Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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18 7 II E S E MO R £M A G S’ E T In the meantime, brother Jim had been growing discontented with the quiet life in his nine o’clock home town, and yearned to go west where men are men.” Ilis father had, by his influence, obtained a position for Jim in a neighboring office; but Jim was bored by the daily, regular routine. So Jim, too, arrived in Los Angeles about a month after his sister. Since Norma’s arrival in California, she had sought interviews with theatre managers, trying to obtain employment as a dancer, but it seemed a hopeless task. No one seemed particularly anxious for a classical dancer. One manager who consented to give her a trial, watched her performances quizzically, but very discouragingly informed her that the public wanted pep. jazz, thrills, nothing bordering on the classical would go over.” Norma went away. She walked and walked, not knowing or caring where she was going. After all her dreams of a glorious career! Nevertheless, she would not let the news that she was a failure return home. Suddenly an idea struck her. She would make good. Norma hurried home and, encountered Jimmy lounging on the veranda doing nothing. I le hadn’t seemed particularly anxious to seize his “opportunities,” if there were any. So Jimmy had not found anything to do more strenuous than sleeping and eating “three squares” a day. Norma drew him into her plan— at which he at first rebelled—but finally consented to, because Aunty seemed to be growing tired of feeding and lodging gratis the two young people, and told Jim that he had better find another boarding place. The only drawback was that he had no money. Norma’s idea was that together she and Jim might evolve a dancing act which would appeal to the public so that evening she began coaching her brother. Jim was as awkward as an-ox, but that was to be expected. They practiced every morning, afternoon and evening, un- beknown to Aunty, until they had worked up a rather good dance. It was one of those Spanish affairs like the kind in w'hich Valentino specializes. Then Pierrot and Pierette” was gotten out and dusted off. After a month of rigid rehearsing, the two felt that they could carry off the palm in a becoming enough manner, wherever they might act. At last a contract was signed with the manager of a famous restaurant which entertained its guests during meals with various specialties, and Norma and Jim were now launched upon their careers. They became extremely popular—people came to the restaurant especially to see them perform; their salaries were increased once, tw'ice, many times during the two years spent in cabaret dancing. Aunt Helen was under the impression that they were teaching school, and could not discover the truth since they had removed to a house which was nearer their place of occupation than the home of their aunt. The Davis’ popularity had been steadily increasing. Managers of musical companies and shows sought them, and begged them to sign contracts at enormous salaries, which they intended to do in a few months time. But, they were now becoming involved in what authors call “high life.” When the restaurant closed, which was usually at three o’clock in the morning, Norma and Jim with their newly found “friends” sought other places of amusement, and after an hilarious night, managed to unlock the door just as the milkman was coming up the walk. This sort of so-called fun began to leave its impression on Norma. Although charmingly pretty formerly, she was now becoming thin and pale, with a fagged-out expression creeping into her eyes. Jim was also losing his fresh, healthy appearance. However, the two continued the battle which their work had now become, and still kept on with their merry parties. This life could not be maintained much longer without disastrous results. Although Norma and

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7 E S E NIO R 51 A G N r. T 17 You Never Can Tell Martha Worcester Mr. Davis was a common, ordinary business man, with two children who were in college. Norma and Jenny, the two young hopefuls, were bv no means common or ordinary, according to their own estimation, as their parents soon discovered during the first vacation spent at home from their respective schools. Somebody had told Norma that she had talent, and Norma believed it. For this reason, in addition to her other studies, she cost her daddy in the neigh-borhood of five thousand dollars a semester for lessons in classical dancing from a famous Russian instructor. Mr. Davis could not see anything commendable in that, but he let his daughter go ahead in her “art” simply because it was her wish, anti within reason. Jimmy was a real college man, which means in our language a young man of about twenty-three years of age, handsome of course, and possessing the distinguished air of a man who has the world at his feet. And inevitably, as all the rest, Jimmy knew exactly what was wrong with the world and everything in it. Don’t