Lancaster High School - Mirage Yearbook (Lancaster, OH)

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certain time would be a most agreeable thing. To obtain this vacation, though, would perhaps not be quite the easi- est thing to do. Obeying a sudden impulse, he wrote a few words to his sister, stating his predicament and asking her help. Somehow he managed to exist through that day in spite of the sweltering heat, and upon arriving at the office next day, he was handed a letter and a conspicuous-looking yel- low telegram. Naturally curious to know what the tele- gram contained, he opened it first and read these words: “Sister critically ill. Come if possible.” There, all his bright hopes were dashed to pieces! He felt a shiver of despair creep up his spine as he nervously opened the letter. Presto! What a marvelous change its contents wrought upon his countenance! It was from his sister and explained that the telegram was false, but was the only means she could think of to help him get a vaca- tion. He mentally complimented his sister for her excellent scheming ability and smiled to himself. But, realizing that this was not the way to proceed, he hastily put on a most solemn, sorrowful face, pulled out his handkerchief and blew his nose violently, frequently pressing the handkerchief to his eyes. In this manner he attracted the attention of Mr. Brown and Mr. King who immediately wished to know the cause of his grief. Herbert sorrowfully shook his head, and without a word handed them the telegram. Oh! how very sorry they were, and how they tried to cheer Herbert with words of consolation, and finally to Herbert’s great satisfaction, decided that he ought to go home for at least a week. So, with his handkerchief to his 24 eyes, he sadly shook hands with his employers, and taking his hat, he left the office. Fortunate indeed was it that Messrs. Brown and King did not see the various athletic stunts performed outside their door just at that time, for they would no doubt have wondered greatly at Herbert’s sudden change of emotion. The merry crowd of young people that met Herbert at the train would not have been complete without him. They were all delighted to sec him, and the manner in which he had escaped was the talk of the hour. Herbert thoroughly enjoyed himself in the next few days and quite forgot everything connected with the city, until he was cruelly re- minded of it one day. It was during a lively game of tennis on this day that a letter was brought to him. After carelessly tearing it open he read it. At his exclamation in which surprise and horror intermingled, the young people crowded about him while he silently pointed to the letter. The others were equally surprised and horrified when they read these words: “Dear Mr. Mason: “Am going to take a vacation myself. Shall call and see sick sister. “RALPH BROWN.” Something must be done and done immediately. Since that afternoon was the time at which Herbert’s employer was to arrive, there was no time to lose, so they immediately held a consultation. There certainly was a variety of suggestions and schemes, but they all failed to suit, and the way out of the difficulty seemed lost forever. There were many things to consider. For instance, since

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At the appointed hour, the frightened Sophomores were all assembled, waiting for the sentence which they knew was about to come. The Professor mounted the platform. “Yeung ladies,” he began, “I have summoned the entire class here in order that those who are innocent of wrong- doing may know that they are no longer under ban of sus- picion. And now,” he said in conclusion, “for two weeks you who are guilty shall forfeit your afternoon recreation hour, and pass into this room with books and a monitor to preserve order.” Well, it was over, and heavy hearts grew lighter. For they felt that they had had a narrow escape. “I will never sneer at a goody-good again; for if they arc all as lovely and plucky as Ollie has shown herself, we can’t have too many of them in the world,” Peggy after- wards confided to her friends. 00000 00 ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL By Edna Baumgardner, 191%. AS there a cool place to be found in all the city of New York? This was the question revolving in the mind of Mr. Herbert Ma- son as he sat wearily down in his desk chair before a pile of letters and papers. If there was it would be of no use to him, for he must sit at the top of a twelve-story building and work, while the perspiration oozed from every pore of his body. He glanced hurriedly at a thermometer on the wall, which stood exactly 90 degrees, and shaking his fist angrily in its direction he caught up a fan and began vigorously to fan himsel f. The other two occupants of the room, Mr. Brown and Mr. King, by whom Herbert was employed, were no doubt as warm as Herbert, but had resigned themselves to the in- evitable and were steadily working away. After trying in vain to concentrate his thoughts and forget that he seemed to be melting drop by drop, Herbert leaned back in his chair with a sigh of disgust. He had come to the conclu- sion that it was impossible for him to work in such weather, but the question of what was to be dime was far from being easy to answer. He sat pondering for some time—then his face suddenly glowed with excitement and he unconsciously brought his closed hand in contact with his desk, causing both his employers to turn and wonder at this unexpected display of enthusiasm. He had had a happ}r thought. At Herbert’s heme, which was situated some few miles out of the city, his sister and brother were eagerly plan- ning for a house party to be held the coming week. Must he be excluded from all the fun naturally attending a house party? No! Not if there was any way possible to go. He suddenly decided that a week’s vacation just at this one 23

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liis sister was hostess of the party, it would not be proper for her to feign illness and go to bed. VVlmt then ? At last after Herbert and his sister had argued for some time, they seized upon their poor, innocent younger brother and announced to the others that he was to put on his sister’s clothes, get in bed and be to Mr. Ralph Brown—the sick sister. Much excited, the young people resumed their game, while Herbert and his sister led away their victim, much against his will. Everything was in readiness—the sick girl was carefully arranged in bed. Mr. Brown was expected at any time. The last moment came as all last moments do, and then Herbert and his sister showed Mr. Brown into the sick- room. How very quiet everything was and how very much they feared to disturb the sick girl! After talking in whis- pers for a few minutes they quietly left the room. Oh, how fortunate that Mr. Brown had seen enough years to cause his eyes to be a little dim, for a more observant man might have drawn their little farce to an abrupt close. When all had left the room the covers of the bed slightly moved, slowly a night-capped head appeared from beneath the covers, and then a most grotesque-looking figure sat upright in bed. Aching with repressed mirth, Herbert’s brother gave full vent to his laughter. Getting out of bed he viewed himself in the mirror and laughed some more. Feeling safe now that the first interview was over, and be- lieving that he would not be called upon to play his part for some time at least, he loosened the ties of his dainty white cap and seated himself comfortably with his pipe and book. Meanwhile, Mr. Brown had grown weary of the pleasure afforded him by the young people, and, as he wandered around, suddenly decided to pay the sickroom a visit, and perhaps be of some service. Suiting the action to the word, or rather to the thought, he tip-toed upstairs and into the room. Imagine his surprise when he beheld the picture above described! Slowly and by degrees, he comprehended the situation, and unable to control himself longer, burst into a fit of laughing. Imagine again the embarrassment on the poor boy’s part, when he turned and faced Mr. Brown! By this time the sudden sound of laughter issuing from the sickroom had brought the others upon the scene. Utter despair was imprinted upon every face and many were the looks of reproach cast in the boy’s direction, who, much embarrassed, longed for power to make himself invisible. But fortunately Mr. Brown came to the relief of the sit- uation, and before everyone readily forgave Herbert’s lit- tle joke. There were many who believed him incapable of appreciating a joke, but the ridiculous side of this affair presented itself and he joined heartily in the general laugh.