Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

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THE TATTLER 5 “THE COWARD. E. M. It was breakfast time in the camp of the U. S. soldiers at the front in Mexico and although it was yet early in the day, the tropical sun beat down upon the long rows of white tents and the groups of soldiers collected here and there around small fires, smoking, laughing, joking and frying slices of bacon or boiling coffee. Far to the west the mountains, lit up by the early morning sun. reared their massive bulks to the skies while all around as far as eye could reach, lay a flat sandy plain of cactus and sage brush with perhaps here and there a few stunted trees, and inhabited only by the sneaking coyote, gopher and prairie dog. About a score of miles s outheast lay the headquarters of the Mexican troops wfhile about thirty miles south lay the isolated American post, “Fort Lincoln.” In front of the general headquarters the great military wagon with it3 heavy canvas covering emblazoned with the letters U. S. stood ready for a journey, hitched to one of the government’s splendid teams of four big black mules, who lazily switched their long, rope-like tails back and forth to keep off the bothersome flies. At the rear of the wagon stood six mounted cavalrymen in various attitudes of rest conversing with each other as to the nature of their errand. Presently a lieutenant of cavalry descended the headquarters’ steps and came with rapid stride down to the wagon. Instantly all were attention and the lieutenant spoke, “Boys.” he said, “we start this morning for ‘Fort Lincoln.’ We will load the wagon with ammunition for the fort and go by the road farthest west so as to escape detection if possible, for aside from the ammunition we carry private dispatches which I trust you will defend with your lives if necessary and so help to preserve the honor of your native land. It is needless to sav that there will be danger and that I have selected you because I know that yon will do your duty and do it well.” “Aye, that we will,” replied the men. “Six of us can handle a whole regiment of them dad-burned old greasers,” said one of the men. and, with many a joke upon the despised greaser, during which the young officer had lightly swung himself into the broad seat beside the driver, the little detachment started down the road, receiving on each side the hearty cheers of the soldiers who had finished breakfast and were now' cleaning

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4 THE TATTLER Would not the football team of 1911 have appreciated a field of this sort? Would it not be appreciated by the future track, football and baseball teams? We may well look with envy upon our sister city, Ashtabula, who is the proud possessor of two fully equipped Athletic fields, besides a Y. M. C. A. Yet let us hope that before many more generations have passed we may have an Athletic field which shall be as good as any in the county. BASEBALL. The basketball season of 1911-12 has drawn to a close and baseball now demands our attention. This year a departure from the former plan of playing the games will be made. Each team will play but one game with each of the other county teams. Following this plan games will be scheduled up to May 25, at which time the four teams having the highest percentage will play together. The teams to play against each other will be determined by lot. The winners of these two contests will then play a championship game which will take place at Ashtabula. It is hoped by all that when this championship game is pulled ofT C. H. S. will be one of the contestants and they surely will be if they continue to show that same spirit which has been exhibited in the past football and basketball season. The question of umpires has also been provided for. Each team is to submit the names of two men, who will act as umpires, to the chairman of the executive committee. The chairman will then assign the umpires to the various games, taking care to have neutral umpires for each game. The expenses of these umpires will be taken out of the treasury of the County Athletic Association. Our schedule is as follows: April 13—C. H. S. at Kingsville. May 11— C. H. S. at Jefferson. April 20—Harbor at Conneaut. May 18—Austinburg at Conneaut. April 27—C. H. S. at Geneva. May 25—C. H. S. at Ashtabula. May 4—Andover at Conneaut. the Max and his shoes. How much a man is like his shoes! For instance both a soul may lose, Both need a mate to be complete, And both are made to go on feet. With shoes the last is first; with men The first shall be the last, and when The shoes wear out they’re mended new, When men wear out they’re men dead too: They both are trod upon and both Will tread on others, nothing loth. Both have their ties and both incline, When polished in the world to shine, And both peg out. Now would you choose To he a man or be his shoes?

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6 THE TATTLER their rifles preparatory to drill. The little detachment stopped at the ammunition sihed long enough to take on its load and was soon rattling down the road and out of sight. A little while afterwards a dark-skinned son of Mexico known about camp as “Miguel” and who took care of the mules, rode slowly out of camp, to all appearances, only, but as soon as he was out of sight he set spurs to his mule and headed for the Mexican camp where he reported what he had accidentally overheard, and also the number and direction of the little party. Instantly all was astir in the Mexican camp and soon afterward a party, fifty strong, of Mexican cavalrymen galloped off across the plain in the direction of the little party. The sun shone high overhead as it was noon and its hot rays beat down upon the little party which was slowly wending its way across the plains. No sound broke the all pervading quietness of the place except the labored breathing of the mules, who drooped in the traces under the influence of the noonday sun, the creaking of the wagon or perchance an occasional remark of the troopers who followed behind. The lieutenant sat back comfortably in the broad seat and interested himself in the changing scenery, but of the driver he took no notice whatsoever, for that particular person was probably the most heartily despised person in the service. He was a tall, slender young man with a delicately refined countenance who, because of his great fear of fighting and because he was invariably found hiding behind some tree or stump during action, was commonly known as the “coward.” Lieutenant Lawrence, on the other hand, was probably the most popular and brave officer in camp and, perhaps his greatest fault, was his laxity in the observance of military custom and his free and easy manner with the men under him. In fact, there was not a man in camp who ■would not have given his whole month’s pay merely to have been selected for this enterprise, for it was always considered a great honor to serve under Lieutenant Lawrence. The detachment had now reached a rougher part of tihe country whert the roads were harder and smoother. The wagon was rattling on at a good pace when one of the cavalrymen spurred up beside the seat and. after saluting, spoke: “There’s a e-ang op horsemen, about fifty strong, behind us. and the only way we can make it out is that they are a detachment of Mexican cavalry. After looking out at the rear end and surveying th° Party through his field glasses. Lieutenant Lawrence shouted out orders to the men following: “The only thing we can do. boys, is to run for it; they are srreasers all right, and there are too many of them to fight in the ooen When they get near enough, use your carbines, perhaps that will check them some.” Then to the driver whose han s were trembling- so that he con’d hardly hold the reins: “Give me the reins, you trembling coward, and get behind the seat if you value your life.” The coward obeyed and fell in a bean under the seat. Lawrence seized the reins and lashed the mules until the four splendid animals were going at a breakneck speed. On and on past hill and bush the heavy wagon thundered, and behind rattled the horses’ hoofs, but the Mexicans were gaining and their high sombreros and swarthy visages could now be ouite plainly recognized. As the Mexicans