Alton High School - Tatler Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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THE FOURTH DEMERIT First Prize i T was a sad and dejected looking boy that threw his hooks upon the library table. “Why, Janies, what is the matter?” asked his mother. “Got my fourth demerit to-day.” “Well ?” “Well ! it means that I am to take all the finals, and just think, mother, ‘exams’ begin day after to-morrow ! “It really is too bad, son.” “Well, I should say it is too bad, when uncle promised me a watch, providing I didn’t have to take the finals, and hadn't more than three demerits. That's not the worst part about it either, I didn't deserve that demerit.” “Why, how is that ? ’’ “It was this way. Victor Hugh saw my foot out in the aisle, and what did he do but stamp on it. I yelled ‘ouch,’ out loud, and then was told to report a demerit. Now mother, do you think I was to blame? ” Truth and Falsehood. “Not altogether, son, but, if I were you, I should keep my feet under my desk, after this.” Next door a youth laid his books upon the table in a way that startled his mother, too. “Why, Victor, what is the matter?” “Oh, nothing serious, mother, only James Richard is a little ‘huffy’ at me because he has four demerits, which, you know, means that he must take all the finals.” “Why is he angry at you?” “He says I deserved the demerit, not lie. 19

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tli fortune seekers. Vet gold was merely the key which disclosed the vast and true wealth and opportunities of the land. Progress has continually moved Westward, and in the New West it rests today. “Westward the course of empire takes its way; The four first acts already past. A fifth shall close the drama with the day; Time’s noblest offspring is the last.” August Luer, ’10 THE COMET First Prize 0 vagrant of the boundless blue, Thou wanderest in the hazy hue Where whirling worlds in circle swing, And whence no mortal eye can wing. What mind can rise to starry heights And trace thee through the heavenly lights? Whose earthly powers can estimate Thy trackless path and meteor fate? Is it that Omnipresence strong That lists unto the children’s song, 1 he Power that guides the sparrow’s flight, That marks thy swift, onrushing might? This comfort know, through all the years, The One whose bane the comet fears, I need fear not; in peace can rest, His Word hath said, “I love man best.” E. B. 18

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“I don't believe you do, Victor; don’t worry about the matter, it’ll be all right in a day or two.” But Victor knew that he would not see his friend in a good humor the next day: the finals were but two days off, and Janies must study. “Glad I didn’t get that demerit,” sighed Victor, ‘‘I deserved it, that's true, but it would mean failure in all my studies if I had another, for I have three demerits now. Mother says I didn’t deserve Jim’s, but she doesn’t know the circumstances.” “Still,” said a voice within, “if you deserved it, why didn't you get it ? ” “That’s so,” thought Victor, as he walked out of the house to the Y. M. C. A. building. Once inside this building Victor forgot his friend, who was studying industriously, muttering every now and then, “just on account of Vic, too.” As the boys at the Y. M. C. A. were talking about old time sports sucb as dueling, Victor grew very much interested, for had not his great-grandfather fought a duel ? Dueling to Victor's mind was the most fascinating of all sports of the forgotten days. It was a late hour when Victor returned home that night, and eight o’clock next morning found him still in bed. He dressed hurriedly, ate little or nothing, and rushed off to school. When he saw Janies, his haggard look, dim eyes, and forced smile told him he had had a restless night. That evening the Y. M. C. A. held no charm for him. “But,” said he, I II read all we have in our own library about dueling, and tell tbe boys a few things. He did not, however, carry out his plan, for after reading a few pages about dueling, he threw the book upon the table saying: “Jim Richard’s face is painted upon every page of that book; no matter where I look he seems to be looking at me and begging me to help him out of his trouble. Guess I’d better go to bed.” ictor had just laid his head on the pillow when the presence of a figure in the room startled him. The visitor was clothed from head to foot in scarlet armor; on his scarlet shield was a large, black heart, while in his hand he held a sword, which resembled the dying embers on the hearth. 20