Berwick High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Berwick, PA)

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me MIRROR Page Q5 My cousin, shouted' Sedgwick, waving his hat. Stop the machine! Hello, Kitty! Here, fellows, we'll get out and walk. It's only another block. I wish it were another mile, for walking looks good to me, observed the admiring freshman. They tumbled out forthwith and sur1'ounded the fas- cinating cousin, who seemed not in the least dismayed. Bob presented his friends, indicating them with a careless sweep of the hand so that it was puzzling to guess which one was which. Miss Lombard, this is none other than Mr. Fred Varney, captain of the Westmore varsity eleven, and here is a meek and lowly freshman officially designated as John Clarence Williams. They are sojourning in our midst for only a few hoursg therefore we must hasten to give them a good time. Miss Kitty surveyed the brace of strangers and in- stantly concluded that the rosy giant must, of course, be the famous athlete. She was a thorough-going western girl to whom the colleges of the Atlantic seaboard were re- mote and uninteresting, barring the fact that Bob Sedg- wick and his elder brother Joe had chosen to go to West- more. Her own home was in Iowa, and she visited the Sedgwicks once or twice a year. Newspaper portraits of Fred Varney had failed to engage her memory. Her mis- take was not an unreasonable one. Approvingly she eyed the magnificent proportions of John Clarence Williams and swiftly pictured him to her- self as sweeping through the Keatsville .and Pierceton teams. No more than a casual glance did she bestow on Bob's other friends, the thin stooping young man with the pale face and melancholy expression. She knew the type, the intellectual student who habitually studied too hard, and despised athletics and aspired to be a valedictorian even if it wrecked his health. You are to be here only a few hours, Mr. Varney? I am so sorry. That doesn't sound as if Bob were very hos- pitable. He really must persuade you to stay for the dance tonight and- Williams was about to profess his identity, but Sedgwick trod on his toe and Varney glowered at him. making pantomimic gestures unseen by the girl. The same inspiration-to let Miss Kitty think Williams the captain- occurred to both these young men, the one moved by the suggestion of a lark, the other intiuenced by his timidity in

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Page 2? THE MIRROR to waste no time in getting there. I can find somebody with an automobile to make the run in an hour, he said to Varney. Why don't you come along? Have luncheon at my house, inspect the busy little burg, and jump on the train when it comes. My folks will be delighted. Thanks It would be stupid waiting all day at this jumping ofi' place. Good enough. You go fetch our bags, and I will hustle the transportation, and telephone home that we are on our way. Sedgwick dashed to the highway and commandeered a farmer who was driving past in a noisy, mud-covered relic of an earlier age of gasoline. There was no haggling over terms, and the enterprising sophomore galloped back to the train, meeting Varney, who said: Better bid the big Williams child goodbye. Lone- some for him, but perhaps he can amuse himself by eating all day. I'1l ask him to join us, if you don't mind, suggested the warm-hearted Sedgwick. It does seem unkind to de- sert him. I may have to buy the farmer a new set of springs for his car, but what's the odds ? Are you sure your family can feed him? was Verney's gloomy comment. Saw him devour three boiled eggs this morning, and he was merely warming up. Sedgwick assumed the risk and ran in to get Sleepy , who, at seeing his Westmore friends preparing to desert him, wore, for once, a disconsolate air. With glad- ness he accepted the invitation, and soon they were bump- ing over a frozen country road that was no more than thin- ly covered with snow. It was the holiday season, and their spirits were gay. Williams rolled out song in what was meant to be a sonorous bass voice. his mighty shoulders heaving with innocent mirth whenever Sedgwick inter- rupted him with a story. These two were in the mood for mischief. and the opportunity offered itself as the car rat- tled safely into the trim little city of Wentworth and sought a long street of uncommonly attractive homes. A girl was about to cross in front of them, but waited when the farmer tooted his warning horn. Now a girl in Vurs on :1 wintry day, with a fine color, bright eyes. and a slim, straight figure is not likely to pass unperceived by young men of impressionable years and temperament. A pippin, believe me! softly murmured Williams.

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Page 94 THE MIRROR the presence of girls. Williams comprehended that he was not to correct Miss Kitty's blunder. They could laugh about it later. The fair cousin walked ahead with the bogus West- more hero, and Bob whispered to Varney as they followed: She is the busiest little tease you ever saw in your life. The way she used to guy me was cruel. This is my first chance to put one over on her. Sure it's all right? was the anxious query. You will confess the joke before we leave town? What about your folks? Leave it to me, was Bob's answer. I'll tip them off, and they will play it along at luncheon, especially Dad. Somewhat mollified, the football captain consented to the hoax. Miss Kitty catalogued him as a highbrow. She chatted gaily with the supposed Varney. Football was their topic. Williams was full of information that was modestly impersonal. Varney scowled at the glib flow of information. Please tell me, Mr. Varney, said Kitty, do you honestly believe that your eleven could have beaten one of our crack Western Universities-Seamore, for instance? It would have been a great contest in my opinion, replied the unabashed pretender. Seamore might have outclassed us in end rushes and made winning gains in that way. Our left end was weak this year. This being Fred Varney's position-best end-rusher in the count1'y for two years-he was a listener who nearly lost his temper. They turned in at a gate and crossed a lawn, and Bob ran straight into his waiting Mother's arms. During the glad confusion the word was passed that the program included having fun with Kitty. The parents joined the conspiracy with ready compliance. After supper Williams managed to get Bob alone for a few minutes and confided to him: About that dance tonight, old man, your cousin wants to know why I can't stay over for it. I could just as well as not, you know, and beat it to Denver tomorrow. There is a hotel in town, I presume, and- Nonsense! There is plenty of room in this house even for you-er-Captain Varney. Mother will be de- lighted. And I'll try to persuade Fred-I mean Sleepy Williams-to stick with us, although he is none too strong on the society game.