Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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16 THE SPQECTATOR misuse. His fur was rough and shaggy and showed signs of recent compulsory baths. His face wore an expression of pain, his body betrayed no signs of a milk diet or other dainties. His tail, at one time long and rigid, was broken and disfigured. This unfortunate creature was living the life of a dog, instead of one of the nine lives to which he was entitled. . On this particular night, for such occasions were fre- quent, our two friends were seated in perfect comfort discussing the future election, when an argument arose as to which Tom would be elected. This debate, however, grew uninteresting, and soon our backyard musicians engaged in more humane and friendly conversation. lf lwere as beautiful as you, l'd go on the stage, said Tom, with a serious air. ' And if l had your appearance I would allow some old maid to adopt me, returned Tabby. Thus these catland lovers sang each other's praises. After more wasted compliments and empty titles we hear Tabby uttering the following foolish yet serious lament: But when some other cat comes along you will throw me down, and we will part forever. A - Forever, never, cries Tom, nothing but the hand of one above shall part us. Suddenly from the upper window of the Sleepless house a bootjack came sailing through the air and crashed down upon the fence, thus conhrming Tom's statement. The hand from above had parted them. ' A Novel Introduction BY FERN BAER, '09, RIX, the pet dog of Mamie Lavelle, was a clever little white animal. Mamie was scrupulously tidy about her personal belongings. She had a place for everything, and put everything in its.place. In the training of Trix she was careful to instill this principle of feminine neatness in his youthful mind. When she gave him a ball of cotton

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- THE SPECTATOR 15 ran and called several oilers. We pulled and pushed for nearly half an hour, altho it seemed like days. He never uttered a sound, and I began to fear his death from the pressure on his stomach. Finally he slipped out, pale and limp. We carried him to the air and threw water in his face. When he revived we gave him brandy and soon, with assistance, he was able to walk to a rig. He did not appear for nearly a week, and then he walked slowly and with the aid of a cane. He afterward told me that he suffered terrible pain and had smothering sensations, but outside of being bruised and sore, he was well. l was afraid he had hurt himself internally. It was fortunate that l was along with him, for had he ventured in by himself he would have suffered for some time in this black dungeon. At any rate he always lets me crawl into boilers and dangerous places, while he simply looks from the outside. A Midnight Separation BY ELMER H. SMITH. 66 OOD evening, Nlr. Tom. Howdi, Miss Tabby. These greetings marked the beginning of a midnight escapade on the back fence of Nlr. Sleepless. Miss Tabby was a beautiful animal, having on different occasions taken the beauty prize at the Show of Felines. Her general appearance showed evidence of good treat- ment. Her abundant white and grey fur was soft and fine. Her eyes were clear and brlght, while her mouth and whiskers showed no signs of rat struggles. She held her tail in rigid fashion and moved around with the strut of a peacock. Nlr. Thomas Cat was the direct opposite in appearance of his fair partner. He was very black. Little do we wonder at the many invisible medals he had received from the Night Prowlers on account of his resemblance to the darkness. Tom was the picture of hard luck and

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'rr-is SPECTATOR H 17 or a skein of floss she expected him to take it at once to her sewing basket. lf she sent him up-stairs with her freshly-ironed kerchiefs or with ribbons, he would put the articles with others of the same kind. Not far from the Lavelle residence a young Dr. Steele had recently opened an office. One afternoon, as he was passing the Lavelle residence, he noticed a dainty bit of cambric and lace on the street just outside the curb. He picked it up, and it proved to be a kerchief. He put it into his pocket and went to his office. . He sat down at his desk, and, thinking there might be an initial on the kerchief, he took it from his pocket again. There was an odd scratching at the door, and, looking up, he saw a little white dog pawing at the screen, as if begging to be let in. It was Trix, who had come to call on his new neighbor. Dr. Steele dropped the kerchief on his desk and opened the door for his caller. Soon a patient called upon the doctor and Trix was left alone to make a tour of inspection. It wasn't long until he discovered the kerchief, and recognized it as belonging to his mistress. He didn't take it. No doubt he thought this was a new place to keep Mamie's kerchiefs. At any rate he thought it about time to go, and so he pushed open the door and went pattering down the street. A half hour later the doctor was surprised to see Trix at the door again, this time with a kerchief in his mouth. He placed it on the desk beside the other one and hurried away. Again and again he came during that evening and the next day, until the doctor had a collection of seven dainty little handkerchiefs. By this time Dr. Steele knew who the owner of the kerchiefs was, for he had watched Trix on one of his return trips and saw him run in across the lawn at Lavelle's. The last kerchief brought by Trix had the name Mamie neatly embroidered in one corner. This time Dr. Steele sent one of his own kerchiefs, with a large F in the corner, home with Trix. The next day Mamie received a note in the afternoon mail signed by Fred Harrison Steele in which he said he was grateful to the dog for having introdnced them, and begged to be allowed to return the kerchiefs.