New London High School - Whaler Yearbook (New London, CT)

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BULKELEY NEWS 7 in slumber. So he got up and prepared for a walk around the grounds. Not many boys could be seen walking around because the school didn’t open until the next day. As he walked around looking at the various buildings which would be his home for a time at least, he heard the pleading voice of a young boy. Partially screened from view he could see a large boy with a bullying express ion on his face, threatening a smaller lad. The blood in the westerner became hot with anger. Yet he refrained from interfering. He kept on watching until the bully threatened to strike the young chap. Jack rushed from behind the bushes, his face ablaze with indignation. The bully looked up with an ugly expression on his face and shouted “What are you butting in here for?” “I think you’ve done about enough with that young fellow. Let him go.” The voice was calm and commanding. The rage of the other seemed to rise. “Who are you? What are you going to do about it? The kid is a freshman and if I tell him to do a thing he’s got to do it.” Lewis walked up to the freshman and said, “Goon. The fellow won’t bother you.” Hardly were the words out of his mouth before the bully struck. The blow caught the interferer on the shoulder and spun him half way around. I didn’t come here looking for a fight, but seeing that that’s what you want, I’ll try to satisfy you,” Jack said calmly: “I’ll drop you if it’s the last thing I do,” roared the other. And then he rushed. Jack sidestepped and sent a smashing blow to his opponent’s ribs. The bully’s face was distorted with rage. He threw all science to the winds and rushed with his arms swinging like a windmill. Lewis was alertly on guard and pushed one of the swinging arms aside and swung a heavy blow to the jaw. The aggressor dropped to the ground and looked dazedly about him. When Jack saw that he wasn’t badly hurt, he walked off. As it was nearly twelve, he went to his room to prepare for the visit of which Fred had spoken. When he reached his room, he found Ralph ready and waiting. “Where have you been? I was just thinking of going out and looking for you. You know we’ve got to go out to the Addison place this afternoon. You’ll have to hustle.” ‘‘Oh, I’ve just been looking over the place. I think I’ll like it here. But Ralph, I hope I can make the team. ’ ’ “Get that off your mind. That’s all I’ve heard from you since yesterday. You’ll make it. Get ready for Fred will be here soon.” Just as he was ready, the car could be seen coming up the drive. The two boys rushed out and soon they were spinning over the country road to the Addison home. When they reached the house a party of young people were seen making merry on the broad vine-enclosed veranda. In one corner, a pleasant faced, fat young fellew picked clumsily on a banjo. From his mouth issued sounds which were to represent

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6 BULKELEY NEWS of gold.” A solemn twilight was closing the day as the train stopped at the Fitch-ville station. The two hoys got out and looked searchingly around. ‘‘I wonder where Fred is,” said Ralph. ‘‘He said he’d meet us here with his car. As he isn’t here we’ll have to wait until he comes because it’s ten ten miles to the school. The twilight grew deeper. The horizon narrowed quickly with the coming of night. Suddenly the low hum of a motor came through the quiet air. Nearer aud nearer it came until an automobile could be seen coming out from behind a clump of trees on the curve of the road. ‘‘It’s Fred,” cried Ralph eagerly. The car soon came to a stop before the two boys aud the lad behind the wheel greeted them joyously. ‘‘How are you, old cowboy. So you’ve come east to get civilized. Well, you’ve come to a good place when you come to our school. There’s no other place on earth like it. How about it, Ralph.” “You’re right, Fred. He’ll like it, especially when he gets to know some of those nice girls that go to the Fitchville High School.” Jack laughed and said “I think I’ll be satisfied if I can make the team.” The two boys got in and the auto leaped ahead as if anxious to get back. As Jack was rather quiet by nature he did not take much part in the conversation. Instead he stretched out his legs comfortably and turned his face toward the sky. It was a deep, dark blue bowl, closely set with brilliant stars. And the moon rising over the eastern hills shed a soft radiance over the quiet earth. As they rounded a curve in the road, the school buildings appeared a little ways ahead. The many lights from the windows shone cozily through the trees. The gray granite buildings, covered in places with ivy, nestled snugly among the trees. Ralph and Fred looked inquiringly at Jack as if expecting some kind of a remark. “Well, what do you think of it, Jack?” “It certainly does look good. I can tell you better later how I’ll like it.” They left the car in the garage and then went to Ralph’s room. When they got there, about a dozen happy boys were in possession of it. “Why, hello fellows,” cried Ralph “Gee! but it seems great to be back again and see you all. This is my cousin, Jack Lewis. He will enter the Junior class. They all sat down again and talked over the great times they had had during the summer. As it grew late, the boys started to leave. Soon only Fred was left. “Ralph,” he said, “iole and Ellen asked us to come out tomorrow afternoon. They said to be sure and bring Jack along.” “Of course we will go. You may be sure that Jack will be tickled to death to go.” It did not take them long to get into bed after Fred had left. It took them less time to drop into dreamland, because they were tired after their long trip. The following morning when Lewis awoke, the sun was high in the heavens. Ralph was still wrapped

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8 BULKELEY NEWS a love ballad. He gazed dreamily at the dainty white-clothed girl at his side. As she spied the car, she sprang from the hammock and cried, “There are the boys.’’ The deserted one gazed unhappily after her and wearily put down the instrument. She soon came back to the veranda and introduced the new-comers to the others. It did not take Jack long to feel at ease among that happy crowd even though he was a complete stranger. Iole Addison led the way to the big hammock in the corner which she had just left. She jumped into it and said laughingly, “Jump in. It will hold two.” Jack took her advice and soon they were chatting away as fast as the others. There was something about her which seemed to attract him more than any girl he had met before. She was rather small and dainty. Her pretty laughing eyes attracted him. A stray curl of light hair dangled prettily near her ear. The afternoon passed quickly. The evening shadows fell softly. One by one the bright stars appeared in the sky up above. The mysterious sounds of night stole through the air. The party now s p o k e in hushed voices, as if compelled to do so by by the fairies of the night. “Let’s all go down to the bungalow,” said Iole. “We’ll build a fire in the fire-place and toast inarshmel-lows.” The suggestion was greeted with joy. Soon they were walking in couples toward Whalom Lake near whose shore the bungalow rested. Iole and Jack walked slowly behind. Soon the others were lost to view. A glorious moon was rising over the eastern woods which surrounded the lake. It’s mellow radiance spanned the water with a bridge of gold. The leaves of the trees seemed to whisper at its beauty. As they walked on through the night, Jack discovered a seat underneath a spreading oak. “Iole,” he said. “This sight is too good to miss. Let us sit here for a while and then we’ll join the others. They took their seats and sat in silence. The gentle breeze had died down and the whispering leaves were hushed as if fearing to disturb the sleeping spirit of night. Suddenly through the silence came the ghostly hoot of a lonely owl. The girl drew closer and a shiver passed through her. What caused him to do it he did not know, but he put his arm gently around her. He gazed at her calm face, bathed in the moonlight. The passions surged within him. He was tempted to steal a kiss from those sweet lips. But instead he rose and said: “Let’s join the others.” That night as he lay in bed thinking over the events of the day, he gritted his teeth and muttered: “I’ll make the team or die trying, because She’ll be there to watch us play.” —Liljenstein, P. 0.