Central Junior High School - Junior Classic Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

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-QE The Junior Classic 26 The Oregon Trail A Book Review. This book is of the non-fiction type. and is considered a classic of literature, dealing with travel and adventure. Most of the happenings took place in the West about 1849 at the time when gold was discovered. Francis Parkman. the author of the story, was an historian and adventurer. He had had poor health from boyhood on. but being a man of high aims and a lover of action, he went ori' on the Oregon trail for a study of the red man in his primeval state. Parkman had kindliness, modesty, sociability and humor, be- sides possessing those traits so noticeable in his books. He no doubt had a very strong, heroic character. He was a splendid word- painter of heroes, and must have had a wonder- ful imagination. The chief characters of the story are Park- man, Shaw, Henry Chantillon, and Des- lauriers. Not much is said of Quincy Adams Shaw, only that he was a companion and rela- tive of Parkman. Henry Chantillon was the guide and hunter of the party. He was tall and well built, and had a frank and open ex- pression. His chief characteristics were that he was an honorable, trustworthy, and kind man. His bravery and skill were known throughout the iVest. Deslauriers was the muleteer of the party. Neither fatigue. exposure, nor hard labo: could ever lessen his cheerfulness or politeness. 'When night came. he would smoke his pipe and tell stories. He, like Chantillon, knew the prairie better than anything else. One of the most exciting incidents is a buf- falo hunt. The party had been camped on the Platte river for several days, and had seen no signs of buffalo. One day there was a shout of Buffalol in camp. Over on the hillsides were some bulls grazing. Making ready for the hunt, Parkman and some others started out. Making a circuit to keep out of sight, Parkman and Shaw rode toward the herd and then stopped behind a ridge to load their guns. Riding toward the buffalo at a gallop, they scared the herd into :i stampede. A cloud of dust went upg tinally. after some galloping, the animals sep- arated into small groups. Soon Parkman urged his horse close to a bull. He tired, but it only wounded the monster. After this, Parkmanls horse started on a run because he was fright- ened by the bull. and very soon Parkman could no longer see the herd. After some running. his horse came to :i ridge from the top of which he could see the herd again. He loaded his pistols and soon was abreast a large bull which turned and charged and then ran away. The Oregon Trail is one of the best stories of travel and adventure I have ever read, My reasons for my opinion are: first. the story is very realistic: second. it shows a great deal of action. '-IXTNOXYLES SMITH, TA. General Lew Wallace's Study In the small town of Crawfordsville. in the west-central part of Indiana. is the home of General Lew 'Wallace Visitors are not allowed in his home. but they are allowed in the build- ing where he wrote most of his books. His study is in the yard at one side of the house. The grounds are very spacious, having many beautiful old trees and gravelled paths. In the study we saw the chair where Wallace sat when he wrote. In the center of the room is a small table with a glass top which protects the relics underneath. iVe looked at these ob- jects with much interest because here were the very pen and pencil lVallace used. M'e also saw the original manuscript of Ben Hur. It is written very carelessly in pencil, scratched out and re-written in many places. Beside it, is the copy which he made in ink. Near these is a copy of one of his first published books. In glass cases are letters written by Lincoln, Garfield, and many other notable persons. There are many portraits and flags on the walls. But what is that machine across the room? The old keeper replies that there are pictures of the Civil Yvar in it. Just put your eyes over that hole, Miss, and you'll see the picture. YVhenever you wish to see another. just turn the knob and it will appear, Miss. lVe saw pictures of soldiers and battlefields. By the time we had seen all fifty pictures, we had some idea of the way the soldiers and battle scenes appeared. It is often said that the rooms were hallowed by YVallace's Ben Hur being written there, but this is not a fact. for the book was written many years before the library was built. YVe had been in the study three-quarters of an hour before we noticed that the room is entirely lighted by an enormous skylight which covers the entire ceiling and lights the room more effectively than if windows furnished the light. As we walk down the path to our automobile, we are very glad that we visited the library of the great author. General Lew Yvallace. -Jaxx-: Cnockerr, TA. lPa2e Forty-fourl

