Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

Page 14 text:

12 THE (i R E E N AND WHITE THE MISINTERPRETATION As Jack entered the dance hall, and looked around to see if he recognized any of his friends, his wandering eyes came to rest on a slim little figure, clad daintily in an old-fashioned pale pink gown. He didn’t remember any girl in his set who was so small and dainty. He mentally wished that she would turn around, so he could see her face. He was very anxious to know if her face were as pretty and dainty as the rest of her. For the first time he noticed the curls clinging to her neck. As she drew nearer he saw that she wore a white wig and a pretty pink hat shaped like a sun-bonnet. As she danced past him their eyes met and he had a strange feeling that they recognized him, but the girl gave no sign that she did know him, so he considered it imagination. His eyes followed her and her partner as they made their way through the crowd of dancers. He saw for the first time that the girl’s partner was his old friend, “Bill ; thereupon he made up his mind to secure an introduction at once The music stopped just then and the roll of the drums indicated that the dance was over. He saw Bill and the girl join a group and he immediately made his way in their direction. It was only just before he reached them that he realized that “Bill” probably wouldn’t recognize him with his mash on, so he thought he’d have to tell him who lie was. He’d know “Bill” anywhere, but he couldn't expect the same. As he came up to them he said with a smile. “Well. Bill, old boy, 1 sure am glad to see you! Where’ve you been keeping yourself lately anyhow? I haven’t seen you for—let me see, it must be at least three weeks. I thought you were a friend of mine. “Bill's” eyes peered through his mask for a minute, then he too smiled. Well, well! If it isn't my old pal Jack! I’m glad to see you too! I've been away for a couple of weeks, got back last night and here I am. What can I do for you?” “Well,” said Jack, “you might introduce me to the beautiful lady, that is. of course, if you wouldn’t mind.” For a moment, he thought Bill was insulted, he looked so astonished, then he gave a gasp and said. “Why, man alive, don’t you know her? Why she’s your own—er—she’s Miss Grace Campbell.” Then he turned to the young lady and said, “Grace, 1 want you to meet an old friend of mine. Jack Ainsworth.” As her eyes met his once more Jack could have sworn she was laughing at him. but she only said in a voice bubbling over with mirth. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Ainsworth.” Then “Bill said in a choked voice, “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go outside for a hreath of air. See you later, Grace, and you too. Jack ” As he left them hurriedly. Jack was sure that he too was laughing and he wondered what the joke was, but he forgot all about the ioke as he looked down at the dainty figure beside him. Just then the music started and Jack said, “Shall we dance? She consented and they glided on to the floor. She was a perfect dancer and she was so small that her head just reached his shoulder. As they danced they talked, and soon they were Grace and Jack to each other. After a while they went out-of-doors to enjoy the beautiful night. Jack wished Grace would take off her. mask, hut she refused, saying it would be more fun to wait until 12 o’clock. The more they talked, the more Jack found himself thinking that he had met her before, but rack his brain as he would he could not remember where or when. When he told her about it she only said with a funny little laugh, “Wait till we unmask at 12 o'clock and you’ll know whether or not you’ve met me before.” After that Jack felt as if 12 o’clock would never come. But he made good use of the time remaining. He danced every dance he could get with Grace and when she happened to be dancing with someone else he stood aside and watched her. By the lime the clock struck eleven, everyone knew that Jack was giving the dainty little lady in pink, a grand rush,” and for some reason unknown to Jack this seemed to cause a great deal of laughter from some of those present. But Jack didn’t resent this, for after all, he supposed it was only natural, for everyone to be surprised as it was a well known fact that Jack was a woman-hater. As he watched the dancers he wondered where his sister “Pat” was. He didn’t know what her costume was, hut he could make a good guess. It was probably a pirate or clown or something. “Pat was a regular tomboy, but everyone loved her. Jack couldn’t seem to recognize her among the dancers, so gave it up with the thought that he would sec her a 12 o’clock. The thought of the time made him look at tlv clock again and he was glad that it was twenty minutes to twelve. He felt a surge of gladness because in just twenty minutes more he would see Grace as she really was. His eyes sought her’s and she danced by with her partner. Just then the music came to an end and the roll of the drums signified the end of another dance. Jack hastilv made his way to Grace’s side, as the next dance was his. She looked up with a smile as he stopped at her side, and said, “Well, Jack, all prepared for the shock?” “Shock? said Jack. “I don’t think it will be a shock. You couldn't be anything but lovely, you know. Grace dropped him a mock curtesy and said laughingly, Just wait! I’ll bet it'll be the biggest shock you’ve had for quite a while ! Her words seemed to hold a strange significance that gave Jack a funny feeling, but he dismissed it with a shrug and, as the music had iust started again he held out his arms to her. It seemed that they had only been dancing a moment when the music stopped and they heard the first chime announcing twelve o'clock. Everyone started to unmask at once. Jack turned to Grace and with a light, excited laugh, tore off his own mask and waited until she did the same. She unfastened it slowly and then slipped it off and, as he stood staring incredulously, she whipped off the wig also and there stood his own little sister, “Pat” laughing at him. Jack didn't recover until he heard

