Central High School - Caldron Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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E112 Clialhrnn Evan? It was five weeks before commence- ment when Jim suddenly possessed himself of a broken leg. It happened in a most unusual manner, so Jim per- sisted. Many a fellow had trimmed trees without having the ladder slip, precipitating both ladder and occupant in a muddled heap on the ground. Sad but true, the heap of which James R. Wardner, Jr., was a part did not sep- arate as readily as might be supposed. James was confused, he couldnlt get the connection between the upper branches of the tree, the ladder, him- self and the ground, in fact that was just the trouble, the connection had been a minus quantity, hence the curi- ously alarming pain in his left leg. It takes longer to relate how Jim was car- ried into the house than that event actually took, however James R. Wa.rcl- I18l', Jr. 's next thots were about those confoundedly stiff boards that encir- cled the very apparent center of all suffering. Instead of improving, the ache grew worse, Jim grew paler and his disposi- tion was on the verge of a most de- pressing change. After three weeks of misery, during which his mind wander- ed from a postponed graduation to splintered bones and from splintered bo11es to a postponed graduation, it was decided to move the sufferer to the country, where it was hoped that the fresh air and new, cheerful sur- roundings would aid the damaged limb and failing disposition. The farm house to which Jim was re- moved was a large, roomy abode, owned by an elderly, retired farmer and his pleasant wife. The garden and orchard were marvels of naturels miracles and man's handicraft. 'Twas no wonder that URest Haven was a most inviting spot. Even Jim ceased grumbling about his innumerable mis- fortunes when Mr. Elder wheeled his invalid chair into the quaint garden. Jim soon discovered that Mr. Elder and his wife intended to permit him to have an entirely solitary survey of the gar- den daily, as duties called them else- where. On the third day of his rather lonely enforced visit to Rest Haven Jim was astonished to hear a low whistle behind his chair. Having previously been told of the absence of all boys in the neighborhood, it was with no small amount of curiosity that he glanced around. There, perched on the low stone wall that surrounded this portion of thegarden, sat a merry, young girl, barely his own age, so Jim judged, swinging her legs as she gaily whistled, meanwhile cooly surveying him with her sparkling brown eyes. Suddenly she tossed her head of tangled curls and said, Usually boys do the introducing, I believe. 'tWell, yes, said Jim, I suppose so. I'1n James Warilner, Jr. Left out the R., didn 't you? Does that stand for Rufus, for you are red-headed you know. I'm Bess Lowell, live on the next farm, it's only a mile and a half when you cut across the woods. Thot you'd be lonesome, so l'm coming here whenever I can providing I don't utter- ly bore you. HYou'll not bore me, Jim reassured her, for already the tom- boyish girl with her frank, open face, and ability to be so easily at home, in- terested him. 'tLike to read? abrupt- ly asked Bess, I love exciting western stories where the bullets whiz thru every page. L'Same here, responded Jim, 'abut I left in such a hurry that I had no time to bring books along. VII lend you some perfectly great ones, enthusiastically answered his guest. I know the ki11d you 'll like. Thanks, I'm glad to have any kind of change. It's dull here compared with city life. Hml city life wouldnit appeal to me, I fear. l love the coun- try with its brooks' full of trout isome- timesj, and its great big openess. I like to know that when Ilm hungry there are some juicy, red strawberries on the vines below the orchard, just waiting to be picked. And when win- ter comes one can skate on the pond near the woods and not have to go in

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Uhr Olalhrnn high river, and he found it so bad that he decided not to come the next day. During the afternoon, liraithwaite asked for volunteers to go up with him as passengers, but Fred was the o11ly one that offered to go. The trip lasted about half an hour, and by the time the machine came down, Fred was certain he could handle it even though he was not given a chance to try it. 'Phat even- ing Fred got a scolding from his par- ents, both for skipping school and for riding with liraithwaite, but, although he said nothing, he resolved to take the chance of another ride if he got a chance. The next day, as Fred was watching the flights with a larger crowd than the day before, the biplane, when about fifty feet from the ground, was see11 to dive suddenly, throwing the aviator out of his seat. The upturned elevator, however, took effect just before the ma- chine hit the ground, and caused it to straighten up as suddenly as it had dived a few seconds before, and the aeroplane landed going parallel to the ground, without breaking even a wire, or doing any other damage. It was thought for a few minutes that Hraith- waite, who had landed on a stump, was killed, but when it was discovered that he was still breathing, people began to call for Doctor llamel. As he was at his home, a couple of miles away, sev- eral men started after him in a WVHg011, but everyone knew that it would take them a couple of hours to get him, 011 account of the bad roads and the long detours necessary, and the aviator might die in the meantime. Somebody then suggested that Jones drive the aeroplane after the doctor, as he could get him in about half an hour, but Jones could not drive on account of his injured hand. Finally Fred told the mechanic that he thought he could take the machine up. Jones immediately agreed to let him try it, so Fred mount- ed the aeroplane, one of the spectators started the propeller, and Fred was off before anyone knew what had hap- pened. After a long, bumpy ru11 over the ground, he elevated sharply, and after turning this way a11d that very