Santa Clara High School - Tocsin Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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Page 15 TH E TOCSI N-1922 To A Fallen Redwood Tree To you who ruled king of the trees, Through whose branches the cool breeze Wafted its sweet perfume, Where birds after their long flight, Were welcome to come and spend the nightg To you who were loved by one and all, Whose strength was broken by your fall, We give our praise for with what kingly might You met your doom. Bernice Brown '22

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TH E TOCSI N--1922 sleep. He was afraid of the cold darkness of the ba ement and although he slept on the old couch that Peggy had acquired for her house, a spring that was loose in it kept him in misery. All he had for a cover was an old discarded portier. He had resolved to give it up the next morning. He did not wish to spend another night here. He had also been greatly disappointed when Peggy had told him that their father had expressed no regret for his not having let Bobby go. He crept to the window and in the dim moonlight could only, with great difficulty, discern the figure of a woman donning a long white robe, or something or other, that made her look very ghostlike. Like a flash Bobby ran up into the yard, just as the figure had entered the kitchen. He followed closely behind and watched the figure go upstairs. Not knowing what to do, he waited in the sitting room. He shut the door that led into the hall, lighted the light and sat behind the big Morris chair. Restlessly Mrs. Teller waited for her husband. She wished now that she had not visited the strange woman that day. She did not know whether she believed she would have a visitor or not-but then-the door opened slowly with a slight creak and scarcely breathing she watched the spectre approach the bed. It mumbled something unintelligible and then in a clearer voice told the frightened woman that Bobby would soon re- turn. The figure then moved slowly, but paused a moment at the bureau and then left the room in all the splendor of a transparent spirit. Suddenly Mrs. Teller heard a series of bumpings, and shouts in a voice that sounded very much like Bobby's. Hey, for the luva mike, put down mother's jewelry box 'fore I knock your block off. There were sounds of commotion, the slamming of the back door, and then Bob- by eame running into his mother's room and as best he could, while she was embracing and kissing him, told her the Whole story. Mr. Teller was there to hear also, for as he had entered the yard, he had met this amazing creature, running out with his wife 's jewelry box in hand, and had caught her with the help of the men who had been help- ing him search. He had brought the woman into the house and Mrs. Tel- ler, greatly mortified, recognized her as the spiritualist whom she had visited that day. But after all, the thing that counted most, when all was explained and cleared, and the clever woman thief was in prison, was that the words of the spirit had come true, Bobby had returned. Dorothy Perry '22. Page 14

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TH E TOCSIN-1922 When Wee Willie Was Lucky C 6 ILL--EE, Will--ee, come here this minute, called a shrill voice. A small boy dropped his bat and came running toward the house from which the call had come. As he entered the house he was pounced upon by a lady whose voice was quite similar to the one that a few moments before had caused him to drop his bat so suddenly and break for the house. What do you mean? Tell me that-what do you mean, you good- for-nothing little heathen, by playing ball on a Sunday morning when you should be going to church? she screamed at him. Now skin in there and get into your good clothes before I can say 'Jack Robinson', or you 'll be the worse for it. This last threat was reinforced with a vigorous shake of her long finger before the culprit 's nose. Aw gee, Ma, said the boy, starting out bravely, I went to church last Sunday. But even as he said the first two words he took a step backward so as to give the hand that hung at the lady's side plenty of room. Not another word out of you! she threatened, taking up the space he had thoughtfully put between them. Now get! The boy immediately disappeared through a door on the opposite side of the room, for he wished no further argument with his mother when she was in that mood. He Walked down the hall and into a room which was unmistakably a boy 's room. A shirt, which had at one time been cleaner than at that present moment, was spread lengthwise in front of the bed. A pair of overalls, which had once been black, but were now faded to a dirty gray, were in a little heap in front of a chair, just where they had been dropped after being removed. On a mirrorless dresser there were countless arti- cles that could have been owned by no other than a small boy. Willie sat down on the chair after stepping over the overalls, and began slowly and laboriously to take off his shoes. With one shoe half off he ceased his struggles and straightened up. Slowly he raised his arms until they were at right angles with his body, and then straight up. All the while his teeth were gritting and his eyes were bulging. He had seen his idol, William Farnum, do this many times in plays in which he had killed no less than eight men every hour. Page 16