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

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[HE SCHOOLMA'RM OF SOMERSVILLE Ву Leah Lesser Mary Ann Pennington was the schoolma'rm of Somersville. Immediately, my dear readers, you will imagine a tall, angular woman with hair drawn tightly back in a stiff bun, large tortoise shell glasses, and But Mary Ann Pennington was a young person with protruding teeth. you are entirely mistaken. blonde, bobbed, curly hair which she wore in the fashion of the day, big blue eyes which were wont to open wide at any sign of surprise, and a small, red, kissable mouth. The day that my story opens was a particularly hot one in the month of June. Mary Ann had had a very trying day in the schoolroom for, in spite of the warm weather, Johnny Roberts had persisted in being mischievous and it was all she could do to keep him out of it. She was trudging homeward on a hot, dusty road, thinking of various plans for the following day, when she heard the honk, honk, of a car and she barely had time to jump out of the road when a red sport roadster whizzed by and a young man called out: “Sorry, but I’m in a hurry. Mary Ann’s thoughts were not very pleasant after that and she vowed that if she ever saw him again she would tell him just what she thought of him and you may be sure that whenever Mary Ann Pennington made up her mind to do anything she usually did it. As she passed the neighboring farm, Miss Theo- dosia Smith, otherwise known as the Smith Daily (for she never missed anything that occurred in Som- ersville) cried out: Mary Ann, there's а young New York fella at your house talking to your Ma. ` Yer better hurry afore yer miss him.” But Mary Ann did not hurry in spite of the warn- ing that she would miss seeing а New York man if she did not do so, because she was not just at that moment interested in any man but he. of the red roadster. Yes, she certainly would tell him a few things! She entered the back door leading into the kitchen where her mother had started preparations for din- ner. As she donned a large apron she heard her mother say: 14 Well, young man, I might be able to accommo- date you if you don’t mind plain lodging and plain food. I can give you my daughter’s room as the spare room has been closed all winter and might not be fit to sleep in, and she can stay with me tonight. You had better put your automobile in the barn there in the back of the house.” “Thank you, madam,” a pleasant voice replied. Mary Ann finished her work and started to set the table for dinner. As she was doing this her mother came in and said: Mary Ann, you had better set another place. We have a New York man staying with us for the night. He did not wish to travel during the night because of the bad roads and he asked me to give him lodg- ing. She did not reply but went to the china closet to get the extra dishes and as she turned she heard that pleasant. voice cry out— “Well, if it isn't the little girl whom I nearly ran Who would have thought that I would meet her адат?” over today. As she looked up she saw a man about thirty years of age with dark hair, slightly gray at the temples, a strong chin, and eyes—well, she couldn't exactly tell just what color eyes he had. One moment they were black and another moment gray, but she liked the twinkle in them, (although she never would have admitted it, had you asked her.) Mary Ann had been brought up to be polite so of course she had to say, How do you do? to the stranger in spite of the desire to tell him to go to the devil, but she decided never to speak to him again as long as he was there. Thank Heavens! It was only for one night. At the dinner table Richard Henley, as the New York man was known, kept up a brisk conversation with Mrs. Pennington, and although he attempted to draw Mary Ann into the conversation he could not do so, for she only answered in monosyllables when spoken to and, after being snubbed a few times, he finally left her to her own thoughts of vengeance. “Mrs. Pennington, I wonder whether you could accommodate my mother and me for the summer. My

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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.

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has been all her life and I’m Besides, 1 like the scenery very much,” said Richard, looking а! Mary Ann. Well, if your mother wouldn't mind country life mother is an invalid sure the mountain air will do her good. I guess Mary Ann and I can help you out. Mary Am but she knew how much they needed the money that was anything but pleased at the news, he would pay and therefore acquiesced to the plan. Richard Henley left the next morning for New York City promising to return as soon as he could get his mother conveniently moved. As the last day of the school year drew to a close, Mary Ann started to collect hei belongings from the schoolroom when the chairman of the Board of Edu- cation, Mr. Banlan, entered and asked Mary Ann whether she would be willing to teach here again the following year. Ta everything goes all right, I shall be glad to take aid Mary Ann. Days passed and again Richard Henley was with over the school again,” Although Mary did not like Rich- ard, she was already in love with his mother. the Penningtons. She was a frail little thing, with hair as white 45 like Richard’s and beautiful skin with the roses still in them! snow, eyes So unlike her mother who had worked hard all her life and was by this time an old woman in appearance if not in years. And it was plain to see that she adored her son and that her whole world was centered іп him. Every afternoon after Mary Ann’s work was done she would sit and chat with Mrs. Henley and it was through her that she came to know Dick and to respect him. It was a few weeks after Dick's arrival when he sat talking to his mother in the summer twilight. Mother, I wonder why Mary Ann keeps avoid- ing me. Ат І so distasteful to her or doesn’t she like my looks. She avoids me as though I меге: leper or a poisonous reptile, said Dick with a frown spreading over his face. My son, replied his mother, to me you are the most wonderful man alive and how any girl could avoid you is beyond me. “Dearest, you are my mother, not a stranger, уоп know, kissing her lightly on the cheek. (For how was he to know that Mary Ann was in- terested in him but was too shy to let him know he: true feelings). Mrs. Henley's first idea in life was to keep her son happy and with this thought in mind she waited for a chance to make these two friends. The chance came sooner than she expected. It was a very warm day in July and Mary Ann was ‘sitting in her room, her chin cupped in he hands, dreaming. Mrs. Henley was lying down in the ham- mock on the summer porch while Mrs. Pennington and Dick had gone to the town for some supplies. As Mary Ann sat there she suddenly heard Mrs. Henley scream, “Mary Ann, Mary Ann, hurry down, oh, please, hurry down. As quick as a flash of lightning Mary Ann was There lay Mrs. Henley stricken with fright while near her stood a mad dog frothing at the downstairs. mouth and seemingly enjoying Mrs. Henley’s What could she do? except a flower pot and grabbing this she threw it at terror. There was nothing on hand the dog. Instead of stunning him as she had intended she missed him. Тһе dog’s attention was quickly averted from Mrs. Henley to her. With one bound he jumped at Mary Ann and bit her on the arm. That was the last she remembered. When she awoke to consciousness she was in hei She felt a sharp pain in her arm as she tried to move it, and room and the doctor was bending over her. as she recalled all that had happened she began io cry. Mary Ann, she heard Dick сау. Dick, she replied weakly. A few weeks later Mr. Banlan, the Chairman of the Board of Education received the following letter: Dear Mr. Banlan: I regret very much that I will not be able to take over the school in September, as I am going to be New York my married and am going to make permanent home. Y ours truly, Mary Ann Pennington.