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

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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 .

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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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14 THE SCREECH OWL CLASS POEM (Suggested by Carrie Jacobs- Bond’s “Perfect Day”) 1 . We have climbed the deep slope of the mountain-side, We have conquered the rugged steep, There were many sharp pebbles in the path, And many a rock to leap. Perhaps we have left a few stones unturned, In this struggle to reach the height, But each little fault brought ex- perience And led us toward the light. Each heart has been bound by a purpose clear, Each mind on the prize was bent, But at last we have reached the summit here And we pause for the moment con- tent. 2 . We have come to the end of these happy years, The end of our high school days, And we look back over the joys and woes, That have come to us on our ways. And we think of the end of com- panionship, Which never more shall be, For we’ve come to the parting of the road, And each life has a different key. So, while we stand at this bend in the road, We linger to say goodbye, And each of us wishes our class- mates — good luck, With no storms, just a clear blue sky. GYPSY LIFE 1 . Over ' woods and fields I roam, For I’m a gypsy without a home; Nature’s wanderer of the earth, Filled with joy, vigor, and mirth. 2 . Music is my soul’s delight It makes the hours a little more bright ; Joyfully I wander without a care, Here and there, and everywhere. 3. Under twinkling stars of eve, Dreams of happiness I softly weave ; Under the spell of the fairy moon, I render forth a gypsy tune. Helen M. Salo, ’27. WORK AND SMILE 1 . When the sky is bright and blue, And you are lonesome the whole day through, Just turn your lips and make a smile, Your blues will last only a little while. 2 . When you are tired and lazy at work Don’t get idle and begin to shirk, You’ll have the work some day to do, So do it now so that you’ll be through. 3. When at studies you’re beckoned away, To the movies or other places, astray, If your work’s undone, then say “no” For you will regret it if you go. Ruth Foster, ’27.