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

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I was forced to bid the two sisters good night. As I went along the dim hall- way to my room, I cast many glances over my shoulder. The peculiarity of the whole situtaion was the fact that I fell asleep immediately. I aWoke about midnight to hear a faint tapping at my door. My senses refused to grasp the significance of this, though I was fully aware of a faint, sweet odor pei'- meating my room. After waiting for a second, I realized that some 'one wished admittance. I arose, feeling uncertain whether to be afraid or not. I opened the door and beheld Miss johanda standing in the hallway smiling softly at me. Strange that I felt no fear then! She had no light and that from my room was too dim to reveal anything unusual about her appearance. She spoke softly, teasingly. Please, Dorothy, come with me and help me figure out a problem I must solve or I can't rest this eveningf' I consented immediately because she seemed sincere. I followed her across the hall-to that mysterious door which I then realized that I feared. Miss Iohanda walked in first and through the aperture I noticed a red light. I entered rather hesitatingly, and became conscious of a peculiar odor. Then I was stricken dumb by the horrible sight which confronted me. The room before me was long and low, hung with heavy black velvet draperies. The red light added a queer diabolical effect to the somberness of the apartment. But that which filled me most with horror was the source of the glaring red light. Upon a platform built in the center of the room was a fire made of dried rose petals causing that sweet odor. About the fire were glistening white bones and skulls, possibly of animals, maybe of humans. Beside this platform was a black draped couch upon which was the white gar- ment I had seen two evenings before. I turned horror stricken to face Miss -Iohanda. She was standing by my side clothed in red-hideous red which formed a devilish contrast to her pallid face, glaring eyes, and glistening black hair. I saw her fingers moving in- sanely, and then I knew that I Was alone with a maniac, intent upon destroy- ing me. You ask why I didn't call for help? I couldn't! I was frozen with fear. The maniac tore at her hair and then flew at me. She grasped me by the shoulders, laughing gleefully, screaming at me. p I'll kill you! You who resemble Annie so closely! I'll kill you as they did her! You'll burn, do you hear? None shall know, because this same flame which destroys you shall consume this house and its occupantsf' Then she threw the white garment about me-my shroud! I was dragged-dragged forward-then I fainted. I awoke two weeks later after a period of unconsciousness. I was in- formed that Ellen and Betty had been suspicious of Johandais actions for some time and that on that particular night had felt the same premonition of evil that I had. They had broken the lock of the door and rescued me. Miss johanda. stricken into frenzy by disappointment, had cast herself into the flames before she could be saved. So passed a maniac. ESTI-IER 'WOLFE '23. 27

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slightly, giving her whole visage a leering expression, where before she had been almost beautiful. The rest of that first day was spent in idle conversa- tion, that being the extent of my duties besides little odd jobs, such as answer- ing letters. During the afternoon, I caught Miss johanda's eyes resting upon me with a hideous gleam which she skilfully hid when she knew I saw her. Both ladies retired early that first evening and I went to my room, but not to sleep. An uneasiness possessed me and, for the first time in my life, I locked my door and looked under my bed and into the closet. I lay down and waited for sleep to overtake me, but this was useless. I was wide awake -waiting-waiting! For what? I know not how long I had lain thus when I heard a muffled cough, or possibly a laugh, in the corridor outside of my door. I heard the padded footsteps of a person on the carpet. Frozen with terror, I grasped the bed clothes and again waited. Only terrible silence met my strained listening. Oh, if I could but have screamed, have done some- thing! But the room seemed pervaded by tiny demoniacal spirits forbidding such an act on my part. In the morning, tired and fully determined to leave, I went down to breakfast. Everyone was so pleasant and my walk before luncheon showed me such a beautiful valley, that I decided to stay. The sec- ond night, I heard the same sounds, but this time I distinctly heard some ob- ject dragging behind the midnight prowler. I turned on the light, gripped my fear, and determinedly advanced to the door and swung it open. Was I mistaken or did the door across the hall close as I did so? I looked and saw darkness 5 and heard-stillness! I closed my door hastily and returned to my bed. That night again I did not sleep. I stayed through the third day, fully decided to remain and conquer my fears. The women were unusually kind, though often, as on the first day, I noticed that queer look in Miss Johanda's eyes. Of what Was she thinking that caused that gleam? Vtfas it concerning me? I was soon to find out! The third night, I listened for the same sound but heard nothing. To- ward midnight, I decided to go down stairs and get a glass of water as the night was stiflingly hot. I walked down the long hallway, the carpet dead- ening my tread, and began to descend the staircase. When I reached the sharp turn, I noticed a light in the living room. That was peculiar, as I dis- tinctly remembered Miss Iohanda and Miss Betty having retired at the same time that I did. Looking more closely, I saw Miss Johanda sitting almost in the center of the room, sewing feverishly upon a soft white garment. Some- thing held me spellbound. I saw her rise and lift the garment before her. Then I heard her emit a laugh which rose in a shrill, half wild, mocking note, then died away. I turned and flew back to my room, relocked my door and forgot my thirst in my terror. The fourth day passed like a dream. A premonition of evil seemed to hover over me. Every noise caused me to start. My nerves, usually strong as steel, failed me. That evening, I kept postponing the hour to retire. Fi- nally, after several vain attempts on Miss Johandais part to have me do so, 26

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THE SOLILOQUY OF A SCHOOL-MOUSE. I live in a small hole in the baseboard of a room spoken of as the As- semblyf' I wonder what that word means! Something awful, I am sure, for one day I heard a girl say, Assembly time. VVell, l'll see you laterf' Then suddenly I heard a ringing noise, which I have learned is a bell, and a great many boisterous boys and girls filed in the room where my home is. After a great deal of scuffling and whispering, they were quiet for a few 'minutes while a man up in front did some speaking. Then again there was the frightful bell and the noisy boys and girls went out again. I wonder what it all means! They carry books and speak of Upropositionsv, equa- tions , and use other big words. I never see them do any of the things my cousin on the farm says they do. One day, I heard the man in front say something about mice and hole in the Wall, so I guess I had better move my family into a safer room. MARY OLEARY '24, II fb f-1 o 0 00 dk' rat' 4paf'J455.256i , I li +- V' 9' ' ?'l n 1' ' 522 ' i 5 ' 'il' d' i..i'!4 . ' ai.-' 4 1: 1419.151 qw? .l-4!1a!l5?:e25i SPRINGTIME. The days of spring are here at last, And with it flowers rare, And at each gust the breezes waft Their fragrance on the air. First comes the bluebird and his mate, Winged messengers of spring, And as he flits among the trees, A heartfelt song does sing. The swallow northward wings his way, Nor will he stop to rest, 'Til under some old eave or roof, I-Ie builds a sheltered nest. And tell me from thy gentle heart, When birds flit 'round and sing, What other day in all the year Brings joy as a day in spring? HARLAN MORRISON '23. as