Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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THE SENIOR IMA GNET 7 Good For Evil LILLIAN DUMBAUGH As Dolores Burke walked along the vacant streets of the Tenement District, East Side, New York, she was conscious of an uncanny feeling of being followed. But as she walked faster and faster, the feeling became more real. When she rounded the corner a young man stepped in front of her and ordered f'Hands Uplu Dolores could hardly believe her eyes. Surely she was dreaming. VVhy, one heard only of such things in fiction, but all the same it was true. She slowly raised her hands, all the time closely regarding the features of the Hbanditf, if he could be termed as such, which were visible below and above his half-mask. He wasn't what you would term 'Khard-boiledf' in fact he seemed very green in this at- tempt of a hold-up. He took a small signet ring, the only piece of jewelry Dolores had about her, and two dol- lars in cash. Une last glance, and he disappeared. Dolores was too stun- ned to call for help and ran the re- maining distance to her home where she lived with a widowed mother and Happer sister, Joan. To them she re- lated her experience, still believing that this young man could not be a real thief. Dolores was not what one could call a flapper, but yet she was far from being old-fashioned. Her hair, which was light and bobbed, fell in little ringlets about her face under the trim little felt hat she was wear- ing. Her complexion was of natural beauty, which gave her no need of visiting a drug store to purchase cos- metics. She was well dressed, and walked with a stride that bespoke of pep, courage, and willingness, and, to an onlooker, she presented a very alluring appearance. One month later, our hero, Jack Reed, otherwise our green thiefn was becoming initiated into the paths of real criminals. He had always lived in poverty and, although he worked at a filling station during the day, receiving small wages, he worked with the 'igangn at night, very often bringing in large hauls at one time. Now they were getting ready to bring in another large haul which, if suc- cessful, would probably make them a comfortable living for a whlie. This haul was that of smuggling goods into shore from steamers anchored outside the harbor. The big night came, and all was going well. As the smugglers pulled away from the steamer, they dis- covered that they were blinded by a powerful searchlight played on them from a trim motor boat not more than three hundred feet from astern. This could mean only one thing. Their game was up. Someone tipped off the harbor patrol and they knew they were in for a chase. As Jack grasped the wheel and started shore- ward, a shot pierced the air and he crumpled up in a heap. The boat veered sharply to port, then crashed headlong into a small schooner. Be- fore their boat could completely overturn, they were overtaken by the police boat. Outnumbered two to one, there was nothing to do but surrender. Jack was in su.ch a bad condition from the effects of the shot, that he was rushed to the hospital. Dolores Burke, who had returned from her vacation and was again on duty at the hospital, was immediately summoned to the operating froom

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V l l I . 6 THE SENIOR .MAGNET got a name for itself for winning games in the last quarter. The last and most bitterly contest- ed game was scheduled for the next Saturday. The day was a fine Nov- ember day for football. Une of the largest crowds that ever attended a football game was expected. UTelegram for Mr. Jimf, shouted the college darky handy man. 'lMu.st be getting important, Sap. exclaimed one of his many non-ad- mirers. Sap turned pale and seemed to grow sick in reading the telegram. My mother is dying! he shou.ted wildly to no one in particular. Rastus, get the can ready and take me to the stationf' headded after a short deliberation. Yas, suhl Massa Jimf, he re- plied. Jim was home as soon as possible but, by the time he got there his mother had taken a turn for the be- ter and was expected to recover. Both his father and mother urged him to go back and see the game. He got off the train and was greet- ed by a radio, announcing the foot- ball scores. lAWhat's that! Amherst 6-Lincoln 0 at the half ?,, he demanded of a fel- low-listener, standing near by. Yehl Confound the luck, anyway. We ought to win today but it seems as if the team isnlt fightingf, the listener replied. Jim grabbed a taxi and hurried to the stadium. Still by the time he got there, the third qu.arter was almost over. To put on his uniform and to grab his megaphone took only a minute. The fourth quarter was just beginning when he ran out on the field. Neither the team nor the root- ers were showing much spirit. Only cheering half-heartedly, the rooters did as much harm as good for the team. The Sap ran down to the front of the grandstand and called for a