errati- cally, he finally got the hang of the c011- trols tllltl started off in the direction of the doctor 's residence at a terriffic speed, in the effort to get him before the aviator died. Fred 's passenger rides with the Hyer the previous day helped him to manage the controls, as he had watched Braithwaite closely. He had to raise and lower his elevator, turn from side to side, and operate the ailerons continually, but by some strange chance he was able to catch the machine each time before it fell and keep it in the air. Ile went 011 a11d on, hours, it seemed to him, until he saw the doctor's place below him, and then he throttled the engine and began to plane down, as he had seen Graithwaite do. The landing wheels just missed a low fence, but luckily Fred was able to make a graceful landing without break- ing anything. The innnense yard was none too large, for the machine did not stop until it was almost touchingthe house. Doctor Hamel seeing the ma- chine, had come out into the yard, and he was very much surprised to see who was driving it. Fred had some trouble to induce him to ride back, but the doe- tor was reassured by the graceful way in which the landing had been made, although it was mere good fortune, so, after helping to tur11 the machine around he lmrried to get his medicine case a11d instruments. Fred had not shut the engine completely off, so when they were ready, he speeded it up and they started. The long run afforded by the great yard scarcely gave speed enough to clear the fence again, but the machine got safely over it and they were off. 'l'he doctor had some misgivings about riding in an aeroplane, but it was necessary, and he got there all right. lt was only about fifteen minutes from the time the machine disappeared from the people at the field that it appeared again coming fast. A great cheer arose from the crowd and did 11ot stop until the aeroplane hit the ground. When Fred started to land, he shut off his e11gi11e while he was still high in the tContinued 011 Page 10D

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Uhr Glalhrnn a closed skating rink. I like to walk, I hate those shut-i11 street cars. lt's the absolute freedom of the place that makes me love it sol Oh, but in a city you can have much more fun, protested Jim. Never mind your side of the question until tomorrow. 'l'ell me about your home then, and with a merry twinkle in her eyes which Jim could not account t'or, she swung her- self over the wall and disappeared. 'llhe next day bright and early Jim was wheeled into the garden. Ile waited at first patiently, then im- patientyl for the shrill whistle which he was sure would announce his ex- pected visitor. Finally he spied a figure walking slowly toward the gate of Rest Haven. Strange, thought Jim, t.hat liess seemed so pensive. And yet stranger it seemed to him when she at last reached the garden to see the basket ot' delicious looking cookies she carried on one arm, tbooks were piled under the other onej, for Bess didn 't impress one as the domestic kind of girl. As his visitor did not speak, Jim concluded that she was waiting for his greeting. Morning, he said. flood morning, she answered, in oh the meekest voice imaginable, has your leg troubled you much? No, re- plied Jim, it's much better. I baked this morning, do you like cookies! I brought some over. Jim promptly selected the largest one i11 sight. took a bite and reached for the basket. No, he said, most ungramat- ically, I love them. lless smiled and handed him the books. 'tI'm so interested in music ?l.l1il art that I thought perhaps you'd care to read some books on these subjects. Jim was amazed. Why should a tom-boyish good sport of a girl waste her time on such nonsense. lIm, yes, I would like to look them over, Hess. lieth, if you please, answered the girl. Queer, reflected her host, he hadn't noticed that she lisped until now. Sure l know you're name 's Bess. 'tliut it isn't, it's lieth. said the girl on the verge of tears. All right, lieth, if you wish, lieth you shall be. Iiy the way, how's fishing down there in your gl!! by the woods. Oh, I never fish, laughed the girl. I, loathe wiggly worms Hllll besides ones pond those hands smell all fishy after one's been angling. I Wish I could take you out, l'd make you like it,', asserted I must go IIOWV, I've 11ot finished Jim. my practicing and I have a view of the woods sketched ready to paint. If I can l'll come son again. Hope you en- joy the books -and with a demure good-bye, lieth walked down the path, opened the gate and vanished from sight down the road. Jim looked at the books. One was How to listen to Music, another was Decoration in the Home, and yet another, Life of Michael Angelo. 'tAnd I thought she was a good substitute for the fellows at home! was Jim's only comment. Next morning he was forced to stay in the house as it rained torrents. Of course she won 't venture out on a day like this, it might muss her dress, thot the lonely boy. He was just observing bow shadaw effects should be made on canvas, from one of Beth 's books, when a shouted Hallo there! roused him. At the door of his room stood a dripping figure, with hands thrust out of sight. Guess what I brought you, questioned lieth, Cfor it was none otherj. Oh, another book on the var- ious arts, or perhaps an embroidered pi11 cushion,!' guessed Jim, but the girl shook her Wet brown curls at each phrase. Nope, you 're not even Warm. What do most people do rainy days, sit at home and make pi11 cushions? No, siree! They bring sick people things like this! And she held up a string of shining brook trout. Did you catch them I? a.sked Jim. None other, said the girl. HI dote on it, but. l'm off for home now, have to do some practicing. f'au't tell you how I hate it. So long! And with that she was gone, leaving Jim the proud possessor of some thirty trout . Next day the su11 sl1o11e bright and clear, and Jim was again moved into the garden. Very soon he spied the 11ow familiar figure of 'tBeth coming down the road. This time she carried an easel and other painting material.