Cloverdale Union High School - Spectator Yearbook (Cloverdale, CA)

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he explained that it would not work over the ocean as the water short-circuited the metal balls. This was the time to use his second invention, the “Scarlet Ray ’ discovered by a German, but bought and perfected by himself. Whenever it was turned on and pointed at a gun, magazine, pistol or the like, it immediately exploded the powder. It could be adjusted so as to penetrate either short or long distances, through iron, wood or any other material. He mounte d one on the bow of the flagship and turned it on each of the Mexican ships in succession. He now adjusted it so that it would not blow up the magazine, which would destrop the ship, but only the guns and firearms so that the ship was made helpless. The whole navy quickly surrendered and then the remnant of the main army that held the capital did likewise, and our army marched triumphantly into Mexico City. Harold Smith was raised to second in command of the American army and his two inventions were bought by the government for one million dollars so that they could be used only for defensive purposes. Mexico was now thoroughly whipped and surrendered a few months later. All the disturbers of the peace had been captured. This freed her from their bad influence and she established a government modeled after that of the United States. Since she has the richest gold, silver and petroleum mines in the world, her future progress is assured. Nothing is ever heard now of revolution or assassinations. Mexico is on the road to prosperity. G. A. W. (§rpltmt Amur “Oh, look, Mabel, isn’t it lovely?” Nancy, a dark-eyed, sad-faced girl, was showing a picture to bright, dimpled little Mabel. Look at the trees! Wouldn t you love to climb in one of them? Just think, maybe we can wade in a creek like this one.” The children in the Orphan’s Home were going to spend a month in the country and all were excited over the prospect. Nancy skipped over to help some of the smaller ones dress. Like her namesake, Orphan Annie, she mothered all the little children, told them stories and sang to them. That is why the matron had given her this name, but because she lived in the twentieth century and in the bustling city of San Francisco, the more pretentious sounding form of Nancy was substituted for the familiar Annie. Nancy had an especial love for three-year-old Mabel, whom she petted and coddled as if it had been her own little sister. The neat blue and white gingham had been slipped over her head and buttoned, Mabel heard the honk of an automobile and climbed upon a chair to see if it was coming for her. 1 he next instant she uttered a scream of pain for she had slipped and fallen to the floor. Her ankle was sprained. The trip to the country was now an impossibility. She must stay here within these stifling walls—a prospect that made her cry bitterly. Nancy went at once to Miss Arlington and begged to be allowed to remain with her little friend. 24

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HUitt) lni«t0, Not latjmteta “WAR WITH MEXICO.” “Another massacre on border line, twenty-six people killed by Villa ' “The United States Senate decides to send soldiers into Mexico to capture Villa.” Such were the startling headlines that appeared in our papers in February. At first Carranza made a show of friendship by saying that the American army might go a certain distance into Mexico. Later, however, he claimed they had no chance of catching Villa, as he had crossed out of the territory open to the Americans. Carranza forbade the United States from going a step farther. President Wilson and his Cabinet and legislators deliberated over this question very seriously, but finally they decided to enter Mexico, regardless of the protest. Carranza, upon hearing this, immediately raised a large army to drive back our forces and all the warring factions of Mexico joined to fight us. This made us realize that the matter was no child’s play. An expedition of twenty thousand men was sent out to capture Villa at all costs. They were high spirited and eager to show their mettle. In a few days they met an army of ten thousand Mexicans under Obregon, a lieutenant of Villa’s. How different from what they expected! The Mexicans reduced their number by fifteen hun¬ dred in two days and for a whole week their advance was entirely checked by this small force. Reinforcements had to be sent to save them from annihilation, but even then the guerilla methods of some of the semi-barbarous natives threatened dire results for our army. It was at this moment, when bullets and bayonets, cannon and shell, were showing themselves entirely inadequate, that the brains of the nations began working night and day to invent some way to counteract the success of this savage warfare of our opponents. In less than a month an eccentric scientist, Harold Smith, perfected a machine called a “Gravitation Nullifier.” Smith was appointed lieutenant under Brown and was given the best aeroplane in existence to use in operating his new invention. When a hostile army was sighted the aeroplane sailed over the whole length and sprinkled small metal balls by the handfuls. Then the Gravitation Nullifier sailed back and turned on the electrical generators. In a few moments a sur¬ prising thing happened—the opposing army, cannon, small arms, and every¬ thing else were floating around in the air so that any light gust of wind could blow them over trees or houses. The secret was that gravity is an electrical effect and that Smith had discovered a way to stop the electricity from flowing. The substance that finally accomplished this is “RADIATE,” a mineral that resembles pure silver. It was discovered near the north pole, where it is found only in small quantities. With this invention the A mericans quickly dispersed all opposition. When they thought they had won, however, they were alarmed by a report that the Mexicans had been secretly building a large navy and had just sent it out from Vera Cruz. The American navy, only a third as large, could not hope to be successful. Smith’s invention was called upon to dispel the advancing ships, but 23

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“I think that it would be best for you to go with the rest of the children, ' ” replied Miss Arlington. “I feel that this trip to the country is just what you need. It will put some color into your cheeks and help you to feel more like running and romping as a child should do.” “But I don t want to go without Mabel. She will be so lonesome here without any of the other children and I think she’ll be lonely without me. She never likes any one to put her to bed or to comb her hair but me, and I really want to stay with her.” Nancy paused for want of breath. Miss Arlington knew the child well and realized that if she was set upon staying she would not be happy if forced to go. Nancy kept up a brave appearance until she saw the automobiles filled with happy, laughing children; then the tears came to her eyes and she almost wished she had gone with them. A minute later, however, when she went into the room where Mabel was crying with pain and disappointment she was glad she had stayed. It was hers to make Mabel forget grief and suffering. She told the best stories and sang the joiliest songs until lunch time. Then her weary little charge could hardly keep the blue eyes open until the meal was over. At one o’clock she was sleeping soundly. Nancy went to get one of her story books and saw the picture she had shown Mabel that morning. “And I never saw a creek,” she sobbed to herself, ' ‘not wild flowers nor—” She did not finish her sentence but took her book and went back to where Mabel was sleeping. The book she had brought was Freckles.” When she came to the part where Freckles learned of his mother and knew that she did not love him, Nancy stopped to wonder about her own mother. Maybe she was really like Freckles thought his was. Maybe she didn’t want me and just left me where some one would find me,” she said to herself. But she must have wanted me. I don’t think my mother would be that way.” She put her book down and pondered seriously. “I wonder if she’s alive. Maybe she is and is poor and has to work hard. I wish I could find her and help her. Poor little Mabel, she hasn’t any mother, either.” Thinking of Mabel made her want to do something for her, so she ran out to pick a bunch of sweet peas. A few minutes after Nancy left the room, the matron entered followed by a beautiful, refined looking woman. They went over to where Mabel was and Mrs. McBride leaned over the sleeping child. “Poor little thing,” she said, “such a baby to be without a mother.” Mabel soon awoke and Mrs. McBride decided that she wanted to adopt her. The matron called Nancy to tell Mabel good-bye. When she entered the room her eyes met those of Mrs. McBride. There was something about her plain, sad face that drew the stranger to her and when she looked into the kind, gentle eyes of the beautiful woman, the old pang of longing for mother love returned more strongly than ever. After a few minutes Mrs. McBride stooped and kissed Nancy good-bye, then, leading little Mabel by the hand, she stepped into the waiting automobile. 25