Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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THE LINCOLNIAN I7 bought their candy, and trotted home- ward. As Anna was nearing her home a crowd of youngsters hailed her. Turn- ing about, she saw them hurrying after her in excited haste. With the children Anna was perfectly at ease. Stooping down, she welcomed the lit- tle group and caught the smallest child in her arms. The little, chubby fellow, apple-checked and dimpled, wiggled about and chuckled. He was happy. An-na, he said. Yes, it's An-na, she replied, tickling him with her chin. One of the boys spoke next. Oh, Anna, when kin we go to the woods on a picnic, Anna? he asked. You don't want to go, do you? Sure! all the youngsters cried. Let me se?how will tomorrow do? Creati shouted the boys. Coodyl Goody! yelled the girls. Then all of you come to my house - tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Now, don't forget. We'll all be there, Anna: we will. all right. These last words were spoken in various tones, but in the minds of the speakers was the one thought- they were to go on a picnic with Anna. Bye-An-nal the smallest child called after her. This meeting with the children had cheered Anna, so she was happy- hearted as she ran up onto the back stoop and into the kissed her mother, the table for dinner. Mrs. Walters brick house. She who was laying was pleased to see her daughter in a happy mood and listened to her plans for the morrow. And did you enjoy your walk with Elinor? her mother asked. Y-yes, Anna ansyered. Yes, we had a splendid stroll thru the woods. Elinor is such pleasant company: l always like to go with her. Anna had liked the stroll thru the woods, but the meeting with the oth- er girls, her shyness, and Elinor's mention of it, had made her feel bad. She did not want her mother to know this, but her mother had noticed it long before and was trying to help her daughter overcome it. However, preparations for the picnic began af- ter dinner, taking Anna's mind into a realm of pleasure. Clear, cool evening beautified the ending of this spring day. Anna sat on the front porch, where her mother was knitting, and there she visualized her plans for the next day's outing. Elinor was also out on her front porch, nodding to passersby, sewing, and thinking occasionally of Anna. The other four girls were completing the day together. They had been playing tennis and were now coming home. En route from the courts they passed the oflice of Dr. Richards. Therefore a discussion of him was in order and it immediately proceeded, gaining in speed as the girls neared their homes. DR. RICHARDS, however, was un- aware of this popularity as he sat on the Limited, homeward bound from New York. He was looking out at the Heeting country landscape and watching the blazing sunet. He had lived in the village as a little boy: then he went with his parents to a western city, where he remained until his college life began. While he was in college his father died. His moth- er now came to live with him, where they became very companionable to each other. At the end of his school career he had a chance to be of ser- vice to his country. Upon leaving for overseas his mother went to the village to live in her father's old home, and while Dick Richards was

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I6 THE LINCOLNIAN walk. The conversation dwelt rriain- ly on the foolish prattle of their friends: then it drifted into a little bit of seriousness. Anna, why don't you join in the conversation more? The girls don't know what good fun you are. Don't be so shy. l don't know what it is, Elinor. that makes me so shy, Anna replied. I suppose they must think l am dreadfully stupid. Oh, Anna, they all know that you are not stupid. If you would get in with the crowd you wouldn't be so bashful. Anna looked up at Elinor with one of her rare smiles, and said: l'll try. Here the two girls parted. Elinor lived a few blocks west of Anna's home. Surely, you'll try. Well. so long, concluded Elinor and left with a cheerful nod. So long, Anna returned, and then walked slowly down the street. thoughtful. The group of girls after they had left the two chums walked to the chocolate shop for their daily supply of sweetmeats. l wonder what Elinor sees in Anna that makes her go with her all the time, Mary Strathmore remark- ed. Anna probably knows some- thing, but she never talks when we meet her. lf you do say something to her she gets fussed and blushes as if she were being introduced to Doug. Fairbanks. But l bet Elinor will be a queen in her new dress, interrupted Tot Meredith, still interested in Elinor's outfit. She liked Anna. All the girls did, for that matter, but Anna was too slow for companionship. So she turned the conversation to a more interesting subject. Elinor looks good in everything shemwearsk We shave got to admit that she has