Eastern High School - Echo Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

Page 17 text:

THE EASTERN ECHO I5 Kinglefs Best Sport Christine Behm, 1924 Zfxfifxaf H, there she is, cried a little black-haired girl, the tall, slen- der girl in blue. ' 'Yes, ' ' exclaimed another, that is Kingley's best sport. cheers for Mary Lyston, the great- esalathlete Kingley ever had. Come on, girls, ye I I-low the cheers did echo and re-echo as Mary Lyston, a senior, swung from the train! The popular girl, flushed and triumphant, was led by her devoted friends through the mob of girls. I-ler blue eyes were dancing: she was radiant with happiness. Each year had increased the number of her already numer- ous admirers. . The young lady simply doted on applause and attention. The entire twenty-two years of her life had been full of success and popu- larity. It remained to be seen how reverse circumstances would react upon her. Cer- tainly Kingley had never seen Mary's lovely blue eyes other than happy and smiling. Within the privacy of her room, she turned to her chum with the question, Are there any interesting new arrivals? The usual crowd of freshiesf' Lucy re plied, and no new sophs. But, she added impressively, there is one new junior, and she is positively the most striking and the most lovely girl I have ever seen. I just know you will like her. Everyone does. She is not quite so tall as you, and has curly auburn hair, and magnetic black eyes. Her manner is lovely, and, what's more, she is engaged to a man who was an ace in the World War! At this information Mary had started al- most imperceptibly, but she drawled, 'fI..ucy, ciear, haven't you learned yet that this college requires more than a beautiful face and a thrilling engagement? It is necessary to have some accomplishment, and- That's just it, cut in Lucy with anima- tiong she is a good athlete. I know that ap- peals to you. She has already been made coach of the junior hockey team. They were out practicing when your train came in. What? exclaimed Mary, You know very well that heretofore a senior has been coach. Yes, l know, said Lucy, but, you remem- ber, last year the present junior class re- quested the athletic instructor to allow them IY4 'X r N l'xx.A Three to have a girl from their own year as coach. They argued that a senior could not be with them heart and soul. As a result, Etna East- wood, with a fine athletic record from a west- ern college, has secured the honor. Where did you say she is from? asked Mary. She is from the west, replied her pal. She was covertly watching Mary because the popular senior had never before seemed so distracted when a new arrival was being dis- cussed. Of course, she rattled on, as an athlete she can Mary. She is expects her to Immediately never be compared with you, interesting, but no one really equal you. the senior regained her usual manner, for she guessed the reason for Lucy's last remark. She did not intend that even her closest friend should know her thoughts. With a laugh she answered, I hope that she can be compared with me, old dearg then there will be more real competition. I might have known that you would feel that way, said Lucy admiringly. Well, I must go, Mary, I'll see you at dinner. When alone, Mary muttered bitterly, her blue eyes darkening, I will never be a friend of any girl who even aspires to my rung of the Kingley ladder. But l will not ruin three years of work by acting rashly. Instead I will act my part well and still retain my place. In another dormitory the subject of this con- versation and the cause of Mary's bitter words, was resting after a strenuous afternoon on the field. Indeed, she fully verified l..ucy's de- scription. ldly gazing over the magnificent campus, she was making plans for the improve- ment of her team. Besides, she was thinking about the senior of whom everyone was talk- ing. She hoped that they would be good friends and that the match games would be ex- citing. During the six weeks that followed, both Mary's and E.rna's teams prepared for the big hockey contest. As the weeks passed, the senior watched angrily the junior's rapid rise to popularity among her own classmates. The junior was really a marvel in gymnastic work. Mary had no just cause for being angry, be- cause Erna was neither snobbish nor proud. Mary hid her displeasure quite successfully in public, and to all outward appearances she was quite friendly with her opponent. But,

Page 16 text:

THE EASTERN ECHO It was hard for us to part with him, but We smiled bravely, for we re- membered that he had received a promotion. lVlr. Flowers came to Eastern in September 1921. l-le immediately pro- ceeded to get acquainted with the faculty and the students and to look East- ern over to see what was needed. The first task, judging from the hearty co- operation which he received from both teachers and pupils, was not hard. Evidences of the fruits of his search for needed improvements soon appeared- more light and heat in our heretofore gloomy and chilly assembly hall, more lockers in the locker-room, the placing of the fire alarm signal where everyone could see it, and numerous other important little things. Of course it was in- evitable that we should have traffic rules sooner or later because of the crowded conditions, but it would be hard to find a simpler and more effective set of rules than those drawn up and enforced by Mr. Flowers. Eastern's standards have always been high, but they were never higher than during the two and one half years that Mr. Flowers was among us as prin- cipal. Everyone knew as soon as he had given us his first message from the assembly hall platform, just what kind of man he was and what he expected of every Eastern girl. There were few second offenses by those who overstepped the line and went before him to receive their just dues. l-le inspired us to do our very best for Eastern, and inspired us with school spirit and loyalty. Some principals are respected and admired by the students and faculty, but are not successful socially. Not so with ours! l-le fitted in anywhere, from the most informal party, where he laughed and told jokes and seemed to be one of us, to the faculty reception, where he had to appear in a hard-boiled shirt and accessories. l-le had a joke for every day in the year, or if he hadn't one he could make one up-a good one, too. He knew how to make us feel at home with him so that we talked to him almost as if he were our dad. But do not think that he was always joking and laughing. Upon occasion he could make us feel like the proverbial thirty cents, and our hands and feet would turn icy cold or we would blush fiery red and our feet would feel so big and clumsy that we couldn't see how we could get them through the office door. In the last few days before he left, we tried to make him feel that we hated to see him go by being just as good as possible and by working hard. We endeavored to show by punctuality and perfect attendance that we were co-operating with him. We wish lVlr. Flowers the best of luck, and we bid farewell to him as our principal, but not as our friend, for We know he will come back to visit us. -nw if DECEMBER DAWN A grey day- Grey, overhanging clouds Like the breast of a doveg Falling smoke Like a nun's grey veilg Chill, barbed air Like stab of steel- Harbingers of stormg Then the conquering sun, Like prodigal, returned. -Nl. A. D.

