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

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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 '

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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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THE TOCSIN-1922 Slowly he made his way homeward. As he came near the church he saw the congregation pouring out. About a block from home his pain ceased, but he did not turn back or even hesitate. Wheii he reached the gate he saw his mother coming down the street and he knew he was safe. When he sat down to dinner he got his ear boxed for stealing some frosting from the cake made from Mrs. Duncan 's new recipe. Jim Byers, '24, i.-. The Tidal Wave A '1'rue Story BOUT forty years ago, more or less, there was a terrible tidal wave in Loreto, Lower California. The little town of Loreto was built around a natural harbor, while behind it were low foothills, sparsely dotted with scrubby mesquite bushes and a few choyas. Although the hills were for the most part bar- ren and ugly, and the town itself was not especially lovely, there was a charm in the harbor itself, and in the climate. The harbor was some- times deep blue with somber tints, or very blue in a capricious mood, with the soft winds whipping the smiling surface into little Whitecaps, and sending on their way, small sparkling waves tipped with green-white foam. These gay little waves would roll into the beach and break, with long sudsy fingers of white spray slithering over the sand, then receding. This morning the harbor and long white beach were especially beau- tiful, the weather was ideal, and the simple fisher-folk and people of Loreto were either beginning to enjoy the day in pleasant idling, or mak- ing the most of it in happy toil. The morning was half spent before the people realized that something peculiar was happening in their harbor. The water was slowly receding, inch by inch, as if drawn by some irre- sistible force. The wiser people muttered ominous warnings among themselves and prepared to flee to the hills for safety. But the others flocked to the beach, curious to see this unusual occurrence. They saw, as the water withdrew, the sandy, rocky bottom of the harbor covered with strange plants and shells. Then, as the water did not come back, they became afraid and awed. They were simple folk who did not under- stand, and they ran to the church to pray, instead of fleeing. They knelt there, and prayed and prayed, their moans and wailing interrupting their prayers. A half-wit, named Juan, ran here and there, tears streaming Page 18