Central High School - Interlude Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

Page 24 text:

20 THE INTERLUDE 1 1 THE COMMENCEMENT COMET 1 if I T was all verv nice to be a Freshman, gil, I though you felt rather small. And a Sophomore-well, you skimmed over that state of being very easilv. W'ith the Junior year, you began to buckle down and study Cunder the tutelage of a wise teacher, who lets no one escapel. Tint the Seniors! Why, thought Olive. couldn't one be a Senior the whole four years, instead of having to go through a preparatorv stage? It was so nice to think you knew so much, and to have other people think you did, toog but in three weeks- the thought brought a train of recollections to Olive's mind. This was certainly the night the comet was to be seen, and she must see it. There was no doubt about that, so she quick- ened her step accordingly. Her reason was this. The pupils of San Bourne school had long been 'interested in as- tronomical observations. To encourage this, a benevolent old gentleman in the vicinity had offered a prize for the one who earliest discov- ered the comet. The nature of this prize was unknown, but it was reported to be worth trying for. Each was to hand in the time he or she saw it, and say nothing about it to the rest of the students. Excitement reigned for some time among the ambitious ones. who were all determined to get the reward. Of course there were a few dullards who scofferl at all the proceedings, but it was well-known that those who did so never rose earlier than seven o'clock at the very least. Olive Gould was not one of these latter. As she hurried toward her boarding-house, she re- membered with dismay that three other girls were likewise bent on seeing the comet. lt would take some ingenuity to outwit them. for thev were not easilv conquered or daunted by a slight obstacle. Still she thought it was her due to get that prize. The girls had been together during the four vears of their course. and now Ellen was valedictorian, Flora took a medal. and Maude was famous in athletics. It would be nice to get it, too, just for the sake of the honor, for she had never been as popu- lar as the other girls. Not that she cared for popularity, but still it came only once in a life- time, and she was only human. VVith these thoughts intruding themselves. she entered the house softly, knowing that as it was about eight o'clock, the other girls would be up studying. She would have about an hour for her own work, retire early, and set the alarm clock for two-thirty. She heard whispered comments in the rooms about her, and a bang of the door now and then which indicated that her arrival had been noted. But ignoring these interruptions, she set diligently to work and finished at the prescribed time. As cautiously as possible. she got everything ready for her early morning exit, as she was going to the most advantageous soot in the neighborhood-a vacant lot, where the view to the east was unimpeded by tall buildings or trees of anv sort. A very sleepy girl shut off a slightly muf- fled clock next morning and tumbled into a queer-looking costume. consisting of a blue skirt, red waist, and one shoe of tan, the other black. Groping her wav to the door, she turned the knob and found it was locked from the outside! Again that sofe chuckle down the corridor. That put her on her mettle and she resolved not to be daunted. The window first suggested itself, for there was no time to fuss with doorkevs. Her window opened upon a sloping roof which reached within eight or ten feet of the ground. Tt took but a moment to open the window, slide gentlv downward, and jump to the ground. fShe said afterwards she would not have been surprised to have found a tub of water awaiting herl. VVith great celeritv she set off. and reached the lot not a moment too soon. For as he stood under the shadowy branches of a tree. she saw two or three figures approaching stealthilv from opposite directions and peering cautiously around, each unconscious of the other's pres- ence. It was her turn to chuckle, for each thought the other safelv locked in her room. Now how was she to see the comet without the knowledge of the others? Possiblv the ap- ple tree would serve as a temoorarv observa- tory, but just then her eve caught sight of the church not far distant. The belfrvl Tust the place for, as she was the last to leave the practice, she had the kev in her pocket. A few moments later she was climbing the dustv, winding stairwav to the little tower which overlooked the greater part of the village, or as it preferred being called, the town. To all appearances it was sleeping now, but Olive's sharp eve detected strange figures lurk- ing here and there amid the trees, or a field- glass sparkling in the pale light, as it was di- rected toward the skv in search of the heaven- ly body. Olive laughed softly to herself as she saw what a fine observatorv she had, and placing herself in a comfortable position, she studied the stars intently. She was becoming impatient at the delay of the stranger, when a bright light, outshining Halley's comet. at- tracted her attention. It was a wavering, flick- ering light which spurted up and then died down. Olive watched it, fascinated, until an unusually bright flare brought her to her senses. The old ffentle1nan's house was on fire s !

