Madison Central High School - Tychoberahn Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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Short Story Aoi Much to He P oud 01 A hard-loo king young man, dressed in torn and shabby clothes, slipped slowly and cautiously into the dry, dark doorway of Bchrmun's Printing Company in the small town ot Tcrryville. It was a cold, gloomy night, and the rain, coming down in torrents, caused everything to be water and mud. Jim, as a few people knew him, was soaked to the skin. He stood as straight as possible and scarcely moved in order to keep his cold, wet clothing from rubbing against him. He was so hungry it seemed as it he had no stomach at all, for his licit was wrapjicd almost twice around him. |irn was used to this sensation, for he was another one of those hopeless thousands who roam about the world with nothing to do but keep out of the way of the police. I Ic had never gone beyond the eighth grade in school because he was too stupid. 1 lis father had plenty of money to send him if Jim had had the brains. But Jim was clever enough to learn the ropes of the world. I Ic made one big mistake, however, which he always regretted. He never was caught. He regretted this situation because he felt like a man being constantly watched. In other words, he had a weak conscience. I Ic hated officers; he hated women; hr hated to do an honest day’s work; in fact, he even hated to hear his name mentioned, which was usually in a court room or in a jail. Just two hours before he entered this dry doorway, he had been in court where the judge had given him eight hours to lease town; Jim had headed for the railroad station to hop a ride in a dry box car. About thirty years before this incident, Jim had been born near Tcrryville, Indiana, and raised in the large house of his rich father; so he knew his way around tin town fairly well. At seventeen, full of adventure, he had run away from home became his father was too strict with him. Jim had roamed about alter that, sometimes doing a little work, most of the time stealing, and just managing to keep alive. During that big mistake of his, Jim was shot in the face by an officer. He recovered, but his face was a horrible looking mess when the doctor removed the bandages. A friend prettied up his face well enough so that a person could never tell he had been the victim of a slug of lead. Of course, his former friends could not recognize him. As Jim reclined in the doorway of the building, lie reached for his cigarettes. He pulled out a thoroughly soaked package. which made a little puddle of water at his feet. As lie tried to pull out a single cigarette, each one tore, leaving the tobacco sticking to his hand. In his fury Jim crushed the package to a pulp, threw it into the gutter, and watched it float down the street. He was about to throw his lighter away when he remembered that his mother had given it to him ten years ago. No, I won't throw this away, he said to himself as lie lighted it with his thumb. That is all I have left, and I’m going to keep it. Jim watched the flame of the cigarette lighter with half-closed eyes until gradually he caught the flicker of tin shiny door knob on the entrance door of the building. The thought of a warm, dry lied came to his mind; he was tempted to enter the building. Maybe I can find some dry clothes, or maybe I can find something to cat. The words, spoken almost aloud, were full of hope. There might Ik sonic money there too! (icntly Jim turned ihr knob and pulled on the door. It was locked! In a fit of anger he pulled again on the door and rattled it with terrific force. The door jarred hut failed to yield. A car rapidly approached on the wet pavement. Jim quickly ducked into a dark doorway and watched a police prowl car speed past, flashing its spotlight from side to side. I Jc stayed in the doorway until the car disappeared and then headed for the railroad station. After looking in vain for something to cover up with before the train came, Jim fell onto a bench at the railroad station and soon was fast asleep. When he awoke, he didn't know whether or not llie train had arrived. It had stopped raining, hut it was still cold. Maybe I can get a bite to eat before the next train comes, said Jim, shivering with the cold. As the lights seemed to welcome him, he started oil toward the little house near the bottom of the hill. Approaching the house, Jim .dipped around to the back and up the steps. Beeping in at the kitchen window, he saw no one. He moved to the door and rapped. Through the window Jim could see a happy-looking, gray-haired old lady approaching the door. Please, Madam, can I have something to cat? I'm so hungry I would cat anything you have. Mrs. Carney was used to having hums and tramps stop at her house. She knew what Jiin wanted, but she didn't let him know. She was too easy with everyone, and she knew it; so she tried to cover it up by acting strict and mean. Do you see any signs that say, 'FREE MEALS’? asked the elderly woman. No, hut— But nothing! What makes you think you can walk in here and get one1 Well,—thanks anyway, said Jim as he started to l ack off the porch. Come, come, young man, I didn't say I wouldn’t feed you. Come in.” The smile came again to the gray-haired lady’s face. He hurried through the door which the woman held open and went for the chair by the small kitchen table. Mrs. Carney placed some food in front of Jim, who started to eat without further comment. What’s your name, young man? asked the old woman, (muring out some coffee. “Ah. ur—Bill Jones is the name, lady, said Jim without a bat of an eyelash. Suddenly in the other room Jim saw a picture which he recognized at once. It was his picture. He looked at it for some time, and when he became aware that Mrs. Carney was watching him, lie asked, Is that your son’s picture?” “Yes, that’s my son, a fine l oy. although I haven’t seen him for a long time. It’s ten years ti he exact. He left home because my husband was too strict with him. John, that’s my husband, died four years ago. “My mother! thought Jim, “but slic’d never believe me if I told her. My face is changed, and all I am is a tramp. She would be ashamed of me. Do you know my son? He’s an honest-looking boy. I can just see him now. a handsome young man, making out fine in the world. Ah, yes. I do know him slightly, (continued on page ) 1

