Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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8 THE SENIOR MAGNET my head, trying to relieve myself of the agony which I now endured, but only to see something which I found to be too much for my nerves. For as I stared in horror, the cellar wall directly in front of me opened and I found myself face to face with a German “seventy seven.” When I regained consciousness I was a miserable heap of flesh and clothing. “Why—er—wha—what has happened?-” I stuttered in a half tone, seemingly unaware that I was in a dangerous neighborhood. Just then there was a loud crash which brought me to my feet and I awoke to the realization that I was being called to breakfast and that my German invasion was only a dream. ALL BECAUSE OF A RING Frances Ringer “Jane Clemens! You're the limit. I think you might have at least invited us to the wedding. Whatever made you go away like that ? Wasn’t Brook-dale large enough to hold you and Jack?” “Why such a fuss, Helen? You’ll have to explain yourself more clearly. I’m so sleepy I can hardly stay awake. You know Jack went back to camp last night and I didn’t get home till late. It was after midnight before I went to bed.” “Explain? Why should I explain? I think you’d better do so yourself. Not much wonder you’re sleepy, Jane.” “No, I suppose not, but I’ll make up for it tonight and go to bed as soon as I finish my work.” “Well, that’s not what we were talking about. I asked you why you didn’t stay here and get married properly instead of going away. Do you realize that you are the talk of the town?” “What! I! the talk of the town! Helen what do you mean ? Are you in real earnest or are you only joking?” “Joking, well I should say not! Why should I joke over so serious a matter? Marcia is just raving about it, so you’d better keep your distance and let the rest of us alone.” But, Helen, do listen, I’m not married and I don’t see why you need to be so cold and heartless. Do be sensible.” “I think you’d better try that yourself. There goes the bell. I’ll see you later and in the meantime you can prepare your confession.” There was a big sale going on at Borden’s Department Store, so the girls saw no more of each other until closing time. Jane had gone to the rest room when she finished her work and had no sooner entered than the rest of the girls came in offering congratulations and complimenting her on such a fine choice. “I wouldn’t mind having Jack myself if he wasn’t my brother,” announced Marcia Davis. “Marcia Davis how can you talk so? Why Jack never even proposed to me.” At this all the girls burst out laughing and Marcia exclaimed, “How did you ever do it Jane? Do tell me for I guess I’ll have to propose to Jim. Didn’t you tremble?” “Jane, Jane, don’t blush so much or

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 7 I had hardly recovered from this information when he said, “Come over to the art gallery. Richard Russel has his masterpiece on exhibition. You’ve surely read of his remarkable ‘War Scenes.’ He got the ideas when he helped drive the Huns from Grove City College.’’ A great shout rose from the grandstand. The races were starting. I looked at my program as we took our seats. Harry Graham had entered his car “Rattles” and a little farther down “Buzzer” was entered by Raymond Kesselman. The final races were on. Ray and Bus were in the lead. Wheel to wheel they raced. They came to the grandstand and stopped. It was a tie. I went down to speak to them and to look over their cars. I almost fainted when I recognized the cars as the same ones they had used in 1919. ONLY A DREAM Kenneth Bailey The advance patrol of a division of the German Army was advancing through a thicket and were, without a doubt, following the path which led from one side of a ravine to the other. On either side of this ravine was situated a group of houses, among which was our house. Never before in my life was I so dumbfounded as when my eyes looked upon this terrible scene. “Surely the Germans had invaded our land and were making right for our house,” I gasped as I watched them advance. For, if some one had dealt me a blow, my breath would not have been lost any quicker than when I sighted those Germans. Onward they came, seeming to me to be every bit of ten feet tall, laying waste every obstruction that chanced to be in the path. Soon they appeared over the top of the hill just near our neighbor’s house. By this time I was racing from one room to another in absolute confusion. All of a sudden there was a crash, followed by screams of terror, and I hurried to the window only to see our neighbor’s house crumble under the blows of the heavy field pieces which were part of the patrol’s equipment. Bewildered, I was at a loss to know just what to do in order to escape the Hun. As I watched the proceedings, I became motionless, speechless, and almost thoughtless. The only sense I had left was my sight, but that was enough. When at length I could move again I made a quick dash for the door leading to the basement, and didn’t stop until I had placed myself in a secluded place, with an iron stove poker in one hand and a hatchet in the other. As I ran, the Huns also continued their advance, so that they were now so close that I could hear them talking. From my secluded spot, I saw through one of the cellar windows a big gun pointed towards our house one moment, and then, turned completely around, pointing toward a smaller house across the road, the Germans seeming not to know just which dwelling should be dealt the fatal charge. As I stood trembling and gasping in my place of hiding, I chanced to turn

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 9 you'll make us jealous of you. Though I suppose we have no right to be,” put in Helen. “Girls I really wish you wouldn’t get in such a hurry. Why Jack and I aren't even engaged.” Jane, I know better. Where were you and Jack all day yesterday and why have you handed in your resignation? And that ring you wear is the very same one Jack had when he came home. It's as clear as day and I don’t see why you are ashamed of Jack. You’ll not find another like him in this town.” Marcia, I don’t understand. But if you girls will give me a chance I’ll try and explain.” Yes, yes do,” cried all the girls. “I think you had better and do be quick for I’m getting hungry,” said Helen. “Well, girls, you see it’s just this way: That ring Jack was wearing belonged to me. Mother gave it to me on my twentieth birthday and that was the very day Jack left for camp. I gave him the ring to wear until he could get a furlough home. This was his first furlough and when he left for camp last night he returned my ring. Surely that ought to clear matters.” “But, Jane, I asked brother last night what had become of his ring and he said he gave it to his wife. I would just as soon believe my brother as you, so there.” “Marcia, it’s not true and I don’t care if Jack did say so. He told an untruth. I shall write to him tonight. I'm going home now for there’s no use talking any longer. Good-night.” Jane left the girls and walked home alone, wondering about the incidents of the day. That night she wrote Jack a long letter and told him everything and asked him to write and tell Marcia that they really weren’t married. The next few day were busy ones for the girls, so they didn’t have much time for talking. They all avoided Jane as much as possible, especially Marcia Davis. Jane held her head high although her heart was aching bitterly and she felt the snubs of the girls more keenly than she was vyilling to admit. So the days passed and Jane had no answer from her letter. She was very much worried when the end of the week came and brought no letter from Jack. Late Saturday night after the store closed and the girls had all separated, Jane decided to walk around the park on her way home. The wind was blowing and Jane had to keep her head down to hold her hat in place so did not notice the fine looking soldier approaching. She bumped right into him and was excusing herself fairly well when he grabbed her arm. “Jane is it you? What are you doing out here in the cold? You ought to be at home. Come along and I’ll go with you for that’s where I was bound.” “Jack, Jane managed to gasp after she had recovered from the shock, “how did you get here?” “Train brought me. I came as soon as I could, Jane. Say this is a pretty mess we’re into and the only way out is for you to accept me. How about it, Jane? Do you think you could stand it a life time? We could settle those girls once and for all.” “But the girls aren’t to blame, Jack. Of course they couldn't believe anything else. It was all so suspicious.” “We’ll talk of that later Jane. Here you are at home. Now please tell me my fate, for I’m dying to know.” Evidently Jane’s answer was satisfactory for Jack went home happy