Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

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6 THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. tion in his rooms and auction off some of his glad rags,” explained Merrill. Jove! Me for a dress-suit!” began Dick Holway. I need one like time, and — ” “Oh you Dick ! Same here, I see where there’s some tall bidding,” broke in Phil Wentworth, with a smile. “Me for his new pumps ! Pretty kip- py pieces of furniture, I call ’em.” “I’m going in strong for his snappy overcoat, if he has it up for sale,” said Merrill. “Heigho, — here’s Cabby him- self!” and a shout was raised which spoke well for Bob Cabot’s popularity among his friends. “Well, are you sports coming to my auction sale Thursday?” inquired he, beaming genially on all. “Sure, we’ll be there with tinsel on,” answered Holway, speaking for the crowd. “What is it, Bob? Debts too heavy for you?” inquired Billy Mason. “Why don’t you try the pawn-shop? Go to Rubenstein’s — Ruby’s a jewel for fair,” — looking fondly at two pawn-tickets which he had drawn from his pocket. “Can’t. — Father’s on to it and made a kick. Not enough money in it anyway. Yes, I’m hard up for money and this seems to be the easiest thing. I don’t get any more money from home until the thirtieth and here it is only the sixth. I guess I can manage to live without so many clothes for a month. I’ll try and get some of them back then, paying in- terest, if you say so.” “How interesting, ' ’ murmured Billy. “ Purina nee, thy name is Mason,” growded Holway. “We shall have to punish you punctiliously. “Out with him ! Roll him in the snow,” roared the others, and then pro- ceeded to suit the action to the words. Then Wentworth asked, anxiously. — “Are you really going to buy your dress- suit back. Bob? I’m willing to put up a good price for it. I need one bad and — ” “Oh well, it all depends. Of course it may be so worn that it would pay to buy a new one, you know,” drawled Bob. •‘Wouldn’t any one think I was a dead game sport, though !” exclaimed Phil. “Hear him rave! Tell you what boys, let’s make it a point not to let Cabby buy any of his things back until the first of March. That’s two months, and I reallv think that he shouldn’t attend so many social functions.” “He sure can’t if we have his clothes,” laughed Merrill. “Good idea. Phil, — for you. All right, then, — no glad rags for Cabby for two months !” “Oh, I say fellows !” pleaded Bob — “That ' s a nice way to treat your little friend. — Why, I might have a hurry bid somewhere and want some decent clothes more than they’re worth.” “What if Janet should invite you some- where, Caleb? maliciously inquired Hol- way. Bob whistled. Then his ' face fell. “Things don’t seem to lie that way just at present,” he said, very gravely for him. Oh well, buck up, old man !” cried Billy, clapping him on the back. “These are going to be pretty dead months, I guess, by the looks of things. There’ll be nothing doing, — absolutely nothing.” “Let us hope not,” came fervently from Bob. Then, — “ advertise this thing around, will you, boys? Thank heaven. I have got plenty of clothes, at any rate, but perhaps ’twould be wise to save out two common suits, at least.” A few minutes later, the crowd dis- persed, full of Bob Cabot’s latest money making scheme. So enthusiastically had the auction been noised about college, that twentv students, or more, had gathered in Bob’s room on Thursday afternoon to witness the fun. Promptly at three o’clock, Bob, en- veloped in a long linen duster, and wear- ing a pair of spectacles, over which he peered in a most ludicrous manner, stepped up on the window seat, struck a gong, and the auction commenced. He spoke in his deepest, oratoriai tones, reeling yard after yard, so to speak, concerning the merits of each ga rment. “Here y’are, gents,” he roared, hold- ing up a pair, of trousers, ‘the best made

