Hudson High School - True Blue Yearbook (Hudson, WI)

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dita rame rushing upon the cottage and nltho Wilkes did not see the leader, he knew it' was Villa’s band. The bandits, in short terms, “cleaned the house.” taking every- thing and anything that was of value. Wilkes and his family were put upon horses and were started off with the rest of the hand. When they had gone about half a mile he unconsciously turned about and. to his horror saw the small group of buildings for which he had work- ed so hard, were all aflame. On and on they rode, the boy riding on the same horse with his father. For hours they rode, altho it seemed like days to them, and neith- er of the trio knew how far they had ridden when a halt was called. A young, burly, broad-shouldered Mexican came up and ordered them ofT their horses. Then the horses were led ofT and the three stood huddled together in a group. In a surprisingly short time a city of tents had sprung up. Every one was in a hurry for mess was the next subject, and of course the first to come were the first served. Wilkes, his wife and Tom. however, stayed in the same spot, occasionally speaking to one another, but for the most part quietly looking on as if cowed by some superhuman force. After some time the same Mexican who had taken their horses came lip to them and in broken English told them to follow him if they wanted anything to eat. They were only to glad to follow. After they had been fed they were led off to a small tent where they were to sleep. While all this was happening, a plan was evolving itself in Arthur Wilkes mind and after taps had sounded he decided to carry out his plan. He first wrote out a small note and gave it to Tom after which he gave him his instructions as to what he was to do. Mrs. Wilkes voiced her objections to letting Tom leave them, but finally agreed to let him go. Cautiously Tom crept out from under the tent, peering thru the darkness as if looking for some expected foe. He had seen when the horses were tethered so he knew in just what direction to go. Once the plan nearly fell thru, for as he came out front Itehind one of tIn- tents he saw a sentinel, and speedily hid until the sentinel had passed. As he walked in amongst the herd of horses he whistled softly. A cool breeze was blowing and as the moon and stars were out in all their splendor, the shadows cast by the horses were quite distinct. The shadows alone made a chill run down Tom's l ack. But he kept on walking and whistling until finally he heard a friendly whinny. He kne.v at once that it was Molly. He began talking to himself. “Pa said fer me to tie tho note in yer mane. Molly, nn' I gotta do It. You got a long (Tide I'm thin gin.' i'a says due North. Now don’t make no noise. See?” They squirmed in and out among the army of horses, the boy go- ing ahead and leading tho horse. The saddle was still on the horse, for the bandits never had taken the trouble of taking them off. After reaching the outskirts of the encampment Tom mounted, and bending low on the horse’s back whispered in her ear. “Now. do yer best. Molly. It’s fer yer own sake as well as our’s. And the faith- ful horse responded cheerfully. It seemed to the boy that they flew over the ground: the horse’s hoofs scarcely seemed to touch it. It seemed to the boy that he had ridden about a mile when he was suddenly stopped and a gun was thrust into his face. He knew at once that he had reached the outposts and the sentinels had stopped him. Hrt was taken from the saddle and led Into a tent where he was searched thoroughly. Where are you bound for. my boy?” said a man who seemed to be In command. During the next few seconds many different thots passed thru Tom’s mind and at last he said thru manufactured sobs. ” I was goin’ home to my ma and pa. They escaped when Mr. Villa came and I was left behind all alone. So 1 up and took Molly, that’s the horse I were ridin’, and started after my ma and pa. You'll let me go to ’urn won’t you?” Just then another Mexican came into the tent and repotted that lire snildie had been torn to shreds and thot r.o trace of a hidden note or message could be tound. Th eommandei at the outpost decided that the boy would be more of a detriment to them than a help so he would lot him go. Luckily for Tom -be got back Molly, as she could not be controlled by the bandits and Tom was the only one who could control her. They readily returned her to her master. Before starling out he was given food by the men. and some, who had heard his pitiful tale, even went so far as to give him a few pesos.

