Westmont Hilltop Senior High School - Phoenician Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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Bill seldom went with the girls, he never cared much for them. He had dressed several hours be- fore the time set for the meeting. He wore a new Palm Beach suit, a very brilliantly colored tie, new shoes, silk socks with clocks, a white English broad- cloth shirt and a new Stetson hat that was really becoming. After he had finished dressing, he hur- riedly went to his room to put on the finishing touches. . . It was six-thirty and the date was set for eight- thirty. He walked nervously up and down his room, glancing at his watch every few minutes. It was seven-thirty and Bill could not wait any longer. After carefully adjusting his hat he went out. He walked to the corner of Main and Franklin streets. He still had an hour to wait. Walking to the house in which Peg lived, he found the down- stairs brilliantly lighted, and one room upstairs lighted. Looking at the upstairs light, he wished that it would go out and Peg would come down. The minutes seemed like hours. He became tired of standing and sat on the wainscoting under the win- dow of a house across the street, planning what he and Peg were going to talk about during the even- ing. Bill was just settled when he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder. He looked up and saw a policeman, who smiled indulgently at Bill and said, “Say, Buddy, you’re sitting on wet paint.” Bill jumped up horror-stricken, and looked at his suit. Sure enough, there were two long streaks of white paint on his coat tail. The paint didn’t show so much. He ran to the corner and looked at the town clock. It was eight o’clock. “Surely it must be later than that.” He loafed around a little while longer and then went to Peg’s house. Just as he arrived there, the town clock struck eight-thirty. Peg was there to meet him. “Let’s go to the Cambria Theater, Peg. “Allright.” . . When they arrived at the theater, Bill asked the ticket-seller for two first-floor tickets. He reached for his money but could not find it. He told Peg what the trouble was and she suggested that they go to the street fair. They went to the fair and Bill took a ten-cent chance on a Ford Coupe. He forgot all about the chance and enjoyed the evening with Peg. When the time came to award the auto. Bill heard the an- nouncer call his number. He proudly stepped for- ward and claimed the car, while the crowd ap- plauded. Peg was very happy over Bill’s fortune, and they were both happy over the fortunate out- come of Bill’s First Date. ELIZABETH KONDOR, ’26. HOW THE JUVENILE COURT HELPED MICKEY Mickey Dugan, the terror of the neighborhood, was slowly walking down Ash alley, his eyes fixed on the ground as though he were looking for some- thing, although he was not. In fact, he had nothing to look for. He was in trouble; yes, trouble seemed hovering about him. ready to devour him which-ever way he turned. He needed a friend; he knew he needed a friend, but who would be the friend of Mickey Dugan, the meanest boy in the neighborhood. Just then he raised his eyes from the ground, in time to see a man’s hat fly from his head and come straight for the place where Mickey was standing. He saw its owner leave the main sidewalk and start in pursuit of the hat. Mickey also noticed a great big mud puddle in the path of the hat. He laughed

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THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASKET BALL Few people know of the origin of the World’s Fastest Growing Game, Basket Ball, yet thousands are attracted to its halls each season. Since its origin in 1891, its popularity has grown to such an extent that it now ranks as one of the three leading sports of America. It was invented by Dr. James Naismith, instruc- tor of the Y. M. C. A. training school at Springfield, Mass. There was no similar game up to that time and the credit for inventing a game to take the place of outdoor sports in winter months belongs solely to him. It was in 1891, when Dr. Naismith had charge of a physical training class that his students became tired of the regular grind of gymnastic work. Some new game had to be invented which would make the gym work worth while. Dr. Naismith brought the question up before the faculty but nothing definite was decided. Depending upon his own genius, he endeavored to invent a game similar to Football. After numerous failures, he finally worked out a set of thirteen rules, which are the basis of Basket Ball rules today. The only new feature that has been added is the free throw. His project of having more than a few players in action at one time was finally realized. He was also forced to avoid another condition that had been a strong argument against Football—roughness. An- other perplexing problem which he again faced and met was the