Liberty High School - Lion Yearbook (Brentwood, CA)

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THE LIBERTY BELL f V Mir ,jigstrrg By AILEEN PORTER, '14. The ancient castle with its towers situated at the head of the valley seeming upon a cliff. Three sidcs are thickly wooded. The accessible side is bare rock and the massive, gray walls, jarred and rent by earthquakes, can be seen clearly in the distance. ln reality it is a place more perfectly fitted for a fortress. Many years have passed since any one has lived there, thus there are many weird tales connected with the castle. ln olden times our grandfathers did not have banks in which to deposit their money so it was the custom to hide or bury it about their homes. Among those who buried their wealth was an olfi miser and he is said to have found a hiding place for his treasure some-where within the castle ' ' ' ' S i K 8 it is -I' S Early one evening a group of strange men, passing through the village above which towered the old castle, stopped at the lun. During the usual exchange of stories. the favorite theme of the old miser's hid- den treasure strongly aroused in them the spirit of adventure. Later they met in Clover's room as he was the most enthusiastic and decided to go in search of the miser's gold. Four nights were to he given to the investiga- tion nf the castle grounds and on the fifth they were to make their entrance. I Silver volunteered to be the first to go forth and make an examination. He made ilis way through the forest and up the narrow gorges over rocky arcades until he stood before the castle. How beautiful it looked as the pale moon shone upon it! But what did he see before him as plain as day! Yes, it was a young girl as pretty as a picture and quite tall. She was stand- ing in the hattlement, waiting. Now an older lady and a handsome youth came to her side. They spoke, then the young man turned to his mother and kissed her tenderly. He took his sister in his arms and thus they stood, his face buried in her hair. Then they too, parted. Now the mother and girl waved their hand- kerchiefs to the departing figure. The mother withdrew and the girl seemingly heartbroken sank down, her head resting on her folded arms. Silver was filled with terror, and hardly believing what he witnessed, re- turned to his fellow comrades. What have you to tell? asked the boys as he stepped across the threshold. Nothing except there is only one way and that's up the front. replied Silver. Well, whose turn is it next? asked Plover. Guess it's mine. answered Elliot. Pe traveled the same way and. like 1

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THE LIBERTY BELL Q c-onipleted, equipped with all necessary niarliinery and electric appliances. A track for athletics has also been made, but the trouble is we do not seein to have any boys who consider themselves siiiiiciently qualified to enter the meet. The girls' basement has been parti- tioned off and the nicest little sewing room fitted up. A carpet is laid upon the floor. lace curtains are hung on the windows. Tables, ironing boards and all ner-essary apparatus have been supplied by the wood shop boys. Vile wish to ex- - ...of ll41 tend our thanks to the Board of Trustees for their interest without which the ini- provements could not have been made. We are sorry we have not more pic- tures for our annual but we were unable to obtain them. We sincerely hope the annuul will please the public. VVe have done the best we can and no one can do more. We wish to thank the business men, teachers, students and everyone else who have assisted us with LIBERTY BELL. . Q R!-

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'Fl IE l.I HIGRTY IRICLI. Silver, stood before the castle but as he looked up at it he caught his breath for and wrap there stood a girl, her hair waving in the breeze. As she walked to and fro she paused, raised her hands above her eyes and gazed across the countryg often she stopped suddenly with her eyes fixed upon the ground as if listening. Elliot was a cowardg he waited, only, until he had collected his senses then he fled back to the hotel. What is your report? were Clover's first words. Sanie. came the reply. Silver's eye was upon him from the time he had en- tered and Elliot's weary. excited manner in drawing his hand across his forehead did not escape his friend. He knew he must have had the same experiences. They were room-mates and after they were in bed Elliot asked Silver in almost a whisper, Did you see any thing up there at the castle? Silver started. XVhy man. what are you getting at? Didn't see a ghost did you? After Elliott had told him all, Silver. also related his experience. They decided to tell their companions in the morning. To their stories, Clover replied, You men are actually afraid of your shadows. Since you scared all the others so, we'll all go tonight. When night came they stood. once more, before the castle. Nothing was to I-e seen. What does-look! cried Evans. There appeared the girl as Elliot had seen her. going through the same motions. They saw her run. hold out her hands. then she was caught in the arms of the handsome youth whom Silver had seen. Thev looked into each other's fac'-s. talked and laughed. Suddenly he turned his face. l looked over his shoulder, then freed her ot' his embrace and caressed his mother who had just appeared. They stood for some time together then entered the castle. Better give this up as a had job, eh? asked Clover. Yes, chorused all. This story spread around the town like fire. A party of men came and went through the castle. When they unbarred the door a damp. cool, moldy atmosphere filled the room. Chips of rocks were strewn on the floor and the walls were so dusty that the men could easily write their names upon them. The investigation showed no one had entered. far less lived there. for years. Many years later a picnic was held in the grounds about the castle. It was in the evening and the people to their as- tonishment saw an old. crippled woman walk out on the balcony. Why that's my grandmother. gasped a girl in the crowd. What's she doing there? asked ev- eryone simultaneously. She can't he there: she was home when I left, was the gasping reply. This led to another investigation but this time the mystery was solved. The outside of the northern wall was not wood hut one large glass mirror. This girl's parents lived on the opposite moun- tain slope and it was found that if any one stood on the flat. hare summit. the light of the moon reflected them in the mirror of this castle. To make sure of this theory it was tried and found to he so. At last, the mystery which surrounded this castle was cleared but as yet no one has ever found the hidden treasure. l