Attica High School - Crimson Yearbook (Attica, IN)

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.0179 Where There's a Will Thereis a Way HE bells tolled as a funeral procession moved slowly along a narrow street in a small town of West Virginia. Mrs. Bowen had died from grief and worry, over her dissipated husband. To Cordelia, her oldest daughter, she left the care of Margaret, a child of eight, and Harold, a boy of seventeen. After the funeral was over and they returned to the forsaken home, Cordelia realized that the whole course of her life was changed. Seating herself in the nearest chair she recalled how her mother had toiled to prepare the packed trunk in her room. i Twas all for naught, she said, they are of no use to me now. When will I ever have an opportunity to wear such things? At this moment her father came staggering into the room. Another charge, she thought, must I also wear my life away as mother did caring for him. Sharp reproof from him compelled her to busy herself with the neglected duties. As the days passed Cordelia longed to return to college. She knew that she would have been there if her mother had lived, for she had planned to leave the week that her mother had died. A call from Harold, Sis, have you pressed my trousers? , turned her thoughts from the pleasures that might have been. A year slowly passed during which time Cordelia faithfully discharged the duties that were placed upon her and tried to forget the longing that was ever in her heart. Mrs. Grosser, a friend, had watched Cordelia, and had noticed how the happy rosy cheeked girl of nineteen had become a quiet pale faced woman. She realized the girl, overwrought with responsibility, needed a rest, and conse- quently, she was invited to travel with them and care for the baby. Cordelia was delighted with the idea but she thought-Will father consent? She could not give her answer until she had consulted his wishes. When she asked her father if she might accompany the Grossers on their vacation his grouchy answer, Lands no, where have I any money for you to run around on?, made her heart sink. 'iYou know I spent all my savings on your mother's funeral, and to top it all off, I've lost my job. Cordelia's face brightened, Don't worry father, I will help you. Mrs. Grosser wants me to accompany her as a nurse so I will receive good pay and can send it to you. lg,

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Now Jed Darrow happened to he shocking wheat near the path along which the Judge was passing and while quietly resting in a small copse of hazel brush he heard a voice and listening intently caught the words, We'll fol- low the trail tomorrow. Instantly Jed thought of the trail to the still and he hastily set out across the field to the house. He told Kate what he had heard and together they prepared to meet the Judge on his own grounds. The next day with a detective, Mr. Burch, whom he had called from the city, Judge Chesterfield set out for Warner Gulch. In the meantime Collins had been told of the coming invasion and now with Kate and Jed was safely hidden among the bushes and rocks near the still. Collins had objected to hiding, but Jed had said, Ult may not seem like the man's part to hide but under these circumstances I think it is best. As the officers approached they looked often at one another as if for mutual support and the Judge stealthily crept up the trail and drew near the mouth of the cave. Among the bushes sat a small tin bucket and in the bot- tom was a sparkling liquid. To this Chesterfield pointed and Burch gave a significant nod. As they neared the place of conflict both sides were nerved to the tense pitch of battle. A short rustle and a quick breath from within the cave and the officers paused for a moment. Then the Judge quickly stepped into the darkness of the cave and in a loud voice called, Immediate surrender! You are found and under cover. But his pistol was knocked from his hand and the report sounded dully against the roof of the cave, while with a hiss and a beating of wings a huge bird flew out and gracefully alighted on the ground near by. Detective Burch peered intently into the cave and as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness saw in the great bowl of the corn press a neat bed of round speckled eggs, and with an oath he turned to the Judge who stood staring stupidly at the kyowking fowl, and said, Well, we have madea nice mess ofit. What shall we say to the chief? As they talked Jed, Collins and Kate had come to the entrance and now looked mirthfully in upon the dis- comfited officers. So you thought we was moonshiners, did you?, exclaimed Jed. i'Well it would almost take judges and detec- tives both to find a turkey nest. But Kate here, she's ahead of you. You bet she watched that turkey. Why them young 'urs when they're hatched and grown are to go to buy her weddin' gown. She's been a carryin' water up here for the last three weeks. The eggs are a'most ready to hatch now. Come on out of here and let the turkey go back for if the eggs get chilled, the little turkls 'll die in the shell. So you thought we was moonshiners! Sounded more like angels when we flew didn't it? and Jed doubled up in an ecstasy of mirth while Kate and Collins kept him company. But Judge Humphrey Chesterfield and Detective Burch had quietly and shamefacedly gathered up their fallen pistols and ignominiously made their retreat along the turkey path. And now when you mention moon shiners to the Coonboro folk they look at one another knowingly, with an unseemly mirth, and when they are in a good humor will tell the story of Kate's turkey. -VELMA LIGHT '15 Wadi

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,llvn., Well go to bed, he said, I'll think it over. Next morning she arose early, and went about her work, with a light heart, because she knew what his decision would be. At the breakfast table he said, Well you're such a willful child I suppose you will have to have your own way, besides we will have to have enough money to keep the house going on as usual. Guess Harold and Ican care for Margaret. The day came for her departure and with a feeling of reluctance she bade the family farewell and started out into the world to do what she thought was the best thing for all concerned. After three months of delightful travel, Mrs. Grcsser became suddenly ill and was moved to a hospital in the nearest town. To Cordelia's surprise it was no other than her college town. As she watched the college girls, the old longing returned. Ideas came to her but they were her secret. Letters from home told her that all was well and that her father was living a better life which encouraged her in her plans. In a week or so, the Grossers would return to their home, but why should she?--No, she had something else in mind. Now every effort was bent toward the realization of the chief desire of her life-a college education. She lived with Mrs. Hess and worked for her board and room and in order to have the usual amount to send home she spent her odd moments tutoring and giving lessons in fancy work. To her dearest friend, Olive, she told of her responsibility, especially to the little home in West Virginia which she was longing to see. Olive King was a wealthy girl and wanted to help her but Cordelia's pride refused it. No, she thought, I must win thru my own efforts so that my motto, 'Where There's a Will There'saWay', will be true. When she received word that Mrs. Hess would need her no longer, she decided to give up her college education. But the old longing spoke for itself, How can you, when there is only a year and a half until you finish? Don't give up, keep fighting. i'Very true , she murmured, but what will I do? When Olive discovered her friend's new trouble she sug- gested a plan, which helped to cheer the heart of the disconsolate girl. 'iYou shall stay with me and we will keep house. You play wife and I'll be husband and pay the bills. Don't protest, I have plenty of money and can spend it as I please. And in order that you may have more money for home, Lawton and I are going to take music les- sons of you. Lawton, with his clumsy fingers, toiled hard on the piano, working out the notes exactly backwards, so that the little teacher would move her chair closer to him, in order that she might more carefully instruct him. After an especially tiresome day Cordelia Went to her room thoroughly discouraged of ever accomplishing the J