Le Roy Central School - O At Kan Yearbook (Le Roy, NY)

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entered the house he was pale but perfectly self-controll- Page Twenty-four T H E R E D A N Un a certain Saturday morning the whole world seem- ed flooded with sunshine. It appeared to be just an ordin- ary spring day in late May to most people.. To every boy or girl who attended Crandalton High it was vitally im- portant. At three o'clock the Crandalton base ball team would face that of her enemy on the Benton diamond. The McAllister phone rang and Buddy eagerly snatch- ed down the receiver. He was in a fever of expectancy for, as the crack pitcher. of the Crandalton team, today he would be called upon to uphold the fame of his school- As he listened to the voice at the other end of the wire he tiushed hotly at first, but before the conversation was finished his face was very white. A few moments after- wards he walked through the kitchen and his mother ask- ed. Going over to practice, sonny'? He paused, hand on the door-knob, his back toward her. 'tNo, he answered i11 a voice which strove to be in- different. 'Tm not playing to-day. He went down the back steps whistling. Mrs. Mc- Allister stared after her son's retreating back. incredulity written on her face. Buddy not going to play? Impos- sible! Why, l1e'd planned on this for weeks. What could have happened? Buddy, out of sight of tl1e house. threw himself face down beneath an apple tree in the garden. In less than live hours the two teams would meet. He could see every member of his own team: knew just how they would look. There would be a big crowd. banners waving, students cheering. And then, they would battle it out to the end. McKnight catching. Brayford at Iirst base. and he --A--f he wouldn't be there. Someone else would be pitching for Urandalton. He dug his hands into the turf and his should- ers heaved. Buddy fought his battle alone and when he Nora sank down among the bright- ed. Nora, seated before her dressing table, was slowly a11d painfully arranging at a pictured coiffur denly her brother's Nora. Nora! What to play? Nora rushed to going -- -W A- to her dark hair. now and then glancing c which she was trying to imitate. Sud- voice boomed through the lower hall. 's this I heal' about Buddy's not going the stairway. t'Buddy i4---- not play? Her eyes were wide. Why, Jim, it can't be true! Well, it The pitcher representing Crandalton this afternoon is to be none other than your high and mighty friend, Mr. Percival Anthony Chesterton. Nora collapsed against the bannister. live never seen him play. How did they happen to put him in? Oh, I forgot that you didn't know Coach Henderson is sick. He appointed Burley and Chesterton are pretty thick you know. So Percival has bee11 substituting and doing pretty well. Buddy hu1't l1is hand yesterday and played badly at practice last night. This morning Burley called him up and said that the team had decided to let Chesterton have his place. They added insult to injury by offering to let Buddy-HBuddy. lnind you, Substitute. Nora's eyes were flashing. Buddy a sub. Whyif' D B L A C K Commencement Number 0 Of course he refused to go. Th in this fellow. Buddy is the best find Crandalton Since you pitched yourself. his But say, this is serious, puttin put se kids are crazy to High has had -. sister put in slyly. him out of the big- gest game of all, when he's played b ter than anyone else this season. He's worked so hard . You've always had a lot of inguence with the boys- Isn't there anything we can do? Jim shook his head. I'm afraid Knight and Lee Brayford as I was feel as badly about it as I do. Thr ones on the team who have sense enou of changing pitchers. They are using it seems to me. l not. Met Bob Mc- coming home. They rse two are the only gh to-fear the results a mighty poor policy, Buddy is so sensitive. said Nora. He probably thinks that they are putting him out good. I don't know. Mac and Lee haf when they stopped me to unburden said that they told Buddy they woul of 'em didn't give in and put him i Buddy just answered that they simply dalto11 and not back down just beca than he had been discove1'ed. He lau then, and added that after all it wa. big thing was for his school to win : should'n't be considered. Game kid, al Jim. said Nora slowly, Perri to the game, but ----. Oh, is that the wherefore of all Jim questioned teasingly. as he noticed and orange sweater- Well, Im on t so lf' Just a moment. Jim. I don't cal val just IIUWV. Would you mind stol ton's and telling hiln that I've chan not going. - XVill I? You bet your sweet life You can go with me just as well as in front. No, thanks, answered Nora ant she 1'a11 into her room and shut the rll Girls certainly are the funniest swung out the door and over the I planned on this ever since the season isn't going. Hum! window seat. The Benton game! XVI out Buddy playing? Oh. it was cruel, him out like this. I hate Percival. s too mean for anything. He's jealous ability a11d he has just done this on pr Crossing to her dressing table. Nor at her flushed. angry, face ill the mirr I can see it all. now, she decls hairpins and tossing them on an ivory because he isn't any just been to see him their sorrow. They dn't play if the rest n his rightful place. ' must play for Uran- .use a better pitcher rhed, sort of bitterly, for the best. The ind personal feelings l right! val asked me to go the splashy regalia? her white satin skirt he way to the game 'e to encounter Perci- ming at the Chester- ed my mind. I am 1 will. grinned Jim. not. The car is out l. whirling suddenly, 'lOl' mused Jim as hc Iorch railing. She-'s started tllld now she -hued cushions on her lat would it be with- cruel of them to drop she exclaimed. He's of Buddy's athletic lrpose- I know it. a started as she gazed 0I'. Lred, jerking out her tray. Uh. how could

