Petaluma High School - Trojans Yearbook (Petaluma, CA)

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P. H. S. ENTERPRISE ’ll by several stories that she was a good rider. It was a merry party that started oft ' the next morning, for everyone seemed in the best of spirits. Poor Brown, however, looked as though he had not slept much, and I began to feel sorry for him, and wish he could have a chance to apologize. He addressed a few questions to Molly and she answered them, much to the sur¬ prise of all the company, and each time more graciously. I, who was riding with her could see mischief in her eye, and wondered greatly what she would do. We reached our destination, a tavern up in the mountains, shortly before noon. After having lunch we spent part of the afternoon there, and then left for home. We were to go a little way on the road on which we had come up, and then branch off in a longer way back to the hotel. On the way up, Molly had been very anxious to keep ahead, but on the return trip, she graciously consented to let Brown ride with her. I felt that some¬ thing w r ould happen, but was entirely in the dark as to what it would be. As we came to the crossroads, Molly said her girth w r as loose and young Brown quickly dismounted to fix it. Molly beg¬ ged us not to w ait so we rode on. As soon as we were out of sight, Molly gave Brown’s horse a cut with her whip and it started on a run down the shorter load, for home. Then Molly gave her own horse a touch, and with a scornful glance at Brown, left him. She soon caught up with us, and was asked where Brown was. “Oh,” she said, “he’s coming.” He did not come, however, and all were anxious and also curious. Mrs. Norton, however, did not seem to think anything of it, so nothing was said. Late that evening as we were sitting in the parlor, the door opened and Brown stood on the threshold. He was a sorry looking figure and we all realized that he had walked home. Molly, to our great surprise, walked over to him and held out her hand. ‘‘We are even, now,” she said. Then she told us w ' hat she had done. The second question was now settled. We knew quite well what Molly’s charact¬ er was. Geraldine Boothe, ’12. CUPID IN VASSAR This year something new was attempted in the line of dramatics in the High School. Instead of the customary play given by the Seniors for the benefit of the Enterprise, a musical comedy, ‘‘Cupid in assar, was produced. The play was managed by the Senior Class but the cast was chosen by the coach, Mr. Barry 1 ownsley, from the school after tryouts for the various roles had been held. In this way the best talent available in the school was selected. The play was a complete success, ar¬ tistically and financially. There were no delays, no prompting, and the whole af¬ fair went off with the snap and dash that is characteristic of a professional per¬ formance rather than of a production by amateurs. The leading roles called for portrayals of real human emotions rather more than in the ordinary farce-comedy anc these were taken with conviction and real delic¬ acy. The choruses, music and the stage pictures did much to add to the attract¬ iveness of the lines. The audience seem¬ ed to enjoy the comedy, and sympathize with the different tragic situations fully. The criticisms have been most favorable and congratulatory to the cast and the ooach. 22

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THE GIRL FROM TEXAS HE rickety old stage clattered down the hill and drew up in front of the typical mountain tavern, with its wide veranda, partly covered vvit.h vines, and a few s immer visitors seated on it, waiting for the mail. The driver leaped from his seat, but be¬ fore he could reach tue door of the coach, it was opened and a young girl, apparent¬ ly about sixteen years of age, with red hair braided in a thick braid down her back, jumped out. Her hat drooped, so those on the porch could not see her face, and she quickly turned to assist an elder¬ ly lady from the stage, paying no atten¬ tion to the driver, who stood beside her. The group on the porch was interested, for there had been no newcomers for two weeks, and a young girl would add new life and spirit to the party. As the two approached the veranda, the landlady appeared at the door and welcomed them in. As they walked up the steps, we, for I was among the party on the porch, caught a glimpse of the girl’s face. She was rather pretty, had a small face and dark eyes. Just after she had gone in the door a young man said “Fire,” in a low voice. Immediately the girl appeared at the ■door, her eyes flashing and said, “You—.” From inside we heard, “Come Molly,” and she turned quickly from the doorway and ran upstairs. One thing was settled; her name was Molly. Something else was started, but not settled; that was her character. Although no one said anything, every¬ one was anxiously awaiting the dinner horn; anxious because we wanted to see the newcomers again, and see if the girl would finish her sentence. The horn blew in time and it was not long before everyone was seated at the table, with the exception of the late ar¬ rivals. They were soon heard coming down the stairs and the impertinent Mr. Brown, looked rather worried. The two were in¬ troduced to us as Mrs. Norton and Miss Molly Cannon. They were assigned their seats, Molly having one directly opposite young Brown. As they took their seats Molly flashed a look of scorn at the young man across from her and he looked great¬ ly embarassed. A conversation was soon started and all felt perfectly at east. We learned that Molly was Mrs. Norton’s niece and that their home was in Texas. Molly livened the conversation with bits of humor or funny incidents, and the meal was spent pleasantly for all but one, for whenever young Brown tried to say something he became so flustrated by Molly’s scornful looks, that he would stop. After the meal, all adjourned to the parlor and Miss Molly was asked to play. She consented and Brown stepped forward to open the piano. Like a flash Molly was past him and at the piano, and opened it herself. The young man was certainly nonplussed, but no one felt sorry for him, for he had been rude that afternoon. Molly sat down to the piano looking very angry and struck a loud chord. She started playing loudly and ner aunt look¬ ed nervous. Gradually, however, her playing uecame softer and finally she was playing with much expression. During the evening, we planned to take a ride the next day, for the hotel was well supplied with good riding horses. Our new friends were very enthusiastic and claimed to be good riders. Molly proved 21

