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

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NOVEMBER 1940 LITERAT URE Dear Diary, Thanksgiving Evening The wounds of a friend are most painful. I found this to be true after my sad experience today. This morning I awoke to the calls of my kid brother, Willy, who takes great pleasure in tormenting me. After hurriedly dressing, I dashed to the dining room, where our small family was assembled. Before I could greet them, however, the doorbell rang; and, excusing myself from the table, I ran to find Skitchy, my so-called boy friend, waiting impatiently. Come on, Judy. The game starts in fifteen minutes. Why, hello, Judge Pearson! How are you this morning? Fine, thanks, Skitchy. Judy, I ' ll be down at the office if you should want me. Good-bye. So long, Dad. Be seeing you at dinner, and don ' t you keep the turkey waiting either. The door closed and Skitchy and I were left to wail for the time of the big game between our high school end our strongest opponent. ' I hastily finished my breakfast, with a few words of disapproval from the housekeeper, and soon appeared warmly attired in a sheep ' s wool fur coat with a plaid scotty hat to match the plaid suit concealed under my coat. In high spirits we ran off to join the other members of the school who were already assembling at the gates of the athletic field. Coming towards us in her usual carefree manner, was Elouise Sangren, the unpopular drone of the Junior class. Seeing it was useless to try to escape her, we somewhat unwillingly consented to her sitting with us in the midst of the Packer City High School cheer- ing section. The day was very cold for this time of the year, and the crowd was utterly disappointed with the sup- posed outcome of the game. We were just going to give up and go home to a warm cup of cocoa after the middle of the fourth quarter when our team made a play that tied the score. Seeing there were only two more minutes to play, all eyes were focused on the star halfback, Terry Chandler. Now he is my idea of a man! He had achieved much success for the team in past victories by scor- ing during the last few minutes of the game. He has only lived in our town for a little over a year and is an honor student in the senior class at school. He was the leading man in the senior play, which turned out to be the best play ever produced in our high school. And so it was today that the decisive touch- down was scored by him, bringing us a 1 3-6 victory. Oh, what a joy! Everyone was so excited. Bells were ringing, horns were blowing, people were shouting, including Skitchy and me, who did our share. In fact everyone was in a very happy mood. As we joyously marched off the field behind our faithful high school band, I noticed Terry hailing me. There being quite a distance between us, I could moke out only these few words, Dance Tonight -8:30. I nodded, bewildered, for an invitation from the hero of the day was considered an honor. I cannot express my feelings at that moment. It was like a dream come true. Imagine my going to an important dance with such a person as Terry! It was unbeliev- able. However, not until later did I realize the situation. Because of the morning ' s events, I ate my turkey dinner with special enjoyment. In the middle of the afternoon, Skitchy drove up in his jalopy. In order to save a lot of embarrassing questions, I ran into the kitchen, filled the ice-bag, and placed it on my head. By this time Skitchy was already at the door. Telling him to wait just a minute, I ran up to my room, slipped into my housecoat, a beautiful blue silk which father and Willy had given me for my birthday and in which I look too fetchingly delicate. Finally I descended the stairs to answer the insistent ringing of the doorbell. I put a drop of lemon juice near my eyes to make them look red and held a lacy frilly handkerchief to my nose. When Skitchy saw these evidences of a cold, he hastily withdrew his invitation to go riding and, warning me to get rid of it quickly, dashed off. So relieved was I at his leaving before the housekeeper found me entertaining in that rig, that I dashed upstairs to prepare for the big evening to come. At 8 o ' clock my excitement was at its peak. The most gorgeous flowers had arrived a minute before, making the dress, a new one from Dad, complete. My head whirled as I flew from one room to the other. As usual, little brother was underfoot. In the midst of my excitement, the doorbell rang. As I hurried to the door, I wondered if I had mistaken the time of the invitation. To my amazement, upon opening the door, I found Skitchy. It came to me in a flash. Skitchy, because he had been going steady with me since practically the beginning of high school, had taken it for granted that I v as going to the dance with him. How could I ever tell him that I was going with Terry Chandler? I could just imagine the look that would appear on his face when I would tell him. Well, I had to break the news so . But just then, at that moment, my wise little brother came running in and blurted out What are you doing here? She ' s not going with you, she ' s going with her handsome foot- ball, hero, Terry Chandler! Skitchy ' s smile faded in a second. For the first time in history he believed my brother, for without waiting for an explanaton, he turned and left. His abrupt departure didn ' t dismay me at the time, for I was too taken up with getting ready for the Victory Dance. At 8:35, the telephone rang, and I was surprised to hear the excited voice of Elouise, telling me that Skitchy had just asked her to go to the dance. Dis- mayed, I slowly hung up the receiver. I was a little hurt because Skitchy and I had been going together so long but I did not think about this for long, for at that moment I glanced out the window and saw a sleek maroon roadster pass the house. I was shocked when I saw that the occupants were none other than my handsome hero, Terry, and a vivacious looking girl beside him. In a daze, I ran up to my room and threw myself on the bed. Review- ing the situation, it dawned on me that the girl next to Terry in the car was the one who had stood direct- ly in back of me in the march. It was to her that Terry ' s invitation had been directed! How can I explain this to Skitchy? JUDY, THE JUNIOR