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-K The Junior Classic 3?-D I Capture Black Kangaroo Swishl Splash! I spun until I hit the icy waters with a plunge. Deluged by the mighty impact of my jump. I seemed to be swallowing gallons of water. I thought I would drown, but rising to the surface. I regained my pres- ence of mind long enough to see Black Kanga- roo! ship slowly drawing away from me, leav- ing me to the relentless waves, with no land in sight. I fancied that I heard Black Kanga- roois voice shouting, Stay there, you dog, and drownf Ye'll make good feedin' for the craw- fish. More than once ye came across my path, spoiling a booty-capture and treasure hunt. Stay there and rot with the cuttle-fish! My heart was having an argument with my judgment, my teeth were chattering worse than a quarreling squirrels I was cold, hungry, angry. humiliated. I, editor of the New York Times , and twice mayor of New York. had lm-n forced to walk the plank off the Sargasso I-lands. by a scoundrel, Black Kangaroo. But at present I could not launch my mind on con- tumptihle musings. Blindly I struck out in the fast-gathering darkness, swimming with easy, powerful strokes. A breeze had struck up, aid- ing my advance in these unknown waters. Trusting to Old Lady Luck , I soon saw straight ahead of me Black Kangaroo's rotten smack edging her way toward a small island halt' a mile distant. Noiselessly I cut through thi- water toward the ship. Shortly I reached thi trigate and groped around for the hawser. lfimliiig it. I awaited further developments. The pirates lowered a boat. and the entire crvw of twenty-two struck out for shore, seeking camp and a night's rest. Deeming it wise, I yvaiti-il till they had reached shore, when I scali-il the ship's side, aided by the hawser. The ship was now in my possession. Chuckling over my cleverness, I at-once attacked the hold in the fo'c'sle and drank- and ate till my sides hlllxi-nl in honor of this rare occasion. Taking :1 last look at the row of fires on the shore, I sr-viirt-il the ship for the night and went to sh--'p on a coil of rope decorating the front di-i-k. A The sun was rising. A zephyr from the northwest was making the waves dance a three- Nlvp polka to the tune of an operetta. Forcing my attention on the pirates. I surmised that they WPF1' leaving for the ship. My assumption ll owil correct when I saw the boat. which thcv l'f l uv.-il the day before. come slowly toward llni HNSCII Immediately I prepared for battle. Taking two of the six-inch cannon that were on the rear deck, I primed them, pointing them toward the pirates. Arming myself, I awaited the buc- caneers. chuckling over their surprise at finding me aboard. lVhen they came within range, I walked boldly on the side deck and fired at the ship, to frighten them as preliminary to what would follow. The boat was soon the scene of confusion, Black Kangaroo trying in vain to quiet his crew. Shut up, you dogs: can't you give me your undivided attention while you are still un- divided? I yelled. The amazement of Black Kangaroo at iinding me on his ship after supposing me dead was more than he could stand. He fired at me. But I ducked very easily, and soon bobbed up again, laughing at him. Now, look here, Mr. Kangaroo or Jackal or whatever animal you happen to be. I have you at cannon's point, and if you dogs try any of your monkey-shines, you'll all be decorating Davy Jones' locker. All you have to do to save your necks from amusing an audience via the gallows route is to obey my orders and shut up. If you don't. I'll break every one of your heathen bones. - Black Kangaroo bared his teeth and again tired. Again I ducked. Cried Black Kangaroo. I'll take no sass from a little urchin like you. Give me that ship, or I'll drown you for sure. Disregarding this last remark. I threw the pirates a tow-rope, shouting, Would you rather hang, or stay here? If you want to go along with me, I'll promise to be lenient with youg but if you don't. the Lord be lenient with you. 'With this I turned one of the cannons upon them and tired. This was the last straw, for Black Kangaroo yielded, attached the tow-rope to the boat, and in a twinkling I was homeward bound with the fiercest band of pirates that ever sailed the seas. all loudly lamenting their failure to post a sentinel on deck. Ere the trip to New York was done, Black Kangaroo had walked the plank exactly four- teen times. each time uttering oaths too profane to put on paper. On my arrival. I released the pirates to the police. Ten days later it was rumored that Black Kangaroo once more roamed the seas. -Smox Boonos, 9.-L IPas:e Forty-threel

