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

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THE OPTIMIS Ming Sing By Bertha Knobloch Ming Sing from the balcony of her father's house, watched dusk gather in the west, and hide the sky in its great dark cloak. The street lamps blinked like the eyes of night birds just awakening. As it grew darker, narrow open doors flung slanted yellow rays upon the pavement stones. The dim streets of Chinatown and the narrow alleyways were full of mystery and fascination for pretty Ming Sing. In her dainty jacket and yellow silk trousers she was like a daffa- dil in the dusk. She sighed faintly, a little for loneliness; a little for the wonder of this mysterious world she lived in. Then suddenly she w a s aware that she was l cing watched. Slowly she turned her head toward the nearby balcony and met the «yes of a man, a young man. When their eyes met he smiled. Something stirred in Ming Sing's heart. She liad never before been gazed upon by so strange a man. Her lips parted, words would not come—she flushed and turned her head away. “Be not afraid, gentle one. he said softly. We are neighbors and my father owns the store of antiques Iteneath us. You arc the daughter of the honorable Hop Sing are you not? She knew that she should be silent, but after a moment's hesitation she spoke, with down- cast eyes. Yes. I am Ming Sing, daughter of Hop Sing. He came to the edge of the balcony and said, So, little flower, you arc Ming Sing and I am Hai Lee. Ming Sing raised her eyes—eyes of a dark wondrous beauty. A smile played about her lips. She forgot to be shy and soon they be- came friends. They were both lonely; and soon m the odorous dusk, while mingled sounds fro the streets came up to them, he told her of his life. His father, being rich, had sent him to col- lege where he had progressed rapidly. All dur- ing his tale she had listened eagerly and he had enjoyed watching her. It is wonderful, she sighed when he had finished. Thus for many nights they sat, enjoying each other’s c o m p a n y, lovers from the first meeting and yet no such w o r d s ever passeri between them. They spoke only of life, of school, o f Chinatown. Then one evening as they were sitting on the dimly lighted bal- cony. the stars twink- ling aliovc. he said. Ming Sing, you find me not unpleasant to look upon? I have asked my father to ask your most esteemed father for your hand. Hai Lee leaned across the balcony and slowly took the hand of Ming Sing into his. She raised her eyes, shining with happi- ness. Was it possi- ble? It was not a dream? Hai Lee wanted her. Ming Sing for his wife. Yes Hai Lee. she replied, if my reverend father permits it.” Something seemed to whisper to Ming Sing. Oh it could never be for had not her father al- ready promised her to the wealthy I-cc Lung. Ug! She hated that fat Lee Lung—but what could she do. Her father was in debt and to none other than Lee Lung. This she told to Hai Lee who told her not to worry. He would 20

