Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Usually some little incident starts me.  This morning Miss Richards, Teddy and Bill were talking about ticket selling.  Bill made the remark that it was up to the class to sell the tickets or else pay for the show.  This made me mad, and I decided that I would not pay; my imagination conjured for me what would happen if I refused to pay.  It was the beginning of Latin recitation and altho someone was translating Latin, I was lost.

     The class was in a debt, and I had been asked by Miss Richards to give my share towards helping out.  In my mind, I became very dignified and felt my wrongs keenly; several ones of the cast were there.  In reply to her request I said very coldly:

     “Miss Richards, you left me out of the play; you refused to put me on any committee; I sat up nights making posters, and went out and got leaves for you, while you gave favors to others, and now you ask me for money.  No I don’t think I can.”  With that I calmly walked to my seat.  Soon the whole class knew of my refusal, and all, except a few, were against me.  Those few, exultingly imagined, also refused to give any money.  A few girls in the play however, said secretly that they didn’t blame me at all.