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1' Gif The Junior Classic Q6 A Fairy Tale Once upon a time, long ago, there was a king. He was not a happy king. There were only two people that knew the reason for his unhap- piness. They were his daughters. Annabelle, the elder, was the more beautiful of the two. She had golden hair and blue eyes, but she was cross and ill-humored. She treated her sister as a servant. She was cruel to her. Helene was beautiful in a lovely way. She was generous and kind. She was always happy, and was always trying to make everyone around her happy. Helene was just the opposite of Anna- belle. She was dark complexioned. Annabelle and Helene knew that the king went for a walk every morning. They also knew that, during this walk, he met an enormous monster, horrible to look upon. This monster demanded everything to eat that was fit for a king to eat. And it was not long before the dreadful creature had eaten almost everything in the kingdom. The king soon saw what would happen if he couldn't find some way to rid the kingdom of this monster. He issued a proclamation stat- ing, that whoever would kill the monster would get half of the kingdom. But, if he lost, he would have to forfeit his head. Now, Annabelle was very greedy. Even so, she had many suitors for her hand. She told her suitors that if they would fight this mon- ster and kill him she would marry the winner. Many tried but failed. This angered Annabelle. Now Helene had only one sweetheart, who was a poor peasant. One day he came and bade her good-bye. Arthur told her he was going to try to kill this monster. He said, lf I fail, it will mean just one poor man less in the world. After days of pleading, she consented to let him go, for she knew this would be the only way to win him. Alf he won, he could get her hand, for he wou1dn't be a poor man any longer. YVhen the people heard his decision they laughed. They told him he was very foolish. But he said nothing could stop him. lVhen the king heard this he shook his head. But through a mere coincidence, Arthur killed the monster. YVhen the kingdom heard this they rejoiced. Arthur received half of the kingdom and Helene as a wife. And they lived happily forever after. -BONNYLIN BARNES, 8A. A Boy, s Reward It was in the year 12252 that the great ad- venture befell Robin, son of a distinguished lord, there at his royal majesty's castle, Delvin. Robin was a sturdy, well built boy of eighteen. His very countenance bespoke hardihood and vigor. He was happy when out-of-doors tilting. Richard, the king's brother, seemed very much attracted to Robin, and very often the two could be seen having a friendly encounter in the tilt- yard. Richard had many times spoken to the king of Robin and his ambitions. It happened on a bright, sunny morning that a hunt was proposed. As you may imagine, Richard's influence helped Robin to become a proud member of the hunt in whichhe held the much-coveted position of personal body- guard to the king. As the merry little band rode under the arch of the castle's entrance, all the assembled people gave throat to a mighty cheer. . As befitted a king, Henry proceeded to give instructions to various groups. It chanced that Richard, Henry, and Robin were in one group. As Robin led the way, from the height of his horse he thought he saw something move in the brush. He held up his bow and let fly. Vvith a most ear-splitting shriek a huge monster rushed straight for the king, who had by this time dismounted. lVith a mighty heave' Robin launched himself from the back of his horse straight for the back of the hairy one! With a thud Robin hit the brute who crumpled in a heap. VVith a knife in hand, Robin struck once, twice, thrice, straight into the savage heart of the beast. As he arose, covered with gore, the king advanced upon him and said: Tomorrow at noon shalt thou have the great honor bestowedvupon thee. The next day came, as days have a habit of doing. It was Eve minutes after noon when Robin arose as Sir Robin Falsworth, Knight of the Bath, graced by his majesty's hand. - GERALD Davis, 9B. ...g . -5931.92 A .... .-- Mmm m f! IPage Forty-fivel