Rockland High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Rockland, ME)

Page 9 text:

THE CAULDRON 7 and that he was going to be the star witness against him. Duke Basil did the actual shooting. You think that there were more than the one ? Jim was really interested now. Certainly do. Duke's girl, Patsy, was mixed in it somewhere. Last night there was another murder, an old cronie of Duke's. Think you can handle it? Jameson hoped he could. What plan do I use? Jim wanted it so he could prove that he was able to do something by himself. You'll be a veteran who is sick of the way he's being treated. You've got no job and want to make money . The veteran part will be a snap. Do I use my own papers? I don't think anyone knows meg I'm not that well known yet. A pleasant grin came to J im's face. It will be all right to use them. Take a room down town, send in your reports by mail. Don't take any chances and try to get acquainted with the girl. Good luck, J im. They shook hands. Jim paused, then turned and shut the door hard behind him. Pkvkfkvkilf Sally, can you spare a moment ? Yes, Mr. Jameson. I'll be right in. As Sally went into the office she saw Jameson, standing before a window smoking a cigarette and thinking hard about something. Did you want to dictate a letter? Sally felt a strange silence in that room. What? Oh, Sally, will you get J im's reports on the Basil case? I want all those up to today's. Here they are, Mr. Jameson. Is that all ? Yes, that's all. I don't want to be disturbed until I tell you. The door closed softly. He took the batch of papers over to his desk, sat down and started to scan the reports. They were suspicious at first.-Haven't met Patsy yet.-Duke satisfied after first week.-Asked about old pal that was killed. A mistake. Learned to be more careful.-Took Patsy dancing.-Three weeks later :-Duke going to lie low. Plans small jobs for others.-Boys wonder what I'm doing in the outfit.--Haven't pulled job yet.-Spent evening at Patsy's apart- ment.-Trying to put off doing any job with Duke's boys.-Patsy threw over Duke for me.-Will have to hurry up plans to catch them. Darn fool, I told him to be careful. Jameson looked Worried and had reason to. Better read today's report. Planted dictograph in my room. Having Patsy up after dinner.-Think I can get her to confess.-Be glad when it's over. My God! If Duke ever gets wind of that, Jim's a goner. But I can't do anything now he's gone this far. Picking up the phone he says, Sally, you can close the office for the day. Early next morning as Jameson was leaving his apartment he heard someone coming up the stairs. Jim, It's good to see you again. Have you got what we need ? His voice sounded anxious and worried as he looked at Jim. I've got it. Let's get it over with quickly. The weariness showed in his face. It took only three weeks to complete the trial. Patsy confessed to the killing of the old member of the gang because he was going to the police

Page 8 text:

6 THE CAULDHON FARE THEE WELL Amid the hustle and bustle of averaging marks, marching, trying on caps and gowns, preparations for the ball, we, seniors, some of us at least, find ourselves getting a little sentimental. Perhaps we're feeling this way be- cause we're beginning to realize that we are leaving the best times of our young lives behind and that we are going out into a world of every man for himself -a world that is entirely new and different for us. We're graduating from high school-from four long years of fun, studying and working together-graduating from Rockland High School, the school we've cheered for on the sidelines, played for, worked for and stood by. Our school, though a small one, has offered us, besides a variety of extra curricular activities that even a large school can not far exceed, the little things that a city school can not provide. Our school is really one big, happy family-we strive together, help one another and work for the honor of our family name. After graduation our little family breaks up. We go out on our own- some to another alma mater, some to jobs, professions, but we all are going by ourselves no more to be the carefree teen-agers enjoying school games, plays, Karnivals, proms and the everyday after-school chats and get togethers-all the joys of happy adolescents. Now we're leaving ado- lescence and becoming adults who have a more important and significant part to play in life. From now on, we can't look on at country affairsg we must take part in them and be responsible. The path we have chosen in our adult life will be full of ruts, turns and disappointments. It will not be easy and at times we'll have our doubts as to whether the effort is worth the cost. Keeping in mind that we get out of life as much as we put into it, we say goodbye to our carefree youth and face the world with a trust and confidence we hope will not be vanquished as time marches on. MARY CARRILLO THE BASIL CASE The sign on the door read: Harold J ameson-District Attorney . Inside, the office was plain but attractive. An oldish man in a black suit sat at the maple desk and was talking on a telephone, J im, will you come in here a minute? Yes, it's important. The door to the inner office was opened a few seconds later by a young man who was the assistant district attorney. Sit down, Jim, I've got some news for you. Remember the Basil case in which the star and only witness for the state was murdered ? Sure, I remember. That was just before I came here. Got some new evidence on it? Jim went over and sat on the desk. How about starting from the beginning and letting me get the story straight? Here it is. A year ago Mr. Blane, the head banker at the People's Bank, was killed in a holdup. There was a watchman who saw the man come in and kill Blane. For a while he kept quiet, but, when he found out that the killer thought no one had seen him, the watchman reported to me. Of course, the 51,000 reward had no effect on him. Wasn't the watchman's name Zed Carny ? Yes, that's right. Somehow the killer discovered what Old Zed knew