Page 18 text:

I6 THE EASTERN ECHO when they were alone in the gym, Erna was quick to perceive the senior's animosity. It puzzled her, and she knew that although there would be plenty of rivalry, it would never be friendly, as she had hoped. November the tenth, the day of the game, dawned bright and clear. The juniors were on their toes with excitement, and the seniors were equally determined that they would be victors. It was good natured rivalry, though. Only one person felt resentment at such com- petition. At half past two the grandstand was filled. The vivid purple and white of the juniors contrasted sharply with the black and gold of the seniors. Cheer leaders were laboring hard, each trying to outdo her opponent. Was feel- ing ever so high as at a junior-senior match game? At three o'clock the referee blew the whistle. The game was on! Up and down the field rushed the teams, each side determined to make a goal. IVIary's team was the first to score: but one minute before time was called, a junior shot the ball across the line. Still the seniors were confi- dent, and the juniors hoped. Back in the dressing-room Erna encouraged her girls. Mary also coached her team and-retained her usual calmness. In the second half Erna played as she had never played before, and the team followed her lead. Mary, too, played a wonderful gameg but her team, when com- pared with Erna's, lacked that necessary requi- site pep. Amid the shouts and the cheers of the juniors, the game ended with a score of 3-I. The juniors went wild over their leader and their team. Back in the seniors' dressing-room the girls saw a new Mary, who quarrelled and found fault with her friends and teammates. Then, as if by magic, she became calm. No one knew or realized the rigid self-control which she had to exercise in order to apologize to her friends and congratulate her opponent. Mary accomplished this task and gave her friends further cause to call her a good sport. I-low quickly the impatience of a few minutes ago was forgotten! Her friends ar- gued that Mary had a right to become peeved at such a disappointment. Two days later Mary found excuse to visit Erna, alnd she praised her for her athletic ability and victory. She continued to culti- vate her acquaintance, introducing her to her friends and giving them further cause to be- lieve her a fine girl. Erna was now happier than she had been since she entered Kingley. The sunny, laughing way of the senior ap- pealed greatly to the deeper, sweeter nature of the junior. The unfriendly days before the game were quickly forgotten by Erna. Mary, however, did not forget. There now remained but one cloud on E.rna's horizon-her inability to get along in French. One day after class the French in- structor said to her, Miss Eastwood, I don't know just where your trouble is in French, but I am going to give you an examination to see if there isn't some possible way of pass- ing you. I feel that you have tried. Be prepared, then, to take the test on Wednes- day of next week. Thanking the teacher for her kindness, Erna walked slowly to her room. I-Ier coun- temance was grave, for she 'knew that she. needed to do real work in order to pass the examination. Later in the day Erna told Mary about the examination and her fear of it. Don't worry about that, said Mary lightlyg I'll come in every night and help you. Now don't refuse, because you know I am always glad to help a friend. Was the senior's tone wholly sincere? Tuesday afternoon of the following week, Mary Went into Erna's room. Erma, she said, please excuse me this eveningg I can't possibly help you. You know there is that senior basketball meeting. Of course, I'll excuse you, answered Ernag thank you so much for the help you have given me. I can never repay you. Please don't mention that, dear. Mary, will you stay here a moment? I must post this letter. Another one to Jack, I'll bet, laughed Mary. When Erna returned, she found her friend examining her handkerchief box. This box is certainly odd, exclaimed Mary. I have been looking inside, and it certainly is precious. I must go now, Erna. Tomorrow will tell the tale. The following morning after chapel, the report spread that the examination papers which had been intended for Erna had been tampered with. Beside the desk in which the papers were kept, a handkerchief had been found. It had been identified as Erna's. It couldn't be true declared her friends, and yet-who could deny the evidence? She was no longer trusted. Where were the friends of yesterday? All through the ses- sion with the dean, when she was being ques- tioned, she was as one in a dream. Not until she was leaving the office did the truth begin to dawn upon her.