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 S5 I THE OPTIMIST its kind in Middletown. His eyes lighted up at the chance to tease Louise, who had never lost an opportunity to make fun of him. He got up then and dashed madly Juto the crowd to snatch the prize from his rivar4 TJii accomplished, he finished the dance with her, not neglecting to say how downcast he had been when she had been carried away from him. He raved on in a mad sort of way about how sweet and true he thought she was. He told her that she appealed to the best that was in him. that he was considering stopping swearing ami smok- ing. (This last was really very brave since he had smoked all of two cigarettes in his life and the habit was upon him I) In fact during the evening he managed to give himself away completely and was thankful that none of his chums had been neat to hear the things he had been saying. His heart almost stopped beating when he considered the awful things that would Ik said of him if they ever heard all he had said to Betty. He’d have to run away. That’d be all. Finally the word came around that at eleven o’clock everybody was to unmask. John sud- denly got cold feet. Suppose she was thinking that it was Fdgar, the new boy in town, who was rushing her! She would be sadly disillu- sioned then at eleven and consequently disagree- able until time to go home. He felt an almost uncontrollable desire to leave then and there; but lie stuck and at eleven o'clock—oh my I When the hour struck it happened that John and Betty were sitting with five or six others in one corner of the room. He was surreptitiously holding her hand which she allowed him to do with a demure glance. Then she pulled her hand away and raised it slowly, slowly to the mask. Be still, my heart!” said John to himself in the anticipatory joy of seeing her face. He pulled his mask off with a snap as the elastic caught around his car. never once taking his eyes from her. Why, why—what was happening? Good Heavens above, wasn’t that beautiful hair hers? For the fair curls seemed to be slightly awry and became more so as he watched. He glanced agonizcdly around the little circH: and saw the delighted eyes of the others. Ye Gods and Little Fishes! What could he do to save her from shame? Then before his tortured gaze the curls fell to the floor. The mask followed in its train and before him grinned Tom's impudent face. The next day his mother caught him in the front hall with his suitcase all packed, ready to leave home! May Temptations By Dorothy Kraft Oh, come with me, 'Tis the month of May. Come, let us up Away and away. All nature's free, You need not fear. Come, follow me, Can you hear, can you hear? On silv’ry leaf We’ll float down stream And when we’re tired. We’ll lie and dream In the arms of buttercup Yellow and green. We’ll race with the breeze O’er hill, o’er dale. I iugh as we kiss The daisies pale. And tumble the hair Of the maidens fair. We’ll hark to the music In the evening song Of robin redbreast As he flics along. We’ll dance with the moonbeams As pale they leap A vigil ’til morn. With the crickets keep. And all will be joy As we tarry there. Come, let us away From toil and care. 19

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'fogfl THE OPTIMI ST find a way out and they would be happy. Happiness came to her but not for Ion . The following day as she sat making her bridal jacket she was interrupted by the sneering voice of Lee Lung. “Ah hah. my pretty flower, you prepare your- self. You arc the Betrothed of Hai I«ee? No, no. not yet.—not while I. I.ce Lung, live will you become the wife of Hai Lee. You forget the debt of your father. If he does not pay, you be- come my wife. Ming Sing said not a word, but sewed on. with fingers num and cold, with pain in her 21 heart. Hop Sing entered the room A gleam of hate entered his eyes, it was but for an instant. He too hated Lee Lung but he could do noth- ing. Ixrc Lung had him in his power. The two men passed into the next room. Still Ming Sing sat. She prayed that her father would have the money to pay; but it seemed from their voices as the sounds came from the next room that she would be sacrificed. “Hai Lee,” she cried to herself, “the Gods arc against us. Lee Lung and Hop Sing reentered the room where Ming Sing had been sewing Remember Hop Sing, if you pay not your debt—I shall hold you to your bargain. With these words Lee Lung left the house. Ming Sing. her father said, worry not. dear child. I shall find a way. Hai Lee is worth many times Lee Lung. Lee Lung is a thief, a murderer—and some day he shall get what he deserves. Little knew Ming Sing how soon Lee Lung would get what he deserved. That same evening, one that was never for- gotten. Hai Lee and Ming Sing sat on the dimly lighted balcony. With many tears she told Hai Lee what had happened during the day. Cour- age my beloved. he said, do not despair. The light from the corner street lamp flickered for an instant. The great Lee Lung, hated by all Chinatown for his evil ways, passed by the lamp, paused for a moment and looked up at the house of Hop Sing. A shadow quickly came out of a house, and a shot rang out—another, like a word of death. Lee Lung staggered, clutched his jacket and then fell to the pavement beyond all mortal help. Ming Sing uttered no word, but moved closer to Hai Lee. Both had seen alt—yet who had committed this, was the question. The police came and carried the dead body of Lee Lung away. His death war- not mourned by anyone for I-ce Lung had no friends. Who was guilty? No one knew. The people eared not to know who had dealt this blow, for China- town was rid of its meanest man. one who had been cruel to all and who had cared only to benefit himself. The great day arrived and all were gay. Ming Sing, loved by all, was to marry Hai Lee. What happiness there was! The whole town came to the wedding. It was a gay one. yet the two lov- ers thought of the horrible scene that they had witnessed. One evening as Ming Sing sat beside her (Commut'd on Page 79)