Page 23 text:

THE INTERLUDE I9 The outward cold penetrated his heavy coat and, pushing his way against the wind, he began to think of himself. Ile wondered if Iiwing also would call it impossible to cross and if he would yet have to stay on this side while XVashington routed the lclessians, and some one else, perhaps, spent his time with judith. The way did not seem long, for the rushing and confused thoughts kept his mind from his fatigue, the cold, and the darkness which had settled over the white country, making the crunch and roar of the mighty river, as it ground its way by, seem more threatening and awful. Darkness had completely enveloped the world when he saw the faint glitnmer of lights of l2wing's camp, for it was nearly six o'clock. Ile made his way once more to the Com- mander's house to report conditions at the other camps. liwing questioned him closely as to the conditions, supplies, and feeling at tiatcs's camp, ending with the question which Mentor dreaded above all others, for he knew its discouraging purport, Is his wing cross- ing to-night? Receiving a clear statement of Gates's view and decision, Ewing said thoughtfully, XVash- ington is usually over-conservative, but I, also, fear the plan is wild and the orders im- possible to obey. The Commander left the room and Mentor heard him consulting with his under oiiicers in the adjoining room. They were consider- ing whether to obey or not! If they didn't- if they didn? go-like a panic the thought seized him, if they didn't go, he cou1dn't. XYashington would go and he was only nine miles away. Regardless of his fatigue and the darkness and storm which would impede him, his decision was quicklv made. If they didn't go, he would walk back and cross with XYashington. Soon the talking in the other room ceased and liwing reentered the room in which Men- tor was. lle walked across the room and, seating himself with deliberation, he began talking calmly, l think, and my oiiicers agree with me, that it would not be safe crossing to-night. l know l should obey orders, but in this case I think there is sufficient cause to take exception. XYe have 3,000 men to take over in a few old boats. XYashington himself will probably not cross. XYe are not going. .Xngered by this calm disregard of orders. Mentor sprang from his chair, exclaiming, I am going up to cross with Xtashington. lt is nine miles and 1 have three hours. I will carry the word that you are not going to meet him in Trenton. This sudden heat startled the L'ommande1'. but he set himself to help Mentor bundle and fortify himself against the long, cold walk, since he was determined to go. The first few miles were not hard, but he came out on the broad slope along the river to End the stinging wind made sharper by a sleet. As he struggled along against this, he found his little strength leaving him. The drifts seemed continually growing deep- er and the wind constantly growing sharper. lfle kept close to the river for fear he would lose his way. as the sweeping snow bewildered him. Once in a while he found tracks of the great army which had passed in the morning. livery muscle ached, for his tramping that day had exhausted him beyond his realization, but he trudged on, stumbling and pushing his way against the wind. His tired brain and eyes refused to work and one thought kept mo- notonously running through his mind, Tren- ton to-nightg Judith to-morrow! . lt seemed as though he had walked many times the distance and the last mile seemed ten. lint numbed and exhausted, he pushed through the storm to his duty and his de.sire. .X vague fear had come to him that he might miss XYashington and not have a chance to warn him that Ewing and Cates would not support him. Step by step he covered the last mile and sighted a few lights which indicated the pres- ence of the army and the last steps were harder than all the rest of the distance. Finally he reached the sentries and gasped a few words. They. recognized him, and two of them sup- ported him to the Generals presence. XYith compassion and sympathy XVashington lis- tened to the miserable and discouraging report which he managed to tell by jerks. lieforc taking account of this news, he ordered all the comforts and care which the camp afforded to be given Mentor. Then he said, 'fXYe have al- ready been delayed an hour, but we will go soon even if we have to whip the lflessians our- selves. Care for this brave lad and he shall go with us. The fatigue and drowsiness overcame Blen- tor, and he passed into a heavy slumber. When he next came to, he heard the crunch of icc and realized that he was crossing the Dela- ware. I-le murmured to himself, Trenton to- night: Judith to-morrow! l:l,tlRl-INCIC Nl. XVI-Il.IJ, 'lO. 2.2 3 L, J

