Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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20 NORMAL OFFERING K Efhrnngh the 1Hirket Ellvnre NDIE MACGREGOR did not mean to be a thief. If you had called him such, he would have resented it bit- XW' terly, and with all the vehemence of twelve years he would have tried to justify himself. Times were hard, ' and the hungry mouths that clamored about Andie's ' a uncle for food were as those about the proverbial woman who lived in a shoe. Work was scarce in the little town, and hungry boys must eat. At an early age Andie, an orphan, had learned to shift for himself 3 and little by little the habit of taking what he needed or wanted had become part of his moral code. One sultry summer afternoon, when all of Crawford had sought shelter from the merciless sun, Andie shambled aimlessly up Nielson Hill. The locusts hummed in the trees by the roadside, underneath his feet the scorching sand lay hotg and the lazy crow of a fowl in a nearby field smote the heavy air. As he shufied on, the tall picket fence of the Nielson estate came in view. Above it towered the hollyhocks, the larkspur, and the scarlet acacias, around which the bees hovered in greedy delight. At the familiar sight he quickened his steps. In a twinkling he found a loosened picket and crawled through, and with gleeful abandon he rolled down the mossy slope to the duck pond. He dabbled his burning feet in the cool water and let the moist leaves of the overhanging willow fan his brow. Heat and discomfort were forgotten, but his joy was incomplete. Close by the duck pond were the Nielson kennels. Sykes, the keeper, had put four young Irish terriers in an open pen, near the hedge that encircled the pond. On the day when Andie had Hrst discovered the duck pond he had made friends with one of these puppies, and every day since then the dog watched for his coming. It was an easy matter for Andie to crawl up under the hedge and lift the animal out and as long as he was back by feeding time it mattered little to old Sykes. In the young lad's heart the little black and tan

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NORMAL OFFERING Svnrial Cllalenhur, 19211--1921 September 17-Acquaintance Social-Hospitality Committee. October 11-Poverty Party-S. A. C. October 12-School Picnic-S. A. C. October 20-Reception to Mrs. Boyden-S. A. C. October 29-HalloWe'en Party-S. A. C. November 13-Sacrifice Social-S. A. C. December 3-Mock Man Dance-Class B. Dccember 10-Play, Purple and Fine Linen -Dramatic Club. January 7-Old Fashioned Party--Kindergarten-Primary Class. January 26-Chocolat Dansant-S. A. C. January 28-Dance-Kappa Delta Phi. February ll-Valentine Social-Normal Offering Board. . February 14-Chocolat Dansant-Junior Class. February 16-eAfternoon Tea--Normal Hall. F March 10-Open House-Woodward Hall. March 11-Minstrel ShoW+Senior Class. March 18'--St. Patrick's Social-Junior Class. March 30-Open House-Tillinghast Hall. April 8-Concert-Glee Club. April 29-Play, A Midsummer Night's Dream -Dramatic Club May 6--May Party-Class A. May 13-Social-Classes C. and D. June 10-Promenade-Graduating Classes. June 17-Faculty Reception. June 21-Graduation Day.

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NORMAL OFFERING 21 terrier held a large space, and today he eagerly set out in search of Rags, as he called him. The lush grass around the hedge brushed his freckled faceg the cool, dark earth felt refreshing as he slid along to the terrier pen. A yelp of delight greeted him as his hand closed over Rags' shaggy peltg and the dog licked the ill-kempt hands in loving welcome. Thought I never would come, did yer ole feller? questioned Andie, stroking the excited animal as it squirmed with glee in his arms. Gee, I couldn't forget yer, doggie Z Together they ran around the edge of the duck pond, the terrier snapping playfully, licking the hand that teased him, jumping, rol- licking. I The afternoon waned. The humming of the bees ceased, and the tall lilies by the water's edge nodded to and fro in the gentle evening breeze. From far off in the valley came the sound ofa cowbell, and Andie realized that he must go. He looked sadly at the terriernestling in the crook of his arm, and the thoughts that coursed through his brain were long thoughts. Why should lVIr. Nielson own this huge estate, this beautiful garden, the lovely mansion in the distance, horses, servants, and wonderful dogs, while he, Andie, felt that he would be happy with just one Ii-log which he couldn't have? It wasn't fair, he thought. Rags, ole feller, he murmured. Ain't it a cruel world, though? The dog's eloquent eyes sought those of his chosen master in mute acquiescence. I Do you know, Rags, Andie continued, lifting the dog up to his chest, the two forepaws being clenched against his body, 'Tve a mind to take yer away from all this! I know you and me'd make iirst-rate pals. Uncle .Iock'd never bother about yer any more'n he bothers 'bout me. Then again, ole Mr. Nielson'd never miss yer. What d'yer say, Rags, eh? The dog replied in the only way dogs can, by yelping plaintively, his eyes dumbly appealing. Andie rose. You won't mind journeyin' in my blouse, will yer, Rags? You know folks is bound to be cur'ous, and I just natchully don't like explainin'.