Red Bank High School - Log Yearbook (Red Bank, NJ)

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THE R O U X1) TA BI .E 7 jarred upon us after the immaculate- ness of the school and we explored dis- passionately, finding nothing of more than a passing interest. Ascending the wide staircase though proved a more stimulating task. I do not know whether we went up so slowly and timorously because we expected it to fall with us or that we thought to be knocked unceremoniously right down again by some unknown evil lying in wait for us or what it was, but our boredom gave way to a tingling and we regarded each other with rather scared expressions. The feeling per- sisted as we explored the upper story and we fairly shook as we finally found a door which was locked. Resolutely we battered it down and entered. A quick glance around revealed nothing. An impulsive pull however, at a closed door brought' immediate results. The door clattered from its hinges and amid a cloud of dust hit the floor like a cannon shot. Our first impulse was to run and to run fast! Fear held us glued to the spot and after collecting our scattered wits, we hauled out an innocent looking trunk which was at the otherwise empty closet. We literally dove into the box. And it was almost with disappointment that we saw only papers in it. The greater number of them written in a foreign language. Searching further, we found a small sealed packet. Like the locked door this seal seemed to conceal mys- tery and we lost no time in breaking it. One of our number translated the small paper which it contained. It was almost with horror that we learned it to be the confession of the murderer of Monsieur --------. The murderer’s father an exiled French nobleman, had formerly resided in this house and had so concealed the paper in order that his son, the real murdered might be saved from prison. After hearing that dismal account' of the murder, the house took on for us, a horrible aspect and we hurriedly made our exit glad to be once more on the trail and at length to find ourselves safe at school. Fearing punishment, we were at first resolved not to disclose to anyone the content of the paper but our happiness was unbounded when, after showing the packet to the Dean, we learned that our unwittingly happy discovery had been the means of pardoning an innocent man and the bringing to jus- tice the murdered of the unfortunate Monsieur ------------. But our escapade had not gone en- tirely without notice, nor was our sub- sequent good deed ample grounds for the pardoning of our disobedience. We were punished, I shall not say how, but you may be sure, we never went out again in search of excitement. -------o------- THE WISH BONE “Here, Tom, help me pull this wish- bone,” Uncle Jim reached across the table and Tom grasped the other end of the wish-bone. “Ready, Tom?” “Ready! ” The wishbone snapped and Tom joy- ously held up the larger end. “Hur- ray,” he shouted, “I’m sorry you lost it. Uncle Jim, but my joy is greater than my sorrow.” Tom’s father and mother smiled and Uncle Jim, the Thanksgiving guest, tried to look sorrowful but, failing ut- terly, burst into a hearty laugh. “That’s all right, Tom. I wished that you would get it so my wish came true anyway.”

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6 THE ROUND TABUS AJ1 of the school’s enthusiastic mem- bers trooped out on the court to con- gratulate the players and as Betty looked about for Ed, she saw him com- ing towards her, grinning from ear to ear. Betty was ready with a word of commendation when she saw his face change and he quickly turned about and walked from the gym with a fellow player. What could possibly have hap- pened? Why had he so suddenly changed his friendly attitude. And what was she to do about the dance that night? These were just a few of the questions which teemed in Betty’s perplexed mind as she walked abstract- edly along with the chatter of her col- legiate companion ringing unheeded in her ears. Meanwhile, Ed hurried from the field, murmuring Why did he have to be along again? Couldn’t he have stayed away today?” His friend’s conversation broke in upon his gloomy thoughts, He is one of the finest fellows I know.” Who?” asked Ed absently. Why, Betty Morris’s brother, just home from college,” supplied his friend. Don’t know him,” said Ed. Too bad, fine fellow and very de- voted to Betty, takes her everywhere. He was with her this afternoon.” What?” exclaimed Ed. The heavy slap on the shoulder that Ed’s friend received was always a deep and unexplained mystery to him but Ed’s own little mystery was cleared up and he lost no time in reaching a tele- phone and then using it to advantage. It might be said in passing that Betty had a forgiving nature and realized that slight misunderstandings are likely to occur even in the best of circles. WE GO ADVENTURING It was a day off at boarding school but strict orders had been given not to leave the grounds and we were left to amuse ourselves as best we were able. It seems that on this particular day, everyone was waiting for something to happen, but as nothing happened that was in the least exciting, and as noth- ing seemed likely to occur, we decided to seek some form of enjoyment by which to beguile away the time. Someone suggested a hike in the mountains immediately adjacent to the school limits. This had been forbidden us, but that only made the project that much more alluring and hastily we made ready and shortly after met at the foot of the mountain. We began the ascension. It was rough traveling, but we didn’t mind as we had heard many wierd stories about the place and were quite interested in it. We had been walking for several hours when we found an overgrown bypath which we followed and at length came to a surprisingly large level stretch of ground upon which stood an old house. An imposing structure it was in spite of its decrepit condition, looking rather like a medieval castle. Timidly, we approached it and trying the massive door found it locked. But a locked door only served to increase the charm of the mysterious place and we sought until we gained entrance. Once inside, however, the place did not appear so alluring. Cobwebs hung like mists, myriad bugs scurried here and there, floors creaked as we set appre- hensive feet upon them. The air was heavy and to us, fresh from the invigor- ating atmosphere of the outdoors, al- most sickening. The dirt of the place

