Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECT O K CLIFTON HICH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 192 “Well, I want to thank you for your lie!]),’’ she remarked shyly. Jimmy looked at her in a kindly way as he was about to reply. What a shame such a nice girl did not have the advantages his sisters had ! He noticed the slender hands, the delicate col- oring. As he glanced at her eyes she jumped up with a queer motion which disturbed Cor- nelia, the cat. Cornelia meowed scoldingly from her gratifying saucer of milk. Violet patted her reassuringly while Jimmy looked on silently, and picked up a bowl of applesauce. At a glimpse of this, Cornelia made one leap for Jimmy’s surprised lap. He laughed as he saw her stretch longingly towards the tempting applesauce Suddenly there was a significant rustling in the canary’s cage. Jimmy and Violet watched the ensuing pan- tomime with deepening smiles. “To think,” he said, “that they both should want such an unheard of thing as applesauce so much that it makes bitter enemies of them.” “Yes,” she said. “Now watch when I take it away.” She took the bowl of applesauce into the pantry. Immediately Cornelia leaped down to the neglected milk, and the canary, subsiding, burst into a rippling song. On the way to Connorsville, Edith suddenly said, “Jimmy. I wish you wouldn’t talk to Violet so much. She’ll think you’re interested in her.” “Well, I am,” he retorted. “That child has had a hard time of it. I’m going to help her all I can!” “Oh yes, she knows why she wants an edu- cation,” was the sarcastic answer. An electric silence followed, in which Jimmy wondered what caused this sudden snobbishness. Edith and Mary were reflecting with growing suspicion over the way Violet looked at Jimmy, over the care she was giving to her appearance. Violet was a nice girl, but Jimmy must have someone like Claire or Jeanne. Claire and Jeanne were neighbors, and lived farther from Connorsville than the Brunsons, but nevertheless they came at Mary’s urgent invitation. The play was interesting to the girls but not to Jimmy. His thoughts kept wandering back to the day’s events. He remembered his sisters conversation, and he glanced at the two possible wives picked out for him. Then he realized there was something different in their attitudes. Ordinarily they were frank chums, but tonight there was something antagonistic in their well bred air of amusement. Jimmy wondered. Where had he seen that attitude before? Why, they acted just as the cat and the canary did when the applesauce appeared! Amused bv this fancy Jimmy studied them covertly. Yes, Claire was the cat. Tall, plump and smooth, she seemed to retire within herself and view' with disdainful eyes the flutterings of her small, sweet friend. But the applesauce, the cause of strife among friends? Why, that was himself! As Jimmy realized this, it so tickled his sense of humor, that he chuckled too loudly. “Hush! You laughed at the wrong time. Jim!” whispered Mary. After the play, the party emerged from the theatre to face a clattering deluge of rain. “Well, I see where we'll have to put you up for the night, girls!” gleefully exclaimed Mary. “We can’t drive you home in this rain!” Claire and Jeanne assented eagerly enough, while Jimmy groaned inwardly. Aloud he said, “'Ehis isn’t so bad, but to think I’ve got to go to market in this weather!” “Oh, Jimmy, Why didn’t you remind us? We could have started home earlier!” said Edith. Next morning, at the dark, dripping hour of four Jimmy slipped shiveringly into the kitchen. To his surprise, his coffee and toast awaited him, and he turned grateful eyes to Violet, fresh and smiling in her gingham dress. “I remembered that you were going to mark- et,” she said apologetically, “and besides, your sister told me you were thinking of marrying. If you marry you won’t need me here so you can take me to town with you this morning. I want to look for a different place.” “Why,” Jimmy exclaimed, “I’m not—” He stopped short and started at Violet. Her sweetness struck him so suddenly that he al- most choked. He realized how much this struggling girl meant to him. “Yes, I am,” he told the amazed little figure before him. Get your things on!” That evening Mr. James Brunson and his new wife descended from the market truck and paused outside the door. “Jimmy,” said she shyly, “last night when you all came in, and I made hot chocolate for you, I thought of something awfully funny!” “Yes, dearest, tell me.” “Well, those two girls reminded me of your of our cat and canary when they sec apple- sauce.” “How did you ever get that into your head?” —as if it were a strange story. I hey seemed to be watching for something they both wanted—like applesauce. Why, Jim- my, you were the applesauce and I took you away! Now they’ll be friends again.” ELSIE KALLEN June 24 PACE TEN

