Plainfield High School - Hermiad Yearbook (Central Village, CT)

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16 THE HERMIAD Later I was to learn it was Plainfield High Schcol. I was rather disappcinted because I had had higher ambitions than to be a niachine in a school roont, and have students treat me in a manner very improper for a respectable typewriter. I was carried up three flights of stairs and placed on a table in a room with many cther typewriters. They all locked old and worn out. This school surely needed new typewriters , I thought. I asked the typewriter nearest me, How long have you been here? The answer came in a very tired, cracked vcice, Six months . What , I answered, but you look so old! Yes, and so will you six months from now , was the reply. I did not say any more but stopped to think. Could it really be that bad? The next morning' when the teacher entered the room, she walked over to me, lifted my cover, and admired my appearance. I was very proud. When the pupils reported the first period I heard her say, We have a new type- writer and I want you to treat it with care . I am afraid that they did not hear the teac'her's coxrmand, or that they did not understand the meaning of the word care. Several different classes came in, several different pupils used me. That night I was very tired and unhappy. Day after day the same nerve wrecking grind! The other typewriter had spoken the truth. I could not last long at this pace. One day I felt so ill I could not work at all and the teacher called the repairman to find out what could be the matter with me. I was no longer a new and bright type- writer but an cld wreck. The change had come about in just a few shcrt weeks. The repairman had to be called more and more often, but he could do very little for me. One year after I entered Plainfield' High School I left, this time, not in the glory with which I had entered, but in disgrace-with the junk man. I had been discarded. Thus ends the sad story of a typewriter. AN ADVENTURE WITH A PUNGENT ODOR CMaybelle Carpenter, 19313 T WAS a dark, weird night in Ncvember. Not a star was in siglht, yet Bill decided it was the very night to take his cousin Julia cn a little adventure. Julia was a city girl. She had never visited the country before, so of course everything was strange to her. However the strangeness did not phase her for she was eager to learn the wonders of nature which were revealed

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THE HERMIAD 15 grandfather clock, which looked' as if a dust cloth would do it no harm. There had been a mystery surrounding this clock for several weeks. Althoug' no one in the family wound the clock, it continued to run, and it was only a twenty-four hour clcck. It ticked monotonously, and, as the two' girls climbed the dusty stairs, the distinct ticking of the clock reached their .. G:odness! I think it is so peculiar that clock should run without being wound, because when grandmother had it it stopped unless sne wound it every day , remarked Ethel. Say! I knnw what I'm going to do , said Gerry. I will spend the night up here and see what happens. Will you keep me csmpany ? No, I think it is ridiculous to spend the night up here just to watch. that old clock , replied Ethel with decision. The girls spent the remainder cf the afternoon rummaging about in the attic. The subject of the clock was not mentioned again, but Gerry, when it came time for retiring, tucked two books under one arm, Fluff, the cat, under the other, and with a few apples far refreshment, started for the attic. She lit the lamp and proceeded to read. After no little difficulty she became absorbed in a stcrybook, but she did not like those dark corners. You know an oil lamp doesn't give an exceptionally gcod light. At the stroke of twelve Gerry chanced to look up and there stood a figure in white! It picked up the winding key and wound the clock! Fluff, who had been peacefully curled up in Gerry's lap, suddenly jumped to the floor, went cver to the figure, purred, and rubbed against its legs. Either because of the creaking of the boards as Fluff walked, or for some other cause, this strange something awoke, and proved to be none other than Ethel, sleepwalking. After that the clock stopped if not wound by some one of the family, for an arrangement was put on Ethel's bedroom door so that when the door was opened a bell rang, and if she tried any more sleep walking, she was awakened by the noise of the bell as she opened the door. fi-Sv ure sToRY or A TYPEWRITER fEllen Thornley, 19311 WAS manufactured with the utmost care and packed away in a large box. Then followed a very upsetting ride and it was same time after I had been set quietly down, that I could again breathe freely. Several days later I was unpacked, but not with the same care with which I had been packed. I looked around to see what ssrt of a place I was in, and from the appearance of the building, I gathered it was a school,

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THE HERMIAD 17 in the country. Being unaccustomed to her surroundings she placed her entire faith in her ccusin Bill. She believed everything he told her and was willing ta try anything he suggested. Bill was more than delighted to find someene whom he considered green , Although he always proved to be very amusing company, he was forever playing pranks on someone. As it happened this was an ideal night far all animals to roam aboutg so he told Julia to prepare for a hike. She did not have any knickersg her wardrobe consisted only of dainty dresses, which were not made for the ccuntry. Bill furnished her with clothes which were suitable for this occasion. When she appeared with them on Bill doubled up with laughter so t. at anycne hearing him would have thought he was having hysterics. However his ridicule was not cut of place for she made a very amusing picture. She had a cap pulled down over her auburn locks, a .heavy blue sweater she woie was too 1--1 ng. and she tucks d the bottom of it into the pants, causing them to bulge at the waist. The pants, which were big enough for two, hung in folds below her belt, and the seat of them reached to the back of her leg. They were baggy at the knees. That they were too long could not be noticed for she had them tucked into boots that were two sizes tco big. In this array she ventured into the night with her cousin, who was accompanied by his collie dcg. On they went over walls, through pastures, under barbed wire, through bushes, through briers, and through all kinds of wilderness, now and then flashing their lights, but never stopping for any- thing. Suddenly, from away clown in a valley, arose the barking of Bill's dog. Bill was all animated, for he had been expecting it as it was part cf his plans. He turned to Julia and said, Follcw me and you will see some excite- ment . Then he started on a run through the bushes, shouting to Julia to hurry. She was endeavoring to do sc, but the heavy boots prevented her from running very last. They came to a stcne wall. Bill was over this, across the road, and in the next pasture as quick as a flash. Julia tried to be as nimble, but ended in a heap on the other side of the wall. She lay there moaning and grcaning, for she had twisted her ankle. Bill did not seem to care what had happened. All that worried him was fear of being caught, for it was against the law to be spot-lighting. Sb he stood there calling in a hoarse vcice, Get up and get over this wall. Hurry up for there is an autcwmobile coming. We will surely be seen. Will you please hurry . Not getting speedy results he half carried and half dragged her over the next wall. They were safe at last and once more in pursuit of the dog, one on a run and the other limping. As they were about to descend a hill, Bill flashed his lignt, and what should he spot but a pair of eyes, sparkling from the rays of the light. The owner crouched and stood still, not daring to move, but awaiting its fate Bill tcld Julia to take the light, flash it into the eyes, and slowly move