Norway High School - Caduceus Yearbook (Norway, ME)

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THE CADUC EUS' 19 On one side of the narrow road were stony cliffs and on the other side was a steep embankment, sloping down to an old logging road. All of a sudden she heard the back-firing and rattling of an ancient and none too de- pendable engine. As Connie stepped out onto the edge of the embankment into the soft snow, she felt herself slipping. Wild- ly she clutched out and grabbed at some tough ground pine. Luckily it held. She could not see the road, but she heard the banging car go past and on up the road. But she did not feel discouraged. All she had to do was to scramble back and con- tinue her hike. This was easier said than done. As she braced her feet in the snow, the ground pine that she was holding onto broke, and Connie went slipping and slid- ing farther down. When Connie at last picked herself up and looked around, she discovered she was on the old logging road. She knew if she followed this road that she'd eventually come out on the highway. Suddenly there came to her ears the sound of familiar laughter on the road above. It must be Beverly 's party she said to herself. But the team seems to be headed toward town. Loudly she called as she struggled on through the deep snow. The hilarious voices drowned her cries, and so she was obliged to keep on and just wait. In the meantime, Paul and Billy had made good time, and had caught up with Beverly's party. Neither group had seen a sign of Connie and they were consider- ably worried. 'tConnie may have fallen and broken an ankle or something,l' Beverly declared, 'tWe'll all go back and look for her. 'tWhat? Again! inquired several sar- castic voices. Yes Again! Beverly answered. HWhy, Connie 's one of my best chumsf' The team was turned around. 'tPark that car here, till we come back, Beverly directed. I don't want Connie scared olf the road. You two can ride with us. Even though the bob went almost back to town, Connie of course was not found, and it was a very sober crowd that returned to Billy 's car. And then such squealing and laughing arose that even the tired horses reared and plunged. For there sitting in Billyls car, was Connie herself! How did it happen? everyone asked, at once. I fell over the embankment, Connie explained, Hwhen a car went by. I can understand now that it must have been Billy 's. Then I couldn't get back up again 5 so I walked along the wood road. I heard you go by, and called, but you couldnlt hear, so I had to go on. When I finally came out on the highway, what should I see but Billy's deserted car! I knew you id all come back. Oh, Iim so sor- ry I caused so much trouble. Beverly, I-I-. 77 I understand, Connie, said Beverly, and looked squarely at her friend. Somehow both girls knew that all petty misurfderstandings and grudges betwxeen them were forever at an end. -Perry, '34. -Agni DOWN TO THE CITY OF DEATH Perspiration stood on my brow. I felt a chill run down my spine, and my hair almost seemed to stand on end. I became :faint and stumbled to a chair. After a while, my brain grew clearer and I gath- ered the scattered ends of my thoughts to- gether. All I could utter was t'The Boss I While 'sitting there the events of this age crowded on my mind. g s

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18 THE pauscd a moment when she saw Connie's sad figure. Waiting for the bob? she called. '4Why, it 's been gone these ten minutes. Suddenly Connie 's eyes blurred with tears. She knew she had not misunder- stood. Beverly had said, 'fRemember! Seven o'clo-ck! And Beverly had delib- erately left ten minutes before the appoint- ed time! The town clock was striking as Connie stepped onto her own porch. Automati- cally she counted the strokes. Seven! Her anger seethcd within her. Beverly 's treat- ment of her on that hot July day had been impulsive, this was deliberate. Connie entered the house, wearing a forced smile that deceived no one , least of all her brother, Paul. They've gone! she said, lifelessly, and sank into a chair. I--guess-I-misurr derstoodf' Tell you what, Sisf' Paul smiled mat- ter-of-factly, you take my ticket and go to the Public Speaking Contest. Cousin Gene is speaking. I can 't go myself. Must cram this history exam stuff. Thanks, Paulf' Connie said, taking the ticket. I must go somewhere. When she arrived, Cousin Gene spied her and begged her to go up back stage and prompt him in his speech. Connie felt calmer with something to do. Paul, industriously studying about Na- poleon, sprang to his feet when the door bell rang. Instead of ringing once, it kept up a continuous jangling. He jerked open the door, and Beverly Williarns, followed by her excited crowd, burst into the house. 'LWhere's Conniedlw Beverly inquired anxiously. Over at the high school, Paul replied promptly. Over at the high school ! Beverly 's ex- clamation was almost a sob. CADUCEUS Talk about a mean trick! one of the girls spoke up. 4'.Say, let is get this straight, Paul said. Connie went up to your house, Beverly, at seven-and the bob had gonef' t'It happened, she said, Hthat the bob drew up at our curb while the clock was striking. f'We'll give her a chance to explain any- wayf' said Paul. t'I'll run down to the school. Be back in a jiffyf' When he entered the auditorium, Gene was giving his speech with great gusto 5 Paul, looking the crowd over, could not see Connie anywhere. When he got back to the house he was almost as sore at Connie as Beverly was. '4She wasn't there, he said shortly, you might as well go on. 4'All right, replied Beverly. Paul again settled down to Napoleon. Suddenly the door opened, and Connie dashed in. After explaining to Paul where she was when he was at the school and hearing about Beverly is being there, she said, 'tllm going to the party. I 'm going to walk out, it 's only a little over three miles. I've hiked it before. In the summer. It's a whole lot dif- ferent now, Paul argued. I'll be careful, Connie promised, as she pulled on her mittens and an extra heavy sweater. i'Don't worry. 'Bye, Paul. After studying for a half hour, he called Billy on the phone. Billy said the old bus was raring to go and he'd be with Paul in no time-just had to get her tuned up. The tuning up took almost three- quarters of an hour, but at last they were on their way to Dan Williams' farm. Once out of town, Connie walked rapidly, occasionally jumping aside for passing ears. Beverly wanted her! How good that made her feel!

