Oroville Union High School - Nugget Yearbook (Oroville, CA)

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pitiful little group encamped on the seashore. Unable to withstand the pleading look she had seen In the pilot's eyes, she wrapped herself in the great wolf-skin coat, tiptoed out of the house and almost ran through the storm to the little boat. So quiet had been her exit that not even a bark fiom the house dog betrayed it. Suddenly a glad shout rang out above the din of the I ▼ I A storm. It awakened Carina’s father who arose and followed the sound. This was the picture that met his eyes: Carina’s hands rested on the head of the sick boy from whose face the signs of suffering had already disappeared. Devoutly the two fathers joined hands in recognition of the power of the Wonder Child who would henceforward be free to use her gift. • —LURLINE SMITH. ’17. Tlie Finished Reporter Mark Benot sought employment. He had almost given up hope when he caught a glimpse of the Fairville “Star ’ ottice far up the street. The Star” was the only newspaper printed in the town. While he walked toward the office he thought of his last English tfacher and how she had told him he ought to study Journalism. At the office he met a man neither small in circumference nor very great in height. Mr. Belmcnt. Wi en Mark took the seat Belmont motioned him, he did not know that he was soon to learn whether the twinkle in Belmont’s eye meant wf;t or humor. “So you want to try out, do you? Have you done any writing since you tinished high school last year?” Why, urn—some. Not much, though.’’ Belmont's face became grave, but his eyes fairly flashed. May I ask what w'as the nature?” Mark -was white—he looked at the floor, but it didn’t open. He looked at the ceiling, but it didn’t fall. Then he said. “Love letters.” Mark did not even wait to say good-day, but bolted for the door. Oh, come back,” he heard someone say, and Belmont had Mark by the arm. Belmont rubbed the smile off his face and half whispered to Mark: I once wrote those .same things. Best kind of practice. I shall give you just one 23

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 I thought you liked curing people, exclaimed her sis- I ▼ I 4 ter. I do. sister, but papa has made me promise never to do it again. Carina arose and began to dress, when the maid entered and announced that there were some sick folks below who wishe'd to see the Wonder Child. “Tell them I cannot see them.” answered Carina with a tremuious voice, papa does not permit me. But this man has come from so far away in this dreadful cold and his son is very ill; he’s lying in the boat, and sighs and moans.” There was something in the air which forbode calamity. The pastor had solemnly charged everyone to refrain from bringing their sick to his daughter. Then there came a bang, and a stalwart, elderly sailor came tumbling head foremost into the hall. His cap was flung after him through the door. For an instant her father’s face showed red and excited; and in his bearing there was someth ng wild and strange, which was so different from his gentle and dignified appearance. The sailor stood bewildered, leaning against the wall. The moment te caught sight of Carina his embarrassment vanished, and his rough features were illuminated with an intense emotion. Come, little miss, and help me,” he cried, in a hoarse imploring whisper. Havour, my son—he is the only one God gave to me—is sick; he Is going to die unless you take pity on him.” Where is he?” He’s down in the boat at the pier. I'll carry him up to you. if you like. We have been row ng half the night in the cold, and he Is very low. ’ ‘‘I shouldn’t dare, on papa’s account, to have you bring him here,” began Carina. I will go to him.” Interpreting the assent he read in Carina’s eye, he picked her up and carried her to the boat. The pastor shouted. Give me back my child.” The pilot turned his pathetically bewildered face toward the pastor, You wouldn’t take him from me?” I don’t take him from you.” answered the pastor. But what right have you to come and steal my child?” Ohly let her lay her blessed hancs upon my poor boy s head and he will be well.” I have told you ’no’ man. and I must put a stop to this stupid idolatry, which will ruin my child.” The pastor held out his hands to receive Carina whose large, pleading eyes stared at him from the grizzly wolfskin coat. He seized her by main force and tore her from the pilot’s arms. He ran to the house with Carina who was sobbing very bitterly, as she thought of the poor heartbroken pilot and his dying son. Her father made her retiie early so she would forget the pilot. Long after Carina had retired that night, she lay staring into the darkness. The sleet knocking aga nst the window-pane, the cold wind howding about the corners or the house, and the insistant calling of the waves, all spoke to her of the 22

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I V I A week’s trial. Then if you are satisfactory, the last day I’ll hire you. Remember, now. one week. Next morning Mark was up with the birds looking lor news. news, news! That night he wondered how the other reporters had found news and he had not. The second day he decided to postpone the work in the streets and study, other papets. All day he studied hard. Nevertheless he could not find an account of anything that had happened similarly in Fairville. Next day he was on the lookout for news such as he had read in the other papers. The neighbor’s little girl ran away, but she came back again; that was all. Night came at last. Still Mark had written nothing. So the next day and the next day passed, till finally the last day of Mark’s week had come. In the morning he took matters calmly, ever on the alert for news. As he passed a lar-se rose bush he heard Willie Morse crying on the other side of the bush. Mark loved children and he loved to settle their troubles. When he was seated comfortably by Willie’s side, the child told Mark of his poor dog. When Willie fell asleep. Mark planned a news item of Willie’s trouble. He did not consider his item worth printing, but he wanted to show llelmont that he had not forgotten the bargain. Next morning when Mark read the ‘Star” he found the following news item: WOODROW WILSON HELD A PRISONER. Trap Thought to Have Been Set By People of This City. May 16.—Woodrow Wilson, a dog belonging to William Morse, was yesterday the victim of a steel trap in Mr. Benot's hen house. Due to the absence of anyone at the Benot home, poor Woodrow suffered for some time before he was loosed by William. It is believed that in the course of a few days the victim will recover. Anyone wishing to call on Woodrow, should go to William’s home. When Mark entered the office. Belmont greeted him with: You’re my finished reporter.” “Which way?” The way you get paid, of course.” 4 KATE LAMPHIEAR. '18.