John Adams High School - Clipper Yearbook (Ozone Park, NY)

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Skorf- olive alalainefm SELMA GERMAN THE SHADES were drawn. From a tear in one of them, a thin speck of light crossed the small room. Iim sat motionless in the darkened room, hunched over the table, his hands pressed hard at his temples. lust two months before, he had sat on that same chair, beaming with happiness at the fact that he had finally saved enough money to take Maria and him- self back to Maria's native land, Aus- tria, for a vacation. Iim could remem- ber the look on her face when he told her that their dream was turning into a reality. Her eyes sparkled with ioy as she tried unsuccessfully to hold back the tears that began trickling down her cheek. A broad grin came over her face at the thought of seeing her family and friends again after so many years. She put her arms around Iim's neck and kissed him for being such a wonderful husband to her. Although she deeply loved the United States and cherished her newly acquired American citizenship, she longed to go back to visit Austria. During the war, lim and Maria had met in Europe. lim, at the time, was weary of all the blood that he had seen shed on the battlefields and of the tragic scenes that wars must in- evitably bring. When he was shipped to Austria, Maria and Iim met, fell 10 V , ,im .I em 2 32? , t,,..,- -:g . N 55 f- Ze . 3 N hifi? : 1' 5 4 1--.e 3:55 -, 4' ff 3.3.3 1 t 35,3 ...salt I I 'VI ,Q-ifgiffif .-lil V257 lrfixw J IIT I v w X. N .jr t:-x ' s i I itciniz-'? .,.x,:e., -X. I in love, and married. Maria came from a small village that was not even on the map. She knew what it was like to be ill and miserable because she suffered from a heart ailment. After peace was declared, Maria had to remain in Austria until lim was able to send for her. They knew it wouldn't be too long before she would be able to come to the United States. He had resumed his old iob. Finally the day came when he was to meet his bride at the station. Evansville may not seem a big town or a nice town to some people, but when Maria stepped down from the train, she knew she would love this place, for it would their home. She had heard a lot about this country. Now that she was here. she knew that this would be the happiest day in her life. Maria was heartily welcomed by Iim's family, and the high spot of the day occurred when lim showed her the apartment where they would live. It did not matter any way to Maria that it was not the best. A few months later, lim got the idea of saving some money each week so that some day in the future, Maria could see her village again. At the end of every week they would count their savings. Some weeks they were surprised by how much they had

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IT WAS a well known fact at Grover High School that the entire football team was built around Dick Pope. All of the local newspapers praised Pope as the greatest quarterback the school had ever had. Without a player of his caliber the Grover Greyhounds would not have been tied for first place as they were in the Inter-School League. Dick Pope fully realized this fact and never failed to impress it upon every- one else. A As was his usual practice, one Fri- day moming before section, Dick was roaming around school accepting con- tributions to a score pool for the next big game. Although he fully realized that it was frowned upon by the fac- ulty, he depended upon his popularity to bolster him in case certain inquiries were made into his methods. Not only did his particular system prove to be a means of providing him with much- wanted spending money, but it was also comforting to his ego to flaunt his influence about the school grounds. But Dick was unaware that this col- lection moming was to be his last. for he did not know that one of his forgot- ten investors had decided to put a stop to the pool by notifying the coach. Ar- rogant, as usual, when summoned from class by Coach DeLuca, he fancied himself to be the typical football hero- broad shoulders, short-cropped hair, squared jaw. He slouched, waiting for the coach to begin. But it was a rather stunned and deiected young man who left that office, crushed by the decision that Dick Pope, star quar- terback for the Greyhounds, would sit it out on the bench throughout the cru- cial game with Burbank, the all-im- portant game that meant the difference between first place and glory and sec- ond place mediocrity. Coach DeLuca had made it clear that Dick would not be permitted to play in the last game of his career at Grover High School. During the day, however, he had time to analyze the various angles of his predicament. With his usual self- esteem he became convinced that his school would lose without his brilliant leadership. The longer he thought about it the more he was certain that a great injustice had been done to him and that he should be revenged. A lin- gering plot began to crystallize, and by noon he had completed his plan. By game time excitement reigned, and crowds of students poured into the stadium, setting it ablaze with their happy faces and bright colors. The cheer leaders were limbering up, as Dick, contrary to his usual practice, ar- rived on time and sat quietly on the bench, scarcely showing interest in the proceedings. The game started and it was soon evident with the new quarter- back, that steady, hard--driving team play only could assure victory. At the half. Grover trailed 13 to 7. Suddenly. Dick's successor broke loose from the Burbank tacklers, and with desperation driving him, ran forty yards for the tying touchdown, and then converted into a 14 to 13 victory for Grover in the last minute of play. The stands went wild, surged on the field heading for the goal posts, as the victorious team ran for the showers, carrying their new quarterback with them. But through the crowd you could see cr lone figure sitting on the bench, star- ing silently over the gridiron. Dick Pope was realizing the costly lesson taught him in such startling fashion, for he must now face his fellow students with- out the pool money, all of which he had bet on the other team. 9 EIOH CIEIHJINIAA E I S H- Q 5 Q 9. Wh

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been able to save. Yet other weeks nothing had been added. Iim and Maria were like two young children then, but they never allowed their dream to stop them from buying any- thing that was needed. It took many we-eks and many years before they were able to see that their dream was slowly coming into effect: in fact. it was five and one-hall years later when lim told Maria that she should prepare hers-elf for their trip to Austria. Iim could remember those prepara- tions now and also the day when he went to make reservations. Maria was all aglow. Although she had planned what she was going to do. she planned it all over again. The weeks flew by until the day arrived for Iim and Maria to leave simple quarters. Iim could remember vividly the good- byes that were exchanged as though they were never coming back. If they had only known. Their trip was very pleasant, but Maria had to rest quite a bit because she was excited and her heart con- dition could spoil their joumey. How- ever, once their long awaited day arrived and they set foot on Austrian soil, Maria meant to have a good time 1. I f W ' r f' bi 9 gf. LW' I H -9- - t D? there. no matter what Iim said. Maria's family and friends greeted both of them just as Iim's folks had greeted Maria. Her family had never expected to see either of them again. lim en- joyed watching Maria's face as she talked excitedly about everything. She was so happy to be among her peo- ple. For two weeks it seemed as though they were just dreaming. They would take long walks along the country- side and talk of her childhood and life in Austria. Although Iim had heard most of it before. he didn't mind hear- ing it again. But soon the time came when they had to say good-bye to everyone. Their hearts felt heavy at the thought of saying good-bye, for it seemed as though they had just arrived. Maria had been excited: too excited at this reunion. As she was kissing her mother. she fainted. lim quickly brought her inside the house and gently placed her on the bed. Everyone was rushing around the room trying to revive her. lim bent down, horror stricken at the face of his wife. It was a ghastly white. He straightened himself and said in a low quivering tone. It's too late. She's dead! Maria had overtaxed her heart and it had stopped. As jim sat there in the darkened room. he lifted his weary head and saw the ray of light that had peeped through. They had planned th-e trip. and, in a way had planned her death. She now lay buried in Austria where she had been born and brought up. Maybe she wanted it that way, but perhaps she didn't. He rose from his chair and knew that some day this wound would heal. but he would always have memories of her and their short life together. ll