Banning High School - San Gorgonian Yearbook (Banning, CA)

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oe vice station, Twid spied a car with a Wester College pennant tack- ed across the back. It was piled high with camp equipment, but no occupants were visible. He stopped, hesitating whether to dis- mount and go over to the car or to ride on, when Buck’s em- phatically expressed opinion of folks who didn’t know enough to eat when they were hungry, especially when they had a chance to dine like white folks, decided the question for him. They entered the restaurant and took places near the door, in order to watch the traffic pass. A tourist party consisting of a young man, his two sisters and mother, came in and seated them- selves in the corner of the room, facing Twid. “See, I told you, Leonard, that was Twid Rector that rode past that service station. I'll bet you a thousand dollars that is he.” “By gum, Jean, I believe you're right. Nell, you take a look. “Leonard, you and Jean make me sick. You are always seeing some one you think you know. If he were Twid Rector, what of it? Who is he? You certainly haven’t forgotten the ‘rep’ he had in college?” Nell, I wouldn’t be so keen to remember things about people as you are for anything. Leonard, let’s go over to his table and find OUUe “Mother, can’t you stop those two crazy kids? The idea of renewing acquaintance with Twid Rector!” But the two were out of their chairs and across the room be- fore “mother” had time to say a word. They stopped facing Twid, who looked up carelessly, but almost at the same instant looked again. The recognition was mutual. Rising, he exclaimed: “Jean and Leonard Lindsey! For the love of Mike, explain yourselves! Are you lost, strayed or stolen?” “No, guess again. How’s old Twid, anyway?” as Leonard gave him a resounding slap on the back, college style. Oh, Twid, you don’t look the least bit grouchy now. I knew you the minuite I saw you back there by the service station. We were across the street mailing some letters and I saw you looking at the pennant on our car.” Twid gripped hard on the edge of the table. “Oh, let me in- troduce my friend, Buck Sanders—a fellow cowpuncher.” “By the way, where is Bob?” asked Leonard. “An engineer for the ‘Boss’ mine, about ninety miles from here. He will surely be glad to hear about you, Leonard.” Jean wanted to ask Twid to come over to their table, but a frigid look from Nell showed the inadvisability of such a wish. When she and Leonard returned to finish their dinner, they were greeted by a conversation between Nell and her mother which ignored Twid completely. At the conclusion of the meal, Twid came over to tell Leonard of the round-up the last of the week. Nell was painfully formal; [Page Twenty-seven ]

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Neither of the boys could find a word to say. Finally Bob blurted out: “Well—by the way, have you girls dates for the next class party?” “Sorry to say, we have. O, don’t look so gloomy about it, Twid. I never saw such an old sober-sides as you are tonight. Grouchy, buh?” Twid didn’t have a chance to answer, for Bob, glancing at the clock, grabbed him by the arm and, remarking about being late for their appointment, the two strode out of sight down the main aisle. When they entered the president’s office they noticed a drawn look on his face. He was sitting at his desk and, without looking at the boys, waved them to a seat. A deep silence fell on the room. Bob sat motionless, but Twid nervously fingered his cap. Finally President Stearns said: “Well, Albert (Twid was his college nickname), I have taken up this matter with the Board and they are firm in their decision to dismiss you from the college. I asked them to give you another chance, but you know that money affair last year is against you. They refuse you another chance.” Twid swallowed hard. Bob stepped up to the desk, extended his hand to the presi- dent, and said: “President Stearns, we both feel it is for the best. I'll stick by Twid, as I promised Mother before she died, and some- thing gives me a hunch that we will win out yet. We'll go West and begin over again.” Twid, with eyes averted, offered his hand to the president, who, seizing it in both of his, clasped it firmly while neither spoke a word. Chapter II One night, as they sat around their campfire counting out their savings, Twid said: “Bob, if the range is as good next year, old Peck says he will take me into partnership. We haven't lost more than a dozen critters this whole season. If you get boosted to chief engineer in the ‘Boss’ mine I'll say we will be ‘livin’ easy on pork chops greasy’ one of these days.” “ Twid, I guess you had better be going into Sandy Point and put our roll in the bank. I don’t like the idea of having much cash on hand in these parts.” “Right you are, Bob; let’s both go!” “No, not this time, Twid. Get Buck to go with you. He knows everybody and every cow path in the country. You two go in, put up at the hotel and take in a ‘movie.’ How does that sound? “Say, like a dream; don’t wake me!” As the two cowpunchers entered Sandy Point, after a ninety- mile ride across cacti and sand dunes, it seemed like entering the suburbs of a metropolis. The little town of two hundred or so was bustling with tourists. It was noon and Twid and Buck made a bee-line for a restaurant. On the way, as they were passing a ser- [Page Twenty-six]

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the mother condescending, but Jean was hilarious at the idea of waiting over for the event. In the meantime they would go to the mine to see Bob. Chapter III The evening of the day of the round-up was perfect. The moon- light spread a yellowish white glow over the desert. The gentle swish of the wind through the sage brush seemed to pass over the group seated around the campfire, leaving in its wake utter silence and quietude. Bob had come over from the mine io spend the evening. The boys of the camp were sitting about smoking and -thoroughly en- joying the enthusiasm of Jean and her brother. “I know I have the lure of the desert upon me,’ Jean ex- claimed. “This is the most fascinating country I ever saw.” “Nell, what do you think of it?’ asked her brother, who already had detected a change in her attitude. “Would you be surprised if I should tell you I feel just as Jean does?” “Mother, you look tired,” said Leonard, ‘‘don’t you think we had better fix up our beds and turn in?” “That’s right,’ exclaimed Bob, “for I want you folks to come over to the mine for breakfast. A ten-mile ride will give you a sharp appetite. We've some cook over there, but he calls us promptly at six o'clock, and if we don’t show up on the dot we don’t ‘ketch ’em eats.’ Chang’s word is law in the kitchen.” “Oh, Bob, I have an idea!” “Why, Jean, I am surprised!” “You ride over with the folks in the car, Bob, and let me ride over on your horse.” “Well, I don’t know about that Jean, Pinto might object to hav- ing a woman ride him.” “Go ahead, Jean, I'll see to that,” said Twid. “I'll keep you company on Duke. There’s no danger.” The ride across the desert, which began before sun-up, was like a refreshing beverage to Jean. “Twid, this is exactly my idea of the Great West.” “Jean, I'd rather hear you say that than anything else in the world, with one exception. Let’s talk of old times, Jean. Has the old college changed much since I saw it last?” Oh, yes, you would hardly know it. The new buildings make such a difference. And, O, yes, I wanted to tell you last night, but forgot to. You remember John Watson, the college favorite? He was expelled the next year after you left, for stealing some class funds. Why, Twid, what makes you look so? Are you ill?” Twid almost swayed in his saddle; his jaws were set hard and for several seconds he maintained a stony stare. “Jean, that fellow was the cause of my trouble. Didn’t you know I was expelled because I wouldn't squeal on him? He let me [Page Twenty-eight]