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

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At that her father broke in and when he said, Wait a minute, Margaret. Of course, it ' s her birth- day, Penny almost jumped for joy. But her joy was taken back when her father continued, My mother s cousin Lucy celebrates today. I believe she will be 80 . Margaret, you’d better go out and get some- thing nice for her.” Penny could listen to no more, choked back the tears, muttered an excuse, and left for school. They hadn’t remembered. Here she had given them the best years of her life and they couldn’t even remember when her birthday came. They could remember some old lady’s birthday, but not their own daughter’s. Oh, no! Penny’s one consolation was that at least her friends at school would remember. But things were no better at school. She tried the What’s the date?” hint on several of her friends, but to no avail. Buzz, the old faithful, seemed cool all day and didn’t offer to take her to the Hamburger Hive” after school as he usually did every day. She flunked an Algebra test, and was given detention for talking in Study Hall. So this was what it was like to be sixteen! After Penny got out of school she decided to go to the Hamburger Hive” by herself. It was so late nobody would be there and besides she wanted to be alone. She ordered two hamburgers, a coke, and a banana split for a starter and afterwards she ordered a Happy Birthday Cake for herself and ate it piece by piece until she could eat no more, choking on the last piece. By the time the cake was eaten she felt sick. The birthday nobody had remembered, the detention, Buzz’s coolness, and the food had begun to take effect. She trudged home through the snow- laden streets until she came to her own darkened house, black against the bright lights from the other houses. This was the last straw. The least her par- ents could have done was to stay home. Penny opened the door — a shout of Surprise arose and the lights went on. They hadn’t forgotten after all ! They were all there, her mother and father. A cake with Happy Birthday Penny” on it was in a prom- inent place on the table and there were food and presents everywhere, including the gray coat which she had wanted so badly. Penny was so happy and surprised she had to squeeze back tears. Her friends explained everything. They had been planning the party for weeks and nobody was supposed to say any- thing about her birthday so that it would be more of a surprise. And Buzz wasn’t mad; he had been cool because he knew if they got to talking he would spill the beans. The party was in full swing with dancing, games, and especially food. This day which had started out to be a dismal flop turned into a glorious whirl of sunshine, happi- ness and gaiety. Penny was now sweet sixteen and never been . . .” Oops, Buzz is trying to prove I’m a liar. Janice Morgan, ’52 A Change of Heart Janie Marsh’s slumber party was in full swing. The girls were in Janie s bedroom discussing the Christmas formal. Of the five girls, only Janie hadn’t been invited yet. The girls, trying to be helpful, were figuring out whom Janie could go with. Susan was naming boys which the others eliminated in rapid succession. There’s Joe Nolan, Peter Frazer, Johnny Davids, and Bill Carey. They haven’t asked anyone yet.” But Joe’s hair is red and Janie’s gown is pink, so he’s out,” said Linda. And,” continued Marilyn, Pete isn’t too good a dancer. Why he doesn’t know the difference between the dance floor and your toes!” Johnny’s too bashful,” remarked Brenda. You’d have just as much fun with him as if you went with your kid brother. I think he’s even afraid to hold hands with a girl.” Well, that leaves Bill,” said Susan, and he’s too short for Janie.” Oh, dear!” sighed Janie. I gues I’ll just have to sit home with a good book.” Don’t say such a thing, Janie!” exclaimed Linda. You simply can’t miss the formal!” Don’t worry,” said Brenda. We’ll get you there yet.” I could go with Allen,” ventured Janie. After all, he did ask me.” Allen Hill!” exclaimed the girls. Janie, are you out of your mind?” asked Marilyn. That’s a fate worse than death,” added Susan. What’s wrong with Allen? demanded Janie. At least he’s a date, and he is a man.” If you want to call him that,” remarked Brenda. There’s really nothing wrong with him,” said Linda, nothing much. It’s just that he’s so — so — brilliant. What will you two talk about all night? You won’t even be able to talk or understand his language.” And you must admit he isn’t the handsomest male in school,” added Marilyn. Those glasses of his certainly don’t add to his looks.” ( 5 )

