Central Collegiate Institute - Analecta Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

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' The Analecta 31 JAKE AND SAM (First Prize) The weather-beaten old fanner was grinning broadly when he stopped his wagon. “Well, Jake, I told you not to be gittin’ one o’ them fool contraptions.” A grease-smeared face appeared from under the engine hood of a dilapi¬ dated “Tin Lizzy,” that was blocking the road. “Well, I’d rather have one o’ those here machines than that onery mule o’ yours!” grunted this opposition. An expression of righteous indignation spread over the face of the other man. He was proud of his mule, and he had a right to be, for it was the best one in the district. There were only a few spots where its hide was worn bare, and they weren’t so very big. And, besides, it seldom balked more than once or twice a day. The mule’s lazy pose between the shafts might have made a person doubtful as to its good qualities, but this did not seem to affect its owner. “Say, you ain’t gonna call Betsy no onery mule!” he snapped. “She don’t give me half the trouble that rattle-trap gives you! Giddap, Betsy!” Betsy didn’t move. “Giddap, I said!” roared its suddenly belittled owner. Still the mule didn’t move. “Hey, you onery fool! Wake up!” “Samuel, what was that remark you made to me a little while ago?” asked Jake in much politeness. “Shut up, will ya, and quit callin’ me Samuel! Giddap Betsy! Say, wake up!” Sam was getting more angry and uncomfortable every minute. Jake watched his friend’s antics for a few minutes, and then, with an ever-broad¬ ening grin, he reached down and began to crank his Ford. After a few turns the engine suddenly spluttered, backfired and caught. It sounded like a boiler factory, but it was going. Sam stood up and wiped some of the mud from his face. Then he turned around and gazed down the road at his rapidly vanishing wagon. | “Well, I’ll be dog-goned!” he ejaculated. “What a wonderful mule,” remarked Jake. “Oh well, climb in my car and we’ll ketch it.” Sam, grumbling, did so, and in a few minutes they were bouncing along the road in pursuit of the mule. I “She sure must hev travelled,” said Jake. “I couldn’t see a sign of her from on that hill, and we’ve been drivin’ fer near half an hour.” The car swung around the turn at the bottom of a gully. Suddenly the brakes screeched. With a thud the machine bumped into the back of the missing wagon. Betsy looked around at them, blinked, and resumed her sleepy pose. “Say, that thing don’t act like the mule that ran away,” said Jake. i “Somethin’s wrong,” answered Sam. “She’s never been that dead to the world before. I—I bet she’s sick!” The two men hurried over towards Betsy.

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30 The Analecta could best serve God. “Since I cannot go with you all, I will follow the one who can give me what I seek. They all spoke in turn offering w r ealth, titles, and pleasures, but none so far had offered him what he was seeking for. John Bull then spoke, he said that he, personally, was not in need of more men but to help his many sons was to help himself, and he smiled affectionately at Jack. Uncle Sam fearing to be out-done by father and son stepped in. He then proceeded to speak to Youth. “Come, and some day you may be President.” “No,” said the boy. “I want neither your ready-made wealth or Prei- dency. I seek the broad open spaces yet untouched, where God in nature is still the Supreme Power and through Him a man may build and achieve as he will.” “Mine, then,” said Jack Canuck, the last to speak, “is the place you are seeking. A country rich in minerals, woodlands and natural resources, too numerous to be mentioned, and as yet undeveloped. Its plains are broad and fertile, its coastal waters and inland lakes led by the mighty sea, teem with fish. “I entice you not with wealth. My land is peaceful and my people are loyal to their King, to each other and right. And he re you may worship God as you please. But why waste words, come with me and behold for yourself.” Youth arose and followed to the bank of the river where they entered a canoe and were soon paddling northward. “This is what I offer,” said his guide, as they came in sight of land. “Those who fail here never really had an inclination to succeed.” “See the shining towers of that city toward the east. That is Ottawa, the capital. Beyond these mountains is the city of Vancouver, while we see far miles and miles the beautiful prairie land. Oh, you are interested in the broad, clear plains between these extremities. Little wonder you are filled with enthusiasm as you regard the surging mass of cattle and those countless acres of waving gold grain they spell life and freedom. Now, incline your ear to that enormous roar, that is from our many water¬ falls, especially Niagara. “I have mentioned our problem of government, but we have other prob¬ lems also. Do you see those streaks of grey along the horizon, both east and west? They come from the funnels of great ocean liners arriving or leaving our seaports, arriving probably with settlers from foreign lands seeking a peaceful home in Canada. It is our duty to make one big mass until all are one—Canadians. “Come, Youth, hearken to my call. We need you on the threshold of your manhood!” Silently, for Youth’s heart was too full for words, Jack Canuck led forth a young boy entering manhood, blinded by a wonderous vision. K. McManus—IXE.

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32 The Analecta “Here’s the trouble,” stated Jake, holding ' the mule’s hoof. “She’s stepped on a horse-shoe and got her foot full of nails.” Sam straightened with a jerk. “Hev you forgotten everythin’ you ever knew about stock?” he de¬ manded. “Oh! I must hev been thinkin’ about my Ford,” answered Jake, weari¬ ly. “You know, if it ran over a horse-shoe full of nails it would . . . . ” “Ferget thet ‘tin Lizzy’ of yours and get to work,” interrupted Sam. “It ain’t a ‘tin Lizzy’ and don’t ferget it!” snapped Jake. “Oh, quit scrappin’ and try and find what’s the matter with Betsy.” “All that’s the matter with Betsy is that your drivin’ her!” “You ....!” Sam was interrupted by a terrific banging and clanking from Jake’s flivver. In some way Betsy had slipped her harness when the two men were arguing, and now she was engaged in reducing the front end of the Ford to scrap iron. It was only the combined efforts of both men that prevented her from entirely succeeding. “Look at that radiator,” groaned Jake. “I don’t see what difference it makes if you have a screen on the front or not,” said Sam. “Screen! Thet ain’t no screen,” answered Jake. “Its—its like a whole bunch of troughs.” “Oh, I see. Well, I’ve got a trough full of holes at home. You can use it,” suggested Sam. Jake snorted. “Say, you’ll have to git a lot more than a trough full of holes!” he said, decisively. “Betsy’s ruined the fenders and the lights, and the fan’s bust and so are a couple of spark-plugs.” “Spark-plugs? What kind of terbaccer are they?” asked Sam. “Well, it’s got plenty of kick” he was told. “1 like strong terbaccer. Show me where it is,” he demanded. “Well,” said Jake, pointing to a spark-plug, “grab thet knob and pull tlu radiator towards it.” Sam did as he was told. Jake switched on the power. “Ow!” yelled Sam. “It hurts!” “What’s wrong?” asked Jake, innocently. “It won’t let go of me!” squawked Sam. “Ow!” “That’s too bad,” said Jake. “Why don’t you let go of it?” “Shet up and do somethin’!” yelled Sam. After a while Jake opened the switch. “Oof!” gasped Sam. “I’m stickin’ to mules fer life!” With that he walked away, harnessed his mule as best he could, and drove off. “Dern flivvers!” he muttered, rubbing his arm. Jake looked at his battered car. “Dern mules!” he muttered, and walked away. Jack Gordon—XC.