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

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My na1ne isn't Archie, it's Archibald. My mother don't allow anyone to call me Archie. Aw, but Archibald ain't a pretty name and it don't take so much breath to say Archie,' said Bill. u But my mother says- HAW, your ma ain't here. I guess she won't care what we call you as long as she can't hear us, said Mike. My mother don't allow me to call her ma, she says it isn't refined and- 'iSay, can that will you-l' '4My, what dreadful language, 1ny mother- Just then llill took another corner on two wheels and Archibald was prevented from further speech in trying to keep his seat. All the rest of the way Archibald had all he could do to keep in the buggy and did not have any time for conversation, VVhen they finally drew up at Bill's front gate Archibald was very much relieved. How did you like the ride? Ain't we got some bus ? asked llill. It-It was rather breath-taking, panted Archibald. ' Say, just wait till tomorrow and we'll take you swimming and show you something like- The next afternoon the three boys started for the swimming hole back ot Mikes fathers east pasture. What you got in that bundle F said Mike to Archibald. That's my water wings. I always take them with me as they are a great aid to my swimmingf' y VVater wings! said llill in a disgusted tone. Why, what's wrong with them, aren't they all right ? Oh, sure, they're all right for youf' They had reached the swimming hole and soon llill and Mike had plunged into the water each attired in a pair of bathing trunks. In a little while Archi- bald came out from behind some bushes which he had been using as a dressing room, and slowly walked to the edge of the pond. VVhen the boys saw him they looked at him in amazement and then began to snicker. Archibald had on a bright red bathing suit and the water wings gave him the appearance of being ready to fly Heres mama's little angelf, said Mike, Ucome on in, the wateris great. Hut it looks awfully deep. I'm not used to swimming in such deep water. 'Tain't either deep, come on and jump in, said liill. Gingerly Archibald walked to the edge of the pond and, raising one pink foot. touched the water with his big toe. Oh, it's so cold! My mother says that cold water gives one cramps. Cramps your granny, said llill, come on in and don't be a 'fraid cat., 'Tm not a 'fraid-cat' and my mother says that any nice boy don't call other boys names and l'm going to- Hut he got no further. Mike, who had slipped around behind him and reached out with one hand and catching hold of one of Archibald's bare legs, pulled it out from under him and Archibald, with a yell and a splash found him- self in the Water. He threw his hands about wildly and called Help, help. But the boys paid no attention to his cries, deciding to let him get a good duck- 7

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down the county road. Both boys had washed their faces and combed their hair without being told, something very unusual for either one of them as both boys used water for swimming purposes only. As it happened, the train was on time and Mike and Hill drove up to the station just as the train pulled in. llill tied the horses to the hitching post and then the two boys hastened on to the platform to watch for Archibald. Neither knew what he looked like but llill was certain that he would know any cousin of his a mile off. Three people descended from the train, a man, an old lady, and a boy. llill looked at the man and then at the boy and began to look disappointed. Guess he didn't come after all, he said to Mike. Nope, I guess he- just then the strange boy started toward the two on the platform, I beg your pardon, he said in a high girlish voice, but do one of you boys happen to be VVilliam MacGregor? My mother told me that there would be two boys here to meet me and as you are the only boys here I suppose that you must he the ones. llill looked at him in astonishment. Say, who are you? I'm Hill all right and I'm looking for my cousin from the city but,-say. what's your name ? My name is Archibald Pendleton St. Claire and if you are VVilliam then you are my cousin and I'm very pleased to meet you. I hope you are well, and my mother- UAW, say, are you my cousin? VVhy you don't look like my cousin. I thought- He stopped short and gave Archibald a disgusted look. What he saw ilidu't seem to please him. Archibald was rather short for his age and very thin, His hair corn-colored, his eyes baby blue, his complexion rosy' pink. He wore a straw hat, white collar and shirt, a blue tie, and knickerbockers, and to top it all off, tortoise-shell rimmed glasses and a signet ring. Beside him on the platform were two shiny suitcases and a little black and white fox-terrier. Quite a contrast to the overalls. blue shirts. and bare feet and battered hats of the two country boys. It was too much for llillg he looked at Mike and Mike looked at him and then they burst out laughing. Say, I'm sure glad to meet up with you Archie. This is my pal, Mike, said Hill. Come on and we'll take you home in our bus. The two suitcases were thrown into the back of the buggy and Mike jumped in beside them. Archibald and his dog were given the seat of honor beside the driver. Hill gave the horses the reins, told them to Move along there and show some class, and away they went down the road towards l'3ill's home. Bill gave a shout, whipped up the horses and went down the road on the high. 'Archibald was gripping the seat with one hand and holding on to his hat with the other. There was a look of fear on his face. Bill turned his head to look at him and almost tore off a rear wheel in taking a corner. The two boys were enjoying themselves immensely. Please-please, don't go so fast, gasped Archibald, my mother says that it's bad for the heartfy Never mind Archie, we'll soon be there, said Mike. 6

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ing. Meanwhile, Archibald was frantically trying to swim to the shore, but Without any success and the boys were laughing themselves sick at his efforts. Boo-hoo-hoo, l'll tell my mother on you, you just wait and see. Aw, your ma ain't here and she couldn't do anything to us anywayf said Bill. Oh, please take me out. l'll catch my death of cold, I know I will. If my mother knew what was happening to me she'd do something to you boysf' Well, you're here and your ma ain't, why don't you do something your- self ? asked Mike. By this time, however, Archibald had managed to get to where he could wade ashore and with many threats to the boys as to what his mother would do to them when he told her about what they had done to him, he started toward the house. The last day of Archibald's visit had arrived at last, much to the joy of Bill and Mike. Archibald wasn't very sorry either. He and Bill hadn't hit it off very well together and that pal of his was worse than Bill. Bill's mother had planned a party in Archibald's honor and had invited l'lill's school-mates. The party was to he that evening and there was to be ice-cream and cakeg according to Mike that was the best part of it. At seven o'clock the guests began to arrive. There were the boys, very un- comfortable in their white shirts and collars, with their hair plastered down and their shoes shined for the occasion. There were the little. girls with their white dresses and pink sashes, their eyes shining. The boys were bashful and seemed to be afraid of the dainty little misses. All, that is, except Archibaldg he was in his glory and soon had all the girls listening to a piece of sentimental poetry which he was reciting for their especial benefit. Also, he had had dancing les- sons and knew all the steps and did not step on their feet when he danced with them, and he could ask for a dance without stuttering and getting red in the face like the other boys. They could swim, and fight, and fish, but when they got all dressed up and had their faces washed till they fairly shone and were put in a room with a lot of young ladies they were helpless. All this was just what Archibald had been brought up on and when Bill saw him dancing with Bella Perkins, who had always been his girl and saw the way she was listening to every word that Archibald said, he decided that being a Mamas boy had its advantages. S