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

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By ANNA KITZMAN Jerry Bronson and Ned Gordon were walking home Írom school one afternoon. Somehow, the grav skies and somewhat foggv atmosphere seemed to re- flect most noticeably upon the two boys. Neither of them spoke a word. Jerry looked straight ahead and his jaw appeared stronger set than ever before, while Ned cast a not-too-little inquisitive glance at his friend every now and then. Ned was anxious to know the cause of Jerry's queer behavior, but, exer- cising a great deal of tact he refrained from asking. “Say, Ned,” burst from Jerry, “do you think that it is safe for me to ask Violet Drake to go to the Prom with me?” ‘This unexpected question quite took Ned off his guard, but he answered as he thought would best suit the occasion, by saying, “Well, Jerry, I don’t know as she would want to go to the Prom with you when she hardly knows you, but why don't you get better acquainted with her by asking her to go ice-skating with you Saturday afternoon?” By this time the boys reached Jerry’s house and, with a “Well, Ned, I'll ask her tomorrow,” Jerry ascended his front steps. While walking home, Ned tried to think of some way to help Jerry. Yes, Jerry certainly needed help when he was so sad and thoughtful instead of optim- istic and happy, as was his usual frame of mind. While Ned tried to straighten things out, I'll try to explain the strange actions of both boys. Jerry was the most popular boy in Clifton High School. It was not thru wonderful feats on the gridiron or on the race track, nor even in the scholastic field that brought him his popularity, but he got it thru his hard luck. Everyone in the school knew Jerry and was always ready with a few words of sympathy for the unfortunate boy; but he had always laughed at their “needless sympathy” as he put it, and refused to lis- ten to the warnings of his friends to keep out of active affairs in order to prevent making a mess of them or himself. He always answered their warnings, how- ever, by saying, “things may go wrong now, but wait until the worm turns.” Well, if Jerry insisted upon being optimistic, it was useless to try to change his outlook in the matter. But he was forced, neverthe- less, to admit that hard luck followed him around like a shadow. As soon as Jerry reached home he sat down and planned how to ask Violet to go with him. Yes, he knew his hard luck might want to interfere with his plans again, but he decided that he would go over every minute detail so that nothing could possibly arise which he would not be prepared for, and in that way a good time would be assured. After an almost sleepless night, Jerry prepared for school, once more optimistic and feeling secure. lt was not until lunch time that he could manage to speak to Violet and then her calm and sweet pres- ence so disarmed him that he almost made a mess of the whole thing before he started it. However, he collected himself, and stammered “‘er, er’’—then all in one breath, willyougoice-skating-withmeSaturday afternoon? Jerry mopped his face after this. “Im so sorry, Jerry,” Violet sweetly answered, “but I have already promised to go ice-skating with Eugene Reed on Saturdav afternoon. There is go- Ing to be a real party of it with two other boys and girls. Perhaps we can go some other time.” Jerry barely controlled himself long enough to voice his regrets and to take leave of the girl. To think that after all of his planing he should be disappointed in such a manner. “Well,” Jerry told himself, “I should have known better than to expect Violet, the prettiest and most popular girl in the school, to spend a whole afternoon with me.” Finally Saturday came and, Jerry too restless to stay at home, decided that he would go to the lake and watch Violet have a good time even though she did not go with him. He immediately set out ana reached the lake in good time— Violet was not yet there. Finally, he saw the party come, and, with much unnecessarv noise customarv on such occasions, thev frolicked around the lake for about an hour, while Jerry kept constantly in sight of Violet. 'Oh, when will mv luck change,” though Jerry to himself, now undoubtedly feeling wretched, in spite of his optimistic view in the matter. “At this very moment Í might have been skating hand in hand withe—'''Oh''—eried Jerry, and with that he fair- ly flew towards the speeding Violet and, grasping her hands, he pulled her around and started to skate to- wards the edge of the lake, as if intruding in such a matter were the most every-day happening. “How do you do, Vi,” said Jerry. “I hope you'll excuse my sudden appearance on the scene, but I just couldn’t resist going over to you when I saw you leave the crowd. “You are excused, Jerry,” added Violet, “but J think I’ll have to leave you now or there will be a search committee sent out for me by the rest of the crowd.” “Oh, no,” hastily added Jerry, “I’m not going to let you go away so easily. First we'll have somethiag warm to drink and then we'll decide whether to re- lieve the search committee or not.”

