Lunenburg High School - Echo Yearbook (Lunenburg, MA)

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IN PASSING The sun hung heavy in the western sky. The dull weariness that seems to settle over the earth as the sun sets on a hot day, envelop- ed the countryside. From my station by the telephone I could see through the window the careless growth of trees and shrubs surround- ing our home. A thin heat haze hid each separate twig and leaf from my eyes. The sudden sweeping of a young robin past the window seemed incongruous with the feeling of the moment. Then, as if by u sign from an unseen maestro, the crickets began their evening serenade, their steady, even bass the accompaniment for the melody of the birds. The shadows deepenedg the serenade became a hum in my memoryg the quiet and peace and loneliness that is evening descended. Within, the peace of evening had settled. The hustle and living of thc day had ended quietly, the house seemed empty and lonesome. My dog lay at my feet, sleeping. Occasionally, his body twitched,as though a demon strode through his dreams. On a cushion, my kitten purred contentedly. Both animals, free from the problems and suffer- ings of man, still understood the tiredness, the tranquillity and,yet, the foreboding that evening brings. The darkness was deeper inside. The outlines of the furniture were hidden in shadows. A beam from the dying sun played over the ebony telephone as if in prophecy. My grandmother's face smiled down on me from the wall. Ny loneliness caused me to recognize in her face the sadness, the struggle, the many evenings such as this one that she had spent. My bookcase, the source of so much joy te me in the past, seemed to contain only sad- ness: war, struggle, death. The radio, which had brought good news, seemed only to have brought sad news of war, of struggle, of death . My albums of records scfmed to contain only Mozart and Beethoven: no- thing light, nothing gay ---- only heavy ---- and sad. As the room grew'darker, memories of that room arose in my mind. The little blonde boy, so quiet, so good, so beloved, seemed to be reading in his regular place. That endearing little smile played across his features. His frailness, his inner strength that begged for compassion seemed a part of the room. And the others: the tele- gram from the war department, the news from Finland, the news of Grandmother's death ------ sadness, just sadness, and death. Why? Why? Where was the joy, the cheery side of life? At this moment, especial- ly, where was something to hope for? The clock ticked off the seconds, the minutes, that were pass- ing forever. My heart kept time with the ticks. I tried to curb the desperation and futility that arose within me. Life is not eternal, but neither is it futile. Yet, five is so young, so very young to have to go. But what can I de? The calmness, the dullness of the evening sattlvd once 'more over my mind. The ticking of the clock faded into the stillness. My eyes became heavy, my senses dulled, as though I were in a stupor. The ring of the telephone slashed through the stillness. Panic beat away my drowsinessg terror gripped my heart. Then, a dull ac- ceptance, a sense of futility overcame mc. Hello. He has gone. I quietly replaced the receiver. The clock ticked on. The darkv est moment of my life had passed. Esther Aho