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the reflector CLIFTON II I 0 n SCHOOL F E II ft U A R Y l y 2 I THE CANARY AND THE CAT Mr. James Brunson whistled merrily as lie turned on the faucet in the bathroom. The cheery melody of flowing water mingled with his blithely piercing tones. He was in the sin- gularly happy frame of mind that only a healthy, heart-free man can whistle over. Thirty years old that very day, a successful farmer, a brother lucky enough to have his two sisters engaged. Jimmy Brunson mentally pat- ted himself on his back as he glanced out of the tiny window and caught a glimpse of the beau- tiful symphony in green, which was his farm. Sea green next to emerald, then olive deepening and lifting to unnamed shades of green billow- ed and waved in the bright sunlight. The dreaming owner reluctantly brought his eyes back to the overflowing wash bowl, and turned off the flood. As the rush of water ceased, he heard voices in the next room. His sisters, Mary and Edith, were chatting gaily as they performed the delightful task of dressing for the evening. On Jimmy’s birthday he was accustomed to take them to Connersville to the theatre. Mary, the younger, whose angelic blue eves belied the perverse imp of mischief that dwelled in her chestnut head, was talking. “I)o you know, Edie, why I’ve asked Claire to come tonight?’’ “Certainly! For the same reason I’ve asked Jeanne,” came the muffled answer which be- spoke of a mouth filled with hairpins. “I thought so. But really, this is serious. Jimmy ought to marry. He’s thirty years old!” As Mary uttered this amazing announcement, Edith said, “Sh! Jimmy’s in the bathroom, he may hear us. Honestly, I led the same vay about it. If mother were living, it would be all right, but since we’re leaving at Christmas, he needs a wife! And then Claire and Jeanne are the nicest girls we know, and they’re, such good friends. 1 know they both would jump at the chance, so I’m giving Jimmy the opportunity of his life.” That was a long speech for the usually mono- syllabic Edith, and Jimmy chuckled as he imag- ed them conversing. Then he reflected serious- ly. That phase of his sisters’ marriages had never entered his head. He had thought how peaceful the huge farmhouse would be without them, but now he wondered how he could do without their jolly company. At six o’clock, Violet, the only domestic em- ployed in the house, rang the dinncrbcll. Jimmy took the stairs three at a time on his way down to the fragrant kitchen. In farms like Brun- sons’, to eat in the kitchen is not merely a sign of convenience. The secret of Jimmy’s success as a boss was a big democratic attitude. All the hired men ate at the same table with the family. His dainty sisters helped Violet set the long narrow tables, pulled the benches up, and when all were seated, Violet herself slipped into the vacant place next to Mary. A long rectangular mirror, hanging over the old fashioned shelves of shining utensils, reflected the whole room. Over their last bowls of coffee the men were amiably arguing about the coming election when Edith said, “Well, Jim, we’ll rush up for our hats so we can go immediately!” The two girls rose, but Jimmy, knowing from ex- perience how long it took them to “rush up for their hats,” reached out his bowl for more cof- fee. As Violet poured it full, he asked her how night school was progressing. She glowed at his interest and almost drop- ped the coffee pot as she replied that she was at the head of the class. “Mr. Satler wants me to start French class.” “By all means do so!” Jimmy exclaimed enthusiastically. pa ;e nine

