Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

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4 The Arlington High School Clarion meant no neckties or embroidered hand- kerchiefs. Betty, finally growing desper- ate as to what to do, made an enormous corn ball for each boy and let it go at that. At last the great day came, and each invalid was hurried off, bag and baggage, in the Child’s limousine. Russell and his mother stood in the hall ready to welcome each new guest, and relieve them of their bundles. Everyone was overjoyed at seeing each other again, for it seemed years to them since they had all met. Never was there a jollier crowd to sit down to a Christmas dinner than the one at the Child’s homestead. Their repast was not just what they would have enjoyed under ordinary circumstances, hut their meagre diet appeared in a new light under such pleasant conditions. The afternoon was spent in talking over things, as much had happened during the long week. The general phrase that came in every now and then during the course of conversation was, “ Poor Sally! isn’t it a shame that she can’t be here, too.” Finally, it got so tiresome that Ralph suggested that the tune be changed to, “ Isn’t it mean that poor Russell can’t have Sally! ” After supper, Mrs. Child announced that they would have their tree A general rush was made for the door that had remained closed all day. At one end of the long parlor stood a tall, well-shaped Christmas tree, laden with presents of all sizes and shapes. Near it stood Mr. Child attired as Santa Claus. When every one was seated he began to distribute his parcels. All sorts and kinds of things came from that never-to-be-forgotten tree; there were many jokes and hits on the as- sembled company, as well as useful and pleasing gifts. The greatest laugh was raised when one after another of the guests opened variously shaped packages each of which yielded up a pair of blue glasses. These were the gifts of Russell. He said that he had had to wear them ever since he had been sick and so thought that the others had better follow bis example. After an hour of a jolly good time, Mrs. Child hustled her flock off to bed. The next morning’s mail brought a letter from Sally’s mother to Russell, saying that Sally had been taken with the measles the afternoon before, but did not seem very sick, and if it was convenient for Mrs. Child, she would like to join her schoolmates in a few days. Joy reigned supreme at this joyful news. The following days were indeed lively ones at the Child house. It was “ a continual rough house, and Mrs. Child a perfect brick,” as one of the boys ex- pressed it afterwards. As the vacation drew to a close the crowd tried to think of some fine way to celebrate the last night of their house-party, and, as usual, a dance seemed to be the favorite sug- gestion. The doctor thought that if fairly early hours were kept there could be no harm. So plans were soon laid for the “ best dance that ever happened.” Sally was the only one who was not thought strong enough to dance, but she did not lack partners to “ sit out with her. The whole week had been a grand success, and all seemed better, rather than worse, for their good time. Mrs Child afterwards acknowledged to one of the mothers that it was quite a responsibility for her and that she had felt like the Old Woman in the Shoe; hut that after they had all gone it seemed very lonesome and quiet at the big house. Gladys Richardson, ’io.

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' f • 3 - f G A r v q f® 1 2 ' x he Arlington High School Clarion LITERARY DEPARTMENT A MEASLEY CHRISTMAS “I GUESS measles must be a habit ■ this winter,” said Betty to her mother, on arriving home from school one day. “ Ned Mdls has got them now, and that makes five in our crowd. fust think of it, the 17th of December, too. Vacation begins in five days and I suppose all our plans for good times will have to be given up, for by that time no one will be left to enjoy them at the rate things are going now. There were six new cases re- ported today and Ned was one of them.” Three days after this Betty herself was stricken with the disease 1 here was a case of blues as well as measles in the Holmes household that day. What are the Christmas holidays to a high school girl with no dances, parties, skating or any such good times ? Some- thing must certainly be done, but what ? That was the great question. Betty and her mother thought long and hard, but could come to no decision. It only our crowd could get to- gether somehow, for only Sally out of the ten of us hasn’t got it She has been with us so much that I don’t see how she can escape,” thought Betty. The following morning her thoughts had taken shape and her suggestion to her mother, though given rather hesi- tatingly, was as follows: Mother, when two friends have scarlet fever they are often put together at one of their houses, and it makes things lots pleasanter. Now, why can’t we all get together and have a kind of house party somewhere? Russell has a large house, indulgent parents, and no brother or sisters. Don’t you think that Mrs. Child would let us ? I am sure she would. Won’t you ask her ? Mrs Holmes thought a few minutes and then said, “ Well, Betty, as far as you young folks are concerned, it would be all right, I suppose, but I hardly think that Mrs. Child will care to under- take the extra responsibility, even for Russell However, I think it would be nice if it could be carried out, and there certainly can be no harm in talking it over with Mrs Child. I will see what can be done ” Mrs. Holmes did her errand as soon as possible, and much to her surprise, Mrs. Child thought the idea was excel- lent. She was perfectly willing, pro- vided the other mothers would help her out it need be The other mothers were all consulted and they agreed to do their part Invitations were sent out to all, requesting the pleasure of their company from Christ mas Day until January 3rd 1 he night after receiving the invi- tations joy reigned in all the homes but poor Sally’s. One had been sent to her at Russell’s special request, although he knew that if she didn’t get the measles the day following she would be too sick to come to the party. The tew days that remained before Christmas were exciting ones for the nine shut-ins. Christmas presents must be had for everyone. The girls always remembered each other, but only one special boy. Now, however, every boy must have something from every girl. In the case of the boys, it was their mothers who.got gifts ready for them to give. Not being able to use their eyes was a great drawback for the girls, for it

