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

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all. if he himself didn't care. at least why did he not think of his parents? How happy they would have been if he were to have addressed this audience now! His reveries were interrupted by the principal's soft bass voice and again the president of the class rose, and with a forma! little speech, presented the Senior Gift to the school. Due thanks from the principal, and the program was resumed. In the middle of the class song little Anna clutched Look, Mama! there's Harry on see him? A pause. up front her mother's arm. the side over there Yes, darling, not so loud.” Mama, why don't Harry sit Jake is? Sh! І don't know. You must keep still.” But Mama, Harry's such a nice boy and they put him all the ways in the back. Why?” Listen, darling, keep still now. You'll ask Jake where a little later why Harry is sitting in the back. The diplomas are given out and as Harry passes Jack by, sincere congratulating smiles are exchanged beiween them. Jack begins to look eagerly at the loaded little table beside the principal's chair. Не knows that all the honors, letters and awards are on that little table. Не also knows that not a small share will soon be his, and he smiles to himself thinking of his address earlier in the evening. Harry sees the same little loaded table but feels worse for doing so. He cannot meet the gaze of his parents. Jack Finkelstein, flows the voice of the principal, receives one letter as president of his senior class.” The president rises. The voice flows on: “One as editor-in-chief of the Lancet. More applause. The editor steps forward. The principal had not finished. One letter as presi- dent of the General Organization. Jack, all aglow. shakes hands with the gray-haired тап and returns to his big chair. The acclamations below raise the This is the first time that student ever received three letters at commencement. Mr. and Mrs. Finkelstein are wild Jack is oblivious to all as further awards are given out to members of his class. He is intoxicated. He does not know what to do with the three envelopes so his kindly partner, a girl, takes them smilingly away and places them in her lap. You'll tear them, she whispers. Applause. same letter roof. any with ecstasy. Jack Finkelstein,” says the principal. Jack wakes up with a start. “А gold medal as captain of the debating team.” He receives it with a bow and again returns to his seat unconsciously smiling to the roaring audience. “To one of the best and most hard working mem- bers of the Debating Club, a complete edition of ‘Great Orations of the World,” to Harry Gimbelson. 7 Harry could hardly believe his own ears. Some one nudges him sharply and he stumbles down to the front and takes the white paper package from the smiling principal and returns bewildered. to his seat in the back. The hand-clapping is loud and sweet in his ears and now he dares look down to his parents with a happy grimace. Among those who receive medals as members of the fencing team is Jack again. When his name is called the applause is promoted to a shouting. Some baby, he is, remarks our peroxided friend amid the acclamations. You bet, more coming. says her side-kick, “апа there's Yea! Jack! And more does come. The Pasteur Club presents him with a book and the Rifle Club with a medal. The presentation of a scholarship for a four-year course in jurisprudence from some distant institution is the climax. It is that the commencement exercises of the class of June 1929 are the commence- ment exercises of Jack Finkelstein. In the vestibule he is swamped with acclamations. It takes the appear- ance of a sort of reception hall for his benefit. Even the janitors who know him well come to shake hands It is just as Jack expected clear with him and see him off. it to be. Harry’s acclaim by his parents and friends is much quieter and restrained. He himself is vastly pleased at the surprise afforded him by the Debating Club. He seeks out the president of the club, tali, red- headed, and thanks kin for the favor. Not at al!, Harry. you deserved it. we wouldn't have given it to you.” Otherwise “That was the best time I ever had in my life, says Jack to Harry when going home together in a taxi with their families following in another. “1 wish you all the luck in the world, Jack. Gee. but you were the whole cheese. As for myself. I'm (Continued on Page 73)