Joseph Le Conte Middle School - Le Contean Yearbook (Hollywood, CA)

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The Haunted Library An astonished yelp rang through the deserted school grounds. It was six o'clock on a winter evening, and one could clearly hear sounds approaching. A small fox terrier sped past the building with his tail between his legs. He tore around a corner and sped shivering to a boy and girl of about fourteen years of age. One saw that there was an astonishing likeness between the two children. These were the Brown twins, Jack and Joan. Why, Jip, what is the matter? Jack asked in an annoyed voice, but when he saw that the dog was badly frightened he added indignantly, HWhat could have frightened him? I'm going in and see who did it. Disregarding his sister's objections he marched belligerently around the grounds with Jip slinking after him. After a fruitless search they were about to give up, when they passed the windows of the big library from which issued the unmistakable sounds of voices. The twins looked at each other in silence and then crept to the other end of the building. Once there their tongues were loosened and a torrent of words issued forth. Who could be there at this time of night?'y It can't be one of the teachers because I stayed at Ann's, just across the street, and saw them all go. They stared at each other in consternation. Finally Jack whispered, Come on, Sis! I know where there's a window that doesn't lock, and we'll go in and see what's the matter. He marched off, and, not to be outdone, Joan followed, but with many backward glances. ,lip unwillingly acted as rear guard. Having succeeded in entering, they now stood outside the library door. Both regretted having come, but neither was willing to show it. After some delay the door was opened, with not as much noise as might have been expected, and it was clearly a case of after you, my dear Alphonse. Eventually they entered together with much shaking of knees, and legs that protested vigorously against doing their duty. Clinging to the walls they encircled the room, trying to see in the dim light. As they reached the farther end of the room, a small figure arose from behind a table. A figure in evening dress, tall silk hat and gray hair, a figure that peered dreamily at them over shell-rimmed spectacles and at length faded into air, leaving behind it the motionless figures of the paralyzed twins, and silence. Shrill screams rent the air, there was a sudden bump and Jack found himself on the floor, blinking like an owl at the lighted room. He looked around to discover his sister sitting up in bed and exclaiming angrily, f'How can I sleep when you make such a noise? You shouldn't have gone to the picnic if you would eat pickles and ice cream together. FRANCES jouxsox, B9. L 105 1

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Bubble! Bubble! Toil and Troublelv Once as a wind was blowing over the lake, it wafted a pretty bubble down from the skies, which, with a big splash, landed on a ripple. The ripple mumbled and scolded something about Please change your weight to my other side. The bubble replied timidly, f'Ah, my friend, can I not tell you how I come to be here ? As he got no answer, he went on dreamily. When I was young I was very bad. One day my father became angry and blustered so hard that I burst and left home by riding down the drain pipe. It was not long before I got exceedingly bored with the scenery and wished myself back in the good old kitchen sink. I suppose that my mother was very sad because she was in mourning for a long time. Well, pretty soon I saw the light and found myself in a bubble pipe being blown like a bird, in that glorious, pep- giving air, so I Hounced and bounced and had a good timef, As it said this, it looked sad, and continued with a sigh. The wind blew me here, and as you see, I am still here. The ripple replied sarcastically, 'ISO I see. You are very much here, to my great discomfortfl The bubble evidently did not hear this last remark for it kept steadily on. HI am really very beautiful, donlt you think ? and here it turned around to show itself, and started swelling more and more, in great pride, changing colors all the while. Then suddenly it shuddered, shivered and collapsed. The ripple, who had been its unwilling host, murmured, I did not like your weighty a good riddancelu And with a shrug it went merrily on its way. HAZEL HARRIS, A7. Yearning I often wish that I might be A traveler in a far country. And in a picturesque sampan Drift down the rivers of Japan. I have a strong and wistful yen For the land of Oriental men, For color, incense, mystery, Old gardens fashioned charmingly. I know that some day I shall be In one of those gardens sipping tea, Languidly waving a painted fan, Where cherry trees bloom in old Japan. KATHLEEN CASSHJY, BQ. f 1041

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The Greatest Fish Story of All It was a beautiful day-that is, beautiful for fishingfcloudy, and with a slight breeze. After three hours of impatient waiting, I pulled in the finest speckled trout I've ever seen, a beauty, fully fifteen inches long. I have often wondered who was really more excited, myself or the fish. As I looked at the poor thing, I suddenly thought of a novel idea. VVhy kill it? Would it not be nicer to have it as a pet? I started to fondle it and suddenly realized that if I didn't put it back into water again it would die. I hurried home ffortunately I lived near byj and filled a tub with water. How eagerly my pet swam around its new quarters. I am sure it was happy. Then started a faithful training course. In one week Freckles fmy petls Christian namej was able to remain out of water a whole hour. In a month's time it lived out of water a half day. ,lust at about this period it started to follow me around, especially when I called it by its name. This seemed almost impossible. People from all over the country came to see my Freckles. Museuins from all over the world offered me fabulous sums, if I would only sell it. But I refused everybody. My pet was more precious to me than money-especially since now the old wash tub was a thing of the past. My fish lived entirely out of water. Really, my joy knew no bounds! But all good things must end, but I shall never forget the day when I was going to visit my auntie who lived across the river. We had to cross over a bridge. I say we because by now my pet never left me for an instant, and was able to keep pace with me by a peculiar hop which it had developed. Some careless workmen, who were replacing some planks, left an open space in the bridge, and as we were crossing, my poor little fish fell through the hole. VVith tears in my eyes and terror in my heart I saw my pet struggling in the water, but before help could be obtained, it was drowned! OLIVE LEVY, A7. Who Am I P Yesterday was blue Monday, for my brothers and my sisters and I were used very cruelly. Some people call me a red slip of paper, but I have as much feeling as anyone. hly family and I live in lVIrs. Dalyls desk, but some of my relatives live in Nfiss Mitchell's or bliss Seymour's desk. Oh there! I'm getting off my story. Well, anyway, yesterday a lot of girls came stringing into the office. lylrs. Daly took us out and let them scribble all over us. Some wrote 'fUnclean Nliddiesu and some wrote No Stockings and all sorts of things. Then they went trailing out again and lVIrs. Daly threw us into the desk, and I guess we will stay here until the end of the term. Now do you know what I am? You don'tl Well, I'll tell you. I am a demerit slip. MARGARET BRUNDAGE, A7. L 106 1