Mechanic Falls High School - Pilot Yearbook (Mechanic Falls, ME)

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4 24 M. F. H. grass houses shouldn't throw bombs, and We won't bury the hatchet until we bury the Axis. It is an established fact that a body of united and organized troops can easily con- quer a horde of ununited and straggling soldiers. We have this united army but it must have weapons and ammunition with which to fight. We also possess an adequate and efficient navy and air corps but they also must have equipment. With our mills and factories on a war-time basis of seven days a week, we are probably manufacturing war materials faster than any other nation. Our finances are far from inexhaustible, however. Therefore taxes must rise to meet the demand. Many citizens object heartily to this, but I think they would choose it in preference to being governed by an Axis ruler. Defense bonds and stamps have been placed on sale by the federal government to help ofiset this great expenditure. With the help of every citizen: this plan will provide necessary funds to wipe the Axis ofi' the map and bring peace to the world. Until that great day when the world is freed from these war-crazed rulers, let us keep that V for Victory in our minds and Remember Pearl Harbor. Iohn Trinward '43. BOMBERS ABOVE Feeble rays of early morning sunlight in- vestigated with curiosity the small, dirty, crumpled form of humanity which lay mo- tionless as a stone. Then, as though encour- aged by the ever increasing symphony of birds' songs, the sun peeked cautiously over the horizon and boldly shed its golden light upon a still sleepy World. A faint breeze shook the sparkling dewdrops from the young green grass and playfully stirred the buds of the maple tree. On second look one was startled to see a huge crater blasted out of the earth. Near the crater lay that still figure. The breeze blew a wisp of hair across the forehead, a bird hopped about it inquisitively, the sun shone more warmly, but the Figure failed to move. S. PILOT A few yards away was a wooden door, which evidently opened into an air raid shelter dug into the side of a hill. The door now opened and out came a woman who was apparently about fifty years of age. Why, no, she wasn't either, it was just those awful deep lines around her mouth and the worried look in her eyes. She cupped her hands to her mouth and called, Bobbie, Bobbie, then her eyes fell upon the small crumpled figure and she stared in unbeliefg then she sobbed brokenly for she knew Bobbie would not answer. Thelma Prince '44. ODE TO ME Of all the things upon this earth, Only one is very near-3 Yet while I should know this best, It is to me, so odd, so queer. So distant in relation. So locked, without a keyg Yet this mysterious question . Is only simply ME. Robert G. Campbell '42, MYSTERY AT MIDNIGHT I awoke with a start! I glanced at the clock and shuddered when I realized it was 12, midnight. As I glanced toward the win- dow I suddenly lay stiff and prone in my bed. Had I imagined it, or had I actually heard the faint creak of the stairs leading to my room? Again I heard crunch-crunch- crunch, as if someone were prowling about down stairs. I finally mustered enough bravery to creep cautiously to the stairs and peer down into the inky darkness, only to look into a pair of eyes that resembled live coals smoldering at the end of the evening. I gave one look and yelled as I never had before, but no sound came. The eyes of that thing turned away and still I heard the steady crunching, but how could that thing be cautiously walking when I could see it with my own eyes? What a problem! Sud- denly it became soluble before my very eyes. The door to my brother's study opened and sent out a thin stream of light, playfully centering on the object of my attraction. There on the rug at the foot of the stairs

