Littleton College - Chatterbox Yearbook (Littleton, NC)

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THE CHATTERBOX. 267 Pauline is awaiting the arrival of a rising young physi- cian from Earth, explained Annie. When he arrives he will have charge of the hospital,-and Pauline. And where is this rising young doctor practicing now? Nowhere He is rising, only in that he is now ascending towards Mars in his airshipf' But how can they support themselves from a hospital with empty beds ? Oh! theyill have to live on patience in the abstract in- stead of patients in the beds, said Annie enigmatically. But come. You must be tired and hungry. Good-bye Pauline. Remember the reception tonight. '35 96 56 96 -76 96 -36 'X' Later in the evening, when Mars's larger moon was rising in the west the entire Colony assembled in the Executive Mansion to welcome the distinguished guest. Let us have music, cried the President. She pressed an electric button, and instantly there arose from the floor a noble quartette of musicians. Miss Roberta Morris, baton in hand, drew herself up with great dignity, and the other three, Lot- tie Lee, Luola Gay, and Vela Walker seated themselves be- fore her. I am going to play a solo, said Lottie. MSO am I, said Luola. 'CSO am I, said Vela. And immediately they began taking paper notes from little boxes which they carried, and then scattered them broadcast about the room, the leader rapidly beating time. The most exquisite music filled the Mansion. When it had died away the President rose. We are met to welcome this distinguished guest who has come from Earth to visit us fapplausej or rather, to visit me. fLoud applausej In fact he is the Prince Charm-

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266 THE C'HATTER.B0X. Done what 2 Invented the rooting-machine ! A wha-a-at 3 Booting-machine-for ball games. Don't you under- stand? A machine that will root at a ball game. A rooting- machine! N ow, I can teach the natives to play b-all. Just listen. She pressed the button on a little instrument in her hand. Zip! Zap! Zah! Zate! IJ. F. Q! 1908!', yelled the rooting-machine lustily. And then Air-ships I Motors ! Trolley-cars ! Baseball! Baseball! Baseball! Mars! Isn't it bea-utiful 2 c1'ied its fond parent. It's speed and capacity for endurance are double my own. Oh! I'd rather go to a ball game than eat when I'm hungry. I'd rather be at a ball game than in Heaven. J oy! .I oy! My darling rooter! I've made my name! And she rushed along to spread the glorious news. Bebie always had very high aspirations, said Annie proudly. HI am glad that she has succeeded. She is' the life of the Colony. You have still to see the model hospital. Shall we stop now? The wards are so beautifully kept that I wish to exhibit them. Pauline Herring is in charge. Now isn't that neat 37' She ushered him into the sunny ward in which were rows of immaculate hospital cots-all empty. 4'But where are the patients 2 he asked of the energetic Pauline who came smilingly towards them. Oh! we don't want any patients in the beds. They would wrinkle the sheets. Are you a physician ? No,-not exactly, and she turned hastily to smooth an imaginary wrinkle from one of the cots.

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268 THE CHATTERBOX. ing. CWild applausej And, girls, I shall return to Earth with him. Three years from to-day we shall be married. And so- and so- I resign the Presidency to-- UN ever l yelled the girls in one voice. HNEVERI You'll do nothing of the kind. We'll not allow it. You cannot go. He shall not have you. Oh dear I cried Annie helplessly. What shall I do with them 2 'Tong and desperate was the ensuing battle of words. The Suitor felt himself decidedly unpopular, and Jessie's lamb was bleating piteously. The Spratts set up a lusty wailing. For the Hrst time there was discord in the Colony. And all because hitherto there has .never been a man in the house, declared Annie. Wl1y, girls, you who make the most disturbance are the very ones that have asked to be allowed to return to Earth for your own weddings Ii' But you are our President, and none can take your place. They were immovable. ' And then, in the nick of time, some brilliant soul suggested the parson at the Mission on the other side of the planet. Bravo I cried the girls. We'll go in a body-and have the ceremony performed on the spot-and not let you out of our sight-and, yes, we'll even let him live in the Colony if youill give up the Earth trip and make Mars your home 1 And Prince Charming, by no means a weakling, was over- come by the power of these loyal classmates, and submitted to their plan with a decidedly relieved and thankful heart. May, taking time by the fore-lock, made ready the great air-ship, and the entire throng piled in. f'Now, double speed, May. Band, strike up the music. And once more the mighty bird of passage sped thru the air, its wonderful, human voice singing joyously, to the tune of Annie Laurie, this hastily improvised song: .r S Q