Central Catholic High School - Echo Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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6 THE ECHO A Scare I had spent the day in Rome City, and when I returned home in the evening I was somewhat tired. It was one of those days in late summer when the heat holds sway until night- fall, waiting to be absorbed into those refreshing' breezes so welcome after the long oppressiveness. As I have said, I was rather tired, so shortly after supper I bade the folks good night and went up stairs. It was a little too early to retire so after saying my prayers I stood for some time near the window watch- ing the last crimson shadows of the August twilight fade into the ap- proaching darkness. After about a quarter of an hour I could see the great harvest moon, like an immense copper disk, steal slowly over the dis- tant treetops. I began to grow sleepy, and know- ing that a big day's work was waiting for me on the morrow, I went to bed. It seemed to me that I had not been asleep very long when I awoke with a start. I thought I heard someone talking. I listened for a moment to ascertain whether the folks down stairs had yet retired, but could hear nothing. I got up, went over to the window but could see no one. It was quite bright in the room though the moon was hidden behind a bank of thick clouds. I looked at my watch and it was exactly a quarter past twelve. Everything was quiet. Guess I've been dreaming, I said to myself, and started back to bed. Just then I heard a noise down stairs, and thought I had better go to investigate. I was a little timid for there was a death-like silence about the place. The stairs creaked beneath my feet, and I could hear nothing but the tick- ing of the clock in the midnight still- ness. I reached the bottom of the stairs, but drew back suddenly. What is that? Before me stood a tall, thin being in a long white garment. I shuddered from head to foot. The cold sweat began to stand out in large beads upon my forehead. I moved forward and the phantom seemed to move toward me. Surely my time had come. Finally I resolved to meet the enemy. I advanced a step and was about to strike when I fell against the mirrow which had been moved from its original place the day before. -Robert Lfitot, '23, A Blind On one of the darkest residential streets of the city, two men could have been seen slouching along-the street at a slow gait. They 'seemed to be headed for a house, for they turned in and made a short cut across the grass which extended be- fore it. At last they reached the side of the building, and immediately made for a window, and began op- erations which linally resulted in the window opening. They climbed in, and with the aid of a search light, made their way to a big picture hang- ing over the small wall-safe, this they removed in order to make work- ing at the small wall safe more con- venient. The other man without hes- itation opened the safe, showing thereby that he must have 'done a lot of spying around to get all the infor- mation he had. When the safe flew open, the men pocketed the contents, locked the safe, and were about to depart when they thought they heard someone coming in. They hurried out of the house,

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THE ECHO 5 the Christ Child along with our mer- ry-making. I have thought of that, too, re- plied Patrick. + It seems funny how much He does for us and how little we do for Him. Yes, that's so. But here is the place. .Patrick saw a large stone house with many windows, and fancy trim- mings on it. Gosh! said Patrick to himself g Mr. Carton must have a lot of money. The door was opened by a maid, who took their coats and hats, while they went into the sitting room. Where is Helen? he asked the maid. ' She is upstairs, sir. Not feeling well, sir. Well, do not call her yet, said Mr. Carton. Come here, my little man, he said to Patrick. I wish to tell you something. He paused a moment, and Patrick caught the glimpse of a tear. He went on: Seven months ago my little son died. He was about your age, and ever since my wife has- not been the same. And today she is worse, because the day before Christmas our little boy would be so excitedi and happy. Mr. Carton stopped to wipe away a tear. He continued: I want you to do me a favor if it is not too much to ask. f I'll be glad to do it, answered Patrick, no matter how big it is. Well, said Mr. Carton, it is this: my little boy would sing Christmas hymns around this time, and I would like it very much if you would sing a few songs. The boy started to sing Silent Night, and before he had finished, Mrs. Carton came rushing down stairs. Thomas, she cried, Thom- as, what does this mean ? Only this, my dear, smiled Mr. Carton, this boy is taking Edward's place tonight to sing a few songs for us. Good! cried Mrs. Carton. I shall be delighted. Patrick sang a few songs before dinner. After dinner Mr. Carton called him into the library and said, You did not tell me anything about yourself or your family. I Oh, said Patrick, I haven't much of a history. I can't remember my mother or father, and I had no brothers or sisters. I made my home with an old lady named Miggs, but one day she got heart failure and died. So I came here trying to earn something. 5 Rather a sad story, commented Mr. Carton. But I was speaking to my wife and she wants me to per- suade you to make this your home, and take the place of our boy. Gee I cried Patrick, I'd love to if I was able to a-er- Able to do what, my boy ? Able to keep my dog, said Patf rick. Oh, of course, of course, laughed Mr. Carton. -Wayne Bushman, 'QL .i. To The Echo Yes, all things fade away, but leave behind Some echo, howe'er faint it be, that tells Us naught is lost. The tiny flow'ret bells , Vibrating to the music of the wind May in the farthest world their echoes find. The fall of each brown leaf in tutumn dells An echo sends, that onward swells. Who knows but God has work for it designed? So send we forth this Echo of our life That breathes and dies within the ancient Walls Of our old school. Perhaps in some young 'heart Where Right and Wrong contend in ceaseless strife, voice, as en e as e soun Its g tl th d when -falls The dying leaf, may courage fresh impart.

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THE ECHO 7 and made a bee line for the more lighted part of the city. They finally reached a big downtown building which seemed to be an hotel. They stepped in, went up stairs to a front room, turned on the light and locked the door. Well, Jim, said the elder, this is one time we did not have to postpone our hunting trip, by going through the window, we can go as per sched- ule instead of having to wait to get into my house with the key which Mammie has taken to Gladstone with her. -Paul M cE voy, '23. Fooled The house was dark when they ar- rived, They groped to find a seat. He was tall and dark and swell, And she, small and petite. There was just one place in the row That was ahead of me, So with a pause he sat him down And took her on his knee. He put his arms around her waist, She snuggled close to him, And sat there through the Pathe reel In pictures grave and grim, While Paramount-Mack Sennet fun Seem to fill her heart with glee, As all unconsciously she sat There upon the fellow's knee. At sight of movie lovers' joys And their sweet ecstatic bliss, She put her arms around his neck And gave him a furtive kiss. And when the vamp in anger stabbed Her lover, rich and florid, She snuggled closer still and said: Oh, Daddy, ain't she horrid ! -Julian Koehl, '22. Going Home What is that book you are reading so attentively of late ? Father, it is a catechism of Chris- tian Doctrine. I am waiting for George to come to take me to Father Downs for instructions. Is George Schaub a Catholic ? Surely, father, didn't you know that ? I knew it, if not in so many words, at least I felt it, and this makes me hate him the more. I have hinted to him that I did not want him to come around here so often, and when he comes tonight, I'll refuse him en- trance. I suppose that is he now. So saying Mr. Eckle went to the door and opened it. , Good evening, Mr. Eckle. Is Ethel at home ? She is, sir, but not to see you. I'll have no Papist in my house. I forbid you to 'keep company with my daugh- ter any more. Don't argue with him, George, I'll see you later. If you leave this house tonight, Miss Ethel, to go with that lad, you may stay out. I can do that, also. slambed the door in and stood eyeing his Mr. Eckle George's face daughter who for the first time had spoken to him in this way. Remember, Ethel, I forbid you to go with George any more unless you want to live elsewhere. Father, I'll go with him to instruc- tions, and if you-will not let me in when I return, all well and good. I can earn a living for myself. Be it understood that I am going to be- come a Catholic like George. After a few minutes Ethel ap- peared in the reception room all ready to go. She had packed up a