East Liverpool High School - Keramos Yearbook (East Liverpool, OH)

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10 KERAMOS tonight from the enemy on our left to their allies on the right as to the time and place of their union. We believe that these orders will be delivered at the Marsans mansion, eight miles West from here, on the Mayan road. If they are intercepted the union will be delayed so long as to enable us to capture the city before us and reach our main army. Will you get those despatches ? The focus of all eyes, Pierre stood before the table trembling as he realized the vast importance of the undertaking. In his power lay their safety, the lives of all these men. Would he thus risk his life? Then he thought of his poor mother and father relying on his help, and a mighty struggle between duty and love of his parents took place within him. The officers saw the passing emotions upon his face but guessed not as to their cause. The struggle was brief. With trembling accents Pierre thanked the general for his confidence and accepted the commission. He then retired to his tent and awaited the coming night. When dusk arrived he silently departed with five comrades and was soon lost to view in the surrounding gloom. At about midnight they arrived at the Mayan road and they sat and rested. While speaking to one of his comrades Pierre heard the hollow sound of hoofs along the road. Wondering who this could be, he stationed his men on each side of the road and as the rider came upon them one of them seized his horse while others dragged him from the animal and relieved him of all weapons. As the prisoner lay on the ground uncon- sci-ous after his fall, before a small fire, one of the soldiers, with the evi-- dent intention of getting rid of him, raised a heavy cudgel and would have brained him but for Pierre, who, coming up behind him, struck the weapon from his hand and knocked him away from the prisoner, repri- manding him severely for his rash act. It being now past midnight, Pierre ordered his men to get ready to move. They did as ordered, leaving the pris-oner where he had lain seem- ingly dead to the world. But when they returned with their horses, to the astonishment and bewilderment of all, not a trace of him remained. Pierre was much mortified at his careless act, leaving an unsearched prisoner, untied and unguarded. However, having no time to waste, they hastened to the Marsans mansions and arrived on the grounds about half an hour later. While carefully reconnoitering near the house, one of the men knocked over a pot of plants on the porch, which, rolling to the bottom of the steps, made such a noise as to be heard throughout the house. Suddenly a shot rang out behind them, forms appeared at the win- dows, and seeing the fleeing company, fired upon them with charge after charge. Pierre and his men, dazed by the sudden flash of the guns, groped blindly through the dark. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through Pierre's shoulder, his mind became blank and he fell to the ground. When he awoke it was day. He was lying in a snowy bed beside which sat a young lady, who seemed very pretty to Pierre. From her he learned the events of the awful night before. The next day when the pain had left his shoulder and he was feeling better, she told him that she was the German leader's daughter and also that she was the lone rider whose life he had saved two nights before. Pierre was so astonished he could hardly speak. Then you bore the despatches to your father '? And he thought 4l.1.14

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EFEIUIUS VoL. VI EAST LIVERPOOL, OHIO, MAY l9l5 No. 6 The Farm in the Hills BOUT ten miles from the village of Verdune, almost on the bound- ary line of Germany and France, there nestled a small farm among the hills. The sun, rising in the east, shone upon the green fruit 'T' of the vineyard and the earth turned for the first time. It was land recently purchased from a wealthy German who was disposing of his belongings in preparation for a trip to his native country. It had been purchased by an old man with his wife and two children, in the h-ope of making their living-a family that showed the signs of poverty-their only means of paying for the farm being in the proceeds of their first products. The cranky old German, however, was already becoming insistent in the demands for his money and soon threatened to throw them out of house and home. Their only hope of retaining the land lay in their son Pierre, at that time in the French army. If he could get the much needed money they were saved, if not they would be thrown out into the world penniless, and without protection from the elements. One night they wrote Pierre a long letter and told him of the sit- uation. When he received the letter his army lay before the town of Malstadt in Southern Germany. Pursued by a huge German army, they were driven upon a wide plain, flanked by a lofty ridge on either side. To reach safety meant the fall of Malstadt, and already preparations were being made for a desperate struggle. Unable to sleep, Pierre sat at the door of his tent with the letter in his hand and as the guards walked to and fro his mind turned back to the little farm among the hills and tears filled his eyes. How could he get the money? Where was he to find so much? Numerous plans flitted through his brain, only to be discarded, and while thus pondering the light of a new day burst upon the city of tents, revealing a scene of orderly c-onfusion. While eating his breakfast an orderly approached Pierre and in- formed him that the commander wished to see him. Pierre, astonished and wondering. followed him to headquarters. As he entered the tent he saw seated at the table his commander and around him his staff. Before him lay some newly opened despatches. He saluted and approached the a e. The general, gazing at him with measuring eyes, thus spoke: My boy, it lies in your power to save us. You have been selected on account of your remarkable courage and presence of mind in battle to undertake a hazardous commission. Before us lies Malstadt and safety, behind us lies destruction in the form of two vast armies. which, when united, will practically annihilate us. Our spies have learned that orders will be sent

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KERAMOS 11 with sorrow of the army waiting for him in vain. Yes, she replied, but too late. Malstadt surrendered the next day and your men are safe? Pierre thought of the fight in the dark. And was anyone shot that night ? he anxiously inquired. a Your men escaped, but one of our company, Mr. Herrburg, was killed. He was a wealthy German traveling North, who had joined our party till he could secure a safe passage to his destination. As Pierre heard the name he rose on his elbow and was strangely agitated. Mr. Herrburg! he exclaimed. Why that is the man who owns our farm in the hills. Marie, puzzled by his strange actions, asked him what he meant. Pierre explained everything. When she had heard his story she hurried out of the room, with a smile of joy on her face. I When she returned her father accompanied her. My boy, said he, you have saved my daughter's life, for which I shall ever be indebted to you. She has told me the whole story. And concerning your relations with Mr. Herrburg, I am glad to say that I am in a position to present you with a reward which will be most acceptable to you. With these words he handed Pierre some small, officious looking documents, which when opened proved to be the deeds to his farm. Pierre thanked him from the bottom of his heart and wrote the joyful news to his parents. After this he got well very quick and was soon able to travel. About a month later he departed for home, with the expectation of returning soon and claiming Marie as his bride, for their friendship had ripened into love in the short period of his sickness. -Wise, '15 +9f9Q?f9f9 NNN XS' ONWARD FIFTEEN! Classmates, we soon shall roam From our new High School home, Still will the sky above, Shine on our love 5 Olympus high always, Where Jupiter holds sway, Echoes our Senior day, Onwardj' Fifteen! Thus have the fates decreed, By signs, songs, prophecies- Do not dismay. And as your leave you take, Earth, sky, all shall awake, And chant reluctantly: Fifteen, Farewell! -Geraldine Ikirt QxW5Xb?i5 Never make love in a cornfield. The corn has ears and is easily shocked.