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8 THE ROUND TAR IE The Thanksgiving vacation was soon ended, and Tom Judson had to go back to school. “Well, Tom, why the long face? ’ inquired Uncle Jim at noon. “School gets worse and worse,” was the answer. “Who’s keeping you in this fine day?” ‘‘No one.” “Then what has happened? Did you fail a test?” “Worse than that,” groaned Tom. “Everyone in the High School has to write an essay on his Pet Hobby.” “Well, why don’t you write about radio?” “Aw—all the fellows are going to write that!” For a week, Tom worried about the essay, worried himself, his mother, and all others with whom he could possibly speak of it. The essay was to be handed in on Monday. It was Satur- day night before he realized that he hadn’t written a thing. Mr. and Mrs. Judson were out so Tom went resolute- ly to his desk and got out paper and a pencil. He played with the pencil awhile, then got up and sharpened it. A few more minutes of restless silence, then he took off his collar and rolled up his sleeves. “Whew what a job!” he exclaimed. He looked around thoughtfully for a while, foraged in the kitchen for a piece of cake and finally scrawled across the top of the first sheet, the one word “Skateing.” ‘‘Why, hadn’t' he thought of that be- fore?” He knew a lot about skating and in a short time he had written enough for his essay. “I’ll copy it tomorrow, I guess,” he said and with a sigh of relief put it away. “On the day before Christmas the Judson home was full of guests and decorated with holly wreaths and Christman bells while in one corner stood a giant Christmas tree. The postman’s whistle! What could he coming now? “Package for Thomas Judson, Ma’am,” the postman said as he hand- ed it to Mrs. Judson. “Mother, can I open it? Just this one? Please.” ‘‘Well, all right. But just this one.” Tom untied the string with excited fingers. On top of an oblong red box he found a white envelope with a letter inclosed from the school superintend- ent. It stated that the teachers had voted to award a prize for the best Pet Hobby essay. Judson s essay had taken the prize which had been selected with the aid of the essay itself. “Open it, Tom,” his father urged. Tom lifted the red cover and dis- closed a bright new pair of skates. “Now, I wonder,” he began. Then startled the group by exclaiming “1 know—the wishbone!” --------o------- AT THE SIGN OF THE GREEN STAR It was a wild wierd night'. The over boisterous wind clattered the shutters and sent the late Autumn leaves scam- pering crazily over the chilled ground. The sky was a canopy of black velvet. Not a star dared to peep out lest it be blown from its place by the rapacious winds. But inside, in the warm cozy house, snugly ensconced in a huge chair be- fore the fireplace, sat Ruth King, deep- ly absorbed in a book. At length she yawned. “What a clever mystery,” she exclaimed aloud. “But I’m so sleepy that’ I scarcely feel like reading it- however good it may