Rockland High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Rockland, ME)

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THE CAULDRON 11 detail, omitting the fact that he had scrubbed his face half the evening, try- ing to remove the ink, although he still looked a little bluer today than usual. Mrs. Slokum refused to believe that that was any reason to beat an innocent child who didn't mean any harm. My Joel wouldn't hurt any human being intentionally, she snapped, wagging a finger in his face. That's right, ma, and it was an accident anyway. See? She turned around, and Joel said, All I did was this. O-0-o-h mit! Pandemonium broke loose. Joel streaked through the door. His mother, ink streaming down her face, was close behind him. The girls were crying wildly and the boys were watching the chase anxiously through the open door. Mr. Vaughn was-the pupils' mouths dropped and their eyes popped. Mr. Vaughn was laughing! In fact, Mr. Vaughn was roaring! LORRAINE CURRY SIX GUN JUSTICE The three men backed out of the bank and mounted their horses. Then they rode. Coming from the Cattlemen's Saloon Paul Crozier saw them leave, but as he was newly arrived on the scene, fan empty main street in the western town of Pine Forksl he did nothing whatsoever to stop them. It was only as they passed the office of Sheriff Cates that he became aware that some- thing was up. For guns talked to each other and one of the three out-going riders jerked savagely in his saddle. This was the event that happened in the mid-day quiet spell in the hot dusty western desert town of Pine Forks. Paul Crozier was a man of few words, but he possessed a great imagina- tion. He saw in his mind's eye, three men riding out of Pine Forks with his, Sadie's and the kid's life savings. Paul hit saddle leather--he could beat them, he figured, at El Condo, the only water hole in many miles. They would be sure to go to El Condo, even if they were headed into Mexico to hide. In the bank, the president and a clerk lay dead. There had been no shoot- ing on the robbers' part. These careful men were too cautious for that. They had forced the employees of the bank to stand face forward against a wallg then while two of them had pushed currency into a saddle bag, the third had gun butted the bank's president and the clerk over the head and killed them. The three men entered El Condo at sun up, and rode to the place where the water hole lay situated in the center of town. Suddenly they stopped, they had noticed something, a tall lean rider on horseback was mounted directly in front of the water hole confronting them. He looked into their sunburned eyes, and they thought of their parched throats. Paul said, slow and easy like, Water for the money, gents. Guns cleared leather and spoke in the early morning air, crisp and staccato. Paul Crozier's hands had filled first of all, he had expected such an answer. One of the three men did not attempt to draw. Sheriff Cates' bullet, fired back in Pine Forks, had cured him of all desire. His com-

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10 THE CAULDRON in front of the platform. The horrified on-lookers held their breath, Mr. Vaughn scowled his worst scowl. What excuse have you for entering the door of a school at this time of day ? rumbled Mr. Vaughn. I'm new here, answered the boy, in a somewhat shrill but very brave manner, it seemed to the admiring damsels. That's no excuse. Sensing impending danger, the gallant youth decided that a word to the wise would not be improper. My Pa owns the biggest button fact'ry in Fairfax. His name's Joel Slokum, jest like mine. In fact, he added, drawing himself up proudly, I was named fer 'im. Where do I hang my coat, huh ? By this time Mr. Vaughn was in a dark rage. The mere thought that any child would dare to address him without even having the dignity to tremble was suffocating. He seized young Joel by the scruff of the neck and escorted him, none too gently, to a seat near the rear of the room. He gave him a book and commanded him to study. Joel was not accustomed to this sort of treatment and, having been given a sample, didn't relish it all 3 therefore, he set to work. Very carefully, he stood the history book before his face, which, now, had taken on the kind of expression that one always associates with a pair of wings. Then, reach- ing into his trouser pocket, he pulled out a soiled page of the Harborsville Weekly Journal which he proceeded to tear, as noiselessly as possible, into bits. Having guessed, by this time, the nature of this industrious endeavor, the gentlemen nearest him watched with horror-stricken countenances. After he had acquired enough ammunition, he drew forth his weapon. The boys gasped with delight at the beauty of the thing. It was sandpapered to a smooth roundness, and painted bright red, the most wonderful sling- shot they had ever seen.'Crumpling up the pieces of paper into little balls, he dumped them carefully into the ink-well. Then he let Hy! The advance guard sallied a bit for a few practice shots at the heads of the boys around him and then was ready for bigger game. Mr. Vaughn nearly fainted. He stood there, ink dripping off the end of his nose and running into his eyes, shaking with fury. The girls sobbedg the boys squirmed 3 master Joel gulped. Instead of the customary two rods, Joel was the sorrowful recipient of three. But Joel was nobody's dunce. The next day he ambled in, an hour late, behind a tall bony creature who glared at Mr. Vaughn through small beady eyes. Yes, Mr. Vaughn was about to meet his match, and Joel could hardly wait. His mother could out-scowl the schoolmaster, out-stare him, and her nose was much longer. Well, baby-beater, what have you to say for yourself ? she fairly shrieked. Madam, your son is quite a grown boy, answered Mr. Vaughn, slightly bewildered. Oh, I ain't so big, am I, Ma Y wailed Joel, hoping to encourage friction. You keep out of this, she growled, then to Mr. Vaughn said, I want an explanation. P Some other time, perhaps. I ........ began Mr. Vaughn. Immediately 1 commanded the irate matron. Mr. Vaughn resigned himself to his fate and described the incident in

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12 THE CAULDHON patriots flew from their saddles, their drawn unsmoking guns mocked them. Paul Crozier left them there. He took hold of the wounded man's horse and pulled it behind him. Its rider seemed to be hit somewhere in the shoulderbone. Without stopping for rest Paul Crozier headed home. He had his money now-and he had a man to hang. LEO RICHARD CONNELLAN THE LIFE I LEAD At 6:30 the alarm buzzes. As I open first one eye then the other, I think of the day before me. There is not much to think about, just the same old things I have been going through for the last twelve years. I have reasons to think this is my last one in this employment. This job I have is a very odd one when you come down to the facts. First, I have been forced to work here, and second, I have several bosses, each having an individual job for me every day. As I report three minutes late in the morning, I am immediately jumped upon by my first boss, who checks us in and gives us the day's rules and regulations. He starts giving me the third degree, Where have you been ? Before I can answer, he bellows, Why? Why? At this, I drop my head, and he continues, Report to me after business hours tonight. I go to my post and wait for the signal to go to the next assignment. There are also many other employees who work for this concern under like conditions. At last, I get the signal. Springing from my post, I push away the congested employees in order to get to my next job in time. I do not wish to arrive late. This boss gives me notes, et cetera, which I write down rapidly in order not to miss anything. I must get it all because some other day I will have to reel it back to him. When we get in the middle of what we are doing, we get another signal telling us it is time to move on. I grab my tools and push my way to the third job. This work is my most difficult. I have been trying to get rid of it for the last three years but to no avail. Everytime I return they push it in my face so that I can't get out of doing it. At last, the end! Now I can rest for ten minutes and eat a littleg I am famished. The bell! Here we go again to grind out the rest of the day. I manage to get through it somehow. Then, the last signal booms. Now I can go out into the fresh air and to rest for another day. I drag myself away thinking that in 16 hours, 27 minutes, 49 seconds I will have to come back to go through the same procedure. DAVID HOCH