Central High School - Cog N Pen Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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= чш and. Ë= i. Cards and Cups By Victor DEWEY WOODRUFF Jao» ENI O limit.” FE Oe. 9 М г You heard me, Scott. The others ed are out of it. Are you crawling just be- Кабо A cause you lost a little more than usual tonight? The speaker made no attempt to veil the sneer that crept into his voice near the end. Disregarding the other's overt taunt, Scott answered, I'll raise you fifty on that, De Forrest. The slight tremor in his voice caused action on the part of one of the three who had withdrawn from the game. “I say, Layton, he demurred, turning to De For- rest, this is going a bit too far! You remember when we organized the Clandestine Club the limit was placed at twenty-five and has never been raised since. Besides, Don has lost enough for one night and it's after one. If ‘Skeets’ Murray should see a light in here at this hour there'll be the devil to pay. What do you say? Let's call it off for tonight and throw those hands away. The other two, who had stood back aghast as the stakes had leaped to fifty, to a hundred, and then one hundred and fifty, nodded vigorous assents. “What do you say, Поп?” asked one. “It's up to him, replied the other, indicating De Forrest. “You three are out of this, said De Forrest, harshly, and I'm going to finish this hand. And as for you, Lamont, I don't care whether the Dean catches us ог not. I’m through after tonight. I'll go you fifty more, Don. Come on, be a sport; make it an even two hundred and I'll call your hand. Lamont's face blanched with anger at the tone and import of De Forrest's words. Make it two hundred, replied Scott, doggedly. Now, what have you got?” and he flung his cards, four kings, upon the table. A wave of relief swept over the faces of his three 7 friends as he swept the cards out. De Forrest must have a literal something up his sleeve to be able to raise against that hand, remarked Lamont to Al Longstreth and Eddie Richardson. A sardonic grin overspread De Forrest's face as he heard Lamont's remark. “There is but one hand that can beat a straight flush, he said; and that's a royal flush, and there it is. With that he laid his five cards upon the table and they told their own tale. De Forrest had won. The hectic flush died out of Don Scott's cheek and a pallor overspread his clear-cut profile. There was a listless droop to his shoulders as he arose, a bit un- steadily. “That finishes me, he muttered to himself. His three friends looked at him sympathetically. It was common gossip about Andover Prep that Don Scott's propensity for gambling had incurred the violent displeasure of his millionaire father, who had lately declared that if any more of his son's gambling debts were sent to him it would result in his removal from school. De Forrest made no bones over his dislike for Scott. Ever since the Westerner had deposed him as Ше athletic idol of the school the former had endeavored to make things as unpleasant as possible for the youth- ful half-miler. De Forrest, rather than be beaten by a young cub, as he derisively called Scott, sullenly quit the cinder-path, giving as a pretext superabundance of studies. When Kenneth Lamont, with Longstreth and Rich- ardson, had sought to form a poker club to beguile the leaden hours of joyless New England nights, they had not sought to enlist as a member Layton De Forrest. But the latter had pleaded so eagerly that it would have been a breach of good-fellowship to bar him. Don Scott had merely tried the game as an idle pastime, but its :ascination soon made him one of its

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А SELF-EVIDENT DUTY Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.” А very good bit of advice indeed, for it dresses every one of us who follows it in the very best habit he can afford, without placing too great a drain on our often too-slim pocketbooks. The need of today is not so much style as becomingness, neatness and good taste. Indeed, instead of style, THE Ргуот would substitute indi- viduality, which may dictate the same as the fashions or not, all according to the tastes of the wearer, while the person who merely dresses to be in style immedi- ately puts himself on a level with the most mediocre run of people. But the most important thing of