Butler High School - Butlerite Yearbook (Butler, MO)

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... .- - ..,.k,e..-4D...g,1.e-..hu-.3-.54 g.Aeq-...pac-:-6.1.2.-..w...uL--.-..s,...,.....-...-..J v.ea..-x?,..4.. - .-i.. ,,. - 1..,.,,-, , ,L , , ,,,,,,,,, v ,uw-,B--,- Unmmga 'Qwuvngv SECOND PRIZE STORY T0m11ay Walters was angry, yes, very angry. The injustice of the world bore heavily upon him and he felt as though his last friend had deserted him. It's not fair! It's not fair! he roared, as he threw sticks at the chickens. They always let the girls have anything they want, but when I want anything, why, that's different. - . You see Tommy had an older sister and he considered that the very worst calamity which could ever befall anyone. Tommy, however, made the best of things and continually teased her. Of course she resentednthis and complained to her mother. So this was the state of affairs in the Walters home. That very morning Tommyhad asked his mother's permission to invite some boys to his home on Friday night. Gertrude fthat was his sisterj had immediately exclaim- ed, No, you can't, because I'm going to have my friends here and mother has already promised me, so there. And Gertrude turned up her nose and marched triumphantly away. But, mother, you promised me the other time she had a party that if I didn't bother, I might invite my friends here any time I chose, and now Gertrude wants to have another party. I won't stand for it! And Tommy stamped his foot angrily. I But, Tommy, his mother had interrupted gently, you may invite the boys here some other time. Your sister is older and so you must give up to her. So now run away, for we shall be very busy today. F Tommy had marched to the door, opened it, walked out and shut the door again with a bang. Then he had sought his favorite refuge, the hollow sycamore tree in the barn lot. And now, as he sat there, he meditated over his many wrongs. I I'll get even with 'em, see if I don't! he muttered. Then he crept from his hiding place and departed for the home of his friend, William Watson, called Billy by his friends. He found Billy busily engaged piling wood in the wood- house. ' I Hi, Tom, what's the matter? Billy inquired curiously as Tommy came within hailing distance. p I've been wronged and I'll have my revenge! e'Tommy muttered fiercely. tHe had recently been reading some dramatic novels.J Q!7iA All right, I'll help you. What they been a-doin' to you now With many gestures and much emphasis Tommy told his grievance. Billy listened sympathetically and then said, , Now, what we have to do is to think of something to pay 'em back. Well, I have it, and he quickly outlined his plan to Tommy. , We'1l do it! shouted that delighted individual, dancing wildly about. And we've got three days to do it in, he finished. Let's begin right now. Come on l So the two boys started off to secure the instruments of revenge. si xty-nin .---. ... ..- -.- ---..-.-. .............-4---.. -1---5:ga-fsres:-zz-3,gf-:as-af:-tar.:-sag-'31-1-+'s-Lsrsaerf-e-A+'areaasassaseqe-'E-is-is-at-49+rs'9Laa24afsaas-ver:.wzasw-an

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Ellyn ihvriuit nf Thr iBvavrt-Olnntinurh could see that she was still lovely. Oh, how he both loved and hated her! Then ran that terrible thought through his brain. Why should he give them water? An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. His life was a living death. Why not leave them to the mercies of the desert? lt would tell no tales, its eternal sands would take revenge for his life's ruin. Then with a shuddering groan he sprang to fetch water, for like a flaming picture in his mind he saw the words of the Master whom he had learned to love so well: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.' ' As the lost travelers revived he was relieved to find that the woman did not recognize him in his long beard and quaint garb. He showed them where to rest and then sought to welcome sleep himself. But old memories ever rose up to haunt him and the terrible desire to take revenge came to him stronger and stronger. All night he wrestled in agony with the demon that tried to seduce him, but as the gray dawn broke over the yellow sands he finally won, though spent and worn. After a long rest the travelers were given a compass and ample provisions to take them out of the desert. As the moment for leaving came, the hermit es- corted them to the door and, pausing on the threshold, spread his pious hands over their heads and reverently blessed them. God bless you, my children, were his last words as they stepped out into the silent dusk spreading over the barren sands. joyously they went on their way to a better morrow, leaving behind them a man, young in years but old in spirit, whose frame was racked by dry sobs and whose soul was filled with the bitter loneliness of the desert. ELMER SODERSTROM, 'l7. ,ll I li ,l Sixty-eight

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Enntntykt ilirurngv-Clinniinurh Friday morning dawned warm and beautiful. lt was a midsummer day. Gertrude and her mother worked busily all day and by evening the house was in perfect order. Then they decorated the house with beautiful plants and flow- ers. Tommy had said nothing more about the party and Mrs. Walters confided to Gertrude that Tommy was getting to be a little gentleman. Gertrude had sniffed disdainfully and said she didn't see much improvement. After an early supper Gertrude disappeared upstairs to get ready for the party and to sit before the glass and admire herself for an hour or two. Nlrs. Walters was busy, consequently she didn't notice the absence of Tommy. Never- theless, Tommy was not present. The guests began to arrive early and soon there was a merry crowd in the big parlor. After a while couples began to find seats in secluded places. The cozy corners behind the palms afforded ideal places for tete-a-tetes. A certain young gentleman and a certain young lady found themselves in one of these ideal places. The young lady suddenly felt a light touch on her hand and blush- ingly murmured Oh, for she thought it was the hand of the young gentleman. The touch became a pinch and looking down she- Ouch ! she screamed, hastily arising and rushing out into the room. For on her hand was a big black beetle. just then were heard answering screams of fright and dismay from all directions. Young ladies shook their hands wildly about and ran frantically here and there. The room was literally filled with buzzing, pinching, stinging and crawling bugs and insects. There were moths, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, lady bugs, and innumerable other sorts of bugs. Gertrude was frantic with anger and fright. Mother, mother, how in the world did all those things get in here! she wildly exclaimed. l'm sure l haven't any idea, her mother returned with a worried look on her face. Then suddenly she asked, Where's Tommy? Why, yes, where is Tommy? Gertrude repeated. And then it suddenly dawned upon their bewildered minds that Tommy, who always loved excitement, had been missing during the whole commotion. l think I can find him, Mrs. Walters said and walked quietly out to the sycamore tree. Looking cautiously in, she beheld the object of her search. But he was not alone. Billy was there also. The boys were seated on the ground with a large ice cream freezer between them. Both were armed with large spoons and were eating the contents of the freezer with great satisfaction, only stop- ping occasionally to take a piece of cake from the plate on the ground. just then Tommy swallowed a huge spoonful of ice cream and said contentedly, Re- venge is Sweetie HELEN L. CLARK, '19, A von Ly