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1924 WHEN INFERIOR IS SUPERIOR “Edward Keefe is the smartest boy in town ’ So spoke the wives of Canfield who always took him as an example for their own boys. But the women always added: “He ought to be. His father is worth almost a million.” It seemed that they thought that the smartness of a youth depended on the wealth of the father. Whenever disputes arose among the members of the Violet Circle Club, the disputers always came before Eddie to have them settled. Why shouldn’t they? Didn't he have a whole library full of books about sports and everything? Didn’t he have the books “How to Play Base- ball.’’ by John .1. McGraw; Spaulding’s Base- ball Book of Rules; “How to Play Football ’ by Percy Haughton; and “How to Play Basket- ball ’ by Prof. Ernest Blood? Why shouldn’t he be a judge? At one time, disputes were so many that it was deemed advisable to do something to pre- vent them. They thought the best way was to have a court with a judge having power to punish wrongdoers, and policemen having power to arrest those who disobeyed. Accordinglv Eddie Keefe was appointed Judge and five others were appointed policemen. Court was to be held every afternoon at three o’clock. Many were dissatisfied because they were not appointed policemen, but all except one were satisfied on the choice for judge, and this one did not voice his objection. But on the way home this young gentleman, mumbled to him- self: “If I were made judge. I would appre- ciate it more than he does. To him the appoint- ment is expected, but to me it would be an honor and a surprise. If lie weren’t rich, I doubt if he would have received the position. ct I’ll do my best to become judge. I’ll find a way.” But he kept this decision to himself. The next day on the way to school, Jimmy Byrne was thoughful. At length he joined the crowd but he only listened to the talk. Finally he said, “I wonder who is the smartest business man in tow n?” This was the cue for Eppv Stein and Billy (iringe to start anew their old quarrel. “Why. my father is,” Eppy sputtered be- tween mouthfuls of apple. “And everybody knows it,” he added. “Like fun everybody knows it,” shouted Billy. “And you know as well as I that my father is smarter than yours.” “He is, is he?” Eppy gasped trying to swal- low his apple. “Why, mv father kin talk so that a man would believe something that is, isn’t.” “Aw, talking don’t mean anything,” billy retorted. “Anybody kin talk, but my father went to college when he was a young guy, and everybody can’t go to college.” A hot argument followed, being stopped only when one of the club policemen came between them and ordered them to report to court the next day at three o’clock. School didn’t end quickly enough to suit these youngsters, for they knew that the argument would be settled forever. Each was full of hope. When the school ended, all members flocked to the clubhouse (a one story brick building put up at the expense of Mr. Hadden) where court was held. Court commenced in an orderly manner. Judge—“What is the charge?” Policeman—“Your honor, I found them quarreling on the street.” Judge—“What were you quarreling about. Mr. Stein?” Eppy—“Your honor, I upheld that my honor- able parent, Mr. Stein, was the smartest busi- ness man in town. Mr. Gringe Jr. contradicted me. I expect justice.” Judge—“Is that so, Mr. Gringe?” Billy—“Yes, your honor.” The judge looked troubled as he gazed a all the members. All were serious except Jimmy, who smiled serenely. “Case is postponed until to-morrow,” the judge said finally. “I must have time to think it over.” All the boys seemed dissatisfied, yet they understood that, to give both a square deal, he. the judge, would have to think it over. “But, your honor,” spoke up Jimmy Bvrne. “I can settle that question.” Everyone looked at Jimmy and then at the judge- “Go ahead, Jimmy,” spoke the judge, as though answering those glances. “Why, it is simple,” began Jimmy. “If any- one had the mouth of Eppy’s father and the brains of Billy’s father, he’d be the smartest man in the world.” “Right you are,” spoke Eppy and Billy in one voice. All seemed satisfied with the verdict. Jimmy walked happily from the clubhouse, as though he had scored a great victory. “If I can only pull off another one. I’ll be the j udge,” he muttered to himself. The next morning at school recess, all were discussing the court that had been held the day before. They were full of praise for Jimmy. As that person sauntered up, he said in a thoughtful way, “Say, Eppy, this morning I PAGE ELEVEN