Harmony High School - The Ferguson Yearbook (Harmony, ME)

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THE' FERGUSON Jane inclined her head, unwilling to meet the gaze of the other. I did, but I know differently now, and I will ride over and make apologies to your mother, if I may. That afternoon Jane rode back to Jack's place, and received a warm greeting from Jack's mother, father, and older brother, Nick, who was a sober, quiet man of about thirty years of age. Jane, at Mrs. Braddock's, and of course Jack's insistence, spent three lovely days at their ranch. After that, a very marked trail led from the Braddock ranch to the Hardney ranch, where two young people rode often, with happy, singing hearts. 4: -if 1- as sk lk ' One night, not long after this, a beautiful night it was, with the moon turning the sky and earth a white, silvery glow, and mak- ing each bunch of cactus and scrub bush stand out in shiny patches, Jack told Jane of his love for her, which had dated back to the day he found h-er on the desert. The next night just as the wise old moon arose, two riders were seen riding very close together, turning in at the Braddock ranch. They had been married that day at the coun- ty seat, and now as they turned into the yard of the ranch house, the moon smiled wisely at the look of complete happiness and love on their faces. -M. West, '36. A WHITE MAN WINS The white men were slowly seizing the best of the Indian hunting grounds. They were killing many red men and pushing the remaining tribes toward the west. The leader of the white band was a tall, stalwart man, broad shouldered and muscu- lar. His complexion was a sunburned tan, his hair, dark and curly, and his eyes, brown and sparkling. Maidens of the frontier whis- pered that Chester 0'Cornel was truly a handsome man. It happened that the Chickasaw tribe and the white men were not on friendly terms. The whites did not wish to wage war with the keen natives but wanted to make peace terms. It was decided that young O'Cor- nel should go to the chief's wigwam to ne- gotiate peace. 6? Chesty set out from the settlement at early dawn and reached the Indian village at fsundown. He was conducted to the chief's wigwam by several braves. He was greatly surprised to find that the chief was youngg about twenty years old, which was Ches- ty's age. The Indian, whose name was Hawk- eye, appeared different from any chief Ches- ty had seen. He wore a close fitting gar- ment of furs, buckskin leggins and mocca- sins. His straight, black hair hung loosely about his shoulders. His features were those characteristic to all Indians, but he was more refined than most of them. At the approach of O'Cornel, Hawkeye rose from his seat of skins and met Chesty with outstretched hand. The white youth grasped it, then the chief motioned him to be seated. Chester told him by means of signs, motions, and a few words that he was seeking peace. The chief replied something in Indian language then he said, Ugh, White Chief steal um poor Indian's hunting grounds. O'Cornel then told the surly Indian that he would trade cloth, wine, and guns for a certain track of land which the reds claimed. Before Hawkeye could reply, a young girl glided into the hut. Chester discovered by looking closely that she was not an Indian, although she was dark anciwore Indian garb. She was very beautiful and it was easy to see that she was healthy and strong. He at once noted a sad, yet defiant, expression in her dusky eyes. The girl squat, Indian fashion, at the farther end of the tent. Hawkeye then arose and seated himself beside her. She cast an appealing glance at Chesty then went to sit beside him, however she uttered no sound but her haunted look told Chester that she needed help. Evidently she was annoyed by the Indian's attentions. While Hawkeye was grunting angrily, Che.sty managed to say in a low tone, How do you happen to be here? She replied unsteadily, I lived in the next settlement about fifty miles from here. I was in the woods one day, looking for flow- ers, when Hawkeye captured me. I have been here for two years. It has been quite im- possible for me to escape. By this time Hawkeye was very angry. He was pacing the hut swinging his.arms

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B THE FERGUSON 49 wildly, and occasionally muttering curses in the Indian tongue. His pride was wounded because his so-called Princess preferred the pale white man. Marie had been in the vil- lage so long that the chief regarded her as his own. Hawkeye came to stand dir-ectly before Chester and Marie. The raging savage clinched his huge fists' and his face was livid with anger and hatred. Chester seeing that the chief intended to strike him, immediately sprang to his feet. As the powerful savage raised his arm up- ward, Chesty brought the butt of his rifle clattering down on Hawkeye's head. The Indian yelped with fury and pain, then slow- ly sank to the ground and lay still. Chester raised the trembling girl in his arms and hurried outside to his horse. He put her into the saddle, then climbed up be- hind her. He hesitated a moment, then direct- ed the horse into the dark forest north of the wigwam. They rode the rest of the night, not knowing where they were going. To- ward dawn they rested for a short time in a glade. It was while Marie was wandering about that she discovered an old trail, hard- ly detectable. They -followed it and at sun- set came, to a settlement. After looking about, Marie was overjoyed to find that it was her home toin. Her father's cabin was deserted but she immediately claimed it. When Hawkeye recovered from his shock he ran to his horse, mounted, and rode south- ward, whi-ch was the opposite direction than that taken by Chester and Marie. The fren- zied savage did not se-em to realize that he could have tracked them easily. There was only hatred and murder in his heart, all s-ound r-easoning had left him. He rode for days, determined to find his lost princess, caring pot where he went. At the end of three weeks, he had given up all hopes of finding Marie. He knew he had b-een defeated by a white man, yet he still pushed on. The hardships he and his pony had en- dured cannot be described. At last he came to the 'end of a rocky trail which ended abruptly at the edge of a perpendicular cliff. At the foot of this cliff was a deep pool. Hawkeye advanced to the very edge, not realizing that he, as well as his faithful horse, was in a dangerous position, for he was completely exhausted. The wind howled and the lashing Waters pounded on the rocks at the foot of' the cliff. Slowly the brave, proud Indian chief sank forward, the horse crumpled to his knees, and both beast and master hurtled into the fury below, dead be- fore they reached the bottom. Months afterward, Marie thought of Hawk- eye frequently for although she hated him, .she knew he was brave and loyal. She was content to live with Chester, her husband, in their new cabin. 0'Cor'nel never went back to his people but left them to their own fate. He became a succe.ssful farmer and his happin-ess was complete with Marie as his life partner. , -R. E. H., '36. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT A l-one horseman rode up the trail to a group of tumble-down ranch buildings. He was clad in range clothes, a large wide- brimmed sombrero, a blue neckerchief, gray fiannel shirt, and dark colored trousers tucked in the tops of high-heeled boots, Around his waist he wore a gunbelt with a holster from which the pearl handle of a six-shooter protruded. He was young, not more than twenty. He had curly black hair, blue eyes, and a fair, but sunburned complexion. He and his horse, a large roan, were covered with dust for they had traveled many miles since morn- ing. Jim Vesper had come to take over the management of his ranch. His uncle had died and left it to him a few weeks ago. As he slipped from the saddle before the door of the ranch house, he heard some- thing whiz by his head and at the same time a sharp report sounded. He ducked instinc- tively, and his six-shooter came up shoot- ing flame. He ran forward, keeping between the door and the window. As he reached the house, he ran along it to the door, and put his hat through the opening. As no shot was fired at the hat, he ventured inside. To his surprise, he saw, on the door, face down, a small figure. Now, what have I done? he muttered, as he reached down to turn the form over. Reach for the sky , came sharply from the side of the room, and do it quick. I'll