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M. F. H. S. PILOT 23 family. Each day, whether fair or cloudy, the captain, accompanied by his daughter, would go down to the pier to swap sea tales with the other fishermen. On the return home as they climbed the hill the two would always gaze out across the great expanse of water with longing eyes. Although it was never mentioned, she knew what was in his heart, but little did he realize how deep was her desire for him to stay with her. As the captain was unused to a life of idleness, he planted a garden which for a time took up his attention. Then one day without Elizabeth's knowl- edge, Captain Dunn went to Bath to see if he could get a job repairing boats. While there a former mate said to him, I've got a crew all ready to sail to the West Indies, but the captain was suddenly taken ill. Why don't you sign up, Dunn? It's a dandy little schooner, I know you'd like her. Dunn was torn between desire and duty, but his great love of the sea finally conquered him and he accepted. But how was he to tell Elizabeth? Knowing it would break her heart he decided to put it off as long as possible. Matilda was informed, however, and in- structed not to mention it to the little girl. The next day Elizabeth noticed a strange- ness about her father which she had not seen since he had been living at home. He had a cheerful air about him and a new gleam in his eye. All this pleased Elizabeth for she thought that he was at last happy living on the land. Iefff' called Matilda, shall I pack your - but it was too late - Elizabeth had heard. Father! she cried. There, there, pleaded Ieff, I didn't mean for you to know so soon-I - please, dear, try to understand-- With a desperate effort Elizabeth smiled and said, Dad, will you bring me a new doll when you come home again? Esther Stiles '44. fm UNITY FOR VICTORY 'R United we stand, divided we fall. So it was in the days of the Civil War and so it is today. uV',ictory will come only from an undivided effort on the part of every citi- zen of our great country. Whether he is the beggar in the street or a member of the President's Cabinet, he must do his part untiringly. What has to be done will un- doubtedly not be all pleasure, but it must be performed as cheerfully and thoroughly as the most joyous task. . At the present time our country is engaged in a great confiict between the democratic, peace-loving nations and three nations whose crazed rulers-namely, Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito,-have permitted their minds to become affected by their greed for terri- tory and authority. These Axis powers ap- pear to be united against our country and its allies. It is believed, however, that when the time comes when these barbarians have their backs against the wall, this partnership will dissolve and they will become enemies of one another. This is not unity but simply a means of acquiring strength. This strength cannot be counted on to last forever, as will undoubtedly be proved by the outcome of this war. Gur unity must not be of this type. Our allies and we ourselves must unite into one great power with a single goal in mind. We must bring peace, comfort, and prosperity to the world, and do away with these fiends and their selfish beliefs so that the earth will never again be molested by such evil-minded tyrants. Today, with the world in an uproar, America and three of her allies have formed what is known as the A. B. C. D. Powers. This stands for the Americans, British, Chinese, and Dutch respectively. These powers have united to protect one another's possessions and rights in the Pacific, and from the latest communiques they are car- rying out their assignments satisfactorily. The Iapanese struck a telling blow on Hawaii behind our backs, but they will be amply repaid. As Bob Hope stated on a recent radio broadcast, People who live in

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M. F. H. S. PILOT 25 was my brother's dog, Princess, gnawing on a bone. What a scare! Gloria Harwood '44. A TRAMP A tramp is as much a man of the world as the leading citizen or even more so. Sur- rounded by poverty, he smiles and lets the rest of the world go by, for, what cares has he except for where his next meal is coming from? His dirty ragged garments barely clinging to his frame bother him not. He is free, much more so than the business man. His worries are few, and he can laugh with feeling, he can enjoy the thrill of living. Compared with the richest banker he is a man of wealth. He understands nature bet- ter than one who makes a study of it. His heart leaps up at the beauty of his surround- ings. Do we feel like this tramp? Do we appreciate these things as he? No, we carry the worries of the world upon our shoulders. We see no beauty, all we see is the coming poverty which threatens us. We tremble at the thought of the days to come, but the tramp looks forward with eagerness, smiling, unafraid, enjoying every minute of his living. We hurry, hurry, hurry, just to keep up with time and when we have done hurrying we realize that we have lost the best things that we could have in life. But-the tramp, the good for nothing tramp, loses nothing but fame and fortune. The tramp, whom we look upon with scorn, indeed, he is more worthy of envy. Marjorie Spiller '44. THE THREE BRAVATEERS It was an eerie night that enveloped the little bungalow on Sunnyside's main boulevard. The rain beat a steady tattoo on the roof and the wind whistled around the corners as if it had just obtained a new lease on life. Inside was a very woebegone group of three people: my sister, my brother, and I. Of course the weather' was very depressing but the straw that broke the camel's back was the fact that mother was miles away, presumably enjoying herself. We weren't scared, you understand, but it was rather lonesome. Finally, after we had worn our thumbs out and our faces were fairly aching from the effort of keeping a wide assuring grin pinned on them, we decided to go to bed. VVas that someone at the door? asks little sister. Oh gosh! I gasp. No, it's only the wind QI hopejf' Tension relaxes a little until I whisper, VVas that someone at the window in the sewing room? You go see, Elt. So Elt gulps once and bravely starts toward the sewing room. The verdict is tensely awaited, the minutes tick off like hours, until Elt ex- plodes, Darn that cat- if I ever catch her - rolling a spool around like that - at night, too. At last lights are out and on the surface it seems to be very calm and peaceful. Hours pass by and although artificial snores can be heard, not once have we closed our eyes. Then like a shot in the dark, a terrific pop is heard. Heads immediately disappear un- der the bed clothes. Another pop is heard, another, and still another. What could it be? Pirates, burglars? I left my three cent stamp on the desk. Finally I became really brave and said, Bet, you can go see what it is, your slippers are right there. G--gosh why the s--sudden burst of g--generosity? Elt-are y--you s--still there? W--why clon't you g-go? Time flies and one would swear that a conga band was loose, complete with casta- nets fteethj and drums fkneesj. Then with another sudden burst of manly protective- ness, Elt tiptoes down the stairs to see what was roaming around. Doesn't the clock tick awfully loud? It must be at least three- quarters of an hour since he left-suppose Bet should go down? All these thoughts were racing through my mind. Presently the house is as light as day. fMother will need an aspirin when she gets the light bill.j