kind of goals to be used. At first spots on the wall were used as goals but as soon as a few windows were broken, this plan had to be aban- doned. Then the ball was dropped on painted circles on the floor, but this soon proved unsatisfac- tory and was discontinued because the opposing player could easily block the ball. Later the ball was thrown at peach baskets turned upside down. Another change was made by placing the baskets rightside up. When the students and factulty of the Spring- field Gymnasium made their inspection they were surprised to find peach baskets suspended from vari- ous points around the balcony. Dr. Naismith’s idea was laughed at, but this ridicule was short lived. Soon the Springfield people crowded the gvm to see the new game that Dr. Naismith had invented. As the idea spread, the sport bscame commer- cialized. Teams from different sections began plan- ning inter-scholastic games until now almost any school, no matter how small, is moved by the spirit of Basket Ball. In the first year of the game, nine players were used. This was reduced, however, to five the follow- ing year. In this stage of its development, the player who was large, strong, and fast had the advantage. Today it is a game of science, although the player who has additional height, weight, and speed is playing at an advantage. WILLIAM HINKEL, ’24. HIS FIRST DATE Bill had a big night ahead of him. He had been preparing and dreaming of it for nearly a week. To- night was the big night. He was to go out with his girl. He had met her in school. Peg was about eighteen. She was a pleasant and fun-loving girl. All the fellows seemed wild about her.

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to himself as he thought of the situation of the hat and of the man’s dismay. Suddenly in the depth of Mickey s heart something happened, and he darted toward the puddle, jumping it. and with a quick motion caught the hat and held it safe from destruc- tion. The man watched the boy’s movements, no- ticing the quick wittedness and steadiness of the act. He saw in Mickey a great statesman, or even a presi- dent. Mickey handed him the hat and left without hesitation. He had done a thoughtful deed and he felt happy, although he hardly knew it. The man shouted to him, but he did not answer. ti ™e n?xt day brou£ht re«l trouble to Mickey He had stolen a car the night before and had ruined the machine. As a result he was in the reception room of the Juvenile Court, waiting for his trial, with a policeman by his side. For want of something more pleasant to think of than his accident, he let his mind rest on his experiences of the previous dav. He remembered particularly the episode of the hat and wondered who the owner was. From what he had seen of him he recognized him as a fairly well- to-do man, a man who knew and understood the ways of children. Right then he decided he would find where he lived and talk to him some day. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the opening of the door to the courtroom and the read- ing of his name. He entered, still accompanied by the policeman. When he got inside he glanced a’t the platform where he saw, to his astonishment, the man whom he had aided the day before. Immedi- ately Mickey knew he was the much talked of judge Mickey was seated beside the platform, next to the policeman. He and the judge studied each other, at first, but then Mickey, remembering why he was to the floor. The judge there, lowered his gaze spoke. W hats the matter, lad,” he said, stopping ab- ruptly and waiting for an answer. He did not speak harshly, just quickly. Mickev was too much ashamed of himself to speak. The policeman answered, “This boy is bad just bad. Last night he stole an automobile and ruined it. Not only that, but he has stolen other cars before—and almost killed another boy with a stolen revolver. v e wiiKh.” said the judge, “leave the room. Mr. O Harrow. i ™en he came down to talk with Mickey. The boy told him the whole truth. When the judge found out what kind of a boy Ma-key was. and that he had no parents, he decided that Mickey needed a guardian and a companion and took that job upon himself. He offered to send Mickey away to school. The boy, being already con- verted by the judge, was ready to agree to anvthing he might suggest. He consented to go, if the judge would come and see him every week. Mickey did well in school. He made manv mends and worked till he could pay for the car he had broken. He and the judge, by this time, were the best of friends. After having settled for the car Mickey decided to work his way through college and become a lawyer. He had promised to pav back the judge for all his trouble, a promise which he is giv- ing evidence of keeping, for nothing will repav the judge so well as to see his young friend become a full-fledged lawyer, and that is what he is on the way to be. IRVING L. CAMP, ’27.