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

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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

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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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HIGH SCHOOL. 31 minister, lives. Let us go see this minister, then take the train to the far East, which you so dearly love. I have adored you since that first day on the plains. What is your answer little maid?” Helena said not a word, but let Harrow kiss her red, red lips and lift her into the saddle. Adios, adios, dear brown, bleak plains.