Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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THE PIONEER V o Cedars and sober spruce against a wood that glistens With every design old Nature’s paint brush knows; Forgotten road that snow has richly carpeted, Where drifts lie and rough brown bracken grows; And silence—utter! save that somewhere near A gentle “click” catches the wailing ear. Drumming of noisy wings ’mid startled trees; Against the sky a swift pattern weaves; Guns roar profanely, and with crumpled wings birds fall: Plump, speckled bodies on a waiting carpet of white; And after—feasting! song and hearty drinking, A rich Christmas feast for one more year. David St. Hilaire A PRAYER FOR PEACE Across the seas the cannons shriek and roar; ’Neath ocean waves and high in heaven’s blue, Torpedoes strike and winged lightings soar: And hosts of clear-eyed youths and fathers too, Do march and wheel and fall to rise no more; Destruction-dealing Mars has loosed his crew, And earth once more is soaked with ruddy gore! But here in this fair land our hearts are true To principles laid down in days of yore By Pilgrim fathers, who did seek to do The right: to live, to love, to worship, to adore The God who knew nor slave, nor sect, nor Jew. May he who rules the nations grant release To hates—that all may love the “Prince of Peace”. Wallace Haselton ANOTHER MORN If I could lonely wander through a dell In summer when the dew is freshly strewn Like sparkling diamonds from a spendthrift moon; If I could hear afar the morning bell And list the echo of its distant knell, And hear the warbling birds their songs attune, And see Aurora then the world festoon With colors bright that weave a magic spell— All loneliness forgot, I’d happy be. The beauty of the bells, the birds, the dawn, The sweetness of the sights and sounds to me Would surely bring to mind another morn When you and I, dear heart, dreamed happily. So, memory would make me less forlorn. Kathryn Conron DEW I like to go out walking In the morning by our pond; The dewdrops seem like jewels Scattered by a fairy’s wand. They glisten on tall white iris In beauty beyond compare, A nd all the other flowers Seem proud to hold their share. Even blades of grass, with their shining heads, Twinkle like stars at night. But the dew that is caught in the spider’s web— Ah, there is the wondrous sight! Betty Parks NO PEACE ON EARTH The telephone rings-ring, ring; Somebody knocks-knock, knock; Horns toot-toot, toot; Hens squawk-squawk, squawk. Sonny drums-drum, drum; Beating, beating-tap, tap. Everybody’s making noise, While I’m trying to take a nap! Nancy Holcomb A PUPPY’S AWAKENING A bustle is heard on the stair at dawn; Then there’s a scratch at the door; I open one eye and give a delicate yawn. While foot-pats are heard on the floor. A small black ball seems to fly through the air; It lands in the middle of the bed; I don’t even breathe; I wouldn’t dare, For the rascal might be misled. A cold wet kiss upon my cheek; I open my eyes with a start. I wouldn’t disappoint this tiny sneak, For it would break his heart. He’s ready for his morning play; His eyes are full of glee; I pretend I’m asleep, to his dismay— He makes a whining plea. I wouldn’t part with this morning routine For all the joys in the world. I feel as wealthy as any great queen When this little black ball is uncurled. Barbara Davis T wenty-two

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CHRI STMAS 19 3 9 1 he adventures that this master seaman encountered in the tranquil waters of the Pacific are nothing short of amazing. The author gives vivid pictorial descrip¬ tions of the terrific sea fights undergone by Hornblow- er’s sturdy little frigate. The plot is ably complicated by the entrance of Lady Barbara, a young English noble¬ woman who is seeking passage to England. The hero’s adventures continue in the service of England in the war with Napoleon, the despotic Corsican. His career is marked with brilliance and with a genteel capacity for leadership. He wins the recognition of his king for valuable services rendered to the crown. Finally there is a happy ending through his reunion with Lady Bar¬ bara. This book is a book principally for masculine tastes. It is crammed full of valuable as well as thoroughly exciting adventure. C. S. Forester put a tremendous amount of research into “Captain Horatio Hornblower”, and it justly deserves all of the credit that the popular literary critics have given it. Boys, if you want to satisfy your lust for adventure books, read the present favorite among historical novels—“Captain Horatio Hornblower”. Irving Holcomb “REACHING FOR THE STARS” “Reaching for the Stars” is a story of Germany during the past four years. The author, Nora Wain, lived there with her husband, who was studying German music, and so was able to observe the customs of the German people very thoroughly. After being in Germany for a little while, Nora Wain naturally became interested in the government, of the country and in comparing it with ours. She points out that Hitler has the majority of the people supporting and worshipping him as their leader. Although the} realize that he has persecuted the Jews, murdered the innocent, and monopolized free speech, they say noth¬ ing because they feel that unless they abide by what Hitler says they are doomed. This book shows that all s not war, sorrow, and grief in Germany, however. On the contrary, the German people are a very industrious and ambitious group, who are loyal to their fatherland They take an immense pride in their forests and high¬ ways, which are the most beautiful in the world. Nor; Wain has a great admiration for them, which shine through this book. She presents interesting descrip¬ tions of many German customs and recreates on papei the atmosphere of Germany just before this war began “Reaching for the Stars” is especially to be recom mended because it presents a trulv unbiased picture o Germany, the most discussed of modern nations. Grace Bowers “THE