Ashtabula High School - Dart Yearbook (Ashtabula, OH)

Page 32 text:

THE DART As her husband left her. Mrs. Van-dall hastened to her room and there burst into tears, for. in spite of Van-dall’s greed, and meanness and violent temper. Mrs. Vandall still loved him, and prayed for his redemption. Vandall remained at his club until late into the night, during which time he proceeded to drown his rage in wine, and he succeeded to such an extent that two club members escorted him home. Silently entering the house so as not to encounter Mrs. Vandall or any of the servants, these two Good Samaritans seated Vandall in a huge chair before the open fireplace, and turning off the electric lights, quickly withdrew, leaving the financier in a stupefied state in the fire-shadowed room. An hour passed by and as yet no one had disturbed the money king. Vainly he struggled to review the events of the day in his dazed mind, but clear thoughts would not come. Failing in his attempts to think clearly, he gave it up, and soon he was in the meshes of a troubled sleep. Suddenly Vandall gave a start and opened his eyes. There was danger in the room, something within seemed to warn him of that. He tried to laugh and shake off the feeling of dread which was rapidly overpowering him. but it was useless. Something terrible from which there was no escape was about to happen, of that the money king was certain. As if sensing the source of danger, Vandall gazed into the fireplace at the flickering flames which cast awesome shadows about the room. In horror he saw the little fiery tongues dart forth and in glaring letters form the three significant words. “You are doomed.” At the same time, from a distant corner of the room, the soft ticking of a huge clock came thru the breathless stillness, and. as if reading the message of the flames, it whispered, “You are doomed.” Vandall could not move; his eyes glared and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. As if held under a spell he continued to watch the dancing flames, and as the ominous words vanished, he again saw a transformation taking place, and before him nov arose a scene of pitiful desolation and wretchedness. Hundreds of starving men. women, and children passed before the financier. Ragged, pale and hollow-cheeked they were—tottering, trembling old men and women, weakly crying infants, sobbing mothers, and husbands, with their last feeble breath cursing the greedy men who were responsible for their misery. With pathetically appealing eyes the masses gazed at Vandall, then one by one the wretched beings fell to earth and with a great heart-rending sob they vanished from sight. Little streams of perspiration flowed down Vandall’s horrified countenance; he struggled to arise, but some unknown force held him powerless; his heart throbbed madly in his breast and his throat was dry and parched, yet he continued to gaze in fascination at the fireplace. Now into view came an old woman whose ghastly and withered countenance struck terror to the unfortunate spectator’s heart. Merciful heavens! could she be human? was not this apparition a scowling death head sent to torment and terrify him? But no—she looked strangely familiar; Vandall had seen her before, but where? Ah, yes; she was the prominent figure in the accursed cartoon which he had denounced a few hours before. So the 30

Page 31 text:

