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

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they’re loyal to the school, town, and even Nancy and Winston.” The queen smiled sadly again. “No one has brought the right gift,” she said. Then “Butch,” the most impulsive of the fairies, appeared dragging a large suitcase bound with chains. “1 have it, I have it!” she yelled. Butch wasn’t very ladylike. “I found the gift, and Tink Winchester helped me. I was running away from a bunch of wild Freshmen and I bumped into a Chevrolet; Tink was driving. Well, seeing he’s so good looking and all, 1 hopped in. He was laughing over something which must have been very funny; I thought this laughter was so nice that I put it in this suitcase, and that’s my idea of the greatest gift.” The queen smiled and smiled; “Yes, Butch, you have found the greatest of all gifts—‘laughter’.” Patricia Duguay ’50 CLIFFORD TAKES A JOURNEY TODAY My name is Clifford Pyncheon; odd, isn’t it? You say you’ve heard the name? Perhaps you know also of the House of Seven Gables which was once my home. I say “was once” because I am now leaving it. It is a sad thing for an old man like me to have to leave his home and it is also a very frightening thing. You see, I have not been out in the bright free world alone for many, many years; but now I am free at last and I am going away. I must prepare myself for my journey. I will not be coming back so I must take all my belongings now. There are very few things to take, really. My clothes are very old and tattered. I suppose I am a very strange figure with my long beard, rough gray hair, and my poor old garments. But then. I am very old and weak and I cannot change now. I have packed my few belongings and now I must go to the station to catch my train. I have never ridden on a train and I am excited by it. My! this station is very crowded and noisy; so many people screaming and pushing, what will I do? It is all so strange. I feel a bit dizzy with all this confusion as there is a line of people at a little window. I suppose that is where I go to buy my

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THE LOST GIFT One bright sunny day in spring the fairy queen “Rosina” told all her subjects that she had a difficult assignment for them and only the bravest need attempt it. They must go to a place in Vermont called Wells River and find The Lost Gift.” Now of course the little fairies wanted to know what this gift was, but the queen only said, You will know when you find it because it is the greatest gift in the world.” The first fairy to report was Chuck, and she said that she had gone to a drug store and asked Ina Benzie for the best gift they had; Ina had looked at her and said, “The greatest gift is not for sale; I think the greatest gift is love.” “So dear Queen,” said Chuck, “that is what I say is the lost gift, ‘love’.” You’re wrong;” said Killer, another fairy, “I have found the greatest gift,” and so saying she brought out a black satin case covered with jewels and opened it. revealing two golden strands. I went to the high school and when I opened the door I beheld a beautiful girl. I found out her name was Betty Pudvah, and that there was only one more in school that equalled her beauty and that one’s name was Lucille Judd. I hurried to find this Lulu.” I found her in Chemistry class making eyes at Bill Rowden, and truly, oh Queen, she was as lovely as Betty. I stopped to analyze their beauty, for surely there must be some One thing about them that stood out. I found it was their hair; no other on earth equals it so I brought it to you.” So saying she placed the golden strands before the queen. The queen only shook her head, and smiled sadly. The third little fairy, whom they called Torchie, flew in very excited. Oh, Queen, I know I found the gift; I found it in the high school also, but among the boys. Bill Rowden has this gift, which is intelligence. Yes, Queen, he is so very intelligent that he gets A’s in Chemistry, besides using the period to make eyes at the girls.” “Oh Torchie, you’re wrong too,” said Sparky. I guess I’m the only smart one around here. I’ve found a gift that has no equal, and that’s loyalty. Yes, I got caught in the drug store among a chattering bunch of girls and boys, and they were all talking about the loyalty of Lester Welch and Marge Bailey; why. 1-

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ticket. But must I join all those people and stand there while they stare at me and whisper among themselves? Oh well, what do 1 care? I am going away, anyway. The man at the window wants to know where 1 am going. I hadn’t thought of that. Wildly now I name a familiar town in the southern direction. I grope blindly for my money and for- tunately have enough. It is now time for me to get on the train. How strangely everyone stares at me! They are rather queer looking themselves so they needn’t be so rude. I wonder if they will talk to me? There is a gentleman sitting alone. I shall join him. Well, we had a nice talk although he did look a bit nervous at times. The train is stopping now and it is time for me to get off. But, is this the town 1 used to visit as a boy? It looks like a very large city now. Where are all the familiar sights and all the friendly people? I see nothing but hurrying crowds. Cars, buses, trains and everywhere, people. They are not at all friendly, staring and laughing at me! Oh dear! someone just gave me a very hard bump. I must get out of here! Everyone seems to be using cars which are for hire. They are called “taxis.” I will get in one of those and ask the man to take me out of the city. Here comes an empty one. What on earth is the matter with this man? 1 didn’t tell him I was in a hurry. We are practically flying through the air! The tires are squealing. Oh! We just missed that bus. Oh dear! I'm hanging on for dear life! Why doesn’t he stop? Oh! that tree! Good heavens, I can’t stand it! How does this door open? Ah! There it is. I shall get out now. Here I am almost out the door; all I have to do is step out. (The taxi driver is relating the accident to the police.) “The first thing I knew. Sir. the old duffer just opened the door, and before I could stop him he had fallen right in front of that trolley. He was dead before we could get to him.” Lucille Judd '48 [14]