North Central High School - Tamarack Yearbook (Spokane, WA)

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THE TAMARACK He filled his pockets and a large paper bag he had found, with the food; and then made his way, hesitatingly, by the light of his last match, to the back entrance of the grocery store. The damp air met him; and as he stepped out, the rain hit him in the face. After re- fastening the door, and pulling down his hat, he slopped up the alley and into the street. There were only a few blocks which he must traverse to reach home — blocks he had often walked on the way to the same store — but then he had had money to pay for the things he had brought away. What miles of terror they .seemed tonight with the raindrops tapping mockingly on the paper bag. Any moment some one miglit dem.md to see the contents of that bag. They would know he must have stolen them, for no stores were open at — it must be almost — three o ' clock in the morning. A belated car thundered up the street. Quickly the man hid in the door way, clutching tightly his burden. His heart almost stopped beating as it slowed up near him; but it only reduced its speed so that it might turn the corner and roared on. He tried to reassure himself. Xo one would notice him in the mist and rain, if he kept in the shadow as much as possible. And be- sides wasn ' t he going to pay for the things as soon as he found work? Every thing would be all right then. Yet he was continually listening for foot- steps behind him, and groaned at the jeering of the raindrops on the paper bag. He had stolen th.it needful food, He had broken into a store and stolen it ! He had taken it at night when no one was near — or had some one been near to see him? Were they following him? Was that a footstep? He stoppe l and listened intently. No, how silly, it was only the echoes of the sjjlash of his own footsteps on the lonely street. His door was just a few steps away. N ' o one could reach him when he was safe inside. Ah, he reached it, that little home in the tenements. He was greeted by the wail of a child. He could appea.se the hunger of his crying son ! He was not a criminal — he never would be. The money would be given to the grocer from his very next pay check, and i)erhaps he might get a job tomorrow ! FANTASY Secoxi) Prize Poem By Eleanor Kennedy Today I went through wonderland. Gay colors there abound — A pale moon in a pink sky. And gold was all around. The spangles bright on aspens blonde Were twe.iked by prankish breeze. A pale moon in a dark sky, Above far purple trees. Later Today I went through wonderland Where all is drab and brown — A gray sky and a sad wind. And dead leaves flutter down. Last Today I went through wonderland. The air was cold and clear. The white flakes fell in silence To shroud another year. [42]

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THE TAMARACK On a Mistif Hight TiiiBD Prizk Stohy By Joy Clark The fog had clung about the city all even- ing, and now great rain drops fell through the mist and spattered on the pavements. A dark stooped figure, wrapped in a ragged rain coat, turned the corner and started down the avenue. His coat collar wa.s turned up to protect his neck, his hat was pulled down over his eyes, and he walked in an aimless manner, glancing neither toward the tall silent build- ings, nor the street, where reflections from the arc lights gleamed hazily on the wet as- phalt. He seemed uncon.scious of the rain, which beat about him, and of the few strag- glers, who passed him in the gloom. He stum- bled along as if he were moving in a dream, and had no idea of where he was going — and cared not at all. If one had searched, he would have found no money in his pockets, only a queer piece of iron, and a little crumpled picture of a woman with a child in her lap. A street clock chimed on some corner and the sounds came struggling through the mist. The two muffled notes must have penetrated the mind of the man; for be stopped, and stood still there in the center of the side- walk. The rain pattered on his old coat for per- haps five minutes before he moved. Then, straightening his back and pulling his hat down further over his face, he wheeled and started back in the direction from which he had come. He walked rapidly as if he wished to accomplish something before he again lost his courage. Sjtlasliing through the water that was beginning to form in pools in tlie uneven places of the pavement, he pas.sed deserted, gloomy stores, that during the day were busy places of business. No one pa.ssed him; every one seemed to have gone in out of the rain. Once in awhile a car flashed by, but it made tlie stret ' t seem even more lonely when it was gone. The solitary figure at last paused before an alley opening. Peei)ing from under his hat, first up the street and then down, he entered the opening. The splash — splash of his feet, as lie ran, sounded loudly between the walls of the buildings, He slowed down to a walk and gazed ahead into the darkness. Stopping before an almost hidden door, he tried cautiously to open it. Failing, he fumbled in various ] ockets and produced that queer piece of iron with which he worked at the lock of the door. Grating noises followed squeaking ones, and soon the do ir opened. The man paused a moment, undecided, then stepped inside. All was dark and still, except for tlic pattering of the dismal raindrops through the half open door. A match scratched and a tiny light flared. It tried to pierce the gloom; but it only went so far as to show ghostly the thin, gaunt fea- tures of the man. He moved forward, trying to feel his way, holding the match before him. He stumbled against .something; the match flickered and went out. All was in darkness again until an- other match .scratched and anotlier flame sprang up. Still moving forward the man seemed to have readied more familiar ground. He had surely been there before, for he tread with more assurance. Other matches replaced the burned ones until the dark figure reached a tall glass case, which contained some objects that could not be distinguished by the light of the match. This case was evidently his destin- ation. He ojiened the long doors and extracted several of the objects. As he ))assed them and in reclosing the ease the name on the wax wrapper of a well-known bread was illuminated. But bread did not end his search. With the aid of more little yellow flames, he reached shelves m which were cans of soups, meats, vegetables and fruits. [41]

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THE TAMARACK [43]