Page 13 text:

THE GREEN AND WHITE II tenderly that the sound lulled him to sleep. Oh, it was so pleasant, he thought, when he was aroused by the anxious voices of the men. The squeaky fellow was still talking. “I guess things don't look so good tonight. Might even have rain.'' Then he moaned, “Oh how I wish 1 hadn’t done it! I should have realized but it’s too late; yes, too late. The boy found himself asking, “What did you do and why is it too late?” “Because,” replied the man, “I didn’t look around me. I couldn’t even realize that 1 had all the happiness in life one could wish for— a lovely cottage, a wife and a charming daughter who would kiss me good night and good morning. And I ignored her tender kisses, refused to play with her or even act as a father. My wife's loveliness and kindness make me hate myself. She had been what no other ever could be—waiting upon me as a devoted slave and I was a grouchy old beast, even refusing her a pretty gown once in a while. I who wanted money and all the money I could get my hands on. It was all that mattered to me. I wanted to be rich and have things no other could have. And it was all through my greed for money that I became the hideous mortal I am today. . . “I left that little home with its little rose-bed and garden. Everything for money. Although I didn’t realize it for a long time, happiness never occurred to me. I realize it all now. Leaving my wife and child with barely enough to live on, I left for New York and was there a year when I received a telegram saying that my wife and daughter had been burnt to death in a blaze when a lodging house down in the slums caught fire. It wasn’t much of a shock to me then because I was a busy man. Right after that my business began to fail. I put out all I had on margin and lost every cent of it. There 1 was without a friend, for I had never trusted anyone, and no home or money. One by one those memories came back to haunt me and night after night the great stock market loomed up and seemed to mimic me, while the ticker beat to every throb of my pulse—‘more margin, more mar-pin !’ I tell you it nearly drove me mad. I left New York and traveled far but I couldn’t get a iob because I was only an office worker. Wherever I went they asked for references and I had none; so from then I have been alone living on what I can get bv fair means or foul, iust waiting to die, for what I have left behind me will never come back.” When he had concluded he sank to the ground and wept bitterly. Then the boy who had listened intently to the story or rather drama, lifted his suitcase and with a tear-stained face endeavored to speak. His speech was delivered with difficulty because his heart was full. Anyway, he said, “I don’t know why I have been such a fool. To think I left it all to have a wild time. My mother didn’t realize what a son she has. Oh, if she could only forgive me I’d go back tonight, right now. But how can she?” The third man interrupted, “My boy, you evidently don’t know your mother’s heart or you would never doubt her taking you back. Go to her and tell her she has misjudged you, that if anyone ever mentions liquor or gambling dens to you again, they can expect a knockout and a sharp reprimand; and remember. sharp reprimands once in a while help to straighten one out. Moreover they make real citizens and that's what you should be. He knew he was right, yet how strange it all seemed. Running away only to have his course checked at the campfire. Tljese three men had seemed to drop from nowhere to change his whole life and then he was thankful. He bid his friends goodbye and was half running and walking, almost falling in his anxietv to get back home. Almost exhausted as he swung up the road toward home, six hours later, but he wasn t thinking of how tired he was. He thought only of getting home. He wondered if she had missed him and if she would kiss him goodnight the same as she used to. A happy cry leaped to his throat as he rounded the bend and came in sight of home. Imagine his feeling after almost falling into the life of his chance acquaintances when he saw, first the little white fence and the good old apple tree where he would be content to rest his weary bones when he had naught else to do. And in the little cottage door stood him best and only pal—his mother. Ready to take him back and keep him there until he fully realized that a wild life and too much money meant the ruination of many a headstrong lad like himself. ANNE ROHRMAN, '32. “Advertisers Make This Book Possible” REMEMBER? DO YOU REMEMBER: When your mother had to tell you to wash behind your ears? And when you just washed your face, and nothing else, you know, not your neck, or anything? How glad you were when the dog tore up that “Buster Brown” suit (with your help)? Remember the expression on Pa’s face, when you handed him your report card? Remember what happened that dark rainv night when you were sent for water, down to the old well? Remember what you said, and do you still shiver? Remember the day you said you could lick the “town bully?” Remember when vou had to speak “The Little Birds Are Singing. at the town had? Remember when you first entered high school ? And when you wore your first long pants? Mv, weren't you proud? Remember the old professor, with the hornrimmed glasses, and the long baggy trousers? Remember what happened the last time you passed in a “composition” like this? MARGUERITE RISHF.. '31 Hogan (explaining electrolocis diagram) Carlson: “What collects at the negative pole?” Hogan: “I haven’t turned on the electricity

