Madera Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Madera, CA)

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PURPLE A TWENTY-=DOLLAR CHECK. BY ALICK CUNNINGHAM. OSE sat at her window lost in thought. 2 XG In her lap lay a neglected book, face A slight frown and just the suggestion of a pout seemed to indicate downward. that her thoughts were not entirely pleas- ing. She was gifted by nature with a sweet disposition and, although fortune had not showered its blessings upon her with too generous a hand, she was usually light- hearted and contented with her lot. Rose and her mother lived alone, her father having given his life for his coun- Their home, in West Virginia, was one of those try’s cause during the civil war. old colonial mansions which have made the name of Virginia famous the world over for distinguished and open-hearted hospitality. While still deep in thought, her mother entered. “Mother,” said she, “I shall not be able to attend Blanche’s party. I have looked over all of my last summer’s dresses and not one of them is fit to wear. Perhaps my old white muslin might do, but I’d rather stay at home, for I’ve worn it so much.” Mrs. Devan knew riot how to comfort Rose, for she was poor and unable to dress her daughter in the style of her girl com- Her husband had left them a comfortable panions. living, but since Rose had grown older and desired an education. it had proved insufficient and she had felt it necessary to mortgage her home. Their only income was a small pension. Many days passed and the girls of the town were busy discussing the dresses each was to wear at the party. Great prepara- tions were being made at Blanche’s home, for this was to be quite an event among the girl’s social pleasures. One evening, while Rose and her mother were discussing affairs, the postman arrived, and among the letters was one for Mrs. Devan from her brother, a rich New York merchant. When they opened it they dis- covered that it contained a twenty dollar check. They wondered at their good AND WHITE. fortune and eagerly scanned the following: “Tam growing old and desire to remem- ber my relatives by sending twenty dollars to each of my nieces. Let them spend it as they wish.” The first thought of the fun-loving girl, of course, was that she would be able to have a new dress for the party. Visions of dimity, ruffles, lace and ribbons kept her longawake. The next morning she hastened to school to make certain that her cousin had received a similar gift. They fairly hugged one another in their delight. After school the girls stacked their books ina hurry and walked down to the store with radiant smiles and happy hearts. Rose saw many pieces that suited her fancy; still she hesitated about buying. At length she became so confused that she decided to wait until her mother could help her in making a suitable selection. As they were wending their way along the street toward home, Rose’s attention was attracted by two little children at the edge of the sidewalk who were crying and seemingly lost. Rose stopped, but Blanche looked at her with scorn. “If you are going to stop with them,” said she, “I'll go home. I’ve no time to fool away.” “TI want to know what they're crying for and who they are,” returned Rose. Well, I don’t think it necessary to bother with dirty little urchins. I don’t see why you haven't some pride.” With this Blanche moved on. “What is the matter, little boy?” asked Rose of the older, who was probably about seven years old. “We are so hungry,” “And sissy cries when I leave her and try to make cried the little one, in one breath. a few cents to buy someftin’ to eat.” added the little boy. for mamma is sick and can’t keep baby and “T can’t leave her at home her too.” “And where is your papa,” asked Rose. “Papa ith dead,” lisped the youngest. “Yes,” said the little boy, “papa was killed in the fact’ry the other day.” An explosion had occurred in the glass works a few days before, and Rose immedi-

