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

Page 21 text:

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.”’

Page 20 text:

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-

Page 22 text:

PURPLE AND WHITE. LITTLE NUGGET. BY EMELIA LOINAZ, N the spring of the year 1849, there lived in a little New Hampshire vil- lage a happy family; Joe, his wife, and their only child Annie, a winsome lass of three years. Their home was an humble cottage of three rooms, a parlor, bedroom, and one that served for both kitchen and dining- These were scantily furnished but The porch was hidden room. very neatly kept. from view by carefully trained vines, and the front yard was filled with sweet scented flowers, the pride of the little housewife. Although Joe’s wife had been brought up amidst more luxuries than he could pro- vide for her, she was perfec tly contented, All day the garden and as happy as the day was long. she was as busy as a bee; now house and amongst the flowers. tidying now working in the Little Annie was the joy of her home, and the pride of the village. Her sweet childish both old Old men delighted in taking’ her graces won the hearts of and young. on their knees and telling her fairy tales. She opened wide her large blue eyes, and listened attentively to the wondrous stories. Joe, a middle-aged man, loved his wife and child dearly, and his one desire in life was to gain enough wealth to provide for them a home filled with all the comforts and luxuries to which his wife had been accustomed before her marriage. Every day the men of the village round the little postoftice, and read the evening papers filled with marvelous tales gathered of the rich gold mines in the far west. Although incredible they created great excitement in the little country town. sit for hours talking about the gold mines, many of these stories were The men would building castles in the air, and making plans for prospecting trips, but when some of them, looking also on the dark side, began to talk about the dangers of the journey, the wild animals of forest and plain, and the wilder savages, the excite- ment would gradually die down, and the subject be dropped—only, however, to be renewed the next day. Joe never tired of talking about th e gold fields. looked seriously into the matter. He seemed to be the only one who He had made plans to equip himself with a camp- ing outfit, and journey with his family to the gold fields. So much did his plans prey upon his mind that, at last, he decided But the thought of ex- posing his wife to the dangers and hard- to carry them out. ships incident to the rough trip and the subsequent life in a wild country, made him backward about revealing his plans to her. When he first began to talk about it, she thought he was only joking, but having heard all his plans, she knew he was in She little who did not fear danger, but the thought earnest. was a brave woman, of leaving her home and friends caused depression which all her efforts could not quite dispel. whole They money Joe and his wife were busy for a month making ready for the trip. the a “prairie schooner” sold their cottage, and with bought a team of oxen, —a covered wagon such as travelers used in those days when crossing the plains. After bidding their friends good-bye over and over again, the little party started out on their westward journey. O, how the village people missed the beautiful child, who had carried sunshine with her wherever she went! “Perhaps we shall never see her again,” said some. Others imagined they saw her, in after years, a proud and haughty woman enjoying the wealth ac quired by her ambi- tious father. How lonely the deserted cottage looked! It had been bought by a wealthy man, he intending to rent it, but it remained unoc- cupied. During the day no friendly smoke issued from the lone chimney; at night no cheerful light shone at the window to glad- The melodies that used to float out over the village at twilight from the little porch The carefully den the eye of the wayfarer. sweet were heard no more. trim-