was thinking what a fine sister she was. It was more fun to scuffle with Marge than take Clarice Hemingway to a dance, even though Clarice was the best looking girl in town. With these thoughts running through his mind, he did not notice a short man standing by the oil drums. The man behind the oil drums spoke in a harsh whisper. Come on, brother, step to one side, and no funny business either, get me, or I'll riddle you so full of holes you'll look like a sieve. Lee turned a chalky color and gasped. He'd heard of hold-ups, but he never expected to be in one. He watched the man open the register, take out all the money which amounted to about one hundred dollars, and then the man turned to him and spoke, Now brother, you lay down on thet floor and don't let a cheep out a' ye or move for five minutes. Do you get what I mean? Sure, sure, I'll stay here. I won't move, Lee stuttered. O K, see that you don't, the man said, as he pointed his gun threateningly at Lee. Lying on the floor too frightened to move, Lee suddenly heard footsteps in the driveway. He was certain that the man was coming back, (fearing that Lee would report him) and was going to get rid of him. Cold prespiration broke out on Lee's hands and forehead, ana his head felt rather dizzy. It seemed hours that he lay there listening, but finally he looked up. A woman was standing in the doorway. Well Lee, are you playing a new game? Lee was terribly embarrassed as he realized that he did look ridiculous. He felt that any explanation would be inadequate. Oh—Clarice------1-----Well-----, he stammered. You don't need to explain a thing, Clarice snapped, I can see that you didn't want to talk to me and tried to hide yourself. Well don’t think I'll bother with you any longer. Lee tried to explain again but failed. As Clarice walked out of the station, he sank down in his chair. A few minutes later the man who was on night duty came to relieve him. As he entered the station he asked, Say, Lee, what's the matter? You look as if you'd seen a ghost. Lee told him in detail all that had happened and when he had finished, they decided that the best thing to do was notify the authorities. After this was reported, Lee left for home. As he walked along he wondered if Marge would go to the movies with him. She was a good sport and lots of fun. He then thought over all that had hap- pened and with a smile he said to himself, Nothing ever happens at a service station.