Stadium High School - Tahoma Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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1 28 Tl-IE. TAI-IOMA Another Thorn GRACE DixoN 'l4. E, I-Ill? botany laliloratofgy seemed 'Nfl . t e iottest an stu lest p ace that the sixth period class is could conceive. Indeed, they found it twenty-five degrees hot- ter than it really was. The sun beat through the light-colored window shades, which shut out what little breeze th-ere was. The tables and sink were littered with dandelions, so sickly and ugly and yellowg the waste- paper baskets were filled with the re- mainder of the scotch broom, brighter than the danelions, and as thoroughly detestable to the class. Frequently some one sighed deeply, and remarked for the dozenth time that it was hot, but made no further effort at conver- sation. At twenty minutes past two, Beth Mitchell closed her manual with a de- cisive slap on the cover. There, I shan't do another thing this day, she exclaimed, turning round on her stool and adjusting the wide blue bow which so effectively showed off her light brown hair. Now, Jess Winslow, you can just suit yourself, she continued, patting the bow into a more becoming position, and glancing at her friend on the other side of the table. I-Ieat, my dear Jessg look how poor Bobby's perspiringlf' Poor Bobby was lVlr. Irving, the only botany teacher of whom the school could boast. He had admir- ably lilled the place left vacant by the sudden illness of the little old ma.n with the forgetful ways, who mixed the boys' andthe girls' names, and who loved flowers with his whole soul. Two days before the spring term com- menced Mr. Irving arrived, effectively dressed. I-le had an interesting manner, a pleasant voice, and was next door to being good-looking. Immediately a goodly number signed up for botany. In fact, the classes were over-crowded, and this was attributed to the fact that the spring term of botany is always more interesting than the fall. At least, this was the reason that one of the girls in the junior class gave Beth Mitchell two days after Mr. Irving arrived. As I expected, another victim of the botany mania, laughed Beth. Of course I'm going to sign up. My case is every inch as bad as yours. I-Ie's simply a dear, she finished, with the consciousness of pronouncing a decision eagerly awaited by her clique. So these became the only words used to describe the new botany teacherg that is, these were the only ones used by the girls, the boys, however, having dozens. Isri't that a cunning frown? she went on now to Jess. Oh, it's those abominable dande- lions that have been annoying him, Beth laughed as Mr. Irving removed a large jar of them from his desk to the floor. I-Ie glanced around his class and smiled at the amusement in the girls' faces, remarking that the sixth period ended at two thirty. This was ad- dressed to the boys, and was meant for the class, of course. We understand, Beth whispered, as she leisurely pulled a dandelion to

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9 W ., f V r t I . THE CASTLE But stay, these walls, these ivy-clad arcades, These moulalering plinths, these sad and blaclgenezl shafts, These vague entablatures, this crumbling frieze, These shattered cornices, this wreck, this ruin, These stones alas! these gray stones-are they all, All of the famed anzl the' colossal left By the corrosive hours io Fate anal me. -Poe

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Tl-l'E. TAI-IOMA 29 pieces, but l've decided to spend these last ten minutes as I please. Jess, your nose is simply glowing, she said teasingly, as she wiped the perspiration from her own. Oh, say girls, close those old manuals and let's talk about Dot Farrell's party. You're all going, of course?,' Oh, sure, came in unison from the girls as they closed their manuals. If I only had something decent to wear. Our dressmaker is out of townf' Beth began in a mournful note. Wlnhat .little crepe of yours is too dear for anything, remarked Jess. 'LOh, Jess, it's decades old though, l've worn it half a dozen afternoons. I suppose you're going to have some- thing darling. Tell us about it, Annie dear. Oh, is it a ready made one? Mother and father simply forbid those. I know there are lots of exquisite ones, but Bourque does all our sewing, al- ways has, you know. That sounds awfully sweet at any rate. What's yours like, dearie? turning to another girl immensely interested. uBoys, you are making too much noise, lVlr. Irving said, without looking up from the flower that he was examining. Yes,', remarked one culprit, he could actually hear the color of the gowns WC,1'C going to wear. The girls' heads came close to- gether and they did try to whisper less audiblyg but they didnit stop, and till the bell rang they discussed the details of their dresses, and then contemplated what the rest of the girls would wear. The boys stalked out of the room, when the bell rang. The girls im- mediately became busy with the parts of the dandelion they didn't quite un- derstand. They found Mr. Irving most interesting then. They surrounded his desk, and discussed a hundred things. They began with the flower in question, and ended with the most interesting accounts of picnics, fishing trips and shows. Oh, Jess, do you remember what I ,specially needed to question about?!' Beth asked with a twinkle in her eye, a minute after the bell shruck. Don't be particular, Jess dear, she added as Jess tried to look thoughful. Say, Beth, Mr. Irving began, before Jess had time to conjure an opening, did it ever occur to you that dandelions are excellent conduct- ors on hot days? 'ilt struck me forcibly enough today, at any rate. Beth laughed. lsn't this the most hideous place imagin- able? Bobby sighed expressively, and as Jess whispered in a girli's ea-r, grace- fully even. What shall we study next, Beth? he asked. Oh, there are just hundreds of flowers blossoming out at Twin Firs. Twin Firs, you know, is the most beautiful place in the world in May. Of course, so many of the flowers are rare cultivated ones , Beth ans- wered with a dreamy voice, enjoying the effect her words made on the girls. I was wondering if you girls could get some wild honeysuckleu, Mr. Irv- ing suggested. Oh, that's quite as bad as dande- lions, Jess decided. lt isn't, either, Jess Winslow , Beth declared, it's simply beautiful. Oh, just as you say , Jess answer- ed carelessly. Could you get some, Beth? Mr. Irving asked. Yes, to be sure. Father has plan-