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

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= By VI ( Selected bv Mr. B. J. Stolper from a Set of 24 Short-Stories. ) Jock МСЕЕЕ, a cobbler in a small village on the Tay River in Scotland, had the name of being super- stitious. All the people of the village accused him of not coming out after dark for the simple reason that he lived near the village burial grounds. One of the villagers, Jim Sanderson by name, especially liked to bother Jock about his superstition. It happened one day about midsummer that Jim’s shoes needed mending, so he walked over to Jock’s shop to have them fixed. Jock was in a grouchy mood that day, for his work had all gone wrong, and when he saw Jim entering his shop, he gave a loud groan. This was enough to start an argument, and Jim began it by saying: Hello, Jock, hae ye been takin’ a dram or twa ower muckle that ye er heid's batherin' ye, or what is it that’s makin’ ye groan sae loud? “Its enough tae mak’ anybody groan tae see sic a big loon as ye are comin’ intae their hoose, said Jock. “Och awa, Jock,” said Jim, ye needna get riled sae quick when a freen’ comes ower tae visit ye, but tae tell ye the truth ye look awfa’ like as iff the de'el hae been visitin’ ye last nicht. “Сша sakes, said Jock, “dinna mention ma name wi the de'el again ог I'll rap ye ower the heid wi’ ma hammer. A' the foulk in the toon say I’m scairt lae gang oot after dark, but ГЇЇ gie them something tae talk aboot, fur I'll stay а nicht in the burial groonds.”” “If ye think уте sae brave, Jock, I'll wager ye a shillin’ that ye dinna stay ony mair than half an оог i’ the groonds, said Jim. “A’ richt, Jim, said Jock, “I'll tak’ that wager, we the conditions that ye stop gaen oot wi’ Jeannie McFarlin, for ye ken I like her mair than onybody in Scotland. What, me stop gaen oot wi’ Jeannie?” said Jim. “Wha ever heard о’ sich rot? Is't no’ enough that ye hae the chance o' winnin' a shillin’ fra me? An' mind ye, Jock, dinna you try ony courtin' wi’ Jeannie, or ГЇЇ bash yer muckle face in. This settled any doubts of Jeannie being concerned in the wager, so it was arranged that Jock should sit in the village burial grounds from 10 o'clock that night until dawn. That night about five minutes to 10 Jock set out for the burial grounds. He took his hammer with him, for, as he stated it, I micht need it, bein’ oot in such a skeptical place a' nicht. Jock soon arrived at the burial grounds and, climbing a fence rather than have the villagers see him go in, he made his way to a little grass plot about the middle of the grounds. Here Jock sat down on a large stone which had probably marked the grave of some one some- time or other. Soon Jock began to feel drowsy, and little by little his breathing deepened until sleep overcame him. When Jock awoke it was pitch dark. He rubbed his eyes, wondering where he was, then looked around. What he saw startled him. On all sides shadowy figures were stealing toward him. Jock at any time was not brave, but now he almost went frantic with fear. Тһе hair on his head bristled and a chill ran down his back. His knees hit each other he shivered so, and in his mind he saw visions of himself lying dead with daggers stuck all over him. ‘Guid sakes,” said Jock to himself, why did I ever think о’ comin’ oot here the nicht? It micht be the last nicht I’m livin’ and I didna even say guid nicht tae Jeannie. What will she say iff I'm foond deid the morn's mornin’! I wonder iff she'll greet when she sees me a cut up? Och! I wish I niver had thoucht о’ comin’ here the nicht.” In his bewilderment Jock had been gazing at the ground, but now he raised his eyes to see how near the demons were. То his Memor, da could see noth- ing but gravestones around him. Jock chuckled to himself and thought how scared he had been, but this was soon brought to an end when he saw two bright orbs staring at him. Jock could not imagine what they could belong to. Then a thought flashed through his mind as his cheerfulness left him and he again began to shiver. “What if it's the de'el come tae claim me? This thought gave him the creeps and his hair bristled again. Then the orbs moved nearer, and Jock, already startled, jumped to his feet. The orbs stopped for a minute, then began to move forward again. Jock tried to stop his fear by saying in a loud, shrill voice, “Ye'll hae tae be michty smart tae catch Jock McFee, for I can beat onybody between here and Dundee at runnin. As if to put action to his words, Jock

