Windsor Locks High School - Herald Yearbook (Windsor Locks, CT)

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 19 AMERICA The land of the free—the home of the brave.” These touching words written by Francis Scott Key describe in one sentence the type of country our America is. To the people of this country, America is a protector, a guardian, who during war or peace, safeguards their rights. It is a place of business to them, their home, their place of worship; it is their country. People abroad usually think of America as a place of profitable trade and busi¬ ness. Others see it as a strong nation with vast armies and navies, and still others see it as a place of refuge. To some extent, each of these views is correct; neverthe¬ less, all must look upon America as a leader in world events and a staunch supporter of democracy; America is certainly all this and more. Because we live here in this great country and because we believe in the American way of living, we are working to prevent world destruction. We are doing this so that the world may live in peace without the fear of war. Yes, America might well be called the pulse beat of the world. Here in America, each man has his own rights, his own opportunity to be success¬ ful and happy. It is for these rights that he is willing to fight. America will always remain the gem of nations, unchanged by war and other world conflicts. It will always welcome those who come here in search of religious freedom or opportunity to become successful, for these are the basic principles which make it the land of the free. These are the principles which make it America. Jack Fisher ' 47 SHORT STORY THE POWER OF SUGGESTION On and off, on and off blinked the brilliant lights on the huge sign which iden¬ tified the Metropolitan Surety Company of State Street, in New York, and for the last ten years Tim Donovan had watched that sign as it blinked away the years, one by one. In fact, Tim Donovan had been the night watchman for the company for so many years that he was regarded almost as a fixture, but a fixture that would be noticed if it were missing. Tim had watched the employees of the Surety Company come and go, seme with honest faces, other with faces not so honest. The tall, gaunt watch¬ man with the searching eyes could always tell in what mcod the employees were, by the way in which they said their hellos” and goodbyes , as they passed him in their walk to the gate. Jerry Wayne had made it a point almost every evening to stop and chat with Tim, but in the last few weeks Tim noticed that Jerry, one of the Surety bond cashiers, had been deliberately avoiding him, as if to escape the advice that the kindly watchman always gave the rather impetuous lad, who always acted first and thought afterwards. Tim was night watchman and his eagle eye never missed a detail as he made his rounds, but his mind wandered often into different channels. He pondered and thought of the many times Jerry had told him of the riches he desired, and of his constant dreaming that some day someone would present him with the opportunity to make himself a wealthy man, and Tim felt that sinister-looking Bill Masters, build¬ ing inspector, was not a fit companion for the easily-swayed Jerry.

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IK THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD EDITORIALS FOND MEMORIES The coining of June brings to a close a school year, but for the graduate it brings to a conclusion a period in his life which he will never be able to relive again, except through memories. When he leaves high school and goes out into the world, he flings away the cloak of youthfulness and the carefree ways he has known, and prepares himself to enter a life where he must accept definite responsibilities and where he must carry out the future he planned during his school years. High school days will bring memories—some happy, some sad. He will recall tasks done well, and others not so well done. He will feel a warm glow when he thinks how each of his classmates at sometime or other during his school years helped him, how a group of boys and girls united into a class formed a background for the sense of security and friendly co-cperativeness he had always felt when he thought of his classmates. As the years roll on, he may not remember each individual experience, but as a whole his high school days will be one very dear, very heart-warming memory. He may think of his classmates as they appeared on graduation night, and he may feel pity for some who have lost that glow that shone in their eyes that night so long ago as they dreamed their dreams of success. On the other hand he may point with pride to others who have reached the pinnacle of success. Yes, he will stop occasionally to relive memories, memories that go back to gradu¬ ation night when he received his diploma, his passport into manhood, his admission ticket into the world ' s greatest theatre—Life. Elsif. Colo ' 47 WASHINGTON, D. C. Washington is the only city in the United States that is built in the form of a wheel. The Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court Building form the hub. The avenues are named after states, and the streets are numbered. The Capitol is a very interesting building. Guides take spectators on a tour through it. The Rotunda, which is an enormous round room, has pictures of all the presidents. There are historical pictures, such as Washington Crossing the Delaware and The Signing of the Declaration of Independence, which are almost life size. The floor is designed with state seals. The Supreme Court building is a large white edifice with impressive pillars. The steps are across the entire front ot the building. The Court Room, where cases are heard, is rather small so everything can be seen and heard. The attorneys and spectators face the nine judges who are clothed in black robes. Each of these judges has a page. The White House, the home of the President, stands on a square block in the center of a park. Guards are posted around it, and at certain hours spectators may tour the building. Anyone who has ever visited or even read about Washington, D. C., will agree that it is a very unusual and beautiful city. Because Washington is considered the center of our democracy, many schools go there on class trips. Betty Byrnes ' 48 (WsSe d

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20 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD One night a few weeks later, Tim noticed a light burning unusually late in the head cashier ' s cffice and was about to investigate when he met Bill Masters. Some¬ one seems to have forgotten the light in the office, Masters”, said Tim. No, Tim , said Masters, Jerry is up there finishing some important work and told me to tell you he would lock up for the night. So, goodnight, Tim.” Tim turned and walked away slowly, then stopped, reconsidered and started to climb the stairs. Were you going somewhere with those bonds, Jerry?” Tim asked quietly. Jerry wheeled around sharply, a slow flush staining his cheeks as he tried to stuff the bonds back into the safe. Didn ' t Bill tell you that I would be working late, Tim, and that I would lock up?” stammered Jerry. Where were you going with those bonds, Jerry?” repeated Tim. All right, all right”, blustered Jerry, so I am stealing some bonds. What of it? Don ' t you think a fellow gets sick and tired of just sitting here and watching other people with money? I want to have a good time and as scon as Bill and I divide these bonds, I will get what I want.” We ' ve been friends a long time, Jerry , said Tim, and I know how you feel but taking these bonds will not compensate you in the end, for all the fun you ' ve missed during ycur childhood. Then stop and think of your mother. Jerry ran nervcus fingers through his hair and said, Is it my fault that my father deserted my mother fifteen years ago to seek a fortune in the South? Is it my fault if he now is probably one of the richest men in Florida and has forgotten all about his family?” This is a very touching scene, but I am afraid that I must break it up”, drawled a voice from the door and Tim recognized the voice of Bill Masters. Quick, Jerry,” he said, get the bonds and I will take care of our preaching watchman.” Leave Tim alone. Bill,” replied Jerry, I don ' t want him hurt and besides— maybe, this isn ' t the smartest thing to do.” Masters swung around sharply and shouted, I will do away with both of you, and it will appear as if you shot each other in a fight over the bonds. Two shots echoed through the room and Masters lay on the floor, Tim standing over him with a smoking pistol in his hand. Get going, Jerry , he said, I will say that I caught Masters trying to escape with these bonds. I know that if you get another chance you won ' t take the road that leads again to robbery and death. I just know it. Thanks, Tim, thanks a million, I must have been crazy to think of such a thing , sobbed Jerry. Forget it, Jerry, and about your father. Maybe somewhere he is regretting what he did so many years ago. Maybe he never found that rainbow he sought so diligently. Maybe he wishes he could come back to his wife and son. Maybe so, Tim, but I am not going to think of him again, I ' m going to try to make a better man of myself than my father was, and with yout help I know I can, for you have been just like a father to me.” As Jerry ' s footsteps faded through the empty building, Tim walked over to the telephone but before picking it up he said softly, tearfully, the words he had held back for so many years and which he could never say, Goodnight, Jerry, goodnight m y son m-, CNI CNI Elsie Colo ' 47 Page