Orono High School - Crimson Crier Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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P1GEoN's PERCH by Leon Treadwell '54 Tombstone in the still of night, Stand erect in granite dress. While misty arms glide o'er the graves That hold within their secrets known, The souls that never rest. Then from the silent, moonlit night, An object in the sky descends. Slowly in a circle wide A pigeon settles down to rest, Before his journey ends. The pigeon, damp from mist about, Perched upon his granite throne, Slowly blends to color white. And looked, upon, Vfrom a distance short, Takes the form of a statuette. ' Then suddenly as if by magic Words, he comes to life, And disappears into the dark A I While tombstones in the still of night Stand erect in granite dress.

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NIGHT GF HORROR Mary Lou Chaples '55 Why am I so deathly afraid to stay alone at night? you ask. Ah, I have a very good reason. I'll tell you all about it, and you can decide if my fears have any basis. It happened only a few years ago while my parents were at a dinner party. They thought me old enough to stay alone for a few hours, and when the left, I thought so too. Before going they had left strict orders to lock all the doors and windows and not to let anyone in the house. They were always afraid someone would try to steal Dad's gun collection for it was worth quite a bit. Following instructions, I made the rounds until I reached the kitchen door that led out into the garage. For this I hadn't a key, so I barricaded it securely, I thought, with a chair, on top of which was piled practically everything in the kitchen that wasn't fastened down tightly. Having completed my tour of duty, I say down to finish my book, appropriately enough, a murder mystery. Just as the old butler was about to stab his old crippled master in the back, I heard a noise in the garage. My heart stood still for a moment and then started beating like a trip-hammer. There it went again! Some- one was trying to get in! I rushed to the phone to call my parents. Then a terrible thought came into my mind. Suppose it was only my imagination! I could hear my father now, bellowing like a moose if he found out I'd called them away for nothing. First I'd make certain I wasn't hearing things. I heard it againg no mistake this time. I got Dad's revolver from the case and went to the kitchen to stand guard. No burgular was going to surprise me! For a time all was quite. Then it started again. I knew somewone was trying to get inside. Finally my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to investigate. Cautiously I eased open the door and snapped on the light. No one was there! I couldn't understand it. I went back inside, still puzzling over the strange noises. The more I thought about it, the more angry I became. No noise was going to do this to me. I wouldn't stand for it! I grabbed the revolver and rushed back into the garage. Still no sign of anyone. Then I heard a scratching noise over by the trash barrel. Walking over, I pointed the gun in the direction of the barrel and said, Come out with your hands up. No answer. Come out or I'll shoot! Still no answer. Shaking in my shoes, I walked over to the barrel and looked over it. Nothing in back of it! Where was it coming from then? Suddenly it came over me. It was over powering. I'd never smelled anything like it before. Then -a small black and white animal shuffled past me and out through the garage door into the night. Ever since, I've been deathly afraid of staying alone at night. 60

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A JOURNEY'S END by Carol Reed '55 It is hard to imagine the terror gripping Joey's heart as he huddled in the corner of the dingy room, trying to keep warm. His mother lay on a cot be- side the stove, her face very white and her eyes red-rimmed from fever. The last stick of wood was glowing feebly in the stove. He heard a low murmer from his mother and rushed to her side. Joey, dear, she said, I'm terrible sick. I'm afraid I'm going to die. Please remember to be a good boy. Joey remembered the time, two years before, when his father had been taken to jail, and since then he hadn't seen him. His mother worked hard, but her health failed and now she was dying. He heard his mother continue, There are some pennies in the cupboard. Take those and try to get a job. Her soft voice broke, and she winced with pain. Goodbye, Joey. Remember-- be a good boy for I love you very much. Joey looked closely at her. He called to her, but she didn't answer. His head dropped to his mother's breast and he sobbed, brokenhearted. The fire had gone out and the room was very cold. Joey lifted his head, it was dark. Hetwas frightened. Taking the money from the cupboard, he ran out of the house. Very much later he lay exhausted in an alley. He didn't know how far he had run or where he was. He only knew that he was so tired ..... When he woke, it was morning. He got up, very stiff from cold and also very hungry. He looked down the street at the line of stores. Squaring his shoulders, he started up to a newsstand and spoke to the man selling papers. You don't know where I could get a job selling papers, do you? The man stared at him. You look too young to me, he said and went back to his work. Joey walked dejectedly down the street. He noticed a grocery store with a boy wanted sign in the window. He went in and asked for the manager. A rough looking man came across the store and spoke, You want a job, eh? Well, if you plan on workin' here you got to work hard, see? Y-yes sir, I understand. Well, okay, you can start right now. Take this order to 212 Center Street, and make it snappy. , Joey took the package and stumbled out of the store. He was so tired, so hungry. If he could only have something to eat. Now what had the manager said? Center Street? Where was Center Street? He asked the policeman on the corner to direct him to Center Street. It was almost a mile away. An hour later he returned to the store. No one seemed to notice him. Finally the manager stalked up to him. All right! Where have you been all this time? Y0u've had time to deliver that order three times. I can't keep a boy as slow as that. Besides you're too young anyway. But sir. . . Joey began. Don't you 'but sir' me! I can tell you're lazy and probably a thief Just by looking at you. Get out of here before I throw you out! Joey left feeling terribly let down. Now he felt even more hungry. How was he going to get any food? Suddenly he remembered the few pennies in his pocket. He took them out and counted them. He had 13 cents in all. He knew that he couldn't get much to eat with 13 cents. He ordered toast and milk at a little diner and ate it slowly, hoping it would stop the ache in his stomach. When he had finished, he paid the man 12 cents. With his last penny he bought a large piece of hard candy and left the diner.