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PTV OLE [An Imitation of Addison's Spectator] Vol. IV, No. 4 May, 1919 “Соте. let me clutch thee. —SHAKESPEARE [he Diploma's the thing. And thou shoulds't know, as we grasp 1t, that our Touch is not particu- larly Tender. Nay, it is firm unto a vicious Clutch, for we desire it not to make Wings for itself and be- take its precious Scroll to other Climes. We have labored hard and long to get It. Ask us not, Now that you've got It, what are you going to do with It? for we know not ourselves. We have a vague, hazy Notion that as а Paper it is but a Scrap of Paper, but as a Proof of our untiring Efforts it is of Value beyond computing. So we guard It carefully and measure its Length and Breadth for a suitable Frame. Ye Pivoteer gazeth on the rest of the Class of June, 1919, and thinketh it of worthy . Note. We see Herman Honeyskin in his Place of Honor. Yea, for he sitteth in glory by the Side of Dashing Dot, while Harry Here-I-am occupies the Chair on her Side. George Ginger and Sammy Say-So whisper in hoarse Voices as they endeavor to dis- tinguish the Faces of their Friends beyond the glare of the Footlights. Postponed Pertzie murmurs, “Сее, these extra Six Months have flown. Ethel Ease giggles happily and pokes her Pal, Julie Josh- All, in the ribs. Hazel Hale-and-Hearty heaves in ecstacy as she ponders on the Beauties of the Diploma; and Nightschool Nelly also ponders, but less heavily, and thanks her lucky Stars she went to nite skule. Max Murder is wrapped in his customary other Gloom, which cannot be dispelled even by the Laugh- ter-loving Robbie Restless, who positively bubbleth Our two best-looking Girls of the class, Lena Lovely and Ruth Ravishing, sit contentedly Side by Side. A short Distance away Sadie Skilful and Tilly ally also whisper in subdued Voices. Our Principal reads in clear Notes the names on the Diplomas. Lily Listless —and she undulates care- fully to the Foreground and accepts her Reward gracefully. Amelia Ambition, Esther Ever-ready,”” he continues. They press forward eagerly, followed by Hattie Handy and our Class President, Bustling Berkie. Saul Slow-boy, Philip Phast-boy, Gertrude Gush, Ruth Retiring, Frances Frizzy, Wandering Willie and Herbert Harrier follow in the Order named. These, dear Reader, are all of the Senior Class that comes to our Mind immediately. If We have omitted some, blame us not, for the pile of Diplomas is growing smaller and we see our Name inscribed on the very last One. So We desire to, stop our Story here for two Reasons. First, we wish to make as graceful an Exit as possible; and second (this is probably the main Reason), We know that when our Name is called We shall be extremely Nervous. Therefore it is Feasible that We have as little on our Mind as possible when the auspicious Moment finally arrives. over. Mr. McKinney’s boys had collected $1,050 of subscriptions for the Fifth Liberty Loan when this issue of THE PIVOT went to press. The basketball team wishes to extend its thanks to Miss Minna Liebschutz for her kind co-operation in the sale of tickets. Her name was unintentionally omitted from last month's issue. Be A Good Sport! Attend the Central-Barringer Game at the City Field.

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turned and started to run, but he stumbled over the stone he had been sitting on and fell flat on his face. Instantly he was on his feet and started running again. Then from behind him came a screech, which to Jock was the most horrible he had ever heard in his life. Meow-ow-ow-w-Weow-W-W,' it came, breaking the stillness ol the air in an unearthly sound. Jock fly like the wind, but he was stopped suddenly bv a white figure coming toward him. Jock gazed He dropped his hands This made at the figure in bewilderment. to his sides, and as he did so felt the hammer in h pocket. An idea came to him. He grasped the THE GREAT ENIRAL. MAXINE “Will it be all right for March 22nd, then?” “Yes.” “At seven-thirty 2 =. That was all that was said; but what those words implied! It meant that She was going to the Great Central Meet—and with Him. The only things that were at that time informed of this wonderful happen- ing were the doors, blackboards and desks in 110, be- cause that was where the date was made. Conse- quently, it was up to Her to spread the thrilling news throughout Central. That afternoon Gladys (that's the name of the girl who said yes, and who is to be our heroine) left school at one minute after three precisely, and by 3:16 had made arrangements with her dressmaker for the plans to be followed in the designing of her attire for the Meet. Clifford (that's the name of the fellow who asked the boon for March 22nd, and who 15 our hero) left the building at 3:10, and by 3:25 had received Nat Levy's promise to furnish him with a complete outfit for the Great Night. By the looks of things, you, gentle reader, may be led to think that this wonderful affair was to be held in a very short time from the hour our heroine re- ceived her bid. It is not just for me to mislead you by their hasty actions, so I will tell you a little secret. The Meet was scheduled for March 22nd, and it was only March 1 Oth. You can judge for yourself what an important event in Gladys's life this was, when she, who never 13 hammer, and rushing at the figure with a yell, brought down that implement with all his strength on the vision's head, then ran for dear life toward home. The next morning Jim Sanderson had a big lump on his head. One of the villagers recollected having seen Jim walking toward the burial grounds the night before with a bundle under his arm. When Jock heard this he remembered the ghost he had hit on the head, and told the story, and always after that when he told the story he would end by saying, An' its awfu’ uncanny that Jim Sanderson had a beg lump on his heid the next mornin'. a MMU m MEET HEMMINDINGER, departed from her dear school before four o'clock, had to bid the building good-bye directly after dis- missal, and rush her order eleven days in adv ance. The same applies to our hero, Clifford. I have not the space nor the time to tell you of all the exciting moments the couple spent during the days that followed. But it will be wise to say that Gladys was shopping either here or in New York each day promptly after school, and that Central was alive with the news that the best-looking boy in school was taking the most popular girl. All eyes would be drawn magnetically to this famous couple—our hero and heroine, reader, on this eve of March 22nd. Slowly but surely the day grew near.. By the time Spring made her appearance, all plans for the Meet were going smoothly. But—before the day of March 21st was over, one girl's spirits were crushed. That girl was Gladys. At seven-thirty that even- ing, just as she was thinking how stunning she would be looking at the same hour the coming night, the telephone rang. Convinced that Clifford’s manly voice would be on the other end of the wire, Gladys answered the phone. Is Miss Gladys Eagleton in?” said a gruff voice. “This is she speaking.” “This is the Fourth Precinct. A person was just brought in for breaking the traffic laws. He gave your name and address for assistance.” Gladys never knew how she managed to ask the question, Do you mean you want bail? but she remembered receiving the answer. Yes. To raise the money was the question that now con- fronted our heroine. She knew that he had looked to