Glass High School - Crest Yearbook (Lynchburg, VA)

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144 Q THE CRITIC' DEAR SANTA CLAUS: Do you remember a long time ago when I insisted on you bringing me great big dolls with golden hair and blue eyes? Well, this time I Wrote a note to a boy breaking an acquaint- ance and a date because I was peeved. I was so sorry after- wards because the friend who introduced him explained how unjust I had been. I thought that perhaps he had a dual personality like the famous Dr. Jekyll, but my imagination was childish. Bring back his forgiveness as a big present for, MYRA NADMOND. The conventional ending for every fairy tale you ever read will be changed a little here. They had a wonderful time at the Christmas dance and lived happily ever after. .. l-.-. Unlock the door this evening And let your gate swing Wide, Let all who ask for shelter Come speedily inside. What if your yard be narrow? What if your house be small? There is a Guest whose coming Will glorify it all. Unbar your heart this evening, And keep no stranger out, Take from your soul's great portal The barrier of doubt. To humble folk and weary Give hearty Welcoming, Your breast shall be tomorrow The cradle of a King. -JOYCE KILMER.

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I THE CRITIC 143 Dartmouth. They arose a few moments later, and Myra left the portals of the Ritz with a disturbed mind. She would demand an explanation from Dick when he took her to the theater the following evening. In the meantime she sat down and penned a few lines to Mr. Edwin Saunders, 23 University Place, 'MJ Alpha Kappa Phi: MR. SAUNnEas : . I am writing to inform you that our acquaintance is ended. Is it not rather ludicrous to expect me to attend a dance with a waiter? MYRA NADMOND. The next evening when she was with Dick at the theater her bravado was gone, she was nerveless. When the first act was over Dick said, Myra, there's Ed over there in the third box, right across 3 hels evidently anx- ious for you to bow. She glanced over to see him, and to the utter surprise of Dick, bowed ever so slightly. I L Dick, I saw that boy as a waiter at the Ritz the other day. Now, what must I infer from that Z I-Ie grinned broadly and said in a low voice, A bunch of us at the Frat house made a bet with him that his earning capacity was extremely limited, and to prove otherwise, Ed applied for the waiter's position and received pay for one week. We all admired his nerve very much, but I suppose it did look, right funny to you. Myra regretted with allaher heart the cool little note she had sent and longed to be able to tear it up. The next morning Ed Saunders, opening his mail, was si little puzzled to find a large fat envelope addressed in rather familiar handwriting, yet he could not think whose it was. Oh, yes I he thought, it certainly must be Myra's. He opened it and found within a smaller envelope bearing the in- scription, To Santa Claus. He broke the seal and read: A

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THE CRITIC 145 Qtbristmas nn a South Sea Jlslsnn ELWOOD VAUGHAN Four months and thirteen days, or rather one hundred and thirty-five days, I counted the notches on the tree again. Then since I had been cast ashore on August the twelfth, to- day was December the twenty-fifth, Christmas Day! And it had been four months and thirteen days since I had been washed overboard in my ship in a heavy sea. But, indeed, the weather was that of J une. A warm, mild breeze blew over the island almost continuously. By the palms and tropical growth I knew that the island was one of numerous similar islands which dot the southern seas. Although I had seen no sign of cannibals or wild animals, once I had seen a speck riding the waves, which I took to be a canoe of some kind. Still, today was Christmas day. I thought of the thousands of kiddies back in America who would be made happy today while the real spirit of Christmas was forgotten. I thought of other thousands who would be made sad by not being able to enjoy Christmas as the wealthier children did, or who would feel the sting of poverty and of pride at being the re- cipients of charity. Was it, is it, fair? I thought of the hypo- crites who rushed through the streets, shouting and laugh- ing, with arms full of presents, who gave where they expected to receive. Then I thought of a solemn and still night, lighted by a full southern moon and myriads of twinkling star dia- monds. I thought of slumber-ing hills specked by the Hooks of sheep upon them. I thought of the shepherds silently watching their Hooks. When, lol a star of radiant beauty, so bright that it rivaled the moon, was seen, proclaiming the