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

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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

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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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its path. But instead Coward lunged back and knocked her down just as the car hit. O’Riley ran to Cathy and picked her up. Are you all right, honey?” he asked. Yes,” replied Cathy crying a little, as she said, There was a car. Coward doesn’t like cars. Is he afraid ?” Officer O’Riley stooped down patting the big dog and whispered, No, Cathy, he won’t ever be afraid again.” Coward was dead. Lee Eley, ’53 Tie Game Barbara Lane and Albert Jones were sitting in a booth at Pop’s Soda Fountain. Albert was in one of his moods and just the day of the Junior Prom! He had already purchased the corsage but he could not, no matter how hard he tried, raise the money for their tickets. This was mostly Barb’s fault because she loved strawberry sodas and two a day, her average, meant forty cents out of poor Albert’s allowance! Albert was sort of an Archie” if you know what I mean! He got into so much trouble with his teacher, Mrs. Brandy, and principal, Mr. Leatherbee. I don’t think they’ll ever forgive him! It was just this morning that Albert had been told to turn in his football uniform, for Mrs. Brandy had found him smoking Mr. Leatherbee’s pipe in the English class. It was while they were discussing the heartbreak- ing ticket situation, that Barb’s brother Spidel” came running into the store all excited. Spidel pretended he didn’t hear his goofy” admirer Flo yelling to him in her squeaky voice. But the looks of her enormous figure sent him out of the store faster than he had come in. It scared him to think of all the money he had spent to buy her sodas ! Why, he had overdrawn his allowance four months in advance already, be- cause of Flo’s big appetite! When a dejected Barb and Albert left Pop’s, they met Spidel around the corner. Excusing himself, Spidel took Albert aside and asked him if he could stay at his house that night, because Flo would be expecting him to take her to the Prom and she must never know where he was hanging out ! The last time Spidel had taken Flo dancing she wasn’t half so fat, but he still ended up with three broken toes, or anyway, that’s how it felt to Spidel ! — and besides he’d had to buy himself another pair of shoes ! ( 7 Albert, whispering, said he’d give his consent on one condition — Spidel must first get him the money for the Prom tickets. The matter settled, Albert went off to meet Barb, but Spidel went straight home. He was the type of guy, who, no matter what the consequences, did as he pleased. Suddenly an idea came across Spidel’s mind. Because tomorrow was Dad’s birthday, Barb had just purchased him a nice tie. Spidel would take his own moth-eaten cravat and put it in the box which he would then very carefully wrap and leave in the exact place he had found it in Barb’s closet. He would do this so that if Barb ever picked it up again the package would weigh the same, almost! But what, thought Spidel, is a couple of ounces? She’d never guess that he had returned the tie to the store and received a three dollar refund. Spidel would never say anything and he was quite sure Pop would understand when he explained it was for Barb’s own good. Men would stick together, and furthermore Barb was Dad’s favorite and he did everything he could to please her! That night Barb was just coming down the stairs in her gown, wondering why she had wasted the time to dress, when the doorbell rang. She ran to the door, and there stood Albert in his tuxedo; in one hand was the corsage, a beautiful one of yellow roses — and in his other were the tickets! Barb was so pleased she kissed Albert right on the cheek! I’m sure he didn’t mind, because he kissed her right back. The Prom over, Barb and Albert returned to find Spidel waiting for a report of the evening. The first thing they did was tell Spidel that Flo had missed him. Spidel said he didn’t care, but you could tell by looking at him that he was troubled. Then his face lighted up again as he told Barb a big white lie. He said that Dad had stumbled across the gift on her bureau and noticed it was addressed to him. He didn’t think you’d care so he opened it up,” went on Spidel. (Dad winked at Albert) — Then,” he continued, he was so overjoyed about the tie, he wrapped it up again to give to his boss, who has a collection of rare and expensive ties.” Dad got up and gave Barb the money to buy him another one just like it. Spidel felt pleased to think that Dad had liked his exaggerated description of the tie. There will always be a doubt in Barb’s mind as to how Dad happened to find the package, but she never mentioned it to him because the doubt was over- shadowed by three other happier memories — the lovely evening at the Prom she’d never forget, the look of pleasure on Dad’s face as Spidel related” )