Galt High School - Highlights Yearbook (Galt, CA)

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Don't mention it. The deacon climbed into his car and started for home. As soon as he reached home he started telling his wife of his adventure. You see, Fanny, when I was coming along the road- . A knock at the door interrupted him. Oh, what do you know about it F It was the next door neighbor who came in. They've found a clue to the robbery. That Larson boy wasn't to blame. Some little boys confessed a little while ago that they were round the bank last night and saw a group of men break in and take the money. They came in a big car. The boys say there was something the matter with the car and the men had to push it away, to another street, I guess to fix it. They probably didn't get away till today. Land knows why the boys didn't tell sooner. Fraid of getting in trouble for being around that late at night, I suppose. Having delivered this bit of information she exchanged a few remarks with the deacon's wife and went home. VVhat were you saying when she came in ? asked Fanny. Never mind, Fanny, I-I wasn't saying anything. -Grace Dixon, 'Z7. o THE VOICE OF THE WIND The I-louse of Amor, in striking contrast with the rest of Clerville, shone with brilliant lights. On that evening all activity was centered there, for the Amors were celebrating their anniversary. At 8: 30 all the guests had arrived save one. I wonder why Mary Marquis isn't here tonight? She usually goes to everything. Oh, I think she will come soon, though, you know she has been acting rather peculiar lately. Symptoms of merriment could be heard for blocks. Young and old were enjoying themselves in true old-fashioned manner. Bill Blake, amateur burglar, walked slowly along the darkened streets of Clerville. His figure spoke of a gentleman and although his clothes were much the worse for wear, they had been kept well. Things had not been going well for Bill. His last trick had been a failure. All-of these houses along this street looked like easy picking. Presently he planned to enter one. The slowly rising wind would help to smother his footsteps. After this one trial, he would either leave the city or perhaps would be sent to jail. It was worth trying, nevertheless. Mary Marquis, forlorn and lovely, sat in her favorite morris chair in an attitude of listening and waiting. In the dark parlor she fancied. She saw grotesque Figures, the wind served as the voices of the imaginary people. The wind increased. She thought she heard a footstep. Come right in, she called. Ah! Prince Charming, my dear, you have come at last. For a moment Bill Blake stood undecided, then pulled off his cap, smoothed his hair and said, Yes, my Princess, I have come. I didn't go to Amors'. I was certain you would come. Sit down here on the couch with me. But I must stay only a minute. XfVhat a beautiful ring you have on to- night. Bill eyed the jewel longingly. About all he could see was a sparkle now and then for the lights were very dim. Here, take it, Prince. Indeed, it is very valuable. Father always said that that ring was the reason why I never could have a machine for my own. I have worn it for a long while, planning to give it to you, Prince Charming, when you came. I give it to you now, on condition that you will give it to Princess, on her wedding day. Page Twenty-eight

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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

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Bill was not listening to her, the wind was subsiding. He imagined he heard a soft voice moaning. Away, away Bill, away. I-Ie stood up. Thank you, my Princess. I hope that I shall see you again very soon. VVith those words Bill slipped quietly out of the house, the ring clutched tightly in his hand. Once out of sight of the house, he examined the ring. Some haul, he murmured, and then as he examined it again. Ah! she has fooled me. A cheap imitation. I'm not leaving Clerville now. l'll make her pay me back, that's what I'll do. 'l'here'll be wedding bells ringing very soon. -Margaret Kelsey, '25. E o HARDSHIPS Marion Dixon stood in the doorway surveying the beautiful sunset. She had come west after the death of her mother and with the aid of her seventeen- year-old brother had taken up a homestead. With the small sum of money their mother had left them they had built their little three-room shack and barn. 'llhey had, also, bought twenty head of cattle and along with a few horses had started a ranch in earnest. As lvlarion watched the glorious sunset a neighbor galloped up on horse- back. She went forward to greet him with true western hospitality. Mr. Marshall had stopped to tell them of the recent cattle rustling on the X-Y ranch. As he was a deputy sheriff he was on his way in search of a clue. Gracious, what if we should lose the few cattle we have? Bob and I would be left without a cent for we put all we had in those bossies, mused Marion. She went in to prepare supper for Bob would soon be through with the chores and would be calling for something to eat. Marion, a tall slender girl of twenty-one, was not much disturbed by the news. For weren't twenty cattle too few for rustlers to bother with? That night she told Bob of the rustling and he laughed at the thought of their cattle being stolen. But the next morning he came in shouting, Marion, Marion, where are you? l can't find those ten milk cows or any of the rest of the cattle. Do you suppose the rustlers took them P Marion sent llob out to take another look and later joined him. But searching for them was like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Bob declared he was going after those cattle if he had to look all over Montana for them. Marion laughingly suggested that they capture the rustlers and secure the 155000 reward. Wlieii she went to call Bob the next morning his bed was empty but think- ing he was probably doing the chores, she began to cook breakfast. VVhen it was ready and she called and called and received no answer she became fright- ened. She ran to the barn where she found his saddle horse gone. I-lis oft- repeated words flashed before her mind and she ran to see if her six-shooter was in its usual place. That, too, was gone. She notified the sheriff by phone and saddled her horse. She ran in the house and quickly got some jerky and a rifle. As a heavy shower had fallen the day before she could see very easily the tracks of Bob's horse which led directly westward toward the high mountains. All day she rode, stopping only to eat some of the jerky. Finally darkness compelled her to stop and spreading her saddle blanket on the ground she tried to get some sleep. By daylight the next morning she was up and off. About noon she struck a well defined trail in' the bottom of a heavily wooded little valley. Eagerly following it, she soon saw it opened into a broader, larger valley. On the farther side of the valley she could see smoke rising from amongst the trees. Page Twenty-nine