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

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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

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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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8 THE ECHO few things in a suitcase and told her mother what had happened, saying that she knew she could make her father change his mind within a few days. The mother was not to let her husband know where Ethel was, un- til she could see that he was really worried. Remember, I'm not joking, Mr. Eckle said as Ethel left the house. Oh, yes you are, was her reply. It was about ten o'clock that night when Ethel returned home. She had not seen anything of George, but had her. taken a girl friend along with She was now alone. The house was her still lit up,. and she could see father sitting near the fire. It was but very cold and snowing heavily, this would not hinder her from car- rying out her plan should she be re- fused entrance. As soon as the father heard footsteps on the porch he arose and went to the door. Is that you, Miss ? he shouted. Yes, father, it is. May I enter ? Well, you'll have to go elsewhere. Let her in, John, demanded the mother. . Never, I'll have no Catholics in my house. Ethel did not wait for the outcome of the argument, but going to the side of the house took her suitcase and started in haste through the blinding December snow to her aunt's house, could nearly a mile distant. Ethel scarcely see her way along. She was crossing a road when of a sudden she was run into and thrown down by an automobile. We've killed her. Hurry out and see what has happened. It's a poor young girl. We must hurry her to the hospital as soon as possible, as she is unconscious and may bee badly hurt. Ethel was placed into the auto and. taken to the hospital. As the Sisters were getting her ready for bed one of them noticed the Catechism in her pocket. She's a Catholic, Sister Adeladeg I must call Father Downs at once. After a short time the priest ar- rived with the Most Blessed Sacra- ment and the Holy Oils. The poor creature is hurt very badly and we cannot bring her to, Father. The doctor is worried about her, and we do not know who she is or where she lives. It is Ethel Eckle! She came to my house this evening with a girl friend of hers for instructions. She is a Catholic, then. No, she is not yet baptized, but bring me some water immediately. Within a few minutes Ethel was a Catholic. Father Downs baptized and anointed her. f Call her parents on. the phone, will you, Father? They will be wor- ried about her. At these words Ethel opened her eyes, but she could not recognize any- one. After some time she opened them again, and this time noticed she was in a strange place. She gazed around blankly. Within an hour she could distinguish those around her. When she recognized Father Downs she exclaimed, Father, what has happened ? , Do not worry, my child, you will be all right soon. Shall I call your father and have him come to you '? No, don't call him, Father,- please--don't. The next morning the doctor again examined his patient and found that she was seriously injured, but still had hopes of her recovery. After it was time for Ethel's father to be at