Wells High School - Crimson and Gray Yearbook (Southbridge, MA)

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10 THE CRIMSCN AND GRAY Paul Hubbcrds was shocked. Deeply shocked! Dis- mayed, he stepped into the leather seat and pulled the starter, for it seemed expedient that he leave quickly, pick up Marge, and beat it. Brrrr-zip! Prrrr- scyzzzz! The motor would not start. In a horrible moment, Oyster remembered that he had no gas. What to do! What to do! His woes increased. He re- covered himself quickly, however, on the helpful recommendation of Misty that he pay a visit to his own garage and drain a tankful out of the pleasantly well-supplied Barrington automobile. Consequently, with some difficulty, he sneaked back to his home unobserved and filled a coal hod with gasoline. In doing this, he let a large blot of petroleum fall on his starched shirt. With the idea of concealing the stain, he buttoned his fuchsia tweed jacket to the neck. Then he crept slowly through the bushes with his precious hod and reached the Means ' home in a state of extreme elation. In the meantime, however, Mike O ' Grady, the policeman on the beat near the Barrington home, had observed a suspicious character with a sinister appearance lurking around the property. Ordinarily, now, Mike ' s was a quiet beat, and the possible ex- citement muddled him considerably. Forgetting all he ' d learned at night school, and quaking in his patent leather boots, he ran to call up headquarters. Happily Paul managed to start the buggy before the police arrived, however, and to set out for Marge ' s house. In the car mirror he could vaguely discern a stocky form running behind him, and he heard one or two retorts of a pistol. Huh, fresh guy! thought our hero and stepped on the gas. After these many trials and tribulations, he finally arrived at the Dickens ' cottage, only to be told that Marge, tired of waiting, had gone ahead to the dance with Harry Mendell who had dropped in about fifteen minutes ago. At this point, decided Oyster, there was only one thing to do, and that was to go on to the dance, and at least have the pleasure of flirting with every girl except Marge. Why, he ' d show her! The little two- timer! The highway loomed broad before him, and in his deep emotion he raised the speed of the car to sixty miles. (As he had told Marge, it was a speedy little job) . His thoughts were rudely and un- ceremoniously interrupted, however, when the siren of a motorcycle reached his ears and he was firmly told to pull over to the curb. Complying, he looked behind him to see two burly officers glance first at him and then at the number pldte. Well, whaddya know, Harry, said one. This is the car that headquarters is on the look-out for. Right you are, retorted the other. Bub, ad- dressing Oyster, you ' d better come back with us. Paul, rather exasperated, explained very gently but firmly that he had to go to a dance, would take a ticket, but would not go back to town. In a manner just as firm though hardly as eloquent, he was in- formed that return he would, and quickly. At this, Paul Hubbards pulled frantically on the starter, but the jalopy wouldn ' t go. There was no more gas. Two hours later, having been pushed back to town by two dour officers, Barrington was lined up at night court, listed as a suspicious character and charged with speeding on a state highway. He was standing before the judge, when his father, red and indignant, came storming in. What ' s this about a car, Paul Hubbards! bel- lowed the wrathful parent. What are you doing here? Explain? You ' d better explain! Thereupon, very meekly, Paul explained. He ex- alted the car, touched upon the gasoline episode, showered hatred on Marge, and hinted that had his allowance been larger the mishap would never have occurred. He received, in turn, a severe reprimand from the judge and promised horrors from his father. On the whole, he decided, it had been rather an eventful evening. It was two weeks later and Paul, strolling by Jack- son ' s Hardware, noticed a bicycle with bright red stripes, a Johnson siren, and a portable radio operat- ed by the friction caused in pumping the bike. Be- sides this, its electric tail light flashed in red neon, Buy Your Hardware at Jackson ' s. He was en- tranced. For the moment that masterpiece was more important than all the world. His whole heart coveted it. By George, I ' m going to have that bicycle, he muttered manfully.