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Commencement Number T H E R E D A N D B L A C K P T - h age wenty t ree The Turtle Wins the Day The eyes of every girl in the study hall of Crandalton High School watched. with ill-concealed admiration, the new boy as he strolled nonchalantly up the aisle. The boys were watching him also, but not with approval. He realized the sensation he was creating and quite enjoyed it. 'The girls thought him stunningg medium height, slen- der, light hair, which shown resplendently with recent application of hair-groom, gray tweed sport suit cut i11 the latest fashion. and, what offended the other boys the most, a lavender silk shirt. They felt suddenly conscious of their comfortably rolled shirt sleeves or rough sweaters. ' Lee I-lrayford, athletic to the backbone, hissed one word i11 the ear of the red haired boy who occupied the next seat. Slicker! Buddy M4-Allister nodded his brilliant head- Scotch he was. but his hair was not the sandy color peculiar to his country men. It was just plain red. One liked his face instantly. wide-set brown eyes that seemed always to be laughing, a straight nose, and firm chin. He smiled now as he answered, Looks that way but you IIBVQI' can tell from appearances. Everyone was back early that noon and the new mem- ber of U. H. S. was the general topic of conversation, where- as the outcome of the Base Ball season had before occu- pied all thoughts. Nora U'Malley shot Buddy a mischieveous glance from her blue eyes. I think he's just marvelous, she mur- mured in her litling I1'ish accent. His folks have taken the big house on the hill. And isn't his name romantic though? Percival Anthony Chesterton. the Boston Ches- tertons, you know. Buddy's face clouded. Aw, Nora, I didn't suppose you were like the rest of these girls. falling for all that rot. The battle was on. This was what Nora had been waiting for. The rivalry between Scotch and Irish was never lll0l'0 keen than between Scotch-American Buddy and Irish-American Nora- Indeed? tossing her dark curls. I think it would be well if certain boys in this school would polish up a little. All that some of you think of is athletics. Don't you suppose we girls like someone who is rather gal- hint? Rats! retorted Buddy heatedly. That's it! Fall for a guy that looks like a collar-ad! Well. it's a 20011 thing some one came along to entertain you girls. for most of us have got to concentrate 011 base ball if we are going to beat Benton this season. For an instant interest lighted Nora's vivid little face. The big game with Benton! Benton, their old rival, Wh0 had sent them to an ignominious defeat last year. They must win! Uh. they must. She only shrugged, however. Base ball. always base ball. Here comes Percival now. I think he would look like Rudolf Valentino of he were dark instead of light: don't you? I imagine he da11c- cs divinely. Buddy stalked off indignantly and the minute his back was turned Nora began to giggle, Nora, Nora, remonstrated her friend. Edith Ander- son. Why do you delight in plaguing that poor boy? He is so awfully modest about his athletic accomplishments. too- Here comes Dot Brayford with Mr. Chesterton. At least we are going to meet him. In the days that followed Buddy became more and more bewildered. He could not understand the sudden change in Nora. There had been a dance in the gym Fri- day night of the week after Percival's arrival. Buddy had neglected to speak of it, particularly to Nora, for he always took her to the high school dances. Friday after- noon when he had mentioned it she had retorted airily, Oh, I'm going with Percival Chesterton. He asked me YVednesday. Sorry! And she had been sorry afterwards when she saw the hurt look in his eyes as he turned away- Buddy sat silently with some of the other boys and watched the dancers, instead of taking part. Always his eyes follow- ed KANora's Iiame colored dance frock. Nor was Percival's attentiveness lost on Buddy. Had he been a little older and less honest with himself he would have taken Edith or Dot and pretended that he didn't care. But deceit had been left out of Buddy's make-up so he stole away early and went for a ride in The Turtle. This was a sport car which he had built on a Ford chassis and painted a flashing green. It was the horror of the whole family. Buddy, however, had a stubborn will of his own. Ride in the family car he would not. The Turtle conveyed him wherever he wished to go. -As he tu1'ned into l'ourt street after his ride he saw an expensive car stop before N0l'2l'S home. He heard a familiar laughing voice and then Percival speaking. He drove swiftly past. Hello, Buddy. came Nora's voice- Buddy did not answer. The next morning Buddy awoke. hating the whole universe- In the days that followed. his heart was tilled with bitterness. Nora had failed him. Ever since the day seven years before, XVIM-ill the 0'Malleys had nioved into the corner house on Uourt St.. these two had been friends- Now this Percival person had arrived from Boston and it was only natural that Nora should be flattered by his attentions. Before, she had played ball and roller- skated after school. They had worked out the plans for The Turtle together. Nora. perched perilously on the top rail of the back fence, had watched him and her big brother. Jim. build it. She had even chosen the bright green paint and helped apply it. But now she was weigh- ed down by the oppressive dignity of her sixteen years. Where before she had been bubbling over with enthusiasm for all school activities. she had acquired an air of com- plete boredom. That was not all. Nora. as a last touch of sophistication. had put her hair up. When in the presence of this new Nora. Buddy. a year and a half her senior. felt like a crude little boy. Their easy comradship of former days had vanished completely.