COUNTRY LAWYER” Young Bellamy Partridge writes his first book about his father and about his home town. In this semi¬ biography one is able to discern clearly the author s nostalgic attitude toward the childhood that was his. Old Bellamy Partridge (the country lawyer), Mrs. Partridge, and the horde of little Partridges laboriously copying in longhand case records, wills, and probates on the dining room table, are presented very clearly and simply to us. Prospective lawyers of today should consider themselves fortunate and thank their lucky stars they were not born in the 1800’s as was this coun¬ try lawyer. In that by-gone era, a lawyer was not only a lawyer, but also a doctor, a storekeeper, a fireman, a setter of styles, a politician when times necessitated, and a philosopher always. “The Country Lawyer” has headed the list of popu¬ lar non-fiction for several weeks. For its directness, simplicity, and humor, it is truly an enjoyable piece of literature. Mary Maling “THE PATRIOT” Almost everyone who enjoys reading has a t one time or another made the literary acquaintance of Pearl Buck. Almost everyone, accordingly, knows that she is famous for books like “The Good Earth” and their de¬ pictions of Chinese life. Her latest book, “The Patriot”, is of special interest to her followers because this time Pearl Buck uses not only China but also Japan as back¬ ground material. “The Patriot” is both a stirring love story and an attack on war. It expresses Chinese life and Chinese people in a way that does not conceal their weak¬ ness and decadence. It is at the same time a book which tells of Japanese life, of Japanese individuals and what has happened to them and why. It is not, however, a bitter book nor in any sense propaganda. Nor is anything concealed of Japanese brutality when discipline relaxes. “The Patriot explains fully the resurgence of a new China and the heroic determina¬ tion of spartan Japan. Donald Hitchcock “ESCAPE” “Escape”, by Ethel Vance, is a recent novel about the situation in Germany and its ellects on those living in that country. In the course of the story, people from our country become involved in a very serious plight and have to strive to save themselves. A young Ameri¬ can goes to Germany to rescue his mother, who has been condemned to death for treason to her country. He has three friends to help him and thev have to outwit the army of German officials. Bv means of a daring plan, these people endanger their own lives to help this woman to escape from the country. “Escape is a good book to read now because it deals with a subject that most of the world is interested in. It is an exciting stor written in such a vivid man¬ ner that it captivates vour interest and holds your at¬ tention from the first page to the last. Lillian Davies Continued un page 38 T uenty-one

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CHRISTMAS 19 3 9 A NOCTURNAL LUCUBRATION All through our lives we need our time to do The things that count, those which add to the score That we present when we claim our just due For work we’ve done. We need that time and more. But there are some of us who’ve neither mind, Nor thoughts, desires, nor energy to lend Effort to worth-while chores, can they but find Some trifling game at which their days to spend. Those men whose labors made some useful thing Had little time to waste. Their hands and brains Were used in needful work, that they might bring To all mankind some profit from their pains. But those who sit up nights with words that rhyme Accomplish naught; they only waste their time. Franklin Hodges WINTER When fields at night Are shiny white From drifts of snow The wind did blow, ’Tis then I love The stars above— Shining there Through crisp, cold air. They seem so near, Now winter’s here. The friendly moon O’er snowy dune Just seems to tell That all is well. Russell Coombs WE GATHER TOGETHER Listen, friends, and I will tell A tale mayhap you’ve heard. If you were there you know it well; If not, please take my word. It happened in Hist’ry class Of period number four. The disturbance was so great It shook the very floor. Speech was made both pro and con On the bill of Franklin D. The subject of that hill was on U. S. Neutrality. The room was calm and very still When Mr. Dixon asked: “Mr. Chairman, if you will. Let’s hear now from the class. Still the calm and silence reigned: The students sat in thought— Right to speak had been ordained Yet there was said hut naught. Then Horace Jones arose and spoke; Gil Camp did not agree. Now on us the storm had broke Was this neutrality? Someone in the back proposed Our country go to war. With flushed face E. Comey rose And stood upon the floor. Loud she cried with voice pitched high; If we must go to war, She wished to know the reason why, And then she said some more. When she stopped, I said my say And then sat quickly down; For who was I to block the way Of shouts that flew around? And thus for half an hour or more The noise continued on, And students bellowed as before Until their speech was gone. Then the chairman left his seat; Sir Dixon voiceless stood As a symbol of defeat, For nothing else he could. At length there came a wondrous thing; The class moved o er the floor. They had heard the bell’s clear ring; All rushed now to the door. To the floor George Whelp ley fell; George True had pushed him down. I saw that it would not be well For me to stick around. To get beneath the desk 1 tried; Norm Putnam, he was there. The one crawling at my side Was David St. Hilaire. We struggled on, I and Dave, Beneath the milling throng; Our object was ourselves to save From being trampled on. From the room the class was gone And quiet spread o’er the scene. Like the still of early dawn Silence reigned supreme. To my feet Dave lifted me. And Norman helped me too; Now toward the door staggered we— We got there and passed through. If the class of history Of period number four Had to guard neutrality, I think we’d go to war! Gregg C. Brewer Continued on page 38 T uenty-three