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“You see. little person. 1 know your name. I look your advice. I waa a. murderer. God forgive me. I have given myself up to the authorities and am now In prison awaiting trial. I can only trust in God; but say one prayer for me tonight. Hid you miss the paper? I took it. My picture was there under the name of Ben King. Tho day I came to your house the police were after mo. I was mad 1 thot of shooting you and—but 1 don’t know why I didn't except that you seemed to put some pride into me. You need never tell your father this. 1 saw film and then realized who I really was. Forgive me little sister and goodbye forever. Front your brother. JOHN KNIGHT. As Laura sat. still, dazed with the news, her father came in o the room. Thinking of the letter, she reached for it. but her father had already seen it. My God. girl, he cried, “A letter! let me see it at onco.” Laura endeavored to keep it from him but he snatched it from her hand and read it. John - he moaned, my son. is he a murderer? Has he been here? Father listen.” soothed his daughter. “He was here some weeks ago on the day dinner was not ready on time. I did not know he was my brother then; hut I told him shout Jack and he asked me If you’d forgive him if he turned out to be a murderer.” Forgive hint! The man’s voice was husky. I told him you would, provided he acted like a man In the matter; that is. gave himself tip to the authorities and confessed.” Knight grabbed the girl. Are you mad. I iura?” he cried. Have you driven my son from me again, advising such nonsense?” But father, we can at least respect him for that. Perhaps the Judges will have a little compassion and he will come back to us.” A' krock wrs heard at the kitchen door and Laura ran to open it. A man stepped inside. “Hello. Sis! he cried, as he took her in his'arms. “John. John, is it really you?” she exclaimed. “I thought 23 O. My God!- I thought you were behind prison bar ..” “They had the trial yesterday, and I am no murderer. I shot, but the bullet from my partner’s gun killed the man. He has con- fessed and I’m free. 1 started the day after I sent the letter and I traveled tome to get here about the same lime as It did.” Scowling deeply, Knight came out to investigate the confusion. “What’s the-------” Hut he never finished, for I.aura laid her hand gently on hi mouth. “Father. she murmered. “Aren’t you going to welcome home your son, John? He is no murderer.” “My son.” Tears ran down Mr. Knight’s cheeks as the two men shook hands. “Welcome home. You are forgiven. I’ve been a hard man. but from now on everything will he changed.” “Come. Laura, my child, forgive your father!” he begged, and holding the hands of both his children, he prayed that they should ever after be by bis side. Written by Gertrude Kelly ’17. IN THE LAND OF THE CACTUS They had lived here for a year and a half now. Arthur Wilkes, his wife and their only son. Tom. who was twelve years old. Tin debt had been paid off sit Chlhauhnu. three weeks ago. and they were just beginning to enjoy life when it happened. After the chores had been done one evening. Wilkes was return- ing to the house carrying a milk pail nnd Tom. whom Wilkes said he was going to train to be a cowboy, was trotting at his heels, when he noticed coming up over the grassy plains a cloud of rolling dust. It resembled the attack of an oncoming tornado, for with it came a rumb- ling noise. He stood for sonte time gazing across the stretch of open prairie and then picked the boy up and almost mechanically started for the house. Upon entering the {house he told his wife of what he had seen and together they stood in the window watching and waiting, for what they did not know. Things happened rapidly in the next half hour. An army of ban-

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As he started he remembered these words, “due north. and tried to follow out his direction by the stars and the moon. Here and there he came across u giant Cactus which, when off in distance, reminded him of a lone sentinel and attain a cold chill would cre» p down his back. Rut by constantly talking to the horse he seemed to forget his fears and it was toward day break that he forded the Rio Grande river and rode Into the city of El Paso. There he reported the news to the officials. They didn't seem to care much for they didn’t do anything and Tom took a dislike to them, when after reading his father's note. “All they did was to shoot a wireless to Washington.” This was Tom’s way of putting it. While in the city he got the best of are. however, being adopted for the time being by the militia. About four days after his arrival he was walking along the street with one of the soldiers, when he noticed riding up the street a man and woman. He was overwhelmed with Joy when he found It to be his father and mother. It was some time before the truth and the exact details of their escape could be learned from them, but it finally came out that when Villa had raided Columbus, the bandits forgot to look after their pris- oners and Wilkes and his wife took advantage of the fact, thus making good their escape to El Paso where they knew they would find the!»- son STEPHEN SODAL '16. ESSAY ON A DUCK By a boy in the first grade A duck is a low. heavy-set bird composed mostly of meat and feathers. He is a mighty poor singer, having a hoarse voice by get- ting so many frogs in his throat. He likes water and carries a toy balloon in his stomach to keep from sinking. The duck has only two l« gs and they are so far back on his running gears by nature that they came protty n» ar missing his body. Some ducks when they gef big have curls on their tails and are called drakes. Drakes don't have to set or hat«h. but Just loaf and go swimming and eat everything in sight If I was to he a duck. I Would rather be a drake. A MOUSE. Trembling linker in the gloom Of my lady's living room. Timidly and cautiously Over rug. up tapestry. Moving with thy noiseless tread In the ever constant dread I«est those lustrous, fiery spheres Of thine enemy appears. Woeful, such a life must be In this world’s tranquility. Yet thy life is not all woe. As some incidents will show. Enter lady-human being— Calmly peaceful, eyes unseeing. Joy and gladness fill her heart; She of fear doth have no part: Suddenly she spies thee there ’Neath that comfort-yielding chair. As the door slams, it doth seem By the echo, scream on scream. Thou art king in this great room. And thy power lies in gloom. Joyous must a mouse be That can rule o’er such a see! EVA KELLY ’16. Heard on March 17 Miss H.. in Anc. Hist., to Willie H.. who changes his seat very frequently: Willie, you migrate around, don’t you? Did you ever hear of the rolling stone? Willie: The one that gathers no moss? Miss H.: Yes. I ace you have your moss on today. Miss Carley. in Com. Arlth.. to Esther Murphy: Esther, name a kind of insurance. Esther: “Poll insurance.”