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

Page 30 text:

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

Page 29 text:

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

Page 31 text:

REVENGE IS SWEET. The music began with a roar and the couples went swinging gracefully around the hall. The strange youth stood and Watched them as they whirled merrily past. He wondered if by some chance there might be some acquaint- ance of his at the dance in this small town, so many miles away from home. But look as he would, he espied no familiar face amongst the dancers. Through several dances the youth stood and watched. Then, as the music started again on a good old waltz, he saw the floor-manager approach- ing him. VVould you like a partner for this dance ? asked the man. I should be very much pleased if you can find a girl that's agreeable, replied the youth. You see I'm not very well acquainted around here, he added as an after thought, as he turned to follow the man. He was led across the hall and presented to a girl who smiled a sweet little smile, extended graciously a neat little hand, and, as it seemed to the youth, lifted an adoring pair of eyes to his. After the usual 4'Pleased to meet you, Delighted, I'm sure, etc., they were in each others' arms in the thickest of the dancers. The youth was amazed, but delighted, to find that in spite of being rather heavily built the maiden was unusually light on her feet and he hastened to apologize for his own clumsiness. However, she as- sured him that he was doing nicely, as is the way of women, and he wias fool enough to be led on, as is the way of men. Thus was started the little ro- mance with which this story deals. The early hours of the evening passed and midnight, the hour of rest and refreshments, approached. The youth was in an ecstacy of delight, for she had promised him the supper dance. Accordingly he swung into step with unusual zeal, and, as he held her tenderly, yet firmly, it suddenly dawned on him that he had been so charmed with her that he had not noticed her name when the floor manager presented him to her. Upon inquiry he found the girl in the same sad state. i My name is Pauline, she told him when he asked, but everybody calls me Polly. You may do so if you wish. And now, she added, I have the privilege of asking yoursf, That would be telling. he replied, 'but perhaps you may find one for me before the evening is over. Thus they raved on until the music stopped and then they crossed the street to the cafe where a dainty lunch had been prepared. They sat at one end of a long table, gaily chatting and laughing with the rest of the crowd, little dreaming what would be the outcome of their hasty attachment. And still she led him on, and still he was fool enough to follow. They finally rose from the table and, with a sense of pure happiness, he escorted her back to the hall where they sat the rest of the hour. It was while he sat there. enjoying the maidenls sweet presence that he remarked jestingly 29