Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

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8 THE TATTLER contest. The four chums returned to the same place from which they left a short time ago and Kitty remarked joyfully, “Who ever had their wish answered in such a quick, delightful way? Just think of it!” By this time they were all talking together and after a time noticed the unusual silence of Marie. “Why, Marie,” exclaimed Flora, “Aren’t you glad of this chance?” “Glad!” said Marie. “Girls, I simply must get this scholarship.” At her reply they all looked astonished, but she did not give them a chance to say anything. “I haven’t told you before, but father failed in one of his investments and .only yesterday told me in his letter that he did not think that 1 could return next year. I truly think that providence has had something to do with this.” As she finished speaking, Kitty went up to her and put her soft arms around her neck. “I guess it means just as much if not more to me than to you,” she said, “but if you do get it 1 will be the first one to congratulate you.” Kitty was an orphan, and when she got through school she had to go and live with an aunt whom she did not like and who did not care particularly for her. She had been left in the care of her aunt and had very little money in her own name and her aunt made her feel keenly that she was an encumbrance and had lately been threatening to bring her home. This was no secret to the girls, and although Marie was well liked yet Kitty was the favorite, and everyone hoped that she would get it. The next morning the full particulars were posted and they found that the supreme test was a theme which each had to write and which would constitute one-third of the final average. General Harrington was to examine them himself and, besides the scholarship, the winner was to receive a lovely gold pendant which she could always keep. For a time the enthusiasm was marked, but after they found how much work had to be done the number gradually dwindled to six, and among these were Kitty and Marie. Everyone knew that it was between these two that the final choice would be made. Although seemingly just as light-hearted as ever, Kitty went to work with a will and now instead of spending her spare time with her friends, could nearly always be found beneath one of the beautiful campus trees studying. As for Marie, she seemed to grow morbid and in time became so pale that Miss Lucy was alarmed and tried to argue her out of working so hard. But Marie seemed only to shun her friends the more and Kitty most of all. Indeed she was almost rude. So the affair continued until just a week before the final test. The all-

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7J ie Competition A group of girls were gathered in Kitty Howard’s room, talking listlessly. Lately things at Springdale Hoarding School for Girls had been rather quiet. Nothing of importance had happened for a month. This was very unusual, for generally there was a great deal going on. These girls that were gathered were very good friends; they were scarcely ev r .separated for long at a time. Kitty Howard was the youngest. She was a girl of sunny disposition and laughing eyes; she was a general favorite. Marie Janies was next in age and in popularity. Mary and Flora Brandt were sisters; they were practical girls but very lovely in their way. “Don't you wish something would happen?” sighed Kitty after a short pause in the conversation; I mean something quite out of the ordinary. For instance----” She was interrupted by the gong which told them very distinctly that it was time for the next class. Springdale Academy was a very select school for girls. It was conducted by two aristocratic maiden ladies and no one was admitted unless they could, as Kitty was heard to remark, trace their ancestry at least as far back as the Mayflower. The discipline was very strict but no one could be more universally like 1 than the two instructresses. Just at this moment the girls saw the Misses Wentworth talking to a tall, soldierly-looking man. He seemed to be communicating something of interest. As they marched in, Marie whispered to Flora, “I believe something is going to happen; I can tell by the way Miss Lucy is holding her head.” Marie was right. The tall man came into the room with Miss Lucy and Miss Mary. After a short talk, Miss Lucy introduced the man as General Harrington. At the name, a ripple of applause ran through the room, for all recognized him as the wealthy patron of the school. General Harrington arose. “Although I have traveled a great deal during the last ten years and have not seen much of this school, I have never lost track of it. I have been highly interested in its welfare. I now have a plan which I have been working on for the past three months. It is this: I offer a scholarship of four years to the young lady who at the end of this semester has the highest average.” After a few more words he left the platform, and school was informally dismissed. The girls gathered in little groups and eagerly talked about the oncoming

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THE TATTLER 9 important theme was to he written and sealed without any name attached. The subject was Heroism and the theme was to lie strictly original, with no reference to hooks. If there was any one thing in which Kitty did excel it was in writing. She loved it better than any of her other work. Hers was the first theme in. This accomplished, she put all her efforts on history, for that was her hardest subject. Marie knew that, although she might compete successfully in all other things, she simply could not compete with Kitty in theme-writing. In her overwrought mind many hard thoughts fell upon the head of innocent Kitty. Her task of writing the theme was almost useless with her mind in this condition. Night after night she would sit and try to accomplish it, but to no avail. At last only one day remained till the theme had to be in. She had been working steadily on it all morning but finding she could accomplish nothing, she picked up a magazine which her mother had sent her a few days previous, to rest her mind. For a time she glanced at the pictures listlessly, but just as she was about to put the last one down the word “Hero” caught her eye. Before she realized what she was doing she had read the whole article and had gotten the very information that she wanted. Her face burned with shame as she used the stolen idea and knew that the scholarship was hers. For even gifted Kitty could not compete with the great author who had written the article. At last the theme was written, sealed, and placed in the hands of Miss Lucy. The great day arrived. Kitty, although a trifle pale, was composed and went about with her usual calm. Marie kept to her room until it was almost time to dress for the occasion. General Harrington occupied the place of honor and shook hands with each girl as she entered. First was the report of the exams. Marie and Kitty got through creditably with no countable difference in the final average. Now all that remained was the themes, which practically decided the contest. The first four themes were just good school girl essays, but when the fifth was read everyone thought that it was surely the best and the judge’s only choice. But the last essay put the fifth out of the race. It seemed almost impossible for a school girl to write such a theme. The decision was unanimous throughout the audience, and when the judges decided for the last read essay, cheer after cheer rang through the building. General Harrington arose and said, “Now the young lady who wrote this story will please come forward.” Marie arose and walked to the front of the room. General Harrington placed the pendant around her neck and spoke a few words of congratulation.