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Literary An October ' s Nightmare The sun was setting on one of those cool, clear October days as Martin Garnet, an industrious farmer, was plodding home from a hard day’s work in his fields. Though he longed for that comfortable easy chair beside the fireplace he paused a moment or two to enjoy the beauty of nature which surrounded him. He was spellbound by the beautiful color blendings of the trees. As nightfall approached, Martin, while securing his supply of water for the night, suddenly perceived a streak of light flash in the sky and land in one of his fields. Thinking it a small meteorite of some kind he advanced quickly towards it. It ejected such a bright ray of light that he was compelled to close his eyes for a few moments. When he opened them again the light had disappeared, and wffiat he beheld was terrifying! It did not appear to be a meteorite, but rather an unearthly type of living creature. It was living, for he heard the heavy thumping of a heart. It was of spherical shape with one weird, piercing, green eye at the top, and its color was a pearl-white. Since it weighed approximately thirty pounds and was composed of a jelly-like substance, Martin had a difficult task in bringing it home. Thinking it too late to notify the police of his strange discovery ' , he carefully placed the weird being in his barn for the night. The next morning, completely forgetting about this creature, he was horrified when he read the fol- lowing newspaper article: Five persons were mysteriously murdered last night. Officials were unable to determine the cause. The victim’s arms and legs were torn to shreds, and their eyes . . .” Martin stopped abruptly, for he instantly thought of his eerie discover) ' . Dashing frantically to the old barn he found it gone! Searching everywhere he was unable to detect any trace of the formidable thing. Returning to the barn again he suddenly noticed a piece of parchment in the place where it had been. Picking the paper up nervously, he turned white with fear as he read the following passage in a strange and peculiar handwriting: We, the people of Mars, have been constantly sending soldiers down to earth for the past hundred years in preparation for the invasion which will soon occur. What you saw last night was one of those soldiers. You will completely forget this incident and reveal nothing, for if you do you will only be thought insane. There are others in the same situa- tion as you, so have no fear.” Who knows, dear reader, but that you may be one of those unfortunate individuals! Richard Turner, ’51 Sweet Sixteen The date was December 3, but nobody seemed to realize that it was anything more than just another day except Penny Morris. Even her parents had for- gotten. She could excuse her friends, but not her parents. You see, today was Penny’s sixteenth birth- day, an event which she had waited for all her life, a day which she had thought would be filled with happiness and pleasant memories. But instead of that, nobody besides Penny even remembered it was her birthday, not even Joan, her best friend or Buzz, her one and only. It wasn’t that she had expected much, just a few friendly Happy Birthdays” from the gang, a few cards, a few inexpensive presents, and that gray fleece coat which she had dreamed and prayed her parents would buy her. But now it didn’t look as if she was getting anything from anybody. When she got up that morning her father as usual kissed her affectionately and her mother talked as she did every morning, about nonsensical, meaning- less things. When nothing was said about the birth- day Penny decided they had forgotten, and so she dropped a hint or two. Does anybody know the date?” she began inno- cently. Why yes, dear. It’s December 3,” her mother answered. Is it any special day, I mean holiday or ... or somebody’s birthday?” There it was out! Penny had spoken her piece and if they didn’t remember now, well . . . Her mother thought for a few minutes and then said, No, dear, I ' m sure it’s no holiday and I don’t think it’s anyone’s birthday.” ( 4 )

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So?” asked Janie. It ' s still better than staying home.” I suppose you’re right,” answered Susan. You might as well go with him, especially since there’s no one else you can go with, she added frankly. And so the next day when Allen timidly asked Janie if she had made up her mind yet, she replied, Oh, yes! I’d love to go with you, Allen! I wouldn ' t dream of going with anyone else. I just know we’ll have a wonderful time, we were made for each other!” Barbara Mitzcavitch, ’52 Algebra Test I think that I shall never see, An Algebra test come easy to me. When tests come ’round I cram and cram, And hope and pray I ' ll pass that exam. I plug for hours until the day grows old And learn that Algebra right down cold. Then eager next day I go to school, And enter class so calm and cool, So confident that I will pass, Sure I’ll be called a smart l’il lass. The papers are passed without delay Ah, here’s my 100 in Algebra today! I rush through the fractions, oh they’re a cinch! But factoring comes harder; I begin to wince. At the end of the test I feel, oh, so sick. Wishing I’d stuck to plain ’Rithmetic. I stagger out quite pale and white, Few were the answers I got right. Then next day we get our marks — Highest ones first, oh, gee, what sharks. Then he reads mine. What? 43! Oh gosh, oh gee, oh my, oh me. Now I’m sure I’ll never pass, An Algebra test, in Algebra class! Janice Morgan, ’52 Fair Exchange Mugsy” Phelps, one of the United States’ clever- est crooks settled himself comfortably in his pullman chair and gazed about. This car will certainly make a good place for a haul,” he reflected, a smile lighting up his rather serious young face, for in spite of his skill, he was scarcely twenty-five. As the train slid out of the station he opened his magazine and settled back with the bored air of a seasoned traveler. At Sun River several people en- tered the car, among them a fragile girl of about twenty. As the sun was pouring through the window on her face, Mugsy” arose and offered to lower the shade. This she permitted, thanking him timidly. When dinner was announced Mugsy” escorted her. Later in the afternoon she left him to freshen her appearance and Mugsy”, habit stronger than affec- tion, searched her luggage. When Miss Woodard, as she had introduced herself, returned, he greeted her with such a smile that no one would have imagined that all her jewelry was in his pocket. When the train pulled into the station, he hastened uptown to a friend of his who received the gems without much question as to their source. Imagine his surprise when he was informed that they were undeniably paste. Imagine also his surprise when he found that his innocent and fragile little flower had ransacked his luggage and had taken every cent that was in his clothes. He was reconciled to this last, however, as he smilingly reflected that she’d probably be taken in if she tried to pass any of that counterfeit money. Jeanne Jokisaari, ’53 Coward It was about 9:30 on Sunday morning. Officer O’Riley was standing in the middle of Main and Brown Street directing traffic. All at once he looked to the side of the street and saw a familiar sight — little blind Cathy Gooding and her seeing eye dog, Coward. Cathy had been blind from birth and Cow- ard had been a present to her from the police force on her fourth birthday. Coward was a big German shepherd trained accurately to give Cathy his pro- tection. Coward was well named, for although being perfectly trained in all other phases, he was very much afraid of cars. Officer O ' Riley held up his hand and signaled for the traffic to stop, then called to Cathy, All right, honey, you can come across now.” Cathy nudged Coward and they went across the street into the little white church just two houses down. About one-half hour later they appeared again after going to Sunday School. Officer O’Riley put up his hand to stop the traffic and called to Cathy to come across. Just as they stepped off the curb, Officer O’Riley noticed a car coming toward them which seemed to be out of control. It couldn’t stop. O’Riley yelled, because knowing that Coward was afraid of cars he was sure the dog would pull Cathy right into