good looks, Christie Thompson added. Now that they had come to the chocolate shop, they placed them- selves on the stools before the foun- tain of youth. Here they always had great fun teasing the red-headed, freckle-faced, giggling soda dispenser. He told them whatever they wanted to know about the village populace, for at least three-fourths of its num- ber visited his place of business once a week. when he had prepared the con- coctions they ordered he began his usual stutter. l g-g-g-got some more news for you! Have you, Brick? the girls said. continuing to eat, not being much concerned in what he might say to- day. Yeah, Brick grinned. Well, let's have it, said Tot, dis- interested. W-w-w-well, a f-f-f-friend of yours has left t-t-t-town, he continued. Who? Tot said, still eating. D-d-d-doctor Richards, he con- cluded, his face wrinkled with a grin from ear ot ear. The four girls ceased eating: they shouted in chorus, Doctor Rich- ardsl lmmediately the four heads looked around to see if anyone was there to hear. But no one had heard them. The only listener in the shop was a little lad who was diligently draining a soda glass, the noise of which was sufficient to distract his attention from anything that might be said. Cone? they questioned, fearfully disappointed. Yea, f-f-f-for a day, Brick re- plied, giggling because he had tricked the girls. The four damsels cast him haughty glances, finished their ice cream. L ggggg T

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I8 THE LINCOLNIAN abroad she passed away. The life he had led with his mother formed the fondest memories he cherished while in France, and her death saddened him. The strain of battle, however, prevented him from feeling the great grief and time eased his sorrow. On his safe return to America he decided it would be best to start his practice in his home village. So he was liv- ing in his grandfather's house and was establishing a good beginning. The purchase of instruments had brought him to New York. Now having accomplished his work he was returning to the village. Darkness had blotted out the scenery from the traveler's view, so Dick turned his chair about and started to read. Soon his eyes fell from the book and passed down the aisle, noticing the passengers. He possessed an inher- ent liking for studying human nature and this afforded a good opportunity. ln one seat was sitting a girl, titter- ing and simpery because of the at- tentions of a gentleman. Next to her an elderly woman looked discontent- edly at a book. Farther up the aisle a bored-looking feminine individual gazed at the black landscape. Dick did not like these types. He put on his cap and went onto the rear plat- form. The train had now stopped at a water tank. ln the night air he heard the creak of the frogs, and he liked this. Dick liked nature, for it made him feel good to be near it. Then there was a shunting of cars, a clanging of a bell at the road cross- ing and the train rolled on, its wheels a steady rhythm against the The lights of a disappearing were soon obliterated, and after the lights in the car were being darkened. All the occu- pants of the car had retired, so Dick went inside and made his way to the sleeper for the night. beating tracks. village shortly Anna awoke early in the morning. She had just finished packing her lunch baskets when the first of the youngsters appeared. You are certainly on time, Danny, old boy. Y'bet l am, Anna. l brought my fish pole. Did you? Fine! At ten o'clock all the picnickers, ten strong, except Patsy Morrison, were assembled in the Walters' kitch- en. Patsy when she saw Dan with a fish pole had to have one, too, so she went home after her brother's. promising she would be back in a minute. Patsy did come back, but the in a minutei' if multiplied by thirty would be a more accurate statement of the time of her second arrival. Into the jolly woods they tramped. Morning mist sparkled on the trees, but the sun would take this away and then in some open plot of grass near the river they would have their picnic. Dick Richards arrived home that morning. After going home for breakfast he went to his office. As his instruments had not yet come. he could not work with them, and as he had no engagements until in the afternoon he left on a walk thru the woods. I-low beautiful and soothing the woods were to himl lt was a a thin profusion of color veiled by gray mist. Gradually the sun pierced this curtain of vapor and the near at hand took on shape. right a river, bright blue mixed with white foam where the sunshine caught objects To his it, and an emerald green in the shad- ows of the overhanging, shrubbery- covered sides flowed swiftly on its downward course. Slowly the other colors molded themselves into masses of ferns, their dew-covered leaves sparkling under the light of the sun: into shrubs bordering the roadway that lengthened in a winding course