Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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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.

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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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20 THE SENIOR (MAGNET SENIOR GREA TNESS EA RE WELL Floyd Bowers Alice Schramm Ob, it’s great to be a senior; Earewell! thou dearest prison of our It’s sure great to feel so high. youth, Ob, it’s great to look about you Wherein we spent our gladdest days tin- With a most important sigb. willingly; Ob, it’s great to be a senior, We often longed to shun thy hidden truth, And to sit upon the stage; But yet shall long in future days for While you think that all admire you, thee. With great undaunted rage. Ob, it’s great to be a senior, Farewell! nor think our chain of friends complete, With its entertainments bright; Without those cruel ones, the keepers of Eor there’s always lots to do thy dens, Besides our studies for each night. Whom we approached oft with unwilling Oh, it’s great to be a senior, feet, Yet leave more sadly than we ere ap- And go home at two P. M., proached. While all others there remain To work their brain and pen. Earewell! we say to one and all, fare- Oh, it’s great to be a senior; well! If ever by a smile, we may have made But it’s not just quite so great, One burden light, one moment bright, When you think that just one month then tell from now Of that, as our memorial which we leave. We will all have met our fate. Oh, it’s great to be a senior, B.H.S.— CLASS OF ’24 With pleasures one and all, But they last for just a moment, cthel Blair Then they pass beyond recall. In all the classes of the year, — B.H.S.— Or those perhaps to come, “WAITING” Surpassing all in Butler here, Our twenty-four is one. Dale Moore This world’s in a turmoil, and “why?” No doubt you will agree with me, The Senior race is o’er; you say. The Fresh and Soph in ecstasy, Why, the world’s without a great leader All hail to twenty-four. today; You’ll find no Washington, or Jefferson The class with lots of pep and vim, or Hamilton now, Which through these halls did tour; To settle up this world wide row. For four short years, and then they quit, ) ou’ll find no Napoleon, Caesar, nor The class of twenty-four. Erederick the Great, And now Lloyd George has fallen with All drink a toast with great delight, his weight. As the closing term is done, Now who will our next great leader be, To live up to our gold and white, Ah “yes” you say we must wait and see. And our motto truly won.