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

Page 28 text:

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

Page 27 text:

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

Page 29 text:

CARELESS THE MESSALUNSKEE Rll'l'l.li 27 Characters: Mrs. Agnes Tyler Mr. Henry Tyler Sylvia, their daughter Joan Joyce Scene: The living room of Tyler's home. Time: Evening. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler are going to the show and are leaving thirteen year old Sylvia alone. This is the first time she has ever been left alone in the evening. CURTAIN Agnes: Your father and I are going to a show tonight, Sylvia. You don't mind staying alone, do you? Sylvia: fOver-confidentlyl of course not, mother. I've stayed alone a lot of nights. Agnes: fStearnlyJ Sylvia . . .! Sylvia: Well-of course you've always callefl Aunt Janet over, but she's not much company. Henry: fEnters stage, tying necktiej Come on, aren't you about ready? 1Looks in- mirror at R. CJ You women are always so slow when it comes to going anywhere. Agnes: CPuts on hat and coat and stands in doorway waiting for Henryj Well . . . I'm ready. lIenry: fLooks up, sees her readyj Huh? fGrabs suit coat and starts to put it on.5 Agnes: Don't you think you'd better wear your vest, dear? I think you would look better. Henry: fMoansJ Oh-h .... I'll get it. It's in the bedroom. 1Dashes out as Agnes tries to tell him somethingj Agnes: Wait, Henry, its in the closet here. Oh, dear, I wish he would listen to me just once. Sylvia: Daddy has an awful time to get ready to go out, doe'sn't he, mother? 1Laughs lightly to herself, covers mouth with hands.j Henry: fDashes in panting. Exclaims help- lesslyj I can't find it. Sylvia: Daddy, mother tried to tell you it was here in the closet. fGoes to closet and gets coat Henry Agnes YOU, Henry Agnes Henry see it. Henry puts it on, then his suit and overcoat.J There, now are you ready, dear? I've been waiting five minutes for now. Oh .... Well, let's go. Have you got the tickets? What tickets? Oh .... Let me . . . fSearches through pockets. Finds them in the last pocket.J Here they are. Agnes: You better give them to me before you lose them. fTakes tickets, puts them in her purse, and they leave.J Agnes: Good night, Sylvia. Henry: Good night, Sylvia. Sylvia: Good night. fShe sits down in a chair and starts to read a book. Sits there by the window for a few minutes. Then she hears something right outside: she starts from her chair, looks out the window and sees a face looking into her's. She jumps back and screamsj Eeeeekkkkkk. fThen there is silence again. She gets up and turns on some more lights. There is a knock at the hall doorj Who is there? fShe hears some giggling and goes to the door to find two of her friends, Joan and Joyce.J Joyce: We scared you, didn't we, Sylvia? Sylvia: I'll say you did. I'm all jitters, now. I'm glad you came over. Daddy and moth- er have gone to a show tonight. Joan: Lets play Chinese Checkers, then. I won the other day. Sylvia: 1 ll say you did. I'm afraid you'll win now. Do you want to play, Joyce? Joyce: Sure. I'd love to. fThey set up table and start playingj Sylvia: I hope nobody else tries to scare me tonight. I locked the hall door so that no one can get in. Joan' We didn't mean to frighten you so badly, Sylvia.