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

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DIMPLES By Eva Cohen It was a most wonderful play. The Producer said so, the Author most assuredly thought so. Even the Leading Man condescended to admit that in all his sixteen years of experience he had never seen a more enjoyable comedy. Indeed, the play bid fair to be one of the best amateur attempts ever produced by any graduating class of the Dayton High School. But there was something lacking; something that every good play must have. It was a heroine. Yes, out of a class of thirty girls not one could be found to fill that stellar position. Not that they didn’t want to. Every single one of them filed an application. Everyone, that is, except Mary Ralson, and she didn’t count. You see, she was small and plain and she never smiled. And then she was so horribly clever, too clever ever to be popular. And so she never thought of filing an application. Now the part of the heroine, called for some- body who was pretty, clever, and able to control her emotions very strictly. This character was named Dimples and she would be a scream if she could be played by the right kind of person. She was funny because she never laughed. When she faced her audience, it must be with an expression so ludicrous that every one must naturally burst into laughter. То be successful she must provoke mirth all the time and her greatest asset must be that comically sad face. Where, in that class of flappers, could be found one who would not burst out laughing or start giggling at her own funniness? Where could be found a girl who could be а Dimples without showing any dimples? Тһе Author was in despair; the Leading Man went around casting imprecations on the whole tex which could not produce one decent actres. Тһе Producer alone said nothing. One day, however, he sent a notice around to the 4A Class. As a result of that notice, there assembled, after school that day, thirty girls on the stage of the audi- torium. Some were self-conscious; some were gig- gling in the knowledge of their own personal attrac- tions, some touched up lips and cheeks; only one stood up straight and stiff, gazing stolidly at the clock. There was a stir on the stage when the Producer entered, a stalwart, handsome young man of about twenty winters. Не went up to the front of the assembly room and issued his orders in а sharp, commanding tone. Each young lady will please take а copy of the leading part from that table in the comer. As I call your names, will you please step up and read until I tell you to stop? With an excited flurry the little group did as it was told, and then each awaited her turn. The girls came on one by one, and read from two to four minutes. The recitations were greeted with Pretty good, or Fair, and most of the time with “АП right.” When Mary Ralson came on, he said noth- ing. She was the last one on the list and after she had read awhile, the gathering was dismissed. All except Mary. When she went home that night, her heart was singing and two unsuspected dimples had appeared in her smooth cheeks, innocent of any sug- gestion of rouge. But her excitement was nothing to the shock of the school, the next day, when it heard from the lips of the horrified leading man that Mary Ralston “о all people had been made the heroine. Тһе Flap- pers laughed derisively and the ‘‘Fellers” snickered openly; but they could do nothing about it, not even the handsome leading man, who begged and pleaded, and threatened, in vain. Never had a budding star taken her place under such difficulties. The school knew nothing, in the weeks that fol- lowed, of the work that that young girl did. They knew nothing of the great professional who coached and molded her, because underneath a stolid exterior Mary Ralston had hidden the heart of an artist, and beneath those indifferent features, she had concealed the expressions which could be found only on the face of the greatest of actresses. The part fitted her like a glove. She was the Dimples who did not dimple, at least not until the grand climax. Under the praises of the Producer and the profes- sional, her self-consciousness vanished and every bit of prettiness that she possessed came out, until even her classmates began to notice the difference.

