Eastern High School - Punch and Judy Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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THE EASTERNER, 15 What is your name and address? I may be able to help you.” “Tf I don’t bring ten dollars home to- night they will beat me,” said Bessie try- ing to change the subject. “But your name,” he asked again im- patiently. “My n-na-name is,—Mary Smith,” stuttered Bessie. This last came out with a jerk, for she hadn’t thought to provide herself with a name in case any one should ask for it. “Well what is your address,” ques- tioned the young man suspiciously. “T must know that if you want me to help you.” “I don’t want you to help me,” cried the now terrified Bessie. With that she turned and fled down the street, and was out of sight before the astonished young man could move. “Well! Wouldn’t that beat all,” he ejaculated. Then turning to his chaffeur said, “Home James,” forgetting all about the business he had come down town in such a rush to attend to. Fifteen minutes later he entered his sitting room, flung himself into his fa- vorite chair, and began reading the novel he had so reluctantly put down an hour before, but some how it didn’t seem to interest him any more. The picture of a pathetic little dark haired girl, holding out her hand to him kept coming up be- fore him. Tinally he threw down his book, and began pacing the floor. “Dash it all,” he muttered to himself, “What made her run away?” He stop- ped in front of a long glass, scowled at himself and growled, ‘You old brute, you scared the poor little girl with all your questioning. You never do know when to keep that trap of yours closed.” “Maybe she will be there to-morrow,” he added hopefully, “I suppose I am foolish but—but she looked so small and help- less that I hate to think of her being Whipped to-night.” Bessie was greeted on her arrival home by a group of eager friends, all damoring to know how she had gotten along. She told them all of her day’s adventures, except the last one. The next day a very disappointed young man was seen, walking up and down a certain street down town. He seemed to be looking for some one: After waiting all the morning he mutter- ed that he might have known she wouldn’t show up; and called himself a fool. Bessie’s second day was not such a success as the first. She had been out only two hours when she noticed that a very grouchy looking policeman had been watching her for some time. She grew very uneasy, she knew she could be arrested for begging under false pre- tences, and just to think of the story the newspapers would write made her shud- der. Finally she decided that the few dollars she might earn would not be worth the risk, so she telephoned Bobbie to come and get her. The neXt evening Dorothy gave a dance for her cousin, who had just come home from the west. “T hope you will like him,” she said to Ressie between one of the dances.” “He used to be so jolly, but I met him yester- day and he looked as if he had lost his lest friend. Here he is now.” “Dick I should like to have you meet my dearest friend, Miss Hamilton,’— turning to Bessie—,“My cousin, Mr. Strachen.” i

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THE EASTERNER fs) “But suppose someone recognize c asked the pretty little dark haired girl, who sat in the middle of a group of Inughing and chattering friends. Bessie was just home from a trip abroad, and during her absence her friends had formed a club for the bene- fii of the children’s hospital. Of course she wanted to join, but she would have to be hazed first, and this was what had brought that dismayed ejaculation from her lips. “We will ix you up so no one will know you,” said Dorothy, who seemed t be the spokesman of the party, “Bob- bie will take you down town in his auto, and come back for you at six o'clock.” Then, as she saw Bessie hesitate, she said, “I know it will come out all right. We all have done it, and have had a great degree of success so far. Besides who would think of a millionaire’s daughter begging.” “How long will I have to beg?” asked Bessie, the dismayed look creeping over her face. “Only two days,” answered Dorothy. “You may take your choice between working in succession, or of skipping a day in between.” : s m6,” Bessie at once chose the latter, because she said she would need a rest in between to rest. The next morning at the ap- pointed time, Bessie crept down a back stairway all ready for her day's work. She made a very pathetic picture stand- ing there, wearing a ragged black dress, which must have been very preity in it's early history. Her hair hung down her back in two thick braids, she had smear- ee THE BEGGAR’S CLUB ed dirt on her hands and face, to make them look grimy, and altogether she looked like a poor little child, who had no one to take care of her, When she got down town and saw her car whiz out of sight she felt like runn- ing home as fact as she could. But, no she couldn't do that and have all fhe girls look at her as a failure. So gather- ing up all her courage she walked timiq- ly up to a man who was coming hurried- ly towards her. “Won't you,”—she began, but the man gave her a blank stare and walked on, She tried again, but met with no better success. A little discouraged she waited for a few minutes. Finally she saw a kind looking old man coming down the street. “Won't you give me some money? My mother and father are dead, and I havn't had anything to eat for twelve hours.” (She got up too late to eat her breakfast). “Poor child, poor child,” said the kind old gentleman with tears in his eyes, “[ have a granddaughter your age at home,” and dropping a silver dollar in her hand turned away before Bessie could thank him. After that she had bet- ter luck. The church bells were just ckiming six, and Bessie had started up the street towards the corner appointed for her to meet Bobbie, when an auto- mobile came up. A handsome young man jumped out and paused as Bessie came tmidly towards him holding out her hand. She was just about to begin her little plea when he said: “How does it happen that a child like you is obliged to beg on. the streets?

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THE EASTERNER 16 Later in the evening while Dick and Bessie were dancing together, Dick said, “Jt seems to me’I have seen you some- where before.” “Maybe in Europe,” said Bessie trying ty throw him off the track, for she had recognized him as the nice young man who had offered to help her a few days before. Then all of a sudden it came over him where he had seen her. “I should like tc tell you.a little story, if you will be kind enough to listen. The other day I came across a little girl begging. She seemed to be very shy for when | of- fered to help her she ran away. I have learned to like her very much. Do you think,” he said looking her in the face, “that this little girl could ever learn to love me?” “T don't know,” said Bessie, whose face had turned very red during his story, “but I guess she could if she tried.” ; This was only the beginning of what proved to be more than a mere friend- ship. I. Merritt, 3-D. A fool there was and he flunked in Math Even as you and I. Some called him the man who did not care, Fut we know better for we've been there, (He found Math harder to grasp than air), Even as you and I. Oh, the nights he’d spend and the ways he’d try And the work of his head and hand! He couldn’t do Math, he didn’t know why (And now we know he could never know why) And never could understand. He “repeated” once, but it seems that when He fought to the end of the year, and then He found he was booked to repeat again, He met the fate of all overworked men; (He was placed for a while in a padded pen). Even as you and I, Geo. RopcGer, 5-B. MID-YEAR HONORS. The high marks received by some of the mid-year people will serve as an in- spiration to others. We make no comment on them; they speak for themselves. Those receiving honors, are: First Honors. Miss Ema Hen, 4-A, 100 per cent E, Miss Race, THomas, 2-B, 99.75 per cent E. Miss Cyntuta Dyk, 2-A, 75 per cent F, 25 per cent G. ; And they are all girls, too. Ye God's! What has happened to man? Second Honors. Mr. H. L. Batpwin, 4-A, 62 per cent L, 38 per cent G. That’s better. Graduating Honors. None. First Student—The dentist said I had a large cavity that needed filling. Second Student—Did he recommend “any special course of study? —Rayen Record.