South Side High School - Optimist Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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 “We’re so sorry’ you couldn’t be there,” be- gan Peggy Blake. “The novelties were so original!” exclaimed Sallie. “And you should have seen the favors,” piped in Antonette Gray. “Won’t classes ever begin today?” burst out Diana, unable to tolerate the strain any longer. Diana did look pretty that evening gowned in her plain blue satin. But was it the rose on her waist or Jack at her side that seemed to accentuate the color in her cheeks? What mattered that? Diana did look satisfied. Everything was laughter, fun and frolic, and Diana felt that this was a wonderful night for her. Her joy, however, was short-lived, when the stupid maid passed the soup. Oh! why had it to be just on Diana’s dress? Our little lady was for an instant too stunned to speak. What restored her senses was Peggy’s voice, which could be heard from the other end of the table. “And that’s Diana’s best dress!” and of course every' one joined in the chorus. Then came Jack’s voice. “1 do feel sorry', Diana. It was so pretty, too.” Sympathy! Sympathy! Oh, how she des- pised that word! But sympathy even from Jack. That was too much. Tonight she would end it all. Diana rushed to her room, too angry even to cry’, but thought, nevertheless, that Dad was always right. The telephone was the first thing Diana made for. “Western Union, please,” when she heard someone at her own door bell shouting, “Tele- gram! Telegram!” Diana for an instant forgot the excitement of the evening, rushed out, tore open the envelope, and beheld: “You win. Come home. Awfully lonesome alone.” DAD. THE OPTIMIST The Young Editors (By Our Own Daisy Ashford.) Chapter I.—Quite a Young Boy. Mr. Ostcena was a very skolerly teacher who was fond of asking people to work for him. Mr. Osteena had light short hair and glasses and a run. He had a gray suit, but on some days he had another kind and he carried a black bag as he thought it more becoming. One day Mr. Osteena asked quite a young boy of 18 to work for him. His name was R. Bernard Nolan and he was not very tall with fairish hair and nice legs. Hullo Mr. Osteena said he. What do you want. I want you to get an Optomist said he, you must have some people to help you added he. Ask Frances Cauftacue who is a lady pritty in the face. Well yes I will replied R. Bernard and he left the room with a very' superior walk but- toning his coat as he went. I expect you would like to help us run an Optomist said he to Frances Cauffacuc commonly called Miss C. Well yes I should said Frances egerly. Chapter II.—Starting Gaily. This is quite a large job, said R. Bernard. We mite get some more people to help. So we mite said Frances throwing him a speaking look. Mr. Osteena was growing a little peev- ish, but all of a sudden he had a good idea. I’ll tell you, said he I will arsk the earl to help me who is my friend. What a good idea cried Frances and she thought what nice people she was working with. So I will leave my chap- ter. Chapter III.—Mr. Osteena’s Plan. Mr. Osteena woke up rather early the next morning and remembered his good ideas of the night before. When he entered the school he said to the Earl of Chestersham that he was wanted to help run an Optomist, and I think you are just the one to do it, added he. Well, I think so myself, replied the Earl, blushing rather red.

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THE OPTIMIST ]W her life there was to be of the simplest. To reconcile herself, however, she had to take her blue serge and her satin. It was Mr. Donalds who escorted Diana to the train that afternoon. Poor optimistic Dad certainly looked far from his usual self; even resolute Diana felt the least bit ready to sur- render, but she did not allow her mind to dwell on this thought. The journey to Mrs. Sander’s Boarding School was not a very strenuous one, nor did it give Diana any time for thought. It was about seven-thirty when she beheld Mrs. Sanders, who ordered a maid to lead her to her room, which of course had been arranged before hand. This dingy room Diana could not but immediately contrast to her own at home; but no, she would not contrast, for to be sure there was to be a great deal more in store for her. Nevertheless being in such a gloomy room was enough to discourage any- one. It was at the supper table that Diana met for the first time the rest of the girls. They looked like a pretty good lot. She was sure everything would turn out well. Why did they all look at her? She was wearing her serge and this was one of her best. It was not at her clothes, but what then ? She was a new comer and oh, well, people must stare at new faces. The supper progressed favorably when Sallie suggested the rink. This must assuredly re- ceive a unanimous vote, for what girl does not indulge in skating? Just as Diana was about soliloquize, “I wonder what’s coming next,” Sallie Vcncon arose with “Oh, but surely Miss Donalds, you’re coming along?” “Gracious! Is this where it’s going to be- gin?” thought Diana, but said: “Thanks very much, I’d really love to go, but you see my things must be put into place, and besides 1 don’t think I have the strength to skate after such a