you think that Mr. Davis should be proud of a son like that? No doubt he was. Well, anyway, since college boys are practically all alike, you get the point. Norma and Jimmy graduated in the same year, the minds of both filled with ideas to make the world realize that they were absolutely essential for its progress. Graduation was a grand affair, and Mr. and Mrs. Davis were by no means the proudest parents there. The exercises lasted for three days, after which the young graduates returned to the parental nest,—for the time being. This was short. Soon after her arrival at home, Norma broke the news to her parents that she intended to go on the stage. Horrors! Dear papa and mamma were speechless for a moment. Then father refused to take it seriously, until his daughter began to cry and declare that she wasn’t appreciated, and all her work was for nothing. Oh dear! other girls weren’t confined,—and so on. Mr. Davis became exasperated. He considered actors and actresses merely as painted puppets, and would have been cut to the heart if his daughter should enter that profession. The subject was dropped, but resumed with increased feeling the next day. Dad finally lost all patience, and cruelly declared that she would either have to get that silly idea out of her head, or—. I le didn’t finish. But Norma was more firm than ever. One evening while her parents were at an entertainment which was destined to last for some time, the dutiful daughter packed up and started for California on the night train. She left a note on the library table which was stated something like this:— “Dear Mother and Dad, You don’t seem to realize that I am a genius, and so cannot appreciate the opportunity which has knocked at my door. When my career has been assured, 1 shall come home for a short visit. 1 shall go to Aunt I lelen’s in Los Angeles until 1 get settled. Don’t worry. Love and forgiveness, Norma.” Needless to say, that was a terrifically hard blow upon those who loved her best. It was too late to call her back— the night train had left four hours ago. The best that could be done was to wait and hope for her safe arrival in Los Angeles.

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TUB S E N10 R MAG N B T 19 Jim had departed far from the Puritanical ways of their parents, their early training was more deeply rooted than they themselves realized. The climax was soon reached. It was at a very late hour one night, when the streets were thronged with automobiles bearing gay crowds to and from places of amusement. Norma and her escort were crossing a street where the traffic was heaviest, in order to hail a taxi. In some way, Norma was separated from her escort, grew bewildered at the noise and confusion, and ran dazedly in front of an approaching automobile. There was a loud cry. Everything went black for Norma, and she lost consciousness. The unfortunate driver of the car jumped out, picked up the senseless girl, placed her gently in the car, and drove to the nearest hospital. There, he was informed that her injuries would disable her for some weeks at least, but were not fatal. Paul Bruce, as was his name, called the next day, and inquired as to her comfort. The day after, he came again, chatted with Norma for a few minutes, and promised to notify her brother. The weeks sped by, and Norma rapidly improved. This long rest was doing her good, and every evening her new friend, Paul Bruce, came to the hospital for a few moments. When she was able to move about in the hospital garden, they took short strolls together along the tree-bordered paths. Norma became a different girl. She was recovering her health, her beauty was returning, and a new light sparkled in her eyes, which surely must have been due to Mr. Bruce. At last the gala day arrived when Norma wras to leave the hospital. Jimmy was there, and Aunt Helen, and most of her real friends,—also Mr. Paul Bruce. At parting, Paul asked whether he might call the next evening; Norma’s heart leaped,—but she answered “yes” composedly enough. When Paul arrived the next evening, Norma looked beautiful, and she knew it. Paul knew it, too. The young man suggested that they take a stroll in the garden—it was such a beautiful moonlight night. Of course Norma was very willing, although she didn’t say so, and under the enchanting rays of the moon the question was popped. “Norma, dear, will you?” “Yes, Paul.” And that was all. An hour later two happy people broke the glad news, and everybody was pleased. It was a fine match. Father and mother were telegraphed for, and they came on the next train. The whole ceremony was performed without a hitch, and there never was a prettier bride, or a handsomer bridegroom. After the knot was tied, a wedding breakfast was served to the immediate families and a few' friends of the two most concerned, and then the newly-weds departed for an extended honeymoon. Jimmy, who had become completely weary of his work at the cabaret, joyfully accepted his father’s offer to accompany his parents home and assume a position in Mr. Davis’ office.