Williams High School - Messalonskee Ripple Yearbook (Oakland, ME)

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THE MESSALONSKEE RIPPLE 25 Because of this reaction, he was irritable: no longer did people call because of the way they were greeted. He felt like a show piece which everyone felt they must see. He hated pity, and he knew they must pity him. But one friend did not fail him. Jim, his faithful companion, still stayed, hoping that he, in some way, might again make Dale the loving friend he had once been. What kind of a day is it? asked Dale. It's lovely, the sun is shining the skies are blue. The flowers .... But Dale was no longer listening, he was thinking of the day he had gone for that last fateful ride. It was a day such as Jim was describing, the sun shone like a big bowl of gold, the sky had dressed in her prettiest blue, trimmed with fiuify white clouds, just for him. The flowers . . . oh yes, there were flowers, scads of them, all colors and descriptions. Slowly his mind came back .... The daffodils are up now you know, Jim went on, but some how he knew Dale was not listening to him, Do you think you can picture it? Yes, oh yes, very well, replied Dale, please leave me alone for a little while. As Jim left the room, he suddenly thought of a plan, it might work. Little Amy Miller next door was also blind. She was always very cheerful and loveable, if Dale could see how cheerful she was. Well it wouldn't do any harm to try. Dale laid his hand caressingly on the thick impressive looking law books. This was his only life, he had nothing to live for now that it was gone. Why must a person go on living when there was nothing left for them ? He heard the door open. Jim must have stepped out for a moment. His thought returned to his law, then again the sound of a door interrupted. Jim placed his hand over Amy's lips to silence her, as they tiptoed down the hall to Dale's study. When they reached the door Amy lifted her chubby arms and softly opened the door, then stepped inside. As the door closed Jim whispered a silent prayer, if Amy failed this was the end, but she wouldn't, she couldn't. I really want to be alone, Jim. I'm not Jim, said Amy in a small fright- ened voice. Why have you come here? You're Amy Miller, the little blind girl, aren't you? asked Dale. Pm not blind, Mr. Sawyer, why you should know that. If you're lonely why don't you play with me. I'll play I'm a Princess just like the ones in my story book mother reads. If you want to you can be my Prince Charming, explained Amy. Back and forth, back and forth, what was going on, why hadn't Amy come out, what was happening. Sweat was pouring from Jim's forehead, his hands were clasped behind his back. Then after what seemed years, the door slowly opened and from in- side Jim could hear laughter, and through the door came Cinderella and her Prince Charming, laughing and smiling together. Amy now pays a regular visit to the Saw- yer garden. Dale is once more the old friend Jim knew. Most remarkable of all, Dale last week, with his friend's help, and his wide knowledge of law, won a case in court for an old client, who had faith in him. But regardless of his business Prince Charming can always find time to visit with Cinderella. Dale cannot see how he could have been unhappy with so much to be thankful for, and no matter how blind he may be, he can see. Lucius McIN'rYnE, '4-1

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24 THE MESSALONSKEE RIPPLE The moving picture, especially, can be a powerful influence for good or evil. It is estimated that a hundred million people at- tend moving picture theatres each week. Many of these are young persons whose tastes are unformed and who are especially sensitive to the harmful influences of infe- rior offerings. Much of the juvenile crime some years ago was traceable to the wrong type of moving pictures. The marked decrease in the length of the working day has notably increased the amount of leisure in our modern world. Formerly leisure was the prerogative of the few. Now it is available for large numbers of our people. The increase in leisure time is important because it affords an opportunity to secure release from the stresses and strains of our highly industrialized, competitive society. Increased leisure provides an opportunity to engage in recreational activities which give a new meaning to life. However, far too many people do not know how to use their leisure to the best advantage. To many, leisure means idleness, and idleness may lead to demoralization. Therefore leisure is a challenge to our democracy. The value of leisure to democracy in the future will depend upon the uses which are made of it today. MIRI.4M Tomx The Blind Can See There was a terrible crash, like a thunder storm, stars filled Dale's head, his whole body pained. Would it never stop? Then silence. Now one could hear the clang of a hurrying ambulance. After what seemed centuries to the on-lookers, they could see hurrying white clad figures. Then the slam- ming of a door, and once again the clang of a hurrying ambulance. To those on-lookers another victim, whose fault was it, how did it happen, would he die? Those were the questions left in their minds. But one would get quite another picture if they were to follow the ambulance, as it hurried the ten miles to the local hospital. A young man of probably twenty-three, with dark curly hair, lay on a white stretch- er, a deep gash over one eye, a face as pale as death itself. He lay still never uttering a sound. As the doctors sat there they all wondered if he would live. At last they were entering the hospital driveway. He was hurried to surgery. Finally, his head and eyes bandaged, he was taken to his per- manent room, where he was to stay. During the day the hospital staff learned from one source or another that the young man was Dale Sawyer, one of the most promising young lawyers in their commu- nity. He was a bachelor, and owned his own home where he lived with a friend who acted as companion. PF S 111 Pk The members of the staff dreaded the day when this sunny, lovable, young man must leave. To the tired nurses he was as good as sleep, to the discouraged a comfort. Even when he himself was in pain he always had a word of cheer for someone else. The day had arrived, the bandages were removed. The doctors' faces had shown worry and now relief. Will some one please turn on the lights. I'd like to see, said Dale. The expression of relief changed from the doctors' faces. They looked from one to the other, they had failed, Dale would never see again. Back in his own home, with his faithful friend, Dale found his way around to some extent, but life was not worth living. His beloved law books were on the 'shelf where they must stay for always. His office had been rented to some other lawyer. He had nothing left but memories.

