Galt High School - Highlights Yearbook (Galt, CA)

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g THE LORD TAKES CARE OF THE IRISH St. Patrick's Day was here and with it the rain. It was a God-send to the country. It came just in time to prevent the whole community from going to ruin, and, like all true Irish people, the 0'Bradys thanked good old St. Patrick who drove the snakes from Ireland for it. 'lfhey had been sent a small jug of wine from a neighbor's and were going to celebrate in the good ol' fashioned way. It was just after a hearty dinner and the whole family were after takin' a sup when a knock came at the door. Like all law-abiding citizens, they did not want anyone to see the little jug, so it was hastily put under the table with three half-filled glasses, and Mrs. O'Brady went to open the door. It was a neighbor with whom the O'Bradys had had trouble a few months before over a cow getting into an alfalfa held. This man, Mr. Ashby, was known over the surrounding country for his small, mean ways. l-le lived alone and was cordially hated by all who knew him. I-Ie came into the warm room and whatever he was going to say was lost as he stood, sniffing the air. Top of the morning to ye, said john O'l3rady, heartily. He knew that the Lord looks after the Irish and was too happy over the rain to bear anger toward his neighbor. Ashby growled something in return and remarked, Somethin' smells mighty good around here. Yes, said John, we have with us a wee bit of drink of youth, and taking the little jug from the table he poured out a drink for Ashby and set the 'ug on the big table again. J IAshby picked it up and smelled the bottle, took a few aimless steps toward the door, and then with a bound, was out and running with all the speed in his rather decrepit legs, toward town, about half a mile from O'Brady's. Sure and I bet he's after having ye arrested, Mrs, O'l3rady said, in an agitated tone. Do you think we will all go to jail P Oh, hush! hush! 'tis he that has the wine, not us, said john, but we may so well be after drinking our little sup. Ashby ran as fast as he could and there was great joy in his heart. To clean up the bootleggers in the state, a reward had been offered to anyone who would give conclusive evidence, and here he had the O'Bradys. '.l'hings were certainly going his way. He was in town now and going toward the district attorney's office when suddenly a hand was laid upon his arm, and he looked up to see a burly oliceman. P Not so fast, me1nan, he said, and just let me have a whih' of your little brown 'uU. ' It ziiiit mine, it's O'l3rady's. You had better go after him, retorted Ashby, trying to shake oHi the hand which was holding tighter. Ah, ha, me lad, that is old stuff. Not yours, indeed. And why were you running the streets with another man's jug F A cold hand of fear seemed to clutch Ashby's heart but he stammered, They had it under the table and I grabbed it and- How did you know it was under the table, the cop asked, impatiently. O'Brady took it up to give me a drink and l took it and run, and Ashby finished, trying to pull away, I am going to see the district attorney. To be sure, and step along, me lad, nice and pretty now, or it's some nice shiny bracelets ye'll be after havin' on yer wrists, said the policeman, giving Ashby a push and falling in beside him. Poor Ashby! Wlieii they arrived at the office he was shaking so that he could hardly stand. The attorney looked up and saw the men and the little brown jug and frowned. Ashby knew he need expect no mercy here and began his explana- tion of how it happened. Page Twenty-six

