Rockland High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Rockland, ME)

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THE CAULDRON 15 of the two youngsters. Then, as before, with no word of farewell, he turned and silently disappeared among the trees. Well, I'll be blessed, said Susuan, So that's Trapper Joe! Why he walked miles to get this basket at his camp and bring it back to me. I'd have given him something to eat before he started back if he hadn't left so quickly. Imagine that now! Sakes alive, that man never hurt a Hea. I guess I could tell folks a thing or two about Trapper joe that they never heard before, but they'd probably say I was crazy too. Later in the evening when Susan told her husband about the afternoon's ex- perience his comments proved to be as she predicted. Trapper Joe! exclaimed John Bailey, Not on your life, Sue! That man's a killer, and besides he doesn't dare show his wicked self around in daylight. It must have been one of the Indians from the reservation. If I thought for a min- ute that Trapper Joe was hanging around these parts I wouldn't leave you and the kids alone all day. Susan only smiled. NADA CARY THE WHITE SCARF john . . . John! Wake up John! John Cartwright sat bolt up in bed, was that someone calling his name? It sounded just like . . . but. of course, it couldnit be! John . . . John! The cold sweat started to trickle down John's forehead even though the night was cold, too cold for September. Mary! Is that you? Oh, my God! I thought . . . , Oh my darling you did come back. Yes, John, I told you if you ever needed me and were in trouble, I'd come back. You mustn't do it john, it's not the right thing. But Mary, it's the only way, you know our promise to Ralph. He must go to medical school . . . no matter what the cost! We fwromised him, Mary. The pale little figure sighed and moved closer to the bed, touching john's tremb- ling hand as she moved nearer. The man shuddered at the contact of the cold fingers. What of that janitor, he may have a son too, maybe he has plans for him. We can't think of that, Mary! The man dropped his head in his shaking hands and groaned, Oh I'm such a failure, putting up such a big front and making people believe that I have money when Ilm practically a-a-bum!

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14 THE CAULDRON a scant living by trapping along Penobscot River. He was the last of the Passa- dumkeag Indians and one story said that he molested the white people because he sought revenge for the way they had treated his people. Such thoughts flashed through Susan's mind as she breathlessly watched the approaching figure. Who is it, Mummy ? asked Bobby excitedly. I'm not sure, Bobby, she lied, not wishing to frighten the children. but take Joan and go into the house quickly, and stay there! Hurry l But, why, Mom, I want to see our company, pleaded Joan. Never mind, dear, do as I say. By this time Trapper Joe was half way across the clearing, but he stopped when Susan called, What do you want ? For several seconds, which seemed like an eternity to the frightened woman, all was silent, and then in a booming voice Joe answered. I want water. My jug emptyg come long way. , Susan's voice shook as she said, Help yourself at the well over there. Not for one moment did she take her eyes from the huge man's figure as he bent over the well, took a long drink, and filled a jug from his pack. He turned and in panther- like Indian fashion glided out of sight, without another glance at Susan. For the next three hours Susan and the two children remained within the cabin. It was after the shadows had lengthened and the sun was gathering itself in a brilliant panorama of color on the western horizon, that a knock sounded on the cabin door. For the second time that day Susan sensed the greatest fear she had ever known and again she rose above her fright to face the most terrorizing object of the countryside. Grasping the nearest weapon at hand, a large butcher knife, she cautiously opened the door a scant foot and then forced herself to meet the eyes of the man on the doorstep. What she saw so surprised her that the knife fell from her hand. Instead of the sneaky, black eyes of an evil monster in a bearded face Susan saw soft brown eyes above clean-shaven cheeks. They were kind, and mild looking, and they reminded her of the eyes of a gentle dog. Was this Trapper joe ? thought Susan The bogey man of the district, the man who killed, stole, and spread ruin wherever he traveled? It couldn't be l You good to Joe, spoke the Indian, I brought you basketfl Susan's astonished gaze traveled to his outstretched hand which held a small round basket, It was hand-woven in gay colors-a typical Indian product. Wh-why thank you, she stammered, but it was just a little water. You kind to Trapper Joe, he insisted gently. The two children huddled behind their mother's skirt suddenly became bolder and stepped out where they could get a better view of the big man. An obviously rare, but still friendly smile crossed Ioe's features as he spoke to them. What your name, boy ?', Bobby. Mine's Joan, piped the little girl. With a soft chuckle Joe reached out his big hand and gently tousled the heads

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16 THE CAULDRON Don't say that my dear, why Mr. Crosby promised you that promotion in six months and then you'll be on top. It'll be too late then, too late! I need the money tomorrow. I've arranged it so the blame will fall on that stupid janitor, and nobody will be the wiser. The pale little Figure by the bed stiffened and in a stern voice remarked, yes you have changed, you're not the same man I married, you're hard and cruel. I haven? changed, Mary, I harfen'f, it's just that . . . I'm trying to be kind . . . Ralph . . .! How do you think Ralph would feel if he knew where the money came from for his education? He'd hate you for the rest of his life! I want you to pick up that telephone and tell the janitor not to leave the keys to the vault in your office. Yqu're not going through with it, john! I'll not have you a thief. Remember th1s...1s...all...for...John... lVIary! screamed the tortured man, don't go! Come back! There suddenly came a pounding on the bedroom door and a young manis voice was heard calling, Father are you ill? Did I hear you call ? Go back to bed son. I've . . . I've been dreaming, yes, dreaming. As Ralph's footsteps died down the hall, John reached for a cigarette with trem- bling hands, lit it and drew in deeply. It mustihave been those accursed scallops I ate for supper to make me have such nightmares. Bah! Silly dream! Suddenly the cigarette fell from john Cartwright's hand and lay unnoticed on the carpet, for lying in a path of moonlight on the floor was a pale white chiffon scarf, which had not been there when he had retired. Then she was here, it wasnft a dream, but she couldn't have been . . . why! Mary has been dead for two months. 'Whenever you are in trouble and need me, I'll be back., Yes, those were her words. But things like that just didn't happen . . . or did they? The stunned man found himself reaching for the telephone as if compelled by a force stronger than his own. I-Ie vaguely remembered dialing a number, heard himself saying, don't leave the vault unlocked . . . I found the papers I needed at home . . . The expression on the man's face was that of a tired, old man, who had fought a hard, hard, struggle and lost . . . or had he won? DoRo'rHY Goonnow