Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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father answered it, and she was standing near enough to overhear the conversation. It was the Border Police checking to see if they had seen a stranger in their area. Mr. Reedy said, “No, but thanks to your plain clothes detective, Mr. Brady, who just left, my daughter was well protected while we were away for a few hours. There was a pause at the other end of the phone. Then she heard the man say, “We have no Mr. Brady. Me must be with the state police. However keep all doors and windows locked . . . the man is armed . . . and dangerous and a vicious murderer . . . he has an ugly red scar running down his . i r’-t e; ebrow to the crown of his head.” A WANDERER’S AUTUMN DAY Fausto DiTullio ’66 If you have never been in Maddox County, Vermont, in the fall don’t read this. If you do, the temptation to go there will be too great for anyone to resist. The rolling countryside stretches for as far as the eye can see. You won’t see any of Man’s cold con- crete jungles here. What you will see is Nature at her most colorful best. When you look at the countryside for the first time, it actually seems to be aflame with vibrant red color. The grazing cows in the pasture move slowly, eating a mouthful of grass every few feet or so. Groups of people talk casually as they slowly walk to Mass. Whatever they do, the people of this small Vermont town do it slowly and without any commotion. These people have never known time schedules or the five o’clock rush hour. How much better this world would be if people just took their time, instead of running pell-mell to work, or to a golf game, or to a P.T.A. meeting. The wind was crisp this October morning, just crisp enough to remind everybody that winter was approaching. As I looked toward the lake, I could see ripples of water being pushed across by the wind. A month from now children would be skating happily across its frozen waters, but now it served as the best place for trout fishing in Ver- mont. As I walked toward the covered bridge which spanned the lake, I could see golden- cclored leaves dancing madly through the air. as though having their last fling before bedding down for the winter. The high, clear blue sky of this Autumn day clashed beauti- fully with the bright orange countryside. I surprised a squirrel as he was in the process of gathering his food for the cold winter months. But just then the people began filing out of the church heading toward home for the turkey dinner which is a traditional Sunday meal to these people of Linden, Vermont. Approaching the covered bridge, I spotted a handful cf small beats, their passengers eagerly awaiting a Big One. Crossing over the bridge, I headed for the hill which over- looked the neighboring countryside. The wind was a little nippier and a little crisper at the top. To my east could be seen the checkerboard fields of corn, and to my west the outline of the Green Mountains, some of which already were covered with fluffy white snow. Looking at the outline of the moun- tains against the big autumn sky gives you a wandering feeling, that feeling that makes you hungry for travel and adventure. Here Five

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“The mechanic is out on a call”, he said. “Is it all right if I wait for his call?” “You may”, said Diane. After all she didn’t have much of a choice. She couldn’t very well ask him to wait out in the rain. “I think there’s some coffee left cn the stove. Would you like some ?” “That would be nice”, agreed Mr. Brady. Diane went into the kitchen and as she was turning on the stove, she heard the tall stranger making another call. I’ll just stand here by the door and wait until he’s through, she thought. She made a pretense of rattling cups and saucers, but couldn't help overhear- ing the conversation. He was saying, “Car is bogged down in the mud . . . six miles from the border . . . girl of about seventeen ap- pears to be alone . . . this will be a pleasure . . . perfect spot for me to stay . . . yes, I’m armed...” As he finished, Diane walked into the living room with the cups. Her heart pounded, her hands kept shaking and her mind kept say- ing . . . Diane, be brave. Mr. Brady went into the kitchen to help her with the coffee pot. They heard a banging sound coming from the back of the house. Diane noticed that his hand went instinctively over a bulge in the right trouser pocket. That must be the gun, she thought. Why oh why did I ever let him in ? The man came back with the same friendly smile on his face. “Your screen door blew open in the back.” he said. They sat down in the living room to drink their coffee. Diane had never drunk coffee before and she thought she musn’t allow him to guess how terrified she really was. This strong liquid would give her the courage she needed. She gazed at the clock on the mantle and realized that her family would be home any minute. Just then the phone rang, and at the first beep Diane was on her feet, rushing across the room to answer it. “Hello, Diane”, said mother. “How are you getting along,” “F-f-fine”, she stammered. “The storm is really getting worse dear. We started home, but went about five miles and the water was up to the headlights of the car so we couldn’t