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JAKAHAPS OFFERING Jakahai brought his battered Ford to a standstill and lifted the wee lad, John. to the ground. 'llogether they walked towards Benson's, the child eager, the father reluctantly, slowly guided his son along the street. In the store they were met by an idle crowd of loungers. Here comes the Jap! il--lere comes the Jap ! a small boy called. I-lo! l-lo! l---low's big pum'kin face and little pum'kin face today? an- other called. 'llhis was greeted by hearty but mocking laughter which con- tinued all the time Jakahai was in the store. , l-landkerchiefs for the lady, Jakahai was speaking, his mask-like face never changing. John chose a colorful assortment in a pretty box, tucked it under his arm while his father laid the coins on the counter. Look at the funny hobblc of the laps , a youth called, imitating as best he could QIakahai's hasty walk. By this time Iakahai was out of sight of Ben- son's. His face changed, hard angry lines appeared. He walked as if in a trance. John caught the mumbled words, Bah, white men, they are mean. Little John understood not the words but only that his father was angry, horribly angry. But he spoke. Father, father, teacher will be pleased. As he talked he glanced at the package he carried. -lZl.liZ1llZ1l,S face changed as spontaneously when teacher was mentioned. lt softened for a moment, then again the angry lines took their place. Four tiny children and their mother were waiting for them at their humble home. jak, my man, don't let the words of a few people bother you so. I know it's those lazy fellows at Benson's again. Yes, and they'll be sorry some day. VVithout further mention, he went to tend to his small garden. At the evening meal jakahai was even quieter than usual. Finally he said. XVe shall not go to the church tonight. Il-l I if r-t lt -ll f t- -r f '1 dl'ttl h , int. ix an o, anc eac icr wan s us o, xx ai e 1 e Jo n. 'l'hey went. jakahai was angry. lf anyone made fun of his wife that night, that person would be sorry. .lohn's beloved teacher saw the group coming in the door. She came to speak a few kind words to them. john shyly gave her the package. Oh you little, thoughtful boy, she said, leaving him presently with a hasty kiss. Then the program began. Awed by beauty of words they did not understand and by the sacred quietness, the Japanese family sat in wondering silence. VVhen the presents were distributed, a box of candy was given to each small child. Amid the after rush of examining gifts, merry laughter and cheery words, ,Iakahai skipped unnoticed to the altar. He laid a small offering there. Not money alone was left but greater than that, all -lakahai's hatred for the white men. 'llhe next day Jakahai went again to Benson's. This time he smiled and he was rewarded. 1-le was no longer considered an inferior but an equal to any white person in Orville. -Margaret Kelsey, '25. Page Twenty-five

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lt's O'Brady's. I got it there, and they are making it. I smelled it and they ought to be arrested-, I-le stopped, and sensing that he was not being believed, stood looking about, miserably wishing he was anywhere else in the world but here. lt is certainly nervy of you to be caught right on the street with liquor and then say it isn't yours, and you certainly picked on a poor man for your bootlegger, because I happen to know john O'l3rady, said the district attorney. You'll have to go to jail until you have your hearing and then most likely you'lI go back. Sure enough, poor old Ashby went back for six weeks and had to pay a large line besides. 'His idea of getting even with the O'I3radys on St. Patrick's Day was a failure, for the Lord looks after the Irish. i -Isabelle McKenzie. 0 TOO OBLIGING l-lello, deacon, won't you sign this petition for poor VVidow I.,arson's son? lVe think if enough people sign they'll let him out on bail. No, there was no relenting in the stern voice of the deacon. And, Charlie Gragg, don't you dishonor your name by supporting a thief. Charlie shrugged his shoulders as the deacon turned away. I guess Billie Larson won't need his name on the petition. Meanwhile the deacon, continuing his way down the street, saw some boys playing keeps, Now, the deacon was a very stern man and very set in the thought that if one strayed from his fthe deacon'sj very strict idea he was very sinful and deserved no sympathy, but must be punished. Mrs. Larson was a very poor woman entirely dependent on Billie for support. The night before Billie had been seen waiting on the corner by the bank. 'Ilhat night the bank had been robbed and llillie, being the only one known to have been at the bank, was accused of the robbery and arrested. For the widow's sake her friends were trying to free her son. 'llhe deacon soundly scolded the boys for playing keeps and after having quoted many Biblical texts to support his lecture and feeling that he had done his duty, he climbed into his car which was near, for though the deacon be- lieved in a very strict life he had found it convenient to indulge in the luxury of a car. He had turned onto the road that led to his home, when a car in front of him dropped a bag. VVhen the deacon came near the spot where the bag had been dropped he stopped and, picking it up, found it was full of money. lie had been quite pleased with the lecture he had given the boys, and with it still in mind he thought to carry out the moral of it. So he jumped into his car, stepped on the as much as a gentleman of his nature could be expected to do and hastened to overtake the car. Stopl Stop ! he yelled as he drew near it. One of its occupants turned around and on seeing him coming after them said something to the driver and the car shot ahead at its fastest speed. The deacon, abandoning all caution, increased speed as he yelled wildly for the other car to stop, liut they had no intention of doing this and without abating the speed of their car, recklessly turned corners until the deacon seemed to be left far behind. He, however, still hopeful of catching them, and wanting a chance to boast to the town people of his honesty, did not give up. Finally the speed of the first car seemed to diminish and at last stopped. It had run out of gas. This gave the deacon a chance to catch up with it. Pardon me, but you dropped this bag. Oh, the driver of the First car seemed plainly relieved, thank you. Page Twenty-seven