Tipton High School - Tiptonian Yearbook (Tipton, IN)

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TIPTONIAN The Dark Place (A Reminiscence.) l -v I KOTllEK ami I were afraid of the dark or at least we did not like it v|C very well. In a white house on the banks of the Jordan, there was a d certain jilaee with which we were well acquainted. This spot was a very small elo.set built under the stairway. I can still recall the words of my mother: One word more and into the closet you will go. This was all that was necessary most times, but, of course, we often landed in the closet. Here we would beat on the door with our fists and cry and beg to be let out, until the heart of mother would be melted. Free once more, we would start on our daily round of mischief. One day we had been unusually good and mother thought it safe to leave us in the front room, while she worked in the kitchen. But not so. We entered the small room which contained the Black Place, closed the door and locked it. Then we concluded that it would be funny to shut ourselves up in the place of punishment. We did so, but the door once closed could not be opened except from the outside. It was only a few minutes till we wanted ovit, but the door would not yield. We became frightened and screamed, and the other memlitM-s of the family came to our rescue; but the look on the outside door had to he lnok- en. When we were again at liberty, we were so frightened and had such a horror of the dark closet, that mother never placed us there again foi ' punish- ment; so we gained at least one point from our expei ' ience. — NINA sr.iTH. ' ' 3. yln Jlugust Day R lIlE withered tields lay yelloM ' and sere on either side of the dusty road |vjy| which stretched out interminably beneath a glaring sk.v. The sun beat ggg3 down relentlessly. The birds sought refuge in the trees of a small grove adjoining the meadow and sat there with half-spread wings, as if posing for a painting, the subject of which should be Anxiety. The herd in the hot meadow also sought the shade afforded by the low-hanging branches and stood miserably flicking their tails against their streaming sides. All na- ture seemed to pause and pant for breath. — HAROLD FRISZ, ' 13.

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10 THE TIPTONIAN weddiug gariueuts, while uuiuerous small brothers aud sisters stood looking on in open mouthed amazement at the grandeur of her toilet. The dress was a wonderful creation of gi-een messaline with a beautiful yellow flounce around the skirt. The sleeves were short aud trimmed with the same mater- ial. Ilulda turned this way and that before the mirror, trying to see how the dress fitted, while her mother looked on with admiring eyes. Finally even Huldah was satisfied and sat down to await the coming of the groom and the minister. Meanwhile downstairs the guests had begun to arrive and were receiv- ed and welcomed by Mr. Johnson. They were dressed in the colors of the rainbow, each endeavoring to outshine his or her neighbors. The large bulky packages they carried were piled on the table and the guests sat down on the borrowed chairs placed for them, talking and chattering all the while in loud voices. Suddenly a hu.sh fell on the assembly. A tow-headed urchin whispered .shrilly, Da preacher bane come. Shh! said his aunt and all the guests sat up primly with hands tightly claspetl in their laps and chins drawn down agianst their necks. In walked the minister with Swan. A murmur ran around the room: Ain ' t he a fine young man? Ay tank ay ' 11 git me a suit like his. Mr. Swanson was attired in a handsome suit of Shepherd ' s Check in black and white, and Avore a blazing red bow-tie at his straining collar. He stood in the doorway twisting his new brown derby hat in his nervous hands. The bride now entered accompanied by her mother and Swan, grinning sheepishly, stiffly shook hands with her. One of the younger Johnsons offer- ed the large family Bible to the minister who explained that he was suffi- ciently supplied Avith Bibles. Then the ceremony began, the guests craning their necks to get a better view. After the ceremony, the presents were opened. The first one unwrap- ped was a new wringer of the most approved pattern. After it had been suffi- ciently admired, the other packages were opened and lo! — the table was lit- erally covered with -wringers. The bride fainted in the arms of the bridegroom, but soon revived; while the guests all talked at once trying to explain the curious coincidence. The annoimcement of supper proved a welcome interruption and after a bountiful repast, the guests dispersed, the men scratching their heads as if puzzled, yet laughing at times to themselves. — AIDA ROCKWELL, ' 16.

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THE TIPTONIAN Tommy ' s Thanksgiving R O.MMY JONES, a little chap of twelve, lived with his father, mother ] U and three younger children, in an old barn which was hardly fit to g g shelter stock. His father was an odd-job man, who found little to do, and his mother did daily washings. Thus it happened that they were unable to pay even a nominal rent, and were compelled to live as best they could in a deserted barn. One day while Tommy was playing in the street, he saw a beautiful little kitten which was being pursued by an ugly black dog. He screamed and ran toward the dog, but his efforts to frighten it away were in vain. In an in- stant more the kitten had plunged headlong into the old open well behind the barn. The dog, deeming it wise to stay on the surface, stood barking angrily down at the kitten. Tommy soon appeared on the scene with a club and the ugly dog stood not upon the oi-der of his going, but went at once. Tom- my ' s next thought was to rescue the kitten. He did not think about the wat- ers being far below the surface, so he got down on his knees, looked down into the well, and then — down went his hat to the watery grave of the kitten. Tommy was frightened for the hat was his very best. He knew that it had cost his mother the price of a washing. Tearfully, he returned to the old shed, where she bent over her tubs, and told his story. Mrs. Jones was tired and she angrily told him that he must find employment the next day and get himself a new hat or go without. Tommy was up bright and early the next morning. Store after store he visited, vainly seeking for work. Finally he saw a clergyman standing in a church door. I shall ask him, thought the boy, if he can tell me where I can find anything to do to earn some money. Touching his tattered old cap politely, he stepped up to the gentleman and said : If you please, sir, will you tell me where I can find work? The bright face of the lad appealed to the kindly clergyman and it was not long until he had learned all about the little family, whose members were in such desperate straits. It happened that the choir of the church was jilanning a musicale, which was to be given on Thanksgiving, and being told of Tommy ' s trouble the members employed him to sell tickets for them. Although they could have sold the tickets themselves, they agreed to let Tommy sell them and promised to give him a part of the proceeds in payment for his work. Tommy was overjoyed. He sold a great number of the tickets and as a result was given quite a goodly sum of money by the choir and a nice suit of clothes, went to the church to perform his part in tlie wonderful musicale. The pipe organ the night of the musicale. When the evening of Thanksgiving arrived, Tonuny dressed in his new clohtes, went to the church to perform his part in the wonderfiil musicale. The concert began and so full of thankfulness was our hero ' s heart that it poured