Newtown High School - Newtowner Yearbook (Elmhurst, NY)

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DOOMED I'r coU1.nN r happen to me. That sort of thing happened to other people but not to me. Thus I sought to convince myself that I wouldn't meet the same fate suffered by my friends, though a small insistent voice constantly reiterated, There is no escape. For days I had been in a state of nervous anticipation. I started when spoken to and found myself mumbling to myself like a rich miser with hoards of gold in the bank. But the anxiety suffered during the days of waiting Was as nothing compared to the wave of terror that surged over me as I woke up one morning and realized that at last the dreaded day had arrived! I walked out of the subway into a veritable downpour of sunshine, birds trilled sweetly and to the casual observer all seemed right with the world. But not to Jean Fishkin. I was in no mood to enjoy the beauties of nature. My feet turned reluctantly toward the hitherto friendly building which now seemed like a grim torture chamber sardonically smirking at my discom- fiture. As my dragging feet brought me nearer to its malevolently grinning jaws a preliminary Butter of fear ran lightly up and down my spine as though a musician were practicing his scales. Hesitantly I opened the door, took a few tremulous steps, then, with a sudden exultant burst of courage I dashed wildly up the stairs only to subside weakly against the wall as my courage ebbed away. Terror clutched at my heart strings, and at the same time I felt as though an agitated swarm of butterflies were exploring my lower abdominal region . As I walked down the all-too-short corridor, fear wrapped itself around me in a vise-like grip, and a clammy sweat broke out over my body. The pounding of my heart roared in my ears as though someone were bang- ing on a sheet of tin with a sledge hammer. All too soon I reached my destination. A cowardly feeling overcame me, and I felt an almost uncontrollable urge to run to the safety of my home. But no, this cowardice was intolerable. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and marched resolutely into the room, determined not to let a mere Regents exam frighten me any longer. JEAN FISHKIN 31

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ON BEING ALONE IF YoU'vE never been alone, you don't know how trivial conversation and com- panionship can seem. By alone I don,t mean the absence of companions, necessarily, I mean the calm, serene feeling one gets when shut off from the useless patter of his fellow man. One should be alone for at least two days a month. It clears the brain of others' opinions and allows the poor rushed gray matter to relax and quietly form some opinions of its own. It also allows other people some freedom from the opinions of just one person or clique. On the whole, it's fun because one gets to know himself. There are some kinds of people who should be alone: the uncommunicative type who is confused by people or just hasn't anything to say and is there- fore of no use conversationally to anyone. Then there is that seldsh type who wants to keep his ideas to himself. The next is the minor criminal, the punster and his more blood-thirsty brother, the practical joker, who is im- practical in modern society. There are many ways to be alone. The best is never to cultivate any friends from your unhappy advent on earth to your more fortunate depar- ture. If you have friends, though, there are ways to remedy your youthful mistake. The most inconvenient is to leave town because one usually has business to conduct. The remaining solution is to get your friends away. If you read the ads, this is easy to do. All that is necessary is a hint that she has tattle-tale gray hair or her bedroom floor lacks glamour. If We know human nature, she should never speak to you again. The next is even easier, develop an annoying habit such as wagging your leg in tempo with the conversation. If the conversation is exciting, Wag your leg like a sema- phor. You could say I told you so or It's just as I predicted. We are experts on being alone through the annoyance method, so, if you have any problems when following these directions, write to us. If you suc- cessfully carry out these simple instructions you will either be alone or be shot. DoLoaEs Lawson 80

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EXPRESS UUTWARD BOUND THE FIGURE stood huddled in the darkness at the end of the yard. His cloth- ing was torn in places and patched in places. By the faint light shed by several reluctant stars, he saw the freight train about to get under way. He ran across the tracks to the train and lifted the latch on the door of the first car he reached. Once inside, he groped his way to the corner and threw himself upon the floor. Utterly exhausted, he fell asleep. And as he slept, he dreamed. He stood in a land of ice and snow. The intense cold permeated his body. The bare ground was swept by a pervad- ing wind which rose now and then with an eerie howl. Involuntarily he shuddered and drew his tattered rags more closely about him. On he plodded, where he knew not. The gray, lifeless sky seemed to encompass him on all sides. The horizon appeared to be drawing nearer. He garnered new strength and hurried forward. That's funny, he thought. The horizon is right on top of me. In another moment P11 be there ! He lingered on the brink for a moment and then he burst forth upon a heavenly paradise. The air was warm and sweet and songbirds flitted in the trees. Everything seemed fresh and new. Several of his friends came up to greet him. He hadn't seen any of them for a long time. Welcome, they said, and they invited him to join them. For the first time in a long while he was happy. . . It was morning. The train grated slowly to a stop. A brakeman made his round of the cars. He paused before one and hesitated. With a might- as-well attitude, he lifted the latch and hoisted himself into it. In the dim light, he perceived a body in the corner of the boxcar. Hur- rying there, he bent to his knees. His haste was unnecessary, as the man was dead. The brakeman shrugged his shoulders and decided to report the case. As he jumped to the tracks, he read again the wording on the side of the boxcar. National Refrigerating Co. . DONALD Sonnem. as 82