Cecil Township High School - Codicil Yearbook (McDonald, PA)

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AN OLD DESERTED MILL It was a warm day in July when Mr. Brown and his family were going to spend the day in the woods near Salem, a city in Massachu- setts, well known in history for the prosecution of the Witches. The family was up earlier than usual that morning, the children all eager for the trip which was about two miles. It was nigh eight o'clock when they started on their way. after having securely fast- ened the doors and windows, because as little Johnny said, the ghosts might get in. The children were the leaders of the party while Mr. and Mrs. Brown, bending under the weight of their heavy baskets, came in the rear. The road which they chose led along the side of the meandering bed of the Charles River. They had gone about half their distance when they came to an old deserted mill which had been deserted for a long time. The children thought it would be great fun to play near it, so they would go no fartherg but after their father's persuasion they proceeded on their way. At last their journey ended and they all sat down on the green grass to take a rest. When they had rested about 'five minutes the children began to roam about while Mr. Brown was sound asleep and Mrs. Brown was preparing dinner. A white table-cloth was spread on the grass and the dinner was made ready, to which each one helped himself. Aft- er dinner, Mrs. Brown cleared the cloth and set everything carefully away. After getting permission from their mother, the three little Brown's started on their way to what they called the best flower patch, to gather Howers, On and on they went, the oldest whose name was James always in the lead. Follow me. he would say. I know the best place. All right, was the answer, we're eom- in'. They were getting farther and farther from their parents, and flowers surely could not be found anywhere if not in the woods: but James re-assured them that they could get some if they went a little farther. They were now coming in sight of the old mill. by which flowed the shining blue waters of the Charles River. It was getting nearer and nearer and the three children were full of joy at the though of playing so near the mill. At last their tramping ceas- ed and play took its place. Let's wade in the river, said little Johnny, who knew no better. No, Johnny, said James, It's too deep and you might drown. Then Johnny began to cry and James persuaded him tzi he quiet for ghosts were hidden in the millg so he stopped crying as soon as the Word ghosts was mentioned. Come on, Billy and Johnny- said James. Now don't tryg we're goin' in t' see the old mill. James went first, Billy next, and Johnny was the last to enter the mill. They explored everything very carefully, wondering what every- thing was. They could not jump araund very much because the floors were not very strong and might crush at any minute. Billy and James were carefully exploring a wheel, when they re- membered that they had forgotten where they had left Johnny. Where's Johnny? said James to Billy. Johnny! exclaimed Billy in surprise. I don't know, maybe he fell in the river. Don't say such things, Billy, said James, growing a little angry.

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THE RESCUE A twenty story sky scraper was being erected in the city. The masons were now working on the chimney. It had been several days since they had started to construct the chimney and the last day proved to be very windy. making the workmen who were on the high places feel rather uneasy. Some of them had noticed 'Lhat one side of the scafold had been a little weak, and this day it proved itself to be even more so, noth- ing was said however about the thing. It had now come quixting time and the workmen were beginning to leave. But the br.ck lay- er just had a few more bricks to lay so he thought he would do so. He worked-for iifteen minutes or more and was just laying the last brick when all at once he heard a crash. He looked around and found the weak scaffold had fallen to the ground. He was in for it nowg two hundred feet from the ground and no one around. None of his fellow workmen knew that he had stayed there and to make things worse he was supperless. It was now becoming dark and it seemed as if he would have to stay all night. But all this 'time his brain was not idle. He had been thinking of some way to let the people know that he was up there. He thought of letting his coat drop to the ground, but no one would likely see it and then he would be cold. He was thinking hard when the electric lights were turned on. There had been a few lights on the new building and this gave him an idea. He knew the Morris czde very well .so he signaled for help with the lamp by turning it off then on. He did this for quite a while when some one yelled up from below for him to wait a while. They got extension ladders and he was soon off the building. The station agent had seen his signals and haf' told some men. lt was well he got off as soon as he did because he was stiff from cold and very hungry. D. E. T. '21. I A RAMBLE A Cne afternoon we visited a cave out of which a little stream wound its way. It was much to our discomfort in crawling through the doorway. But once inside, however we were able to walk up- right. Sam led, a lighted candle in his handg George and I followed close after. I didn't like the gloom and the dampness and secretly wished that Sam would propose to turn back. All at onge I heard a queer noise ahead, like a rustle. It seemed to be close to the roof and to be coming nearer. Sam .stopped and turned around to see where vie were. What is that he cried. I am sure I don't know. Said George. Perhaps it may be ia bear. or a lion. I said. While we were standing there, tumbling from limb to limb we heard it again, louder this tlme than before. Let us go and see what it is. Said Sam. 'No indeed, not I, you can go if you wish to, but the outside for me. Ah! come on, be a sport, said George. I am going. That makes no difference whatever, I am going back. Well go, you l.ttle coward, they said. I cerlainly am and walked outside to wait until the other two came out. After I had gone outside, Sam said, I wonder if there be such a thing as a bear or lion in here. 'tWell, I am sure I don't know was the r-piy. Well, I guess I am just as big a coward as any one so I think I'll take a walk outside, I feel kind of nervous in here. Well if you go I will to, for I have the same feeling. So the two boys walked quickly outside and approached me, and said, We want to beg your pardon for calling you a coward, for we find that we are in the same boat with you. M. W. '21.

