Jacksonville High School - Crimson J Yearbook (Jacksonville, IL)

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The Nautilus hall of the main building- with her pretty head erect, she felt that she was the object of certain observant glances and low toned remarks- Her intrepid bearing belied her homesick heart, and she set her teeth firmly together in her determination to keep back the tears, as she passed into the deserted cloak room, where, by appointment, she was to wait the return of her roommate and friend. Through the half open door voices drifted, and she distinctly heard: “She’s from the same town as May Hardin, and rooms with her over at the club house. Too bad May, a Junior, has to be tied down to a new girl, a Fresh. May says she doesn’t believe she can get her to go to the reception for the new students tonight. She’s awfully reserved. No wonder, though—with a laugh—she has to take the whole set of Entrance Exams.” “There, I’m labeled and stuck fast with a pin, like the specimens I mounted in the zoology class at the High School last year,” thought Nell as she smiled through her tears. “Well, anyhow, I’m going to have a few minutes' rest before going on with this grind.” She sank into a chair by a window, and, with closed eyes, let the south breeze sweep through the rich waves of her hair. Then, quick footsteps sounded, and a voice said: “Ready, Nell? Asleep? How did the mathematics examination turn out?” “Mercy, May! You’re like a whirlwind. The mathematics? Oh, all right, I think. I never did fear that.” “Well, what’s the matter with you, then? Nell, do you know you’re awfully pale? This studying night and day won’t do, my lady. There’s a limit to everything, you know. Is it the English?” “Yes.” Oh, that’s it? What’s the matter in that line?” “Why, you ought to know. There’s so much to study, and one hardly knows what. I’ve always liked the work, but—oh, it’s that assistant in the department who has charge of the Exams. They say he is perfectly merciless. You, yourself, said so, and you know how easily one could be made to fail. Think of their knowing at home that I---” “Well, you are a goose! He may not be as black as he’s painted. I never had any work under him,and only know what I know from hearsay. Many do fail in his exams, but it may be only those who are really not prepared. You’re a fine English student. Why should you care?” “No, I’m not.” “Well, do a little clever cheating, then. That requires real ability, you know. They say tney often try it with this assistant, Mr. Livingston, in the English. I don’t know how they do it, or how they come out,” said May, laughing; “I hain’t had much experience in that line. I’m not sufficiently gifted to be an expert. You are.” 5

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The N a u t 1 1 u young man, who strode across the room, and, taking both of her hands in his, kissed her heartily. “Well, cousin Samantha, here’s your baby—your infant Hercules. And this is my nursery, is it? Jolly place! only your crib isn’t big enough. You see, Jerusha told me all about it out there. Well, don’t change your program on my account. I’ve been sick and require taking care of, you know-This is a complete change of surroundings, you see, and that’s what the doctor says I need. You are not disappointed in me, I hope?” Miss Samantha, who had arisen at his entrance, sank limply into her chair. “Cousin Sophy alius would get things mixed,” she gasped. “Well, I think the most of us are a little mixed on this question, don’t you? George Washington, there, is decidedly mixed,” said the gay visitor, eyeing the old negro who stood glancing first around the room and then at him with a mystified air. “Cousin Jerusha is the only one of us, I believe, who isn’t mixed.” “Well, I suppose you’re here and you’ll have to stay,” said Miss Samantha. “Jerusha, it was that youngun that was to go to bis grandmother’s, and it was the other Tom that was to come here, wasn’t it?” “That’s about right,” agreed the bright eyed Jerusha, who had suspected as much all along, but who had feared to say so, lest the young man should not be allowed to come. “Yes, I’m the other Tom,” said the summer guest. That Entrance Exam. MATIE CAROLINE ATOR, ’06. It was the first of October. New students were arriving every day in the little university town of Camberwell, and here and there, in the long halls of the old state university, groups of young men and young women were gathered about the bulletin boards, reading the numerous announcements posted thereon. Sophomores with sly looks, which meant mischief to “Freshies,” boldly admitted to each other that they were mighty glad they had no entrance exams. The Seniors, known by their haughty and indifferent mein, looked on with sarcastic smiles as Juniors, proudly bearing the honors of upper classmen, discussed the matter of electives, and planned for the work of the year; while the Freshmen, with looks of restraint on their faces, seemed too bashful to take any part at all. As Nell Marr came down the long 4

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The N a u t 1 1 u s “Don’t talk nonsense.” “It isn't nonsense. Anything is fair, if the exam is unjust. Now, Nell, you’ve got to promise me to go to this reception tonight. I don't care if the English is tomorrow. You’ve simply got to come and be introduced, even if you slink off after an hour or so. We Juniors planned this affair, and both the young men and the girls of the class are to do the honors. I shall just take it as a personal affront if you don’t go.” “Well—anything—I don’t care—I’ll go.” That evening Nell stood by a low window in the great University Reception Hall. She had, with her usual courage and spirit, gone through the ordeal of introductions, and responded to the usual greetings and polite favors accorded new students. Now, she was trying, in this secluded corner, to withdraw from sight, and as soon as possible she intended to slip away to her work. Some one sat in a chair near by; she didn’t know who. Very likely it was some homesick new comer like herself. She drew the heavy curtain between him and her, and leaned her head wearily against the window frame. “Pardon me; will you have this chair?” said a deep voice. Nell started. “I—I think not. I’m going home.” “Oh, surely not. You have but just come,” said the voice, and Nell now saw that it belonged to a tall, rather athletic looking young man. “Oh, mercy 1 One of those everlasting supercilious Seniors!” thought she, as she observed his smile. “Have this chair. You look tired.” “I can’t. I’ve got to go to my room and study for the English entrance exam for tomorrow morning,” said Nell, somewhat reassured by the kindness of the speaker. “I shouldn’t think that would be necessary if you have had good preparation in the school from which you come.” “Oh, but you don’t know. I’ve always liked the English work,and have bad very good teachers. It isn’t that. It is the fact that that outrageous— Mr.—Mr.------” “Mr. Livingston?” suggested her new acquaintance. “Yes. That outrageous Mr. Livingston is so unmerciful in his examinations and in his markings. I’ve not been able to sleep for a week because I am so afraid I shall have to send home an account of my failure in English.” “You need not fear, if your preparation is good,” reiterated the young man. Nell looked up into the serious face and kind eyes of the speaker. A small demon of perversity seemed to possess her. “My roommate, May Hardin, says that if I had the wit to know how to cheat successfully, I might hope to— er—to get ahead of him. Many of the students do try it.” “But not successfully, I should say 6