Page 10 text:

8 THE CAULDICON and implicate her in the first killing. Duke also confessed to the murder of the banker. Patsy asked for mercy because she claimed that she had changed her way of living. Both verdicts were-- guilty as charged. They were to die in the electric chair within two months. Jim testified at the trial. Well, Jim, it's time to go. Are you sure you want to? You seem to be taking it plenty bad. Yes, I want to go, and I'll be all right. Jameson didn't believe him but said nothing. Neither spoke on the way to the prison. Hello, Warden Kaler, this is my assistant, Jim Lassen. The warden was a tall chunky man, who puffed impressively on a cigar. Howdy, Jim. This is a bit unusual, you know, but go right in. There are only a few minutes left. As he said this he went to the prisoner's cell. Come then, J img the reporters must be there already. The lights were bright as Patsy was led to the chair. The priest was mut- tering a prayer. Before she sat down Patsy looked up to the observer's window and saw Jim. Then they placed her in the chair-put the clamps on-the lights dimmed-the warden nodded-the switch was thrown and Jim jumped. Half an hour later the prison doctor pronounced Patsy dead. That was about noon. Late in the afternoon just before closing time Jameson looked up from his work to notice Jim coming through the door. I've been Wondering Where you ducked out to. Couldn't find you any place. Oh, Jim, don't mind if I ask you but how come you wanted to go to the girl's execution and not Duke's ? I've got something for you, Hal. It's my resignation. Your what! You must be kidding, Jim! Why this case made you. You've got great possibilities! You'll get used to these things. I'm not fooling, Hal. Here it is. Jim's voice was hard and his face strained. You asked why I went to Patsy's execution-and why this, well, I'll tell you. I can never be a lawyer or have anything more to do with a court room again. You see, Hal,-I loved her! ELIZABETH FRASER COMING HOME The moon was sinking low in the west and the twinkling stars were beginning to dim. A lingering moonbeam extended its ray until it illum- inated an earthly star-a blue service star, the kind that was found in many lonely windows during the grueling war years. This particular star had been receiving the moon's rays for three years, but tonight it seemed to shimmer and dance in the moonlight, perhaps because this day was destined to be a special one. Inside the house, all was serene. The hungry fingers of light from the street-lamp outside found their way to the picture of a smiling soldier, dimly lighting it. The family clock had just chimed three, when all this serenity was pierced by the shriek of the telephone. It rang impatiently as if eager to have its receiver lifted! After what seemed an eternity, Pam, the teen-age daughter of the family, came stumbling down the stairs and, taking up the receiver, said in a drowsy voice, Hel.lo . As if by magic her whole countenance suddenly lighted up and turning, she fairly screamed upstairs, Oh Mum! Dad! It's Jimmie! Oh, It's Jimmie!