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ITT TES J y ET NI Sir i Piri God's Masterpiece As elusive as the breezes of Spring With their soft showers strewing [he flowers that bloom in the fields; Bringing the moss to the forest’s fastness, So:inkling the violets with pure perfume, Covering the ground with sweet Nature's treasures, Brightening the eye with each beautiful scene Is the beauty of women through all the ages, It shines through the lengthy book of life, Inspiring Mankind to noble deeds, Holding the torch of duty on high Flaming up towards the ramparts of Heaven, Never yielding or never lessening But burning brighter each step of the way. Noble in mind and heart and actions, [rue to her creed and true to her God, Making the world a living Heaven Where weary souls may stop to rest, Lighting the path to love and duty, Wershipped by man and beast and bird, Loved by the flowers which her hand fondles Ne er hurting or breaking a single bud; lways helping and always hoping [hat the setting sun may yet bring joy lo those unhappy unfortunate beings, Who under the weight of sorrow are bowed; Is the true and beautiful woman Created by the hand of God alone. HELEN PETERSON, 411. Something About Seniors ETHEL MAE CoE Freshmen walk the halls with glee Play at tag and one, two, three Wear hair bows and always grin They think cutting is a sin Central grads of '22 Cheer the ranks of the true Blue. Sophomores look sad and sigh For they've been a year at High They all know the students’ woe What they reap they have to sow Central grads of '22 Cheer the ranks of the true Blue. Rose SCHAR, 204. AC English. [ ye, mi friends, I will endeav to telle, Of a yonge maide, of highe school, the belle. Tris ilke maide leet olde stiles pase, Fox she was ever in Dam Fasion’s classe. Ful many a deyntee goon did she possesse, With outen other fripperyes which maides love, I guess. All that this maide coude of hir friendes hente, On finerye and sweets, would she it spende. In felawshipe wel coude she laughe and carpe. Ske loved to dance when err she heard harpe. Juniors know just what to do Understand the Parlez vous Go to dances after school They don’t heed the Golden Rule Central grads of '22 Cheer the ranks of the true Blue. Seniors are the “cream” of High [hey pass all the ''freshies'' by Strut and stare and put on airs Spend their time at proms and fairs Central grads of '22 Cheer the ranks of the true Blue. April 14, 1922. Per 4. Oh, wel coude this yonge damsel singe, Bar bettre than smale foules do in springe. With goolden cruelle lakkes and yeen green. She was as pretty a sight as err was seen. Oí his stature, she was of evene highte Fu’ graceful, for as a fairy, was she lighte. And sikerly she was of greet disport And ful pleasant and amiable of port. Hir smiling was ful simple and coy, Especially so, when was preasan a boy, FINIS.

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Violet offered no resistance, while Jerry himself was so surprised at the masterful tone he used that his pulse actually beat faster; poor boy, how much he hated to think that his hard luck might interfere with his unexpected pleasure. Well, so far so good. While sipping their hot chocolate, both Violet and Jerry refrained from talking. Jerry took this time to collect his thoughts. He actually shivered when he pictured in his mind how close Violet was to falling into a hole in the ice that he had seen before the ice- skating party came, and how thankful he felt that he was there in time to save her. But best of all (with an assuring side glance at Violet) she surely knew nothing about the danger she was in and that was a great deal to be thankful for. “Why, Jerry, what are you dreaming about,” asked Violet, interrupting his thoughts. Jerry almost dropped his cup of steaming choco- late at being thus i nterrupted. Evidently, his hard luck was taking a more merciful attitude towards him, for wouldn’t he surely have dropped the hot drink and burnt Violet at any other time? “Well, to be perfectly frank,” answered Jerry, quickly changing the subject, “I was wondering whether you would consider me too bold if I asked you to honor me by going to the senior Prom as my partner?” lt was all Jerry could think of, and, after fairly blurting it out, he paused and—were his ears deceiv- ing him? “TIl most certainly accept your kind invitation, Jerry, if you'll tell me more particulars about it.” Poor Jerry was left fairly speechless with surprise. Violet Drake promised to go to the Prom with him! No, he must have heard wrong. “Surely, Jerry, you don’t think that I would re fuse to go to a Prom with anyone who was as unsel, fish, brave and quick-quitted as you were.” “Why, Violet, what do you mean?” asked Jerry “I simply mean that I knew all the while that then was a hole in the ice and that I was skating directly towards it.” “Vi, I can’t understand. self,” added the confused boy. “Well, to make a clean breast of it, Ned cam over to my house after leaving you and told me whal you were going to do and he suggested that in all dy fairness to you, since I could not go ice-skating will you to become more acquainted with you, we would try the plan he had thought out. The plan was tha he should make the hole in the ice and I would skatd directly towards it when I was sure you saw me, ang then by your actions under the circumstances I migh judge whether I thought enough of you to go to thi Prom with you. Poor Jerry! “Please go on.” “Well,” continued Violet, ''there is nothing mor to say except that anyone who could act as you dil under the circumstances, so quick, and with so littl conceit as to refrain from mentioning what a wonder ful thing he did, certainly deserves not only th highest of praise but is entitled to anything he couli possibly get in the way of enjoyment—and” with | roguish smile) “TIl certainly try my best to see tha as far as you are concerned the Prom will be th greatest success.” Jerry was too dazed to think, but four words stool in front of his eyes, in flaming red colors, and the were, “My worm has turned.” Please explain your All he could do was to gasp CLASS SONG By E. M. Cog Alma Mater we are leaving With our hearts filled to the brim You have given us rare treasure Stood by us thru thick and thin. May your fame spread o’er the nation Live in glory not in shame May your banner be the foremost On the hill or in the plain. May the Lord of Hosts be with you May you glorify his name Striving ever on and upward Till the laurels you shall gain. CHORUS The world beckons and we heed it We to greater task must bend But we never shall forget thee Central, Alma Mater, friend.