go on. We’re at Mr. Loomis’ farm. He’s out right now but when he comes back he’ll give us a ride home in his truck.” All through the conversation Diane’s spirits were fading to the tips of her toes. Should she tell her mother what she had done? It wouldn’t do them any good to get upset they couldn’t get home now anyways, she figured. “We should be home within an hour,” mother went on. “Diane, is anything the matter? You sound so nervous.” Diane glanced around her noticing that Mr. Brady was standing behind her obviously hearing the whole conversation. “Yes, mother, just uneasy about the storm, I guess”, she somehow managed to say. “All right, dear. We’ll see you in an hour.” As she walked away from the phone, Mr. Brady was all smiles. “Don’t be afraid of the storm, I know how to amuse girls of your age. How about a game of checkers ?” he said. “All right,” said Diane. Although she knew she would never be able to concentrate on the game. Just as the game was ending, they heard a truck drive into the yard. Diane bounded for the door, threw her arms around her father and sobbed, “I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.” “Do what, Diane?” exclaimed mother. Just then Mr. Brady came into the room from the kitchen. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. Reedy?” he said. “I’m Jim Brady. I’m a plain clothes detective from the border patrol. I came to warn you that a very dangerous armed murderer has escaped from across the border and your house is the first on the route we expected him to take. Since Diane was alone, I felt that I should stay with her until you people came home.” “You have our warmest thanks, Mr. Brady,” said Diane’s father. “Would you care for a snack before you go ?” “No, thanks, but I’ll accept a push with that truck outside. My car is bogged about half a mile down the road.” Mr. Brady left with Mr. Loomis, and about ten minutes later the phone rang. Diane’s Four

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a man could be alone with his thoughts. Here one could get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. I stayed atop that hill for many hours just staring at that endless countryside thinking that once all of our country was just this beautiful. But of course man and all his progressive ideas changed all that, and now only a few places remain for nature to put on her once-a-year technicolor spectacular. I was shocked into reality by a shrieking voice of a woman calling someone to dinner. And as I got up and turned around, my heart skipped a beat seeing that sun set just behind that faraway mountain, which seemed to be calling my name, calling me to follow the sun. And hearing it call me, I knew what I had to do. ONE AUTUMN NIGHT Donald Tims ’65 David and Jane both felt wonderful as they walked to the car from the dance in the gym. They had every reason to be happy, for they were young and they had love, the happiest, most wonderful thing in their existence. The night was calm; a full moon looked down upon a comfortably cool night lovely with autumnal splendor. The dance, one of the first of their senior year, had gone perfectly, and both were at peace with the world as they walked hand in hand. David and Jane had been going “steady” for eight months now and were devoted to each other. Their parents and friends did not take them seriously, but they did not care; they had each other and they planned for the years ahead. The couple entered the car, and David started up the highway towards their usual spot for after-date snacks. They talked about what they would do in the years to come after David had gone to college, and they were married. Not too much was said, though; mostly, they simply rode along in silence, sharing that very special closeness of spirit which only those who love can experi- ence. They stopped for a red light and took advantage of the respite from driving to Sik share a short, tender kiss. When driving, however, David kept his attention focused upon what he was doing. He prided himself upon being a safe driver; his father realized this and thus had no compunction about letting him use the car. Jane laid her head back upon the seat and gazed at the stars through the window. She felt a warmth and tenderness for David un- like any feeling she had ever known. A sensitive girl, she had a deep need for af- fection, which David fulfilled. David glanced over at her lovely profile and beautiful blonde hair and felt his heart leap within him. They were very much in love. Suddenly, as they were driving along at a conservative speed, a racing car headed in the opposite direction on the highway went out of control and hurled across the narrow grass dividing strip straight at them. David swerved shaply to the right to avoid a head-on collision; but the other vehicle smashed into the rear corner of his car and sent it skidding across the road. David had a swimming impression of fear as the car swept off the road, through a guard rail, and down an embankment. He caught a fleeting glimpse of trees rushing up at them; the last thing he heard before blacking out was Jane’s calling his name. A swirling mist shrouded his brain, but through the mist, pain penetrated. He opened his eyes but could see only vaguely at first. His hand went down to his stomach and felt 5 PETE 0 KILLS...