Anna Head School - Nods and Becks Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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Like you we breaztlae the air of H eawen. Nl a s q u ez r a cl sz LTHOUGH I was only eighteen, it was not uncommon for me to be left alone for long periods of time to take care ' of the ranch and help with the round-up. On this occa- g: sion I had been alone two weeks, while my father went Q1 V to attend the funeral of his brother and the settling of V 'Y' tl vp his estate. The pifion fire in the grate and my shaggy shepherd dog were my only companions and comforts on this surprisingly cool August evening. to bed when my dog sniffing the air and growling as if I was about to go he saw a bear or a mountain lion, brought my attention to a low and almost inaudible knocking at the kitchen door. Beams of cool moonlight revealed a pitiful looking old woman in disreputable shawl and bonnet from which un- kempt shocks of grey hair started at unpleasing intervals. Her left foot, in a shoe so worn as to resemble a spat, was swollen to an unbelievable size. A homemade crutch under her right arm was bearing the weight of her bulky frame. 1 asked if I could help her. Shor,,' she gimme. I seated her her. She moved I brought from pie. Here you the are, I was interested but I was too well to refuse a stranger replied, by golly, I'm dog tired and I can eat anything ye'll at the kitchen table, and lighted the lamp that stood before a bit, protesting that the light hurt her eyes. In a few minutes cupboard a plate well loaded with beans and biscuit and the coffee will be ready in a few minutes. s in the old woman, and wanted to know more about her, acquainted wth the unwritten code of the country, never food, and never to question the unknown guest. She finished her meal with amazing speed, and leaned back comfortably in her chair. You know, said she, live a sick lad in Tucson, who's goin' to school there, and havin' no money this is the best way I know to git to him. I'll be seein, my boy in a few days now, I guess. Her eyes brightened for a moment, then grew dull again. Ye know, I was refused anythin' to eat down the road. That road gang had mor'n six men cud use too, by gollyf' She paused a moment, then turned to me. l'My lame foot don't stand much travel, and it's gettin' late. Cud I put up here tonight? My unfortunate guest had aroused in me all the sympathy that one person can feel for another, and I readily gave my consent. I'l1 be on my way early in the mornin', so don't worry if l've gone afore ye're up. It's easier travelin'- in the early mornin'. You may take anything I have here for your breakfast, I told her, and 25

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In flair wide lonely world AVC OU GZVQI' QQI1 lt? KNOXV you're seen it, when I look at it I wonder how Nye it feels, what it has seen, and if its faithful mechanical brain could think, what it would know, and if its wise old methodical face could speak, what it would relate. I'm sure if it were capable of either of the latter that I should hear something like this: 1 4 I have stood here for a great many years, but no one thinks of offering me a seat. Still I do not care, for I am never allowed to run down. This has been my only world ex- cept for the busy factory where I was made, but I was so young then that I do not remember much of that. I know you think I must get stale, but I keep up with the times of the world. .y V -'ve --wt 5 4 I am really a very important factor in the household, everything revolves around me and about me. I mark the time for every meal and for every class during the day. I serve as judge in many cases when anxious young girls cast hopeful glances in my direction, and either smile or frown at my undisputed decision. Those same charming young girls who are hopeless if my fatal word is not to their advantage, have at various times, tried to beguile their dignified school-marms by turning my hands back to indicate a time that can never be recalled. You know, I am quite different from common day folks, my age does not affect my importance at all. I am looked up to and respected by both old and young. I will admit, however, that my face has not the lustre of youth, and that some of the paint has come off the letters on my face, and my hands are not as lovely as they were when I was new. But you must understand that that's not my fault, for I am just an old grandfather clock, which stands, and has stood, and will stand for many years more in the hall of Anna Head School. ELIZABETH MILLER, '31 22

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Lirten to the play handed her a ten dollar bill to keep her going until she reach her destination. The poor creature almost wept with gratitude. Spreading a couple of sheep skins and a blanket near the fire for her, I retired to my own bed in the opposite corner of the room. Assured of my friend's comfort, I was soon asleep. The stranger was gone when I awoke at five the next morning, and the skins and blanket were neatly laid across the chest. My poor friend . . . I could hardly wait to ride down to the road camp to scold jim Nourse and his gang for turning the poor woman away. I had always had a good opinion of jim, and had believed that he would have shared his last wth a needy stranger. Jim, I cried, riding up to him, you,re a fine man, to refuse an old crippled woman foodf' Oh yea? said jim. NVell, we-'ve met up with that pore old woman be- fore, and it happens, Miss Morley, that she's a MAN! JEAN JACOBS, '3O. 1 Y When Spring Comes Back Wfhen spring comes back to the naked thorn, And the moon swings over the first spring morn, I'd rather go alone in the sweet green meads Than march with the herd and do proud deeds. I'd rather be alone and listen to the birds Than go with the crowd and say proud words, And oh! a rover I'd like to be Wlmen spring comes back to the hawthorn tree. I'll take my moments and my days And let them sing in ceaseless praise, Wlmen spring comes back to the naked thorn, And the moon swings over the first spring morn. MARGARET GILMOUR, '30, 24