Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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CLASS OF JANUARY, 1932 31 What? Me! Why-why—it’s preposterous! I won’t do it. No thank you, Miss Blaine, I simply won't do it!” roared Mr. Smith, bringing his fist down on the desk with a bang. If that isn’t just like a bunch of women!” Absolutely purple with rage, he let the receiver fall weakly back onto the hook. Reggie, what is the matter?” Matter? Matter? I’ll tell you what’s the matter,” thundered Reggie so loud that the secretary opened the door. Did you want something, sir?” Get out and stay out!” answered Reggie in no gentle tones. Then, as the abashed secretary withdrew, Dan, you were right. I’ll fire that fellow. He’s got more curiosity than a woman, even.” Come! Come! Don’t let it upset you like that. Be calm—” Calm! Calm! When that insufferable Miss Blaine—could she possibly have thought I would speak at her old Women’s Club— Knowing that Miss Blaine had committed the unpardonable sin in Reggie’s eyes, I attempted to soothe him. Reggie, forget it by coming out to my new lodge this week-end. We’ll have no one as company except the dogs.” Now if Mr. Reginald A. Smith had a strong hatred for women, he had an almost equally strong liking for hunting; and as I had expected, at my words his wrath slowly evaporated into an enthusiastic smile. I’m ready. Let’s go.” However, he was not entirely appeased. On his way to the elevator, Reggie paused long enough to inform the secretary that his services were no longer needed; and with that done, we started. Everything went smoothly for some miles; then I was almost hit by another car. Ah! Just as I thought, a woman driver. That was just like a woman!” Judging by the expression on Reggie’s face, I gathered that he was still thinking about the unrivaled audacity of the abhorred Miss Blaine. I determined to make him forget. Aloysius, they tell me there are plenty of deer near the lodge. I bet I get the first one.” There were two reasons for that. The only thing Reggie hated worse than women was his name. Second, the only thing he liked better than hunting was a wager. He always took my challenges, regardless of what they might be. I’ve got the week-end to prove that,” he replied with the air of having already beaten me. Without any further molestation from the women, we arrived safe at the lodge. Reggie beamed as he viewed my new domain. It’s plain to be seen that no woman has been meddling in this place. That’s what I like. To show you that I don’t need a wife, I’ll cook the first meal.” It’s all right with me, but did you bring along any good remedies for indigestion?” I teased. Then fo'llowed two days, perfect except for one thing—we didn’t get any deer. Only once did we even see any, and our last night had come. As Reggie sat in front of the fire cleaning his gun he declared stubbornly, I’ll get a

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30 THE SENIOR MAGNET ■ — - » cAn Exception Rose Lewis I am sorry, but Mr. Smith is busy and cannot possibly see you,” greeted me in dulcet tones as I entered the office of my friend Reginald Aloysius Smith. For fully a minute I gazed at the apparition before me in amazement. Was it a man or a woman? Whereupon I discovered a slight mustache and I was inclined to decide in favor of the masculine side. Never had I seen such an effeminate man. Hair which looked as if it had been marcelled, powdered nose, manicured nails, and a slave bracelet were taken account of before it dawned on me that this must be my friend Reggie’s newest office girl—boy, I mean. Here’s my card. I know Mr. Smith will see me.” We had been roommates at college and had remained firm friends ever since, in spite of Reggie’s eccentric ways. Those ways had not affected his business career. He had risen to prominence in the real-estate world in spite of a (long-standing and incurable hatred for women. Before I had finished meditating upon his choice of a new secretary, I was interrupted by Reggie himself, who appeared and invited me in. Well,” I asked after I was settled in a chair before his desk, where in the world did you find that?” That? Oh, my new secretary? I simply couldn’t stand a woman around any more, so I sent to the employment bureau and that’s what they sent me,” answered Reggie. Heavens above ! I would a lot rather have a woman who is a woman than that 'guess what I am?’ ” I retorted. He’ll ruin your business, man !” Well, he’s still not as bad as a woman, Dan. You don’t know them as well as I do,” contended Reggie. You!” I snapped back, why you were never out with a woman, except your mother, in all your life, and you know it.” Which only goes to prove that I know my women,” smiled Reginald. I’m not going to give any woman a chance to exert herself trying to hook me, no sir! Why man, you don’t know how fortunate you are that that little gold-digger you liked married another man instead of you.” Listen, Smith, you can’t—” B-r-r-r ! B-r-r-r ! Pardon me, please, while I answer the phone.” Hello! Yes, this is Mr. Smith . . . Yes, I remember you, Miss Blaine.” Reggie slumped down in his chair and regarded me with the air of a martyr. The next few minutes were occupied by the unseen Miss Blaine at the other end of the wire; then Reggie suddenly straightened in his chair and with the look of a person in a spasm shouted, What?” Looking at his face, I truly felt that he might burst a blood vessel at any moment.

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32 THE SENIOR MAGNET deer yet. I’ll win that wager from you, Dan, if I have to hunt all night.” Scarcely had he uttered these words when there was a knock at the door and I opened it to behold—a woman! Come in,” I gasped, with a horrified glance at Reggie. The girl, very young and appealing, did not seem to notice my consternation. Oh no! - - I - - you see, I became lost in the woods. This is the first lodge I’ve come to. If you’ll just tell me which way to go, I must get back to Lovely Hollow Lodge.” I understand. It is quite easy to get lost in these woods. If you’ll just wait a moment—” I’ll be very glad to take you home,” spoke up Reggie pleasantly, letting his gun clatter to the floor and reaching for his coat with alacrity. I was still staring stupidly when they left. What under the shining sun? Had the heavens suddenly fallen, or was there some trick in this? I could hardly wait until the woman-hater should return. But even as he returned, I guessed it. A wicked twinkle was in his eye, and as he took off his coat with a triumphant flourish, That’s the time I got one over on you, old boy! I got the first dear, even if I do- have to spell it with a d-e-a-r !” Oh, but you didn’t really land her,” I protested weakly. Didn’t I? Guess I made a date for Tuesday night just for fear you’d say that very thing!” I gave in then, too utterly astounded to question him further, though I never expected him to keep that date. So you may imagine how utterly stunned I was when, three weeks later, Reggie himself burst into my office. Giving me a playful poke in the ribs, he demanded, Say - - - how would you like to be best man at a wedding?” Wedding!” said I. Just who is the unfortunate victim?” Unfortunate victim nothing! Yours truly is a fortunate man!” Weak from amazement, I dropped unsteadily into a chair. You know,” continued Reggie, I really didn’t think I’d keep that date that Tuesday night, but I was afraid you would ask me about it, so I did. And when I got there, I found Dorothy to be an exception. Why man, she’s the most remarkable woman in the world. I hadn’t been there ten minutes until I found out that she knows and detests Miss Blaine, and that she simply abominates Women’s Clubs!” I managed not to drop the ring at the wedding, but I am firmly convinced that the shock and strain under which I labored is the cause of the .heart trouble from which I have suffered ever since.