Hobart Senior High School - Memories Yearbook (Hobart, IN)

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HIGH SCHOOL. 29 PENITENTS of Ufie PLAINS GLADYS MACKEY. ' OUNG John Harrow had come West to gain strength after a long, hard attack of fever. He came to get that strength which nothing II but wild plains, pure air, a Mexican pony and refreshing sleep in the open air can bring. At first there was little charm for the convalescent in riding over the barren, brown plains, which stretched so desolately in all directions, with no barrier save the faint outline of lofty mountains far in the west. One day his attention was arrested by a speck of color off towards the horizon, a bit of red. It gradually grew larger, the object came closer and closer. Finally Harrow beheld the most beautiful of Spanish girls, riding an Egypt-black pony. He felt he must speak with the beauty, but how? Judging from her intellectual forehead, fine eyes and general poise he knew her to be the best of her race. He rode near the maiden and said, “Senorita, may I inquire the way? You are familiar with the plains, are you not? Will you kindly show me the way to the Z Bar Z ranch ? ” The girl showed no astonishment at this request from a stranger, but cheerfully explained the various paths which finally lead to the ranch. “Senor, I will ride with you until we round yonder point, when you can find your way with little trouble.” This was more than Harrow had hoped for and he silently thanked his old tutor for teaching him to speak good Spanish. The girl talked of prairie life, its possibilities and of her life in the East at boarding school. At parting she said, “My name is Helena Alejandro (Helen Alexander). You will doubtless hear of my father if you stay here long. It is our western way to speak to strangers and to be what you easterners would term a little blunt. I wish you good fortune, senor, adios. ” Harrow watched her ride away, graceful, beautiful ; a gem with the wild prairie for a setting. Many days thereafter John rode in the same direction and often met the pretty Spanish girl. Sometimes they rode together, sometimes only spoke and went their ways. Harrow learned she was the daughter of a cruel millionaire sugar king, who did not intend his daughter should marry a despised Americano.

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28 HOBART TOWNSHIP Special mention ought to be made of the Iroquois Athletic Club, which was organized this year for the purpose of pushing athletics. We can not say, however, that this proved a success, for it was broken up in a short time. A foot-ball eleven was organized in September and Edward Paine was elected captain. The boys purchased their suits and began in earnest to practice. But when they attempted to get a game scheduled with them, fate seemed to be against them and something intervened each time. It is thought by some that the students of other schools were scared out by the thoughts of attempting to be victorious when playing against Hobart. Each person mentioned above is an example of good health, developed and sustained by athletic sports. Then let us not harbor the idea that any form of athletic sports interferes in any way with the development of the young man; but rather let us encourage athletic sports in the direction t.hey are now taking, that may in a still greater degree intensify the present effect by bringing greater good to the pursuers of these sports, as well as to those who are not so directly interested.

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30 HOBART TOWNSHIP One day, when these two met on the prairie, the girl was very sad. She explained that on the morrow, with many of her people, she would ride horseback to a little church situated in a barren portion of the plains of New Mexico, where they would do penance to their wrathful God. “Oh, it is hard for me to go since I have learned a religion different from that of my father’s. Tomorrow, at daybreak, we shall start in a body, to the church a distance of fifty miles. No food will be eaten all day and by nightfall we will reach the little church standing on a small hill. Great massive crosses will then be bound to our backs with cords, which will sink deeply into the flesh. All night we will march up the hill to the church, then down, all the while beating and scourging our bodies. If one of the penitents drops back from exhaustion the disciplinas will beat him on with a cruel whip. At daybreak the horrible scene will end and then will begin the weary ride home. It breaks my heart to think my people know not of the God of love instead of hate, but were I to murmur against their belief they would murder me without mercy. Farewell, dear friend, I shall not see you for many days, for after tomorrow’s trip my arms will be a purple, gory mass and I shall not be able to hold the reins of my pony’s bridle.” As Harrow rode home he thought over this horrible tale. Terrible that such things should take place in civilized America ! He must do something to save the girl, but what? All night he tried to devise some scheme, but every plan was faulty. At early dawn he saddled his pony and resolved to ride as close to the company who were going to do penance as he could without attracting notice. Perhaps by some means he could help Helena. The girl’s relatives knew nothing of him. so what if a dark figure were seen riding in the distance? All morning they rode in the scorching sun. Helena began to feel the need of food and Avater, yet the people moved on and so must she. She allowed her pony to fall behind the others, everything grew black before her and she fell from the saddle. Those whom she was with thought God to be angry with her. took this for an evil omen, so did not stop to lift her up or minister to her needs. Harrow, who was intent on the figure in red, saw her fall and saw her pony stop by her side. He dared not go to her until the penitents were well ahead. When John could, he rode swiftly to the girl, carried her to a nearby arroya and bathed her forehead in cool water. Helena soon felt better and, after eating some lunch whic h John had brought, she Avas her bright self again. “Noav, ’ said Harrow, “I haA r e a beautiful plan, if you will consent. Not far from here there is a little toAA ' n in which an old college chum of mine, a