Oroville Union High School - Nugget Yearbook (Oroville, CA)

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about my troubles, a man and a boy drove in to get some gas. hile the man was filling the car with gas, the boy came over and looked at my sign and then looked me over very carefully. I knew I was going to like this fellow; and. to be frank with you. it was just another case of love at first sight. After he had looked me over considerably, he went over and asked his father something which I could not understand: but when the garage man came out. the boy’s father asked him how much he would take for me. “Well, replied the man. it isn’t my car. and the owner didn’t name a price, but I’ll sell it to you just as it stands for $350.00.” Then they all came over and looked at me. After a few moments of deliberation, the man decided he would buy me and said he would be back the next day for me. As soon as they left, the garage man put new air into my tires, which was a great relief to me. Then he put grease into all my cups and differential. oi!ed up my steering gear, and filled my tank full of gasoline. When he had finished with that, he took a nice soft cloth and wiped all the dirt off me. He then cranked me up and took me out for a “try. 1 ran just as well as I knew how and the garage man was very pleased with me. When next morning came, my heart began to beat very rapidly because here came the boy who was going to drive me home. He had red curly hair and his face was dotted with freckles. What's the harm in that when you’re in love with some one? Well, as 1 was saying, he came in. looked me over and then cranked me up. He was a very good driver and 1 acted as best I knew how because that’s the way you're supposed to do when you’re in love with somebody. Ain’t it? I don't know 'cause this is my first love affair. Oh! well, when w’e got to what 1 guessed was home. 1 found it to be a large ranch and this was where I was to stay. Time has passed very quickly and I now have a new coat of paint, which is a little lighter than a battleship grey, and a brand new’ set of tires. I feel very proud and from what I hear 1 am to have the honor of carrying Master Emerson (which is his name) back and forth from school each day. 2 The glorious morning had arrived, and I very pompously carried my young owner to the school. My! but I was proud of the school, because a bunch of girls, about his own age. came up and looked me over and told him what a little beauty 1 was; but things like that don’t bother me. because I’m not vain; besides you’re not supposed to Hirt with others when you’re in love. Time had passed and I had been carryng Emery back and forth from school for about two months. I was all speckled with mud and I really needed a bath. One night after school when Emery came out. he seemed to be in the very highest spirits. Going home. I noticed he drove me a little faster than I really liked to go; but when we got home. 1 forgave him because he gave me a nice bath and polished me up so that I looked just like new. When night time came, he came out. as I supposed, to put me in the garage: but when he got close to me. I saw that he was dies.-ed up in his very best clothes and oh! how my heart did beat; he is so grand! He cranked me up. and we went to town. He drove up in front of a house that I had never seen before; then he honked my horn. In a few moments. the door opened and closed, and somebody came down the walk. When she drew close enough, I saw that it was a peach of a dame. I thought I was going to like her; but when she got in. I was horror-stricken because, right in my presence. my beloved master put his arm around her. I thought I would die. but I kept a stiff upper lip and kept on chugging. He finally drove me up in front of a large building where lots of lights were shining and lots of other machines were parked outside. He stopped me beside a big Chandler, then they got out and went into the big building. After they had gone. 1 began to cry; it was foolish I know', but you know how it is; and besides it was my first love affair. I guess if the Chandler hadn’t spoken up and soothed me a little. I would have leaked all of my radiator tears away; but the Chandler asked me why 1 was crying, and I had to stop to tell him. When 1 finished, he also said that he got a ”kick out of listening to his master and girl make love. Now, when he said he got a “kick out of it.” that made

