Downingtown High School - Our Year Cuckoo Yearbook (Downingtown, PA)

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THE CUCKOO 17 fftarjurfe'a GDriginality Mary Bane, ’20. Marjorie Carter was disgusted with everything and everybody. She was tired of being only one-third of a girl, and being dressed like her other two sisters, even to the color of the shoes. Her mother was a very kind woman, and she took pride in dressing her three daughters alike, because they were triplets and looked so much like each other. Marjorie liked to be different, and even when she was small she declared she hated to see her image every time she turned around. She got along fairly well until she started to high school Then her patience was tried every day. because she was taken for her other sisters and had to take all the punishment for the whole three, although she was the quiet one and the other two were very mischievous. But she kept striving on through all the torments and punishments which her two sisters should have received, and the end of the fourth year found her salutatorian of her class. One evening about the middle of April, when she came home from school, she found a letter from her Aunt Tabitha, who lived in California, saying that she would send each of the three girls a graduation dress. This gave Mar jorie much pleasure, for she thought to herself that for once she would not have to wear a dress like her two sisters, for Aunt Tabitha would hardly think it nec-esssary to get all three dresses alike. For the next three weeks Marjorie enjoyed life and anxiously waited for the dresses to arrive. A few days before the dresses came she received a letter saying that their aunt was coming to see them graduate, and she had decided to take one of the girls back home to live with her. Of course, each one started to gather her things together, to try and look her best, and Marjorie looked eagerly forward to seeing her dress. At last they came; but, oh 1 what a disappointment for Marjorie, for there in the box lay three white ruffled organdie dresses, as pretty as a picture, but all three alike. She was so disappointed that she could not eat any supper, and went up to her room to study without her usual cheery word for the family. But although Marjorie tried hard to study, she could not concentrate her mind; and at last, closing her books, gave herself over to thought. She sat thinking for over an hour. Then, suddenly jumping up, she exclaimed: “I’ll do it; that’s just the idea. But there’s no time to lose.” Then she went downstairs and played the piano as loudly as she could until bedtime. The following weeks were busy ones 11 the Carter home, and no one noticed that Marjorie was seldom around. At last commencement day arrived and everything was bustle and hurry The girls’ dresses were laid side by side on the bed in their room. When it came time to dress. Aunt Tabitha, who had arrived the day' before, said she would help them. And Marjorie asked if she might go to the spare room to dress. Her request was granted and, gather ing up her belongings, she ran to the room. She dressed so quickly that she was ready before the rest and was waiting quietly in the hall, with her coat on when they came down. At last the exercises had begun and it was Marjorie’s turn to appear. And she wondered what her mother and aunt would say when they saw her, and if Aunt Tabitha would be very cross. Fot she did not have the white dress on, but a very' pale pink, so pink that it looked white, of some fine, silky-looking material. It was trimmed with ruffles and she looked very pretty as she stood on the platform. But her mother was astonished and declared it was not Marjorie, while her aunt only smiled. Somehow she finished and retreated, feeling that she would never see California. When the commencement exercises were over and the family were going home not a word was said concerning her dress. But when she reached home and removed her coat her mother demanded an explanation. Then she told her mother how tired she was of being only a third of a girl, and how she thought one evening of a plan for being dressed differently for once in her life, if never again. She said she happened to think of that piece of goods, which her mother had used in making the lining of a new silk quilt about a month before. It was not very suitable for this, but as there was not enough material to make three dresses. she had decided to use it for this until some time when she got something Continued on page 35

