Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION 12 himself iti digging a hole in the ground with his heel. Did you ever try writing — for the magazines or something?’’ she inquired, abruptly. “Why, no,” replied Jason, slowly. This was a brand new idea. He turned it over in his mind. “No-o, I never though of doing that. Never occurred to me. Rather a good idea, though. But — I don’t know — ” Obviously Jason was still flounder- ing. You see, he, along with quite a few other people, liked to be informed beforehand when he was going to meet an idea. He wanted to know what to say to it. “Anyhow I couldn’t very well. Be- cause, even though I do get good ideas, the minute I take a pen in my hand to write a letter or something 1 can’t think of a thing — not a thing!” “That’s easily fixed,” cried the girl enthusiastically — she was really a very enthusiastic person 1 can write for you. I know shorthand work as a “stenog” — and you can talk while I write it down.” ‘But,” objected Jason, rather lamely, the stories mightn’t lie any good. How do we know they would be accepted? You might have all your work and trouble for nothing.” The girl didn’t bother answering his protests. She said, “Listen. Doesn’t this sound important — Miss Barbara O’Donnell, private secretary to the fa- mous author- — why, what is your name, anyway? To think I’ve been sitiing here talking to you all this time and T don’t even know your name!” “Jason Jefferson,” he answered, watching to see if she’d smile or say, how odd!” as people generally did. .Jason Jefferson,” she repeated, only smiling a little bit. “How nice. It jingles sort of.” “I’m not doing this stenographing just to be nice, you know. If you do get famous, 1 want you to promise me a job as private secretary. Promise?” Sure,” laughed lie. But you’ll have to wait quite a while for your pay. How about a half share in whatever 1 get— that would be fair, wouldn ' t it? And say, I don ' t know your name yet, either.” Barbara O’Donnell, 1 told yon once. That offer of yours — do you really mean it? 1 warn you. I’m trying to make all I can out of you?” “Of course I mean it.” “Then let ' s get started as soon as possible. Tomorrow at half-past six here — will that be all right? I’ve got to go now. Good night.” “Good night, private secretary.” That next night and many nights thereafter the two sat on the park bench, Jason talking rather siowly, choosing his phrases carefully, while Barbara’s pencil flew over the pages. When at length the story had been typed — it was quite a long one— it was placed carefully in an envelope and mailed to a well-known publisher. Strange to say, the publisher not only accepted the manuscript but gave Jason a considerable sum of money and a contract for three others of the same length. Jason’s fame was soon established and his name made — well, if not ex- actly a household word — a very famil- iar one to the American public. And Barbara, you ask? Did lie marry her and live happily ever after? No, my readers, he did not, for two reasons;: first, young men have an an- noying habit of not falling in love with every girl that does them a gooo turn and, second, (this is the chief reason) I hate sentimental endings. Martha Barkis, ’ 27 . i I i C L tk to of tie rlP Lit I (OS I ■Jill per] .1 ler ilat J(

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION two summers earlier had reserved a bench for himself and there he spent his evenings, quite alone, for lie dis- pensed with the newspaper in summer. That is to say, he looked alone to pas- sersby, hut Jason himself never felt lonesome. Indeed, he was seldom more , than half conscious of his surround- ings. The inhabitants of the square agreed that lie was “queer” hut discussed him no further. Readers (if there are any) are going to say: “This fellow, Jeffer- son, wi ll now do some wonderful thing and conclude this story.” On the contrary — Jason Avas inter- ested merely in dreams — not in their fulfilment. Jason had gazed at space for a long time one evening Avhen he was rather annoyed by a girl who, sauntering sloAvly, absorbed in a book, halted be- fore him in such a manner as to com- I pletely obstruct his view. After she had remained there about rive minutes, i Jason coughed. The girl raised her head, startled, and looked at him for a second. Then she sat down on the other end of the bench and continued reading. Jason looked at the ground and wished he hadn’t coughed. At length the girl closed the book and murmured to no one at all “That Avas some book!” Jason looked at her sharply. She seemed harmless, so he ventured to ask, “What’s the name of it?” She replied, in a very enthusiastic tone, “It’s called ‘White Cliff Trail’; I a man named Darius Taylor wrote it. It’s all about cowboys and Indians