Potter Academy - Wreath Yearbook (Sebago Lake, ME)

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The Old Dun Mare The old leader raised her head and smelled the breeze. Impatiently she pawed the ground. Something, somewhere was wrong. After alittle while she returned to her feed- ing, but she remained very restless. Every few minutes she raised her head and smelled the wind. An hour passed, two hours, and as the day wore on it became unbearably hot. The sky was bright, and a haze seemed to float over the sun. The herd sought shade and found it in the foothills of the mountains. A canyon forked and went to each side, the two streams almost parallel and a little distance apart. The horses fed peacefully on the dense foliage that grew on each side. Towards the end of the afternoon the old leader led the herd back to the feeding grounds. At night the mountains were not a very safe place. The wolves and Cougars were very thick and bold. Many fine horses had been pulled down by these blood- thirsty creatures. The leader was a wise old dun mare. She had been a leader for many years. Now she was getting old and often when she awoke in the morning her bones were stiff and sore, due to the dew of the night. Her position was threatened by a young roan stud. Several times he had charged at her and by her extreme strength she was able to defend herself. She knew that sometime the thing that she feared would happen. Sometime she would be caught off guard. Just now, however, her mind was not on the roan. The sky was no longer bright. A dense haze seemed to hang over the ground. It was rather difficult to breathe. The old mare, was completely baffled. Never before in her life had she experienced anything like this. The stifling air was all about them. Suddenly the wind changed. Immediately the feeding ground became a hot smothering place, where it was practically impossible to breathe. The herd stamped and coughed. The old mare neighed and began to drive the herd to the mountains. By now the air was filled with a roaring sound. The terrified herd plunged wildly to the left and right. Cleverly the old mare kept the herd together and drove it on, now bitting a stub- born cold on the rump, now leaping at a group of foolish mares. Straight towards the fire she drove them. Then she turned abruptly to the right, Somewhere along here she knew the canyon was narrow enough to jump. She also realized that the situation was becoming des- perate. The horses objected to her ste rn discipline, though without it, they would all have burned to death. The horses coughed continually in the stifling air. The flames were plainly visible now, and coming closer. The air was like a furnace. At last the mare reached the spot she was looking for. One by one she forced the horses to jump. Several times she bit fiercely some stubborn colt. One terror-stricken young colt, after seeing it's mother dis- appear on the other side, whinnied shrilly in panic. Then it leaped wildly and missed the other side by inches. It plunged downward to the swirling waters below, When the others had crossed the mare turned. The roaring flames were a short dis- tance away.. She turned hopelessly to the canyon again. She knew that her exhausted body could never reach the-other side in safely, yet she could not remain he re. She' gathered her- self for the spring which she knew would end her life. Suddenly she felt an enormous weight in her side. She turned to face her new antag- onist. It was the roan stud. He had chosen this time when the old leader was exhausted and weak, to win his leadership, She leaped aside just in time to miss his next onrush, and kicked desperately. Several times this was repeated. Meanwhile the fire was getting closer and closer. It was just behind them.' Easily the roan stud cleared the canyon leaving the exhausted mare streaming blood. Her side heaved and her nostrils flared. An enor- mous weight seemed to press on her chest. She stood there gasping, too weak to move. Suddenly and merc ifully the bank on which she stood gave way and crumpled beneath her weight. She plunged downward to the depths of the foaming pool below.

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After about two weeks of working, Johnny tried out his car on the highway and knew right off that his car was built for speed. One afternoon as Johnny was just out cruising around, all of his friends with hot-rods went past him like a shot. Johnny laughed to himself and thought, Won't they be surprised when they find out what's under this hood. He pressed down on the accelerator and the car crept up to a speed of 75 M.P.H. All the time he was gaining on his friends and at the speed of 90 M.P.H., he went by. Then he looked in the mirror to catch the surprised look on their faces. Of course, since he was the most popular boy, all of the other boys were jealous and tried to get the best of him. So the hot-rod game began to get dirty. Eve ry night after school the boys would go out and race. Their'motto was: Anything To Win . Jack Cole, a boy who was always jealous of Johnny, was driving side by side with Johnny's car. Everyone knew that Jack would go by the motto. While the crowd was gathering Jack suddenly cut over and crowded Johnny's hot-rod onto a soft shoulder. The car rolled over and over down the embankment and of course this hot-rod accident ended in a death--Johnny's. All parents would feel the same way as Johnny's, that they hadn't done right by him to make him lie to them. As time went on the cornmunity started to discuss having a safe place for the hot-rods to race. Among these people were Mr. and Mrs. Wells. The next year those people had raised enough money to build a safe place for them. Certain rules of safety were set up and the boys had to go by them. At the gate entering the race track there was a sign saying John Wells' Memorial and directly under this was written Dangerous Fun Made Safe . June Douglass '52 The King of Kings The world may have governors, presidents, vice-presidents, but who is it that really gives life to everything? Who is it that gives people senses to live, speak, taste, touch, who heals the sick, who forgives our sins, provides for us, protects us, encourages us, strengthens us? Is there anyone who cannot answer me and know that there is someone ? Though He may not be seen by you, you may know His presence, and are you grateful for each day, each moment for a chance to help Him, to worship Him, to even think of Him? Who is this King of Kings ? The very life and spirit you need to live by, and for. He is everyone's King, the Lord of Heaven and Earth. This is His world and we are His people. He governs us, I-le's our president, our rtgler and our law-giver, His laws are to be obeyed. Our every- thing we own He has given us, our beautiful world and all good things come from Him, Our King of Kings , Geneva McLaughlin '51

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Morning dawned on a day so fair and cool that it seemed impossible that the day be- fore had been so disastrous. 1 Yet the charred ground was wet from the dew. In a quiet little valley the herd grazed peacefully. A foolish colt broke away and was sent back by the roan stud. He had taken over the mare's job. The day passed quietly. The herd was un-' concerned that the old mare to whom they owed their lives was at the bottom of the canyon. Robe rta Gilliam '5 4 Selection From Jimmieis Diary January 3. Skipped school. Me and Johnnie swiped Grandma's cookies. Had an awful tummy J ache. Think she pizen'd 'em. January 4, Been sick all day. Went sliding with Susie. Ran over a cat. Dead now. Hope she 'll be all right. January 5. Went to school. Put Sally's pigtail in my inkwell. Threw spitballs at Sara, but missed and hit the teacher. Wonder why she licked me. January 6. Me and Johnnie skipped school again today. Chased de ole widder's cat. She fell into de well. Couldn't get her out. Don't think she '11 drowned anyways. Prob'ly had a good swim. January 7. Went to school. Had a spelling test. Threw paper away. Mom'd give me a switching if she see it. January 8. Had company today. Tipped my milk over at dinner. 'Barassed Mom when her wig slipped. Sick'd the cats a'fighten' and threw a mouse at my cussin Emmy. January 9, Went to the movies. Threw popcorn at baldheaded men. Nlan'ger kicked me out. Prayed before I went to bed. Dear Lawd, I'se always a good boy so won't you pleeze forgive me for my wittle jokes and send to heven wif my Daddy when I die ? Glennice Ve rrill '51 Save --S .r V f ,- .,....V WA L S W O R T H un-wn,x..4 a mana by vuu.swoln-11 IIOYIILKB 5 Z luvolilo. lo.. U. H. A.