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America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! America the Beautiful By Katherine Lee Bates

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THE CRIMSON AND GRAY CONTRIBUTIONS from 1944 GREETINGS! Natalie Pierce ' 41 At the beginning of a new year the Crimson and Gray welcomes all freshman, sophomores, juniors, and even seniors to Mary E. Wells and trusts that this year will be a thoroughly satisfactory one for every class. The freshmen who last yecr were members of the staffs of their grade school papers, the Eastford Road Echo, the West Winds, the Charlton Street Chimes, and the Sturbridge Baypath were officially welcomed to the high school with a party given in their honor by the staff of the Crimson and Gray. These people had reason to be especially interested in our magazine because of their experience and ability. We know that many more pupils here in school have writing ability. There ' s a thrill, too, when you see your work in print. One and all, we invite you to contribute to the Crimson and Gray. Come on, you budding poets and poetesses, authors and authoresses! HALLOWE ' EN NIGHT Doris Suprenant ' 44 The spooks and goblins came around To celebrate that night Leaves and nuts were on the ground And the moon shone very bright. They crept to every house And waxed the windows Then as quiet as a mouse Departed on their toes. Every door-bell pealed and pealed And all the babies cried White ghosts ran in every field And many had to hide. And when the cop came around Did they have to run! Many of them were homeward bound, But they had a lot of fun. LOVELY THINGS Lorraine Cournoyer ' 44 There are some lovely things one knows — The cooling touch of fresh, starched clothes, The fragrance of refreshing rain When walking on the hills or plain; Affectionate looks in a puppy ' s eyes, The shine of a necklace that you prize, The scrunch of dry leaves when making your way On a windy October, autumn day; A wisp of curling smoke on snow — These are some lovely things I know. MEMORIES Helen Dusza ' 44 In the eighth grade was I last year, At the Charltion Street School so dear, Blue and Gray were the colors so gay, That we were all in favor of, every day. The softball games, all a victory, The picnics and parties marked history In our school paper, the Charlton Chimes, Published by the pupils, prepared at all times. But now I ' m at Wells, so beautiful, you know, Having fun in rain, shine, or snow, At football and basketball, both thrilling indeed, The parties and dances where all can be seen. I think that the publishers of the Crimson and Gray, All deserve credit for the work they display. And the best high school education, Can be received at Wells High School. HALLOWE ' EN Mary Ziu ' 44 When the moon is overhead You had better be in bed. When the clock strikes twelve midnight A shadow covers the moon ' s bright light. Suddenly there is a little breeze Louder it whistles in the trees. Then you ' ll hear the witch go Whoo! Better watch out or she ' ll get you. Around the town the ghosts go creeping Into every corner peeping. They have on a robe of white That you can see without a light. Children everywhere begin to cry Their mothers wake up and ask them why. We hear a great big noise It sounds like a lot of boys. Go to bed and do not fear It ' s only Hallowe ' en my dear! ALONE Geraldine Ethier ' 44 One night my parents went to the movies so I was left alone. Taking a book from our library, I seated myself in a comfortable chair and began to read by the light of the lamp. I had only been reading fifteen minutes when the front door bell rang. Being alone and knowing it was not my parents, I became greatly terrified. As I looked through the parlor window from which we could view the porch, I saw a black shadow facing the door. I decided not to answer, but the ringing kept persisting. Waiting a while longer and realizing that the ringing had ceased, I again looked out the window and observed the same tall dark shadow slowly descend the steps and disappear. Great was my relief when my parents returned home. However, I have not as yet discovered who my strange caller was.