Stoughton High School - Stotonian / Semaphore Yearbook (Stoughton, MA)

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Whafs in a Kwl Tappy Collins wasn ' t exactly a woman-hater but he was rather shy and timid in the presence of the frivolous co-eds at Lakewood University. He was the self-esteemed inventor of a nameless device that consisted of a dilapi- dated buggy equipped with the motor of an antiquated washing machine. At the present time, he was working on a process guaranteed to produce an abso- lutely runless stocking — a Collins original. Tajjpy was a picture of rugged youth and manly prowess. Typical of young America, he was exceedingly tall of stature and fairly radiated with health and vitality. A pair of hornrimmed glasses that created an illusion of despair were perched ui)on his freckled nose. Piercing eyes shone through a tangled mass of flaming hair, not unlike a burnt e.xpanse of orange peel studded with twin stars. Tappy scorned women : consequently, his gaze seldom wandered in the direction of the blonde enchantress or her equally engaging sister, the wily brunette. He labored feverishly on his inventions and took no pains to con- ceal his dislike for the fairer members of his class. Tappy lived a solitary existence in a tiny cottage situated in the midst of a wooded grove. He thrived on the notoriety of his eccentric ways and expressed his joy by nonchalantly re- vealing the dimple in his left cheek. Dressed in an ancient smock and tattered overalls, he stalked among his inventions and drew plans, meanwhile chewing on a questionable pipe. Huge patches of grime were evident on his muscular arms and bronzed face, and his neglected smock was dappled with a varietv of brilliant colors. Sullenly, he climbed into his improvised buggy and drove off into the twi- light gloom. But just as he turned down a shaded country lane, a diminutive form slipped beneath the crushing wheels and lay motionless. Tappy drove on in a cloud of dust but guilt soon troubled his conscience. Returning to the scene of his crime, he bundled the girl into his noisy con- traption. A pair of very blue eyes gazed upon him in adoration. Whizzikers ! muttered Tappy, sputtering and choking. Aw, shucks, he mumbled and chewed fiercely on his pipe. Where are you taking me? asked the girl. To Doctor Stephen, growled Tappy laconically. Oh, but I ' m perfectly all right. Besides, she added, with a whimsical smile, I must finish my sales canvass of this particular neighborhood. Then, for the first time, Tappy noticed that she clutched a small package in her hand. Xow, what are you trying to sell? The girl looked up and remarked, I am offering a pair of my newly-invented Page Thirty

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Senior Class Play (Continued) If you ever want to learn the art of flappering or the athletic combination of a French accent and a champion tennis player, just apply to Betty Staples and Ilona Rafalko respectively. Strange as it may have seemed they were both very anxious to avoid Nlr. Horace Hathaway, and this situation supplied more of the comedy and mystery. The school orchestra played between acts ; and as usual, acquitted them- selves nobly, reflecting well the efforts and instructions of Miss Minnie Goeres, their capable director. Richard Welton, resplendent in black velvet, presented flowers to Miss Dorothy Arnold and to Miss Gertrude Clark, and a gift to Mr. Joseph Celi in appreciation of the work he had put into the play. We extend our sincere thanks to all who helped make Lady Lilac a memorable success. Take It Easy Racing on my way to school, I have no time for gazing. To watch the goldfish in the pool, Or see the cattle grazing. I cannot see nor worship Nature, in her clothes of dew, I have no time for reverence, Fm on my way to school. My eyes are blind to Daffodils, Swaying to and fro in the breeze, I cannot see the wooded hills, Fm off to learn my Q ' s and P ' s . Yet, oft ' times I get to thinking, What fools we mortals be, nien nature sets her bells aringing, For us to stop, and marvel, at her scenery. But, we ' re very busy. To work, for money we can hoard, A ' e ' re on our way to business, Yet, what is our reward? So, let ' s take life more easy, Tarry for a while. You ' ll find the world much brighter, Just waiting for your smile. Dorothy Bercovitz ' 39 Page Twciify-nine

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Literary (Continued) runless stockings at a very reasonable price. Ringless chiffon. No irregulars. All sizes. Guaranteed to wear well. Runless stockings ! Say ! . . . Tappy glared at her contemptuously. Why you ... I bet you got your ideas from me. You stole my plans! I (lid not ! retorted the girl angrily. Tappy was inflamed with wrath and the eyes of the girl gleamed like warn- ing signals in the gathering dusk. He snatched her bundle and drew out a shim- mering stocking of raspberry pink. Tappy dangled it before her smouldering eyes. Tears flowed freely from a pair of very blue eyes and the girl sobbed as she fought with an extremely obstinate Tappy. Her shrieks and his exclamations resounded throughout the desolate country side in a virtual tug-of-war game. The girl resisted his superior strength and managed to cling to her prized possession. The stocking, however, quickly lost its shiny appearance and lustrous gleam. Tappy gave a final desperate pull and was rewarded by a warning zip-p-p. Yes, there was a run in the invincible stocking! He fell to the ground in silent mirth. Tears rolled down his flaming cheeks and the green buttons from his smock popped off like kernels of corn and lay in the ])Owdery dust. But the girl remained silent. No laughter brightened her eyes or gladdened her pathetic face. Tappy patted her hand softly. I ' m sorry, he said huskily. I didn ' t realize. But he could say no more — the words seemed to be imprisoned in his throat. Awkwardly, he moved toward his buggy. The motor hesitated, then stuttered and finally yielded. Tappy looked at the silent girl and she, in turn, stared beyond the darkening horizon. Diplomacy and tact were not in Tappy ' s vocabulary but he permitted himself a contagious smile that revealed the dimple in his left cheek. The girl returned a smile that said all is forgiven and suddenly the world was a paradise of love and friendship. Once more the motor sputtered and groaned and just as the drowsy moon peeped over the shadowy hill, two heads were bent together, earnestly discussing plans for a new Collins Runless Stocking Company, Inc. But the old buggy only wheezed and coughed as the motor sputtered along. If you send a little ray of sunshine Into a person ' s heart. To push out every bit of sorrow And gladness to impart. You ' ll take away all sadness And replace it all with joy. Until they throw away each trouble As if it were a broken toy. The world will be much brighter Dark clouds will roll away For just a bit of kindness To someone every day. Helen V.acoulis ' 39 Ode to Shirley Powell ' 38 Page Thirty-one