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Show DIXIE GIRLS THE WESTERN Second Prize Story What can it all mean? Just two Helen lispmore weeks and then ed as she closed the door of the little If I ould onroom she caled home new the a occassion have dress, ly would be complete. The sudden realization of her grad- uation and the recent notification I hat she had been chosen to deliver the validictory address, impressed deeply the realization that her voile dress would not be apFor a, propriate for the occasion. moment she closed her eyes. Immediately her winged imagination, clothed her in resplendent silks and audshe stood in the brightly-lighte- d itorium before a mass of deeply in- terested people. One beaming face outshone all the rest; to Helen it was the most cherished in the world. The occasion symbolized four years of diligent work, and many privations for her, but one long continuous sacrifice by her widowed mother. But to Helen all these would be melted into triumphant joy and satisfaction on Commencement Day. As for her mother, heartaches and backaches would all be forgotten; pride for Her Own being the lasting reward. Whats happened now? queried her room-matEstella, as she flitted into the room. The dreamy expression was immediately changed to a startled look. was Why I was just thinking, the quiet reply. Estella was glowing with exciteOh! my ment and enthusiasm. graduation dress is a dream. It is sure expensive. Its morS than Dad can afford. But I should worry. Itll come out all right. I believe in having some pleasure and a few classy dresses now, Estella proclaimed indignantly with a shrug of her shoulOh! I forgot; heres a letter. ders. And now I am off for a party. I havent one of my lessons for But Ill live through it. Goodld e, bye. Helen was alone with her thoughts Its a letter from and the letter. mother, she breathed fervently as she opened the cherished messenger. bill! She What; A batted her eyes rapidly to see if her vision was true. It had not deceived her for there was the bill. Now I can have a dress, even if it isnt as nice as Estellas, she breathed excitedly as she pressed the money to her lips. After the joy and excitement had reigned for a few moments, Helens thoughts were riveted to one particular statement in the letter which she read and reread:' Helen, here is a bill for one of the most thoughtful daughters on earth. Receive it with a mothers blessing. Hein picked up the green-bac- k and fingered it unconsciously as she thought of the little mother and the helpless younger children. She realized how they had sacrificed for her, and what ten dollars would mean to them. The idea of sending it back flashed through her mind. She looked at the bill now iu her possession and realized that it was for her to ten-doll- ar ten-doll- ar choose. It was meant for me, why - should-n- t keep it? That longed for dress could be a reality. I Here we must pause and give place to those whom all womankind have the men folks. The to appreciate girl certainly must wqnder what the world would be like without boys, the boys whom she talks with, dances with, walks with. The Sunday boys, boys, the after-danc- e night the steady boys, for all these she despite their voices appreciation, faults and failings. Then there are her friends, those she shares pleasures and troubles with. Those that know everything there is to know about her and yet love her and tell her how positively cute she looks. A girl has many, many things to appreciate if she would stop to think about them. Why, theres the assembly room where she has a chance to meet him and get a date; there's the styles which help her to make old dresses look like new; theres to keep her from spending time washing her ears; theres Girls Day, and Leap Year that give her a chance to do her own choosing; theres her teachers, who believe dances and parties were not made for schoolgirls; theres chewing gum that serves well when theres nothing to say; theres school where she learns how much she doesnt know; theres powder and rouge which gives her complexion she doesnt have; and lesson. last but not least, theres home, Graduation morning came. The which is always waiting when every class marched in, Helen at the head. thing else lacks interest. She dared not look about because of H. M. being so conscious of her little voile dress, laundered by her own hands. Helen was first aroused to the full SHE WOILIWT meaning of the occassion, when she REMOVE HER HAT heard the school director, Mr. Donal-sopraising her rare scholastic She would laugh, she would giggle, achievements. Her heart was filled would she chatter all day; with joy, there was no humiliation Now what do you think of that? now, and ail was forgotten in the enand shed flirt, and all thusiasm of her message. The crowd Shed wink, V sorts of things, listened attentively, as she feelingly remove her hat. she But wouldnt to meant had school told what days her. lou had paid for your ticket and all But there was one face more