Ossining School for Girls - Quill Yearbook (Ossining, NY)

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THE QUILLI for 1916 When Theenie's Ship Came In A dismal September 'rain .was steadily soaking the old dock. Except for a sailor or two on a ship alongside, there was no one out risking a wetting, until a giant umbrella blew out to the edge of the wharf, where it silhouetted itself against the rain. Chasing after it bounded a curly, mustard colored terrier. Bow, wow, barked the dog, Chita, in pre- tended surprise at finding his commander-in-chief, Theenie, hunched up under the familiar leaky um- brella. Towheaded Theenie was watching for his ship. T wenty-four days he had stoically watched there, as religiously as though he thought watching would bring it. ' I g Reddy, a warlike Irishman aged ten, and a rag- ged whisp of a girl drifted out toward the umbrella. Aw, I jist know that that kid Theenie and his mangy dog are sitting under that there umbrella. Them swell guys, them officers on the battleship don't want you two castoffs fer mascots any more. You's too big to be a baby and you aint big enough to be a boy. You can't fight. You got left to home, boasted Reddy of many battles. . I The umbrella tipped impetuously overboard. Theenie, in smouldering anger and silence shot a Plldgy, .dirty fist into IReddy's stomach. Chita, wrig- glingcwith excitement, pitched into the fray likewise. Time! T'ain't fair. Call off your dog, remon- strated he of the red hair. GO home, Chitaf, Chita obeyed dejeetedly. He loved a fight as well as the Irishman, but hehad been dlsciplined in the Navy. The battle was resumed- Th99.1116,.the peaceful, the bashful fought bravely but unscientifically for the honor of his battleship. Reddy Of tell years fighting experience easily and trium- Phantbf conquered, administering a black eye and 3 Slaggeldng cut on the forehead that made Theenie qulte giddy with faintness., 96 -

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THE QUILL for 1916 But when he went home the next week-end things seemed to grow clearer. Just as he jumped off the train he bumped into Ted Wells, whom he knew slightly. r ' p Hello, Rogers! Glad to see you. Hear you had a great game last Saturday. By the way, I'm going to take that friend of yours, Miss Craig, to our prom next' Friday. Didn't think I could get her. Don't you think I'm lucky ? Rogers agreed to this last, but as soon as they had parted he thought to himself, SO that's the reason Betty's so formal. Well, I always knew girls fell for the newest acquaintance, but I never thought it of Betty. He did not know, poor fellow, that fate had been contrary, and had suc- ceeded in making a fine 'tangle in this case. At last the eventful night arrived, and Betty was delightfully excited, in fact, ever since she had re- ceived Ted's letter, she had talked of nothing but the prom. Finally, the train stopped at the station, and Betty, little dreaming of the disappointment in store, stepped to the platform, expecting to find Ted ready to meet her. -But he was not to be seen. After wait- ing for almost an hour, trying to tell herself some- thing must have delayed Ted, a tired, hungry, deep- ly dejected Betty took the train home. At the same time, a young man, who had also waited at another station, for almost an hour, went back to his room in a furious temper, saying girls were heartless, and thinking not exactly pleasant things about one girl in particular. Meanwhile, Ted Rogers had stayed away from the prom at his college to sit gloomily in his room, declaring he would never give Betty Gay another invitation. Thus the long friendship was broken. How it was made UP ag-am is another story. I E C I ' He en . adm- 95

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for 1916 THE QUILL Meanwhile, all unnoticed, Theenie's long watched for battleship had been steaming slowly toward the dock. On the quarterdeck the ' ' amused captain and his mate, through their field glasses, had been watch- ing the pitched battle. T he kidis all right, declared the captain, even if heis too little to whip every Pat and Mike that comes along. The ship won't takeanother trip with- out him and his dog for mascots. We haven't had any ,decent weather or any luck at target practice since We left him ashore for his old aunt to educate. Educate,,' sniffed the mate, weren,t we educat- ing him all right? We'l1 have him back or mutiny. Corrinne Thrall 9 7