Astoria High School - Zephyrus Yearbook (Astoria, OR)

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and disappointment at this failure, he cared little for joking. “What did prof, say when you borrowed them?” “Nothing.” “Great Caesar, you must hypnotized him.” Billy made an attempt to keep his face straight; but it was of no avail. “Prof, would hypnotize me if he knew it,” he chuckled, ' flic boys glanced from one to the other. “Oh you kid,” rejoined Larry tantalizeingly. “Better make another trial at sailing.” “Why this clod-hopper can’t overcome the force of gravity, announced Harry. He stepped into the craft after Billy, and seated himself in what was supposed to be the bow. “Billy,’ he said in mock gravity. “Billv-me-lad we’ll make the flight together; and bovs, if we never come down, bury us beneath the bouighs of yonder spruce.” “We’ll get you first,” roared Ted, who up to this time had been exceedingly silent. The remaining three boys laughed in unison. Harry appeared a trifle hurt. “Boys, this is no trifling matter.” Billy was working at the engine; the chuk, chuk became more distinct. “Boys,” continued Harry. “Quit of the remains, first resurrect the engine.” Larry slipped the knot and Harry’s pretended gravity changed to mirth. “Oh Bill, my friend!” he shrieked. “Don’t sail her so high!” The boys who had come to watch the trial flight rolled on the ground in their glee. Only Billy’s face remained grave. While all this was going on a wonderful change took place in the Thunder: the pulses of the engine became more regular, and the faint breeze seemed to take more effect upon the craft. The boys upon the ground arose and watched with new interest. Even Harry sat up and took notice. It was all so sudden. And the Thunder hitherto quiet and sub¬ missive leaped into the air, and in its course of flight came in sudden contact with the heads of a line of wondrously stricken boys, who fell like ten-pins before the wooden hurricane. Harry, pale to the lips, grasped the side blams and closed his eyes. He was so young to die. Billy was satisfied. (To Be Continued) Fanny Gregory.

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“She acts like “a kicker all right, old man, shouldn’t wonder il the blooming thing would sail and Larry Stebbens got down upon his knees and took another look at the engines. It oughter fly, tellars, — explained Billy. “Tthe diagram is perfect, and if the engines work as they should, I have no doubt but that the trip will be successful. You see that the steering apparatus is u:p to the best standard, and the ropes cannot possibly get mixed, furthermore. I’ve read enough on air-ships to under¬ stand fully how to handle them.’’ Wont express any opinion until you make the ‘ ' flight” — sweetly announced Bob Lovebridge. It’s three-thirty now. All aboard! Hurrah for the Thunder!” In his exu ' rberance of glee. Jack Lacv tossed his class cap of blue and gold far into the air. The remaining boys picked up the yell; and, amid the extensive cheers of his class-mates Billy, a trifle nervous, yet with a very decided look upon his face stepped into the the apparently tame and ruly Thunder. After seating himself and examining the ropes, he spoke to I larry Stevens : When I say go, — let the rone there slip; and then all of you “Vamoose”, for I won’t vouch for the safety of the craft at all. It would be distressing to you, especially so to the Thunder if she should fall upon your heads. How, for my sake “cut out” your grinning, and remain quiet. On hand, Harry.” In a second the engine was started, the chuk, chuk almost drownin the voices of the now interested boys; but above it’s babble Larry managed to roar: ‘AVhen you come down, you’ll find us under the tree.” Billy in a daze scarcely heard him; and, as the noise of the engine increased, he grasped the ropes more tightly. Harry, hand on the anchor line, awaited the command to slip the knot. At last it came : and the ship was free. Harry made for the giant-spruce at a two-ten rate; but the Thnnder never moved: not even a quiver came over her frame. From beneath the tree there came a roar; and the student quintette rushed out to bestow mock congratulations upon their disappointed class-mate. Billy pulled ropes, squirmed and kicked, but of no avail: his beloved, new plaything refused to move. Billy clamored out and examined the engine. Finding nothing wrong, he slipped the tie knot over the stake, and taking out rather a dingy handkerchief mopped his brow. “The Thunder ’am condemmed,” announced Bob with owl-like gravity. At a repeated whir of the engine his face showed interest. “I say Fat, where’d you get the engines?” “Borrowed them.” “Borrowed them? “You bet.” “Appears like I’ve seen them before,” Harry snickered, and Lacy grinned. “They ' re not worth much.” scoffed Billy. Tn his humiliation

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Circumstantial Evidence It was a typical jury room with cots in one end, a table in the center, and twelve chairs scattered about. Of the twelve jurymen in the room, six were at the table playing poker, five were reading books or magazines, and the remaining one was standing at a window. Time passed bust no one spoke, except once in a while one of the players would make some remark concerning the game. The man still stood at the window, his right arm on the sill. Me was looking- over the roofs of the city towards the mountains in the distance, but all he could see was a picture of his wife calling for him. She might be dying now and here he was duty-bound and unable to go to her. Yes, he could go, but as he thought of the consequence, he shudd¬ ered. Often the rest of the men would look toward him and nod to each other. They did not know of the battle that was raging in this man’s soul, a battle that the rest of the world might never know of, but one on which so much depended, — another man’s life. Two hours passed slowly, then the men at the table impatiently threw down their cards, pushed their chairs, and rose to their feet stretching and yawning. One of them spoke to the man at the window, who turned and came toward the table mumbling to him¬ self. Henry Jonson, for that was the speakers name, thus add¬ ressed him : “Have’nt you got enough of staying in this- place? We have been here three days like prisoners, with the exception of going out to meals, and even then we are guarded like convicts. Why man alive, be sensible, it’s a clear case of murder. Didn ' t he admit that it was his coat with the blood stains on it, the one they found hanging in his closet? Didn’t he admit having had a quarrel with his father, and after having killed him, that he ran out of the house calling for help? Of course he said that when he arrived at home he found his father dead. A likely story! What more evidence do you want?” “That is onlv circumstantial evidence. Are you going to convict a man on that? He has not confessed.” “Confessed! Huh! do you hear that boys? What do you want him to do, tell us right out that he committed the murder? Why, they never do that unless they plead insanity. All the rest of us agree that he did it; yon are the only one for acquittal. Almost every one thinks him guilty.” “They are not sure, vou are not sure. He did not confess. Suppose you should convict him and he should be hanged, and vou should then find out that he was innocent, how world you feel? Are vou justified in saving the word that gives another man the right to take the life of a fellow man unless you are absolutely certain that he is guilty?”