Auburn High School - Arrow Yearbook (Auburn, NY)

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THE ARROW ANNUAL-1927 and he drew forth his hand in the palm of which glistened five beautiful diamonds. The owner, who had almost pulled the trigger at the thief's movement, gazed with astonishment at the beautiful gems and he leaned forward to examine them at closer range. The burglar drew nearer tilting his palm so that the jewels would sparkle. The man acted as though he was hypnotized by them, and regched out his hand to take them. As he did so the thief caught him off his guard and seizing the hand that held the gun with one of his hands he struck the man a ter- rific blow on the chin. The man fell to the floor stunned and before he could regain his senses his hands were bound behind him and the gun was in his captor's hands. When his muscles would obey his numbed brain, he struggled to his feet, drew himself to his full height, and glared savagely at the thief who was stand- ing with a look half of pity and half of triumph at him. There was something familiar about that firm jaw and those grey eyes of the old man. Where had he seen him before? Ah! he remembered now, it was on a night something like this night when he and his comrades had charged over the top. Something had struck him in the left shoulder and he had remembered no more until he felt himself being jarred as if somebody was trying to lift himg then he opened his eyes for a brief moment and saw the face that was now standing before him. He fainted again but the image of that face always stood before him. That had been long ago and the face had aged considerably but there was no doubt in his mind that it was the same man. Q He had never found out who it was, some had told him it was the captain, some that it was one of the surgeon's that had volunteered to bring in some of the wounded, he never knew, but he did know that he owed his life to this man. But this man had insulted him, he had called him an ama-' teur, he must be punished, besides he had promised to get the picture. He took one more look at the proud soldier as he stood there, then turned out the light after glancing at the position of one of the pictures. There was a tearing of canvas, sound of running feet, then silence. Outside a figure paused before the open window. He shrugged his shoul' ders and walked towards the man who was waiting for him. When he reached him, he pulled out a roll of canvas from his coat, handed it to him and said, There it is. Give me the money. I'm not going back to the city. No, I'll go on to where I was first headed for before you got me this job. Hope you like the picture. He stuffed the large roll of bills which he had just received into his pocket and started in the opposite direction from which he had come. The other man smiled, put the painting into his pocket, and returned to his car. As soon as the soldier struggled out of the rope that bound his hands, he turned on the light and turned towards the place of the picture that the thief had noticed so carefully when he first came in. A look of amazement and relief spread over his face for the picture was still there. Then he turned towards the other and a puzzled look accompanied by a half-understanding smile crept over his face for there stood the frame with its picture cut and torn from it. -BURKE DRUMMOND, '27. 1 25 1

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AUBURN ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL The House on aHill It was a chilly, rainy night. A dim light shown feebly through the plate glass window of a large mansion. Although the house was isolated on top of a hill and, except for the dim light, apparently unoccupied, it was evident that a man of great wealth had built it. The sides were made of stone and in front four massive pillars supported the high porch roof. The windows were so long that a person could easily stand on the ground and look in. About midnight the light suddenly went out and the loneliness of the house was more apparent than before. Half an hour later, an automobile chugging along the wet, slippery road stopped at the foot of the hill. The lights, which at first were dimmed, were snapped off and two figures emerged from the car. They paused a moment as if arguing about something, then advanced still talking ve- hemently in low tones. As they neared the house, they became quiet and left the road. When they were near the house, they stopped and one tried to press something into the other's hand, but he shook his head and pushed the object away. He raised his handkerchief which was tied around his neck, up to his eyes and, leaving the other fellow, advanced towards the house. The thief paused at one of the windows and leaned forward as if to pierce the gloom and see the contents of the room. After a moment's hesitation, he took something from his pocket, reached near the lock of the window, and made a circular motion with his hand. There was a slight tinkle of glass, then the man reached inside, unlocked the window, and stepped into the room. He stood still listening to catch every sound and sniffing the air. To him the smell, which was that of damp mould and dust, suggested neglect. This was no rich man's house-but they had told him where the picture was and it was up to him to get it. He followed the directions which had been given him and soon found himself in a large room, but because of the darkness he could see nothing in the room. As he was just about to snap on his flashlight, there was a sharp click and a light flooded the room. Not far in front of him stood an elderly man holding a pistol in one hand, his eyes shining with a triumphant gleam. The thief needed no order to throw up his hands for as soon as he saw the pistol he reached for the heavens. At the same time, his eyes swept around the room. pausing at one picture then stopping with amazement and wonder at another. I see you like my picture, said the owner with a bit of sarcasm in his voice, but it would take a better crook than you to get it. I never saw such an exhi- bition of amateur robbing, why! the way you cut that window was disgusting. The thief hung his head in humiliation, his hands dropped to his side, then he spoke with a pleading note in his voice. Honest, mister, I ain't no amatchure. How could I help it if that glass cutter was no good? Why, at New York, I am considered one of the slickest professionals in the business. If you think I'm no good, look at these. He reached quickly into his coat, there was a ripping sound

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AUBURN ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL A Tree Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree. No thing on earth with it compares, No man exists who even dares, With even his most precious dream, Compete with handiwork supreme. In state and beauty here combined, One finds His love once more entwinedg It stirs the heart and brings forth praise From those who finally on it gazeg In all this world so vast and free, Can any work surpass a tree? -DoRo'rH Y BEN N ETT, '27, I Lady Luna The silver 'moon in the heavens Beams on the land each night, And paints all the fields and mountains With a glorious streaming light. V She is pale and fair and wondrous, A shining orb of the sky, VVho lightens the way of traveler Gleaming down from on high. She silvers the trees and brooklets Giving all a silver sheen And softens the glades of the forest Into a pale translucent green But the effect she has on the ocean Can be told no more than a dream. -ELEANOR GANNON, '27. H. 26 .-