Menomonee Falls High School - Periscope Yearbook (Menomonee Falls, WI)

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-.ww-lypvv . - --V. tones, while stroking the girl's red hair. But you see, Trix, I was planning on taking you with me. I can't do that until I get my wages. I know, Roy, the girl answered, twisting the ring on her finger. Trix, give Hadley another chance. It's tough on a fellow who is down on his luck. H'e means to do right by us. I know he will make good. He's had bad lucky that wasn't his fault either, so-- You can all side in with him. if you like. I hope I never see this blame show again. Here, take your ring. Hereafter, I'll buy my own rings. Like a flash she was gone. Trix rushed into the women's dressing room tent. She all but collided with her fellow companions, but she turned a deaf ear to their astounded questions. In awe they viewed the Hushed girl before them. Soon the contents of Trix' worn trunk were scattered about her. Hatefully, she Hung the tiny, red, berufiled, and beribboned performing gown against the chair. A hasty toilet followed. She was arrayed in her shabby street clothes and worn hat in a short time. Gathering her few possessions, she walked to the door. Thus far she had totally ignored everyone else. What's up, one of the girls queried. I'm leaving, came the abrupt answer. Leaving? Oh, Trix, why? the women cried in unison. Why, the girls laughed bitterly, Haven't I worked long enough without a thank you? It's foolish for you to stay. Blaine must be having a good timeg he doesn't seem to be in a great hurry to get back. does he ? But, Trix, he's sure to come soon, and besides you don't know much about any- thing else than a circus and you'll find it-in Oh, you ring off. I'm no child. You'll never get any wages if you act that way. Without another word she was gone. Rather rapidly she wended her way toward the public highway. As she neared the boundaries of the circus lots, a uniformed boy accosted her. He asked for Hadley saying he had a telegram for him. With a little persuasion Trixie convinced him that she would deliver it properly. An idea had flashed into her mind. Why not steal the telegram? Possibly this was the message Hadley had expected from Blaine. For a moment she stood undecidedg then, she opened the wrist bag and stuffed the letter into it. l'll get even with Hadley yet by keeping this message. Thereupon she promptly forgot about it. The road was very dusty and Trix was indeed grateful when she reached the trolley. The distance to the city seemed remarkably short. Noon saw her strolling aimlessly about in a strange city. Rather discouraged, 'but still resolute, she purchased a newspaper. Selecting names from the Help VVanted column, she began making inquiries. Everywhere the positions seemed to be already filled. Finally at two o'clock Trix appeared in the waiting room of a large telephone Company. She was not one who had come to answer the advertisement. The oflice boy smiled wisely as he led her to the chief's office. Trix felt rather than beheld, sharp eyes examining her as she entered. The manager motioned her a chair and turned toward her. Have you ever worked at a switchboard? I mean worked in a telephone office ? was the first question. Yes, I have, Trix responded. I worked at a switchboard about five months, but that was three years ago. I understand. Hlave you any recommendations from your last employer ? UNO Y, Where did you work or didn't you work before this ? I've been traveling with circuses and shows of that nature as long as I can re- member. Three years ago one of the outfits went bankrupt, so I worked in a telephone Page Fifty-one