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NOVEMBER 1940 up here at all. He ' s gotten rid of me at every possible chance. At a ripple of understanding laughter, Betty look- ed at Helen apprehensively, saying, Hey, what ' s the matter with you? I don ' t think it ' s funny at all, and she began crying again. Then Helen told her what Frank had said only a few minutes earlier. Wonder, amazement, and doubt mingled in a smile of happi- ness on Betty ' s face. The day of the prom was clear and sunny and bright, as were the hearts of every boy and girl in Cartervilie. Betty and Frank went for a canoe ride on the lake in the grove at the edge of the campus. The uppermost thought in each of their minds was, of course, the prom. At nine o ' clock that evening, Frank and Jim ran up the dorm steps eagerly and took a last look in the hall mirror. They saw a pair of glowing, boyish faces, excited eyes, and beautifully groomed young men. They looked proud as peacocks in their new tuxedos and felt glad to be living indeed, for they were to meet the girls in a few minutes. Answering their ring, Helen ' s voice called out, Hold your horses. We ' ll be right down. But it was Helen alone who came down the stairs, and she and Jim left Frank waiting very impatiently for Betty. When she finally appeared at the head of the stairs, Frank had to look twice to make sure it was really Betty that he saw and not some unearthly angel, for she was stunning in a white flowing gown. But it wasn ' t the gown, or the beauty of her hair that made Frank catch his breath each time he looked at her — it was the sparkle and meaning behind the veil of lashes over her happy eyes. Frank made many tentative enemies that evening. To many boys, he refused permission even to dance with Betty. With others, he would permit her to go only a few steps, before cutting in again. But to Betty and Frank, the evening was a complete success. As Betty later told Helen on the train, I ' ve never had a more perfect evening in all my life. You know, we ' ve already made plans for the coming Thanksgiv- ing Game and Hop. It ' s wonderful! THE OYSTER AND THE BUGGY Mary Dirlam ' 42 Paul wandered down the street aimlessly, his eyes on the show window of the Elite Garage. The center of attraction was a bright yellow roadster, 1930 model. It had shiny black grilling and somewhat dilapidated red leather seats, but to Paul Barrington it was the most beautiful car in the world. He could fairly visiualize its glistening sides adorned with such witty and sagacious remarks as Hi, Kid! Pull Over!! and California or Bust! He could imagine himself, Paul Hubbards Barrington, as the proud pos- sessor, bringing forth gruesome sounds from a rubber horn. He sighed hopelessly as the sunlight gleamed on the yellow sides. What a jalopy! Everything about it, from the white tires to the protruding headlight, met his extreme approval. And as temptation overcame him, he formed a mighty resolution. By George, he muttered manfully, I ' m going to have that buggy. Then, the great decision having been made, he sauntered into the garage with utter nonchalance, and asked for the sales manager. He set about his mission by asking several ambiguous questions, and finally asked the price of that littie job in the window. I would be giving you a remarkable bargain, Mr. Barrington, said the nicely combed salesman, if I let you have that car for forty-five dollars. However, since your father is a friend of mine, I ' ll do just that. Yes sir, I ' ll let you have it for the ridiculous sum of forty-five dollars. Well, retorted the somewhat stunned prospective customer, I ' ll think it over. And in a daze he walked from the showroom. Outside, Paul, known to his intimates as The Oyster, chose the nearest lamp pest and decided to sit down and think it over. Now just where did he stand? Of course there was the ten dollars he was saving for Misty ' s gyroplane — and as for installments — well. Oh gosh, how could he save a dollar a week? Could he hope to keep up the payments? No, he said out loud. No, this is foolish. I shall not suc- cumb to temptation. Use your will power, Paul, old man. Rising to his feet, he strode off with deep determination, slowing down only when he passed the Elite Garage. Dared he? Oh well, no harm looking — he threw a furtive glance at the yellow roadster. It was too much. As it flaunted its glory before him, his good intentions fell to naught. Have that road- ster he must and should; and, walking into the show- room once more, he sought out the salesman. Mister, he said faintly, I ' ll take that buggy. Two days later, a check for the down payment having been written out, our hero mounted his fiery steed and charged down Main Street, hailing his friends boisterously. But it was at this point that an alarming thought entered his mind. Just what would be the opinion of his parents concerning this superb acquisition? Would they — horrible thought — compel him to return this choice possession — this sudden joy which had come into his life? Oh, disturbing thought! Oh, unkind world! With a quick lurch, he brought the roadster to a stop and pondered over his unforeseen problem. The sum of his allowance and paper earnings added up to $2.50. Of this, fifty cents was already dedicated to installments on an electric pencil operated by a miniature dynamo. Another fifty cents went toward paying his righteously indignant father for the $20 charge account he had run up at Alphonse ' s Spa. That left one dollar for his car payments, and with the other fifty cents he could — why he ' d get Misty Means to rent him the other stall of the Means ' double garage! How very simple it all was when one used one ' s head! As suddenly as he had stopped, he reached to start his motor. It did not move. He yanked the starter. No result. Visibly perturbed, Oyster looked at the switch-board. There was no more gas, and as for money to buy it with — well. Paul Oyster Hubbards Barrington stepped out from the yellow roadster, applied his two hends to the back bumper, and laboriously pushed it to the garage of one Misty Means. Friday morning loomed bright and sunny. All was well with Paul and the world. Misty had doubtfully consented to rent the extra stall, and his parents were in complete ignorance of his triumph. Happily, he sauntered down the street, when, his luck being with him, he met Marge Dickens. Hi ya there, Marge, old kid, he exclaimed in a jovial boom. Marge, old kid, smiled sweetly, whereupon Paul smiled too, a sickly grin. Within five minutes, his car ' s qualities having been somewhat exaggerated a date was arranged for the next evening. When the long waited-for evening arrived, Paul, clad in shocking fuchsia and yellow tweeds, emerged from his humble domicile at eight o ' clock. He sang, whistled, and was totally unprepared for the scene which greeted him. For the yellow buggy had been backed from the double garage, and on the running- board sat Misty Means — waiting. Gosh, Oyster, the lone waiter said, my dad ' s gone over to your house to ask your dad about that car. He smells somethin ' , I ' ll tell you right now. You better get out of here with that auty and don ' t bring it bock.