Page 15 text:

THE GREEN AND WHITE 13 the laughter of the others who had gathered around. Then he took their “razzing” with a smile and, putting his arms around “Pat, he told her that he hadn't known he had such a pretty sister. Later, when he was alone in his own room, he sat for a long time just staring into space with an infinitely sad expression, then he said in a tired voice, “Just another illusion.” MARY JOHNSTON. “Advertisers Make This Hook Possible' “DOWN TO THE SEA” I was sittin’ by the river, on a balmy summers' day, I watched the mighty water as it rushed upon its’ way. Oh, I wondered where it went to and from whence it came, I visualized it’s power turning wheels in mills of fame. Then I said that I would follow to see where it did go, As it hurried ever onward with its steady patient flow. So I ran my sturdy boat out and raised the mail sail high— She was speeded bv the waters and the winds from out the sky. We sailed by towns and cities as we hurried o’er the foam Every moment, every second drifting further from our home. Days and days we scurried westward o’er the briney deep, In the dav I watched the scenery—most the night I’d sleep. Soon we came to stately forests, where the wild folk s»rav— Saw does drinking of the water where the tiny wavelets plav, ’Twas a iournev of contentment—close to Mother Nature, too. As I heard sounds from the flat boats and the owl's “towhit towhoo.” Still the waters hurried onward, ever onward to the west. But I kept the boat a-sailitig and she answered every test. Then one day the waters roughened and we tossed from side to side. Though I fancied nothing like it, I was soon to end the ride. The next day I saw new waters—not alike my friendly stream— There they stretched far, far before me and though it was a dream. So this was its destination—was the thought that came to me. As I thought of what Jim told me—Rivers always seek the sea! MARY R. SULLIVAN. ’31. “Advertisers Make Tills Itimk Possible” The sauad went into a huddle. Some guy had caused a muddle, The coach yelled, “Rain,” Discontinued the game. And the players fell into a puddle. ANNE ROHRMAN, '32. LAUGH When everything goes wrong—don’t get “mad” and start to throw things around— think back and wonder why you re so mad. It reallv is funny, so laugh and forget your troubles. You know it takes ten muscles to scowl, and only three to laugh. So just relax those three muscles, instead of straining ten of them. Isn’t it strange that we should get mad. Some will sav it's a “natural savage instinct. But it isn’t—it is more like jealousy. We get “mad” because things we don’t want to happen—do. Haven't you ever seen a man, or woman, who never seems to get “mad ? One who always has a snappy comeback for any of your hard luck stories, or for their own? I have. That same person generally gets along in this world. They spread good cheer and laughter. They’re optimists, and we certainly could afford to have just about five million such people. Laugh at a thing! Don’t give up hope, because if you do, on looking back after a few days, or months, you’ll laugh heartily at yourself. for being so dumb. When I get a “funny mark, (which means low) I just shrug my shoulders and laugh, and say, “Boy, they’ll put me out if I don’t start working.” Generally I try to do better,—not saying whether I do or not, but I at least try. And in the lunch-room, when I don't get a nice steaming hot dish, all 1 can say to try to keep others from grumbling over nothing is: Oh. we don’t car for that anyway.” So, come on. let’s laugh—more and more. But don’t grin, and put on that “false smile. You don't get any satisfaction oip of that, l augh heartily—and see if you don’t feel good. Why. it gives you self-confidence and makes you feel as though there’s something worthwhile living for. And even though you fall down the stairs —Bump, bump bump—laugh at your own clumsiness. Then you’ll forget that the “bumps” are so verv sore. MARGUERITE RISHE, ’31 “Advertisers .Make This Hook Possible THE MAN WHO WINS The man who wins is an average man. Not built on any peculiar plan. Not blest by any peculiar luck, lust steady and earnest and full of pluck. The man who wins is the man who works, Who neither labor nor trouble shirks, Who uses his hands, his head, his eyes— The man who wins is the man who tries. JAMES O’CONNOR, ’33. Life is a dream, life is a shadow, Life is the winding stairs so steep; But when life is o’er and trumpets roar. Life is the vision of all good deeds. WILLIAM R. GUEVRF.MONT. ’32 Flynn was asked to bring in some asparagus for biology study. When asked the next day for the asparagus, he answered: “1 just planted it yesterday.”