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R Ат ст оа МА 1411 sigh, Roxie went into the house, while her father, who ішпей io follow her, thought “It is the begin- ning of the end.” heart Raoul in the meantime, sped away, his heavy with sorrow; and just as faint streaks of gray tinged the heavens, he rode into the town of Lerveaux, Tired and He gruffly ordered some food and closing his eyes, thought picturesque for its surrounding country. dusty he dismounted at the Inn and entered. bitterly of what had transpired in the last few hours. His meditation was abruptly brought to a close by a Springing up, Raoul hearty slap on the shoulder. was confronted by Luis Rondre, a lifelong friend and companion. Raoul, he said, “із it really you? Mon dieu, I have not seen you for ages, son of my father’s And the fair Roxie?” To Luis, Raoul opened his heart and told him of the wicked blow Fate had dealt him. Luis was a friend. How are you? sympathetic listener and after Raoul had finished, Raoul, the time Two days hence shall the citizenry of Ler- Luis said in a low tone of voice: 15 ripe. veaux rise to arms. We have withstood outrage after But yesterday was M. Lariespierre brutally murdered. Не was a kind and gentle man and his foul death has brought forth many vows of wen- But, Raoul, will you join us to rid pur- He had arisen and with flashing eyes, unconsciously posed dramatically. Raoul outrage. geance. selves of the oppressor?” was thrilled and jumping up, he gave his hand to Luis and said simply: “То the end!” The spark The streets of Lerveaux were imcom- Rolling drums! Fires of vengeance! was kindled. monly still this day. Then from an alleyway darted a figure. He was tall and terrible looking. He waved a sword aloft and beckoned apparently to no one. Almost upon the instant, the men of the village and even women with hoarse cries and waving weapons ran to the caller. Two hundred and fifty strong they were—all bent on one purpose—to crush the yoke of tyranny. ‘The drums rattled. On to Rantesse, was the cry. Nobility!” “Down with Равт JI. The struggle for freedom was Slowly the Months passed. perceptably lessening. peasantry were bloodshed were Strife and In Balliere had the rabble ;t- downing the Nobles. everywhere visible. tacked the castle of De Rurey, one of the most pow- erful and greatest nobles of the age, and had mas- sacred the entire household. They had put firebrands to the castle and now but a heap of smoking ruins remained. Raoul had in the meantime been extremely busy with war. Twice already he had saved the day for Now he had become a spy, and his daring and bravery peasants—once at Rarre and again at Ferrisse. had become a threat to all Nobility. And one day Raoul was stricken to learn from a soldier that Roxie’s parents News traveled fast. had both been brutally murdered. Roxie was saved from the same fate only because she was absent at the time. Now she lived a life of remorse and grief, but greatly embittered at the Nobility. This news stunned Raoul and for a few days afterwards he was not his own self. But then he tumed back to his work. Night! sign of strife! A red glow is seen in the heavens. The They leaped high into the heavens, crackling threateningly. Fires of vengeance! Rows and rows of sleeping soldiers. The sentries pacing back and forth. Suddenly a figure scurries across a lighted place and then hides in the obscure Abruptly a shot rings out, and a flash of flame stabs the darkness. darkness. Silence! The figure rises There is But this soon dies away and then falls, but crawls painfully away. a great bustle in the camp. and slumber again reigns supreme. Daybreak! Consey, headquarters of the peasants. Danton, pock-marked one, in his quarters in the village or- A man crawling over the ground, near Immediately, France's known as the greatest orator, dered two soldiers to bring in the fallen man. It was They lifted him tender- ly and brought him to the house, where the best pos- Raoul, almost unconscious. sible care was given him. А few days later, as Raoul awoke from his sleep, his eyes strayed to the window. Almost simultaneously six rifle shots rang out, and a man fell, stone dead. He was a deserter. (Continued on page 88)

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But they did not know the full change until the night of the play. There was no standing room left and even the boxes were Half curiosity, a desire to know why Mary Ralston had [he auditorium was filled to overflowing. crowded. the school had come because of been chosen as Dimples. When the sad faced little Miss entered, the audience was convulsed [hey found it out soon enough. and she provoked them to tears and laughter at her own imperious will. And then, when, at the very last, Dimples broke into the most charming and dim- pling smile imaginable, they shouted with laughter and She was called back again and again, and when at last rose in a body to cheer the adorable heroine. she sank, breathless and laughing, into a chair, back- stage, the young and good-looking Leading Man, who had received his share of the applause, came up апа humbly invited her to attend the Prom with him. He was interrupted by the Producer who, not quite as humbly but every bit as eagerly, begged her to give him the same honor, and when he received the an- swer he had a wide grin spread across his good- As for the leading man, he lived to see the now popular Dimples, floating happily in the Afterwards, he often told friends that he had once played opposite the famous Mary Ralston in an amateur And they laughed and told him to stop his kidding. natured face. arms of her producer. show. CENTRAL'S CREED By Edward Stark I believe in Central High School as a school by the students, of the students, and for the students, whose just teachers are rightly chosen; a democracy in a school; a perfect formation, one and inseparable; established upon those of conscientious study, leadership, equality, and honesty, for which principles former Central students have striven through many years of hard effort. I therefore believe it is my duty to my school, to love it; to maintain its spirit; to respect its colors; to abide by its just regulations; and to defend it against competitors in all pursuits. 13 PRECAUTIONS FOR MEN DURING LEAP YEAR Ву Мау Smoleroff If a girl invites you to her home more than twice a week for dinner, bear in mind for what purpose a goose is stuffed before Christmas. Ifa girl tells you that men whom she doesn’t love want to marry her, and that the man she loves isn’t aware of it, then looks at you, don’t wait until the noose is around your neck; offer to help rope him in. If a girl tells you no one has ever understood her as you have, make up your mind it’s time to begin misunderstanding her. If a girl tells you she has learned to prepare five kinds of meat at school, be sure to tell her you're a vegetarian. If a girl tells you she’s devoted to her mother, five sisters, and three maiden aunts, that they all live together, and that the man she marries could come right into the heart of the family, tell her you think it would be a crime to intrude upon so happy a home. If a girl tells you no one will ever exist for her after she’s married but her husband, find the poor fellow who falls for her and warn him to take put a heavy life insurance. So much collar-and-leash de- votion would kill any man. If a girl tells you she has money in her own right, and you've intimated that you have a sincere but penniless affection for her, consider first whether your digestion is good before you make up your mind to eat that money three times a day. If a very plain girl tells you all the women in her family married at twenty and that her twentieth birth- day is tomorrow, you might gently remind her that it’s the exception that proves the rule. If a girl tells you she’s lost thirty pounds because you once casually remarked you could only Jove a thin girl, just look unconscious for an instant and the bone of contention will consider herself yours “‘till death do ye part. If a girl tells you she can't help being honest, she must confess that she loves you and wants you for her husband, if you don't care to accept her don't hesitate to say so. Remember a woman who is so frank herself cannot fail to appreciate honesty in an- other.