and a wonderful dog. There’s a rich man in it who tries to buy cheaply the land on which the hero is trying to start a ranch, because he knows there’s oil on it, but the hero doesn’t, see?” “Oh, yes,” said Jason Avhen her stream of talk halted for a minute. “I think I’ve read that book, too. It’s 11 pretty good, but — you know the scene in the library ? — well, I’d change the place where the hero comes in. I’d have him come in AA r earing the clothes he does on the ranch, big, heavy boots, plaid shirt and those funny-looking Avoolly trousers coAvboys wear. If the scene Avere written that way you’d see the difference between the coAvboy avIio’s trying so hard to make his ranch a success that he can ' t spare the money to get a regular suit of clothes and the rich Millieuse in his evening clothes. Then I’d have him, Millieuse, afraid Ingleton would mark up his floors with the big boots but Millieuse Avouldn’t dare speak to him because he’d be afraid he’d make Ingleton mad and then Ingleton wouldn’t sell him the land he wanted. “And then the place Avliere Ingle- ton ' s dog rinds the letter that tells about the oil on Millieuse ' s lawn and brings it home to Ingleton — I wouldn’t have it a letter — I’d have it a map, a geologist’s map with the places where oil Avas marked on it. Millieuse would probably have only one letter, but he might have half a dozen maps and he’d probably not miss the map as soon as lie would the letter, see?” Jason stopped. He Avondered Avhat had made him talk so much. He had never said so much before in all his life. He had never talked about his dreams ! in fact he Avas rather ashamed of them. What must this girl think of him? Well, it was her oAvn fault. She’d started him. He glanced at her. She was- listening intently, fascinated. So he talked on. When the entire book had been revised — this took about an hour — and he had to stop for lack of material, the girl spoke. “Why,” said she. “You tell stories well, really. Better than this author, I think.” Jason, a little embarrassed by the compliment, fell silent and occupied

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION 13 School Activities H. M. S. PINAFORE The Glee Clubs certainly did “shine on the night of January 30tli. Such a production has never been seen and probably never will be seen again in the history of Arlington. It is true that this same production was given several years ago, but that performance included outside talent, while this year ' s cast was entirely of tin school— either members or graduates. The cast of principals is to be con- gratulated on their fine work. Dan Hooley carried off the character of an “English Lord” in an admirable manner. Carl Settele made a very efficient Captain Corcoran. Joe Ennis displayed the possession of a wonderful natural voice. We hope that Joe will develop his ' vocal powers to the best of his ability. Ken Call played up to the hard part of Dick Deadeye in a wonderful man- ner. We want to thank Anna Fellows (Pridham) for devoting her time and talent to the enrichment of the pro- duction. Mary Schrode made an entrancing Little Buttercup. Bob Thompson looked “cute” in his costume. Paul Corcoran, Bob Sproule and James Baston played minor roles to perfection. Alice Devine scored an encore with her “Sailor Hornpipe” dance. Her im- itation of Sir Joseph was especially clever and won her the applause of the audience. Joe Ennis and Anna were perhaps at their best in the duet “Farewell My Own,” but it is hard to pick their best piece. The remaining members of the Bovs’ and Girls’ Glee Clubs took the parts of Sir Joseph’s Sisters, Cousins, and Aunts. By an unfortunate mistake Carl Bin- nig’s name was followed by ’27. This should have been ’2 i. Marion Mortenson did a credible piece of work at the piano. The Business and Advertising end of the produceitno was taken care of by Mr. Robinson and Claude Higgins. Miss Sydnor was the Dramatic Coach and her coaching made a decided change in the conversations. Mrs. Stella Marek Cushing was Stage Director. And of course — Miss Pierce was Musical Director. The receipts were much more than anticipated and after paying all bills a considerable sum has been left for the Music Fund. C. A. II. CROSS COUNTRY Our harriers, the New 1 England Champions, were awarded with the varsity “A” and certificates bv the Athletic Association and presented with miniature silver track shoes by the local Post of the American Legion. The boys who received these rewinds were: Frank Vossahlik, ’25, Manager; John Walsh, ’25, Captain; “Jerry” O’Neil, ’26, Captain Elect; Ellsworth Brown, ’26; Roy Perkins, ’25; Roswell Eldridge, ’26; Del Everett, ’27; Cliff Merrill, ’26. “Jerry” O’Neil was then elected to lead the Red and Gray outfit to another victory in 1925-26.