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PETALUMA SCHOOL SPIRIT NE after another all thru the long October morn¬ ing, the long, dust be¬ grimed excursion trains pulled up to the station, and out from each car piled a happy horde of boys and girls gay in their flaunting colors, waving pennants and wearing happy smiles. It was the typical field day crowd. Over at Kenilworth the huge grand¬ stand was filling to overflowing. The rooting sections were already getting into action and in quick staccato accents were promising dire calamities to all rivals. Tape in hand a half dozen boys were hustling up and down the track measur¬ ing distances, and tacking cards here and there upon the fence. Presently a defic¬ iency was discovered, one hurdle was missing. Burton, the Petaluma captain, was consulted and he recalled that one hurdle had been left out behind the High School, for practice at recess. Burton started across the field at a live¬ ly clip. Directly in his way was a board fence. Burton attempted to hurdle it and and when in the air he remembered that the fence was placed as a guard for an old well, not very deep, and dry at this time of the year. Burton crashed thru the rotten boards placed across the top of the well and landed unhurt but somewhat shaken in the bottom of the well. But let us leave Burton in his plight and return to the meet. And such a meet as it was! One aftar another old records passed into history, and new ones came to take their places. Old champions struggled bravely, and went down to de¬ feat before “phenominal dark horses.” But the real contest of the day was be¬ tween Petaluma and Santa Rosa High Schools. These two schools early outdis¬ tanced all competitors and each struggled spiritedly for the lead. But, one first place Petaluma was sure of. If they could only hold their own until the mile run the meet was theirs; for Captain Bur¬ ton at this distance was invincible. But where was Burton? “Burton! Burton! What’s the matter with Burton?” came from the Petaluma bleachers, followed by a buzz of inquiry. A half dozen searching parties detached themselves from the Pet¬ aluma rooters, but one after another these parties returned with no word of Burton. Finally a Santa Rosa boy chanced to stray a little way from the grandstand and heard a muffled cry for help. He di¬ rected his footsteps toward the old well and glanced in. Only glanced, for one glance was enough. Many a time had he seen Burton dash down the field and break the tape a full hundred yards in ad¬ vance of the nearest Santa Rosa man. He concluded that the old well was a good place for Burton for the present. Some “mean old thing” has said that woman is the root of all evil. In my story she is to be the root of some little good. The Santa Rosa boy walked jauntily over to the grandstand, a mysteriously happy smile upon his face. He clambered up in¬ to the Petaluma rooting section, and seak ed himself beside the “one girl,” who was the “one girl” even if she did go to Peta¬ luma High. Then after obtaining many promises not to tell he proceeded to un¬ burden himself of his great secret. The score boards announced P. H. S.—. 51; S. R. H. S.—51, and only the mile to run. The Santa Rosa section was wild. The Petaluma section was all confusion. ‘ Third and last call for the mile run,” tae 23