Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

Page 28 text:

24 NORMAL OFFERING Aunt Marion?', he asked, reaching for her hand. You are a per- fectly beautiful lady, just as Mother said. Later that afternoon, Mrs. Harding sat with Bobbie perched on her knee. She had not intended to fondle the child, but there he was. An' you'll come again, lots of times he asked seriously. Mrs. Harding did go again, lots of times. She didn't realize it, but inch by inch lttle Bobbie was gaining her affection. II It was in the middle of a windy March night that Mrs. Harding was called to the telephone. wifes ...... Greeene's farmhouse is burning? and Bobbie Harris isn't out? Yes, I'll be as soon as I can. Good-bye. . She didn't feel as calm as her voice sounded. By the time she reached the sce-ne of the fire her heart was beating wildly, for she knew in those few minutes how much she cared for the boy. Near the burning house she found a group of farmers who had dressed hastily and rushed to help their neighbors. Mrs. Hard- ing sought her friend in this group. Where is Bobbie? lsn't he out yet? she demanded. He was sleeping upstairs while John and I were sleeping on the ground floor. We jumped through the window and barely es- caped with our lives. But the little one! I shall never forgive my- self. Poor Fannie went on in this strain for some minutes. The barn is catching! cried one of the fire fighters, and some of the men charged for the barn to get the cattle and horses out. What's in the hay? asked one of them and picking up the slight bundle, they found it to be a soundly sleeping little Bobbie. Hlhook at the big hire, he said drowsily. And here's Aunt Mar- ion! I slept in the barn because Johnnie Jones dared me to. I was scared, but I did it. Was I naughty not to tell Mrs. Greene? Why Aunt Marion, youfre cryingg whatls the matter? There isnit anything the matter, she said happily. 'Tm crying because I'm so glad to have you here safe in my arms, my own little boy! ELIZABETH SUMNER '20,

Page 27 text:

NORMAL OFFERING 23 Enhhir mins 09111. lfirigv Z'-iinrg. I wonder who sent this, letter, murmured Marion Harding as she sorted her morning mail. It has an Indiana postmarkf' The letter enclosed proved to be very short and to the point. Dear Madam: I We regret to inform you of the death of your kinswoman, Mrs. Mary Harris. She leaves in your charge her only son, Robert. He leaves here tomorrow and will reach New York next Friday. Yours, etc. It was signed by the inevitable lawyer. Well, Jim, said Marion to her husband a little later, Bobbie is on his way East to us. He is just the age, Jim, Junior would have been if he had lived. Of course I mean to do well for the child but I couldn't bear to have him live here. It would recall our loss too keenlyf' ' I can see how you feel, returned Mr. Harding, but what is to become of the boy? I have a plan, said his wife. You remember Fannie Greene, who went to Normal School when I did? She married a poor far- mer. .I'm sure she'll be glad of the chance to earn some moneyg a farmer's wife always is. We'll board Bobbie at her farm! So it was that the little orphan's journey ended at the peace- ful farm in VVillow Valley. He was a sunny little fellow of seven summers and' made many friends among f-armer folk. There was one cloud in his childish sky. Why don't I ever see my Aunt Marion? Why don't I live with her? Mother said she was a perfectly beautiful lady. She is a perfectly beautiful lady, replied kind Mrs. Greene. Some day she'll come down here to see you. Will she come soon? I hope she'll bring me some candy, continued the lad, lifting anxious blue eyes. One day Aunt Marion really did come and she found the little lad eagerly Waiting for her at the end of the lane. Are you my

Page 29 text:

NORMAL OFFERING Uhr Ifiallah nf the 1Hin. Elirigv Harm. There were three brothers, you must know, Who all ambition did possess, And they agreed that each should go To find the way to Happiness. The first three hours should be gone Before the second should depart. The third should give the second one Three hours more to get a start. The eldest had the precedence To his garage he took his way. He cranked his Ford with confidence That he would have success that- day. A half a mile he journeyed hence When to a forking road he came, And there he saw upon a fence, In letters large and bold the name, To Happiness, nor read he more But turned to right as e'er he'd been, Nor knew that 'he'd have saved a score Of miles had he the other ta'en. But finally he reached the town, And by a side street entered there, And on a side street settled down. Good luck and bad have found him ne'er. Meanwhile the second brother thin While walking through the garden greene Before him he beheld a pin His elder brother had not seen. He saw a pin and let it lay, Too lazy he to move it was. Bad luck will follow him all day, Or so declares the well-known clause.