Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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18 THE SENIOR MAGNET The Treasure Regained Harvey Gibson The hot rays of a mid-summer sun glowered down on the ranch house of the Kingsley Ranch in southern Arizona. From the outside it looked peaceful enough, but one would have to look only once to discover that something was radically wrong in the combined office and living room of the house. Clarence Kingsley, affectionately called “Dad” by the ranch hands, was frantically engaged in hunting for something which he seemed to be unable to find. Finally he started for the porch and there confronted his niece, Margaret Mansfield, and his ranch foreman, Slim Walton. They were playing with the ranch pet, a five year old monkey. “Slim, were you here all morning, while I was down on the range?” “No sir, I was not.” “Well, where were you, then?” Slim glanced at Peg and then at Kingsley. “I’d rather not say just at present.” This increased Kingsley’s suspicion. “Well,” he said, “I guess I might as well tell you that my diamond is gone; and, seeing as you were the only one, besides Peg and I, that knowed where I kept it, I reckon as how I’ll have to arrest you for robbery. I ain’t takin’ no chances.” This diamond was one of great value which had been given to him by his son, Ralph, before he had died. Ralph had got it in Africa and intended to sell it, but sudden illness prevented him and he gave it to his father. He had put it in a small bronze statue, which had a secret chamber, and had left the sta- tue in his office, thinking no one would ever suspect that it was there. He had told Slim and Peg about it. Peg, who was seriously thinking of marrying Slim, turned and left without a word to either of them. Slim was off the porch in an instant and was gone before Kingsley, an old man, could reach him. The surrounding country was searched for days, but no one could find the missing foreman. He had taken his favorite horse, Gray Star, with him. Kingsley, who was a retired ranchman, now took charge of the ranch again. He loved his niece as he would a daughter. His wife was dead, so Peg was the only woman on the ranch. But, since Slims’ departure, she was dreadfully lonesome and showed it plainly. Her uncle knew the cause, but said nothing. Way down in his heart he knew that Slim was innocent, but it was his quick temper that had made him accuse him, and he was too proud to call him back again. Peg often took long rides by herself and one day, as she was returning from one, she was attracted by a loud chattering in a tree near the road. Looking up she saw “Pat,” the pet monkey, perched on a limb, talking away to something sitting near him between two branches. “Here Pat,” she called, and as he leaped down, he jarred the limb and something fell to the ground. It was the statue! with a cry, she picked it up and hastened to the ranch. “Oh, Dad, I knew Slim wasn’t guilty. Look here, Pat had the statue and was hiding it.” There were tears in Kingsley’s eyes as he took the statue. Opening

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 17 suing him happened to be two robbers. They had broken into Montgomery’s grocery store and taken a large sum of money which had been left in the safe over Sunday. These two men were being pursued and one of the pursuers had fired the shots which Horatio thought were meant for him. Hut for his being caught in the bridge, the two men would have escaped. As it was, one of them was captured and immediately confessed, giving the name of his companion who was captured in the next town. The news of the capture had preceded him to town; so when Horatio reached Marketdale, he was immediately proclaimed a hero. Everybody crowded around him. The Marshall of the town extended his warmest thanks to Horatio, while the proprietor of the grocery store had rewarded him with the magnifi-cient sum of a brand new one dollar bill. Some of the matrons of the town insisted on kissing him, while mothers, who had grown daughters, insisted on having a party in his honor. As a matter of fact, Horatio was the best attraction in the town of Marketdale for some time. But Horatio did not really begin to star until the next issue of the Marketdale Weekly Minor appeared. It was an extra telling all about Horatio’s wonderful deed, while in the very center was a picture of our young hero, fat as ever, but more popular. It seems that the reporter had slightly altered the description of the capture for it said that Horatio had turned upon the bandits and struggled with them only to have one of them escape. But what does a slight error like that matter? Any way, all we know is that the Market dale society welcomed him back with open arms, even letting him play the hero in the next play put. on by the Marketdale Social Players Or ganization. Otherwise he lived happily ever after.

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 19 it, he found the diamond was still there. “I wonder where Slim was that morning that he didn’t want to tell,” said Peg. ‘‘I don’t know,” answered her uncle, but I know one thing, and that is this. I’m going to advertise for Slim and get him back here as soon as I can. I’m too old to be riding all over the ranch.” The next day signs were posted at Caroltown; the village near the ranch. They offered a reward to anyone who could tell the whereabouts of Slim Walton. It stated that he was innocent and that Kingsley was willing to take him back as his foreman again. But no one knew where he was. Then one day a letter, postmarked Caroltown, came for Kingsley. It was very brief. It read:—“Mr. Kingsley. You will find that the person who thinks before he acts generally does the right thing when ht- does a« t.” It was signed Slim. Something told him that he was to see Slim before long, and he was right. The next day, riding on the northern end of the ranch, a part seldom used, he was hailed from behind by a very familiar voice. Turning around he beheld Slim. Kingsley was a. man of few words, but the hearty handshake was enough to assure Slim that he was welcome. “Let’s go down to the house and see Peg,” said “Dad.” They did, and while Kingsley went into his office, Slim hurried out to the kitchen to find her. “Slim Walton, of all things! Where did you come from?” “Oh, I’ve been hanging around the ranch for a long time,” he said. As they talked he told her how he had hidden in an abandoned cabin on the northern end of the ranch ever since he had left. He had seen the sign in Caroltown and had mailed the letter as a joke. “But why didn’t you want to tell ‘Dad’ where you had been that day?” asked Peg. Slim blushed, but began manfully. “Well, you see, I went to town and bought a ring, which I intended to give you soon. I didn’t like to say anything in front of you about it.” It was riwvv her turn to blush, and she did, charmingly. After a moment’s hesitation, Slim went on. “Seeing as how I didn’t get time to give it to you that day, I guess I’d better do ir now.” Just then Kingsley came in with a paper in his hand. “Now see here, Slim, I know I did wrong when I accused you; but I’m willing to start over again. Here’s a contract I’ve drawn up, making you foreman for five years. Will you sign ?” He did. And the next day he signed another contract for life. It was in the shape of a marriage license. And the principals were none other than “Peg” Mansfield and “Slim” Walton.