Oakhurst Collegiate School - Acorn Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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THE ACORN 5 THE HERO e: JLD SAM was very worthless, but considered himself a most import- ant part of the church institution. The committee in charge of the bazaar now in preparation had found him especially trying. His policy, like that of many others of his race, was to get out of as 9 much work as possible; for he knew he would not be discharged, on account of his long service. On the night of the much-talkedwof and prepared-for bazaar, he was every- where, busily engaged in doing nothing. When asked to help in anything, he would reply, iiSorry missy, but Iise jest got a' fix to git ready to do something else, and would bustle off with an air of greatest importance. Helen Dale was in charge of the refreshment booth, and as it was too early in the evening for lemonade and light eatables to be in great demand, the booth was nearly deserted. Thinking she smelt something burning, Helen started on a tour of investigation. She found that the electric wiring which lay on the floor, had become damaged, and was setting tire to the carpet Suppressing the scream that rose to her lips, she rushed forth to hnd some one in whom to conhde without starting a panic in the crowd. Old Sam, Who had been hanging around, saw her go, and thought it was a good time to help himself to a glass of punch, He seized .the ladle, when, catch- ing his foot in the leg of the stand on which the bowl stood, he tipped the table, and sent the bowl crashing t0 the ground; the liquid splashing onto the burning wire. tTitf de lani sake! Wot am I gwine te do now ! he ejaculated in horror. Meanwhile Helen had found same of her friends, and they came quickly to her aid, When Helen saw that he had put out the fire by such an ingenious trick, she cried, nSam, youire a hero 1 And soon old Sam was standing on a chair telling the assembly just exactly how he had done an act that showed such great bravery and presence of mind, and, needless to say, enjoying himself to his hearth content. - LUCY WHITE, 1916. W

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4 THE ACORN were five very frightened-looking girls, each clutching 3. rolled manuscript and looking very uncomfortable in their stiff, white dresses and shiny shoes. Miss Jessie Hall ! called the principal. The girl at the end arose and came forward. Nervously she unfolded the paper before her and still more nervously began to read. It was the story of a lost wanderer and his adventures, but it failed to hold the audience. At its conclusion, two people applauded it, the young authorls father and mother. One after another the names were called, the girls stepped forward, and the stories were read. It was late when the last name was called, and already the sun was sinking low in the West, sending its golden rays into the dingy little school- room. ltMiss Mary Howard! There was a pause and then a little figure stepped forward from the back of the room. A pathetic little figure it was, dressed in a blue gingham dress, and 01d, rather clumsy shoes. ler. Lands? she pleaded, wonlt you please decide from the other girls' stories? Mine is not good and I do not want to read it. Mr. Lands took her kindly by the arm. No, my clear. You must read it like the rest. Go on, now, the people are waiting.n She mounted to the platform and in a clear, belt-like voice began to speak. She told the story, rather than read it. It was that of a girl who met tempta- tion and was saved by her faith in God. It was beautifully told, simply and directly, and she had put her very soul into the work. As she finished there was not a sound. The whole room was as quiet as the grave. - For a moment Mary stood irresolute. She had expected failure, but not such a failure as this. Her heart gave a wild throb of bitter resentment. Then, with- out a word she turned and fled from the sohoolroom. She had gone only a short distance before her brother caught up with her, HCome back, Sis,u he panted. nThey want you at the schoolhouse. All the resentment left her. She turned 'and silently went back with him. No doubt her mother wished to tell her how sorry she was about the dress, she thought. Mr. Lands met her at the door. Mary, he said, uI congratulate you on your success. Mary looked at him dumbly. My success ?,l she repeated. ttWhat do you mean P He led her up in front of all the people. HMary. you have won the prize! A great shout went up and Mary felt something hard in her hand She looked down, and as she saw the locket, the goal toward which she had worked so hard and so long, a great wave of j0y swept over her and yielding to its force, she buried her face in her hands and wept. e FRANCES HARMON, 1915.

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5 THE ACORN MEPHISTO .OOD-NIGHT!n called Mr. Green to his butler and hurried toward 94 the curb, where his motor stood impatiently puffing and vibrating. r. The chauffeur was at the wheel, clad in his smart motor togs, and as Mr. Green came down the walk, he swung open the limousine I door in a kingly manner. To Sherryis, James! ordered the owner of the motor. Then, seeing the smile on his chauffeurs face, he broke into a hearty laugh. iiYou are smiling at this costume, are you F' he questioned. The chauffeur replied with a quick iiYes, sir! and touched his capi Well, continued the young millionaire, hit is quite good; anyway it was the best I could find to suit my naturefj Laughing, he stepped into his car. There was a grind of the brakes and then off he sped toward the Christmas bail. Mr. Greenis costume was most extraordinary, and it was not strange that the chauffeur laughed. It had been copied from a costly portrait of Mephisto which Mr. Green was fortunate to have in his possession. This masterpiece, life-size, hung in his study, where he strictly forbade anyone, except the maid who dusted and swept, to enter. Not for any particular reason, but merely because this room he considered as his own cozy retreat when he wished to be alone with his thoughts. On arriving at Sherryis a footman swung open the door for him. tiHeilo, Bobbie ! tailed a friend. Hello! returned the owner of the name, as he sprang t0 the steps of the porte-cochere and hurried to the dressingnroom. There he threw off his outer fur cloak, removed his silk hat, and then, nodding approvingly at his reflection in the mirror, made his way amid smiling glances t0 the ballroom. Here he was greeted with merry shouts and the lively music of the orchestra. He found the merriment in full sway. About midnight the dance was at its height, and little did young Bobbie Green think of what was happen- ing in the costly mansion which he called home. :3 a: :1: :1: at: no- at: :2: as It was exactly twelve delock, for the church bell was still humming the last stroke of the hour and the searchlight of the Metropolitan tower swung its rays over the city. If it had paused at a handsome mansion to the north it would have perceived three dark-clothed and blacksmasked men ascending the fire escape, which led to a balcony on the second Hoor. This was the rich young iiBobbie Greenis mansion, and the three burglars were intent upon breaking into his study. They were now on the balcony, pressing their faces against the window pane. iiOhY, cried one in delight, for he had perceived the outlines of a massive safe.