Newport High School - Live Wire Yearbook (Newport, ME)

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16T Y' ' WK' M' W' I ' WY K wzn W THE LIVE WIRE he shufiied toward the dreaded build- ing. The head man said, You'll be O.K. when you are inside for a while. It was an attempt at gruff kindness, just to lighten the burden. At last the dreaded moment was here ......,.. lt isn't every day that a six-year-old enters public school! George Ernest Condon '41 Willoughby Reforms What does the place look like? asked the little girl, Joan. Oh, I don't know but they say he is awful mean and hateful. replied Billy. Will he hurt us if he finds us here? continued Joan. I dunno. said Billy. Joan Thompson was an orphan, five years old, whose parents had been killed in an accident two years before: so from that time Billy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Moore of Sunnyside, had been taking care of her. The two children were close companions, and one day while they were playing to- gether, wandered farther than usual and finally arrived at Willoughby Hill. They saw the old house of which they had heard so much: and child- like, they were very curious. When they found a hole in the fence big enough, Billy helped Joan through. Now they were on John J. Willoughby's property. As the child- ren looked over the place they could see that the windows were shuttered, the doors closed and the old knockers rusty, the lawn unkept and a look of general neglect was over the whole place. They were just going toward the old fountain when someone called. They looked up and saw a tall, thin and rather stooped man. One could tell from his appearance that he had become old before his time. They stopped short, then as the old man spoke again and started to ap- proach them, they started to run to get away from him. Again he called - - more sternly this time. They returned at his command clinging to each other. In order to understand the circum- stances, the reader must go back a- bout thirty years to when Sunnyside was more thickly settled than it is to- day and John J. Willoughby came with his wife Margaret and baby daughter, Alice, to live at Sunnyside Heights, as they called their home on Willoughby Hill in Sunnyside, Con- necticut. The people of the town accepted them as neighbors and they had won everyone's heart before being there a month. Each person envied the one who was invited to Sunnyside Heights, and each one eagerly relished his in- vitation. But soon all joy turned to sorrow, as an epidemic of typhoid fever raged throughout the whole village. Then John and Margaret Willoughby were loved more than ever by the citizens, for with their wealth, more doctors and nurses were hired to take care of the sick. At the same time Margaret helped the other women of town as a nurse. Then one day Margaret was taken ill with the fever. Everything possible was done, but in vain, she was completely run down, and before long, died. Not long after Margaret's death Alice too was taken

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NEWPORT, MAINE The Ordeal He was deathly afraid! His palms were wet, his brow was clammy, yet his eyes were clear. He knew the task confronting him, but he would face it like a man. His mother would be wait- ing tearfully at homey what would they tell her? To face this ordeal with a stout heart would make her a suc- cess as a mother: but if he failed, she failed too. But he wouldn't fail, he'd be brave! He did owe her that much before he started that long walk. During all his existence, hadn't she shielded and protected him from earth's trials and hardships? His father had died two years after the birth of his son, and his Polish mother had to be both parents. But she had done it! Even though she had slaved in a factory fourteen hours a day, she had provided him with all his needs. All this sacrifice and heartache! Was it to be of no avail? Fate is not al- ways kind to those mothers who suffer. And now ,........ Wouldn't it have been better to have had all the gang come and witness this tragedy? No! In life they had looked upon him as a hero and leader. He must bear this alone and bravely. They were all younger than he, and it would never do to have them see him afraid. His legs were unsteady, beads of sweat streamed down his strained features, and his hands shook as he raised them. There it was again! That awful throbbing pain: it kept pushing up into his throat. It threatened to choke him, and yet when he opened his mouth to give vent to his feelings, -V - W . . f.15 no sound came forth! He wanted to scream and cry and beat his hands on those massive doors he would have to pass, but no! His efforts to scream were rewarded with only a muted whimper, like that of a beaten animal. He sank to the ground on one knee, while tearing sobs wracked his frail body. He shook as if by the passing of a blighting wind. Suddenly his shoulder straightened, a look of rever- ence passed over his tearful features. Didn't God take care of all his earthy mortals? Of course! It would be all right, for, hadn't he prayed every night since he was condemned to this fate? He breathed a short prayer and then again raised his eyes to the frighten- ing spectacle before him. Here it was! Looming up like a monstrous rock of granite, it was an awesome sight to behold. It's great, grey structure, with window and wide massive doors, climbed three stories skyward and ended in a flat surfaced roof. Give up hope, all ye who enter here. It was not printed over the door, why? It should be there, for there was no escape after he once entered. He was doomed to a life of hell under its stern keepers. But he could face it! He strode resolutely forward and stood in front of the grim portals with No. 1 labeled at the top. That was where they all started, No. 1. He was ready now, his courage returned, let them come! Just then a bell clamored through- out the building, there revealed, stood the head man. His great, cruel form approached. In a second, that fear was returning to the condemned. He turned as if to flee, but a heavy hand was dropped on his shoulder. Slowly

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NEWPORT, MAINE g--in-f ff,,f nf---f-if-if-W... if T ff . H . W H ff -417 ill. It was pitiful to see John keep up his vigil beside her bed. But she went to join her mother, leaving John alone and heart-broken. From then on the house was closed. John stayed shut up in his house alone with only his memories. Now let us return to the story: What's the matter? the man asked kindly. Are you afraid of me? Come, sit down and tell me your names. The children advanced slowly. I'm Billy Moore and she's Joan Thompson, Billy answered. The man's heart was touched by Billy's protection of the little girl. As he talked all he could see was his daughter Alice, instead of Joan. As the weeks passed the three grew very friendly. They made visits to each other's homes and John became a changed man. Later Joan came to the house of John Willoughby to take the place of his daughter Alice. A- gain the old house was gay with the ring of children's laughter, and the people were welcome to Sunnyside Heights once more. Barbara Pennell '41 The Green Evening Dress It was a warm, sunny day, typical of spring days. But Susanne wasn't happy. She couldn't find one thing wonderful with the world. She sat at the foot of Mother's chair, sulking in a childlike manner, which didn't quite look nice for a girl sixteen years old. Suddenly she cried, Mother, why can't I have just as many new clothes as Judy Ann Casey does? Why, when we came home from school today, we stopped to look at the dresses in Greene's Dress Shoppe and she said she was going to have that lovely green evening dress. Oh, mumsey, I do want it so. Mother was quiet for a few minutes, then at last she said, Well, dear, maybe she will get it. You know how hard I try, but with Jimmy's crutches to buy, I don't see how we can sfford it. But we'll see, dear. But, mumsey, Tommy asked me to go to the annual spring dance, and it's only two weeks off, and I can't wear that old blue dress. It just posi- tively looks horrid! After Susanne had gone upstairs, little brother Jimmy wheeled in his chair over to his mother's chair. Jim- my had heard Susanne. He said, Mom, maybe if I didn't get my crutches right now, Susanne could have her new dress, maybe - - huh? You little darling, you know how long you have been waiting for those crutches, said mother with tears in her eyes, so glad her boy was so un- selfish. Yes, but now it's coming hot weather, I'll just feel lazy and won't feel like using crutches at all. And sis does want that dress so, Mom. Let's fool her and get it for Susanne. You can have the money in my piggy bank: I have 'most a dollar. Well, we'll see, dear , said mother softly. Here comes Dad now, go meet him. O, K. Dad - - oh, Dad, what's in that box? Shhh, said Dad secretly, it's a present for mother. Goody, I know what it is: it's a box of chocolates. Can I have one? You little tyke, can't fool you, can