Compton High School - El Companile Yearbook (Compton, CA)

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remarks but he resented her idle curiosity. He straightened. His eyes flashed. His cheeks hushed. His lists clenched. VVith a touch of pride in his voice he replied: Since you ask me I will tell you. I am an ex-soldier. I fought at Ar- gonne, where I was wounded. Three of us were sent to scout about and only one came back. But we won the fight and repulsed the enemy. VVhat mat- tered the price if We had safely upheld our great principles? I am the soldier that came back. I was given this medal for my bravery, they said. I do not use thermedal to further my own interests as some do. I removed the medal from my coat lapel before you came to the door. Some persons are influenced by the sight of military awards and rewards and will purchase an article iust because the salesman is or was a soldier. I don't sell things that way. Let my military achievements be a proud heritage for my family. Finishing, the soldier quickly packed away the carpet-Sweeper in the case and prepared to leave. Throughout the salcsmanls speech Miss Cruge had been rocking hard to keep up with her thoughts. She saw herself as she was-cold, curious, heart- less, selfish. She followed the salesman to the door and at the threshold stammered out, How much did you say those carpet-sweepers are? I didn't know I needed one until now, and I want it delivered as soon as possible. Six dollars and thirty-live cents, and I can get it to you by Thursday, replied the soldier. HAROLD SVVAN, '2O. The Ocean NVhen winds are hushed and all is calm, And no clouds are in view, And stifling heat is o'er the land, The sea's an em'rald hue. I'Vhen clouds roll in and thunders roar, And lightning flashes clear, And gray the sky and gray the sea, My heart is filled with fear. p . But when the sun is shining bright, And winds are blowing free, The ocean is a sapphire blue,-- Ah, then 'tis calling me! 21. 29 K V 1

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Sold-Une Carpet-Sweeper Miss Hephia Cruge was dusting in the upstairs bedroom when the knock came. She went silently to the window at the end of the hall, raised the sash noiselessly, and peered down upon a carpet-sweeper agent. He, unmindful of the reconnaisance above on the part of the mistress of the house, was remov- ing a little pendant medal from the lapel of his coat. VVhen he had freed the medal he dropped it into an outside coat pocket. Miss Hephia Cruge, her curiosity slightly aroused, stumped down the front stairs to answer the knockg she was also actuated by visions of a clean rug or two. Good morning, madamf' the salesman said respectfully. 'KI have here a type B. model of the Pioneer Carpet Sweeper. This style is cheap, conven- ient, compact, and durable. I believe that I can convince you in ten minutes by a practical demonstration that you need this machine. VVould you oblige me by giving me the chance to show you how easily the machine is oper- ated ? ' I won't get a carpet-sweeper, but I suppose I can spare you about ten minutesf' Miss Cruge answered coldly. If there is any particular rug or carpet that you wish cleaned, the man stated, it will do just as well for the demonstration as anything else. That one over Napoleonls picture will do, or better clean this rug near the stand,'l suggested Miss Cruge. ' She watched the demonstration with a cold, uninterested eye. While the salesman ran the machine back and forth across the rug he made an estimate of the woman who sat in the rocker near the window. She was cold-hearted and selfish and quite old, he told himself. The hard lines of her month and the uncompromising glare of her eyes acquainted him with the fact that Miss Hephia Cruge was determined not to purchase a carpet-svveeper. He would leave as soon as possible. V Miss Cruge was indeed cold hearted and selfish. A long life alone had made her disagreeable and uncompanionable. Her curiosity also caused oth- ers to dislike her. The salesman finished the rug, drew out the dust chamber, and showed Miss Cruge the accumulation of dust that he had drawn from the rug. Plenty of dust there, eh Pl' he asked. XVcll, was the reply, 'fthe last fellow I allowed to make a carpet- sweeper demonstration filled the dust chamber half full of lint, I'd swear, before he began, because I had just cleaned the rugs the week before. How do I know that you didn't do the same thing? 'Of course, madamfl said the man, embarrassed by the accusation, I know that there are fraudulent persons in every business, but I have used no deception in my demonstration. If you think for an instant that I have attempted to, deceive you, I will clean another rug for you. You see the chamber is emptyf' As he stooped to replace the dust chamber, the little pendant medal fell out of his coat pocket. Ilut before he could replace it Miss Cruge had asked him a question. 'WVhat is that?H she asked. The aspect of the whole man changed. Ile could bear the woman's bitter 28

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The Reform of Dick Armstrong The clock in a nearby tower was striking the hour of nine as Neal Emer- son mounted the steps to his bachelor apartments. just as he was about to insert the key in the door, he heard a quick step and a shuffling noise in one of the inner rooms. Sensing something wrong, Neal stepped to a hall table and drew a revol- ver from the drawer, then softly turning the key in the lock, he switched on the electric light. As it flooded the room, he beheld the invader just attempt- ing to make his escape through the bedroom window, opposite the door. Hold on, my fine fellow, you had better turn about and face the music, said Neal, with an air of one who is master of the situation. The intruder, seeing that all chance of escape was blocked, turned about and faced the shining barrel of Nea1's revolver. Dismay and doglike shame showed in every line of the man's countenance as he rose to his feet opposite Neal. VVell, here's once I caught you at your little game, but where's your gun?' Neal demanded angrily. Must have been in pretty desperate straits to enter a man's house without a revolver for an emergency like this,', he mused, half to himself, as the 1nan's gesture indicated that he carried no weapon. Perhaps he's hungry, too, went on Neal, relenting at the thought, for he could not bear to think of any one being hungry. 'fYou certainly look the worse for wear. remarked Neal dryly, taking an inventory of the man's unkempt appearance. VVhat chance has a man when he looks like that ? Neal asked himself. As the generous impulse grew he spoke his thoughts, I'm going to give you a chance to take a fresh start in clean clothes and see what you can make of yourself' The man was too surprised to answer. f'That door behind you leads to my bathroom, Neal went on, You will find all necessary articles, including razors, which are in that case, he said, pointing. with his revolver to a white enameled medicine cabinet. Now see what you can do in the way of improvement while I Find you some clothes,'i continued Neal, closing the door and locking it. He winced as he heard the man splashing about and thought of the use to which his immaculate bath tub was being put. Vffhistling softly to himself, he crossed the room to his wardrobe and se- lected a complete change for his visitor. Unlocking the door, he laid the clothing on a chair. Now, my friend, I must leave you for a little while, and remember that while you are my guest you are also my prisoner, and any attempt to escape will lead you into the hands of the police, for I shall have the building watchedf, As the man did not reply, Neal closed the door and stood on the outside, smiling at his own venture. VVe'll see what soap and water and a little scrubbing can do, he mused as he slipped into his great coat and started up town. Neal Emerson was one who seemed to have been born under a lucky star. Soon after graduating from college he had entered a broker's office where in short time he had doubled his income. He was the lion of society and clubg his clean, well-kept appearance and frank manner won for him the respect of men and the admiration of women. 30