1978 School Magazine

An Epitaph - Or Relating A Fishy lncident

The nrates and me, that is George Samuel Gerald Washington Junior, have decided to disclose, that is publicly, the tragic circumstances of the unfortunate demisd, that is death, of our dear friend, that is Harold Louis (his mother was French)Taggert. On this day first of the'month, Harry (we call him that, after all, Harold Louis, his mother was French, Taggert is a bit of a mouthful), me, and my kid brother-Nicholas, went fishing. That is to say Harry and me went fishing. Nick came with us to hold the equiPment. Well, we went out to the bay, depth of about 15 feet, and settled down for a good morning's work. Fishing is very relaxing, but our real motive is to get food - good food - on the cheap. The weather was fine, cloudless' warm; and the water wasn't too choppy. So, it could be said we had high hopes. Harry caught the f irst, - a good round piece of Topside (Topside!'i, you shriek in amazement, "Who'd throw out gooO stutt like that?" Well, you'd be surprised what we 6atch on the hooks. lt's as easy as easy too. The hooks come down, loaded with meat, we dart in, snitch it, the hook goes up, comes down again - loaded. Ah - fishin{is a man's life l) Then it was my luck - a sliver of shrimi; then Harry again - and again. Poor me just stood by watching. Then Harry's bonzer luck charged, and for TWO SOLID HOURS, I got the hooks. Harry got glummer and glum- mer. Anyway, this hook came down, top heavy it was. And l, Ueing i gentleman, gave it to Harry. Of course it was jumplng iound a bit, bit dangerous - a lot really. But I'M hot atriiO, so I gave it to Harry, who stood back a bit, regarding it with his beadY eYe. "You have it, George." he said. "No, it's yours." I said. "You have it, Nick." he said. "No, it's yours." Nick said "Oh hell!;' he said, and stood back watching it. "Not scared, HarrY?" I said "Nope." he said, and stood back further, as the hook was inclined to dance. "Crikey." said Nick. "He is scared!" "Oh hell." HarrY said. Nick jumped up and down laughing - "Do itl Do itl Do it now!" Harry's blood got up - "Mind your manners, kid." That got me heated, and I'm afraid I laughed too' "Dare you to. Come on Harry." said Nick Harry f rowned - "Are you saying I'm chickenl" "Yeah." said an unidentified voice' (l say Nick, bul he says me.) Harry;s a bit thick - the type who picks up taunts like crazy. "ls it a wager I see belore me?" he yelled, jumping forward onto the hook . . ." I can't tell a lie - it was a snagger dagger' lt was a tragic accident. Rowena Harris, 6E'

Storm at Sea Rain-laden clouds stretch over the swelling water like a heavy blanket. A cold breeze blows, rustling the molasses grass grow- ing over the sand dunes. The pebbtei covering the deserted beach are flung about in the breaking waves, But are then thrown back to a new position on the cold, wet sand. The rain-clouds burst; spilling their contents over sand sea. The cool breezes increases to a cold wind, which /ashes the sandy shore. The foam-headed waves heave themselves over the iagged rocks. And are theh- sucked back, ready to be thrown again. A tonely, screaming seagull flaps aimlessly about in the roaring wind. But weakens, and plunges to its death on the over hanging rocks below A finger of forked lightning sfrikes; breaking the sky in two like a hatching egg. A crash of thunder shakes the earth, tike a mother would her naughty son. But just as suddenty as it begins, the storm ceases. The wind dies down and waves roll rhythmicaily, The tightning disappears and the thunder stops booming,. Leavihg fhe seas and beach in a state of calmness and tranquility, Karen Muir,28.

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