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20' THE CADUCEUS' The terrible War of 1937, when one-half the world fought the other, had finally come to an end and peace once more ruled the thoughts of people. Japan, Great Britain, France, Germany, and America had been the conquerors, their power now swayed the universe. There were no more naval conferences, standing armies, navies, and large battleships. War had been success- fully outlawed. The world itself had progressed in this time of peace. The people had finally at- tained contentment and happiness. Chi- cago had become the largest city in the world, and boasted about skyscrapers and elevated streets. Why, the Empire State buildings-some of them were over a mile high! They were contructed with no Win- dows, the air being pumped in by means of tubes. These great structures were erected on an unusual kind of a base that they might move with the sun. Huge air cars carrying about a thousand passengers hitched to these Vast towers of aluminum. These air cars could circle the world in less than a week. But what was the use of let- ting my thoughts wander like this? Why not brace up and face the Boss? The next morning I stood before a. large desk in a private office. I was faced by a small, squint-eyed man about seventy-five years old. He was The Boss. The Boss was the master mind of the age, the terror of the younger generation, for he gave out the young man 's life work, picked out his wife, told him where to live, and held con- trol over his possessions. The Boss and I had a long talk during which I learned that I was never to be married, but, worst of all, I was assigned a terrible job. I, HD. X, was to go to the center of the earth and explore. In a very short time preparations were completed and I was off. What a terrible noise the rocket made as it started! This rocket was pencil-shaped with a point al- most minute. There was one window made of strong, thin, polished steel, so thin that one would mistake it for glass. The com- partment became very dark and hot. I choked for breath 5 I fell to the floor. Af- ter consciousness returned, I staggered to my feet and rushed to the window. Why, it was as light as day without! I must have gone straight through the earth. But no, the earth's surface did not look like this-all honeycombed rock of myriad strange hues. The rocket was still plunging forward, cutting right through the rock. Occasion- ally it would pass through a large open space, like an enormous hole. At last the rocket stopped, and I got out. I was on a large plain. I could not see any sky over- head, but there were many strange lights moving back and forth. In the distance I perceived what ap- peared to me to be skyscrapers. But how silly! Skyscrapers at the center of the earth! And there couldn't be anything like that without people to build them. I finally reached the city. But what was the meaning of this strange silence that rested over everything? Were its inhabitants concealed and watching my movements with curiosity, or possibly with animosity? I experienced several cold chills as I walked down that silent street with no sky over- head and only those strange lights moving back and forth, back and forth. Every- thing was vacant, not a sign of life any- where. On my exploration, I passed through many buildings and streets far more mod- ern than those on earth. And although everything seemed to be in the most excel- lent state of preservation, I came upon no sign of life of any kind. At last my wan- derings took me to a large temple-like build- ing. I opened the door and looked upon millions of human bones and skeletons. Just limagine my sensations, when I was all alone in the center of the earth in the heart of a great, deserted city that was far more