Arthur Hill High School - Legenda Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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The three aeroplanes of the three schools were moving across the field. Gracefully they rose into the air. The no ise was deafen- ing both from the motors and from the crowd. ‘The flight was to be to a nearby town and return. The planes swiftly flew away as birds on their way south. But a short time and they were mere specks on the blue of the sky. A half hour passed and the three were seen returning. The race was close for they were very jnear together. One plant shot down under the others in a long slanting direct line for the fairgrounds. It struck the ground a half a min- ute before the others. Vanderbilt had won. Cheers upon cheers rent the air. Stanley, even, joined in the shouting. There was great commotion, indeed, while the crowd dispersed. Prof. Gale left Stanley at the gate with a friendly goodbye. ‘“Come up to my house some evening, Stanley. To-morrow night I’ll be at Cedar, but any other time. Good bye.”’ Stanley watched Prof. Gale’s auto until it turned a distant corner. While he was standing thus he heard people talking not far away. ‘‘ Who is that young man over there?’’ ‘‘Oh, that’s Stanley Ellis, alias ’Solitaire.. Always goes around alone. Don’t know what he is worth. He has never proved his value. The people were moving away and the last few words were very indistinct. Stanley’s tace lost its cheery expression. ‘‘Soilitaire’’ he spoke aloud. ‘‘So that’s what they call me. My non de plume. Very expressive and romantic. Well, I suppose there’s no help for it. I must continue to live my life and let others live theirs.’’ He turned down the street to his home, two blocks away. The following evening, Stanley paddled slowly up the Wa-Wa- soo-kee river. Canoe riding in the evening was getting to be a. habit with Stanley. Lacking human companions, he found severa friends near to nature’s heart. -To-night the banks of the little stream had become indistinct soon after he had set out. Vander- bilt college had been established in a rural district and a sparcely settled one at that. The Wa-Wa-soo-kee could hardly boast of one house overlooking its beauties for ten miles along its course nort! of Vanderbilt. For this reason Stanley felt very much alone alone with nature. Suddenly he saw a flash of light on the shore. It was a small camp-fire. Quietly Stanley turned the canoe closer to the bushes along the bank. He could give no reason for spying only that he felt that something was wrong. His hand brought the canoe very near the bank and he obtained a good view. There were four, young men around the fire. It was easy to hear their conversation. “ T tell you, fellows, we have got to get even tonight and even for all time. Gale is all to blame for not playing in next Satur- day’s game. If he hadn’t caught us in that gambling hole and hadn’t told the Dean we would have played against Vanderbilt. Without us Clemens hasn’t much show to win. Gale knew it, too, that’s why he told. I tell you we’ve got to take it out of him.”’

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“SOLITAIRE” MADE KNOWN The crowd surged thru the main gate of the fairgrounds in a good-naturedly-sort-of-way. Jests and laughter were common. The majority of the people were young—students seemingly. Ban- ners of different hues were waving here and there. All at once there was a shout, ‘‘Tallehassee.’’ From close by came an answer. ‘Vanderbilt! Oh look at us!’” This was echoed by a third ery, “Bly away! Clemens! Clemens!’’ These outerys started the blow- ing of hundreds of horns, squawkers and the like. The crowd, be- came in a hurry and passed at double quick time thru the gate. At leneth there were only the stragglers passing. Stanley Ellis drew up the vanguard, partly from preference and partly from necessity. One limb was slightly crippled which made walking slow. Stanley could not mix with other young people. The reason wasn’t altogether bashfulness, but rather the fact that he was not able to enter into the pleasures and interests common to young people of his age. Then, too, in his actions and speech, he was oldcy than his years. He was thinking of this as he hobbled along the cinder race track. ““T don’t see way I can’t enjoy other people’s company or make myself agreeable. No one ever comes around to go with me any- where. Maybe it’s because I’m crippled, but I don’t think. so. There’s Tom Hicks, everyone likes to have him around.’’ Musing thus he stood leaning against the fence waiting for the aeroplane flights to start, for this was the first aviation meet of three col- leges, Tallehassee, Vanderbilt and Clemens. ‘ Good afternoon, Stanley. Waiting for the birds to fly.’’ Looking around he say Prof. Gale, best known of the Vander- bilt faculty. ‘Yes, Sir. It will be an interesting sight, Sir.’’ “You'll be tired standing. Come wth me. My wife eouldn’t come this afternoon, so I have an extra seat. “Oh, thank you, Sir, but I wouldn’t want to intrude.’’ ‘ No intrusion, boy. Come; I'll enjoy your company.”’ As they walked slowly toward the grandstand, gladness and wonder were equal feelings of Stanley’s heart. He had always thot more of Prof. Gale than of his other teachers, yet he had never dreamed of enjoying such a treat as this. When they were seated, Prof. Gale encouraged Stanley to talk about his life and interests. It was not long before the reserve of Stanley had disappeared and they were talking lke old friends. The theme of conversation turned to aviation. “‘T think, Sir. I could fly if necessary. I’ve studied the prin- ciples, methods, and construction of the different makes of ma- chines. Of course, practice is the only way to gaing a working knowledge. Some day, I hope to try.”’ “Well, Stanley, | hope you may, although, it’s a dangerous pleasure. Ah, they’re starting.

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‘Well, Bill, we’re here for that purpose, if you don’t make it too strong.’’ ‘“Too strong! Nothing less than tar and feathers will do the business. ”’ “Do you think we’re living in the days of Salem. We’re not savages.’ ‘Oh, eut your talk. We’ll just put ’em on his clothes. It’ll be hot enough at that.’’ Bill continued, ‘‘Now here’s the plan. He has gone up to Cedar to-niht. We'll drive back at eleven. About half a mile down the river there is a sharp bend in the river. The road also turns at quite an angle. We will wait for him there. I’ve got the ‘tars and teathers’ on the spot already. He won’t see the tire until we are ready for him.’’ ‘ But, Gosh, Bill, it’s a State’s prison offense.’’ ‘ Aw shuckks, brace up. Here take a drink all round on me.”’ Stanley’s nerves were strained to the breaking point. His blood boiled and thoughts passed through his mind like a mill race. Dur- ing the last sentence he leaned too far toward the bank. ‘To save himself trom upsetting, he grasped the bushes. This made consid- erable noise. ‘lhe four jumped up, saw Stanley, and made for the bank. With a quick thrust Stanley sent the light canoe out from shore. He headed downstream and paddled with all his might. Two of the young men had jumped into another canoe and weré giving chase. The race was short. A flash-light was turned on Stanley. Buill’s voice spoke. ‘‘Spying, were you, you contemptible little scalawag. We'll teach you better manners. Give me your paddle.”’ ‘““What if I don’t,’’ Stanley replied erisply. ‘‘Upset you, that’s all. Come, hustle up.’’ Stanley thought quickly. Should he fight or wait for develop- ments? He decided on the latter course. He would be in better condition to help Prof. Gale. Bill tossed the paddle in the bottom of the boat. He motioned for his companion to paddle. He, being in the stern, steered with one hand and kept hold of Stanley’s canoe with the other. The two boats reached the bank and all clambered out. By the fire- light Stanley obtained a better view of his captors. Althought he judged they were prominent in inter-collegiate affairs, yet they were unknown to him. ‘“‘Now, Solitudinary, or whatever your name is, you think you’ve discovered quite a plot. Little good it will do you. First thing you’ve got to promise you will never say a word about this tx anyone. You know we might tar and feather you.’’ Bill spok. sarcastically.