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

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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

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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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' THE TOCSIN-1922 This little scene of action completed, he relaxed and began to talk to himself. I will not stay here another hour. I can't stand it and I won't stand it. Yes, I'll go now and get out of going to church. With this conclusion he drew on a pair of overalls, fthe ones that had been on the floorj, and a torn shirt that was covered with whitewash that was not there because of voluntary efforts on the part of the self- satisfying William. After a diligent search he produced from under the bed two very necessary articles, which only the day before he had brought back to their safe hiding place. They had previously been confiscated by no less an authority than Willie's mother. The first article was a dirty black cap, torn and battered, which was a trifle too large and hung down over his ears, thus giving him the appearance of a hard boiled guy . The other forbidden article was a sling-shot, a terror to the neighbors' live stock. Thus attired and armed he slowly opened the window, and carefully pulling it down behind him, jumped to the ground. As he rounded the corner of the house he saw his mother going down the street. Her, mused Willie, and her good hat too, she must be going to Mrs. Duncan 's to get that new-fangled cake recipe she was talking about last night. Well, if I ain't in luck, nobody ever was! He hopped the fence and started in a course directly opposite from that which his mother had taken. As he went along he began to lay his plans. He would sleep in the woods during the day and travel at night as Huck Finn did. He could steal enough to eat. Yes, he could lead a great life of fishing, hunting, sleeping, and never going to church. While thus musing he had walked about three blocks, his feet in- stinctively carrying him over old familiar ground, when he found himself opposite an apple orchard. Oh boy, he gurgled rapturously, luck is sure with me today. I'll get some of these for my lunch. This was no sooner said than done. He was over the fence in a flash and was picking the apples, which were exceedingly undeveloped and green. As he started on his way he began munching one, although it was puckeringly sour, it tasted good, for he was hungry. He ate another, and another, until he could eat no more. Persently he felt a strange feeling coming over him. Sharp pains shot through his stomach. He could stand no longer, so he sat down by a tree. I guess, he said with an effort, I'l1, 0-ow, go home, ooo!! and get-what a pain !-some ginger tea. Page 17 '