Union High School - Reflector Yearbook (Union, ME)

Page 28 text:

MY FIRST SAIL Since the first day I set eyes on the Lady Mars , I had wanted to go sailing. I was very small then but the longing was great. Then and there I resolved that someday I would go sailing and it would be in this boat. I had a long wait, during which the owners of the beautiful boat changed. There was a while when the Lady was drydocked, and I prayed for the day when the sails would billow again. For three years Crawford Lake did not see my pet. The the glorious day came when the sails were patched, the hull received a new coat of paint and she glided into the water with the grace of a swan. All these things I had in mind one windy Sunday afternoon. It was a warm day, in spite of the breeze, so I decided to go swimming. As my friends had their own plans, I went alone. Soon I noticed that the sailboat was being prepared for an excursion. I asked permission to go, and immediately I was rowed to the boat. The sails went up and the boat left the mooring with a sudden burst of speed. After that it was smooth sailing and lthrilled with excitement as we sped across the waves like a fairy boat in a dream. Once we dipped to one side too far and the water splashed over me. As we wove from one side of the pond to the other, working downstream with the wind, I tended the jib rope, this being necessary at every turn. I was proud that I might help, even in this little way. At times I was sure we would crash on the rocks, so near we did go. Perhaps it was this flirting with danger that intrigued me so greatly, yet I had great faith in the skipper. All too soon we headed for the mooring where a small boat was waiting to carry us to shore. I hated to give up the good time: it was worth waiting for. Sylvia Farris Class of '51 Z4

Page 27 text:

Matty's eyes did not open until the big man had completely risen from the floor and tenderly laid his huge hands on his shoulders say, Mr. Clemmens, don't you recognize me? You weren't at my meeting last night. Matty stared full into the face of the man with light of recognition coming over his face. The man whom he had nearly killed was the minister whose services he had usually attended each Saturday night. A sudden surge of hate poured through Matty's veins as he watched the stream of red trickling from a gash in the poor old minister's forehead. It was a hate for himself and a far greater hate for the liquor which had so long ruled his life. He realized however, that it would require a mightier force than his momentary hate for the evil bottle to put an end to his drinking habit. Matty solemnly related the story of the horrors of the last hour which he had under- gone. Upon hearing the story of the prison break which Matty had seen from his bedroom window, a puzzled frown fell upon the minister's countenance, and he explained that there had been no break, that the whole affair must have been illusions created by hisliquor-drugged mind. The old minister related how he had passed the Clemmens' house from his regular Saturday night service and had seen Mrs. Clemmens trying to gain entrance through the front door. She had explained to him that she had returned from her mother-'s home on the twelve o'clock bus, as she had failed to hear from Matty last night. She was extremely fearful that he had been drinking and injured himself in some way. Upon not being able to raise him by pounding on the front door, the minister continued, he had accompanied her to the back door and had entered the house. As they approached the living room, they heard Matty release the horrible scream from the hallway. Thinking him injured, Marie had gone for a doctor while the minister had gone to Matty's aid. After hearing the true story, Matty was too horrified for words. I-Ie could scarcely believe that liquor would make a strong-headed man put in a night the likes of which had just happened. The next morning Matty attended his minister-friend's church. After the service the preacher invited Mr. and Mrs. Clemmens to the parsonage for Sunday dinner. These invitations were extended Sunday after Sunday as Matty unfailing attended the services at the church. As time went on, the old minister became one of Matty's best friends, but far more important he also became the conquerer of Matty's liquor habit. xl Ronnellow Moore Class of 1951 2.3

Page 29 text:

MY FIRST Sl-IAVE One Sunday afternoon when Dad and Ma were gone, And I was all alone feeling lonesome and forlorn, I happened to think of what someone had said the day beforeg It wasn't very flattering, so it made me kind of sore. I walked over to the mirror and cast a hurried glance, Then went and got Dad's razor, thinking I-Iere's my chance. I could almost hear that old razor buzzg Believe me it did quick work of whiskers and of fuzz. Then I patted on a little After Shaving Lotion . Of course, watching Dad was how I got that notion. I must hurry and put everything back in its place, With a song in my heart and a smile on my face. I expected they'd be back around five o'c1ock. If Dad ever caught me shaving, he'd surely have a shock. Any talk about that razor was avoided for a week. I never in my life felt so much a sneak. Then one night Dad tried to shave and the old thing wou1dn't work He said 'twas full of nicks and had gone berserk. Yes, someone's used my razor and gone some place. Then he looked up to watch the effect on my face. I stared back at him and never said a word, And he said, Hey, there! So you're the guilty bird. Inever was so very good at lying And I knew it wou1dn't be any use trying. When I admitted, he ranted and raved Why when I was your age I never shaved. Then Ma rummaged in his trunk and found a little book. She brought it out and said, Here, boy take a look! Yes, Itook a look all right. It was Dad's old diary. It said, I'm shaving my first Shave and my head's pretty wiry And there was the date at the top of the page. When I showed it to Dad he was filled with rage. Then all of a sudden he changed and grew soft and smooth, No use to deny what he'd done in his youth. He said, Son, you've taught me a lesson that can't be forgot. You're nearer to being a man than I had thought . Dick Goff 'SZ Z5