Hunter College High School - Argus Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Tribulation of a Tribal Chief by Natalie Krauss ., ICKEY MacARTHUR sat on the old deserted dock, her knees up to her chin and her strong, well-bruised fingers idly snapping in two twig after twigg her lackadaisical attitude belied the activity of her mind. From the moment the camp bus had crossed the narrow wooden bridge over the frog pond, and coughing and . sputtering, had jerked a final stop before the canteen three and a half encampments ago, -- - camp had been a glorious, care-free adventure for Mickey, especially since this was her first season at Camp Sabago. Why, oh, why did this responsibility have to rest upon her shoulders now? Through the trees, she could see the vivid colors of bathing suits, as girl after girl leaped from the spring board and deftly cut the water. How well she remembered the day she had taken her swimming classification test! She had sanguinely assured Neptune that diving was child's play to her, but it had been a sheepish Mickey who climbed upon the float after hitting the water more flatly than a collapsible high hat. She could laugh at that conceit now, because only yesterday she had broken the last strangle hold for her Iunior Life Saving test. It was strange, thought Mickey, that after six weeks of failure she had within the last week gained the necessary skill and confidence in the water. These might have been achieved through Neptune's rigorous training. but Mickey chose to attribute them to Robin's aid and encouragement. That train of thought, however, forced upon Mickey the reminder of her present perplexing situation, Robin, of course, was an easy choice for her. Everyone knew that, although these had been Robin's first seven days at camp-at any camp, she was just the kind of a girl to take along on a five day hike. On the last breakfast hike, when both the girls and the councillors were grumb- ling because somebody had forgotten to include the silverware in the pack baskets, Robin had laughed and exclaimed: What fun it'll be to eat blueberry flapjacks on twigs like lollypopsln Again, when it had rained for three successive days, I H . forty-five nd

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River by Mildred Levin I F I should ever leave my native city of New York, I'd soon for- get about lofty skyscrapers, about sidewalks crowded with a million people and their million stories, and about dazzling gaudy lights. In time, I could even fail to remember dirty little street urchins, hungry beggars, and haunting faces that have passed quickly by me and never come my way again. All these I could gladly leave behind me, but I shall never cease to think of the Hudson as it nestles near Riverside Park on one side, and near the Iersey shore on the other. Although I have seen the Hudson many times, I have but two recollections of it. I shall always remember what happened in the sweltering noonday heat of a summer day. As I gazed out over the water, life departed from me. Under the touch of the blazing sun all the world died with me except the river. Even the earth had ceased to turn on its axis. While a lifeless haze hung over everything, the river had turned its cool waters into glistening diamonds of pure white. How those tiny, myriad pieces gleamedl All through that afternoon nothing lived but the Hudson. Then, as evening approached, darkness descended to overtake her jewels, until there was only a patch of radiance left. Soon it vanished, too, and the world was cloaked in the cool shade of evening. Life had come back. My other recollection of the Hudson is its appearance one dreary October day. New York was awaiting the arrival of a storm. Chill winds played about freely. Gray clouds hung heavily in the sky. Even the waters of the Hudson had lost their calm. They dashed against each other with mock fury in a sad endeavor to imitate the angry surges of great, swollen rivers. The waves reflected the murky thickness of the skies. From somewhere near the banks came the doleful sound of a boat's fog horn. All was a picture of dejection. Yet, my heart was singing, for I loved the sad beauty of the scene. What if the picture was painted in only black and gray lines? It was a masterpiece. Sometimes I wish to leave New York and travel to other lands. Yet one thought holds me back. Are there Hudsons in other parts of the world? forty-four

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and everyone looked as though it were her last day at camp, Robin had instituted Grin Day to bring sunshine back to Sabago. Yes, there was no doubt that Robin should go on the hike. But who was to be the other representative from Tip Top Tent? When Mickey had been elected wigwam chief, she had been supremely happy. Yet gladly would she change her position now with anyone willing to accept the responsibilities allied to it. Ever since she had first learned that there was to be a long hike, Mickey had thought and dreamed of nothing else. What an experience it would be to sleep under the stars for four whole nights with the soft protective earth beneath one and yarrow or evening primrose gently caressing one's face! Oh, the glory of tramping mile after mile through cool, fragrant woods, of emerging occasionally to climb upon barren, sun- beaten rocks to gaze at a beautiful panorama stretching to a distant horizon! The stories Mickey had heard about previous hikes and gipsy trips aroused her desire to go. Her hopes were cruelly shat- tered when she was told that, as chief, she had the duty-privilege. the councillor had said-of choosing two girls from her tent who were to go on the hike. They must be reliable in emergencies and cheerful in times of tribulation. That meant, of course, that she could not be one of the hikers, since it would not be at all proper to insert her own name after Robin's on the list. Yet she had been as good a camper as anyone else throughout the summer. Mickey clenched her teeth as she jumped to her feet. She had no regard for the creaks and groans of the condemned dock as she strode in- dignantly up and down. It wasn't fair, she decided, to place a girl in this sort of situation. I have a good mind to write my own name and tell 'em it's my honest opinion that I fit the requirements, thought Mickey, halting suddenly. lust then she saw a form clad in green and orange scramble down the steep path, calling, UMic-key! Yoo hoo, Mi-ick! Oh, there you are! I thought l'd find you here. Polaris is going to charge into our unit any min- ute now if you don't go to dinner. Chimes rang ten minutes ago. What's the matter? Didn't you get a letter today? The girl paused and looked anxiously at her friend. Oh, I got two letters. replied Mickey. Then she added gloomily, It's not that, Robby. lt's the hike. I wish I knew whom to choose. That's easy, responded Robin. Choose Tubby. She's so fortyasix