radiyou could see ant than all others. It fairly beam- Was her plume mock her hearts ed with admiration. Suddenly Helen realized that the sacrifice of a grad- You twisted and craned till your neck was most broke uation dress had brought her the greatest possible joy on that occas- But she wouldnt remove her hat. sion the visit of her mother. She would wear a gown well, quite Ora Workman. decollete, Dress up to her knees, and all that. Silk stockings so thin they could A FEW THINGS A GIRL haidly be seen, HAS TO APPRECIATE But she wouldnt remove her hat. Of all the many things a girl has to She had her hair combed all fluffy with curls appreciate mother comes first. MothHer bangs stuck down with a pat. sews who for er, washes, cooks, and Her eyebrows were penciled, her her; and mother, who never did cheeks tinted rose, bad things when she was a girl. Then there's father. Father, who But she wouldnt remove her hat. kicks when she asks for a new Her hair was all hidden, and one eye was gone, dress, but who, after some tears on the part of daughter, finally digt And her nose looked horribly flat; the necessary coin; and father, One corner her mouth reached most up to the brim whose step upon the stair at 2:30 a. m. means business. But she w'ouldnt remove her hat! Another personage that is paramount in a girls affections is her kid brother, that being of balls, FITTINGLY QUALIFIED lost caps, and who knows every fellow sis ever had, A clergyman who advertised for an even if he just walked home from the organist received this Deas reply: e with her. That person Sir: I notice that you have a vacan who has a special mania for tattl- cy for an organist and music teacher, ing, but who would fight the King either lady or gentleman. Have been of England if ha oaiu anything both for several years; I beg applicaagainst sis. tion tor the posit:on. keep it when mother, Jack These and Lucile need it so badly? were the confusing questions Helen asked herself over and over. The real issues were: Should she keep it to get the dress or should she make it serve a worthier cause and send it to those who needed it more. After the inward debate she chose the latter. Helen looked fondly at the bill as she enfolded it in the messenger that would carry it back home. With this victory came the defeat of her dreamed of graduation finery. Then trying to forget her disappointment she began to write the alidictory address; her only thoughts being a determination to make the best of it. It was the night before Commencement Day. Helen entered the room, Her joys of tired and heartbroken. with overshadowed were graduation the regret of an old dress, and a lack of confidence in her validictory. She found Estella ardently admiring her array of beautiful clothing. Helen, what are you going to wear? I think it is a great note after you have worked so hard if you dont have a new frock. You bet there would be something doing if I didnt get one. Helen only looked an answer as she began to study her one unfinished Can GIRL T ear-puf- fs n, pita-p- at. s, post-offic- V And you tell me several men proposed marriage to you? Mr. Reid asked savagely. Ys, several, his wife replied. Well, I only wish you had married the first fool who proposed. , I did. How do you like MrNicholes: the weather these days? Mr. McAllister: Exceedingly dis agreeable. And how is your Mr. Nicholes: wife? The same, thank Mr. McAllister: you! Youre looking bad, Willie. Aye; Ive been in the hospital and the doctors have taken away my appendix. These doctors will take anything. Its a pity you didnt have it in your wifes name. How are your incubators getting asked Mr. Tanner of his along? neighbor who had recently bought some. Why, all right, I suppose; but al- have had them for two though weeks now, not one of the four has laid an egg yet. I A motor truck smashed Maid: the baby carriage to smithereens, mum. Horrors! Was the baby Mother: hurt? Youre mighty Maid: lucky, mum. He was kidnapped only five minutes before. This letter is too Mr. Cannon: heavy; it requires another one cent stamp. Ruth W.: Well, I dont mind the expense, but I dont see how another stamp can make the letter any Has the baby had the mumps yet, Mr. Reid? Sh-sDont speak so loud. Whenever he hears anything mentioned that he hasnt got he cries for it. A woman from the country made a deposit consisting of several items. After ascertaining the amount the receiving teller asked, Did you foot it up? No, I rode in, said she. Mr. and Mrs. McAllister were out to tea. Do you like tea? breathed Mr. McAllister. Yes, I do, but I like the next letter better. And then she blushed. I thought you said Blanchard was I dont see him around a good man. your office. I said he was fired with zeal and energy. Irate Customer: I bouglita car of you several weeks ago, and you said if anything went wrong youd supply the broken parts. Yes. Dealer: Id" like to get Irate Customer: a nose, a shoulder blade, and a big toe. It is better to make mistakes than not to live at all. |
