Norway High School - Caduceus Yearbook (Norway, ME)

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THE CADUCE US 31 He later died of malaria, but his son was taken in by his brother Pitt and his kindly wife. Little George Osborne 's grandfather learned to love his little grandson, who was made heir to his fortune at his death. William Doblin, who had loved Amelia ever since they were youngsters, finally per- suaded her to marry him. This she would not have done if, Becky had not revealed to Amelia the proof that her husband had been untrue to her. Amelia and William had one daughter, Jane. Becky had been rejected from respectable company and kept moving from hotel to hotel all over the continent. It was said that she always lived in the same hotel with Jos Sedley, who admitted she was a bad woman, but he could not help himself. When he died he was penniless, having been taken in by Becky 's sly ways. As we last leave Becky, she is left alone, managing affairs for herself, for there is no one else to do it for her. -Vesta Shaw '41 MAINE Oh! how I did love that home up in Maine! The crisp sunny morns, the scent of ripened grain, The mountain is fresh air, There was rtom for me there: But, n-ow in this city, just look at it rain! The winters were fun in the old state of Maine. Listen! Hear the sncw on the window pane? Skiing we'1l go. In the deep fiuiffy snow, But, now in this city, just look at it rain! Camp life was grand in the state of Maine, A tent on an island, who- could complain? Life was sure great, In the old home state, But, now in this city, just look at it rain! -Merle Glines '4O. At night The stars come out In silver garb to play Alf-ng rugged moonbeam pathways 'Till dawn. -Florence Cox '40. BLUE ROOM Believe me, it hurt to sit there alone at a corner table looking through the torn decorations and the pale colored lanterns floating in a sea of blue smoke onto a stage where I should be standing--a stage where I should be raising my baton to the down beat of a song played by the sweetest band this side of Heaven-a stage where I should be speaking through the mike, wishing the best of luck and joy to the many happy couples as they swayed to the rhythm of Auld Lang Sync which was now ringing the new year in and the old year out. It was my band! I had started lt! I had worked for it all my life ever since I had started college. Then I had gone to the top after meeting Ann. But now all was lost, all my efforts had been in vain. 'tWhy? Why?,' I asked myself time after time. I reached for a drink, and gulped it down in one swallow. I lit a cigarette, blew the smoke in front of me, and watched it circle around my head. I did not hear the music that filled the room, neither did I feel the happiness that filled the hearts or the dancers. The music was not so good as I could have made, but people had forgot- ten that. They had forgotten me. I was no one. It was all my fault, I suppose. Anyway, it was a short story-sad, yet true. I had started my little band my second year at the university and had rounded up fourteen boys who were wonderful fellows to work with. For two years I preached to them that no girls were to interfere with the band. I'd found two boys for singers, who were the best, and I knew I couiu do without any girls in the band. My senior year we had contracted all the dances around town, including the univer- sity balls. It was the first dance of the

