Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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T HE W IT A N the cook, opened it. She stepped back in amazement, for there stood the policemen with drawn guns. Glenn smiled and told the men to put up the guns, for they probably would not need them for a while. “What’s the joke? asked the larg- est of the three, “caught the train robbers He chuckled, but seeing the meaning look in the boys eyes, he became serious. “Maybe, at least the leader of the gang, ’ said Bob. “You remember that the leader wears a peculiar ring? Well, thpre is only one man that wears a ring like that and that man is in this house. The large cop’s jaws opened and the other two stared at the boys. “For the love of three kings!’’ ex- claimed the big cop. “That can't be, because after the robbery they started west, not east.” “Maybe, said Bob. “But what’s to stop them from circling around? Any- way, he's here and it’s your job to get him. “Well, let’s get after him and not stand here, cried the big fellow. “He'll not get away from us. “Oh no, he won’t,” laughed Glenn. “He’s booked for a couple of hours yet. He’s calling on our sister. “Does your sister know that he's the robber? asked one of the little cops. “No. she doesn't, Glenn replied, “so we’ve got to figure it out by ourselves. I'll go into the parlor. Clara will in- troduce Burkloy to me. You see I never met him personally because 1 always ducked when he came. Why? Oh, because I didn’t like his looks. Well, when I’m introduced, I’ll notice the ring and make a remark about it. You men will be close by and hear the conversation. When I give the signal, which will be a long drawn whistle of surprise, you step in and take him prisoner. Have you got it straight? “You bet, the cops exclaimed, as they followed Glenn. Glenn entered the parlor as if by accident. He started to go out but his sister called him. “I wont you to meet my friend, Mr. Burkley,” she said. “He might be your brother-in-law some day. “Not if 1 can help it, muttered Glenn under his breath. However, he smiled and shook hands. Glenn sat down and entered the conversation. After five or ten minutes he thought it time to strike. “That’s a nifty ring, Burkley, he said. “Some kind of club ring, 1 sup- pose. Glenn thought he saw Burkley turn pale, but there was no sign of fear. “Why, not exactly, Burkley rpplied. “It was given to me by my father who was er I mean about nine years ago. “Oh, I see, said Glenn, “is your father still living? “That, said Burkley, “is none of your business. Glenn stared at him and then gave a long drawn whistle. Clara looked alarmed. Just then something cold was placed at the hack of Burkley’s head. “Don’t move!” was the command. “I’ve got you now. The two little cops came in with drawn pistols. Clara screamed and ran to her brother. Her scream brought the whole household to see whnt was the matter, What’s going on? cried the judge. “This, said the tall cop, “is the leader of the gang that robbed the train early this morning. And he wanted to marry me, cried Clara. “The brute. Mr. Burkley rose and facing the judge exclaimed: “1 nearly got even with you for sending my father to the chair. I’m the son of John Hawks. “What? Not the Hawks that killed Mont Wilson? asked Mill. “Yes sir, I am the son of the very same. And this ring, Burkley turned to Glenn, “stands for Revenge. “Well, for the love of three kings! exclaimed the cop as he slippeil the handcuffs on Burkley. Doris Reagon, ’31. 20

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THE WITAN THE CROOKED GENTLEMAN It was eight o’clock and the Mill’s home was in sunshine and quietness. Clara lay in bed thinking about Wil- liam Burkley. He had proposed to her last night and she had asked for time to think it over. This evening he would come for his answer. “Oh well,” she muttered, “I suppose III ” She did not finish her sentence, for there was a loud thump on her door. “What in the world is the matter?” she asked. “1 want to borrow your tooth brush,” said Glenn as she opened the door. “There is a mouse in my bed- room and I want something to kill it with.” “Say, Glenn, ask her if I may bor- row her powder puff, my nose is shiny,” shouted Bob from the stairs above. “Have you boys gone crazy?” asked Clara. I should think “Never mind what you think,” in- terrupted Glenn. “Just take a peep at the headlines of this paper.” Clara took the paper and read. “Mail Train Robbed, 2 Hurt In Skir- mish.” “Well, what’s that to me? There are lots of train robberies.” “Oh, are there?” asked Glenn sweetly, as he took the paper. “Nice little spitfire, aren’t you?” At the foot of the stairs he met Bob. “What did Sis say about it?” asked Bob . “She didn’t read it. I'm kind of glad she didn’t, because she might know' who wears a ring of twisted wire with the letter R on it and I think that it can be fixed.” The last few words were uttered with a knowing wink, for Clara was coming down the stairs. “What are you boys up to now?” she asked. “Nothing much, just wondering what we w'ill have for breakfast. Come on, Sis, I’ll beat you to it.” Bob twicked a piece of her hair and made a race for the dining room. Judge Mill greeted his children with a merry, “Good morning, everybody,” and went on with his reading. When the breakfast was nearly fin- ished, the telephone rang. Mr. Mill went to answer it and when he had gone Glenn pretended to tease his sis- ter. “Sis, will you do me a favor?” he asked. “Maybe, depends upon what it is,” she answered. “Well, when William Burkley comes to see you this evening, will you meet him in the waiting room beside the draperies?” “Well, of all the crazy notions, you certainly find the craziest. What do you want me to do that for?” Clara was getting peeved and a flush began to creep in to her face. “I want to give your boy friend a surprise,” Glenn answered as he left the room. That evening the door bell rang and the butler ushered William Burkley into the waiting room. Clara came in and stood by the draperies. Whether she did it on purpose or accidentally, Glenn didn’t know. But there he was behind the draperies waiting for the next move. Burkley stepped forward and put his arm around Clara. Glenn parted the draperies a little so that he might see better. And what he did see sur- prised him not at all, for there on Burkley’s finger was the wire ring with the letter R. Glenn wasted no time. He crept back from the draperies and made a dash for the stairs. When he was in Bob’s room, he picked up the tele- phone and called the police head- quarters. “1 want three fully armed police- men,” he said. “I think that I have some interesting work for them. Tell them to come to the back door of Judge Mill’s home.” Glenn hung up the receiver and tak- ing Bob by the shoulders marched him down to the kitchen. Five minutes later a slight tap was heard on the kitchen door. Bridget, 19

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