Wells River High School - Chatterbox Yearbook (Wells River, VT)

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Or perhaps that bush never turns out to be a wildcat after all. In fact it looks like your neighbor’s cat and you suddenly feel so relieved that you go to pick it up. But it turns out to be a cute little skunk which had for- gotten to use his deodorant cream last night and has so much B.O. that you forget the deep, painful bite he in- flicts on you as you innocently apply your affections. But maybe, and more likely, there never has been anything behind that bush after all. Those eyes you see are just moonbeams reflected from a shiny rock. It’s silly to be scared like that anyway. Especially with that shotgun in your hand. —Robert Garvin SILENT NIGHT! HOLY NIGHT! SILENT NIGHT! HOLY NIGHT! ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT!” Ann was sitting in her room listening to this lovely Christmas carol. She and John first met when they were singing this song together, one cold, crisp, wintry night when a group of boys and girls were caroling. About half way through Silent Night” a young man with an excellent tenor voice joined them. He wore an Army uniform and later Ann found out he was Lieut. John King, visiting a friend in town for the holiday. ROUND YON VIRGIN MOTHER AND CHILD! HOLY INFANT SO TENDER AND MILD.” The next day Ann was downstreet doing last minute Chrismas shopping. As she came through the door of Brown’s Department store, a package slid from her arms and fell to the ground. Ann stooped to pick it up just as a fellow shopper reached for it—John! John took some of Ann’s packages and walked home with her. SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE! SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE!” 6

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JUST AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT Just at the stroke of midnight, when all good boys are in bed, is a wonderful time to sneak out of the house and go for a nice, quiet, restful walk in the woods. I en- joy the aroma of the pine scented air, or, better yet, that of the fragrant balsam, and now and then the exhilerating odor of the skunk spruce. Yes, all this and more too, if one is capable of enjoying them—at night, and at the stroke of twelve. But perhaps the wind gliding through the tops of these nature-made towers doesn’t interest you. Maybe you’re just an ordinary person, and that bush ahead does- n’t interest you either. It’s what may be behind it that attracts your attention to it. Hear that twig crack? That’s probably just a shy, friendly, harmless little wild- cat. He won’t hurt you—much. He’s just a little thirsty for your blood and after all you have plenty of that. So don’t be alarmed if he suddenly pounces on you and sinks his long, sharp, cruel-looking teeth into your meaty neck. That wouldn’t hurt—for long. It would all be over just like that! Maybe a little messy but no matter! You might live long enough to feel a warm, sandpaper-like tongue lap the blood off your face! 5

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It was now one-thirty in the morning. At one- thirty a year ago John had brought Ann home from a Christmas dance. His leave was over. He said goodby and asked her to write to him. SILENT NIGHT! HOLY NIGHT! SHEPHERDS QUAKE AT THE SIGHT!” John had been so much fun on his leave. He was never serious, always happy, and he did not say that it was his last leave before going overseas. GLORIES STREAM FROM HEAVEN AFAR, HEAVENLY HOST SING ALLELUIA.” A year had passed. Ann had written to John every day. Six weeks had passed with no word from him. CHRIST, THE SAVIOR, IS BORN, CHRIST, THE SAVIOR, IS BORN.” Ann, who worked as a secretary, began to go to the U.S.O. in town to help entertain the boys. Last night she had met a friend of John’s who had last seen him two months ago. He told Ann that John had gone on a dan- gerous mission. He himself, had been shipped home be- fore he could find out if John had come through. SILENT NIGHT! HOLY NIGHT! SON OF GOD, LOVE’S PURE LIGHT. RADIANT BEAMS FROM THY HOLY FACE.” Earlier in the evening- Ann returned home from a Christmas service to finish wrapping presents. On her way home she met a group of carolers singing Silent Night”. Ann joined in and sang the last verse. Somehow Ann knew then that John would come home safely. WITH THE DAWN OF REDEEMEN GRACE TESUS, LORD, AT THY BIRTH, JESUS LORD AT THY BIRTH”. Ann was softly singing Silent Night” when the door bell rang. She went to the door and there, smiling at her and humming Silent Night,” stood John. —Catherine Mays 7