Lowell High School - Red and White Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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for june 1922 Tdefll added seriously, see that, and that, and that, and he pointed to a number of yellow sparkling flakes in the sand. Why it's- Then Martin Hanks fell upon his knees and gasped incredulously. UW-what? G-gold? By golly! You bet your sweet life it's gold! They embraced. They danced. They howled. They stopped and looked again and forgot to curse, for joy. Big jim's slower wits settled first, and he unpacked from Betsy's load an old tin basin and carried it until they came to another stream and tried to wash out the stuff. Neither of the men had seen much gold in all their lives, but they succeeded, after three hard weeks of washing, in getting enough of the precious stuff together to fill half a whiskey flask full of their wonder- ful find. That night they talked things over. Day after tomorrow me an' you hits for the bay and the 'Bill Burkef Wot ll We do-with the salvage ? demanded Jim. P- Take the stuff to the Mint and get it changed, replied the other. They both sat and smoked for a long time and each dreamed his dream of riches. Finally, Grimes said: A You know, Mart, I heerd once, that up in Alasky, when a boy finds some gold on a place he claims it, or somethin'g anyway it becomes his'n. Why couldn't we do that F Mart Hanks was silent for a moment. -lumpin' Jellyfish! he cried, that's where you hit me 'tween the eyes with an idee. We'll claim that stream bed as our'n and sell chunks of it to our mateysf' Mart, said Big jim, gravely, I takes back all I ever had agin' you. An', ef I remember right, the 'Bill Burke' won't be touchin' in 'Frisco for fourteen days. Two weeks later they arrived in San Francisco, weary and exhausted, but happy in the acquisition of long-dreamed-of wealth. They had tramped all the way there, the conductor on the train being unable to accept anything but the currency of the realm. Two hours after they crossed on the ferry, their feet touched the deck of the Bill Burke. That night, in the forecastle, the heroes of the ship recounted their ad- ventures for the tenth time, until every man in the crew planned desertion. They gambled the shirts off their backs for the flask, and, finally, when they turned in, Mart sneaked out on deck, tied a rope to it, and let the precious bottle hang overboard to prevent its being stolen. Next morning they swaggered down the gang plank like turkeycocks under the envious eyes of the rest of the crew, swaggered across the Embarcadero, swaggered to a car, and swaggered up to the Mint, the precious bottle in Big jim's possession. It seemed ages before they stood before the little barred window, their Golden Gate to the calm harbor of Prosperity.

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Tflgflo '1'heLOWELL The Millionaires HENVQ' panted Martin Hanks, when by dint of hard climbing, fi he had reached the top of the Sierran ridge and sunk down upon an inviting rock. He proceeded to remove his heavy boots and stroke his calloused feet tenderly with appropriate oaths as he l---- -l touched each tender spot. Then he took out his pipe, lighted it, and scanned the panorama of mountains and valleys. Let's anchor here, he called back to Big jim Grimes, who was toiling up the slope with Betsy, the old pack horse. When Big jim arrived, he grunted assent, and tied Betsy to a tree. His great size and mighty bulk seemed to tower even in this place, although there was a droop to his great shoulders and his feet dragged heavily. Why, the devil, did we ever start on this fool trip F he wailed, picking up a small trunk of a tree that had broken off and setting it atop two adjacent rocks to form a seat. Wot yer beeiin' about? It was one of your dumfoozled notions. Thought we'd find gold! Huh! The devil, himself, knows I'd give my big toe to be back on the 'Bill Burke,' scuddin' fore a wind with some ham and eggs under my beltfl Big Jim had the advantage of his companion in size, but Hanks was known among the seamen as Little Husky, and his reputation commanded respect even from Big jim Grimes, who contented himself by roaring, Aw! stow that! Grimes refreshed himself from his canteen, and, after removing his boots, squirmed up onto his improvised seat. The wood was rotted, and it deposited him, accompanied by a deluge of profanity, upon the sandy bed of a long-dried stream. Still swearing horribly, he rose to find Hanks almost sprawling in hysterics. Jim sat where he had fallen, dumfounded at his partner's unfeeling joy, then he snatched for a rock, whereupon Little Husky took to his heels and climbed a tree. Peering back through the branches, Mart saw a strange sight. Big jim was on his hands and knees peering at the sand into which he had fallen. Then he bellowed an ear-splitting whoop, jumped up, threw his ragged cap into the air and danced wildly about until his tangled feet tripped him up. Then he sank down upon the sand and yelled loudly, Hanks, you consarned son of a sea cook, come here ! But the smaller man returned warily, possessing himself of a stout stick and a rock on the way. When he saw Jim's helpless position, he threw his heavy artillery and caution to the winds. Thinking of broken legs, Little Husky attempted to recall First Aid Hints, and jumped down to where Big jim grovelled in the sand, to find himself pounced upon by the giant, who shook him by the shoulders and kicked him and beat him upon the back, cry- ing, We're rich! We're millionaires! Holy Sufferin, Mackerel! Look! he

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Tagelz The LOWELL Big Jim's trembling fingers placed the bottle in the hands of a young man behind the window. He looked at the stuff and his eyes twinkled. He asked a few questions and put the bottle on the counter. Sorry, boys, he said, but this stuff here isnit gold. It may look like it, but it isn't. Ever heard of Fool's Gold? No P Well, it's a mixture of sulphur and iron found practically everywhere in the world. Thatis what this is. 'KHonest P Honest 'tAin't it worth nothin'? VVell, about Ioc a ton, said the man, laughing. Little Husky led Big Jim away. Half stupeiied, they reached the sidewalk. Fool's gold. You heerd 'im ? Little Husky demanded, fighting mad. But jim was beginning to see clearer. His dismay left him and he laughed foolishly. Huh! Fool's Gold! That's us, Mart! VVe been fooled all right. Let's get back to the 'Billie Burke' for chow. We was millionaires for two Weeks, and it didn't get us nothin', but it was swell to think about! Didn,t get us nothin? asked Mart, 'gainit we in all the swag We won from that crew of highbinders P -Gordon Cole. San Francisco Ferry A motley, varied mass, Each race, each creed, each class, In seething crowd moves through thy portals grey, Life's humor and her wit With tragedy are knit As in and out Life moves in one short day. What color for the eye, What sights to bring a sigh In this great tapestry are rashly wove! There hooded poverty And Mammon's devotee Walk unaware of any brother love. And yet, glance here and see If misery could be- Bright talk, fair girls and brilliant flowers bloomg The Hulfy sweet of Life is here- Gladness, bright hope, good cheer, Here underneath this portal's greyish gloom.