Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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THE AEGIS Yes'm, thank you. Guess I'm sort of late, he meekly replied. His hostess had pushed aside the portiers and ushered him in. The three professors to whom he recited were seated in the brightly lighted library. How- ard seated himself in a high stiff backed chair and pulled at a button on his coat, nervously wishing that he be unnoticed. The men were undoubtedly discussing matters of which he knew little and he was not bothered. But soon the conversa- tion took a musical turn. By the way, I wish some of you would play the violin, the host said. I have a fine old instrument here, but it has been years since I have used it. Can- not one of you play? I got it out this evening hoping We might have a little con- cert. I 'm rather hungry to hear it.' 7 Sorry, but I'm no musician, one answered. HForgotten all I ever knew, another. But unnoticed, Howard slipped to the floor, tiptoed over to the piano and took down his violin. I will not try to describe the music as the strings responded to his masterful bow, but after two or three measures, the men stopped speaking. The remainder of the evening passed as in a dream. It was several hours before Howard fell asleep, tired, but happy. HHa! Ha! That is a good one on you, Rud. 'tBully for you, Rud, you're a bear at playing jokes. If I couldn't do any better than that I'd stop trying to fool the Freshies, H were a few of the greetings that reached Radford as he came out upon the campus Saturday morning. I-Iuh! what's the matter, anyway? he asked, moving a little more slowly. Look at this paper if you want to know, Davy shouted, grinning sar- castically at Rud. He held up a sheet of a local paper and pointed to a ection in the society news. It read: Professor and Mrs. Williamson very pleasantly enter- tained a few friends at dinner last evening. A most enjoyable feature of the evening was several violin numbers rendered by Mr. Howard Jennings, an accom- plished young musician from Baltimore, who is now a student at the Academy. The boy was stupified for a few seconds. Then a most sheepish grin ap- peared. Well, what do you know about that! he ejaculated. 1exqwvC,ggvg?'vef?H-f'2vj-snfs?Qy5g,?fff vw ' it V e we s Qkyll if 28

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THE AEGIS They crawled away for some distance, then broke out in a mad dash for the gymnasium. Not a word was spoken as they sped along, but at the sight of the first friend, up went a wild shout of glee from the two. ' 'Hey, Davy, come here, called Rud, We've got a good joke to tell you. Needless to say, Davy came running and between gasps and many interrup- tions, the whole story was soon out. Say, that 's good, laughed Davy, Jennings 'll feel like crawling through the hole in a doughnut when he gets out of that. When he goes waltzing in on old Williamson for dinner. Ha! Ha! I can just see him now. His apparent joy brought a crowd of fellows and it was not long until the news of the trick had spread among the older boys. During the jubilations, Daddy Howe, a kind old history professor, chanced to pass, and overheard enough to arouse his suspicion of a trick on Jennings. Awaiting his opportunity, he slipped up to the pensive youth and led him into conversation. The gray- haired man was loved by all students for he was fair, helpful and sympathetic. It was not hard for him to draw out Howard 's confidence and soon the formal note was in his hands. He had been through a Freshman 's life at a preparatory school himself, and understood. Not wishing to shatter the boy 's dream imme- diately, he said nothing, but going back to his work, he began to plan. The event- ful evening was two days off yet, and he knew he could always work on William- son 's sympathies. He had little doubt but that his plan would mature easily. Classes had just been dismissed on the following day when Howard, smiling to himself, went very quietly whistling down the hall. He stopped before one of the many doors and knocked timidly. Hello! a hearty young voice responded. Howard pushed open the door and stepped inside. HWhy, Raymond, he began, I just wondered if you have a-a-white bow-tie I might use this evening. I-Ilm invited to a party and can 't find mine. Sure enough, was the quick reply, for Raymond was aware of what was going on. Want any thing else? I 've got a swell walking-stick you can have if you want it, he added with a swagger. UNO, thanks, I have everything else I need. I'll have to go now and get my French. Good-bye, he said. So-long, called Raymond, but as the other lad closed the door, he said to himself, Poor kid, he 's in deep. Raymond was truly sorry for the boy, in fact, he was the nearest approach to a friend that Jennings possessed among the students. But even so, he could not spoil the fun by giving the secret away. It was exactly 7:02 o'cl0ck that evening when a much dressed up young man stiffly walked up the steps to the VVilliamson door. With just the very tip of his white gloved finger, he pushed the bell. The door was opened by a pleasant look- ing woman. Hat in hand, Howard entered and stood twirling his hat in his hands, feeling and looking much embarrassed. Mn Jennings, I suppose?' ' began Mrs. Williamson, for it was she who met him. We've been expecting you. Just come in here, won't you please, where our other guests are? 27

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T H E A E G I S A SANDWICH SALE SUSAN HAMMITT. fWith Apologies to Walter Scottj The club at morn of Mothers all, Assembled in the High School Hall, And full their tables they had laid With sandwiches that they had made. And when the bell upon the wall Had sounded thru the rooms and hall, The famished students' hungry roar Resounded forth from every door, And hear, from far off tables see, The hurried bang of lock and key. J ammed near the tables the opening pack, Coins, dimes and jitneys, paid them back, For many a hungry glutton crunched The delicious sandwiches, as their lunch. Five hundred pigs ate Munich and many Scattered five hundred coins, if any, The mothers' faces beamed about, Five hundred eaters bought them out. With books in hand and sandwiches sold They rest their jaws, so we are told. Crowded the fountain, all those that thirst, Each tried his best to be there first. Then Wallis, from his perch on high, Cast on the crowd a wandering eye,' ' Till near the clock, the bell was pressed, And pupils hurried back to rest C ?D Few, and much fewer, their articulations Were heard in the hall in deep conversations, And silence settled, wide and still, On the old school, just at his will. 29