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

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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

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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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a x 18-- I? Well, they are for you and Sis. I have great news for mother's present. I got promoted today and a raise be- sides. Hey, don't eat them too fast. Oh, gee, Dad, that's great, said Jimmy, but I have something to talk over with you. And, in his own way, he told Dad the story of Susanne and the green evening dress. At school next morning, Susanne evaded the topic of the spring dances, but the same as usual talkative Judy Anne brought the subject to light. Oh, Susanne, I just know I'm going to have that dress. Isn't it adorable? I want to look my best, be- cause Ralph, Che's going to take mel said that any boy likes to take a girl that he can be proud of. What are you going to wear? The same old blue dress? Well, it's too bad you can't have the green dress. It would look lovely on you with your green eyes and auburn hair. No-no, let's not talk about it, please, said Susanne. ' All right, Imust go now, 'Bye and Judy Anne ran off. The rest of the way home Susanne wondered how she could get that dress. Oh! how she wished she had saved all her allowances, but that wouldn't be enough anyway. With a forced smile on her face she greeted friends and at last reached home. Day in and day out she had to listen to Judy Anne's endless chatter. One day she walked by Greene's window to get one last look at the dress, and to her surprise it was gone. The green evening dress was gone!! With tears in her eyes she stumbled home and rushed upstairs crying. A few minutes later she opened her me ssss as if: THE LIVE Winn closet door to see the new shoes, rib- bons, and bag mother had purchased to go with her blue dress. She tried to imagine how beautiful they would look with the pale green dress with the tight bodice and just yards of filmy organdy fora skirt. But it was time to go to read to Jimmy now, so she wiped her tears and went down to greet Mother and Jimmy. At last the night for the spring dance arrived. Tommy had been talking to Susanne, and he told her not to cry, she looked all right to him anyway. But Tommy and Susanne had a sur- prise in store for both of them. During supper Mother hummed little ditties and Jimmy told his jokes, while Dad teased Susanne about Tom- my, Cas fathers dol. Tommy would be after her soon, and with all this hap- piness, she couldn't help but be hap- py. Because it really was wonderful. You know how spring nights are. After supper Susanne said, Mum- sey, Tommy's coming at eight o'clock. Will you fix my hair in a pageboy roll? Please. I Yes, dear, but first go up and get your ribbon. It's in the closet on the little shelf. Yes, mumsey, and Susanne skipped upstairs to get her ribbon. , When she opened the closet door, she received the grandest surprise of her sixteen years. For there hung that lovely green dress she had missed from Greene's window the previ- ous week. With a cry of joy, she ran down- stairs and hugged Mumsey, Dad and Jimmy. Ha ha ha ha ha! fooled you, didn't we, Sis? said Jimmy laughing.