Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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from the world because of his rebellion against the law, and yet he had the ex- hilaration and freedom that comes only to revolutionary spirits. A place was made for him on the end of the double-runner. He was instructed to put his arms around the one in front of him and to hold on for dear life. How they shouted and whooped as they flew down the glassy hill! The keen air stung their cheeks to the color of the red tams. Again and again they went down, and Proctor felt like a new being. All the loneliness was swept away like magic, and then, bubbling over with happiness, he forgot to hold on for dear life. When the coasters lurched over a jounce, Proctor was thrown off and lay in a huddled, still little heap on the ice. It was many months before the little chap remembered anything again. When he opened his eyes and saw his aunt bending over him, her tired face lighted up with relief and thanksgiving, his tender little heart was smitten with remorse. He raised a thin, white hand to her in feeble appeal. I didn't have no one to play with only Sneezer, he whispered, 'Tm sorry 'cause I ran out and got hurted. His aunt's face was grim with self-censure. When the grown folks Won't give the young ones any leeway, then they got to strike out for themselves. Now just lay still, and soon you will be able to go and play with them little Nelsons again. Proctor's cup of contentment was filled when later the three red tams came to see him. They perched themselves placidly on the sofa, swinging their chub- by legs like so many pendulums. They had bought four round peppermint sticks, the fourth being for Proctor, who, having no mind for it, gave it to the red tam girl. All four sat looking at each other, sucking their candy sticks in blissful silence. A. R. D. ' l - -P i C c l fran: e e , -: Q --'i 1- -Q3-f-QQ Nonsense Rhymes. If you have lost. your pocket-hook I wish I were a piclgeon Anil flon't know whore to find it, I'1l sit on the roof and coo. The next lu-st thing for you to :lo And I'd like it all the better ls to try and neva-r mind it. If you were 11Upldg0OIl,,, too. M. Caosav. 10

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was Sneezer, the ragged little terrier, who seemed to divine the trouble in his master's heart and came rubbing his tousled head against the boy's knee. Proctor, called a shrill voice from the back door, f'it's time you came in. Hurry up and be sure you put your sled down cellar and not leave it out in the yard like you did yesterday. The face of the woman corresponded with the voice. Her drab-colored hair was drawn back tightly from a forehead seamed with lines of over-work and worry. A tired, querulous droop pulled down the corners of the mouth. The bundle of sewing which the woman held in her hand suggested that Proctor's aunt had little time to spend in sympath- izing with her lonely little nephew. Proctor obeyed the command mechanically, carefully hanging up his coat and cap as a result of the persevering efforts of his aunt in that direction. He curled up in a big armchair beside the window and flattened his stubby nose against the pane in an effort to get another glimpse of the red tams on the hill. You're looking awful puny lately,', remarked his aunt, snapping a thread between her teeth. I must set that worm medicine to steeping right awayf' She put down her sewing for a moment and placed the hateful yellow bowl with its nauseating herbs on the back of the stove. Nothing like it to chirk up a young one that's got worms, she added. That night Proctor had a wonderful dream. He was up on the hill coast- ing on the double-runner with the red tams. He shouted aloud in his sleep at the joy of it. His aunt, darning beside the sitting room table, started up at the strange sound. Much disturbed, she rushed, panting, up stairs, woke the boy, and forced a big dose of the sickening concoction down his throat. He could have cried out in vexation and disappointment. Even his dreams were denied him. A wave of resentment against his aunt and the universe swelled up within him. He kicked the bedclothes about, and slipping out of bed, threw his' care- fully folded clothing on the Hoor in beautiful abandon. She would see if he was going to be bossed all the time. He would sneak out of the yard tomorrow and run away,-at least he would run to the hill with the red tams. His elation of independence, coupled with the effects of the worm medicine, so stirred him up that he lay awake till morning. Next day Proctor's brown eyes sparkled with animation altogether new, and the reputation of the worm medicine grew accordingly. He swallowed his breakfast in excited gulps, and lost no time getting out of doors. He did not stop to slide down the tiny hill, but boldly opened the gate and ra11 puffing all the way up the hill, where he was warmly greeted by the red tams. Did your auntie leth you come 2 lisped the fat little red tam girl. No, I runned out myself. Proctor had a singular feeling of aloofness 9

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Faculty Meeting. Scene: The Literature Room on Wednesday. At ten minutes past three, the study bell rings in the main hall and silence, as usual, reigns supreme. Across the corridor the second faculty meet- ing is called to order by the principal. All the teachers are present with the exception of three-Miss Rogers, who has reluctantly accepted the offer to deliver a talk on The Robbins Method of Teaching Reading at a convention in Peabody, Miss Warren, who is detained in the fourth grade to satisfy the curiosity of the children concerning a bat, captured by one of her boys , and Miss IVellman, who has remained in the office, hunting for the scores of missing excuses from girls who missed the train or stayed home to help mother. Before the topic for discussion has been brought before the meeting, footsteps are heard in the corridor and Miss Warren enters, having freed her- self from the clutches of her numerous children. With the sounds of the seniors' special talks on ventilation and respiration still ringing in her ears, she cannot forbear remarking, Excuse me, Mr. Pitman, but the air is very close in here. There is a preponderance of C O 2 in the room. 'Hygienic conditions,' you know. A word to the wise is sufiicientln she exclaims. She energetically moves forward to open the windows, but Mr. Whitman and Mr. Whitney spare her the trouble. Refreshed by Miss Warren's supply of air, Mr. Pitman rises to the occa- sion with the question, What are your opinions regarding the conditions in the main hall during study hours 2 'fAfter some consideration of the affairf, answers Miss Martin, thought- fully, U it seems to me that too much freedom is allowed the girls. As I passed through the hall this morning, I noted rather too loud talking among the juniors to assure me that they were using the study period to the best ad- vantage. '4Don't be too hard on the juniors, pleads Miss Goldsmith, sympathetically, 'ffor if I remember rightly, I associate Senior Three with a disturbance there, as I entered yesterday. It might be well for them to review their rules for concentration and not lend themselves to the power of suggestion by others. I agree with you entirely, Miss Goldsmith, adds Mr. Pitman, that will be a good topic for discussion in tomorrow's pedagogy lesson. 'fThey waste so much of their study time in talking that they get errone- ous ideas of things. It is no wonder they come into class and tell me that frost is frozen dew and that warm air rises, says Mr. Vinal with one of his silent laughs. I think, argues Miss Peet rather deliberately, that the girls should 11