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The Arlington High School Clarion 5 EXTRACTS FROM HIS DIARY May ioth I guess I’ll keep a diary — all the fellows do an’ so does Sis, only she keeps hers locked up now ’cos one mte I got it and red part to Carl when he came to take her to the show. Gee, wasn’t she mad! An’ I got licked, two. May i ith They made me go to church. I mostly have to on Sundays — there was a funny man sat in front of us an’ he looked ’s if he didn’t have on his own hair an’ I wanted to find out so when we got up to sing I got up quick an’ bumped his head with the him book, an’ it wasn’t his own hair, it was a wig an’ Dad said, “ Wait ’til I get you home and I did an’ I wish I hadn’t. Sis has got the meesles an’ say, there’s spots all over her, an’ maybe she ain’t cross. I hear Dad — guess I’ll go to bed ! May 19th Its orful hot. Ma got my new suit. I went to Susy Smith’s party. We played post Oflfis an’ I kissed Susy twice. I like her. We had ice cream. Gee, I’m sleepy. Sis is better, the spots ain’t so big. May 20th Had to go back to school. We’ve got a new teacher an’ she’s pretty, but her hair is red. I told Sis an’ she says its “ tissu,” but it ain’t its hair an’ does Sis think she’d wear paper for hair ? May 26th Its Sis’s Birthday. Ted sent her some flowers — orkids — but she didn’t like ’em. Carl sent her a book named the modern house and it had pictures of rooms an’ Sis liked that and she got red. I give her a handkerchief. Me and Johnny played tag after supper. I was going to hide behind the piano when Carl came but they went out an’ I only got to the gate an’ Dad cot me but I heard Carl say kinder shaky, “ Are you sure, Little Girl ? ” An’ Sis ain’t little — she weighs 140 lbs. and she’s tall but she didn’t get mad when he said it an’ then Dad got me an’ I think lie’s mean. June 1st There’s a new girl at school an’ she sits near me — her hair is black and her name is Laura and I smiled at her an’ she smiled at me, to — I don’t think I like Susy Smith any more. June icth Sis is going to be married an’ I’m going to see it an’ Laura’s goin’ to carry flowers, I guess. They’re goin’ to Switzer-Land on a huney moon an’ I asked teecher why didn’t they go on a boat an’ she laughed and Mr. Adams he’s the principal said it meant a slushy moon an’ I shouldn’t think that would be nice ’cos slush gives you sore throats. June i 6th School has stoppt an’ I’m glad an’ I’m goin’ to Uncle Eds up in Main for all summer and I guess I won ' t take my diary with me, it takes to much time. I found a nice dog on the road an’ I brot it home an’ Mary the cook says, the saints bless us (an’ there aren’t any more saints ’cos I heard Dad tell Mother they all died |ust before she married him) its hidrofobia he’ll be givin’ us next.” An’ I asked Dad what it was an’ he said shut up an’ I did. I went down to say good-bye to Laura an’ she cried an’ I didn’t cos I’m a boy an’ I kissed her an’ I guess I’ll marry her when I grow up. Dad just said “ Alice, that child isn’t in bed yet,” so I guess I’m goin! Teddy, ’1 1.