North High School - Polar Bear Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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SgeeiHE ©MCLE ii wife of Lieutenant Dick Warren. Old Aunt Sally shook her head solemnly and said, Dem Yankees sure am a knowin ' how to capture things. First it ' s Richmond and den it ' s Miss Betty herself. A DESCRIPTION OF HOW MY FATHER USED TO SKATE IN EUROPE. When my father was a boy in Europe, he used to make his own skates in winter. He would first take a piece of wood, preferably fir, about one foot long and three inches wide and two and one-half inches thick, and cut it down until it fitted the bottom of his shoe. He then whittled each side until the bottom was a sharp edge. A piece of wire was fixed to this edge by nailing staples at the front and ba3k of the skate. Holes were made in the sides, about one inch from each end, by taking a red hot iron and burn- ing through the wood. He put a strong cord through the holes and fastened the skate to his foot by tying the cord in back and then twisting a stick around it until it was very tight. In this way he made a very good pair of skates, at the cost of about two cents, which was the price of the wire. He and his comrades played many interesting games on their skates, one of which was played by having each one of them put down either a penny, a marble, a top, or some other trinket in one place on the ice. Those who were in the game would then take turns at skating at full speed toward the objects and bending down and picking up whatever they could from the group. This was a very hard thing to do, however, as they nearly always fell over while bending down. After all the things were picked up, each player was permitted to keep what he had taken from the pvA the one who had the most, won the game. Harold Cohen ' 18. 83

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could not order quite everybody about, said the General. Rest for half an hour and then be ready to start on your journey. ' ' Very well, she said, as she resumed her seat on the cot again. That half hour seemed to her never to pass. She planned over and over again how she would greet her father. How surprised he would be to see her! At last she heard the sound of horses ' hoofs and the General ' s voice at the door- way, Are you ready, Miss Carr? I am, thank you, Betty answered. Then, here is a horse you may use to convey you to your father, perhaps on your way back you can leave her. Good- bye, Betty Carr. If we ever meet again, I shall alway. remember you as the best little southern lady in all the South. As he said this he advanced toward her with an outstretched hand. Betty ' s small one met his half way, but all she could say was, Good-bye, General Carter, I thank you. That evening Betty reached the southern camp in safety. Her father was overjoyed to see her, and they talked of everything. Next day was Thanksgiving. And what a dinner they had! But in the early morning Betty prepared a nice dinner just for two and after gaining permission from her father sent it to the northern camp to Genera l Carter and Lieutenant Warren. When the General received this, two great tears rolled down his war-worn cheeks. Inside he found a note whicli read, Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and signed Betty. After all, thought Betty, all Yankees are not bad. And with this thought came the image of a young officer with head bowed down in sorrow and disappointment as he passed out of a tent. Some two years later, after the war was over and the country was again at peace, Betty Carr became the happy 82

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THE HEART OF SLIPPERY SLIM. Mary Rose. HE SNOW glittered on the brilliantly lighted streets and the shivering child, known as Slippery Slim, tried to brace himself for his task. He was in the hold of Jake, the boldest robber in the gang. Tonight, poor little Slippery Slim, against his will, was to rob the rich as they came from the theatre door. Jake ' s daughter, Julia, feeling sorry for the poor little fellow, had tried to help him, but it was of no avail. Jake was too wise for that. In his heart, Slim was praying that help might come to him, when his mind grasped the idea. He would give himself up. But, no, Old Jake could not be fooled that way, for even now he was talking to the police at the stage door. They would never believe his story. They would only laugh at him. Jake was everybody ' s friend, it seemed. As the doors of the theatre opened, and the people came out, Slim fell to his beggar position. Tonight he was to gain the pity of the rich Mrs. Armstrong, who sat in the box at the left. As the boy lay on the pavement, his eyes were directed to the crowd, coming from the left wing. Then he gave a start. Some one had kicked him and turning he saw the eyes of Jake cast on a beautiful lady, coming from the door, escorted only by a maid. Yes, thought Slim, old Jake knew what evening she would be alone. Mrs. Armstrong passed. She felt some one looking at her and glancing around, she saw the poor pitiful heap of a boy imploring her pity with wide terror-stricken eyes. She knelt beside the child and without knowing just why, she took the boy to the car and took him home with her. Jake never understood just how he let Slim get away, but Julia did, and at her little window, she knelt and thank- ed God that her one prayer had been answered and that the child had been taken from his life of terror. 84