Muskegon High School - Said and Done Yearbook (Muskegon, MI)

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satisfied with the room, although it had been occupied by the matricide. One cold, windy night just before my return to college, I was awakened from a sound sleep-by what I could not tell. Perhaps by the wind, which had a way of whistling about my window at times, or perhaps I had some unpleasant dream. I raised myself upon my elbow and looked about the room. I could see every object distinctly, for the moon was shining brightly and its rays fell across the floor, almost to the door on the opposite side of the room. I felt uneasy, as if something were not right, and I glanced about the room a second time to assure myself that no one was there. I laid myself back on my pillow and had not yet closed my eyes, when to my astonished ears came the sound of creaking steps, as of some one climbing the stairs. I instantly thought of those stories of murder, and never before had they seemed so horrible. A slight noise at the door caused me to look in that direc- tion. Was I mistaken? No, there was certainly some one en- tering my room, for the door had not been locked and it was now being pushed open. I could not control my nerves. I was utterly powerless to move a muscle: my eyes were riveted on the door. Whom could Iexpect to see enter? The son, with ierce eyes and uplifted dagger, or the mother, with pleading, but terror-stricken countenance? A thousand wild thoughts flashed through my brain. The door was pushed completely open and the figure of a woman stood before me. I recognized in her the murdered mother, whom I had pictured to myself upon hearing the story of the tragedy. - . The tall form advanced toward me. I tried in vain to move, but it was useless: I could not even speak: I could only look. The features, as I remember then, were drawn and set. Would she give those hideous screams when she found me in her son's rooms? She drew nearer. Could I bear the suspense longer? She came to the bed, touched me and bent over me so far that I could feel her hot breath upon my face. I saw her lips move, and then: Willie, don't you want another quilt over you? Mother! I gasped. ' . E1 football 1Romance. 'Twas in the football season Then after a lively scrimmage She broke through the line of his He tried for a safety true, heart, But she made of it a. kick-out Kicked the goal of his affection And then the game was through. With a. touch-down at the start. -35 -

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El Utne Story. By v. 1, PAGE. gf W gI'IE thrilling incident of which I write occurred in the win- 4' My ter '92, while I was a junior at college. My parents were living at that time in C--, where my father prac- ticed law. During the holiday vacation, which I spent at home, my father expressed his intention of leaving C- in order to find a broader field for his practice: .I-, a town of considerable commercial importance was soon afterward decided upon as a proper locality. I The hard task of packing was at last completed, and a week later we arrived safe and sound in .I---, only to be surprised at learning that father had made no arrangements for a house to live in. Several days were spent in house seeking, but it was diilicult to find a suitable place. At last, however, one was found by father himself: this somewhat abated our impatience with him for not arranging for a home before moving. The place was all we could desire, having modern improve- ments, besides being in a pleasant location. I wondered why so desirable a house stood empty. especially as there was such a scarcity of good houses for rent. Upon inquiry I was told that a terrible tragedy had been enacted there-a son had murdered his mother. I ascertained further that other families had attempted to occupy this residence, but were disturbed to such an extent that they were forced to move out: in fact, it was said the house was haunted. Terrible stories were told. On one occasion the awful cries of the murdered mother were heard in the dead of night: at another time the son had-Walked from his room, with glaring eyes and bloody knife, down the stairs, through the hall, and across the parlors into his mother's room. Why should I be superstitious, I asked myself, just because others had dreamed or imagined they saw these terrible things? My col- lege training in athletics had developed every muscle and I was confident that a ghost would not get the better of me. My mother was consulted with regard to the renting of the house. She showed the good, sound sense and judgment which she always exhibited and expressed a. willingness to move in at once: so in a few days We were snugly settled in our new home. The room which I was to occupy was situated at the head of the stairs: it was a pleasant apartment with a large bay window looking out upon the lawn, now covered with snow. I was well -35-

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- qf.- C0118 ' bufnaf. ' f.N,.cra.- The Gauss of all the Trouble. 2841673 FROM IN ACTUAL io L lb0W the J5I'OWI1i65 Stole the Glappef. The sun had long set in the west, Muslcegfmn's city was at rest WVhen 'round its High School there came forth From east and West and south and north, A band of brownies gay and bright, YVhose deeds are always done at nightg Said one. I've heard that some poor lads Have caught the dickens from their dads, For using up their parents' cash In paying for a skylight smashed. They tried to get at a late hour From the bell that hangs in this school tower The clapper, but failed in their attempt, And so to get it we are sent. Agreeing to this the brownie band Begin their Work at his command. Some opened doors with greatest ease For Brownies do not need the keys. Some scaled the Walls, some took the stairs, And many Were the bumps and tears: And many a brownie had a fall, But brownies are so very small They are not ever hurt at all. And in the belfry some they stood, Each one doing as he should To loosen the clapper from the bell: And brownies Work so very Well That soon they had their Well-earned prize, And 'though heavy and of large size, They bore it down those prison stairs And left this school of pains and cares, And as the sun rose o'er the hills The brownies chuckling' to themselves Took the Clapper, and hid from sight To form their plans for another night. HUGH CHRISTIE. - 37.-