Newport High School - Blunita Yearbook (Newport, PA)

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10 THE BLUE AND WHITE southern products which the planters would have exchanged for thos of the North. In the metropolis Lincoln was to sell the cargo. The morning sun shone brightly, bidding the river gleam an invitation and Lincoln was eager to accept it when he presented himsell at tie Cobden boat landing. He noted the an mated expression on the lac. of Oliver, Mr. Cobden’s son, and he conjectured the cause. He learned that he had guessed correctly when Mr. Cobden addressed him. Abe Oliver is anxious to see the city and I told him that he might go with you if you don’t object. Of course, he will help you do the work. Lincoln assented, although he was not greatly desirous of the boy’s company. “I believe mother wants to speak to you, said his employer and Lincoln hurried to Mrs. Cobden. Will you do something for me, Mr. Lincoln? I ask you to keep Oliver from the evils of the city. You know he is only seventeen.’’ “I’ll try.” answered Lincoln earnestly and although the words implied no bold assurance, they comforted the heart of the little woman, reared in the gentler atmosphere of the east. Lincoln, himself, was but nineteen years of age, yet she knew what strength he exerted when a sense of duty impelled him. Mrs. Cobden accompanied him down to the river and there bade the two boys farewell. Lincoln and Oliver were not well acquainted for Oliver had shown a preference for some boys of whom Lincoln had not a good opinion. But now, Lincoln resolved to gain the boy’s friendship so that he might be better prepared to fulfill the promise to his mother. They had left the Illinois River and were now upon the great Mississippi. Probably because of the cold indifference of the rushing waters to human affairs, the boys became interested in each other. Lincoln began to take pleasure in the companionship of the convivial Olivet and Oliver enjoyed conversing with the older boy, whose knowledge was so much broader than his own. The boat had entered the Southland and at night long after the moon rose to glorify the scene, it. was allowed to proceed. Then after it was anchored and moored, the occupants, lulled to sleep by its gentle rocking to and fro on the water, in their dreams saw again amid dark protecting tiees the lovely mansions resplendent in the moonlight. Finally, they reached New' Oreleans and sold the freight which now was composed of plantation products. While this business was being transacted Oliver formed the acquaintance of three men, to whom Lincoln immediately took aversion. “They are all right, said Olive ' when he was advised against them. Having finished their work, the boys set out to see the city. By even ing they were willing to return home and so prepared to start on the morrow. Accordingly, Lincoln went forth to purchase sugar, flour and other supplies. Oliver said he would remain on the boat as one day of city life had wearied him. The money obtained by selling the carg . was entrusted to him for Lincoln did not want to carry it with h m. When Lincoln returned he was amazed to find that Oliver had gone.

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stumbled on, heedless of everything, with his violin clutched to his bosom. A faint light in the distance beckoned him onward. At last he reached the farmhouse. He threw open the door. There in tlie kitchen stood a cot. From beneath white coverlets shone the pale face of the dying boy. Pearson strode to the cot. “Danny ’ he said tremulously to the inert form, don’t you know me? It’s I, Grand-daddy Pearson, for whom you used to carry in wood when I had the rheumatism.” Danny lay still. Pearson looked around. A doctor standing nearby shook his head. “He’s going to another land. He has asked for you to play. It may make things easier.’’ Pearson glanced at Mrs. Winters, standing in a corner, weeping and nodding consent. He placed his violin in position and drew his bow across the strings. Across the room floated his favorite—“Home, Sweet Home.” His' feeling of love, sorrow, despair, all went into the melody. The piece ended. Without a pause, he started, “Nearer My God to Thee.” A murmer caused him to look down. A flush had spread over the boy’s countenance. . I see Him. A mantle of white overspread his face. He heaved a sigh and Danny was gone with a smile upon his face. Pearson faltered a moment, then played on. Sweeter and sweeter grew the melody. The grief-stricken, parents were comforted by his exquisite music. Over and over again he played every piece he knew. At last he showed signs of weariness. Then slowly and solemnly he swung into the song, “Loid, I’m Com:ng Home.” As he neared the end of it his eyes closed. His bow touched the strings as a hand migh caress. At last he finished. He lowered his violin and placed it on the foot of Danny's cot. He knelt there and clasped his hands. Rowing his head on the breast of the lifeless form, he muttered. “Aye! Comin Home!’’ A silence pervaded the room. The physician walked over and touched Pearson. He started. He itiised the old man’s head and stared long at it. “Dead! Dead!” The next day the district school paid solemn tribute to the memory of Danny and Pearson. And it was in their memory that February twenty-second w'as henceforth observed. JOHN ADAMS, ’25. Lincoln Remodels a Character. “Abe, would you like to run my flat down to New Oreleans?” asked Mr. Cobden. Abraham Lincoln, better known to his neighbors .’s Honest Abe, on account of his uprightness of character and con scientiousness, reph’ed that he would be glad for the employment Thereupon, plans for the business expedition were formed. That evening Mr. Cobden would load his Hat with miscellaneous merchandise and the following morning Lincoln was to begin his journey to New Oreleans When the boat reached that great city, its burden would consst ot

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THE BLUE AND WHITE 11 Then lie thought of the evil-faced men he had seen earlier in the day. He leaped to the wharf and walked rapidly, but he did not know where to go. Suddenly, he rushed into the cabin of a boat from which a loud voiced conversation issued. There he saw Oliver playing poke with the three men. Lincoln seized the boy and before Oliver could realize what was happening he was on board his father’s boat a nil Lincoln was saying, Didn't you know that you could not win front those gamblers? They will follow us.” Scarcely had he spoken when the three men rushed upon them. The ruffians learned that those who earn their money honestly by physical labor cannot easily be robbed of it. for they were precipitated to the wharf quite suddenly. Lincoln and Oliver decided to make their departure at once. After they had passed through the maze of vessels, large and small, which marked the terminus of the great central artery of commerce, Lincoln asked his companion what was worrying him. The boy replied that he did not like to tell his parents about his folly. I will give you as much money as you lost so that your parents will not learn of the affair il you will promise that you will never gamble again, but my only motive is to save them from the pain such knowledge would cause,” answered Lincoln. Oliver not only made the promise but he kept it and he gave Lincoln due gratitude for having remodeled his character. LEAH SMITH. ’23. Little Miss Pop-Corn. “Please, sir, buy some pop-corn? It was a snowy, blustering day in January, and I sat at my desk writing, when a small vo ce addressed me with the above request. Not this morning,’’ I replied rather gruffly and without glancing up. “Come, Jimmy, we must go. He won’t buy any,” I heard the small voice say in a whisper. This time there wras something sadly old in the childish tones. They touched my ear and heart together- and I turned quickly. Hefore me was a figure of a little g rl, perhaps eight years old, poorly clad, and beside her a boy -her brother, as I afterwards learned—a little older than herself. She carried a small basket of puffy white corn. There was such a look of innocence in her big blue eyes that I was fairly conquered. “How much is your pop-corn, my child? 1 asked. The pretty mouth dimpled with pleasure as she replied. Two cents a cup, sir, and two cups for five cents.” I smiled at the odd reckoning, and said, “Oh. you are mistaken! You mean, I guess, three cents a cup and two cups for five cents.” She shook her head very decidedly. “No, sir. I am sure. Mother said so, and she always knows.” And who Is your mother, dear child, that she allows you to come out on such a stormy day as this?