Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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14 THE QUIVER my youth and health! I am now content to let ten months of real work suffice, and I am now waiting for my vocation to find me. So I return to school with good health and happy spirits after a summer spent in joyous relaxation. IRENE M. LONG. ’18. Locust Grove Farm, Woonsocket, R. I., April 16, 1918. My dear Miss Mowry:— At last, at last, I have climbed to the very top of a mountain, none other than Mt. Mansfield in Vermont. Somewhere in my brain, there has always been the cherished notion of accomplishing this feat, but never before this year has it been possible. Mt. Mansfield is 4800 feet in height, with an outline roughly resembling a man’s face. We motored to the foothills over a true “rocky road to Dublin’’ and began our ascent on foot. The trail was very good, winding in and out through the thick woods. Soon an unfamiliar sound reached my ears, the sound of running water. Every here and there we crossed swollen mountain streams, rushing noisily over moss-covered stones. I had to lag behind to listen to their music, for what music is more wild and sweet? Soon my companions began to talk of the Half-Way House, where we were to strike the real trail. I imagined it would be a picturesque little place, but it was merely a very old signboard with the words “Half-Way House ’ scratched on it. That was the first of many surprises. It had recently rained, and the so-called trail proved to be a running brook. It was unusual walking, I'll admit, but one became used to it in no time. It was fun to me to find a sure footing on the slippery rocks, to climb over big tree trunks across the trail, to catch at overhanging branches, but to feel all the time that I was going up and up. There was no view, of course, as we were hemmed in on all sides by trees, brush, and brambles. At intervals we rested near a clear, trickling spring and drank freely of its sparkling water. But mountain climbing is not all pleasure. I can’t begin to tell of all the aches and pains one acquires on the way, although the strange thing about it is that they are hardly noticed at the time. Finally, the trail became steeper and steeper, so that we even had to use ropes at times. Little by little, a bit of the surrounding country could be dimly discerned through the trees. One by one we reached the top, and finally stood there all together. O, it was the sight of a lifetime to stand there with the wind blowing

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THE QUIVER 13 When I finished my last examination, I felt as happy and jubilant as if summer would last forever. I nearly burst with joy at all the graduation observances, although I also felt the sorrow of parting with the upper classmen. From then on, my castles in Spain were overthrown and I lived merely for the present. I cannot tell from my diary that I did anything of importance or otherwise during the first week of vacation, because there are six blank pages. I evidently felt that I needed a rest from that task, too. My memory tells me that I was merely idle, laughing, playing, and being generally happy. When my sister, who manages our domestic affairs, went away, there suddenly fell upon me the responsibilities of the household. It became my duty to do much of the cooking, to see that meals were on time, to buy the necessary articles, and to expend the household income. I learned to shop on bargain days, to watch the newspaper for a decrease in the price of sugar, and to systematize my work so that I might do it in the shortest time possible. I had the difficult task of battling with the tiny red ants, and after trying every insect destroyer, was finally victorious. After the housekeeping episode in my vacation, I sought to beautify our piazza by the use of green paint on the furniture. After I had made many brown pillows for the Cape Cod hammock and chairs. I spent much time reading light literature in comfort. As happens every summer, there was an occasional picnic, when I spent the time out of doors, frolicking or swimming. I indulged in all the warm weather pleasures with delight. I have often regretted that I have acquired the art of sewing so well that all the members of my family leave to me some fine bit of sewing, claiming that my skill far surpasses theirs. The praise is pleasant, but my family's careful sewing is extensive. In making new' curtains I seem to measure more accurately than any one else, so therefore an understood rule at home is that I measure and make new curtains. Thus more of my vacation sped. When my vacation was ended, I tried to conceive how I had let two months slip by without fulfilling my promises to myself. I reproached myself for idleness and frivolity. I felt that my summer had been wasted. Now that I am again in the reins of school routine. I realize that my summer was spent advantageously, nevertheless. How unwise I should have been to make the two summer months like the rest of the year, instead of frisking about in the most beautiful season to prolong

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THE QUIVER 15 a gale, and look off into the distance. The whole world seemed spread before us. Over on the horizon line, the Adirondacks were a faint purple outline, while at their foot Lake Champlain, with its specks of islands, lay glittering and gleaming in the sun. Then came chains and chains of mountains with superb purple and green hues. The valley below looked like a tiny toy village, with its winding river, its w'hite roads, and miniature farms. How small and insignificant one feels when he sees God’s wonder work spread before him like that! The descent was fairly easy, even more enjoyable than the ascent, as there was no hurry and much more time to explore. I found myself lagging behind again, to look at the numerous interesting things on the way. At last, we reached the machine, and soon arrived home. Everyone was tired, but very proud of the achievement of the day. Yours truly, HELEN J. THAYER, ’18. THE BEST PHYSICIANS It is a difficult task to maintain physical strength and an abundance of good nature unless you are in physical trim. It is obvious that the capacity for work depends largely on whether you are in good condition or not. Therefore it is necessary, if you are to accomplish more work and better work, to make the acquaintance of the famous trio. Doctors Diet, Quiet, and Merryman. First, 1 will introduce you to Doctor Diet, who has worked wonders with his menu of daily “eats.’’ He chases gout and fat, besides many other ailments caused by careless eating. Next in line comes Doctor Ouiet, the special friend of overworked and careworn toilers. Rest a-plenty, combined with peace and comfort, are his only cures. Last, but not least, comes Doctor Merryman, with a smile, a laugh, and a joke as his only medicines. This “Doc” is the deadly foe of Mr. “Grouch” and Mr. “Cranky.” Tt is an acknowledged fact that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure:” and if you consult this famous trio as a preventive to ill health, you will find health and happiness, and a cure will not be necessary. In conclusion. I must state that this trio of physicians guarantee to produce the desired effect upon anyone who will follow their instructions carefully and attentively. FRED BETAGH. T9.