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Two Clubs fyoA the Qe+te ial 'Wel a'ie Girls' Club a DEMOCRACY of Exf.F4.LKNi:i is obtained through superior contributions made by in dividuals anti organizations. The iirl ' Club has matlc such contributions this year tor the welfare of the Central I ligh School community. The Cirls Club was founded in 1925 by Mr. Volncy G. Barnes, principal of the sclsool at that time. He recognized the need lor a club “to promote friendship anti good citizenship among the girls of the school. More services arc contributed to the school by the Girls’ Club than by any other body in Central. It promotes friendship among the girls, earns money for the Scholarship bund, sends messages to pupils who are ill, helps visitors by means of a hospitality desk in tlie hall, gives programs and parties, anti generally aids girls and serves the school. The various projects in the tall, all of which have been successful, were: selling pins, neckerchiefs, streamers, | enn.ints, Christmas cards, paper wrappings, and ribbon. This spring, they have had a magazine sale, candy sales, and a rummage sale. Year ‘round services are a candy counter, a lost and found department in the office, a girl to send a get well card to an ill pupil, and the hospitality desk. Programs presented this year by the Girls’ Club have been the annual Skirt and Sweater day; Miss Arlitc Smith, a champion diver; the costume party; Miss ! Iclen Pukszta, dress designer; several faculty teas; and the Cosmetic Clinic. For the first time in Central’s history, the Girls' Club had a formal installation of officers. The program included speeches by outgoing officers and by Mary Jane Maloney, the new president, anti music by the Girls’ Triple Trio. Since the fall of 1934, Miss Elizabeth Ritzmann has served as sponsor of the club for two years. Miss Theresa Klcinhcinz for two years. Miss Nina Fredrickson for two years, and Miss Frances Metz for the present school year of 1940-41. —Jacqi'CLynk Hanson Art Club in American schools we have cooperation in- stead of coercion. The Art (3ub of Central High is one of the best examples of this democratic principle. What organization has not asked for the services of the Art Club and has not found them willingly given5 However, keeping up with all the demands for its services would Ik impossible without the help of the art classes. This year the Art Club hail a total of 19 members, of whom l.ilyanc lax svas president, William Lidh, vice-president; William (ash. treasurer; Janet Gaffney, secretary: and Claude Moss, program chairman. For the senior high operetta this year, The Pirates of Penzance. the stage crew was made up of members of the Art Club. One of them, Dorothy Felton, designed the two scenes for the production. Richard (continued on page 33) I I I

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Dramatics Ite PaAAitKf, Pasiade individual appreciation and understanding of good plays • arc developed through the Central I ligh Dramatics dc partment. Students working on the production stall have learned the work that goes with producing a play. Each year’s plays arc a passing parade l timely topics, interesting characters, and problems with which we need to l»c better acquainted. Our only dictators arc good judgment and good taste. The dramatics department, under the direction of Miss Ruth KcntjJcr and her stall, has produced two plays this year with splendid results. From these productions much talent has been discovered both in acting ami producing. The students have been given an opportunity to work in whatever line they choose, such as properties, costumes, make-up and stage crew or any of the other jobs which contribute in making actual drama a success. One of the highest honors that the dramatics department can bestow on any pupil is admission to the Mummer's Guild. This organization is ojxrn to those who have participated in any of the plays, whether it be in the drama or production work. The candidate is voted upon and if he meets with all of the requirements, he is admitted. At the present time there are about 2-1 members, some of whom arc named here: president, Lois Meng; secretary. Caryl Schimming; other members—June and loycc lohannes, Luralic and Mary Litschcr, Alice I’eet. Robert Flugum, (Jordon Ware, Patricia Flannery, Maurice Nelson, Gritton Allin anti Guilford Glazier, Dorothy Brown, Kathryn Hayes, Edward Rein, Chester Kinder, Donald Kirkpatrick. Stanley Kuhnitz, James I lyslop. I lazel Williams anil Donald Parkinson. The Mummer’s Guild” itself puts on plays in which all the players arc strictly Mummers. This year they produced Elmer. The play centered around s modern high school boy (Gritton Allin), who felt that he was being treated like a child by his older, more sophisti- cated twin sisters I (unc and Joyce lohannes). hut he finally convinced them that he wasn't the child they thought. Miss Kcntzlcr chose tor the winter play. Secret Agents by Koisert Roy. We might add that Miss Kcntzlcr tries to select plays with timely plot and meaning to interest the average high school student. “Secret Agents was chosen because of the everyday interest in Fifth Column activities. The play took place in a small town. A young widow, Mrs. Holmes (Mary Jayne Frankc), with her two children (laiis Meng and Leon Kelley), and her father (Maurice Nelson), led a quiet life until a foreign dancing teacher and her brother (Caryl Schimming and Peter Rein), came to their little town. The applause indicated that the play was appreciated. When the books were balanced at the end cl the year, it was found that the plays were put on at a good profit. With the money the dramatics department helped greatly with the purchasing of Central’s new recording machine—an accomplishment of which they arc proud. And there you have a review of the plays put on by Central Senior I ligh this year, but the majority of us think, well, that’s over, the plays were interesting enough anil let it go at that, but think of tlic work that was put into those plays and what the partakers have gained from them. Besides their regular studies they have gained additional vocational training in projects that many will nuke their life’s work. With this experience they have gained poise, voice, and recognition of the whole school, besides getting over the inevitable stage fright, a malady from which so many high chool students suffer. They have gained greater appreciation of the acting in radio as well as on the stage and screen. Then, too, they’ve shared in the fun connected with creative activities. So you see, if you possibly can do it. it would be to your advantage to get in the dramatics department. Mwv Ann Dowin.i , an auburn hatred nirl, it a eery m iii r member t f her innku chsss, She it j Minor reporter, is l ire president of the dills’ Club and piogum chairman of her homeroom. Mary Ann's intrrritr vary from that of ,i member of the Social committee to that of captain of After Sr hoof Sports. IK I