High-resolution, full color images available online
Search, browse, read, and print yearbook pages
View college, high school, and military yearbooks
Browse our digital annual library spanning centuries
Support the schools in our program by subscribing
Privacy, as we do not track users or sell information
Page 33 text:
“
The Last Hour of the Year. Onl v the bright fire lighted the old library, and I was there alone. The hours of the Old Year were fast becoiuiiig minutes, and the New Year w-ith all its joys and sorrows fast ap- proaching. From the depth of an easy chair I watched the fantastic pictures formed by the glowing coals, while thoughts as fantastic crowded my mind. Suddenly I heard a sweet girlish voice say, I certainly thank thee ' eiy much. I could never have gotten from that shelf by myself, and looking around I saw Janice Meridith and the Celebrity. The pleasure is mine, Miss Meridith, to I)e chosen as your knight before my rivals, was his suave reply. Janice blushed with delight at his words, and, then, with much eagerness she asked, Prythee, tell me who the other gentlemen are who came so kindly to my aid. I do be- come .so tired of Jack and the others that in this one hour of the year I want to know as many new people as I can. I can certainly sympathize with you. said her companion lieaving a deep sigh, and especially is my lot hard for I am misunder- stood by every one. This hour with you will recompense me fo. ' much, however — with a low bow, Indeed, he is a fine gentleman, Janice thought to herself much flattered at his atten- tions, even if his clothes are very queer. My rivals. the Celebrity resumed after a pause, are Mr. Isaacs, and Rudolph tlie Prisoner of Zenda. Not men by any means whom I would like you to know. He raised his eyebrows in a supercilious manner and walked off with J.inice at his side. My aninzeinent during this little scene was so great that not until the couple had moved away, Janice first casting a glance into the glass of the bookcase, did my eyes leave the spot. I looked around and lo! the room was filled with my friends of book-land. Dear Mother Goose with her retinue was present, mingling with the lords and ladies, clowns and villains of Shakespeare. Many and varied were the incongruous groups. The fair maids of the days of paint and patches were chatting gayly with the club- men of to-day. Becky Sharp was fascinating and bewildering the Little Minister; Dorothy Manners was talking in a friendly fashion with the Gentleman from Indiana, while the Soldier of Fortune leaned over htr chair holding her fan. One tall, white figure was moodily walk- ing up and down one side of the room. Look- ing closer I recognized Arbaces the Egyptian. Even in the midst of such a company he mused alone. So haughty and cold it seemed as if no one would dare approach him. While
”
Page 34 text:
“
I thought of his life and trngic death a bnyisli voice broke in: Say, there, Mister, they says you can do all kinds of tricks. Won ' t you tell nie about some? And there stood the irrepressible Tom Sawyer ga .ing fearlessly into his dark face. If you would come to our town, the boy continued, me and Huck Finn could get out a dandy crowd, and at ten cents apiece you could make a lot of money. Say now. Mister, won ' t you ? Well, I declare! Tom ejaculated, as with a stony stare Arbaces stalked to the other side of the room. He is the queerest critter I ever seed. Poor thing, I reckon he is a little wrong in his upper story. With this natural conclusion from his point of view at least, Tom went over to where his Becky was stand- ing, for all the fine ladies and gentlemen could not turn his loyal heart from its allegiance. Wondering what had become of Janice, I found her sitting on the sofa beside Katherine Lauderdale, with a pathetic droop to her pretty head for the Celebrity had deserted his lady for Amelia Sedley. So she remained for a minute and then with a petulant to.ss of her curls, turned to Katherine. Do tell me something of New York. I was there once when General Howe had pos- session of the city. Katherine smiled, It has grown very much since that time, and now the • have electric cars and telephones. What are they ? Janice asked eagerly, her curiosity aroused. It will be rather difficult to explain to you, said Katherine in a patronizing tone. Electric cars are somewhat like the old coaches, only they are drawn by no honses or mules, and a telephone is an electrical appa- ratus b ' which you may talk to persons even many miles distant, and, thinking how lucid she had made the explanation, she settled back more comfortably among the pillows. Thou need ' st now make fun of me, Katherine Lauderdale, by telling falsehoods, even if I am a country girl. I don ' t think you are a lady and, with a flash cf anger, I don ' t think niommey would permit me to asso- ciate with you. Just look at your manish dress, ' t is indeed indelicate. And with a glance of scorn at Katherine ' s tailor suit, she ran across the room. During this little .scene the fire had grad- ually sunk to a heap of ashes, rapidly growing gray. From a distant steeple came the chimes ringing out the Old Year and welcoming the New. As the last peel sounded, with one bright flash, the firelight died away. There was a moment of rustling and soft whispers — then the silence was complete. The hour of freedom was ended and noth- ing remained of it, but the memory and a few dead coals.
Are you trying to find old school friends, old classmates, fellow servicemen or shipmates? Do you want to see past girlfriends or boyfriends? Relive homecoming, prom, graduation, and other moments on campus captured in yearbook pictures. Revisit your fraternity or sorority and see familiar places. See members of old school clubs and relive old times. Start your search today!
Looking for old family members and relatives? Do you want to find pictures of parents or grandparents when they were in school? Want to find out what hairstyle was popular in the 1920s? E-Yearbook.com has a wealth of genealogy information spanning over a century for many schools with full text search. Use our online Genealogy Resource to uncover history quickly!
Are you planning a reunion and need assistance? E-Yearbook.com can help you with scanning and providing access to yearbook images for promotional materials and activities. We can provide you with an electronic version of your yearbook that can assist you with reunion planning. E-Yearbook.com will also publish the yearbook images online for people to share and enjoy.