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. 5 sued, firing in vain ; they would never more see their loved friend and trusted counselor. Again several months had passed, and Betty was seated in her old place in the chimney corner. But what a change ! How sad and lonely the months had been ! Kind friends had offered to take Betty into their home, but she had re- fused, preferring to remain in the old house that remembrance made so dear. Spring had come with its myriad birds and early flowers, but they, calling to Betty, had awakened no glad response in her heart. Her life, she thought, was like the dead ashes on the hearth — all that remained of the once cheerful blaze. She had forgotten in her desolation that there is one who gives “beauty for ashes.” But hark! In the midst of her med- itation, a slight noise at the door, hurry- ing footsteps across the room, a quick withdrawing of the bolt, and one joyous cry — “Father !” Though scarce a ghost of himself, yet it was Nathan Bradford who clasped his little daughter in his arms. After he had had food and rest Betty begged him to tell her how he had been so miraculously restored. “Well, Betty,” be said, “it was all owing to your Indian. After I had been seized and carried out of the reach of my companions, I was blindfolded and made to go where my captors led me. We must have been traveling thus for about eight hours (though it seemed an eter- nity to me) when we reached their camp. Here I was put under guard while the Indians proceded to hold a council about me. “Then followed day after day of awful suspense. They did not ill treat me but guarded me carefully — one Indian after another performing this duty at night while the others slept. “Something told me that they meant to kill me, but I could not understand why they delayed. At last I decided they were awaiting the arrival of some other In- dian. This surmise proved correct when, at the end of about two months, I should say, the expected one arrived. Imagine my surprise, Betty, when I discovered that he was your Indian with the same wounded hand and with your blanket slung across his shoulder. The other Indians talked with him a great deal, but seemed to come to no decision. “As night drew near I found out that he was to guard me, and this gave me a little hope. This hope proved to be not without foundation for after all the others were silently sleeping he loosened my bonds, and, motioning me to follow him, started swiftly and silently away from the camp. “Though he set a rapid pace, I followed closely, dreading lest I should lost sight of him in the darkness. We traveled all night, and dawn found us in familiar territory. “When we reached the outskirts of the wood my guide halted abruptly. I mo- tioned him to proceed with me, but after giving me one long, steadfast glance be turned and hastened away in the direc- tion from which we had come. I feel certain, little daughter, that I owe mv release to his remembrance of your loVing kindness.” Betty never saw her Indian again, but in after life he was often in her thoughts. What had become of him ? Did he return to be slain by bis merciless and angry companions? Many times she hoped that on his way back he had died from ex- haustion and the effect of his old wound, and that he had gone to the Great Spirit whose child he was. ALICE COTTON, 1912. AFTER THE HAMMER FELL. A laughing group of students was gathered about a notice posted outside of Bob Cabot’s window. “What in time is Cabby up to now inquired Billy Mason, craning his neck to look over the shoulders of those in front. “An auction ? What for?” “Oh. Cabby’s a wise guy. He needs some money bad, and doesn ' t want to borrow, so lie ' s going to have an auc-

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. 7 in the city.— Note the crease; — never more will so-called friends stop yon on the street and, pointing to your knee, snicker, ‘See that hump?’ when you are the wearer of this garment. Fur- ther, the owner of this pair of trousers has solved the razor problem. Often have I used this crease when my razor has been too dull and stupid to perform it’s task. And now, gentlemen, how much am I offered for this— this melody in G flat ?” But the excitement was intense when the coveted dress-suit was held up. Dick and Phil pushed forward, each eager to become it’s possessor. “A most artistic bit of clothing,” Bob earnestly informed his hearers. “One of the best works of art in modern archi- tecture — quite a masterpiece, I may say. E ' elicately moulded from the broadest broadcloth on the continent, and lined within and without with most exquisite satin. Warranted to fit anyone who can wear it. Come, gentlemen, who can look upon so fair a garment and not be moved to part with his money? Breathes there a man with soul so dead — ” “Twenty dollars,” Dick sang out. “Oh, cruel sir,” with a reproachful look over his spectacles, “how could’st mock me thus? Twenty paltry dollars for a suit such as a queen might be proud to — ” Twenty-five,” broke in Phil. “And three.” “Raise it two.” Dick hesitated and flushed a bit. Then he called “Thirty-three.” “ — five,” a little less certain. And now both bidders became very cautious. Neither knew just how much higher the other could go, and each knew that he was nearing his own limit. Finally, for thirty-nine dollars and thirty cents, the suit was handed down to Dick by Bob, who wept in a tearless, but nevertheless heart-rending manner over the loss of his beloved dress-suit. It was now nearly five o’clock. As the last article had been disposed of, Bob very unkindly turned the crowd from his rooms, and sat down to count his small fortune. He had barelv seated himself when a note was handed in from his cousin Nan. “Dear Bob — ” be read “I know you have been anxious to take Janet somewhere for a long time, so here’s your chance. — Call for her to- night at seven-thirty, and meet the rest ot the crowd on the seven-thirty-five car from the Square. I’m getting up an impromptu theatre party for this even- ing, and we’re going to have a box, so near your dress-suit. “As ever, “Nan.” Then it was that Bob broke his repu tation and swore 1 WHAT THE TWINS WROTE HOME. O Mother, dear : This is the dearest old school ! Eileen and I are just in love with it so soon. We have been out all over the grounds exploring and, Mumsie if you could see the gnarled old apple trees, the ramb- ling old stone walls and the elms! It’s just like home and we aren’t going to be the least bit lonesome. We met the professors at supper, and had to curb our spirits rather too much for comfort. It’s all so very dignified in the dining room, and quiet and gloomy. There is a sure enough English butler. Perkins, who nearly drives me into fits just to look at him. And Eileen choked over her soup when he passed the crackers ! It’s enough to make anyone choke to see that great arm coming ma- gestically in front of one’s face and to hear that strenuous breathing (I think Perkins is afflicted with asthma. ) Our German professor is a dear. He’s rather short and wears spectacles and smiles at you so queerly from his twink- ley grey eyes. Pie speaks broken Eng- lish, (very much broken) and gets so fussed up trying to express himself that he rumples his curly hair ' til it looks as if a cyclone had struck it! I think he ' ll be lots of fun. The girls told us that thev have discovered a romance between