Erie Community High School - Cardinal Yearbook (Erie, IL)

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THE CARDINAL victim. This time they decided upon the soher old undertaker, but postponed the date of his appearance for about a week so that Miss Prim would have a chance to recover from the shock of having had a man VlSlt l1er respectahle school. On the appointed day, the dignified undertaker, dressed in his Sunday best, arrived extremely self-conscious and uneasy. After having adjusted his necktie at least ten times and having received full instructions as to how to conduct his campaign, he was ushered into the presence of the honorable teacher. The first sight of her was enough, all his painful preparations were for naught. To the astonishment and utter despair of the conspirators, he meekly said, I-I came to see if I could borrow a hook of psychology fro111 you, er-Miss Prim. In a hideous mire hut not yet fully dismayed, tl1e plotters concluded to try just once more. This time they planned to use the fat old Deacon Scruggins for Prince Charming. By some mysterious process, however, he seemed to have sensed their plan and continually evaded them. In the meantime, miraculously enough, Miss Prim was actually becoming a little hit human. A good-natured smile gradually displaced the accustomed scowl. Even her mode of dress was rapidly improved upon, as her laughable riggins were exchanged for hrand new togs that were really pretty. Each day she would sport something different. The girls were just becoming used to these daily shocks when, one morning, she came into the class 1'oon1 with her hair hobhed and marcclledl At least six of the girls fainted. Patsy, however, was too much overcome with open-mouthed amazement to bc surprised into unconsciousness. But even she fell victim to the shock one week later. Miss Prim had eloped with Deacon Serugginsl -11. Ill. ,261 43

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THE CARDINAL Shocks A-Plenty The girls of Miss Prim's Boarding School were each day becoming more and more discouraged with their instructor. But no wonder, for Miss Prim was exactly the kind of a teacher to be scorned by the modern girl A very decided old maid of questionable years, she combed her hair from her face, into a huge knot on the top of her head, thus exaggerating her already unusual height. She wouldn't have her hair bobbed. Mercy no! She considered that style of coiffure very unladylike, in fact even vulgar, and as for a shingle, she almost had fits whenever anyone mentioned the word! Far down on her wrinkled nose was poised a pair of antique, gold-rimmed spectacles, over which she peered with a dreadful scowl. One threatening look from her was enough instantly to check any or all giggles in the classroom. Her long skirt daily swept clean the floor Cshe considered short lengths perfectly abominablej. Such was the mode of dress upon which she placed her stamp of approval and to which she unsuccess- fully tried to make her pupils conform. But her despotic rule could not last forever. One day, Martha Washington Jones, the little negress of the institution, brought a mouse into the Assembly and turned it loose. All of the girls, though terribly frightened for the moment, considered the event a huge joke, but not so Miss Prim! She expelled poor Martha that very same day. It was up to the girls, therefore, to get busy. Some scheme simply had to be devised to get revenge, but what could it be? They thought of every conceivable plan, and some inconceivable ones, as well, but none was practical. Finally Patsy hit upon a bright idea. Why not marry her to somebody? This was considered an excellent suggestion until the question arose, To whom shall we marry her? Surely nobody could tolerate her for a life-time! But immediately all heads fell to pondering over who the unfortunate victim should be. Vera timidly hinted that it be Patsy's bachelor uncle, but Patsy promptly declared that she didn't care to add such a specimen to her family museum. At last Jane brilliantly thought of the new minister who had just come to town. It was true that he was young, but he was very, very polite, and he might do it for manner's sake alone. The next day after school, Patsy and Jane cautiously slipped away to inter- view the minister. They frankly stated the cause of their visit and demanded an immediate answer. The minister was very surprised and embarrassed, but he managed to say, I-er-ah-um-I must say, -er-this is a very strange case, but- ah-I might come up and-er-meet her tomorrow after school. True to his word, the minister came on the following day. Patsy and Jane took him in to introduce him, but Miss Prim gave him one of her formidable frowns over the top of her glasses, saying sternly, Sir, what are you doing here? Don't you know men aren't allowed at this school?,' The poor preacher, instantly forgetting all his politeness and dignity, took French leave, retreating down the road under the friendly cover of a cloud of dust. Without a doubt he would have made a world champion runner could he but have had similar inspiration at each of his races. To say the least, the girls were out of luck again. They must select another 42

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THE CARDINAL The Haunted Mill On the outskirts of a little village in New Hampshire, stood an old mill which had been in existence many decades. It was now almost a pile of ruins, the water wheel had rotted away, and the building itself was rickety and tottering. But one thing about this decrepit structure distinguished it from any other old mill, namely it was said to be haunted! For many years, the mill had been looked upon with awe and respect by people far and near. No one feared it in the day time, but at night, all would start with apprehension ,if anyone as much as even mentioned it. ' A' ' 1 'Z' fl I It grew to be a favorite pastime for the villagers to dare each other to explore the mill at night. Occasionally, a few would -offfreiiii 'up courage enough to start out ,but no sooner would they arrive in sight of the haunted place, than they would experience shivers creeping up and down their spines, and retreat posthaste in grand riot. For months thereafter, they would terrify all with blood-curdling tales of what they had seen and heard-the clanking of chains, the flashing of coiored lights, the running to and fro of gh-as-t-l-y apparitions. One group main- tained that it had approached the mill closely enough actually to hear distinctly the most uncanny groans. Thus, as people grew more and more alarmed, there was much talk of tearing down this fear-inspiring rendezvous of the spirits. Finally, two fun-loving boys, who were at all times ready to take a dare, volunteered to explore the mill some night, if a few others would go with themfta- assist in capturing the spegtreg yvere any such discoveredg Ashamed to refuse, many consented to jointhe venture, and after much wrangling, the date was definitely set. Starting out on a fine evening, the party arrived at their destination quickly, the brightness of the moon aiding them in picking their way between the numerous trees and shrubs in the vicinity of the mill. Already some of the adventurers had quite audibly begun to quake, and all would just as soon have been-going in the opposite direction, but since each wished to show the other fellow how brave he was, no one turned back. Upon arriving in the first room of the building, the leaders declared that anyone who wished to return, should do so now, so as not add to the terrors of the rest by displaying fear. About two-thirds of the company instantly set out for town at no snail's pace. The rest began to pick their way over the rotten floors in the building to the room in which the ghosts were reputed particularly to reside. Stopping every few minutes to listen, they made but little progress. No one was desirous of making better time, however. The nearer they approached t e dreaded room, the slower progress they made. All at once, a most o I o 'sound was heard. A shrieking groan probably best describes it. The whole party, with the ex- ception of the two boys, made a blind charge forthe exits. Hurrying, scrambling, pushing, shoving, they made noise enough to awaken the ghosts of all the dead. Nor did they stop, even for breath, until they reached the village. However, the two boys stood their ground, determined to the origin of the noises and sights that had dismayed people for years. For the instant no more dis- turbances were heard. Thus, tip-toeing cautiously, they progressed to the very doorway of the room. It is impossible to describe the courage it demanded of 44