all is that those clothes which we may have be kept in the best of condition, always clean, well pressed, and, in the case of shoes, well polished. Nothing is more dis- gusting than linen worn till it is soiled, a rip or a missing button, or unpressed skirt or trousers. Your clothing is what makes that important first impression, and it is to your advantage to look your very best. Further, one's efficiency is badly impaired by the knowledge that even one little detail of apparel is not just as it should be. Last, and equally important, is the fact that it is everyone's duty to make his fellow- creatures contented by being neatly and sensibly dressed—by wearing clothes that are at once practical and refined. GRIT Mr. 1B, have you any grit in your system? Ог are you a quitter? Do you quit work when you get a six? When you entered high school you probably found the work much harder than it was when you attended grammar school. High school work is more difficult, and the system is entirely different. It has taken you a few months to become accustomed to your new environment. Even if your marks have been lower the first few months than you thought they would be, don't give up. Stick it out. Statistics show that the greatest number of sudents leave high school during their first or second year. This is because they haven't the grit to fight to the finish. A six on your card should be an incentive to do better work, not a reason for giving up, with the excuse tnat it is too hard for you. Don't give up without a fight. Don't allow yourself to be drawn into the abyss of discouragement. Whenever you start a new job, you will find it hard at first to get accus- tomed to your surroundings. Don't allow a bad start to discourage you. The world hates a quitter. Show your grit! SUGGESTIONS [This department of THE Ргуот is for the benefit of everyone in the school, and teachers as well as pupils are invited to drop their suggestions in THE Ргуот box. | For the most part, the walls of the rooms about Ше school are destitute of any decorations whatsoever. It is the opinion of THE Pivor that the rooms would be much more congenial by the hanging of pictures or framed mottoes—none of the God-Bless-Our-Happy- Home kind, but well chosen ones that would keep the students thinking all the time. These might easily be purchased by means of class collections. Even charity would not come amiss, if someone wished to donate a really decorative bit of art for the benefit of the hun- dreds who use each room daily. No matter by what means, let us have pictures, and let them be good ones. USE AND ABUSE It would be well if notices were distributed about the school explaining the proper use of corridors. These would probably tell us that corridors are a means to an end, and not an end in themselves. Corridors were made in order that we may get some place, and not to linger about in, exchanging useless small talk and gossip. It is not a pleasant sight to see students lounging about the doors and other parts of the cor- ridors, as if they had nothing to do and no place to go. It should not happen in a school attended by earnest students. Let us be business-like in school and brisk and energetic habits will be our heritage in the busi- ness world. A WORTH-WHILE RECREATION When the busy principal of a busy school manages to obtain for the pupils the pleasure of a musical pro- gram almost weekly, it is a matter worthy of notice and appreciation. That is just what we have to thank Mr. Wiener for. As one of our visitors ге- marked, it is impossible to go away from one of these entertainments without feeling refreshed in mind and spirit. Much praise is also due to Mr. Smith, who renders the occasions so interesting and profitable.. We hope they will be continued, as the time given to them is as well spent as that spent racking our brains over exact sciences. AN APPRECIATION The members of the class of January, 1917, express their heartiest appreciation of the kind assistance of their faculty adviser, Mr. Henry M. Goldstein, who has delivered them from many a difficulty during their senior year. Having completed its work to the best of its ability, THE Pivot board extends to its readers an apprecia- tive “Thank you! and makes ready to turn over the reins of control to its successor, the eleventh Pivot staff, with best wishes for a most successful term.