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where she covered the astonished man with her gun. •‘Doan’ yuh go makin’ no fuss, now, or I'll bore yuh with my gun.” “But, madame, what does all of this mean,” stammered Mr. Green. “Well, I should think yuh wouldn't need no explainin' to; but come tuh th' house an' we’ll talk the matter over.” agreed the lady, still keeping him covered with her gun. but motioning to her stalwart sons to be ready with the rocks if occasion should demand. As they drew nearer to the house, the door opened and out stepped a bronzed, kaki-clad figure whose happy smile turned to one of amazement when he caught sight of the odd procession. Uttering a shriek of joy, Mrs. Gray llew forward, straight into the arms of her beloved son. thrusting away the gun as she went Forgetting about their prisoner, the children with wild cries of Joy followed their mother’s lead and hurled themselves onto their brother. Presently remembering her charge. Mrs. Gray turned, fully expecting him to be gone; but there he was. standing with an amused smile on his face. Tom catching the stranger’s eye. went forward to meet him. “Well. Old Timer, I see you have kept your promise.” said he with a smile. Mother, let me introduce Lieutenant James Green, my ‘Buddie Over There'.” “Well, don’t that beat yer,” muttered his mother under her breath. Jim’s an oil expert. Mother, and I asked him to come out here and see if there was any oil on the farm.” continued Tom. For land sakes. be there He on our little farm?” asked she in wonder, how we all kin bloom out in serciety.” “Yes, it’s oil. answered Lieutenant Green, “and I thought there might be some on Smith’s place, too. but there’s not a That etening while sitting around the dinner table. Tom asked. Why didn’t you tell mother who you were. Jim? That would have saved a lot of trouble.” ”1 know. answered Jim. but I didn t want to disappoint your folks if there wasn't any oil on the farm. An’ to think it was Irene’s letters that made them suspicious.’” continued Tom. glancing at the embarrassed Lieutenant: she’s the girl that nursed Jim when he was gassed. Mother; so you needn’t worry about any Bolsheviki getting hold of him.” That’s shore fine. beamed Mrs. Gray. An’ I alius did like Jim anyhow. But say, did you boys notice that I forgot tuh put any verniller In the cake?” KTHKLDA INMAN. ’21. THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A LITTLE GRAY FORD I am one of Henry Ford’s faults; and. altho all of my brothers and sisters and myself are jeered at and laughed about. 1 find the people have a great deal of use for us. I was first bought by a large rice grower in California. He treated me very well and took good care of me; but. after he had had me about three months, he decided that I was not exactly what he wanted. So the next day he took me to a little town called Gridley. where he left me in care of a garage man. who painted a nice “lor sale” sign on a piece of card board and fastened it on me. Days passed very slowly and my tires were beginning to hurt me as they were sorely in need of air ; also, my grease cups needed filling, and I was beginning to give up to despair. One morning, while I was standing in the garage grieving 21

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me open my lamps with wonder; to tell the truth. I almost burnt out a globe; because 1 could remember once, when my master hadn’t fixed my spark right; and when he went to crank me. my crank flew back the wrong way and knocked my poor dear master over. Well, when he got up. he was very angry with me and said I had kicked him. Now. this (’handler says that he got a ‘kick” that he enjoyed; and I, knowing well that my master did not enjoy his “kick.” Just up and asked the Chandler what he meant by the word “kick. ' Well! he laughed so hard that I thought he would shake big muffler pipe off; when he had finished, he said in kind of a mean way. “I can see that you’re not up with the modern slang words.” I admitted that I wasn’t, but told him that I should like to learn. “Well,” he said, the word kick’ is Just another word for many thrills.” “IF” (With Apologies to Kipling) If you can love ’em all with love uncertain. If you can kid ’em and not go too far. If you can make ’em think that you’re not kidding When they know darned well that you are: If you can flirt with Jack and Jim and Harry. And tell ’em all a thousand different lies. If when a stranger, in the town a passing. Looks up at you and vents forth lonely sighs: If you can still keep all the old boys going. And pick up new’ ones every other day. Step with ’em all and tell ’em different stories And never want for something new to say: If you can keep John. Harry, Joe and Arthur. From talking with Jim. Lawrence. Bill and Jack. If you can walk up to the store with one crowd And with the other crowd come walking back: 23 Well, I thanked him and said that I was very glad to learn what it meant. Then my master and “that girl” came out, and we started for her home. I was running just as nice as I could, trying not to make a sound; altho I did feel hurt, because she was sitting just as close as she could to him and there was plenty of room in the seat for three people. Then they put their heads frightfully close together; and then I heard a sound just as if I had broken a spring (but I hadn't), and then I heard my master say, “I got a kick out of that one, ’ and before he left her house, 1 guess he got another one. because I beard the same noise. ARTHUR HARRIS. ’22. If for a little spin you go with Claude, If for another guy you take a row, if you can slyly cut a dance with some one And make that “some one” think you didn’t know: If you can flirt and not get tired of flirting. If you can laugli and wink that smiling lamp, if you can do the things I have just mentioned. You’ll be a regular 20th century Vamp.” JOHN McGEE. 23. A BOY’S FATE The sun was shining brightly Upon the English room. And sunbeams danced about the place. When Louie met his doom. It was at half past one that day When Louie, with a smile. Arose and left his seat vacant And marched adown the aisle.