Ashtabula High School - Dart Yearbook (Ashtabula, OH)

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T HE 1) A R T 13 to come from under their very feet. For a moment they stood speechless. The cries rose louder and louder. With each cry Ferdie became paler, and finally Annabelle sank weak and helpless into a chair. Oh Ferdie, can’t you do something? she gasped—go see who it is. Maybe they’re dying or something. Oh hurry. I’m so frightened! Don’t look that way, Annabelle. Don’t you know that I’ll protect you? protested the hero, I’ll go and see what it is, and Ferdie strode down the steps. 1 he cries became more and more terrifying to each participant in this little drama with the exception of one. That one lay in close proximity with the floor of the porch and the foundation of the house. “ I hat’s it, he whispered hoarsely, squeal louder—why don’t you just yowl? ‘Make ’em sorry they ever chased me off my own front porch. Aw—hurry up ole thing, screech away er I’ll bust your head in. It was with uncertain step that Ferdinand De Dupit made his way down the steps and with still more wavering determination that he approached the region whence the sound issued. The barberry bushes grew thic kly about the porch, quite shutting from view the space roofed by the porch floor. Only by stretching out upon his stomach and wriggling had Henry succeeded in reaching his secluded refuge. Ferdie parted the bushes gently and peered in but merciful darkness obscured his view. Annabelle clung weakly to his arm, and with difficulty he finally focused his flash light on the object of interest. A human form lay quite still! Occasionally cries issued but they seemed weaker, almost as though the victim were reaching the end of his endurance. Annabelle suddenly screamed— Oh. its Henry and probably he’s dead. He insisted on eating the most horrible combinations tonight —molasses and sugar on custard pie, and he complained of not feeling well after it and—, One ear splitting scream rose upon the air then came silence. At this point Mr. and Mrs. I larrington becoming alarmed, left their library to inquire the cause of such disturbances. At the sight of her mother, Annabelle, weak and nervous from the excitement, began to cry. “It’s Henry, she sobbed, and I guess he’s dead under the porch, and Ferdie can’t get in because the hole's too small and— “ I here, there, soothed her mother, “I guess he’s all right. Maybe his stomach is out of order”. Mr. Harrington comprehended the situation. Memories of summer evenings, long ago, big sisters and sissy beaux surged thru his mind and with a smile of understanding he stepped quickly to the opening and in a voice too low for the others to hear called softly to Henry. Yes, sir, came the weak response. Mr. Harrington turned to the others. I think Fler.ry is feeling better now. he said, but perhaps if he could lie in the hammock— It was five minutes later when Henry safely ensconced in the hammock, with Mr. DcDupit disappearing in the distance, heaved a sigh of content. It was a dirty shame that I had to lose that good ole frog but it did the biz alright, didn’t it. dad? Did you hear it squawk when I finally got the snake to swallow it? Gosh, didn’t it scare Ferdie though? It squawked all the way down the snake and then it howled awful at the end. Did you hear it dad? Yes, son, I did hear it.” answered his father and then they were silent. I he Henry Harringtons were again in their rightful domain. A certain college professor wore side whiskers, and whenever he suggested removing them, there was a division of opinion in the family. One morning he appeared before his wife, razor in hand, and one side neatly shaved. How do you like it, my dear? he asked. If you think it looks well, I will shave the other side, too. —Independent.

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12 THE DART Ml1—= Eh ftatiftaran Hirtim w--- —ii o FIRST PRIZE STORY BY JANE DICKINSON «y ' n vHE night was warm and a glori-J Nf ous moon rose above the tree fk °PS °PPos‘le Mr. Henry Har-rington’s front porch. 1 he screen door slammed, but a second before this decidedly prosaic sound broke the stillness. Master Henry Harrington Jr. issued forth on a quest of amusement. He dropped down in the hammock assuming an air of boredom. He fell to soliloquizing,— “Gosh, but Ferdinand De Dupit makes me sick to my stummick! I spose he’ll come souping aroun about 8:30 to see Miss Annabelle an’ I s’pose she’ll make me get off’n this porch —my porch—the porch which has been owned and occupied by Henry Harringtons for years, an’ then I’ll bet two bits they talk about the moon an’ Ferdie’ll say he used to go to the op’ra every evenin’ when he was winterin’ in town , an’ then Ann ’ll say she ‘just adores’ grand op’ra. an’ I know she’s never even seen one of um. I suppose dear little Henry’ll have to go to bed so he won’t disturb Annabelle and her beau—Gee, they make me want to leave home! At this juncture Annabelle Harrington flitted out upon the porch. She rearranged the fleur de lis on the table and smoothed the pillows. She wore a gown of filmy white, and her hair was simply done—low in her neck. As Henry’s eyes lighted upon her, his lip curled. Guardian Angel stunt, tonight, huh? I guess mebbe you think the once over won’t be enuf fur him. Say, honest, do yuh think he’ll fall for yuh in that rig? You make me sick enuf to go to bed! That’s a sweet child, run along to bed. You must be tired after playing so roughly all day. The high shrill voice of Miss Annabelle carried far down the street and the heart of the approaching Ferdinand missed a beat, but the next instant it caught up for he remembered previous encounters with the sweet child and blessed him under his breath. He had never quite forgiven Henry for leaving a piece of angle-food cake spread thickly with currant jelly and brown sugar in the hammock—but how could Henry tell that on that particular evening Ferdie would wear white flannels ar.d choose to sit in the hammock? Well, mebbe I will—aw say, don’t you think a fella likes to be left alone a minute without being kissed by girls? protested Henry Junior as Annabelle sought to express her appreciation and affection. Henry disappeared in the darkened hall just as Ferdie ran lightly up the steps. The accustomed greetings followed and for half an hour they discussed the moon an’ grand op’ra . At length the conversation become more personal and f erdinand turned passionately to Annabelle. You are like a flower tonight—stately and fair, murmured the man. it was at this point that the silent member began to be interested. I think there is nothing more beautiful than white flowers,” continued Ferdie. “Oh, Ferdie, whispered the girl in an awe struck tone. I think that’s wonderful. I think people are like flowers, don’t you? Now, for instance, you remind me of a purple-fleur de lis —(Inspired by the sight of the blossoms on the table). And, you remind me of a white flower— a lily—with a halo about it— and at this point the third party groaned under his breath— Wouldn’t that make yuh sick? he questioned his silent partner. Ferdie resumed— Tall, stately —a hideous cry broke the stillness of the night! It seemed

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THE “DART” STAFFS. (For Names see Page 22)