Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 21 text:

Grandpere’s Violin LICE PIERONT and her brother, Andre, were looking very despondent. Andre, who always was very frail, looked as if he was quite worn out, and, indeed, he was. Alice, who was smoothing the pillow beneath his head, was talking. “It seems to me that Mr. Manter might have looked into Grand- pere’s will before having us come down to his office — ” She stopped talking and crossed the room to raise the one small window to allow the evening breeze to enter the room. Andre watched her movements and then wheeled his chair over to the window. “I am afraid, Alice, that pushing this all the way down town was too much for you.” “Well,” admitted Alice, “the sun was a bit warm, but you know I was so sure that Grandpere had left some money to straighten your poor back that I didn’t mind the long walk, truly I didn’t!” “I suppose,” mused Andre, “that because of father’s marrying mother against Grandpere’s wishes that Grandpere disliked us; but I am sure it is not our fault.” It was late that July night when Alice went into her own small curtained-off alcove, and as she lay on her couch she was unable to figure out why Grandpere, who was reputed to have a considerable amount of money, and had often said on his monthly visits of an hour or so, that they, Alice and Andre, were his sole heirs, had not followed out his intention. Grandpere Pieront had always been a man of sudden and unex- pected passions. It was one of these that had caused him to denounce his son when he announced his intention to marry the mother of Alice and Andre. Alice, therefore, came to the conclusion that it was one of these strange freaks which had caused him to give his money to some unknown person. It was December now, and as Andre heard the homeward bound footsteps on the much trampled snow, he hastened to wheel his chair over to the cupboard, so that he might put away an object which always made Alice sorrowful. It was the violin, which Grandpere had be- queathed to the children of his disinherited son. Many a time since the trip to the lawyer’s office, Alice had been disconsolate over their inability to have an operation which would fix Andre’s back.

Page 20 text:

THE DAILY PECK Editor A. Secretary Bird.. Price 2 Worms SERIOUS ACCIDENT Miss I. M. White, daughter of Mr. Robert White, the prominent banker of Birdieville, had a serious accident today. She had been play- ing golf on the Bob-O-Links, when the big black monster with whiskers, who lives at Tommy Jones’ house, pounced upon her. There might have been a sad conclusion to her life, except that Tommy, who has a kind heart, saved her in the nick of time. We wish her a speedy recovery. FIGHT Kan Krow decided today that he will whip poor Will Snipe. He says Will is getting too sassy. MUSIC LESSONS Lessons given on the Birda- momca. Two worms for a one hour’s lesson. — Prof. Humming Bird. A SURPRISE Miss Jenny Wren, whom we thought to be a permanent old maid, has at last decided to wed. Sand Piper is the lucky man. Reverend Eagle will conduct the ceremonies. ADVERTISEMENTS JEWELRY Choice stock just in. Beauti- ful pm feathers. Mag Pye, Jeweler. BURR DEE THEATER Now playing: The Cock Robin Mystery. Next week: Why Birds Leave Home (in the winter.) Latest fashions for Milady birds. See me before you get your Summer Plumage. Mile. Peacock. Are you having any street work done? Our steam rollers are best. See A. Roller Canary. THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM Our choice stock of worms and bugs are best and cheapest in the morning. Chick A. Dee, Grocer. Birds! Housewives! Are you troubled with flies? I guarantee to rid your home of flies in one hour. See I. M. A. Llycatcher, 1 6 Burr Dee Bldg. LIVE STOCK Have pussie cats that are not dangerous for your children to play with. See A. Catbird and Puss E. Willow. ■JANE SEXTON.

Page 22 text:

During the winter months, Alice found it necessary to get a position so that she might pay for the rent of their tiny apartment, (as, after Grandpere’s death the Pieronts had no monthly gifts.) Since Alice was gone in the daytime, and books were scarce in the “Flat,” Andre often found time hanging heavy on his hands; and so, as a source of amusement, he had tried his skill as a musician and as the days formed into weeks, Andre had a feeling increasing within him to learn to play the violin. This, therefore, explains his actions as he heard his sister coming. H e was now able to play simple tunes by ear; but as he did not wish to make his sister unhappy by having the violin around, he had always put it back in its old leather case before six o’clock. To- night, however, he had been so enraptured over playing, that he had delayed putting it away; and as he now lifted it in feverish haste and excitement, his hand slipped. As the violin crashed to the floor, the door swung open. “Hello, Andre, I am going to fix some — why what is the matter?” Alice smiled inquiringly at her brother. He was ashen white and trem- bling all over. “Look, Alice, look at what was in the old violin!” He touched with his slender, slippered foot a folded piece of paper which was lying among the fragments . For a moment Alice looked questioningly at the remains of the violin, and then stooped to pick it up. To their amazement, it read as follows: “Should any, but the children of the deceased Andre Pieront, namely, Alice and Andre Pieront, open this, let my entire estate be given to any worthy charity organization; but if they, the above, should open this, my estate shall be divided in the following manner: The two children, Alice and Andre Pieront, shall share and share alike.” Andre’s lean hand slipped into that of his sister’s and they im- mediately began to build air castles. A neatly attired girl looked up from a newspaper. “Well, Andre, you certainly made a hit in New York and I sup- pose it’s cross the continent for us now.” “ es, Alice, but that’s not all. Please remember, we shall soon be starting on my European tour. It surely was most fortunate that Manter had my talent of playing developed.” What I think, Andre, is the most fortunate part was your stealing