Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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 THE MAGNET m Vol. 14 JANUARY, 1915 No. 4 LITERARY I nil I lllllillllllllltl I I I I II mill IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIII 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111 A Double Romance. IVIEN Longwell and Phyllis Murray were chums, having been room-mates for a year and a half of their college life, and were considered the most popular girls in the college. They were now in the last half of the Sophomore year, and it was the belief of all the teachers that if they would study more and plan fewer parties, they would receive better reports and be seen less frequently in study hall. Vivien's brother, Bill, who was four years her senior, had been professor of science for the past year, and it was understood by all that Professor Morse, the president of the college, had once remarked that he did not see how the college had ever gotten along before he came, so well was he acquainted with his vocation. Professor Longwell was a favorite with the girls in general, and was always in for anything they might plan, since it was not against the rules (but rather a part of them) that the teachers should attend all the social functions of the students. There had been rumors, and probably with some reason, of Vivien’s engage- ment to Phyllis Murray’s brother, Bob, which was supposed to have occurred after their return from the former’s second visit at the Murray home. This did not affect her popularity in the least, for there were more parties than ever after the Thanksgiving vacation. But the sudden and appalling death of President Morse, several weeks later, and the filling of the vacancy by Vice President Jacobs, had ended the parties for awhile, both an account of the prevailing sorrow which had settled over the community, and also on account of the fact that “Old Jakie,” as the spiteful students had named him, had barred parties and all social affairs,-except when he might give his permission. ft was the general opinion of the student body that rather than stand for his wrath, or be kept waiting for a week or so for an answer, they would do without their parties. Professor Jacobs had also declared that any disobedience on the part of the students would certainly bring expulsion, and as for the teachers being caught in any escapades from that time on, they would promptly forfeit their positions. And thus it was that about a week be-

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tkMratunt. 30 those earnest men and wo m en—O u r Fac u 11 y—w h o are devoting their lives to the task of educating and uplifting the youth of Butler, this Senior Magnet is sincerely dedicated.

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2 THE MAGNET fore Christmas vacation Vivien, whom the girls always sent on such missions, since they thought the fact that her brother was a professor, might have some weight with the officials, got up enough courage to ask President Jacobs’ consent for a dance to be held on the Friday night before the Christmas vacation. But, after putting her off for a day, and then another day, and finally till the day of the proposed party, he informed her that it could not possibly be held. This decision made the students desperate, and it was declared that they would get even with “Old Jake” sooner or later. The Christmas vacation came to a close, and one by one the students returned to their places, each with more hatred toward the new president. As Christmas and New Year came on Friday. the vacation lasted until the following Monday, when full sessions would begin. Most of them arrived on Saturday, so as to be ready to begin work on Monday morning. By Sunday evening all had arrived but Vivien and Phyllis, who had spent their vacation at the former’s home. It was Monday afternoon when the two finally reached the school, and as soon as they had gotten into the dormitory, the rest of the girls flocked around them, telling them that all the Sophomore fellows were wanting a dance right away, in order to begin the New Year right, and show “Old Jake” that they intended to have parties just when they chose. So, without taking off their wraps, the girls called a meeting of all the Sophomores in the laboratory and there, amid the smothered laughter of the triumphant girls, it was decided to hold a dance that night in the town hall, which could be rented very reasonably. And so it was planned that after the lights were all out, and everyone supposed to be in bed at ten o’clock, that the fellows, who would in the meantime procure a ladder from the general store down at the village, should all be out and have the ladder at the girls’ dormitory window at ten-thirty. The night was bitter cold, and although the snow was not falling, it was worse than if it had been, for everything was so still and white, and the bright, silvery snow was frozen so that the least tread upon it would cause a noise, and the culprits began to fear detection. At ten o’clock all the girls were ready and, as usual, the lights all over the building were out, and at ten-thirty the first girl in the person of Vivien Longwell was down the ladder. In little more than five minutes every one—even to Professor Longwell, to whom Vivien, in her excitement, had accidentally let out the secret, and who, after many threats and cautions on the part of the students, had decided, half willingly, to join the miscreants—were ready to start on the perilous flight around the side of the building to the front gate, the snow cracking under their feet as they cautiously picked their steps, fearing every moment to see “Old Take’s” head peering out of the upper front room window But they successfully managed to get through the big iron gate and down the Main street of the little town to the Town Hall, which they entered without any regret, for although the distance was short, they were all about frozen. Once inside the spacious hall, no time was lost in getting started, and one by one the couples swung merrily off to the tune of some popular air. It was in the small hours of the morning before the happy crowd realized that they were getting tired and sleepy, and before long were wearily trudging up the steep and icv hill. It was a tired but merry crowd that stole softly around the building to the ladder, which the girls were soon ascending. Tt seemed as though everything had turned out magnificently.