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+ i PURPLE AND WHITE. ALUMNI NOTES. BY FRANK J. COOK. @S each year comes and goes and with it a graduating class, their thoughts naturally turn to those who have gone before but are not forgotten. To see our old fellow students prospering in this world of strife seems to infuse new vigor into our veins, and we ge out better prepased to face the more serious side of life. George Mordecaiof ’97 has just graduated from Stanford and will go to prepare him- self for law. It is needless to say that we wish him only the best success. James O'Mara of ‘97 is clerking for the firm of Rosenthal Kutner. Merle Rush of ’97 is in Omaha, Neb. Miss Margaret O’Mara and Geo. Nichol- son have joined the army of teachers. Ore been joined in the bonds of matrimony. Two members of the class have Miss Irene Slaten becoming Mrs. Dayton Wilson and Miss Lois Wilson Mrs. Dr. E. H. Reid. Miss Cora Kessler becoming of “98 is enjoying wedded life in Salinas. Miss Alice Stockton “98 is enrolled with the many students at Stanford. Leo Woodson 798 is’ clerking for Rosen- thal Kutner. La Roy F. Kendall has taken unto him- self a wife and is living in Fresno. Win. Clark 99 is attending the Baptist Theological Seminary at Oakland. Yraig Cunningham ‘99 is wielding the hickory over his unruly scholars, for Craig has become a jolly old pedagogue. ; Miss Mayme Saunders ’99 is a teacher. Misses Sophia Wolters and louise Mor- decai are enjoying the quiet and undis- turbed serenity of home life. Miss Nellie Dwyer ’99 is attending the State Normal at San Jose. Miss Lorena Kendall ’00 is keeping books for the firm of Moore Petty. Miss Mary Trincano '00 is attending the State University. ' “Dow H. Ransom ’00 is in the employ of the Sugar Pine Company. PROFESSORS. BY IDA BAILEY. a cool ae ROE NSO OS Well, that is AS® subject! When you mention it, it causes several cold, clammy chills to creep down my spinal column ; I grow pale and my knees feel weak. How well do I remember the first pro- fessor who came during my Junior year. He was pictured to us by Middlers and Seniors as a hard-hearted, cruel man, who came once a year to ask the children ques- tions they couldn’t answer. When one reaches the Middle year, he has more courage, but still there is that faint feeling about the heart that makes on e quiver all over like a leaf when the chill blast of October strikes it. difference is that the chill blast hurries past but the professor stays and stays—and The only stiuys. But the Senior! ‘Loand behold! When a professor comes, he wears a learned ex- pression on his fair countenance and tries to make the professor think he knows a great deal more than he really does. We are much terrified when we hear of the arrival of a History Professor ;. more terrified at the Professor of Mathematics ; Professor arrives, we when a Latin away, and they pick us up off but faint dead the floor, bathe our temples with cold water, and then we’ have nervous prostration, are not allowed to go to school for a month or six weeks. We have had several professors’ this year. Professor Richardson examined the school in latin, Mr. Drew in mathematics Babcock O, the pain one feels next day and Professor in history and English. when all becomes as clear .as crystal and you know full well the answer to the ques- tion whereon you blundered. ‘Of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these, It might have been.”’ —¢ Gertrude—‘‘What would you do if you were so frightened your hair turned white?”’ Ta—‘‘I think I’d dye.”’ —Exchange.

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PURPLE ately surmised that that one of the men killed was the father of these children. She resolved at once to find their mother. «Where do you live?” asked rose. They could not tell exactly, but when she asked them to take her to their home they readily consented. People’s eves were filled with wonder, seeing the neatly dressed girl walking down the street with the dirty little children. The widow was also much surprised and pleased to see the young lady with her children. In her loneliness she had longed for some one to whom she might confide She told the story of her husband’s death and her present circum- her sorrows. stances without hesitancy. Rose comforted her the best she knew how and, after prom- ising to return, started home—the children gazing fondly after her. The scene of the widow and her poor children by no means vanished from her mind. She was deeply absorbed in thought on her way home, and while helping to pre- pare the evening meal had but little to say. Her mother wondered at her reticence, but said nothing, for she knew if she but waited she would have her daughter's confidence. After the evening work was done Rose spoke. “Mother, did Uncle could use my money 11 “Yes,” replied her mother, “do as you Arnold say that I any way I chose?” please with it.” « Well, I have decided to wear my old muslin dress to the party. Ihave found a more profitable use for my money.” Then she told her mother the story of Mrs. spending the the widow and her three children. Devan had approved of twenty dollars on the dress, but was de- lighted to find such a self-sacrificing spirit in her child. «J think,” said she, “that your uncle would be very much pleased to know that you had spent it in this way.” Rose thought no more of her dress, but set herself to studying how she might help She told Blanche that she did not intend to get a dress, yet kept to herself her plans for spending the money. the widow. AND WHITE. 11 The next day she bought several articles and had them delivered to the poor woman. eave her the few D5 Then she visited her and dollars she had left. The time passed quietly until the evening of the party. Although Rose was dressed much plainer than the rest of the girls, she looked as pretty and attractive as any. A few snobbish girls acted indifferently to- ward her, but the consciousness of having performed a charitable act kept her pride high, and she tried to think that she did not care. However, in the course of the evening, a few unkind remarks were over- She did not repent for what she had done, yet could heard which stung her deeply. not enjoy herself thoroughly. During this time her mother, according to the uncle’s request, had written to him how his niece had spent her money. A few months later, a letter came to Mrs. Devan informing her that her brother Arnold had died suddenly and, being with- out direct heirs, willed most of his fortune to his niece Rose. The twenty dollar check had been merely a test to discover which of his two neices was most worthy of becoming the heiress of his wealth. Rose's methods of spending her money had pleased her uncle greatly, and he believed that she would make the best use of the fortune he had so carefully accumulated. Nor was this belief unwisely founded. Every year of her long and useful life Rose set aside a considerable portion of her large income which she devoted entirely to charity. Following the suggestion of her unele, she occupied most of her time in alleviating suffering, relieving the sick and distressed, and in enlisting the help of other people in the same cause. oP When did the window blush? When it saw the ‘““weather strip.” We ees 2 “J saw a man drop fifty feet from a window to-day.”’ “Was he killed?” “No, they were pigs’ feet.” —Exchange. —? Chemist—‘“‘Pills, anti-bilious?’‘ The Child—‘‘No, sir; uncle is.”’