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

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aw Matt Rafferty, his senior by ten years, limping wards him. He cleared the bench of a basket of tuts and sweet meats which Mary had just brought him. and motioned Matt to the vacated space. l'ubbe отеп’ Е “Ye gomeral, who «уе think brung it, President sure, began Matt, Mary's brung ye (this with a furtive glance at the basket). Coolidge?” “Wal, no, Josh, I was on'y sort o commentin’. ” “ rrah now, why don't ye git down ter brass tacks ın say уе wan some?” “Wal, mebbe, I 'udn't mind so much, Josh.” After a great deal of fumbling and mumbling, and whatnot, Josh produced a box of mints and pair of oranges from the depths of the basket. For some time the two cronies silently sat munch- ing the delectables, with now and then a resounding smack, when Matt resumed the conversation. “Weren't thet yer daier, Kate, I see here yes- uddy? Not if it were?” “Why, nothin’, seein’ as of coorse; I was jist sort о” com- mentin', she's stranger like in these here parts. Yahh. she do be a stranger till she needs money.” “I spect she didn't git wot she come fer, harin’ th’ way she slammed thet there door, whan she wint awa’. Begob, man, d'ye think I be crazy giving thet aood-fer-nothin' five hundred dollars?” “Wal, no, I was jist sort о commentin'. “Wunst, las’ Aperl, she come snivillin” ter her ould fayther, an' sez, 'Pappy. 1 needs money, five hundred dollars, оп me mortgage, er me property'll be furclosed.” Och, ап wi'out thinkin’ twyst, I gives her five hundred dollars, an not а cint less. Th’ nix’ month I wint fer to visit her, an’ begorrah, if she didn't ha’ a bran’ new саг, a yaller one. So thet was th’ mortgage! Bad cess to her! Now, Matt, ain't thet thrason, I'm axin’ ye?” “Och. sich divilskins do be yer childher, tis scan- deelious ! [ sted wid thim thet night, an slep' on th’ flure Twas damp thet Aperl, inards. (Here he was wi one blanket, mind уе. an' I took could in me shaken with a convulsion of coughing. which ceased only after Matt had clouted him on the back a num- of times.) “Its worser I'm gittin’ ivery minyut. . Whoa there, Matt! І jist sed lp yournself to thim mints. D'ye think me darlint brung thim fer ye? Embarrassed at his gluttony, Ман desisted, and feebly whistled an Irish ditty. The next day, and the next, the rickety old bench No gray smoke ascended heavenward Old to quote the old vet was vacant. from the bowl of the ancient briar-root pipe. Josh was ili, exactly. sick as а dorg.” Іп vain the physicians sought to coax old Josh to take the prescribed medicines, but he would brush them aside with contempt. Bah. thet's poison! Take me to me Irish Mary, an’ if I be cured me Mary'll do it, or else I'll die be me darlint.”” There was no alternative, and an immediate re- moval was arranged. Once in his son's home, the old man gave no further thought to his other ungrateful children. Com- plete happiness was his. Not a care or a want passed unheeded. His Irish Mary, ever loving and mindful, to his Her bulky form hovered over him from sun to sun, like a ministering angel, and her broad, genial smile, challenged the radiance of the morning sun, as she greeted him with a Good mornin', fayther, how be yer rheumatiz tday?” or Did thet linyeement Biddy brung ye aise th’ pain in yer fut whativer?”” Oft-times, in a delirium, he would suddenly start and stare around the room in bewilderment, but a re- assuring word or sign from Mary eradicated every doubt and vexation from his fast failing mind, and he would resume smoking his pipe with the content- ment of an infant. When Mary would anxiously ask if there w as anything he desired, he invariably answered, ''Whisht, honey, whisht, ye've nay raison tubbe onaisy “bout те.” “Магу.” he said feebly one day, as his darlint was rubbing his foot with some “‘yaller linyeement,”” whan I can't smoke this here ould pipe, wot Мас give me, Mary, I tell ye I'm a gonner.” The time did arrive when the briar-root pipe was administered every wish.

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filled with baccy for the last time. Every particle of strength was necessary to keep the life-blood cours- Speaking was fast becoming Yet, he summoned up enough ing through his veins. a Herculean task. strength, when Kate and her three brothers came to his bedside to say, May th’ divil sail away wid the half о” yous.” Was it filial love and sympathy that urged them to that bedside? their goal. since there are such things as wills and Not in the long run! Money was heirs, but Josh did not let even that pass over his head. He emphatically told the lawyer that “‘ivery cint ап” red nickle goes to me Irish Mary. The sun rose high and resplendent upon that Sab- bath morn, when old Josh ventured forth to join those who had fallen for the Stars and Stripes. and those who, like himself, had perished on life's gory battle- feld. He had died at his Irish Mary's! e Ww Uw wx a e The petals of an early June rose lay strewn upon his coffin, four muskets rent the air, the call of a bugle and his Irish Mary sounded in the distance, wept. A Perfect Senior Speech By Helen Klepacky He is busily conversing with his neighbor and does not hear his name announced. Someone nudges him {rom behind, whereupon he wheels around and chal- lenges the intruder with a bat in the eye if he tries to get funny. Suddenly realizes he is next, and makes a two-yard dash for the steps. Reaches the last step in safety, when he unwarily trips and sprawls head foremost on the platform, giving his head a love tap, and hitting his funny-bone against the leg of a chair. The assembly immediately becomes a bedlam of giggles and subdued laughter. Severely reproaches himself for his hastiness. Abruptly raises himself, caressingly rubbing his bruised skull-pate. and brush- ing his clothes. Much embarrassed, and grinning sheepishly he begins the ordeal. Mr. Herzberg, members of the faculty, and fel- Suff rin” cats, he didn't address the Launches low students.” guest. Well, he didn't see him anyway. into speech and waxes enthusiastic as no discrepancies Wishes he had wom the tie Aunt Kate im- Ma was right when occur. posed on him for Christmas. she said this red one was too loud. Wonders if Betty (the girl-friend) is in the assembly. Devoutly hopes she isn't. Suddenly forgets what comes next, and cranes his neck to hear the prompter when some- body politely decides to cough. and frustrates his hopes. Takes a step nearer the edge of the platform and accidentally lands on a stage light, promptly smashing it to flitterjigs. The prompter mischievously bellows the next word in a resounding voice, to the delight of the assembly. Gets started with increasing embarrassment and continues without mishap for some time. Exultant!y lauds himself on his good luck. Lowers gaze to the first row, and finds his class- mates grinning triumphantly at his distress. Oh boy! what a circus there'll be when they make then debut. Vehement!y vows he will bring a slingshot or at least a putty blower for their amusement on that occasion. Ye gods! he isn't going to sneeze! Не mustn't! Oh, if he could only get to the finish somehow, any- Rushes along. giving vent to a meaningless Almost done! Oh, darn the luck, what the deuce comes next? It’s coming =... ah—AHHHH—CHOOO! The assembly roars without restraint. hand into pocket in quest of a handkerchief. Mis- takes pocket lining for the desired 'kerchief, and hurriedly pulls it out, duly sprinkling the platform with an assortment of coppers, nickles, and dimes. Sudden!y remembers, to his chagrin, that he left hand- Nervously continues speech after considerable prompting. Almost Ah, the last sentence! Done! Right about faces to leave platform, when he spies his week's allowance bedeck- ing the stage. Throws dignity to the winds and bends down to gather them up. Plunges behind the stage, leaving the assembiy in a perfect pandemonium. how! jumble of words. com- He thrusts kerchief on the dresser. done! 10