Hicksville High School - Hixonian Yearbook (Hicksville, OH)

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I THE HIXONIAN That night Bud confided his trouble to the old dog. He himself was confident that Sadie was innocent but what could be done? The next day Sadie wasn't at school and suspicion deepened. The boy seemed despon- dent and even Aunt Mirandy's close questioning failed to disclose the trouble. Bud was forming a plan of action. After dark that night when all was quiet in the little house and his Aunt's regular breathing reassured him, Bud, this time accompanied by Brutus, crept out of the window and down the road toward the school- house. At the end of the lane he was met by Sadie. Cautiously they approached the forsaken building, foreboding in its gloom. The girl was left outside to watch while the boy and dog investi- gated the interior. Brutus though rather old and shaky still possessed some life, energy and a sense of smell. Few minutes had elapsed until Bud's attention was called to the fact that Brutus seemed to be chieiiy interested in the loft. Something was up there. Perhaps a bandit armed with guns, or a tramp, perhaps a fierce animal was even then ready to spring upon him. The boy's courage seemed to be oozing away and he wished himself safely home in bed. But he must prove himself brave or Sadie would think him a coward. -By the dim light of the lantern he could discern nothing unusual or misplaced about the room but the loft certainly looked foreboding. It was enveloped in dark shadows. Just then Brutus gave a low growl and Bud glanced around just in time to see a red squirrel coming out of a desk with an eraser in his mouth. So that was the culprit. Excitedly he called Sadie and his courage returning he preceded her up the ladder to the loft. There in a. little heap were marred pencils, bits of chalk and pieces of erasers but nowhere was the spectacle case to be seen for it was necessary, too, in order to obtain the five dollars re- ward. Yet they were happy in being able to prove Sadie's innocence. Looking once more about the room they could see no signs of the case. Just as they were leaving the building Brutus having run ahead came bounding back to them carrying something in his mouth. To their as- tonishment it was the lost case. It was in good condition for not one gold letter had been obliterated. The next day Sadie was again at school and again she smiled across the long room at Bud, for the mystery had been solved and she was no longer in disgrace. The squirrel lost his home in the loft and the mystery of the missing spectacle case was solved by the fact that upon examination Mr. N osme discovered a large hole in the pocket of his overcoat. Brutus obtained the reward for he had discovered both the guilty one and the lost case. With the money Bud purchased the license permitting the animal to live. Sadie's father, the town butcher was so pleased with the outcome that he promised to keep Brutus supplied with bones for the rest of his days. Thus the triangle of happiness was completed. 26

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THE H1xoNIAN Elie Svrhnnl Ellinuae mgzterg Brutus, why weren't you made into somethin' else 'sides a dog so's you could live? mused Bud Wagner to his trusty companion, an old mon- grel hound. In fact, it was almost a sob and with great effort, tears were prevented from coursing down his' freckled cheeks. Bud lived with his Aunt Mirandy, a bustling maiden lady of unaccountable years to the eyes of the lad. With all her hustling and bustling, funds were scant and all the money was needed for food and clothing. Not even enough could be spared for a dog license for Brutus and the scraps he was accustomed to devour could more profitably be fed to the small flock of chickens. Aunt Mirandy's simple little dwelling was on the outskirts of the vil- lage of Pleasant Dale. On this particular morning Bud was talking to the old dog before leaving for school. Young man, you git to school 'fore yer late, yelled Aunnt Mirandy, so the boy with a sigh and farewell pat to the dog started for the institution of learning. The building consisted of one room with a long loft extending over the most of its length. The furniturenwas simple and rude. Its whole appearance was of bareness and sadness, as though once it had been bright and cheery. But today all was excitement for within the past week chalk had disappeared, pencils were missing, inkwells had been tipped over and their contents spilled on neat copy books. Now had come the last straw. The master, fidgety Mr. Nosme, could not find his spectacle case. He had left it there the night before and now it was nowhere to be found. The entire village as well as the school knew that the case itself was very valuable for it had been sent clear from Boston and even had gold letters printed on the back. Who could be the culprit? School was called to order and one by one the pupils were questioned as to what they knew of the mystery and if they themselves were guilty. Bud looked across the room to where Sadie White sat but he didn't receive her usual smile, instead she sat rigid with her head held high. Soon mean- ing glances were cast in her direction and scorning fingers pointed at her. The girl's cheeks were deathly pale and her eyes unusually bright. Now it was her turn. To all the questions asked she responded with simply a brief no , but the master wasn't satisfied. This looked like guilt. Samuel Rinks, Bud's avowed enemy, testified that Sadie hadbeen seen coming out of the school-house long after all the other pupils had gone home and the very next day his prize pencil, the one with the red and white stripes tipped off with a large red rubber, was missing. Indeed almost everyone had some complaint to make except Sadie and Bud. But the latter had always been the girl's champion and had been known to give more than one miscreant a bloody nose for pulling the girl's flaxen braids. So if Sadie was the guilty one she would take nothing of Bud's. The girl had nothing by which to prove her innocence but her word of honor and at that time it lacked force for wouldn't a thief lie as well as steal? Mr. Nosme offered a reward of five dollars for the discovery of the guilty one and the return of his spectacle case. 25

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