tiring journey.” This excuse was accepted as well as others in following days. It was this same Sallie who a month later insisted that Diana had to go to the Hallowe’en dance. “But Sallie, I simply cannot go.” “Any reason?” asked Sallie. “You may as well be frank, you know. Haven’t you even one evening dress? You know the girls all think that the reason, and anyone of us would be willing to lend you one.” How kind they all were, and oh! how Diana hated such tenderness. She admitted she had no dress for the oc- casion, nor did she care to wear a borrowed one. Diana insisted that she had Latin prose to do and surely prose was of more importance than the dance. Diana’s bet with her father wouldn’t, in honor, permit a borrowed gown, and she had to find some way out. Excuses, excuses. Life for Diana was just one excuse after another. Would she despair so soon? No, certainly not. But I do wish I could attend the affair.” Diana managed to escape into her room without being observed by the others. She flung herself on the bed and began to think, she was almost struggling to keep back the tears. “Oh, Peggy, you do look too cute.” “Why, Jackie, pink is so becoming!” “Doesn’t Jane look adorable,” came from across the corridor. “I do wish they’d leave. I wonder whether Jack’s going to be there,” mused Diana. Jack was Sallie’s brother, whom our little pretender had met a few weeks earlier. Many times had Diana wondered whether Jack had noticed how often she wore her plaited skirt. But now she wouldn’t think of such things; that was not in the wager. Anyway, Jack was going to be one of the supper guests to- morrow. You see, Diana was in every thing but a prose mood. At breakfast the next morning Diana ap- peared in her blue serge, her dinner gown till now. She was going to wear her satin for the first time that evening. As if one night of agony was not enough for Diana, all the events of the night before were here related. 11

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Wl THE OPTIMIST 1 Well, now go to it, said Mr. Osteena and do it and do it right, said he to Frances who had come in. 0 yes, 1 expect I shall, said the Earl with a sigh. 1 always do, said Frances in a snappy tone. Thank you muttered she. Not at all, said Mr. Osteena. I have en- joyed my help which has been short and sweet so far. Here 1 will end my chapter. Chapter IV.—A Hard Life. Well, Frances, said R. Bernard Nolan, I am going to ask a frend of mine to be on the per- sonal department. 0 yes please do said Frances with a dainty blow at her nose. So Bernard disserppeard into the madding crowd and presently return- ed with a middle aged boy called Lord Leo. Franees turned a dull yellow. Lord Leo she said in a faint voice how did you come to be here? 1 am going to be on the Optomist, so there. I don’t care said huffy Frances. I’m your boss. Nothing could be nicer I’m sure struck in Lord Leo. Doubtless it will be charming said he, wanting peace. And I hope you will en- joy yourself. You have been looking rather pail of late and he left the room casting a glance behind. Chapter V.—An Agonizing Call. Just then another girl came into Room 103 and cried out Frances why have you turned against me. Why am I not on the personal de- partment. But 1 didn’t want you Esther responded Frances. Well you mite if you had me said Esther. I think not replied Frances. This is agony, cried Esther clutching hold of a desk. My life will be sour grapes and ashes if I am not on the personal board. Be brave whispered Frances in a sepulkral tone. 1 will put you on the school news bord. Well half a loaf is better than no bread at all responded Esther in a gloomy voice. Just then the Earl of Chestcrsham returned with a very brisk lady called Lady Gay Helena who said in a rather tart voice So this is the school news editor. Yes and you are the literary editor said Esther tarter still. Chestcrsham was wiping the foaming dew from his forehead but Mr. Osteena came in and said some rather witty things to enliven the party. Then they oozed forth into the hall- way. Chapter VI.—How it ended. Then the young editors had a most ex- krushiating time. They asked Lord Frank and Lady Helen who promised to make them a darling Optomist cover when ready. And there were a lot of other people too all peevish. Frances one day said to the Earl of Kolo- din what do you want to do on the Optomist. I don’t care said he. At this ackwiesense Frances fainted. Mr. Osteena pored water on her and she revived. Well said R. Bernard we shall make you chairman of a fecturc bord. I want some ladies to help me said the Earl of Kolodin I am parishial to ladies I suppose it is my nature. So he had to sickly ladies to help him. Then there were some more editors and all got exsited and Mr. Ostecnt dashed madly around and after a long while they got an Op- tomist. Shut In By Helen A. Young. IT was a cold, bleak, room and a tiny little face pressed close to the cold window- meagre looking room at that. A room pane, looked the most pinched of all. The that looked as if it had never had a good meal, face belonged to a poor, pitiful little body that much less ever seen one. The whole atmos- was as crooked and as twisted as the knarled phere seemed to have a pinched look, and the branch of a tree. 13