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26 THE MESSALONSKEE RIPPLE The Big In all da year I been here I neva see no boy lika dat o' mine. Da trouble ees dat you talka too much, Guiseppe, 'e weel coma homa een time. 'Ave you see da meesin' person policaman? I see dem to-day, Therese, but Guiseppe, 'e gotta t'ave da cash 'fore dat 'Merican weel looka for our Tony. It had been two years since the Rossini family had arrived at Ellis Island from Italy. The small restaurant bearing the large but insignificant sign Italian Sand- wich Shop had shown no future for Tony, the youngest of the eleven children of the Rossini family. He had been chosen from the entire eleven to make his home in America with his parents, and he had had no use for the beeg 'Mericans as his father called them. Six months now, Tony had been gone. During this time, his harassed father had imagined him in hundreds of predicaments. He could not understand why his son, so in- tersted in his music, should leave an excel- lent teacher like Mr. Scioletti. Mia poor Guiseppe, you wooree you head too ofteen. Da people dey talka 'bout nota seein' you at da restr'ant. It was true. Since Guiseppe had been here in the Ufreea country he had lost weight, and his hair, once in curly rings, had dis- nothing was left but a ring appeared and around his head taking the shape of a horse shoe. Da posta man, ees he come yet, Therese ? Mr. Rossini asked of his wife. She came into the room bringing a large envelope. Dis musta be a beel, she replied. No- body send us a letter lika dat if dey don'ta wanta da cash. She gave the letter to her husband. He opened it with tears in his eyes. It say 'Metro-poli-ton o-per-a . . . Satur- day after-noon'. Youa read better dan I doa. He handed it back to his wife. Moment It mean dat we go to da opera Saturday afternoon. It taka de mon to go to such a place. Not eef we 'ave dees teeckets, his wife answered proudly. Alla my life I 'ave wanted to go to da opera in da beeg city. She knew that if her husband thought she really wanted to go he would go and that it would take his mind off his son for a little while at least. Neither she nor her husband could understand where the tickets had come from. They had no 1'elatives here in this country and they knew no one except a few Italians who attended the same church that they did. Immediately, however, Mrs. Rossini set about unpacking their best clothes that hadn't been worn since Mr. Ros'sini's sister had been married. The day of the opera finally arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Rossini looked fifteen years younger as they climbed the steps of the Metropolitan Opera House and took their seats. Mia Tony woulda 'ave lika to bee here dis afternoon, exclaimed his father. Stopa da worryin', Guiseppe. His wife tried to console him but all in vain. He continued to worry throughout the entire performance. After the opera was over and they were ready to leave, a man came to them and excitedly exclaimed, There's a man who wishes to see you back stage. We don'ta know nobody backa da stage, meesta, answered Mrs. Rossini. I will bring the man here then. He said it was quite urgent. We waita here, promised Mrs. Rossini. Soon they saw two men hurriedly ap- proaching them. The first one was the man who had come before and the other one . . . Tony! they both exclaimed. NIARIUN wvHllEI.lIR, '42