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Getting Even With Hadley gnu' I MEAN just what I said. I refuse to ride today. Trixie stamped her ET 'M foot angrily and turned a pair of wrathful eyes toward the man before her. Now, see here, Trix. You've got to ride. What kind of show will ' A this be if all the stars get block-headed ? I'm not going to ride. That settles it. I'm tired of risking my neck for your benefit. NVe actors haven't had a salary for the last twelve weeks and the food is unfit to eat. The whole crowd is on the war path. You know it. But you're scared to face the music now, she added with a sneer. Listen to reason, can't you ? the manager exclaimed impatiently, his face purpling with rage. You'll get your wages-every cent. Goodness knows, I've written to Blaine often enough. You must have a little patience with a fellow who is down on his luck. Patience for another three months? Not much, she broke in sarcastically. The short, well-built man moved a trifle closer. Blaine promised to square up as soon as possible, and- You give me a pain, Hadley, Trix snapped. Talk about something sensible. I'm sick of those sugared promises. I absolutely refuse to perform until I'm paid. So saying she snatched her hat that lay at her feet, and turned to go. Wait a minute, Hadley called after her. If Blaine doesn't show up pretty soon, I'1l sell the whole works. Give it another chance, Trix--just one. No, thanks. Bum excuses hold no chains for me, she replied. NVhy didn't Blaine stay here and take care of his old show? Of course, he had to go to Cali- fornia for his health and take all the cash with him. Oh, well, we're having a good time risking our necks to keep things going. With a shrug of her shoulders she added, It wasn't our fault that Bert got hurt and had a big hospital billg and rainy weather spoiled the parade andlv Haven't you any sense ? Hadley cried. f'You're bound to ruin me now. You're going riding tonight, do you hear? I'll use force if necessary, understand ? He caught her by the arm and shook her roughly. Really? You don't say, spitefully. VVell, it won't do you much good to act that way. I'll get even with you for this. I'll bust up the show if necessary. I'm sick of this outfit, and I'1l make you wish you were rid of it, too, before long. Hadley shrank from the glare of her bold eyes. Then, with a saucy smile, she disappeared among the wagons and tents. In her rage she took no notice of her surroundings. Moodily she leaned against one of the wagons. A tall, handsome fellow, about twenty-five years of age, aff.- proached. His boyish smile had already won him many friends. Hello, Trix, he called cheerfully, What has gone wrong? Trix looked up suddenly. She knew she was not in the mood to speak to anyone, but Roy was always sympathetic. Everything I'm leaving, she answered shortly. Roy rumpled his tumlbled mass of curls as he always did when he was deeply puzzled. Too bad, honey, leaving. Forget it. It's not worth worrying over. I quit and I'm leaving. I had a fight with Hadley again. I'm tii'ed of wait- ' 1, ing-- So you are really in earnest? I'm through with this outfit. I hope the whole show goes to the blazes. XVhy do you stay, Roy ? VVell, I'vc been thinking of quitting this life, the young man spoke in hushed Page Fifty

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ottice. Ilwas there until I joined the Blaine Wonder World. Trix was beginning to like him immensely. His smile helped to drive away the uneasiness. I think we can use you. The job is only temporary, so you can try to find another place in the meantime. One of the girls was suddenly taken sick, and we need someone to take her place for a few weeks. I'll try. I'd like to have you begin immediately. Rose will help you until you become better acquainted with the work. jimmy, talze this young lady to Rose. Rose was a splendid, pleasant, kind-hearted girl. Trix liked her almost at once. Come here, Miss Carson, she called. I'll get you started, you've had experience, haven't you? I told Mr. Hugos not to engage a beginner because it takes so long to teach them. In a short tinte, Trix was interested in her new work, and the two girls were chattering like two old friends. Trix learned that Rose had been employed by Mr. Hugos the past thk years and was the best paid operator in the concern. At five thirty, the girls left the office together. Trix was to stay with Rose for the present. Rose's mother treated her kindly. Trix became a great favorite with the junior members of the household, because she could do so many stunts and turr somersalts. She's the firstest girl what could turn somersets and play decent with a fellow, Harry announced to his mother. Never-the-less a homesick feeling was tearing at the hearstrings of the little circus rider. She missed the usual noise and tumult of her childhood occupation more than she wished herself to believe. With an inward sigh she remembered the kind deeds of her friends, most of all Roy's ardent protection, but bitterness over-ruled her when she thought of Blaine and his blame show. The morning was well urder way when jimmy hurried into the room. He came directly to Rose and handed her the paper he carried. Trix, noticing the interruption, turned abruptly. Large black letters in heavy type stared at her. 'Ihe news quite overcame her. She did not know if it would be proper to weep or beam with new found happiness. Jimmy saved the situation by pointing a finger at the headlines and exclaiming earnestly, What do you know about that. Ever hear of a circus going on the strike? I sure do hope so, he added. I I didn't know you were such a bird when it came to a circus, jimmy, Rose re- plied. Maybe things will be all right. I'm sure I didn't know circus people had brains enough to know about strikes. During the course of the day, Trix thought about the move her circus friends had taken. She reasoned porperly that they had done right. Never-the-less, Roy's last words seemed to ring in her ears, Maybe you have the wrong impression of Hadley. During the eventful afternoon, Rose again spoke of the circus strike. I know we kids run for miles every time a circus came to town, so- Hello, Yes. Long distance ?-Rush it ?-of course, I always do- Hardley-Oh, please spell it. Yes- H-A-D-L-E-Y-. Yes, l'll try. Rose turned her attention to the notes before her on the bank. A Say Miss Carson, what do you think has happened? The circus hands are striking. The manager a Mr. Hadley, something or other, wants the police right away. He's frantic about it because there is a big show scheduled for tonight and the foreign laborers are wrecking the whole thing. The guy sure is in some mess out there. Hello-Police Department. Trix heard no more. She had not fully realized what a strike among the Greek and Italian laborers might mean. As if by shere fate, she thought of the unread telegram in her purse. aw? Page Fifty-t-wo