Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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THE AEGIS THE MYSTERY OF BIG-FOOT LIZ JULIUS EPs'rE1N. In a dingy room, on the upper floor of a rickety tenement house, poorly lighted by a smoked and battered lantern, five ill looking men who bore thc appearances of criminals, lay closely grouped upon the dirty floor. Besides being cut-throats and burglars of the most desperate character, they were ad- dicted to the use of opium. In the corner of the room on an old pile of dirty rags, lay a haggard look- ing woman under the influence of the dope. The most noticeable fact about her, was her extraordinarily large feet which required a size ten shoe. This woman was known to the underworld as Big-foot Liz, a most appropriate name. Get a move on you, Stamps, and fill up the pipe, commanded Black Pete in sharp tones. Black Pete was the leader of the gang and his word was law. He was a slim fellow, about live feet, eleven inches tall, with black hair, a dark skin and deep-set eyes which seemed to have lost their lustre long ago. No one seemed to know his real name for as far as memory could recollect, he was just Black Pete. Stamps, a lad of eighteen, was the novice of the gang, and his treatment at their hands was not the best. He was nicknamed Stamps for the reason that he was licked in almost every fight that he took part in. Big-foot Liz had various duties, chiefly that of preparing their meals. The other men, Dagger Dick, Speck Moss and Pegleg Bugatti, were hard- ened characters as was shown by their actions and appearances. At Black Pete 's command, Stamps hastily filled the opium pipe and it went the rounds of the five criminals. Big-foot Liz begged for a drag of the Weed, but a kick in the ribs by the big foot of Dagger Dick quieted her for the time being. After the pipe had gone the rounds a couple of times, Black Pete said, Well, boys, what shall it be to-night? A clean haul on Dempsey 's, remarked Speck Moss. I've got a good one lined up, said Stamps timidly. A raid on the sand bank, I should judge, remarked Pegleg Bugatti sar- castically. No, replied Stamps pleadingly, Hitis a half a million dollar job if we can get by with it. What are you driving at? demanded Black Pete. Stamps related the following: 'tYou know my dad was an expert combina- tion fitter in a. large safe factory. His only weakness was that he talked in his sleep. Well Peacock's wanted a large vault for their Michigan Avenue store and it just happened to fall to my father to fit that combination. One night I heard my father repeat that combination in his sleep. I have since learned that there is over a half million bucks in sparkling rocks in that vault at the present time. I propose a visit to Peacock 's to-night. But do you still remember the combination? asked Black Pete. I never took any chances of forgetting it, replied Stamps, so I had it tattooed on my arm for future use, whereupon he bared his left arm to his i11- terested comrades. 77 13

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THE AEGIS You may gather from facts, heretofore stated, The tho 'ts of the class are quite elevated But once in a. while we relax and relent On worldly things our minds are bent Our money We make from the Senior play For the class have debts they 're bound to pay. Of parties and banquets We make quite a feature And everyone goes from Junior to teacher. At last comes the time of great tribulation For those who indulged in procrastination. A parchment all tied up in ribbon of blue Is placed in the hands of the worthy few. Midst glory and honor and great celebration A step is completed in our education The troubles We tho 't were such trials to bear All disappear like the bubbles in air. THE CORAL I-IONEYSUCKLE LUCILE GILLESPIE. In springtime so gentle, fair nature 's bright morn Waked by a warmer climeg Clusters of coral the old porch adorn, Gifts of our bounteous vine. Climbing upward and outward its branches widespread Like wings of a hov'ring bird, The vine robed in verdure-so lately was dead- Is Waked by some magic word. It 's freshening shade, a blanket of coolness, Some care-weary heart may soothe 5 Its sheltering meshes, so snug in their fullness, Glad homes for winged Wanderers prove. Oft a small humming-bird hovering near Sups of the delicate nectar, Which dear mother nature, so eager to cheer Stores in the blossoms to tempt her. Luxuriant mass of coral and green, . Lending grace to all you entwine, Were it mine to be judge, of all I have seen I would name you fair queen of the vine. 12

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THE AEGIS t'We'll visit Peacock's to-night, was the hasty decision of Black Pete. At a quarter past twelve, the five crooks left their room bound for Peacock 's. They arrived on the scene just as the policeman on the beat had left the store after giving it its final inspection for the night. Pegleg Bugatti was stationed as lookout and the rest, after filing a bar from the rear window entered the magnificent store of Peacock. They immediately set to work on the combination, which responded without trouble or hesitation. Once the vault was open it was an easy matter to rid it of its valuable con- tents. Their eyes sparkled with joy as they deposited the precious stones in a bag they carried for the purpose. It took them but a couple of minutes to do their work and they were then ready to quit the place. Before they retreated through the window Black Pete cautiously looked out to see if the coast was clear. It was a lucky hunch, for there beneath the window was a husky cop, shaking Bugatti by the shoulder and trying to make him talk. Stamps drew his revolver and was about to send the cop on an endless journey, when his hand was suddenly gripped by Dagger Dick. You fool, he whispered, don't you know that if you fired that gun, there would be a dozen cops on us in a jiffy? Stamps put the gun in his hip pocket, thankful that he had bee11 taught a lesson. It did not take Black Pete long to decide. With all his strength, he picked up a heavy copy press that was standing near the window, and judging ac- curately, he dropped it on the policeman 's head, splitting it clean to his shoul- dcrs. The victim uttered not a sound but fell lifeless to the ground, before the astonished Bugatti. The four hastily climbed through the window and, with Pegleg, hurried to their rendezvous. Arriving at their dingy room, they at once set to work examining their loot. A sharp clang startled them for a moment, but their fears were soon relieved for it was only the church clock striking two. After all the loot was examined, it was carefully put away under the floor, and the group once more hit the dope pipe. Then Black Pete related to Bugatti the method taken in disposing of the cop. Big-foot Liz listened attentively till the story was finished. She then arose and walked over to the group and begged for a drag of the dope pipe. ' A Go lay down, you hag, commanded Black Pete. You are full of the juice now. But Big-foot Liz craved it and became hysterical. Speck Moss picked up a stool and heaved it at her, striking her in the mouth and knocking several of her teeth out. The blow stunned her for a couple of minutes. They had gone a little too far and had broken the last thread of Liz 's endurance. She quickly arose and started for the door. Where are you going? thundered Black Pete. , I'll stand no more such treatment from you bums, she replied. Hlllll going to snitchf' and with that she opened the door. Black Pete was angry and quickly grasping a hatchet, which was lying close at hand, he heaved it with all his might at Liz. It struck her at the base of the skull, and with a loud shriek. she dropped dead to the floor, the hatchet still sticking in her skull. This scene had no effect on the hardened criminals. They immediately wrapped the body up and started for the lake to dispose of it. 14