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

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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

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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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Quickly she slipped from her stool and sped to the dressing room. She never knew how her bag and the envelop were openedg but she never could forget the few for- bidding words on the bit of yellow paper. J, Hadley. Keep down the riots if possible. Coming with cash. Will square up debts. Arriving Tuesday. R. U. Blaine. Trix sank to the floor in bewilderment. What had ever prompted her to steal, yes, steal-that telegram? It was strange that she had entirely forgotten to open it before. Resolutely she scribbled a note to Rose, telling her friend of her relations to the strikers and the laborers and her reason for her departure from the office. With great haste she put on her hat and coat, gave the note to little Jimmy, and rushed from the building. Time passed rapidly and it took so long to reach the circus grounds. Trix knew- truly realized for the first time in her life that the entire responsibility rested on her shoulders. lt would be an impossibility 'for any police force to break the strike, but the sight of Blaine and his telegram might help. If only Blaine was there. With thanks Trix realized that it was the promised day-Tuesday. No sooner had the car rounded the corner and the circus grounds came in sight than Trix sprang from it. She could not recall how she reached the scene of the strike. One thing was simple. When the foreigners beheld Trix, fantically strug- gling with a mixture of languages and waving a bit of paper, they stopped right where they were. Trix was a great favorite among the laborers. In fact, she was regarded as a great and good spirit. Breathlessly, she called the leaders by name and explained the situation. Ferdinando. Look at this. Blaine sent it. Listen, friends. Forget your evil thoughts. Blaine's coming. Yes, he's coming and he'll pay everyone of you. He no coming. He no can pay. We strike, a few of the men answered. No, no. He's coming to-day. To-day, friends. He'll pay you all, yes everyone of you. Wait only a short time. Now, get to work. We'll have the show anyway tonight. Trix would have shouted a few words more but her voice and lung power gave out. It had completely exhausted her. The foreigners cheered and blessed the little rider before them, surely this favorite spoke the truth. Hadley, Roy, and a few other of the girl's dearest friends rushed to the scene. They all halted when they saw Trix among the unreasonable strikers. When they recovered the women surrounded her, covering her with kisses, while they exclaimd their joy over her return. Hadley came forward ordering them to prepare for the evening's performance. Trix promised to come to the tents, so in a very short time she found herself alone on the spot where the strikers had been a short time ago. With a new light in her eyes she went to the tent. A hand touched her arm. As she turned, an arm passed around her waist and a kiss fell on her cheek. I suppose you're satisfied now, aren't you? I guess you're even with Hadley now, only not in the way you expected to get even with him. Oh, Roy, d0n't, I'm too excited to think, the girl panted. I'll think for you, Trix. You missed the circus and me while you were gone, didn't you? Yes, a little, Trix admitted, I'm glad to get back, Roy. I didn't think and still don't think that I'm made for the outside world. My place is right here. No, I guess we'd better stay here until we are able to go together just you and I. Is this a bargain ? . She answered with a winning smile. 'HP' Page Fifty-thru