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THE OLD DESERTED MILL CCOntinuedD James called to Johnny as loud as he could, but he received no answer. They searched for him everywhere, but could not find him. It was growing dark and they would not be able to get back to their parents to-night. At last a shout came from Billy, I've found him here he is. James found his way to the spot through the darkness and sure enough Johnny was there. He was cuddled asleep in an old barrel which was standing upright in a dark corner, whiih they had not searched. Billy sat on the floor by the barrel and while James was trying to awake Johnny, he fell asleep and gradually stretched himself on the fioor. Since Johnny would not wake up and Billy was asleep, James saw nothing else to do than to follow their example and soon he was sound asleep. Sometimes they would talk in their sleep and once Johnny said, Did you say your name was Walsh? Another time he said, 'tDon't hurt her she didn't do anything. Early in the morning James was aroused by someone's footsteps. H9 was not clearly awakened by the footsteps, so he shouted: Johnny, Billy, here's a ghostg come on! Then he heard his name called. He opened his eyes and there stood his father and mother smiling at him. What, were you dreaming? said his mother. I was dreaming about ghosts mother. Johnny was awake now and was rubbing his eyes when he said, Mamma you didn't see what I saw while I was sleeping. What did you see? asked his mother. I saw a man and his name was-I forget. He told me but I can't remember. I believe it was something like 'Sea' and 'Wall,' yes it was 'Wallsef' Wallse? said his mother, Yes, and he was telling a man to kill a woman and, for something that she didn't do. That's strange, said hismother. Get ready now, and we will go and James, tell me how you happen to be here, We looked every- where for you, we didn't think you would be down here. James told his mother the story while his father was busy calling Billy. Then Mr. Brown came to Johnny and asked him what it was that he had dreamed. Johnny told him the same that he had told him,mother and when he was through Mr. Brown said, Your dream is true, Johnny. It happened many years ago. If you will all listen I will tell you the story of Johnny's dream. They all turned their eyes toward Mr. Brown and he began: It was in the year 1692, when this country was yet young, that there was great trouble just down the road a piece. There were many women and men, who were killed because the people thought they were witches. Once there were nine killed in one day, and the man who was Judge was Samuel Sewell. This mill was here at that time and there being no other way to mark the spot, this is used for that purpose, although not exactly the right spot. Ever since that time which is known in history as the Salem Witchcraft this mill has been haunted. This is the end of the-story and what led me to this was what Johnny called Wallse. Now, let us get ready to go, it is growing late. After preparations they began their homeward journey and Johnny wants to visit the Old Deserted Mill every sum- mer now. M. S. G. C. '20.