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NOVEMBER 1940 11 LOCALS CLASS OFFICERS 1940-1941 SENIORS President Richard Aucoin Vice-President Lorraine Julien Treasurer Richard Bardwell Secretary Natalie Pierce Faculty Adviser Miss Persis Howe JUNIORS President Francois Roy Vice-President Claire Lusignan Treasurer Richard Renaud Secretary Marjorie Cole Faculty Adviser Miss Frances Troy SOPHOMORES President Guido Barbierri Vice-President Susie Tobia Treasurer George Young Secretary Florence Girouard Faculty Adviser Miss Priscilla Drake FRESHMEN President Gerald Gauthier Vice-President Janet Chapman Treasurer Stephen Liro Secretary Jessie Damian Faculty Adviser Mr. Berg Paraghamian TRAFFIC SQUAD Captain Lionel Benoit Assistant Captain John Chamberlain Faculty Adviser Paul Dion Squad: P. Donovan, R. LaReau, B. Jalbert, A. Syl- vestri, G. Bastien, C. Brousseau, C. Bastien, W. Swiacki, D. Robson, A. Piucci, R. Coumoyer, A. Mar- tin, R. Gaudreau, J. Young, N. Couture, R. Renaud, W. Laliberte, S. Lariviere, E. McCarthy, F. Roy, C. Pratt, W. Hebert, N. Mathieu, R. Johnson, W. DiGre- gorio, W. Matys, S. Pettinelli, C. Drew, M. McLaugh- lin, R. Home, A. Girouard, R. McNamara, G. Decat- aldi, J. Theodoss, A. Letourneau, D. DeAngelis, W. Pleau, N. Carpentier, J. Woulas, N. Butler, E. Caron, G. Daniels, N. Morong, G. Barbierri. GLEE CLUB President Nelson Carpentier Vice-President June Byron Secretary Jean Robertson Asst. Secretary Lillian Houle Treasurer Gertrude Bouvier Asst. Treasurer Dorothy Kathan Head Librarian Nancy Goddu Librarians: Ruth Desmarais Lucille Delage Vivian Duquette Rita Chenier Faculty Adviser Miss Berthe Hebert CLUBS STUDENT COUNCIL President Francois Roy Vice-President Gertrude Larochelle Secretary and Treasurer -Barbara Nichols Faculty Adviser Miss Pauline Aucoin The Student Council sponsored a Back-to-School dance September 25 in the school auditorium. Preparations for the dance were under the chairman- ship of Barbara Nichols. She was assisted by the fol- lowing members of the council: Seniors Richard Aucoin John Chamberlain Raymond Chauvin Jean Phillips Gertrude Larochelle Sally Cheney Aldo Piucci Julia Rewinski Juniors Fred Morse Shirley Salva Annie Young Eugene Remian Francois Roy Barbara Cudworth Thomas Walkinshaw Jean Buckley Sophomores Wayne Morse Raymond DiGregorio George Young Freshman Gerald Gauthier WELLS BAND The Wells High Band, under the direction of Rob- ert Hall, has organized this year with seventeen mem- bers. The band gave its first performance at the opening football game September 28. The major this year is Roger LeBoeuf. Members include: Lloyd Chapman Richard Spalding Robert Johnson trumpets Albert Livernois Roland Rondeau Robert Proulx Lionel Thibeault 1 drums George Girard J iean Wilkinson ] Lionel Gagnon saxophones Bernard Gagnon j George Suprenant tuba Robert LaReau fife Richard Rydensky cymbals Daniel Robson • trombone Thomas Walkinshaw clarinet GIRLS ' CLUB President Dorothy Anger Vice-President Helen Waskiewicz Secretary Constance Paulhus Treasurer Juliette Brault Faculty Adviser Miss Pinard