Ferndale Union High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Ferndale, CA)

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Origin of the Umbrella Plant Melia Thompson, '11, T CERTAINLY was an eventful day for me All morning I had covered the rather grimy face of my mistress young houses out of the brickish colored dirt I was angrily snatch- ed up closed and thrust into the umbrella case where I ex- pected to stay for the next month or so but to my happy Wifi surprise, after a last look at the charming image reflected in the hall glass, my mistress tucked me under her arm. A blast of wind helped to open the door, and made it a little difficult for me to be raised. However, we both enjoyed the light rain-I, because I was glad to be useful, she, because it brought such a rosy glow to her cheeks. Our pleasure was rather short lived, for a zig-zag streak of lightning her- alded the approach of a burst of thunder. My mistress looked thoughtfully toward home, but did not turn back, though the rain was now falling in blinding sheets. The wind was unmer- ciful, and, just as I was doing my best to protect my mistress, 1 was ruth- lessly snatched away by a terrible gust of wind. My companion retreated beneath a swaying tree, making a very for- lorn picture indeed, but I was swept swiftly by leaps and bounds over the prairie. I became so dizzy, as I whirled around bushes, jumped over rocks and along the ground, that I wished I might be caught by some bush, if it were only to be torn to pieces. At length, worn out from being dragged and mauled about, I settled down near a hillside, along the banks of a turbu- lent stream, not far from my owner. My ribs had been bent and torn from my dress so roughly that I was hardly recognized, and surely of no more use to my dainty mistress. Being entirely beyond repair, she went home without me, when the storm had ceased, greatly to my disappointment. As I was getting chilly, and was now scantily clothed, I snuggled be- neath some loose foliage, and there intended to await the clearing of the skies. But the exhaustion from my long chase caused me soon to fall asleep, not to awaken for a long time. Q :bu 'B lm? . I . , rqlgfj 'W' sister from the intense heat, until the two of us were dis- mg-,U 5:25225 covered--I, lying in the dusty road 5 the little sister making s'5iQa':.G:-stir - - - - ef' If . . ' V, 9 J 1 Qi. 'E 3 A vw PAGE TW!NTY EIGHT

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As I came up he growled threateninglyg then, as I stood there, a change came over him. I-Ie whine d, and tried to crawl closer to me. I had been recognized. I knelt down beside hm, and he laid his head pitifully on my knee to be stroked. I saw that both of his hind legs were broken. I could do nothing for him, yet I longed to save him and have him once more for mine. I knew he would die, but when? Perhaps he would suffer for days, only to perish in the end. I must end his misery. With that thot I made a move to get up. He rubbed my knee with his head, and laid a poor, mangled paw in my hand. I looked into his pleading eyes and it sickened me to think of killing so true a friend. I laid his head on a low rock, and arose. He watched me dismally, as tho he realized the worst. I loaded the shot gun and, nerving myself, shot him as he was trying to licli a wounded paw. I-Ie never groaned. Very sorrowfully, I carried him back to the place where nobody had disturbed him except myse f, his best friend. , z7nffd4'4 PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN

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It was on a sunshiny spring day that I was aroused from my long slumber, and, feeling quite warm, pushed my way up through my thick covering. Everything looked so different now, and so very much prettier and fresher, that I pushed up farther and farther until I towered far above the other plants about me. A great transformation had taken place in me. My dress which had been all black was now changed to a delicate verdant hue. My black, stiff ribs were changed to shining green ones, graceful and supple. Somehow, as I looked myself over, that gloriously bright morning, I felt very proud. Hearing the familiar murmur of that old brook, I called to it, and asked how such a change had come about. But the stream only laughed and ran on merrily. My pride instantly fell, for I thought she surely was making light of this peculiar inquiry, and I was wishing myself tucked away safely be- neath the green turf, when I saw my mistress, not changed a particle, trip- ping merrily toward me. I wanted to ask her many things, but as I did not know how to make her understand me all I could do was to look down-hearted. She smoothed my stalks and seemed so pleased with me that I was dug up and taken home by the gardener. This pleased me very much, but my changed personality still puzzled me. I was put into a large jardiniere, and placed on a pedestal in a fine bay window, overlooking a budding garden. But would you believe it? It was not until some callers happened in one day.and exclaimed, So this is the strange new plant called the umbrella plant ! that my anxiety was quieted. OUR TOAST Blanche Monroe, '12. Here's to our faculty, To all and to each 3 May success crown their efforts As long as they teach. Here's to our students, Who dig, delve so hardy May the future bring each A goodly reward. I-Iere's to our School Board, Tried, faithful and true: May we keep them for ages, And ne'er change for a few. Here's to our tax payers, Who built us our High, May gratitude generous In our hearts ever lie. Here's to the knockers- There's only a few 3 May they awake to their folly And begin life anew: For we need all their helpg And they'll happier be, In doing a bit For humanity. PAGE TWEN TY-NINE