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most rabid devotees. Like all beginners, he was а con- sistent loser, and this had culminated in a “blowup” with the “governor.” As a result he was forbidden to play the game and his allowances were split in half. Tonight, unable to resist its lure, he had sought the Clandestine Club, as Lamont had named it. Not much persuasion was needed to induce him to join in a game. De Forrest, until tonight, had succeeded admirably in hiding his pent-up hatred for Don Scott, but as the latter kept losing he was unable to keep from gloating. “Ном much are you out, Поп?” queried Richard- son, as the players pushed back their chairs. Four hundred and ten dollars, came the laconic response. The questioner whistled. It might have been worse, put in De Forrest. “Oh, by the way, Scott, could you oblige me with that two hundred? I want to be going. Without looking up, Scott said “I haven't got it. The others looked at him askance. Aha, so you were betting on your nerve, sneered De Forrest. But then, he continued, in a careless sort of manner, that surprised the others, your I. O. U. will do just as well. You can pay me any time. I’m not in a hurry for it?” “I wonder what's happened to make that fellow so generous all of a sudden, communed Lamont to himself. There must be something behind that. Surprised at the matter-of-fact way in which De Forrest had passed off his violation of the rules of the club, Don hastily scribbled out his note, and said: “Га never have ventured to risk it, but, you see, I didn’t think that hand could be beaten and I thought I was playing safe all the way through.” Oh, that's nothing, the other hastened to assure him, smoothly ; I would have done the same thing my- self under those circumstances. It was a hundred-to- one shot that you'd win— but you lost. А bit of hard luck, that's all. Forget about it. When you get some change come around and see me. Scott passed him the note and De Forrest carefully placed it in his wallet and prepared to take his de- parture. As he reached the door he paused and, turn- ing, said: Well, good night, fellows, and pleasant dreams. The last words were meant for Scott, who was staring moodily at the upturned cards. Lamont was the only one who caught their double significance and the malevolent glare which De Forrest levelled at the unseeing Scott. Then the latter went out. After his departure Lamont made haste to obliterate all signs of the night's activities. The four roomed in the same building and it was but a short time after De Forrest left that the four were asleep in their beds. Scott roomed next to Lamont and Richardson: Longstreth was across the corridor. The former's thoughts before sleep were a strange co-mixture of sor- row and anger. He bitterly arraigned himself because his developed penchant for gambling had led him into a debt which would be very embarrassing to meet if De Forrest should demand payment. If his father by any chance should hear of his latest break, his career at Andover was finished. Layton De Forrest is the last person in the world whom I ever wanted to be beholden to, he thought, and then dropped off to troubled slumber. A week later came the biggest track meet of the year—the dual meet with Phillips Exeter. Intense rivalry caused each event to be contested fiercely, and as Don Scott romped off with the quarter-mile and half-mile runs in record time, the deafening acclama- tions of the vast throng of under-graduates and specta- tors gladdened his spirit. Don had his eyes fixed on a spot of white, away up in the grandstand. Eleda Rossalind had come all the way from New York to see him run. He had no eyes for a figure that sat crouched back in a near-by seat. Layton De Forrest bit his lips vindictively as Scott breasted the tape in the half-mile. He alone took no part in the cheering as the Andover section rose en masse at Scott’s record-breaking run. For two years De Forrest had been the recipient of these hoarse cheers. Now, he was forgotten. It was unbearable. He rose and elbowed his way through the happy throng. Their gayety but added to his hatred of Scott. “Tonight is the time, he muttered, and strode out from the park. Lamont, ever watchful, was the only one to see the actions of De Forrest and he mentally resolved to keep his eye on him. With Eleda and her father seen off on the New York Express, Scott’s happy frame of mind vanished. A sort of premonition seized him. That note for the two hundred weighed heavily on his shoulders. He returned thoughtfully across the campus to his room just as Lamont entered next door. The riotous celebration of their overwhelming victory over Phillips Exeter was at its height. Bonfires dotted all parts of the campus and myriads of sparks shot to- ward the darkened sky. Somewhat cheered, Scott walked to the dormitory window to look out at the merry-making. There came a slight knock at his door. quickly, he said: “Come їп.” There was no greeting. the other’s mind. Well, I’m here, began De Forrest. “I expected you, said Scott quietly. De Forrest looked taken aback, but continued iron- ically: “Your sapience seems to be infallible. I won't take your time, though. I guess you know what I’m here for. I need that two hundred. You see,” he went on suavely, unexpected contingency— Oh, never mind that stuff, broke in Scott. “The truth is, De Forrest, that I expected you'd give me at least two weeks to raise that money. At present I'm Turning In walked De Forrest. Each knew what was in