Maynard High School - Screech Owl Yearbook (Maynard, MA)

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THE SCREECH OWL 12 or reward or personal gain ? Have I ever had an unselfish thought, a noble aim?” Then come the thoughts of all you love, the beauty and wonder of -the universe, of the friends you love and who love you, and the realization of all you have to be thankful for, and in anguish you cry out “What am I that I should receive all this? What can I ever hope to do to half repay for what I worthlessly receive?” And the answer seems to come to you, “Do your best in all things.” With the simple, radiant, ethereal beauty of the night before your eyes, its hushed, sacred silence, gently broken by the twitter of a bird asleep on the branch above you, the quiver of a leaf, and the gentle, scent-laden breeze which softly fans your cheek, the soul is filled with awe and reverence, the heart o’er flooded with ineffable happiness and infinite peace. Salme Wirkkanen, ’30. BOTHERED BY ANTS Spring is here, and so are ants. When an ant butts into the butlery for a drink of milk when- ever it feeis thirsty, or goes to the cupboard with the same freedom as one of the family, it soon wears out its welcome. Here are a few hints for the elimination of ants from the house- hold. They will be especially bene- ficial to those seniors who expect to be housemaids when they graduate. Try these suggestions, and ants will soon make themselves scarce around the house. Conceal yourself in the pantry and keep very quiet. When an ant opens the door without knocking, grab him quickly by the neck. This is very important. When you grab the ant in this fashion, he will be a good deal shocked and surprised ; and when he finds you have him where the hair is short, so to speak, he will try to apologize — but don’t accept the apology. Be firm on this point. The next step is to secure a pan of water. It is better to have the temperature of the water at the freezing point, and then hold the ant’s legs under the water. Doing this gives the ant very cold feet. After you have held his legs under the water for some time, release him. To see an ant scamper to his hole after a fresh water treatment is very laughable and you will appre- ciate the spectacle tremendously. You may be sure this ant will never bother you again. He will spread the news to the other ants, cousins and uncles, and they will pack up and migrate to the nearest neighbors. Repeat the operation until your house becames antless. F. Lombard, ’27. THE SACRIFICE The morning sun, peeping over the rim of the rock wall, flooded the level floor of the valley in radi- ance, and tinted the multi-colored rocks of the surrounding cliff with brilliant hues. A single cabin nestled at the base of the cliff from whose chimney a thin wisp of smoke curled lazily upward. Opening the flap of his tent, George Stewart gazed upon the splendour of the sunrise. The very air seemed to sparkle with the promise of the coming day. Standing motionless, Stewart re- viewed his work of the last few days, and in that invigorating at

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THE SCREECH OWL 11 Lillian Weaving. “Lil” Student Council, Glee Club. “Lil” is very determined, once she makes up her mind to do a thing. She’s quite a star in tennis, and shows promise of rivaling Helen Wills ! Leo Weckstrom. “Sleepy” Leo is quite a talented member of the class. His skill as a trom- bone player is well-known and we expect to see him advance rapidly in music. He’s also famous for wit! We couldn’t get along with- out “Sleepy”. Ruth Wilson. Class Treasurer, Student Coun- cil, “Screech Owl” Staff, Glee Club, French Club. “I take all knowledge to be my province.” Yes, Ruth is a real student. We all admire her and feel that she will win fame with her pen. Ernest Wollerschied. “Ernie” “Ernie” is one of the faithful members of the class. He is also kn own as the “good boy” of the class. R. I. W., ’27. A REVERIE After the day is done, and the shadows of night have pervaded the land, when your heart is filled with the thoughts, doubts, and questions of the day and your soul sick with the sordidness it has gathered through the day, what could be better than a silent con- sultation with yourself, under the glory of the heavens with its mantle of stars and solitary moon. It is then, alone with yourself and Maker, that the true meaning of life unfolds before you. How un- important seem your troubles, your thoughts, and worries when the full splendor of the firmament lies be- fore you ! How insignificant you seem, your greatest efforts and ac- complishments, and how worthless your ambitions, hopes, and f ears! With this realization come ques- tions, which from the depth of your heart, on the altar of Truth you are compelled to answer. “What have I ever done for the good of some one else? Have I done my best with a cheerful heart, accept- ing the faults of others with tolera- tion? Have I always done what I thought was right, without thought

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THE SCREECH OWL 13 mosphere so adaptable to action, pictured the future as a series of years, crowded with happy events and continuous progress, based upon the splendid sucess of his first assignment, here in the far west. A large irrigation concern sent this promising young engineer to investigate and report upon the available land practicable for a huge irrigation reservoir. A generous commission and probable advance- ment would result from a favorable report. Stewart spent several weeks searching for a suitable site, but until a few days ago had been un- successful. Much discouraged, he wearily climbed the steep ascent to the rim of the rock wall where the sight of an immense valley, en- tirely enclosed by cliffs, amazed him. Elated, because he recog- nized the possiblities of the loca- tion, Stewart hastened to pitch his tent and began a thorough investi- gation. This morning his investigation completed and his report finished, he was making preparation to leave, when the sharp ciatter of hooffs and a distinct “Hello there,” startled him from his reverie. He turned abruptly and was somewhat surprised to see a slender girl jump lightly from her horse and ap- proach him. She nodded briefly, and without other formalities, acquainted him with the purpose of her coming. With a sweeping gesture of her hand, she indicated the cabin at the base of the cliff as her home, and spoke of the advanced age of her parents. Stewart noted the fleeting expression of love and tenderness, which flickered across her features as she spoke of them. She had come to beg him to abandon his plan of converting this beautiful valley into a reservoir. She drew for him a vivid picture of her parents, attached to the home which had witnessed the birth of each of their children, and the death of all but one ; of the numer- ous memories, too precious to be so rudely snatched away ; of the graves upon the hillside, which never lacked a cluster of fragrant blooms ; of their age, which would prevent them from beginning life anew in a strange place ; of the unhappiness and heartache the forced abandonment of their home would cause. She reminded him of the few years of happiness left to them saying: “Surely an interval of two or three years will not matter so very much.” Finally, with a winsome smile, she mounted her horse and rode away, leaving Stewart to troubled reflections. The day faded in the west and still he had arrived at no decision. Self-advancement and sympathy for the old couple fought for su- premacy in his mind. Self argued: “why give up all prospect of success and wealth, for the whim of these people too old to be responsible?” Sympathy responded : “what if it were my father and my mother? would that alter my attitude?” Thus he was torn by conflicting emotions throughout the night. Morning came, and as he gazed once more upon the gorgeous spec- tacle of a sunrise upon the rim- rock, he made the supreme sacri- fice. He sacrificed success and the attendant attributes of success upon the altar of compassion. Ruth I. Wilson, ’ 27 .