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

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THE LIVE WIRE merchant, a doorway means his live- lihood, and yet, when desired, it can provide protection, and safeguard the interior from theft and pilfering. To Jane, a doorway now had a new meaning. She felt powerless to an- swer the sharp summons which had brought her to the portal. A moment before she had peered through the thick fog which had settled that af- ternoon, condensing in large droplets on her window pane. It was time for the p0stman,and his uniformed figure was visible in the distance. Would there be a letter from Jack? It was nearly a year now since he had been called to the service. Slowly she set aside the tiny sock she had been mend- ing. My, how little Bobby did go through his things! How proud Jack would be to see him in his 'drst year in school! He was the man, now that Daddy had to be away. A knock came at the door. Strange! The postman had never knocked be- fore. Here at the door she stopped as the dawning of realization left her powerless to continue. It might be a registered letter! The crushing thought filled her mind that it might be a government letter concerning Jack! Had it happened? Had her Jack been-? No, it couldn't be? Not Jack! Not the laughing, robust, fun- loving boy who had Won her heart, only to be called away after their few short years of happiness. A second, more insistent, rapplng tore her from her fears, and slowly she turned the latch. Instantly the door flung open. Come on Small Fry, came a booming laughing voice. Make way for the Army! Don't you let even your Hubby in ? If you really want to know some- - I time, ask Jane, who was over-joyed at her husband's surprise furlough: What is a doorway? Theo Wiers. PATIENCE BRINGS SUCCESS John Stalworth walked slowly home from school. His books seemed to weigh a ton, and his weary mind was nearly bursting. Baseball sea- son was coming, and the coach had said he would pitch for the school team if he could find enough time to practice. John lived in the country, and it was at least five miles to school by the road, he went through Mr. Jones' back field, into the woods and across the narrow brook, Which was very deep. From there he went on to the main highway and on to school. This way it was only two miles, and he had managed to find time to practice with the team until yesterday morning. He thought of it with hatred in his heart. John had been walking across the field when he saw Mr. Jones coming, waving his arms and shouting for him to stop. John was in a hurry, but he waited patiently for Mr. Jones. What's the idea, running 'cross my field? Can't your lubknock head tell you that you're spoiling my clo- ver? You git of'en my field, and don't let me see you go 'cross it again! John tried to apologize, but Mr. Jones stalked off. John's only hope was gone. He couldn't pitch his last year in high school. When he told his mother, she was not disturbed. Things didn't look very bright when she said, Just have faith my son, and everything will turn out all right. l

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NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL THE RETURN OF A HERO ' Pamela could hardly wait until Saturday. Here it was already Thurs- day. She and the whole town expect- ed John home on Saturday. There was going to be a formal dance in his honor that night, and, like most girls, Pamela didn't know what she was go- ing to wear. After much fussing and shopping, she found a dress and the necessary things for a formal. Of course, everybody in town knew she was John's girl friend, but Pamela knew all the other girls would be after him. Pamela was certain of this, because every girl in town was shopping. Saturday morning came with a gleam. Pamela had her hair waved, and everything was ready for the evening by 2:00 P. M. They expect- ed John on the 3:00 P. M. train. On her way to the train she saw Patsy Jo standing beside the drug- store. Patsy Jo and Pamela never got along very well, because Patsy J o wanted John. Pamela went over to Patsy Jo and spoke to her, Hi, Jo! What ya doing? Patsy J 0 answered in a very digni- fied manner, Not much right now, but in a few minutes I'm going to the station to see J ohnnyf' Pamela tried not to seem hurt, but she had a very large lump in her throat. How about coming with me? I'm going that way. Patsy Jo turned to her laughing, I'd rather not. Pamela walked on to the station. The whole town of Winterport was out. The band was playing, and everyone was talking at once. It seemed ages before the train rolled around the curve. Everyone pushed l Pamela aside as John got off the train. Pamela started for the road, because she thought John had forgot- ten her with everyone else congratu- lating him. With tears in her eyes, she stumbled down the road. Someone called her name, and she turned around. It was John. He ran quick- ly to meet her and said: Why the tears ? Pamela wiped her eyes and replied, Tears of joy. John never knew the real reason for the tears. Pamela knew now that no one could take John from her, not even Patsy Jo. Joyce Sheridan. DOORWAYS ' What is a doorway? Webster says, a gate, or entrance of a house, means of access. I prefer the latter. I prefer to see something more, to let my imagination create something more vital than the physical proper- ties of a hinged portion of a sidewall created to provide entrance into a building. To the outsider approaching a large white house with magnificent green lawns, the massive oak door with the polished brass knocker rep- resents a barrier which only his im- agination can penetrate. But should that doorway be that of our home, we wildly rush upon it and throw it wide to greet our loved ones within. To the shut-in, a doorway, may provide the only means of contact with life outside. A tap on the door will instantly bring a smile of expec- tant warmth-of sociability. To a prisoner, a doorway would be a hated shackle that represents only a means of escape to freedom. To the l

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NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL ' It took a lot of grit, but he man- aged to lift up his head and tried to forget his troubles. Next Saturday John decided to go fishing. It was the only way'to com- fort himself. He got his rod and bait, and slowly made his way through his father's pasture, into the woods, and across the birch grove until he came to the brook. He sat down on a rock and cast his line. As he sat there brooding, something told him to go down-stream toward the dam. It will be better fishing there anyway, he thought. Just as he rounded the bend, he saw Tommy, Mr. Jones' son, standing on the three foot dam casting his line. Even as John watched, the boy lost his balance and fell into ten feet of icy water. John was torn between right and revenge. Why should I help him? His father ruined my chance to pitch. But John knew he was wrong. I've got to help him. Mother said never to seek revenge, he said aloud. While he spoke, he ran to the dam and dived unflinchingly into the cold water. It seemed hours while he groped his way over the rocks and weeds. Just as he had given up, he found the boy. It seem- ed as if his lungs would burst before he could get to the surface with his burden. It's a lucky thing for Tom I took First Aid, he muttered to himself, as he did his best to revive him. It was a proud and successful John that carried Tommy back to his father. Mr. Jones answered the door- bell. After hearing John's story, he scowled. I thank you very much for saving my son, he said tartly, tak- ing Tommy into the house and slam- ming the door. John felt sick all over. He wanted to cry, but he bucked it all and went home. ' Next Monday morning John went to the road and got the mail for his mother. He glanced at a letter ad- dressed to him. When he opened it, this is what he read: My Dear John, I hope you will accept my gift of gratitude. You are welcome to use my new car for the rest of your school year. Your Friend, J. W. Jones. H VERSE Hadley Smith, '47. Lines written by Lt. Chatlain, who amputated his foot with a jackknife and then thought he was going to die. He was rescued after two hours of hiding and is now recuperating in England. I WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY? What did you do today, my friend, From morning 'till the night? How many times did you complain That rationing was too tight? When are you going to start to do l .