Page 25 text:

THE INTERLUDE 21 Two minutes later, in response to a wild clanging of the church bell, out came the V01- unteer liire Department. Where? What? Who? They were all question marks, when a little figure rushed headlong past them, point- ing frantically in the direction of the old gen- tle1nan's house. Madly they raced over the quarter of a mile which separated them from the burning mansion. Bucket brigades were formed by the erstwhile astronomers. Servants tumbled out of the house, followed by the old gentleman in nocturnal habihments, while llll'OLlgll the commotion the figure of the girl could be seen rushing back and forth, saving this and that, and quieting the frightened ones by her cool voice. When it was over, the firemen mopped their brows, while a group of unfortunate astronomers looked in vain toward the east. W here's Olive? asked one. NVhy, l guess I locked her in her room, admitted lflora. I never thought-it was only a joke. Lome, girls, said Maude, we'll go and tell her. She wouldn't have seen it anyhow. The crowd had dispersed, and as they made their way home, it suddenly occurred to Ellen that there certainly had been another girl there. Several others were at the same time wondering, but as no one knew, the girls went on very much crestfallen. Creeping upstairs, they softly opened Olive's door and peeped in. She was sleeping soundly to all intents, though a close observer might have detected a slight quivering of the eyelids. And the girls cau- tiously withdrew. fil Pk Pk Ill Commencement Day was not bright and sun- shiny as all such days should be, but a dark, moody day with overhanging clouds looking as if they were brooding over the events and nod- ding their heads sagely. The graduates were nevertheless enjoying to the fullest extent their last moments together. Even Olive, though she felt keenlv disappointed over the loss of the prize, assumed-a brave and cheerful face. as if she had won two or three scholarships. The teachers, too, were in excellent spirits, though there was an inexplicable air of mys- tery about them, as if there was something nice to tell which they were forbidden. In the hall were numerous admiring friends and rela- tives, each proud of his own particular gradu- ate, and each wondering how one ever man- aged to get through school at all. By ten o'clock everyone was quiet and ex- pectant, until the speaker was announced. He had come from a neighboring city, and was very undeservedly famous. he gave the usual advice to graduates, who were facing this great world for the first time: warned them not to expect too much from it, and ended with a long peroration on the qualities necessary to success, which he analyzed almost to a chemical constituency. When he had finished, the principal of the school arose, and the air of mystery increased on the teachers' faces. With formal courtesy, to the surprise of the assembly, and especially Olive, the old gentle- man was introduced. His speech was on an entirely ditterent line from the other, for he mentioned the delights of this life if you can but discover them, and the fact that rightly- directed ambitions would be fulfilled, though perhaps not in the way you expected. With great skill, he introduced the story of his offer to the school, the hopes of certain students to obtain the prize, their disappointment and his. Then he began to tell of the fire, begin- ning at the very first, of how one of the gradu- ates had so hoped to get the prize that she would have risked much to get it. Olive felt her cheeks burn as he related her escape to the belfry, her inspiration to ring the bell, her bravery and quick action which saved his home, and her modesty which led her to say nothing about it. But she was found out, he concluded, and I think you will all agree, is entitled to some reward for her service, though she did not see the comet. Miss Olive, will you come forward, please. Feeling herself growing hotter every min- ute, Olive stepped forward, to receive a me- dium-sized oblong box. Inside was what looked like a telescope, and Olive was exclaim- ing with delight, when the old gentleman in- terrupted her. Press the spring, he said gently. Olive did so, and unfolded a paper with much writ- ing and many seals on it. I do hereby give and bequeath the - Olive's eye glanced quickly down the sheet. She was heir to all his property! Hardly able to believe her senses, she looked up at her ben- efactor. I am an old man, he said. My house is of no value to me, it has needed some bright human being to cheer it up, since-- his voice broke. Then without one thought of the surroundings, Olive ran and threw her arms impulsively around his neck. LILLTAN MARTIN, '10, Q-4 6-C 9 QQ X X U IIQ' . V , 2 9' N r 'Q