Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

Page 14 text:

12 THE SENIOR iWAGNET The Mountaineer CURTIS KROUSE Late one afternoon about fifty years ago, two men stood on the edge of a cliff in the 'Tennessee mountains overlooking a small lake. They had been up in the mountains for two days inspecting coal deposits on the land of the younger man. The older of the two already passed the prime of life, and judging from the instru- ments he carried, he was a surveyor. The younger man, although not quite twenty-five years of age was far older in experience. He had lived most of his years in these mountains, except the four years spent at college. Now, he spoke with unconcealed bitterness, I suppose this trip we made up here was utterly useless. Those scoundrels have stolen our samples of coal and destroyed our papers. The company will do nothing till we prove the worth of those mines. I remembered father saying a few days before this same bunch killed him that every time he had a deal drawn up and ready to close it, somebody queered it. He said there was someone outside these hills back- ing it. ' The older man remained silent. He could think of no word of comfort, for he knew the story of the boyis life. The boy's father, Jim Mont- gomery, had owned valuable land in these hills. While he was yet a boy, a band of outlaws had sought con- cealment in the numerous caves in the land. Realizing that if the lands were developed they would be useless as a hiding place, they had fought every such attempt, and thus far they had succeeded. The year before they had been driven to extremes and had killed Montgomeryf. Now, young Jim had come home from college-deter- mined to drive out the outlaws and avenge his father's death. So this trip had been made into the moun- tains to survey the land and get some samples of the rich coal beds they thought were there. The night be- fore these samples with some valuable papers had been stolen. As the older man stood there thinking of these things, Jim spoke again. I have a feeling that someone is watching usg if they shoot, I'm going to jump over this clifff, As if in answer to his statement, two rifle shots rang out. The one bullet whizzed so close to Jim's face that he felt it fan his cheeks. He heard the other strike, and as he jumped, he saw his friend reel and stagger to the edge of the cliff and then toppled over the brink. As Jim touched the water, he struck out quickly for the shore. Reaching this he concealed himself in some bushes where he could see anyone on the cliff without being seen himself. Present- ly a villainous face peered over the cliff, to be refiected in the lake. f'Well, I guess we got them that time. I'll bet the old man will pay us well for this job. He was having a hard time to keep that coal company from leasing the land. Now he can buy the land cheap, from the old wo- man, one-eyed Tom exclaimed to someone behind him whom Jim could not see. Night came before Jim ventured from his hiding place and set off down the mountain. It was far after midnight when he reached home, but he found his mother and sister, Aileen, waiting for him with haggard faces brightening in spite of the fact that his face portrayed failure. They asked

Page 13 text:

THE SENIOR JIJGNET 11 out of their chamber, the prize win- ner was about to be announced. A tall, thin-faced, middle-aged man arose from his seat and in a coarse voice announced. A' 'The VVeary Scene' by XVilliam G. Brooks has been judged by the officials of the National Artists Club as the prize winning paintingf' 'The Weary Scene' was truly a wonderful painting, the judges could not have made a better selection-but VVilliam G. Brooks, who was he? The next day the London Daily Chronicle quoted: HWilliam G. Brooks, KVVeary Scene, was judged as the most beauti- ful painting on exhibition at the hun- dredth anniversary of the National Artists Club-held at Excyll'e Palace last evening. William G. Brooks tru.ly depicted a wonderful scene, the selection could not have been better. The artist of the AWeary Scene, has been painting for eight years, but this is the first time that his works have caught the eye of the public. Wil- liam G. Brooks has a great future- can he keep it up ? Night was falling. The fog was slowly steeling. lt was a typical London night. Suddenly a coughing was heard. It was growing worse- then suddenly it was hear no more. The next day lay VVilliam G. Brooks in his rude studio, the lone fire was the only sign of life. Cough- ing, coughing, coughing. Such ter- rible sounds-surely the man was tres, tres malade. Then suddenly the slamming of a door was heard. lt was the ghastly landlord. He had come at the terrible sounds. Then XVilliam Brooks motioned him to come nearer. Jean l have something to say to you before l bid you good-byef' The landlord moved closer, he looked almost as bad as le malade. I am not the painter of the AVVeary Scene',! Jean fell back, completely astonish- ed. Hlmpossible, Brooks, you are out of your mindf' No, Jean. Ilm telling you the truth. I am not the painter of the 'VVeary Scenel' Peter Grayson was the real artistll' The poor sick fellow fell back, never to hold a brush again. A few days later, the newspaper gave considerable space to the death of William G. Brooks. - But the paper never learned the truth. They never knew that Peter J. Grayson was the real artist of the HWeary Scene. The landlord knew all. William Brooks confessed all to him-how he had stolen Peter Gray- son's paintings after the unfortunate man had died and how he had placed the paintings on exhibition and won national fame.

Page 15 text:

THE SENIOR JWAGNET 13 him no questions but brought him food and then sent him to bed. The next morning, Jim told his mother what had happened and then went to town to telegraph for a col- lege friend to come at once. As he entered the telegraph office, he came face to face with a man who always pretended to be his father's friend but whom Jim instinctively distrusted. He was short and fat with a red face and small eyes almost hidden by thick rolls of fat. As his glance fell on the young man, he started back in hor- rorg his face became white and a green circle appeared around his mouth. He pushed past the young man with lowered head and went quickly into the street. Jim glanced after him surprised. A sudden thought struck him, and instead of sending the telegram, he followed the man at a distance. Then he made his second startling discovery of the morning. Some one else was follow- ing Harry Cratty. The man looked familiar but before he could ascertain who it was, the man disappeared as if the earth had swallowed him. Much disturbed by his discovery, he followed Cratty to his office, and then returned to where he had left his horse and started home. He had ridden several miles when he heard the sound of galloping hoof beats behind him. Thinking that it might be one of the outlaws, he reined his horse to the side of the roadbehind a clump of bushes, and drawing a pistol, waited. As the rider drew near, he recognized the man as the one who had followed Cratty, and a moment later he saw that it was none other than his chum Bill Blake, whom he was going to tele- graph. WVith a shout of joy, he spur- red his horse out on to the trail caus- ing Bill's horse to rear and buck. VVhen he finally got him quieted, Bill exclaimed, l say, old fellow, what's the big idea of riding out like a wild Indian and frightening a fellow out of his wits! Jim laughed heartily, for he knew that it would take more than that to frighten his friend. Then suddenly, his face soberedg and he explained the happenings of the last few days. Bill nodded quietly when he had fin- ished. Yes, l know, and I think your sus- picions about Cratty are correct. I'm down here looking after him myself and unless I'm greatly mistaken, we'll find him at a certain little cabin up in these hills tonight and then we will call on him to account for himself. just now, we had better get busy so we can give them a warm receptionfl The night was dark, and the men rode quietly up the trail looking more like ghosts than men. The utter silence with which they rode, except when one accidently struck his rille against something and cursed softly, was appalling. Presently at a word from their leader, they halted and leaving their horses with two of the men, crept up the trail. Soon, a dark bulk loomed in front of them. The men surrounded the cabin and waited. Jim and Bill stole close to the cabin and waited and listened. 'AWell, you all know what you arc to do nowf' they heard the voice of Cratty say, HTom, you take Dick and Jack and get that counterfeit money across the mountains. The rest of you kill young Montgomeryf any place and any way you canf, When the men came out of the cabin, they were greeted with the words f'Hands up and were quickly handcuffed. A few days later, Jim had the satisfaction of hearing the judge pronounce life sentence on Cratty for murder, attempted murder, and for passing counterfeit money.