THE DART THE TRANSFORMATION HAROLD JOHNSON. 17 “Yes,” continued Vandall, “as usual, our victory was complete, but this time it was more so. We gradually raised the prices on all the foodstuffs under our control until our profits were well over seventy per cent. People must eat, so they couldn’t resist the higher prices; and, furthermore, it wouldn’t have done them much good to resist, for we are the most powerful trust in the field and we would have forced them to terms in the end. There is some talk of a government investigation, but we have arranged it so that nothing annoying will happen. 1 tell you. I’m proud to control such a powerful body of great men.” Mrs. Vandall thoughtfully surveyed the smiling features of her husband. It was not often that Alton Vandall smiled, and, even in the fairness of her mind, Mrs- Vandall could not admit that her husband’s stern and greed-marked face was improved by the lurking contortion which intensified his harsh features. “Alton,” she said, “I don’t know much about the affairs of finance, and I’m not acquainted with the codes or rules by which you men are governed; but I do know that in gaining a few million dollars you have caused untold suffering among the poor. Perhaps 1 should be proud and rejoice in what you call a victory, but I can not find it in my heart to do so. I don’t want to throw cold water on your triumph, but read this paper and you will see what I mean.” With a muttered curse the husband, now scowling instead of smiling. glanced at New York’s leading daily paper and read as follows: “Poor suffer on account of greed of money kings. Alton Vandall and his trust raise prices on food. Food riots in city. Government investigation impending.” A column and a half was devoted to this topic and Vandall was denounced in such terms that he gurgled and choked with rage as he read. Accompanying the article was a cartoon vividedly showing the misery and wretchedness which existed among those who were not able to buy the food which was now so expensive that it was far beyond their frugal means. Vandall angrily tore the paper into a hundred pieces and cast it into the open fireplace. “Fools!” he cried, “They’re all fools and jealous dogs. If we had let them in on the deal they would now be hailing us as great kings of finance, but just because I, with a few trusty lieutenants, chose to fight and win my own battle, they condemn me and bring in that time-worn joke about abusing the poor. Bosh! They just imagine that the people can’t buy food. They’re too stingy; that’s all. Abusing the downtrodden! Rot! Those newspaper men have to make a living in some way or other, so they work on the sympathy of the people at large and paint a sad picture of something that never happened. Well, I’ve won out and no one has suffered at my hands, so let them rave.” So saying, the angry Vandall hastily left the room and departed for his club on Broadway. 29

Page 33 text:

THE DART paper did not lie—he and his trust had caused suffering among the poor and they were little better than murderers. King of finance! What irony! —king of murderers had he better be called. Now he was to be paid in full for his wrongs. Slowly the terrible figure advanced, and with each step forward she gained in size and hideousness. When she was a short distance away from the horrified Vandall, she stopped, and towering above him. gazed at him with accusing eyes. Not a word was spoken, not a sound was heard. Why did she not speak? why did she not move? why did she not end it all and wreak vengeance on him? Anything would be better than this. Suddenly the creature raised her bony fists and with terrific force brought them down upon Vandall’s forehead. With a shriek he fell to the floor and all was again still. Sixty hours later Alton Vandall opened his eyes, and in feeble amazement discovered that he was in his bed. and that bending over him were his anxious wife and the family physician. Dr. Gregg. Suddenly the money king remembered. “Martha, he weakly whispered, “have they gone? With teai s streaming down her cheeks. Mrs. Vandall glanced at the haggard face before her. She did not know to whom her husband was referring, but she did know that the crisis was passed and that he had come back to her from that terrible sleep into which he had fallen. “Yes, dear, she murmured with trembling voice, “they have gone. With a sigh of relief Vandall closed his eyes in peaceful slumber. Two weeks later a certain million- aire unfolded New York’s leading newspaper and on the second page read these headlines: “Unknown person becomes benefactor of poor. New York millionaire donates two million dollars to associated charities. Name is kept secret. The reader heard a slight noise behind him and turned to find his wife regarding him with loving eyes. With outstretched arms she advanced. “Alton, she said, “I’m so glad! AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS (Continued From Page 24) happened to have along and mixed it with two parts water and ran his car back to town. He is getting a patent on the fluid now. “That’s not quite up to Edward Morris’ latest patent. You know he has a beauty parlor in Cincinnati. He has just patented a cream for preserving pink cheeks. “Morris Mendelsohn has been appointed tailor to the ladies of the White House. We had talked so fast that we had not realized it was growing late until Mary Niles, who is Professor of Latin at Lake Erie College, and who just now was visiting me, came in and said, “I thought I was to meet you at the car line at 4 o’clock. It is just 4:30 now. “Goodness! exclaimed our noted Superintendent, “I am late for School Board meeting. Good afternoon. Miss Niles. Good afternoon. Miss Metcalf. She shrilled wildly at him. He reached over and grabbed her. shook her pitilessly and then threw her on her face. Her very hands trembled, end her screams died to mere mumblings. He then pulled the covers closer and said, “Now, I guess you’ll be quiet. Miss Alarm Clock. Ex. 31