Akron High School - Torpedo Yearbook (Akron, IA)

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w wf f f-7 172 TORPEDO V Well, let's find some way out of this pesky cellar, grunted Dual. Light a match and see if you can see any opening in that direction and I'll look in the other dirertionf, The match was scratched and burst into a flame. It showed different sights to each boy. Dual saw a door in the dim flare and whirled as a cry of terror came from Jack. He beheld a sight he never would forget. A tall sheeted figure stood facing them, the ruffling of the sheet blew out the match. Dual lit another match and advanced with a club in his hand. VVhat do you want F he asked the figure and then suddenly burst into a laugh. It's some barrels covered with a sheet. he explained, now I wonder how they came here. That sheet could not have been here all these years that this house has stood vacant. Did that old fellow have any wine in his cellar, No, replied Jack, having regained his courage on finding out the truth He hated liquor in the worst way. Dual turned and wandered around the place taking everything in and checking up on every detail. Wish I could find a lantern, he mumbled, and as if in accordance with his wish he saw it lying in the corner unhurt. He lit it and heard a sigh of relief from jack. So you've found the lantern, he said, that is one good thing. just then Dual lifted his hand for silence and the sound of voices came down to them. Dual extinguished the lantern and taking Jack by the collar, propelled him into a corner behind some boxes and followed. The voices came nearer until the owners were in the same room as the boys. A That floor was awfully old, said one, it must have broken by itself. No one would even have guts enough to come into this place. I guess you are right, came the reply, but let us get to work. Alright, and a light flared revealing to the boys two heavy set men with heavy black beards going into a door in the hall. Come let's follow themf' whispered Dual, and jack nodded assent after seeing the men were actually human. They entered the tunnel and followed the men to a room filled with barrels and kegs. Here the boys halted uncertain whether to go or to remain Dual soon made up his mind and started on, jack following, for he would not have deserted Dual for the world. They Came at length to a room with a maize of long pipes and a roaring ire in the stove where they were. f' ' . . .Mk A -lVfX'z..1UxW1..xU TL-Mm-JM-Jyh. - - . 1 1?

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w i f f '5 Alt X X15 9VAIWi.l+.i'gk'l Q' as TORPEDO ytstu CURIOSITY Near a little village in the Ohio Valley stands a house, almost in ruins. lt was once a fine house owned by a very wealthy man, but after one mem- orable night when the whole family had been found dead in their beds the house had gone to ruin. It had not a window glass in it and the shingles and weather boards were nearly all gone. Certain lights were seen and shadows of persons paced back and forth. When the wind blew the old house groaned and swayed like a huge spectar. Everybody in the village had been dared to explore it but through all these years it had not been ex- plored. Une day at sunset a boy, new to that region and the legend connect- ed with it, was walking home with a newly acquired friend. His name was Dual McDowell and his chum's was jack Dinsmore. NVhat is it about that old house that keeps every kid in town from going near it? asked Dual. lt is haunted, tersely replied jack and turned to watch his chum's face. Rot, laughed Dual. Do you mean to tell me that everybody in this town is scared of that old house? W'hy a ghost would laugh himself sick if he were asked to stay in this house all night. just the same it's so, returned jack. Uh, say. l've got a great idea, let's go through the old house tonight and then we would have the laugh on the rest of the people. There aren't any ghosts in that old house. VVhat do you say? and Dual watched his pal's face slowly turn white below the tan. C Jh come on, there isn't any ghosts in that old house and we will prove it to the rest of them. XVhat say? and he argued and haggled until Jack finally gave in to him. A Fine, beamed Dual. XVe will take a lantern apiece and a good club and no ghost will molest us. And they both took separate paths to their homes. That night about an hour after dark the two boys went back of jack's father's barn, went over their equipment and started out. Jack led the way up to the gate and then Dual took the lead. They made their way through the weeds which were almost again as high as they were. and soon came out into the little clearing around the house. They lit their lanterns and started forward. Dual opened the door and they went in. They paused in the middle of the room and Dual whispered, better be care- ful how you walk on this floor, it don't look any too safe, and jack agreed with a nod of understanding. As they started to move forward there was a sharp crack and the floor beneath them gave way, and they were pitched into the cellar. Neither was hurt and Dual came to jack whom he had located by his voice.

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Filing ' I i Aix 5-.315 ZVMW EQ- f-'f 11. as TURPEDO ......f.....is'WAfl The third man came out later and received such a knock on the head that he lost all interest in worldly affairs. The boys tore their coats in strips with which they bound and gagged him and shoved him behind some barrels. jack, whispered Dual, you run for the cop and I'll hold them until you get back, but for gosh sakes, hurry. After 'Iack's footsteps had died away, Dual searched his prisoner and found a pistol over which he was much pleased. He sat for some time think- ing and then stripped the prisoner and changed clothes with him. Pulling the old slouch hat over his eyes he walked into the room. The men spoke to him but did not notice him farther and he went over and fed sticks into the stove. Suddenly he was hit from behind and pulled around. Dual knew what would happen if he were captured, so he twisted and with a heavy stroke broke the capturer's grip. lle had hardly gotten loose when the other man jumped to help the first and the three men fought up and down the room. Dual finally got a heavy club from the pile and swung it knocking one of them out but be- fore he could swing it again the other closed in and clamped his fingers upon Dual's neck. Soon Dual's lungs began to smart and streaks of lightning seemed to flash before his eyes. just as he lost consciousness the fingers loosened. Dual awoke and found himself in bed, the sunlight pouring into the room. So, you are awake, are you son ? roared a deep voice and Dual looked up into the eyes of Dr. Gray, the family physician. How do you feel? demanded the doctor. l'd feel better if you'd let me up, retorted Dual. So, laughed the doctor, after a mix-up like that last night and almost getting the wind knocked out of you. you're ready to clean up on me, he laughed again. My boy, he said, you have been the instrument of the capture of a gang that the authorities have been unable to take for a long number of years. Besides making moonshine whiskey they are wanted for counter- feiting, forgery and a dozen other things. The reward that is on them amounts up to five thousand dollars which is all yours. Five thousand dollars, echoed Dual, my gosh, and it all started be- cause I got curious. That sure knocks that proverb, 'curiosity killed the cat,' in the head, don't it F -Lynn Booth.