Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

Page 11 text:

THE TATTLER 9 A HALLOWE’EN STUNT. J. K. About one hundred years ago on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie there was situated a quaint and industrious old burgh called Conneaut. The prominence of this old city in the (histories of today lies in the fact that it was the home of the famous and now world renowned institution of learning known as C. H. S. There were some very notable as well as re markable characters associated with the institution at that time. The most prominent instructor, perhaps, was Mr. J. E. Helman, whose famous “Study Hall System” ihas been handed down to modern times. Mr. V. R. Henry was another of its famous teachers who was a scientist of no mean ability and his wonderful discoveries in chemistry and physics as well as “bugology,” burden the pages of modern text books. There were also some very prominent students who attended school not only for the education they might acquire but to have a part in some deviltry as well. School had been in session about seven weeks. The October frosts had painted the thills and valleys with gold and crimson, the bluish clouds of autumn haze hovered on the distant horizon. Hallowe’en was near at hand. The Hallowe’ens of previous years had been filled with depredations which had caused the hair of some of the participants to stand straight up. it was the plan of a so-called bunch of “Ruf Necks” to break all records by one of their “stunts.” Albert Hall, usually called “Abe,” was recognized by the members of this gang to be leader. Abe’s mind was full of dreams and plans as he made his way to the school on a bright morning about a week before that eventful night (Hallowe’en). He met Jite and Hughie on the way and the three talked very confidentially until they arrived at school. Lessons were not at all interesting, the sections dragged slowly, the day was indeed a dreary one for these three. After school they met and arranged tiheir plans. The coming Thursday eve would be Hallowe’en. On that night Jite and Hughie were to have two canoes hidden in the bushes about one hundred yards from an old stone bridge that crossed the river near a place called Rocky Point. There were two other members of the bunch, “Micky” Green and Clifford Childs. All were to meet at the bridge at ten o’clock. Micky” was to bring a bucket of white paint and Clifford two brushes. Tt was no wonder that Abe did not have his lessons when Thursday came, his head was all a whirl and he was sentenced to that awful forty minutes in the Study Hall after school. Clifford went home from school, sat down and attempted to study, (a thing quite uncommon for him), but he could not apply himself. It did seem to him as though the sun would never sink below the distant woods. Five o’clock—six o’clock—oh, how long the hours seemed! At last at nine-thirty he stepped from the porch and walked quickly in the direction of the bridge. When he arrived all were there. They stood about in a semi-circle while Abe told them the place they were to attack. “Now, fellows,” he began, you all know the way we have been treated, many times we have taken the blame for various pranks that have been committed, when we should have done otherwise. Prof. Smith we think is at the bottom of it, and we will show him ‘some stunt’ tonight. He has been very aristocratic since he received his dowry from

Page 10 text:

8 THE TATTLER to add to the confusion, the poor animals at the back of the shed were screaming and rearing in useless endeavors to escape. The roof was afire in several places and the heat was becoming unbearable. It was plainly of no use to resist further and so Lieutenant Lawrence displayed a white handkerchief through the door and the firing ceased. The little party hastened out of the shed as it fell to the ground a crackling, roaring heap of flames, and surrendered themselves to the Mexican commander. The animals, which had finally broken away, were caught again and securely fastened to the wagon and tbe prisoners were disposed of so that they could not escape. A council of war was now held near the wagon so that the “coward” plainly heard all that was said. It was finally decided that since the prisoners refused to tell as to the whereabout of the dispatches, that they should be shot at sunrise. The council broke up and the wagon was left alone on the silent plain. The stars came out and shed their dim light over the scene. All was quiet and peace prevailed where only a few' short hours ago turmoil and death reigned. The silence of the night was broken by the jests of the Mexicans who were encamped in the distance around the burning ruins of the little shed, the stamping of the horses or the distant howl of the coyote. A strange calm came over the man in the wagon as though the night herself had imparted some of her soothing qualities to him. The happenings of the day appeared to him as he thought them over and over again but a toad, horrible dream, and ibe buried his face in his arms and wept with shame at his cowardice. Why was it that he was born such a coward? Why must he suffer so? And then the words of the Mexican commander fame to him again, “They must be shot at sunrise.” What a dishonorable end for those who had borne so much for their country’s sake! But they must not be shot! Surely there—why could he not save them himself? ' His presence was not known to the Mexicans. He could dig up the d’s-patches, seize one of the horses and ride to the fort. It could not be very far away, and it was the only chance for himself as well as the prisoners, for he would surely be discovered in the morning. He felt a new sensation of calmness and strength such as he had never known before in all hi3 life come over him and he resolved to make the attempt. It was at least better than doing nothing. Cautiously he felt his way out of the wagon. The fire had burned low and the camp was lost in slumber. Slowly he felt his way over to the n'ace where be knew the dispatches to be buried. The subdued light from the dying fire was just enough for him to locate the spot. Hastily he dug up the papers and turned to leave when he saw a Mexican sitting bolt upright. intently watching him. It was the spy “Miguel!” What should be done? He dared not shoot for it would arouse the camp and kill all chances of escape or rescue. He felt for his knife and before the astonished Mexican knew what had happened there was one man less to answer the roll call in the morning. The “coward” now hurried over to the horses and was soon galloping off in the direction of the fort. Before the Mexican camp was astir the next day, it was surrounded by American troops and the Mexicans became prisoners while those whom they had condemned became free. As the morning sun shed its first rays of light over the silent plain, the wagon again started out for the fort, but it was no longer driven by a coward but by a hero of heroes.

