Oakhurst Collegiate School - Acorn Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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THE ACORN 11 most difficult of all. was to make that great big hat balance on so small a crop of hair. He tried hat pins, rubbers and every conceivable thing, but the hat would not stay on. At last a brilliant thought struck him! He would tie it down with a piece of cord, and then when his veil was on the 'hat might easily be taken for a poke bonnet. A short while after, he and his sister were on their way to the river. llSisterfi he whispered, uI'll get a fellow to stay with you during the race, but Fm going to sit by myself and, well -perhaps have some fun. Billy purchased his ticket and soon after was seated in one of the seats on the Harvard division of the grounds, awaiting the beginning of the race. Just two seats beyond him were the fellows with whom he had rough-housed the night before, and from all indications with whom his clothes were now. Gee ! said one of his friends, that certainly is a classy maiden over there li' And smiling at Billy, continued, tiand whatis more, she seems to be unescorted. Thatis capital! Again he smiled over at Billy, and Billy smiled his very sweetest in return, and apparently very embarrassed, continued watching the river. Yes, Billy assuredly did make a most charming young lady. One of his friends could stand it no longer, and advancing toward Billy, hnally ventured, Are you looking for someone ?ii Billy coughed violently, and in a very high-pitcheti and hoarse voice replied, No? that he had come alone. ttltls an ideal day for a race, is it not, Miss - ? Billy replied affirmatively and added, Ilm so glad youive come, for you know I hate to sit here all alone. My name is Frances Clayf' uThatls a mighty pretty name, replied the other, and my name is Jack Pendleton. Just then the two opposing crews appeared in their boats, and after a most violent minute or two of shouting, the race started. Billy was exceedingly agreeable all afternoon, and as he perceived he was making a great impression on Jack. The race passed very quickly, and after it was over Jack offered to take Billy home Of course Billy accepted, as he was willing to put Jack to all the trouble he possibly could. As the two reached the steps of the hotel, Jack, who felt he knew Miss Frances very well by now, asked in his most persuasive way, iiMiss Frances, there is a dance over at the Gym this evening and I want to know if I may take you as my guest ? Billy forced a blush, hesitated a moment, and sweetly replied, liItls very kind of you, Mr. Pendleton. All right thenf' called Jack as he was leaving. ttI'll be around for you about 7.30 this evening.

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10 THE ACORN THE RACE '3 T WAS the night before the Yale-Harvarcl boat race, when a very well dressed young man, accompanied by his sister and aunt, en- tered a hotel near the river. The hotel was full of Harvard men, all of whom were in very high spirits over the prospect of the coming race, which was to take place at eleven olclock the next morning. uWell, Aunt Sarah, said Billy, after he had registered, 1 have a pretty good room for you and Frances, overlooking the river, but mine is near the back of the hotel, so Ilm not very near you? Then, after getting settled in their rooms, they went down to dinner. Sis, I expect to have a high old time tonight? said Billy, laughingly, llfor Ilve found that my room is right next to a bunch of the Harvard boys, who all seem to be a pretty good sort. See, there they are, coming in now. Illl intro- duce you to them after dinner. He went on, talking excitedly of tomorrowys sport, finally telling Aunt Sarah to be sure to be ready by ten olclock, as they wanted to get a good place near the finishing point. It was just as Billy had expected. The excitement became greater and the boys more hilarious as the night wore on, and it was not until after three o'clock that they tinally went to bed, each calling out to Billy to be on hand early the next morning, as there were many things to be done before the race. But when Billy finally did go to sleep, he slept so soundly that it was not until broad daylight that he woke up, and he was horrified to Find, when he looked at his watch, that it was already ten olclock. He jumped out of bed expecting to dress in about two minutes, when he suddenly discovered that his clothes had disappeared. Yes, his suit case was gone also! While he was standing there wondering what to do, there was a knock on the door, and his sister's voice called, llBilly, arenlt you ever coming? Aunt Sarah has decided not to go down, but just to watch the race from the veranda, but it is time for us to go. Wellj' he answered, tlthose Harvard guys have run off with my clothes, and I have nothing to put on. For heavenls sake, go and get me some clothes. Fm determined to see the race. 'tWell, I have only that pink dress of mine, but wait and I will get it. In about five minutes his sister returned and knocking on his door called out, uHere is my pink dress and my hat to match. I brought my veil along, because I thought it might help to disguise your face and hair. Now please hurry and don,t primp too much. Billy worked and tusselled with the Hhorrible rag, as he called it, but at length he succeeded in getting into the dress. The next thing and perhaps the

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1'3 THE ACORN On reaching the hotel, Billy with great glee told of his adventures and 0f the invitation for that evening. iiSis went off into peals of laughter and promised to give him all the requisite aid in the matter of his costume and its accessories. After dinner, Billy, attired in a blue crepe, into which he had squeezed him- self after much breathing-in and grunting, his head disguised by a Huffy brown transformation, presented a passably attractive appearance. At seven-thirty Jack arrived, carrying a bouquet of sweet peas and a box of chocolates to offer at the shrine of his new iigirl -friend. Billy received them gracefully and was then carefully wrapped in his sisteris cape and helped to a waiting taxi. On arriving at the scene of the dance, Billy's popularity seemed assured and his programme was quickly tilled. In the course of the evening he remarked to Jack on Billy Sherwood's absence from both the race and the dance, and was much amused when Jack confided to him that they had hidden Sherwoodis clothesiunder the front porch of the hotel. At the close of a very merry evening, at which he acknowledged to himself that he had been quite a social success, Billy was again tenderly wrapped in his cape and installed in the taxi. When they were about to alight at the entrance to his hotel, Billy quietly removed his fluffy wig, while jack was instructing the chauffeur to wait. Jack's face, as he turned to assist his fair companion from the machine, was a study. With a horrified exclamation he stared at the trans- formed individual before him for an agonized moment or two, then gasping, Sherwood! Great Scott! he turned and tied, and the last that Billy saw of his attentive escort was a white spot in the distance. After groping about under the veranda, he fmaiiy produced a very dusty suit-case and, waving it triumphantly, dashed into the hotel lobby, and was soon rapping peremptorily on his sisteris door. iiHey, Sis, he called, come and help your debutante brother out of his trusty armor! sCHARLo'r'rE HAVEN, 1913. s SARA OLIVER, 1914.