Lincoln High School - Ahdawagam Yearbook (Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

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T H E ADA W A H G U M jiwt worn out—been Bitting up nights Hewing for you and trying to do the other work I insides. I should think yon could help her more than you do,” he added rather sternly. “Why I’ve been busy every minute.” said the girl. •Ill have more time after this week aud then I 'll help her. good-night.” she added, and went up- stairs. The next day was a busy one for Mrs. Stacy. Breakfast was over and her father had gone to work when Christine came down stairs and sat down at the table. Her mother had kept her break- fast warm, and now as she brought it into her she said: “Charlie will he luick with that lace in a little while. Yon rip the other out. when you get through eating.” “Oh I wont have time, I had no idea it was so late” said Christine glancing at the clock. She hurried through her breakfast and as she went out of the door called to her mother: • We'll have to re- hearse this forenoon and jierhajis I shall stay for dinner with one of the girls, so don’t wait for me.” The next minute she was hurrying down the street to join a group of her friends who had stopped and were waiting for her. That evening Christine ate scarcely any supper. She was in a happy state of excitement, and with her sparkling eyes and added color looked very charming in the new dress, which at last met with her approval. But her mother, after helping Christine dress, had lain down on the lied. She was too tired to eat supper then, she said, and told the others not to wait for her. While they were still seated at the table a motor horn sounded several times. “Oh there's the crowd.” cried Christine jumping up. “they've stopped for me. Well. I’m ready. I guess, she sail as she started for the door. “Aren’t you going up to see you mother liefore yon go? asked her father reprovingly. Just then the horn sounded again impatienly and the girl said as she hurried out: “No I can't take time now, they’ll get tired waiting for me.” The hall. beautifully decorated, was filled with an eager crowd, and as the strains of the grand march were heard, and the members of the class walkcsl upon the stage and took their (daces, they were followed by the fond and admiring glanc- es of parents and friends. The exercises proceeded, and Christine, looking particularly dainty and sweet, delivered the vale- dictory in a way which won for her great applause. “Yes, that's the Stacy girl. Isn't she sweet?” “Such a pretty girl. ” These were some of the re- marks which might have been heard in the audience as she took her seat. As the applause died away Christine thought of her mother, with a slight feeling of uneaainets, but this was rapidly followed by one of relief that she in her shabby black silk was not among the elegantly dressed women: and she turned to the girl lieside her with a smile. She rode home with friends, and merry “good- nights” were exchanged as the car moved on. Then she turned toward the house and for the first time noticed lights down stairs and in her mother’s room. Quickly she hurried up the walk, an indescribable feeling of trouble and fear coming over her She opened the d x»r and stepped inside. Xo one was to lie seen but she heard low voices, and f(uiet- ly ascended the stair. Near the bed in her mother’s room were the children, crying weakly, and not half understanding as they gazed at their father bending over the bed. great tears dropping slowly from his eyes. The doctor, standing liehind him. turned as Christine entered. “Her heart” he said sympatheti- cally. “It mast have lieen had a long time.” The woman s eyes opened slowly and she saw the girl. “My.” she said feebly, while a pleased expres- sion came over her face, “but the hall looks pretty, and the Ho were are so sweet. I jast want to hear you speak your piece, dearie, ami then I 'll slip out and no one will see me. You look-saniee-in-your------ ’ Her voice ended in a whisper. She tried again to speak but her lips scarely moved. Her eyes clos- ed, opened and dosed again. She (aught her breath, gasped twice, and was still.

