Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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8 THE MAGNET How the Union Won a Good [lan 66 HITHER bound?” ‘‘ Fishing,” was the laconic reply. “Eh?” inquired the old salt again, not hearing the somewhat muffled reply. “Going fishing,” answered a tall, spare, weather-beaten man of about fifty. “Uh-huh!” volunteered a third, an old battered seaman. ‘“ Not what it’s cracked up to be, eh? This ’ere running in and out of the harbor be- fore dark. But I s'pose it aint no tarnal use kickin’, for the ‘Yanks’ and ‘Rebs’ will fight and kick everything up generally until there aint nothing more to kick. Oh well, I just s’pose they got to. But them mines aint nothin’ to fool with, I’ll warrant.” ‘Well, I suppose it isn’t,” replied the man addressed, “ but I’m inclined to think it could be done, and I, for one, would rather risk coming inside than staying outside tonight. You see the little fellow is very sick, and to- night the doctor claims is the crisis. Nothing on earth will keep me out- side tonight.” ‘““Startin’ pretty soon?” inquired the old seaman, contentedly puffing a corncob pipe. “ Aye, right away, for here are the boys.” The boys referred to were hardy looking individuals of the clean cut type. They came swinging down the wharf with light, buoyant stride, happy because on the morrow they were to enter the service of the Union. “Hello! Cap!” they hailed with boyish zest. ‘‘ Three cheers for Uncle Sam!” ‘“Now that the ceremonies are over,” laughed the older man, “ we will proceed to business.” “Aye, aye, sir!” they answered, falling to in a marvelously quick way. Soon the deck of the little boat ‘“‘ Jolly River” was cleared and the sails in trim. Then away they sailed over the dancing waves. That day they had an exceptionally good catch; namely, fish and a rebel spy who was trying to get away in a small yawl. Now, it was most important tor them to get back into port and deliver this man into the hands of the authorities, as it was far too great a risk to remain outside when the “ Jolly Rover” only carried one bow gun. The boys were anxio us to get the spy into port, but the cap- tain was thinking of his son, and hoping against hope that he would pull through. “Well, Cap?” they queried. ‘We will try it,’ he answered firmly, “‘and we must make it,—we’ve got to make it.”

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THE MAGNET - Athenian youth felt for his city, it is a self-evident fact that our town would be greatly benefited. Each one should not fail to re- member that his or her actions are sure toreflect on the town where they live. It is in the power of each one to add to the reputation of their community, or to detract from it by “acts of dishonesty or cowardice.’ A respect for the laws of our town and a desire to uphold its reputation in all things should prevail in every inhab- itant of the town, old or young. If we but get the habit firmly fixed while young, we will unconsciously be loyal citizens when older. This oath should have still another meaning for the students of the Leominster High School. It should recall to their minds their part in the preservation of the High School building. If we pass this building down to future generations as it was handed to us, all veasonable wear and tear excepted, we would be but begin- ning our success as American citizens. Let us, each individual, be true citizens in our own community, however small, and thus de- sirable citizens of our country. Oca K. LAWRENCE, ’13. HEARD IN THE FRENCH CLASS:—WMVyr. .,’1}? (translating): Les camarades du mort se leverent. ‘‘ The dead companions arose.” Mr. B.,’13 (translating): Le cheval ruait. ‘‘ The horse laughed.” Madame Gregoire: “ Mr. N., will you spell the French word for ‘where’ ?’’ Mr. N.,’15: “O-U.” Mr. B.,’1} (translating): Laissez ce veillardemporter sa chair. ‘ Let the old man carry his chair.” Scene, Room 16. Time, 1.15 p.m. Cast of characters: Remnants of a class consisting of fifteen girls and one boy, (Mr. C., ’13, in front corner seat). Teacher: “Now, girls ” Exit Emmet.

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THE MAGNET g “ Good!” they answered. They said nothing, kept ever on the alert, and jumped to obey the sharp commands of their captain. It was not ex- actly a pleasant run up the harbor. At last they came within sight of the dock lights, but the captain’s face never once relaxed until his vessel lay quietly at rest at the dock. “ Hurrah!” shouted the boys. The captain simply shook his head, and breathed a sigh of intense re- lief. Never did the planks of the old wharf seem so good as at this moment. A blue-coated, brass-buttoned officer came striding down the dock, for the news had been spread far and wide that a small vessel had made port alone. He hurried up to the captain, instantly recognized him, and said, ‘ Well, Jack, this is pretty serious business. Do you suppose the enemy could do that?” “Well, that depends upon the enemy,” was the slow reply. “Yes but,—say, what have you here?” “Oh, a spy we found outside,” quietly replied the other. “Spy? Ah! Well, we've been looking for him Jack, you're a dandy.’ A crowd had gathered, but the two men did not seem to notice the fact. ‘Better come and see the General, because you know the almost un- believable fact that you got past the mines will cause quite an uproar.” “No, I’ve got to see my boy. If he’s living, I’ll come.” He hurried home, and the doctor met him at the door, cautioning him to be quiet, as the lad was all right and enjoying a refreshing sleep. “ All right,” he replied, ‘‘ I’m off for headquarters!” The officials were gravely waiting. for him, and were ready to listen to his story. Very briefly and concisely he told of his run up the harbor. They listened eagerly, and when the captain had finished, the General be- gan in a puzzled tone, “ But I don’t see how you—” “Well, it’s just like this, General. I reasoned that you would not place mines at the Dumas Ledge, because there are very few seamen who know © the way through that treacherous bit of sea. Then also you were reckon- ing—”’ ‘Man, man! don’t tell me any more,” he said, greatly taken back when the captain calmly told him what it had taken weeks to formulate through study of the charts and the harbor itself. ‘‘ You mustn’t say another word while these men are here. They must never know what a dunder-head I’ve been.” A slight, sharp, little man stepped up, and hurriedly whispered a few words in the General’s ear. “The very man!” he exclaimed. The small company were all attention. ‘You remember,” began the General, “ that certain private citizens, perhaps I should say spies, have been trying to gain information about our harbor defenses.” The company slowly nodded. ‘ Well,” he began again, ‘it seems that this man has landed an- other of the same class. To be brief, I wish to make Captain Stoddard ’