Piedmont High School - Tris Yearbook (Piedmont, WV)

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f ,, QH5 ' , 1926 ' l 3H1Iarie's Qliaster llaat Marie Simpson rushed into the kitchen where her mother was prepar- ing the evening meal and exclaimed, Oh Mother! I have just seen the prettiest Easter hat imaginable at Mrs. Hardy's shop. It's tan with pink rosebuds, foliage, and black velvet ribbon, and just think, it's only ten dol- lars. Ten dollars! I don't think that is cheap. Oh Mother, don't say I can't get it. Grace Meredith is paying twelve dollars for hers. Her father makes that in one day, where your daddy only makes half of that, besides she is an only child, and there are three of you children. But Mother, Mable can wear her old one, and George only needs a cap and suit. I think I heard a certain young lady say that she would be the one to wear the last summer's hat this year when Mable volunteered to wear hers a second summer last year, said her mother with a sigh. She felt very sad over her oldest daughter's selfishness. Oh but Mother, listen, I am invited to Grace's lawn fete and I can wear it then too. Well, help me with the supper and then we'll talk the matter over this evening with Mable, as I think she ought to have a new hat this season. After the supper things were all put away, the family gathered around the pleasant fire in the sitting room as it was a cold day in March. Marie waited for her mother to broach the subject of the hat. At last Marie couldxstand it no longer, so she said to Mable, Did you see that tan hat in Mrs. Hardy's window as you came from school? Yes, Mattie Wilson told me that you said you were going to get it. I thought y-ou told Mother you were going to wear your last year's hat two summers, said Mable with a smile. That was last summer, though you see. I positively can't wear it this year. What would a new dress look like without a new hat, and on Easter, too ? The one you want costs ten dollars. I don't think Mother can afford that much for one hat. As for me, I don't want any for Easter, but Mother can buy me one later. Who is this I hear doesn't want a new Easter hat? I thought all girls wanted a new one then, her father said. Mable says she doesn't, said Marie. , I And why don't you. if I may ask ? I have my reasons for not wanting one. I'll tell you after Easter, Page fifty-nine

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l ,. I Fllll5 I 1926 j Her husband sent for all the servants and, after attending to Lady Duncan, rushed up to Albert's room and saw a scene too horrible to describe. My boy! My boy! To think that your life is cut off just when was beginning to have much hope for you! Who could want to take your inno- cent life ? As the bereaved father mourned over his son, the cook burst into the room and exclaimed, Master Georges is gone! When I Went to take his breakfast this morning I found his room empty and my keys gone! Duncan jumped to his feet with Oh, I see now. Georges killed him to get the ring, for see! it is gone! But how did he see the ring, since he was- n't present at the ceremony? Sir, I couldn't find my keys to his room this morning. He must have taken them from me when I carried up his supper yesterday evening g then last night, hearing all the talking and laughing, he must have sneaked out of his room and in this way saw Albert receive the ring. Would that such a custom as bestowing that infernal ring upon one's son had never been established and I would still have my boy! But We will find that fiend Georges, and he shall pay, yes, he shall pay dear for my boy's death. So help me God I After a hasty meal and a tearful farewell from Lady Duncan, the be- reaved father and his seven faithful servants set out in search of the mur- derer. There was a dense forest on the outside of the Duncan grounds, and through this forest Duncan led his servants. They plodded on and on, searching every hiding place available, but not a trace of Georges could be found. Daylight darkened into night and still the little band kept on. A- bout midnight they stopped to build a fire and rest. As they sat there a faint noise rustled the leaves just outside the circle of light made by the fire. Duncan signalled the men to be on their guard, and the seven m.en sat ready to jump at another sound. Staring into the darkness one of the men perceived just behind Duncan a crouching figure with tousled head and shining eyes. The man sat transiixed, unable to speak. The figure crept sliowly up behind Duncan and with a triumphant snarl he jumped and - Wo e up. K.AfrHlER1NE CRAWFOIRD '26 '63 Page fifty-eight

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l l p ,g as l then I'll call on you for one. Don't think you are going to get off altogeth- er. Her daddy laughed. He was used to his younger daughter's ways, knowing from past experience that her tastes were simple and her demands few. Very well, I'll expect to hear about it all after Easter. Then turn- ing to his eldest daughter, he said, How much do I understand yours is to cost ? The one I want is ten dollars. Whoopie! you're going to make an expensive wife for somebody. Your Mother and you girls will have to settle this. It is not in my line of busi- ness. All right daddy, that suits me. Then turning to her mother she said, Do I get the hat ? No, I can't do as you ask unless your sister gives over to you as usual. Remember she wore her old one last year. I only have ten dollars left from the amount your father gave me for our Easter clothes, this was to buy you both one. If Mable will wait a few weeks later for hers? How about it Mable ? Well Mother, let Marie have the hat if her heart is set on it. But Moth- er, you ought to look at it first, for I don't think it is worth that much. Why people spend a lot of money for dresses and hats I don't understand. All I want is a pot of Easter lilies if I may have them. I Sure, you may have them. Two if one is not enough, said her father. Thank you, one is all I want. The matter was settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. The Week before Easter was a busy one for the two girls, each for her own pleasure. Marie made two or three trips to the dress-makers, and bought her hat, which her mother admired, but still thought too expensive, praying all the time that she would learn from her younger sister. Mabel's week was full of duties, but of a different kind. Her Sunday School Class, The King's Daughters, with a membership of eight girls, ranging from thirteen to fifteen years of age, were to sing Easter carols at the morning service, led by their teacher, Miss Alice West. The class reported for practice three afternoons. They also helped col- or eggs and make paper baskets for the Primary Department. Miss West told them it would be nice for each one to find a shut in and carry her a potted Easter lily. It was Good Friday and Mable hadn't been able to iind a sick person among her circle of friends yet. This being a holiday, Mable thought she would take a walk to the West end of the town. Telling her mother of her plan and getting her permission she made her way out there. The streets were crowded with children playing. Their mothers work- ed by the day. Mable's attention was drawn to a little girl with yellow hair ' Page sixty