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Lest We Forget ■‘Here. Christine, how does it suit you now. and a tired, pale, little woman looked expectantly at her daughter. The girl held the dress up before her and inspected it critically. Suddenly she ex claimed! “Oh mother! I thought I told you that this lace wouldn't do. and yon have gone ahead and put it in just the same. Well, I just won’t wear it— that’s all. I’ll stay at home if I can’t have some thing like the other girls are wearing.” “But. Dearie, you can hardly tell the two samples apart, see. And this is twenty cents a yard cheaper. Oh yes, cheaper, cheaper!” cried the girl angrily, that’s what you always say. well, you don’t need to think I’m going to wear that cheap old lace and have the other girls talk about it. And she Hung the dress on the floor, and slammed the door sis she hurried from the room. With a long sigh the woman picked up the dress, brushed the dust from it. and laid it on the bed. Then she sat down wearied and folded her hands in her lap. Now and then she caught her breath as though in twin. After several minutes she arose and went slowly down stairs to get supper. An hour later Christine hurst into the house, her cheeks glowing, and her hair blowing about her face. “Oh. I’ve had such a glorious ride”, she said. Rob Covey t xik us clear out to Maple Dale and back in his car. Isn’t supper ready mother? I'm just simply starved,” and she sat down to the sup- per table with her father, a quiet, serious-faced man, and her little brother ami sister. We’ll have to have supper earlier tomorrow night.” she said to her mother who had come to the table after pouring the coffee, the exercises begin at seven forty-five and we girls must lie at the hall early. I’m going to dress tiefore supper.” Yes.” said her mother, a note of eagerness in her voice, “we’ll eat early and I’ll leave the dishes; that will give me time to dress after supper.” Dress!” Said Christine, surprised. “You’re not going are you?” • Vhy—yes. I thought I’d go,” her mother replied hesitatingly. The hall must look very pretty with all the flowers and things. I suppose I could get a seat if I did go a little late, couldn’t I?” She added anxiously. Idon’t believe I’d go if I were yon. mother,” said the girl. You haven’t anything fit to wear. How would you look with that old black silk, and Mrs. Wayne and Mrs. Childs and all those ladies dressed just simply gorgeous. And they’ll all come up on the stage to congratulate us after we get our diplomas.” Why. I could just slip out after the speaking was over,” her mother said. “I should like to see you up there with all the rest of them, and hear you speak your piece.” “Speak my piece! Mother! How often have 1 told you that I am to deliver the valedictory. We don’t speak pieces like they used to in the country where you went to school. And say” she added, as the thought struck her. can’t Charlie go down early in the morning and get that other lace? I simply must have it. Yes. I guess so,” said her mother weakly as she leaned l»ack in her chair. She had scarcely tastinl her supper and her face was drawn as with pain. When she had finished eating. Christine rose from the table saying: I’m going over to Nell’s: we’ve got to go down to the hall and practice after awhile.” She went up to her room, came down soon and went out. After the dishes were done Mrs. Stacy said: “Father, can you spare two dollars? Christine's dress doesn’t suit her and I’ll have to get some more trimming tomorrow. I guess. Her husband laid aside his paper and slowly drew from his pocket an old fashioned purse. He count- ed out a dollar, two quarters and five dimes. There,” he said grimly, handing the money to his wife, get it for her. I suppose she has to have as good as the rest, but it seems what’s the matter, mother!” he exclaimed as she sat down heavily in a chair. Aren’t you feeling well?” Oh yes.” she replied just a little pain here.” and as she held her hand to her side she continued, it’s been bothering me more lately, but I’ll lie all right in a few minutes.” She soon took the children and went up st drs to lied. Her husliand watched her uneasily as she left the room. Then, sighing he again took up his pui er. After some time Christine came home: as she entered the room she said: Where is mother?” She’s gone to bed,” replied her father. She isn't feeling well tonight. Yon get up and get breakfast in the morning anil let her sleep. She's

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THE A1)A W A H « U M A Plea For Girls’ Gymnastics in Our Schools One of the most pleasant and delightful sights today is a young girl, who is lithe ot figure, carrias herself erect vv'th shoulders back, chest out, and head up. But girls of this type are few, especial- ly among our high school girls, where study posi- tions are disregarded, and a drooping position is developed. What would be a better remedy for this than daily gymnastics? A plan for daily gymnastics could lie worked out well in our high school, for our gymnasium is splen didly equipped for this purpose. We have enough dumb bells and Indian clubs to furnish the largest class in our school. For the development of muscle we have traveling rings, ropes, swings and trapezes, all of which could be put to spendid use. The race track is another part of the gymnasuim which our girls could use to advantage. Girls as well as boys need track work , so this would serve the purpose very well The girls dressing rooms are all that could be asked for. We have a large number ot lockers in which the girls’ gymnasuim suits can be kept. A shower bath, which has both hot and cold water has recently been put in. At the present time the only instruction in gym- nastics during school hours is eighty minutes a week. Which is given to the eighth grade girls None of the high school girls receive instruction, nor have they an organized basket ball team though a few enthusiastic girls fight for the liberty of using the gymnasium once a week for practice A team from eacb class should be organized and fifteen minutes a day ought to be allowed for practice; the rest of the period should be used in drill work. The girls that take gymnastics in our school use their street costumes. Some of the girls wear shoes with high or French heels, which tire their feet dur- ing the drills and even cause their ankles to turn over so that they walk on the side of their shoes in stead of the bottom Another drawback in the street costume is the hobble skirt When taking gymnastics perfect freedom for the legs and feet should lie allowed. If gymnastics would be profit able, the street costume must be abandoned, and the gymnasium suit with tennis slippers worn dur ing the period of exercise It is best to have a woman instruct the girls in this branch. She should oe a woman who under- stands high school girls and knows how much oxer rise a girl is able to take without coming to harm The instructor should have a good character and a kindly disposition so that the girls would follow her example The girls of our high school that play basket ball are very enthusiastic, but they have no leader: therefore they cannot organize a basket l all team. They are all good players, s6 that we would have a strong team if the necessary time could be allowed. Games could be held with outsiders and the money obtained in this way could be given to the atheletic association. School spirit would be aroused among the students on a greater scale. There is also a moral side to the question. When the girls are taught how important it is that tho different parts of their bodies be allowed perfect freedom, they will Iks more desirous to clothe them selves more womanly than they do now. It will also help in developing character, and fit them for a noble womanhood. The condition of the future mothers of our coun try should be so important to us that everything possible should be done to better it. Surely gym- nastics for girls in the high school is one of the greatest steps in accomplishing this purpose. Course in Public Speaking A two years’ course in public shaking has lieen organized in our high school this year. This course is to be given in the Sophmore and Junior years, but this year Seniors are allowed to take up the work. At present all three classes are taking elementary work, which consists, of theme work, the study of sounds, word study and prepared talks before the class. The aim of this course is to train students to write and to deliver various forms of public addresses such as the oration, debates, toasts, after dinner speeches, addresses of welcome, and speeches of dedication. It isexpectod that aftersuch a course the student will lie able to express definat ly and effectively his own thoughts. The course will Ik of value to the delating team and to the literary societies liecause the delators will probably Ik chosen from the students taking this course.