Watsonville High School - Manzanita Yearbook (Watsonville, CA)

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6 THE MANZANITA lage streets. Then all at once he disappeared, as suddenly and unex- pectedly as he had come. But one week later the train again stopped to let off some strangers. The strange gentleman stepped off, then turned to lift out a tiny girl with brown hair and red cheeks. Then came a tall, manly boy with bundles and boxes, a middle-aged sweet-fae- ed woman with a parrot cage, and last, a very plump black-haired girl of perhaps fourteen summers. Croftville gave one gasp and then began to whisper. Straight through Main Street strode the large man, the family following, up Park Street for a block, and then they halted before a cosy white cottage with an ivy-covered porch and geranium- bordered walk. The next day over the door of a small office on Main Street this sign met the startled eyes of all: Domincus and Son, agents for Gailey Insurance Co. An lnsurance Company! Of all thingslu cried old Miss Jenkins. No one ever happens to have an ac- cident here. VVhatever could have possessed them strangers to lstart a foolish thing like that? Surprises followed in rapid suc- cession. This extraordinary family Cfor so it proved to bel persisted in rising at six o'clock. 'fOhl You lose the best part of tl1e day if you don't, explained Mrs. Domincus in her gentle voice. The oldest girl, Azalia, romped the streets from morn till night with the boys of the neighborhood. She hated school and -always received the poorest marks in her class. No one in Croftville had ever seen such a wild, daring creature. The ladies held up their hands in horror when her latest deeds were reported, and even the men shook their heads doubtfully whenever her name was mentioned. But the boys soon stood in awe of this venturesome girl and there was always a crowd of them at her heels. She kept the neigh- borhood in constant suspense. No one knew what Azalia would do next. ' The merits and peculariti-es of this astonishing family had been discussed pro and con for one whole week when all at once the town's conversation turned into a different channel. This topic had not grown old, there was still volumnes more to be said concerning the Domincus group, but something more amazing than ever happened. For once in its life Croftville rose early one morning. The whole town was a stir at six-thirty and such bustling and such gaiety as the sleepy little villagers witnessed. Main Street was filling rapidly with people at eight o'clock and still more were coming at nine. There was a restless impatient attitude on the part of almost every one. The walks were filled to overflowing and every one was jostling for a place near the curb. The reason for all these unusual proceedings was printed in flaring letters on the bill-board farther down the street. The VVinton-VVesley Animal Cir- cus was coming to town. The mar- velous descriptions of trained ani- mals came next and at the bottom the excited village read these words: HSee Tiny Tad-the mirth pro- voking Baby Clown-and split your sides with laughter! Croftville had sufficient cause to be excited for this was the first cir- cus in eight years. A crowd of

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PUBLISHED SEM I-ANNUALLY By The Associated Students of the Watsonville High School Vol. X, No. 2 WATSONVILLE, CAL., JUNE 1916 50c per Year K THE MANZANITA 1 ll The Unmaskecl Face i MARJORIE MOORE, 'l6. lay snuggled between two .. . . green hills. It was a tlny, tl ' 't insignificant place, with narrow, dusty streets, eosy white and green cottages, and proud in- llabitants. The houses huddled close together as if gathering for a t'riendly chat, only separated here and there by vegetable gardens or flower beds. Main Street was a busy little thoroughfare on market days. The little shops 011 each side were crowded with country customers from the neighboring farms, and the farmers' carts rumbled gaily over the eobble stones. HE little village of Uroftvillc hgfgf ' , ' U . The people of this little town usually wore contented smiles, and indeed this pleasant little village was enough to' make its inhabitants contented. Every one knew all a- bout every one else and a stranger, happening to come within the gates, was a. topie of general conversation. The facts about his family, his fi- nances, and his past were discussed by the women over whitewashed fences and by the men at the loung- ing bench in front of the postoffiee. People of Uroftville were very hap- py-go-lueky and indolent. There was always lots of time and no one ever thought of rising before eight o'elock. This town of leisure was noted far and wide for its in- dependent disregard et' time and tide. People, worn out by the noise and rush of the city, came here to regain their strength. There was a peculiar atmosphere of hum-drum monotony that quieted one 's nerves. But once in a while Croftville had a bit of excitement. Sometimes the town would be disturbed by a wed- ding or perhaps some traveling a- gent would come or perhaps a city cousin of Belle Jones would come on a visit and tell the maids of some new styles, for in fact most any- thing Would excite Croftville. One balmy day in early autumn the good people of Croftville were surprised to sec a strange man step eff the train at the small depot. As- tonished eyes watched him curious- ly as he strode up Main Street. Shop-keepers peered out from their doors to get a better view of the tall imposing gentleman. Finally it was agreed that he was one of those city folks. Ile obtained a room at Hotel Parker and each morning l1e set out to stroll up and down the vil-

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THE MANZANITA 7 eager boys had met the train early that morning and had watched the fascinating performance of unpack- ing. And now the time for the big parade was drawing near. On the corner of Main and Park Streets Mrs. Domineus stood, holding little Janet by the hand, but Azalia, not eontented to wateh from the walk, had mounted a soap box. Oh! Mother, will it never come? l'm so tired, ealled Janet. t'Here, Azalia, said the little mother, Htake Jannie up there with you. She is too small to see any- thing from here and the erowd jostles her so. Hlndeed, I won't, snapped Aza- lia. 'Ll found this box and brought if here for my own use, not for the whole family. Besides l'm not go- ing to be bothered with-Oh! here it eomes-here it comes, she squealed. Yes, it was really coming. The band, perehed upon a gilded wagon, burst i11to a spirited n1are'h. The glossy black horses tossed their be- ribboned heads and lifted their feet high in the air with eaeh step. And sueh a parade! Croftville, gather- ed on the curbs of Main Street, eheered and eheered. Wagoli after wagon passed-a cage of lions-a den of snakes-a eage of dogs-air other of lions-a polar bear-seals, some camels-and- Oh! Mother- see the little ponies and look at that white Teddy bear ! Oh! Oh! breathed Azalia, that beautiful horse-look-see him pranee-and look at that lovely lady-all in red-my, ain't she grand! Hello! Mary, whined a voiee, and Azalia looked down to see the tiniest of clowns, riding on a white donkey. 'tHello, Mary, he called again. He was looking at her! Should she answer? Hello, Mary dear! This time he waved his hand. The parade was moving slowly on. He would be gone in a moment! Quick! he was looking now. Hello, she quavered weakly. The word seemed to choke her. The rest of the parade passed slowly by her but Azalia's mind was still on Tilly Tad. She decided he was a- bout ber age, perhaps a little older. She stood as one in a dream. The golden rave ehariots-the ele- phants-the minstrel band-the gi- raffes-the zebra with its monkey rider-all reeeived merely a glanee from Azalia. Come down, Azalia, urged the mother, Heome home with us. You have seen it all-why, what on earth is the matter, child? You look so queer-brush that hair out of your eyes and please don't bite your finger nails, Azalia! Oh! Mother, let me stay till it comes back. It won't be long and l'll hurry home. Oh! please, Mum- sie! Here-I'll take Jannie up on my box, if you will. Well ' '-she eonvsented-' ' here, take Janet and do hurry. I want to set the table. With these words she left them. The band began to play again as the parade turned and started back. Azalia waited impat-iently till the white donkey appeared-yes, there it came and there was Tiny Tad in his cute lit- tle red and white suit and tasseled eap. Oh! if he would only look this way! VVould he wave and call a- gain? No, he was looking toward the other side of the street. All at once Azalia heard him say to Sadie