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THE BOAT LEAVES THE PIER The fog drizzled through our slickers, dampening our clothes as well as our spirits. we raised our soggy handkerchiefs for one last feeble wave, although wo were quite sure they could not see us. The boat was nothing more than an almost indiscernable gray mass, blending with the grayness of the day. A bit of moisture trickled down my cheek, I didn't know whether it was rain or ---- well it didn't matter now, anyhow. l Constance Brown PORTRAIT OF A MURDERER A large portly man turned on the dinky light on the wall and' sat limply on the cot in the corner. He yanked his half open greyish white shirt from his hair ladened body and removed his muddy shoes tossing them across the room. He looked very tired but his eyes stared into space. Sweat camo from every pore in his body and his hands shook as he attempted to wipe it from h s face. There was a knock on the door. Our friend jumped from the bed and stood petrified as the door slowly opened. A policeman stood, gun in hand with a grim look on his face. uO.R. Blackie come along quiet- ly. The jigs up.N Blackic's mouth fell open and than he said as if gaining new found strength, nYou'll never get me,copper. I guess if I've get nerve enough to kill one guy, I've got nerve enough to kill two.n Q At that Blackie raised his gun to fire but the policeman shot first. nO.K. boys drag him out,N said the policeman as he replaced his gllflo Nancy Docekal MY UNLUCKY DAY When I was about nine years old my father bought me a pony. She was small, but fast. Fred Clay and I would ride around through the fields playing cowboys and Indians. we would wear only dungarees and hats, no shoes and that was all. Even our horses were stripped down. We rode without saddles just bareback. This was real fun. One Sunday morning I was sitting in the house and Mr. Winchester rode by on a beautiful bay mare. Ho had a nice saddle and bridle on her. He was dressed in white trousors,a sport shirt and fine leather gloves. I said to myself if he can look so classy so can I. The following evening I spent polishing my saddle and bridle. The next Sunday I brushed my pony and got dressed. I were white pants, shoes and shirt with a bright blue necktie. I borrowed my mother's kid gloves and started off at a slow walk. I was really enjoying myself. Slowly my neck was getting sore and I got sick and tired of riding like this. I came to an open field with a small brook running through it. I headed my pony across it at full speed. I thought my pony would jump the little brook. When we got about five feet away from the brook my pony stopped, but I kept right going. I landed on my stomach in the mud. From then on I was satisfied with riding bareback with dungarees on. Raymond Chapdelaine

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The first quenoy. There this important delinquency is might call it, . I-sf qv I'.-..n'h 's .L DANGERS CONFRONTING OUR COUNTRY danger which causes much concern is juvenile delin- are many people who would have different ideas about question. But I think the main reason for juvenile the lack of home supervisiong many children, as you bring themselves up. Their parents care not where they are or what they are doing. They are never told what is right and what is wrong. If children are allowed to do what they wish,when they wish to do it, they are getting the wrong ideas on life. Of course, we know that this question became of very great concern dur- ing the war. Both parents were working on war jobs and no one was at home to give the necessary guidance which is important for every child, so that when he grows up he will be a good law-abiding citizerh Another problem which is being discussed to a great extent is compulsory military training. Some persons think it is a good idea from the point of view of discipline. Boys who never obey laws cerr tainly would obey rules in the army. Some people feel 'that this would be dangerous for a free country for the reason that it is comr polling them to train during peacetime. Of course if they are suffi- ciently trained during peacetime it would make it much easier if our country went to war again. With compulsory military training, we would at least be prepared for whatever might strike. On the other hand, there is much talk of a future depression in our country. The rising of prices causes inflation because the prices go so high that the people cannot afford to buy the products. During a depression there is little money in circulation and the prices on the goods are lowered because the people have not the money to buy them with. This results from millions of people being jobless. During a depression many people are laid off of their jobs and when they sock a job there are none to be had. Labor unions are the next big issue confronting our country today. Some labor unions are thought of as being very dangerous to our country's welfare. Labor unions are the main cause of strikes because they ask the companies to pay more wages to the workers. When the companies refuse, then the workers ge on a strike. Of course, there are good points to a labor union. They are the ones that secure higher wages for the workers. Strikes cause the stopping of work and this causes the shortage of goods. Black markets are the result of shortage of goods. A few people get some goods that are very scarce and then sell them at prices high above the ceiling price This causes much confusion and many people do not want to buy black market goodsg therefore they go without. Everyone should avoid black markets and try to destroy them. I One more serious problem in the world today is another future war. Nhny of the newspapers are talking of a future war with Russia. Of course, no one really knows what will happen, but it is best to be prepared for whatever strikes. The atom-bomb is talked about a great deal now also. Many persons think that the Russians have the formula for producing the atom-bomb. Also many feel that if the A-Bomb is used during a future war, it will destroy all creation. There is no question that the Atom-Bomb is very powerful. Everyone should try to destroy the great dangers which are con- fronting cur country. Louise Hutchinson