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30 THE CADUCEUS gressed so rapidly as to already take its place as a greatly improved method of transportation-both within the United States and also far beyond the distant hor- izons. -Glendon Smith '40. VANITY FAIR Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley had finally finished their formal education at Miss Pinkerton 's school. Amelia and her friends wept sincerely at her departure, but Becky was overjoyed at leaving and scornful of the weaker ones about her. As Amelia and Becky left in the carriage sent. by Amelia 's prosperous family, Becky hurl- ed the dictionary, which had been present- ed to her, at the feet of Miss Jemima Pink- erton. The latter was most astonished at Miss Sharp 's ingratitude and spirit which was very unladylike. Becky visited her friend, Amelia, and did her best to induce Joseph Sedley, Amelia 's brother, to marry her. Becky's parents were dead, so it was necessary that she man- age her own affairs. After failing to snare Josh,'l Becky went as a governess to the children of Sir Pitt and Lady Crawley. The other most important members of the Crawley family were Bute, Pitt 's brother, Miss Crawley, an aunt to these men, and his sons by his first marriage, Pitt and Rawdon. Miss Crawley was very wealthy. On ac- eount of this all her relations were exceed- ingy attentive to her. Rawdon was her favorite, seeming to he in line for his rich aunt's fortune, so Becky married him. Later Lady Crawley died. Sir Pitt tell on his knees to Becky asking her to marry him. Poor Becky was sincerely sad. Had she known that Lady Crawley was going to die so soon, never would she have mar- ried Rawdon and given up the opportunity of becoming Lady Crawley herself. When Miss Crawleyi discovered Miss Sharp 's secret marriage to Rawdon, she dis- owned both of them, and when she died left her money and property to his brother, Pitt Crawley. Becky strove along with Rawdon, using her initiative for both of them. During the war, she and Amelia were thrown to- gether again. Since she had last seen Amelia, Mr. Sedley had been bankrupt. George Ashborne, who was persuaded by his friend, William Doblin, to marry Miss Sedley in spite of her financial condition, was disowned by his father. George Os- borne was killed while fighting. Amelia would have soon died too, had not her hus- band left her a son, Georgy. Her strength was renewed with his growth. Becky also had a son, Rawdon, but cared nothing for him. The boy's father loved Becky, but was grieved because she didn 't pay more attention to her son. Mrs. Crawley was interested only in her own rise in social events. She became the most popular woman in London, at least with the men. Lord Steyne cared for no other woman except Mrs. Crawley and re- ports of an indelicate nature were reported at the gentlemen 's clubs. The fatal night came when Rawdon Crawley was seized and put into a debtor's prison. He sent a note to his wife, asking her to obtain enough money to get him out. She sent a letter to him stating that she was very ill but would get up the very next morning and try to procure the money. However, Crawley appealed to his sister- in-law and was freed. When he came home that night he found his wife in an evening gown entertaining Lord Steyne. There were fighting and tears, which resulted in a broken home. Rawdon left his unfaithful wife and took a government job on another continent.

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32 THE CADUCEUS year, a well known event to the freshmen, that I was announcing our third number, my favorite, In My Solitude, when, looking across the hall, I noticed at one of the tables a girl who was sitting beside one of the boys in the band who hadn 't snown up. I announced the number and gave the boys a down beat, then I went directly over and started blasting him out. Like a fool I had blamed the girl for his being late and arriving in the undesirable condi- tion he was in. I had Al drive him home, but the girl did not want to go. I asked her to dance and then I realized what a sap I had been to think it was her fault. Iler name was Ann. She was beautiful, with her black hair rolled neatly around her head. Ann had big brown eyes, eyes that one could look into, and see a sweet, kind personality ruling over them. She had smiled while we talked, and I drew her closer to me till her soft cheek was against my face. She said nothing for a few moments, then I felt her lips move and from within her came the sweetest sound I've ever heard. She could really sing! She was marvelous! In the dim lights I led her to the quiet terrace of the college campus. She finish- ed singing her song, my song, looking deep into my eyes, then, after a moment of si- lence, raised her lips quickly to meet mine. The boys razzed me, but from that day on the band went to the top in a hurry. Our break finally came. On a nation-wide hookup we became, over night, America's sweetest hand, a band with a new rhythm, style and mood. At Hrst I spent much time with Ann out soon my time was taken up by the band. I hired a good manager who helped us get many places. It was partly because of him that Ann stayed with us at first, as the many contracts offered her to sing alone were tempting. I hardly saw her except at rehearsals and the nights we played. Although 1 knew 1 loved her, I had never thought of her love for me. I didn 't have time. One night after rehearsal I was invited to a party. Ann was announcing her en- gagement to Ron, my arranger. In a fit of anger, I fired her. The band went on the bunk. I broke our contracts, roamed dis- interested around, not caring what became of the band, until one day I sold out to Ron, who came back after his short honeymoon, alone. Ann had got a divorce and had gone to Paris to sing. It was you she loved, Ron had told me. You should have known that. 1 did, but I just didn 't realize it I guess.', I sat there thinking of the many years it had been since I had seen Ann. I reached for another drink. Laying my hand on the table and tapping the loose ashes from the tip of my cigarette I sat looking into space, not seeing anything, when I felt a warm, soft hand touch mine. I looked up. In front of me stood Ann. I looked at her. She smiled. Glanclng back at the orchestra that I could have call- ed my own I let a smile break across my face. I looked at Ann and her lips quivered. You can do it again, she said, lowering her eyes. We could do it, Ann, I said. We could. -Arthur S. Keniston '40, Meeting you was mighty pleasant Knowing you has been a treat, Liking you was certainly easy, Being friends is very sweet. -Priscilla Shaw, '4l. HERBY There was a ,young man named Herby , Who always attended the derby, He bet all he had On a horse, Sunny Lad , This horse was the finish of Herby .