Hillman College - Pioneer Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

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A Little Child Shall Lead Them -i - ( ♦ E OR the fifty-sixth time since five o’clock Aubrey Applewhite quickly jerked his watch from his pocket. “Lord bless me, Ole Lady, if it isn’t five minutes after seven.” “Nothing remarkable about that,” explained Ray Craig. “But you know the reception begins at seven thirty, and — .” “Of course we can’t walk to the State in twenty-five minutes! Oh no!” said Ray. It was the first day of April, there was to be a reception at Hillman that night. After several glances into the mirror, Aubrey, with his friend went to the college. Both were Seniors in Mississippi College and both were interested in Hillman College (or rather its inmates). Aubrey’s “Stute girl” was a young lady of the Senior class, and Ray’s — well all of them were his. On this particular evening there seemed to be more young men than usual at the reception and Aubrey found it very annoying. He knew 7 that as popular as his girl was he could talk to her only a few minutes at a time and he didn’t exactly fancy any such conversations. Ray at first did not wish to meet any one and so stayed on the outside listening to a group of boys telling their experiences of getting “stuck.” No longer able to resist the merry laughter within, he found himself inside the door glanc- ing around. Ray actually laughed aloud as he saw his roommate standing back in the corner by one of the windows, scrowling across the room. Straight-way he proceeded to find the cause of that offensive look and was not surprised to find that it had its be- ginning and end in a young man across the room, who was doing nothing more or less than talking to a young lady. It was Aubrey’s rival, — and evidently putting in good time. Ray soon reached his room-mate’s side as he gazed gloomily out the window. “By the way, old fellow,” he exclaimed, slapping him on the back, “Have you seen anything of Alice? Have been looking every where for her and she is not to be found.” “Not to be found? Confound you, where are your eyes? She is in the most conspicuous place in the room and talking to that — that — Jack Rundell!” “Well if you don’t like it why don’t you take his place and then — get her out of the most conspicuous place in the room?” “Just what I’ll do! Why, I hadn’t thought of it before? Where can I find some one to present me?” Soon Aubrey was in the place which he coveted most. “Alice, suppose we find a place where — well where we won’t be bothered so much?” ventured Aubrev. “Why Aubrey, what is it? You look as if you had just wakened from a bad dream,” laughed Alice. “Just as you say. Where do you want to go?” “Oh, I know a nice place back in the conservatory — and no one is there,” he whispered to himself. “Alice, dear,” Aubrey began before they were fairly seated, “I am going to ask you to do something that I know will surprise you, but I hope you will care enough for me to do it. I have told you more than once that I love you, and listen, Alice, I want you to marry me — at ONCE! I have planned every detail, and if you will only — .” “But Aubrey, what about school? What do you expect me to do? I would be willing perhaps to marry you now, but how could it be done? I’m still in the dormi- tory you know.” 31 V

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T Ini P 1 © N E “Sigh No More Sigh no more, Seniors, sigh no more, Roll books deceive you ever; All grades are rotten at the core, They will be constant never; Then sigh not so but let things go And be yet blithe and cherry. Just let your room-mates bear the woe And be ye always merry. Cry no more. Seniors, cry no more; For privileges sever The Seniors from the campus bore, To walk alone forever The lectures and the talks galore Forget them and be merry ; Enjoy receptions evermore ; Be always bright and cherry. Sing no more ditties, sing no more; The bells may be confusing, But soon you’ll hear those sounds no more No more of Math, persuing You leave, you know! Then sigh not so But be ye blithe and cherry, For Juniors here will surely grow To take your place so merry. Work no more, Seniors, work no more; For soon you’ll leave forever. What care you for the weeks before? The end is joyous ever. Then work no more ; but let things go And be ye blithe and cherry, Just let the girls remember so That ye were always merry. C. D., ’ ’ll 1 30

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T U “Why of course 1 know that, and that’s what I’m trying to tell you. If you will only do as I say we can both get away from here without any trouble. Ahem ! Three consecutive coughs were given — but neither Alice nor Aubrey heard them. Tom Darnell and Mary Strauss were sitting behind some big ferns and every word that had been said distinctly reached their ears. Mary and Alice were staunch friends. Mary knew that Alice loved Aubrey Applewhite and hoped that some day they would marry, but she had never fancied that it would happen while they were in school, and never in all her wild flights of imagination had she pictured herself, Mary Strauss, listening, unwillingly, to their plans. There seemed, however, nothing else to do but sit quietly by and await developments. Tom wondered at the complete oblivion of the couple near them. Nevertheless he heard the conversation proceed with never a hitch and he wondered how long young Applewhite had been preparing this wonderful plot. “You see,” continued Aubrey, “This is the first of April. Next Monday will be the fifth. Monday night you meet me under that large tree in front of the Hall here. Mr. Hansom, whom I will have waiting at the depot will marry us and we will go to Vicksburg on the first train. Will you promise me — .” “Alice,” the voice was that of a teacher, “excuse me for interrupting, but I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Here’s a young man who wishes to meet you. Miss Huntington, Mr. Godfrey.” Aubrey stood up, as cool and collected as though he’d been exchanging jokes with a college friend. “Miss Huntington, 1 will return in a short while for the answer to that — er — conundrum I gave you. Don’t forget, now,” said Mr. Applewhite, as he turned away. Time passed, and many young men came to meet Miss Huntington, but Aubrey did not return. The bell rang and still he did not come. “Mr. Nobles, have you a little scrap of paper on which I may write a note? And will you excuse me while I write it?” Alice quickly wrote the following: “Mr. Applewhite, ’Twas after all an easy riddle and required very little thought. The answer is — ‘Y-e-s. S-e-v-e-n o’-c-l-o-c-k. R-a-i-n o-r s-h-i-n-e.’ Alice.” “You won’t mind giving this to Mr. Applewhite for me, will you, Mr. Nobles?” asked Alice smiling. She said good-night and ran up the stairs to her room. “O— h! now you see what we’ve done!” cried Mary to Mr. Darnell. “We’ve — we’ve eave-dropped and — and now we know IT.” “Ha! Ha! Ha! That’s the best one on Applewhite, I’ve heard in all my life! Reckon what she said to him in that note? I’d give my last cent to know. By George, if we don’t have some fun! Have the preacher waiting at the depot, eh? Ha! Ha!” “Listen, Tom, please don’t say anything about this for you see Alice is in this thing too, and — and really we were not supposed to hear it. And if this should be found out, why, she’d be expelled. Don’t tell it, Tom.” “Oh, well; if you say so I’ll try not to tell it; but, honestly, Mary, that’s the best thing, yet.” He having promised her again, not to say anything about it, shook hands and parted. The fifth of April was a rainy day and the streets were almost deserted. Alice Huntington was very glad that the day was so favorable for carrying out their plans. She packed her suit-case and tied it with a rope. She put her jewels and what little money she had in her hand-bag, got out her cap, suit, and every thing she would need, so that she might dress quickly after supper. 1 32