Page 12 text:

10 THE TATTLER Ireland. He has a beautiful home, hilt that does not concern us, as it is the barn that is to be the scene of action. His black horse Jasper is the real object of attack. We will apply this pail of paint in such a manner that Jasper will appear like a genuine Zebra imported from Africa. Now if you guys don’t get chicken hearted and flunk out we will use these brushes in a most artistic manner inside of a half hour.” With these words they started down the shore. As they walked along Clifford whispered to Abe in a trembling voice: ‘‘Do you see those bushes moving? I guess I’ll go back.” Abe laughed a suppressed, Ha! Ha! “You are a peach, can’t tell when the wind sways the bushes. Come along and don’t get scared at such little things.” 'They came to the place where the canoes were hidden in the bushes, carried them to the river, got in and paddled out into the middle of the stream. The current took them gently down for quite a distance. There the stream narrowed and flowed with swift current. When they were in the middle of the rapids the front end of the canoe, which was carrying Hughie and Jite struck a rock. The current began to turn the canoe around. When crosswise of the stream, it tipped its occupants out. The water was quite chilly, but they were mighty stars of the gridiron and by making use of all their strength they swam toward shore and landed about two hundred feet further down. The other canoe landed safely and all began action even though Hughie and Jite were rather moist. There was a steep cliff of shale about fifteen feet high where they landed. They threw a stone, to which a rope was fastened, into a tree which stood at the top of the cliff and ascended by means o' the rope. From here they proceeded to the barn, whicih stood a little ways off. Here they found that an entrance could be gained only by a side window. The window was quite loose but held shut at the side by a nail. Hugh was always bragging about his strength and especially his health (and well he might brag about the latter, for he called frequently at the home of the health officer to visit his daughter Jeanl, so he was given the job of opening the window. He gave a tremendous boost, there was a loud squeak, and the window was open. The act was just completed when the Prof, stepped out on the porch. The Hallowe’eners made a dash for the back of the barn, but returned again when the Prof, had closed the door behind him. They all entered through the window except Clifford, who remained outside to guard. The blanket was taken from Jasper, the paint bucket was onened and in ten minutes he was striped until he actually looked like one of t v e genuine zoological specimens. The blanket was put on the horse again, the paint and brushes handed out the window, to Clifford. All jumped out of the window, leaving the barn as quiet and peaceful as it was a half hour before. They returned to the canoe, threw paint bucket and brushes into the river and all except Abe, who took tike canoe down stream, walked along the stream until they came to a pile ot brush where they had hid the canoe. They were feeling pretty smart over their prank as they separated to go home but their spirits fell before twelve hours elansed. They were told next morning by the principal that they were no longer members of C. H. S. and they would have to make things right before any consideration whatever would be given to their re-entrance to school. It was a bitter