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Commencement Number TIH E R E D A N D B L A C K Pa ge Twenty-five I have been so horrid? Percival has made himself unpopu- lar with all the worth while boys and girls. 1've treated poor Buddy dreadfully since he said he didn't like Percival and I wouldn't listen to Edith when she tried to tell me about him. But I listened to him meekly when he talked about out little country schoolj the 'clownish boys' and laughed about 'Main street! Why? Simply because his money, wonderful car, and stunning clothes, dazzled me, I suppose. And it has taken this to wake me up to the realization of my own folly. Oh. you are a nice one, she told her reflection. trying to look and act about ten years older just to make an impression. Nora O'Malley! You deserve to be hated. Perhaps it was not quite an hour later when Mrs. 0'- Malley called, Nora! Phone call. Jim wants you. She made no comment on her daughters changed ap- pearance as she hurried down the stairs. Nora's hair hung in its customary short curls and she was wearing a white linen dress which she had discarded because it made her look too young- Nora ? came her brother's voice. Yes, t'randalton is losing. although we have played but two innings. Urandalton QA----M losing --A. Yes It's this fancy Boston guy. He's no good. Ben- ton's taking bases o11 balls as fast as he pitches 'em over. Jimi We can't lose. We can't- Tl1ey won last year and But I tell you we will- If it e11ds as it has -begun. Benton will have a big score piled up against us. unless ,- Jim, Jim. wailed Nora. Listen to me. C. H. S. is going to lose as sure as fate unless we get a good pitcher mighty quick. Third in- ning has just begun. Do you happen to know a good one with red hair! You mean ---if---? Yes, Get him here unless you want Prandalton to taste defeat again. You'll have to hurry. And, Nora m.-3 But she had already hung up. Snatching up a favorite old scarlet sport jacket, Nora pulled it on as she ran up the street at top speed. dignity thrown to tl1e winds. A breathless little whirlwind dashed into the M4-Allister living room and fairly pulled Buddy from his chair. Quick! she gasped. t'randalton's losing! It's Percival! He can't pitch -f--. Come on -Q. You've got to get there ---. But Nora. protested Buddy. They didn't want me- They thought he was better. I'm 11ot going to horn in now. Buddy McAllister. Nora stamped her foot. Don't you dare talk like that! They didn't know! But they know now. What do you care about those boys? Personal feelings shouldn't cou11t: the big thing is for Crandalton to win. She was unconciously expressing the words that Jim had told her were Buddy's- Is your baseball suit here? Then go and get it on. I'll give you tive minutes. All right, Buddy's voice was jubilant as he took the stairs three steps at a time. tearing off his sweater. Get out 'The Turtlef The folks are using the big car. Exactly seven minutes later, the little green car shot out of the drive Way, narrowly missed the silent policeman at the corner, and whirled past a startled pedestrian. Once out of town, they went even faster. Fields, farm houses. telephone poles. flashed by. People turned to stare at the flying car with its two occupants: a red haired boy in a baseball suit and a dark haired girl at the wheel. Third inning is probably about over, shouted Buddy. Nora nodded and opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by a low report. A blow-out! And the spare tire is in the garage. groaned Buddy. We are right i11 front of a farm house. exclaimed Nora. They knocked and called in vain. No-body home! Nora looked at Buddy. despair in her eyes. Then her face lighted. 'Tm sure I saw a car through that open barn door. Let's see! No sooner said than done. There was a rather dilapi- dated Ford, and Nora cried out with joy. An extra tire was strapped at the rear. Take it, Buddy. quick! The car? No, No! The tire. , But --Q, murnmred Buddy. But, nothing! Bring it along. I'll copy the name off their mailbox and we'll semi 'em the money later. In a short time they were once more .skimming the white road with the smoke from Benton factories curling upward in the distance. The down hearted and hopeless members of the Cran- dalton team were just about to take their places for the fifth inning. There came a crash, and through an opening in the fence flashed a home made green racer. With a SO1'99C'llill2 of brakes it slid to a sudden stand-still almost at the edge of the diamond. As a red haired boy leaped from the car. a wave of noise swept the l'randalton section of rooters: the tense faces of the players relaxed and they crowded around him with shouts of joy. The Benton pitch- er sauntered over to the group, a sneer twisting his lips. Better get out while the gettings good. Score is S to tl in favor of us,'y he informed the new-comer. That so? questioned Buddy. slanting his cap jauntily over 0119 eye. We'll have to see what we can do to change that. After a few brief explanations the players went on to the field. There was one ditference. however. Percival Anthony Chesterton was reposing on the substitute bench. a sullen look on l1is face. while Buddy was in his usual place. Good night, groaned a Benton rooter. Look at that red headed guy pitch. If this keeps up And he had cause to worry for Buddy was pitching