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1G THE CUCKOO (Emtrmunn (boats “We shall now,” she said, “have a reg- i ular supply of cheese.” “Has Biggs got it at last?” I asked in amazement. Biggs is our grocer; that is to say, he is the man who always has what we don’t want. “We shall be independent of Biggs,” she assured me. “I am going to make our own cheese from goat’s milk.” “Where are you going to get the milk ?” “From our goat, of course.” “But—” I commenced feebly. She waved me to silence. “Oh, yes; we have!” she said. “I bought it this morning and it’s coming tomorrow. I felt I must do some war work” “Where are you going to keep it?” I ventured to ask. “In the garden, of course, stupid,” she said. “I strolled to the window and surveyed the proposed home of the goat. I had seen the garden before; but it was easily forgotten. Knowing nothing of goats, I could not say definitely that it would be satisfied. The lawn was smooth, and plainly visible to anyone not standing upon it. The flowers, too. were nice; there seemed to be one of each, and a fern. “You see,” she said; “we shall just tie it to the tree, and—and that’s all.” “But do you know how to make cheese?” I inquired. She waved a slim volume at me. “I have learned this by heart,” she said. “It tells you everything.” As I handed back the book there came a rattle and a thump at the door. Impulsively she ran to open it. “The cheesemaking outfit I ordered,” she explained. On the step I saw what appeared to be a staggering mass of earthen and enamel ware of all shapes and sizes. By dint of hard staring I made out the cap and boots of the boy behind it. When he handed me the bill I stared harder still. She cooed gently of unlimited cheese, while I paid the bill. When I reached home the next day the goat was in full possession of the garden, but showed no signs of being unduly puffed up about it. It sat by the tree to which it was tied, gazing at the lawn and giving vent to an occasional laugh. It was a sardonic-looking animal. and its name was Juliet. “Have you milked it?” I asked. ------♦D. Her reply was vague. “I don’t think it’s been used to a woman’s milking it. so I left it for you,” she said. “I’ve got everything ready for the cheese, and here is a milking pail.” I sought out Juliet, who rose and bowed. I came closer and she bowed lower still. I thought her a polite goat. Then I put my hand upon her and my idea of her manners changed. She came forward somewhat abruptly, and. fearing to startle her, I stepped backward ; she did likewise, and I advanced again. We repeated the movement. “What’s it to be—a waltz or a polka?” said my neighbor’s voice from across the fence. Juliet laughed outright. But she was a goat with decided view, and she assured me by the variety of means at her command that I did not fall in with her idea of Romeo. I returned to the house to find her waiting among the cheese outfit. It took up most of the kitchen. She held out eager hands for the pail. I explained the situation. “She is not used to us yet,” I said, “and I thought that it would be unkind to milk her by force.” The next morning we awoke to find that Juliet had broken loose. However, she was still there, and so was the garden, only most of it seemed to have gotten into the goat. I retethered the cheese-provider and during the next few days Juliet and I had several interviews, but we seemed fated to remain strangers. Juliet knew an infinite variety of steps, and my neighbor—who alone seemed to derive any pleasure from the interviews—said she ought to be a ballet goat. On the evening of the third day she remembered Jones, who is great on goats; in fact, he has recently written a popular pamphlet on them for distribution by some department or other. I hunted up Jones, who strolled ba k with me while I explained the situation “Goat, eh?” he said. “Good investment nowadays. The milk makes fine cheese.” I took him into the remains of the garden and introduced him to Juliet, who received him with signs of respect. “Now,” I said, “tell me if there is any reason why I shouldn’t milk that goat.” Jones looked at the goat and then at me. “None whatever.” he said “except, of course, that it’s a he-goat.” f.S.- -----

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18 THE CUCKOO filter! £ txtmi Mary Sener, She was a young girl of the ’teen age, living in Bridgeton, N. J. She had blue eyes, fringed with long lashes, and as merry and twinkling as the stars on a very dark night. Her hair was yellow and hung in long curls down her back. But all this is not as important as her name, which was Marjory Lee Brown. At this age you know it’s most exasperating when you put your hair up and lengthen your skirts, to hear someone say: “Hello, kid! Come out and play ball.’’ And something inside of you makes you want to go; but then you suddenly remember you’re 'sixteen,’ a young lady now, not a tomboy. If you want to gain the boys’ respect you must refuse. Marjory had a twin brother, Tom, who was as much a favorite with the girls as Marjory was with the boys Torn went to many parties, and always took Marjory with him. However, the seldom returned together. Tom always accompanied some other girl home, while Marjory was escorted home by one of her many gentlemen admirers, but more often by Jack Riggs. Now, Jack was Marjory’s beau, and a very nice one at that. One of those slow and easy ones, but, nevertheless very faithful and loving. He bought her books and flowers, and never forgot to remind her of her birthday with some little remembrance. But, like all lovers, they had a quarrel Jack went to a party to which Marjory was not asked, and took another girl home. Marjory thought it mean of Jack to go when she was not asked; but why shouldn’t he have a good time? She refused to see or have anything to do with him for a month, which nearly broke his heart, and Marjory’s, too. She said he ’22. should be the first to speak; but finally Marjory’s mother showed her that she was in the wrong, and the quarrel was soon patched up. The next year Tom and Marjory finished high school and looked forward to going away to school together. But autumn found Tom with a scholarship at Yale, and Marjory attending Bucknell. Now, Jack Briggs also graduated from high school with Tom and Marjory, but he started in business for himself, that he might be ready for Marjory when she came out of college. It happened that Marjory’s roommate at college was a girlhood friend of Jack’s, and she could not say enough about him. All this tended to make Marjory jealous, although her roommate declared they were only friends. One day Tom came to visit Marjory, but found she was out of her room. In the meantime he was well entertained by Bessie Jones, Marjory’s roommate, and found her to be a pleasing companion. When Marjory returned she introduced her brother to Miss Jones, which wfas hardly necessary, for they had already introduced themselves, and Tom was very much smitten with Bessie. After this memorable visit to Bucknell. Tom, accompanied by Jack Briggs, often turned their footsteps in this direction. They were invited and went to all the dances and social events of the i school. School was to close the 29th of May. and commencement followed shortly. They decided that June 20 would be a nice time for a double wedding, after which Marjory would be Mrs. Jack Briggs, of Bridgeport, N. J., and Bessie would be Mrs. Thomas Brown, of the same place. ■D.H.S.. (§ur Fmtr Ifrara Leona M. Lightcap, ’20. I remember, very clearly. When we entered our old high How the other classes giggled. And we sat and looked on shy. But that was the first day only. Bolder and more fresh we grew. When the Sophomore class we entered Less foolish tricks we’d do. Then the third year, we were Juniors, (Most of us, I mean to say) Then we acted more like students And proud we grew each day. Now we’re called “Smart Seniors” By other classes in school, i And would not think of breaking i Our strict and rigid rules.