Junction City High School - Junco Ed Yearbook (Junction City, OR)

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iSad, but true? he exclaimed lowering his head, and the old man 5 eyes were d1m. w1th tears for the first time in years. After he had Cleared his throat and could speak clearly, he exclaimed, leou shall be my son Vi education.- These four years were years of changes for both .e uncle'and nephew. 'Mr. Herrington having found some one to carefor, was no longer a hard-hearted mtiser, but a broad-minded kind-hearted man. Howard became a stout, broad-shouldered fellow, who was not afraid to look the world in the face and who took his full share of the joys of lifeaunlike the office boy of years ago. -Reta Donovan, '13. ROBERTIS VICTORY. llDonit hand that composition in, Robert? said Mr. Caswell, the English, teacher in the Nineroclz; High School. llIt lacks unity, punctuation and everything else? This was the fourth time that Robert Huxley had attempted to write his composition. He was disgusted with life in general, llIf it were not for losing that fifteen per cent in English, I would not write a scratch? he thought. Robert went home that evening a most discouraged and dis- gusted boy. He had been called down in geometry class and placed at the foot; consequently, his name had been removed from the roll of honor. His Caesar was three days behind, and in general history, he had made a grade of sixty-three. He had been discharged from the track team by Mr. Brice, the coach, because of his poor work. But in spite of all these discourage- ernents, before he had reached home he had made a resolution that he would not go to the pool-room in the evenings; but, would stay at home and study. With this resolution the gloom seemed to be lifted and he continued his reflections, le deter- mined that I will succeed though I am starting in late? Robert ate his supper and after the meal, to the astonishment of hispare'nts as well as of his smaller brother and sisters, he began to study. He first took up his Caesar which he easily translated; then he spent the remainder of the evening on gen- eral history. After a good nights rest he merrily went about his chores and then prepared his geometry lesson. On the way to school he met John Bryan, with whom he had often contested in games of pool and billiards. WVhy wernit you down at the pool-room last night ?,, asked his chum. III had to get my lessons? replied Robert. His friend thought him a joke and immediately began'to laugh boisterously. At this Robert was filled with indignation and asked, llWhatis wrong with that ?l, . As a reply John asked, llWhatis the use of studying at home?

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where his employees were at work. Mlany men had left at dif- ferent times and new ones had taken their places; but Howard formed a resolution that he would stay by his work as long as possible; for, in spite of all, he rather liked the old man; This noon Howard ate the luncheon which he did not care for; and as he wasv'alone in the office, he sat with his elbows on his knees and his Chin in his hands thinking of the past. He thought of the day his last parent had died, leaving him, a lad of ten years, to be cast out into the world alone. He also thought of the time when a rich woman had taken him into her home, and had treated him so cruelly, that as soon as he had finished his high school education, whiclr'zWas at the age of sixteen, he had run away. After working hard for money enough to pay the expenses of the! trip, he had come to Chicago in hopesiof bettering his condition. Upon arriving he had found employ- ment with the Imperial Furniture Company. Through several years of toil and many difficulties, he had worked his way up from coal carrierfto bookkeeper and cashier. After thinking all this over, he straightened himself up and went to his work with a renewed determination to satisfy his employer. He took from his pocket the picture of his mother and placed it on the desk in front of him. He thought he might endure his work better with her beautiful face before him. It was some time before Mr. Herrington returned; and as usual, he came in raving aboutithe work in the office. Paying 1:3 heed to his employeris anger, Howard worked away, at his desk while the sun7s rays shining upon his motheris picture made it look more beautiful than ever. Mr. Hefrington walked up and down the. room with his hands in his pockets and his head down. Presently he walked toward Howardis desk to give him some instructions concerning the afternoons work; but all at once; he stopped abruptly. He stood there a full minute before Howard looked up. When he did so he was. astonished to see a look of half wonder, half fright upon his employeris face. Mr. Herringtons eyes had fallen on the picture and. quickly taking it in his hands he directed such a volley of excited questions at Howard that it was several seconds before he made any effort to answer. .llThat is my mother, who died when I was ten years old? said Howard, llbut Why are you so interested about her ?,i illnterestedPii he roared. iWNere you her only child? llYesW reolied Howard. llFortunately there were no more to i be cast out into the world alone? l37011 are my sisters only child? he exclaimed. liI received news that she was dead years ago. Why did I not'hear that she had left a son ?L' ' WWhat ?li cried. Howard astonished. llDo you mean to tell me that you are myimotheris only brother, who left the old home in England, while quite young and, was. never heard of' again ?,i

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HYou can get better lessonsf said Robert; and John know- ing this to be true, immediately changed the conversation and the boys went on their way. That morning when Robert went to English class and recited his lesson well, he astonished both his classmates and his instruc- tor. He did unusually well in Caesar, and to the envy of many made the head of the class in geometry. The afternoon rec1ta- tions were equally successful. Conversations cbuld be heard among the pupils about the great change in the boy. til wonder how Robert got such a good grade in geometry 0W said Harriette Brown to Florence Bradford. hHe couldnit have cheatein ' iiOh no? replied Florence, iiheis honest in whatever he does. 111 say that much for him? itHo-w can he have changed so suddenly ?,i asked Harriett. til think he must have studied his lesson? was the reply. After school Robert went out to the field where the DUJ'U were practicing for a meet that was to take place between the Ninerock school and that of Lemon. Mr. Brice on seeing him coming, approached, and said angrily, Don't you remember that I discharged you 6V ' itYe-esfi stammered Robert. . iiLet me warn you, Huxley if you don't leave the field there'll be trouble? Though somewhat disappointed, Robert went back to the dressing room. Here he met Andrew Newcastle, who was a warm friend of his. ttWhatis the matterWi asked Andre? . Robert told of his experience with Mr. Brice, whereupon Andrew replied, mfoo bad. When that Brice gets hold of a fel- low there,s no getting around him. He's a hard proposition. iWVouldnit care if it wasnt for loosini practicef said Robert deiectedlv. nPractice somewhere else; ? replied Andrew. iiGuess I will, I can run at least? said Robert brightening, iTll try the mile? . ' WVhere do you want to run: down the street to Richard- son's and back? asked his chum, dThat's half a mile from here; ii1 was thinking of going to the mill and back,' replied Rob- ert. hIs that all right? i ttYes; I'll time you.U So Robert went down to the crosswalk with his friend anil prepared for the run. The signal being given Andrew pressed his stop watch and away Robert went. Andrew saw that some of the boys on the track had stopped and were watching him run lightly down the road. Soon he was coming back and as he pass? ed the cross-walk, Andrew snapped the watch. HFive minutes and seventeen seconds? he cried, Hthe record of Ninerock, we'll sure beat Lemon now. Pretty good old boyf and he slapped him on the back.