cheer. The crowd recognized him and for some reason or other cheered again and again. The team found fresh courage. A touchdown was scored and the extra point made. These seven points were enough to win the game. Four times the games had been won in the last qu.arter. The team had been arou.sed by the cheering of the crowd, which in turn had been arous- ed by the Sap. Going down the line, it was the Sap who was responsible for these victories. No one seemed to think so thoughg or, if anyone did, he kept it to himself. On the night of the football ban- quet an invitation was sent to Jim. He went. Following the dinner and a few short speeches, the letters were given out to the players. After all the letters had been given out, the presenter said, 'Alt is also a great pleasure for me to present one more letter. It is not customary to give a letter to this particular branch of athletics, but by a vote of the team and board, it was decided to present a letter to this certain party on al:- count of his part in helping to win the games. Again I say that it is my great pleasure to present this letter to Mr. James Sanderson, comnionly caled 'the Sap', I believe. lVIr. San- dersonf' Jim just stood there. What could he say? He was so dumbfounded he hardly knew what he was doing. His letter at last and in a way altogether unexpected! I-I thank you.'l was all he could mutter. N

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8 THE SENIOR MAGNET where an anaesthetic was being ad- ministred to Jack. She grasped his pulse and the operation began. Dolores had a feeling that she had seen this man before but couldn't place him. The case was given over to her and she became very much in- terested, never leaving his bedside ex- cept to get a few hours sleep while another nurse took her place. Jack's wound did not heal and it was necessary for him to remain at the hospital. He had a guilty feeling every time Dolores was around him, for he remembered this girl as the one he had stolen from not so long ago. Now 'here she was caring for him as tenderly as a mother for her child. He felt he must confess to her, for every day his love swelled in his heart. One day he could stand it no long- er and he called her to his side. He first told her of his love and asked if she would listen to a confession he had to make. A tender look flashed in her eyes and she took his hand in her own, telling him to begin his story. He told her how his life had been one of poverty, how he worked at a gas station during the day, and how he had gotten in with this tough bunch who taught him how to steal cleverlv without being caught. He said, My life was not meant to be that of a thiefg but how I came under the influence of that gang, I do not know. I wouldn't break myself of these tricks. So one night a bunch of the fellows dared me to hold up the first nretty girl that came along. At first I refused, but they kept taunting me, and I determined that I would show them. You happened to be the victim. I was sorry immediately after it was done because I believe that I loved you from that time on and I didn't want to hurt you. The picture of your face has never once left me. I still have your little ring. I just could not part with it and as far as for the two dollars I took, it will be paid back as soon as I am able to do it. During this confession, the tears slowly trembled down Dolores, cheek and she knew she could not deny that she returned his love. What could she do for him? She knew as soon as he was well there would be a trial, because the rest of the gang had been rounded upg and then what? Pro- bably a long sentence in prison. Dolores had noticed this ring on his little finger but never thought it was her's for the one she had was just a cheap one and naturally there would be many like it. And now as he handed it over to her with a little pathetic look, she pushed it away from her, telling him to keep it for good luck in the future. By that, he knew he was forgiven and all there was for him to do was to hurry and get well. But the day of the trial came and ,lack was not able to be present. It lasted three days only because the cir- cumstantial evidence was not clearly given. During this time, Jack lay in his bed, fearing the outcome of the trial. But finally it was over and Jack learned the news. The Gang con- fessed to the whole thingg but they also confessed that Jack was 'fgreenf' and having come under their influ- ence, was taken advantage of. The leader of the gang nick-named f'Two- gun Joe appealed to the judge, say- ing, f'The kid is innocent, this is his first offense. Make it easy for himf' The result was the 'fgangu was sent to prison for a five years and Jack was let off with a hundred dollars fine and some good sound advice which was given to him by the judge, who went to the hospital to see Jack soon after the trial. Dolores was so happy she could scarcely hold in her joy. Even when going about her daily routine among