Santa Rosa High School - Echo Yearbook (Santa Rosa, CA)

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4 THE PORCUPINE tion to offe r. You have a wonderful voice, as you cer- tainly should realize. After your sister has graduated from college and your father will not necessarily be with- out companionship, I will undertake its training in ex- change for nothing except your constant perseverance. But listen, dear, do not interupt me. You may repay me when your voice has created demands for your presence in public.” Surprise, gratitude and bewilderment seized Allie sud- denly and she leaned over the side 0 the boat and threw her arms around the neck of the beautiful singer who had opened a fountain of joy at her feet from which she might quench her thirst which had been raging unsatisfied un- tilnow. They parted, one happy in the consciousness of having bestowed happiness, the other in the lofty ambi- tions and the earnest hopes and purposes which were hers. When Allie re-entered the room where her father still busied himself with his evening tasks and saw before her the accustomed duties, she thought of the singer as one whom she had beheld in a dream. Elaine had returned and immediately proceeded to give her sister a few de- tails concerning the experiences of the evening. “Oh, Allie, the singer was not present, for some ac- countable reason, and after wandering up and down the Grdens we were obliged to go. Mrs. Declaine was so embarassed and annoyed she could scarcely treat her guests with civility. It was stupid.” Allie seated herself at her sister’s side. It was a long while before she could gain the courage to unfold to her the events of the evening, but she finally did and, while her father listened with tearful eyes, Elaine drew her closer and, embracing her tenderly, said, “Allie, dear, you’ve sacrificed yourself for me and I am truly grateful for the unselfishness you’ve shown.” Then laughingly, for it was never possible for Elaine to be serious long, she continued, “Father and I may agree and we may not, but you shall not suffer for our

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THE PORCUPINE 3 praised her execution Allie studied her intently. She was attired in a black velvet gown and wore no orna- ments save for a few crimson buds which nestled amid the glossy ringlets of her hair and which contrasted so prettily with her pale, expressive face and dark eyes full of fire, yet soft and pleading. A pleasant conversation followed and soon Allie was unfolding to her listeners, whose kindly tact and sym- pathy had won from -her the story of her life and am- bitions for the future, her desire to be present that even- ing in the Declaine Gardens and hear the renowned sing- er whom the enthusiastic queen of wealth was enabled to summon into her presence. Suddenly, inspired by a new thought, Allie asked, “Will you sing for me now?” The lady hesitated, then catching sight of the pleading face, nodded acquiescence. Her sweet voice broke the stillness of night and, accompanied by nought save the splashing waters beneath her, she charmed her two lis- teners into breathless silence until the conclusion of the strain. It was a strange sight, the two fairy frigates gliding along side by side, bearing two enraptured lis- teners and she who so charmed them with her voice that their oars were almost unheeded and the tide was bear- ing them where it would. We must not omit the great, shaggy dog, and also the lanterns which enabled each to behold the faces of her companions. “Oh, it was wonderful!” Allie cried, then paused, un- able to express her thoughts further. “JT must tell you,” the lady replied, “that I am the sing- er whom Mrs. Declaine summoned. You know we sing- ers are proud with that pride which is born of independ- ence.” She struggled to control her rising indignation. “Mrs. Declaine did not question me in regard to her sum- mons, or rather commands, so I wrote her no word of re- ply. I would willingly disappoint any woman who so forget herself as to impose upon one who is her inferior only in wealth. . Still, she has continued to expect and I came here merely to forget. And now I have a sugges-

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THE PORCUPINE 5 shortcomings.” Then the father spoke: “I am glad for you, Allie. You deserve it all. You’ve been the sunshine o our home, and, I repeat it, you deserve it all.” ARs Up Against It One of the most important days of my life was the day I entered what my elders called “that famous institution of learning, the Santa Rosa High School.” I was a rather prepossessing lad of fourteen years. I had always been on good terms with everyone around me and on excellent terms with myself. That is, I had always been a favorite among my classmates at the grammar school, being their leader in every prank, and so I expected to be quite an important chap at the High School. My mother told me that morning to behave myself and not disgrace the family, for she always spoke to me as if I were a “kid” tied to her apron strings, instead of a boy who was able to take care of himself. I answered, “Oh, bosh,” and, whistling my shrillest set out for the school. When I arrived there I found many others in the same position that I was, but there were a great many more who were “old in the service,” and took pains to let me know it by the murmurs that I heard passing around the room. “There goes a Freshie,” and “My, but he looks ereen,” and “I’m mighty glad I’m not just starting in.” Do you think I minded being called a Freshie? Not me! I just straightened and said to myself, “ Now, John, don’t you let yourself be made a fool of. You just show them what a I'reshie is made of.” Well, when the school took up, the first person I not- iced was the prettiest girl sitting across the aisle from me. Whew! I was in a better humour already. She looked at me and smiled as though she wanted to be friends. You know I always did like girls, but most of