Palmer Institute Starkey Seminary - Echo Yearbook (Starkey, NY)

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sa NNN Til Q ' '7 ballsh, he-heh-he. Pipe down, kid, or you will have every who was growing a bit uneasy about the boy. The liquor had worn off by the end of sober condition, but-he had experienced the first step which, in itself was practically harmless, but it was to weaken his will and deaden his conscience against the teach- ings and earnest pleas of a loving father and mother. The next two years of Jock's life was interspersed by no particularly astounding things, but they had gradually wrought a change in him. Things had happened that had left their mark, never to be e1'ased. If the moon could have talked during those two years, it would have had many things to disclose, sordid affairs where synthetic gin, spiritious liquors and the like Howed freely. It could have told of street brawls, indecent dances, that caught all the human Hotsam and jetsam who knew no source of entertainment other than that of satisfying primeval desires through the medium of latent self expression. It could have told of a boy caught in the whirl of this sordid mess, kidding himself into believing that this was the channel through which happiness was found. It could have told of wretched parents, lying sleepless night after night, hoping and praying, pouring their hearts out to the almighty ruler in earnest appeals to save their sony' They knew that to rule with an iron hand meant a break between Jock and them, then-utter ruin for the boy. Their only chance was to hope and pray that the honest and true tendencies he had inherited would at last make their appearance. All of these things and more the moon could have told during those two years. Jock was now seventeen and according to his views quite a man of the world. About this time he met a girl from Nantucket, a little town about thirty miles from Hamilton. Delores Channing was a very beautiful girl. Jock interested her as, indeed, he did most people. He became so infatuated that he stopped running around with the old crowd and gave up many of his worst vices. hir. and lVIrs. Cartier felt that their prayers had been answered, therefore, when jock insisted on becoming engaged, even though he was extremely young, they consented. This was the beginning of a one looking at us. This from Tony the game so Jock arrived home in a wonderful period in ,Iock's life. Upon reaching the home of Delores on the night that he had arranged to seal his promise with a ring, the whole universe seemed charged with electrical expectancy. Delores nature could tantalise the about them, petrified, for Hello, Father met him at the door. She was divine. A face as nearly perfect as have created, crowned by a wealth of coal black hair, that seemed to eyes until they danced and flashed, by curling most alluringly close cool provocative lips that seemed to beckon to Jock as he stood there, an instant before entering. Jock, I am so glad you are on timef' a musical voice was heard to say. and mother are out to a bridge party, leaving me here all alone. The usual bright, wise-cracking Jock entered dumbly, unable to speak. Finally he roused himself and said foolishly: You are wonderful tonight, Delores, and I haven't been drinking either. I Fifty

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IJ! - Viv 2 J,- l' I! I 4- LE: 5 .ii i-in 1-'H X w h Q . fxlsg ,iff-ff f 'J There were members of the self styled smart set who had often tried to entice Jock into some of the evils that his parents were continually fighting because they conlsidered it would be a huge joke if they could send straight laced Cartiers' boy home intoxicated. . Hello Bus, said Jock, are you fellows going to the game at Hoosic tonight ? I guess we areg answered Bus, that is if Tony can get that tub of his running. Do you want to go with us ? I would like to but I will have to ask Father, eagerly assented Jock. All right, you go ask your old lldan but don't say anything about going with us because I have an idea the old cuss wouldn't exactly sanction it, said Tony. Jock Hushed and saw red at the disrespectful way Tony had talked of his father, but not wishing to incur the disfavor of the older boys he kept his peace. At the appointed time, jock met Bus and Tony downtown after having told his father that the professor of the high school had asked him to go to the game. This was one of the first lies he had ever told but Jock was bitter at heart this night and was feeling very reckless. Upon their arrival at Hoosie, Tony suggested that they should go over to the speak-easy that he knew of and have a drink before going to the game. At first Jock demurred but, unable to withstand the kidding of his elders any longer and wanting to do something reckless anyway, he Hnally consented. Upon entering the speakeasy, Tony ordered two ryes straight and one rye' highball. Jock was given the highball. With trembling hands and quaking knees, but with an assumed air of bravado, Jock took a long breath and-gulped his first drink. Horrors! How it burned, all the way down. He snatched a glass of water that was sitting by Bus's drink and poured it down his seered throat. This relieved the burning sensation somewhat. How do you like it, Kid ? inquired Tony. Boy, that's great, promptly lied Jock. Let's get over to the game before it starts. Just one more before we go, invited Busy so another order duplicating the first was set upon the table. This didn't burn quite so much and after the third one, jock began to feel giddy and warm inside. XVhen they made their way down-street to the game, Jock's feet felt as light as air. He laughed foolishly when they seemed to insist on wandering off into space and it required an infinite degree of carefullness to keep them on the ground. Bus looked first at Jock, then at Tony, and slowly closed his right eye. When they arrived at the game, Tony purchased all the tickets and they en- tered to find good seats on the second tier. By this time Jock was feeling exceedingly happy and talkative. Look-a-that baby shoot fouls. Jes' seems like he can't miss. Say, Bus, isn't that Tommy Arden over there with Kay lNfIurphy? I'm a son-of-a-gun she said she was sick. I didn't bu-lieve her tho. She's an old bat any- way. Wat-d'I-ca1'e.,' ' Look-a-that funny old man 'ith two ballsh. Howsh he gonna play 'ith two Forty-nine

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Ailx ft r::::::a V , .TQTTT ' Taz-16 q -1 , , haven't touched a drop in over a month. She lead him to the living room where a huge fireplace with a spacious daven- port standing before it invited them to tarry. After exchanging a few nonsensical pleasantries, Jock gulped and launched into the hardest and most beautiful thing he had ever attempted. Delores, I love you, love you with my very heart and soul. All that I have or ever expect to have, is but a particle of what I would give you. As it is, I am offering you 1ny love, the first pure, true love that I have ever experienced. Yopu know that I am something of a derelict, but thank God I am clean, and I want you. I want to break away from this sordid mess called life, as I have seen it. We wilfl go away by ourselves and forget, forget everything, just you and I. I can start anew, and with you at my side, nothing else matters. Kiss me, Delores, if you consent to be mine. Everything ceased to function as their lips met in the kiss that lifted Jocks very soul toward heaven, but was to be the means of driving' his soul into the depths of a living hell from which he could never ascend. Jock lived among the clouds for the next few months. His parents were happy in the thought that, at last, he had found himselfg till one night Delores sent for him to come to her. It was all-important and he must not fail. Seven o'clock in the evening found Jock awaiting an answer to his knock at her door. When she came, he sensed that something was wrong, but he did not attach much importance to it. Come in, jock, just this and only this was her word of greeting. They again found themselves seated on the davenport. jock, I have something to tell you. The night I accepted your 1'ing I must have been crazy. I am to be married on Tuesday of next week. I didn't realize that you were so serious as you really were. Here is the ring and forgive me if you can, for anything I may have done to you. .lock gasped, and everything seemed to whirl! He staggered to his feet with the ring tightly clutched in a nerveless hand, and stumbled blindly to the door. He got in his car and drove mechanically toward Hamilton. All of a -sudden something snapped in his head and he became perfectly calm with but one thing in his mind. That was to forget, no matter how. Upon arriving home, he packed two suit cases. A pawn shop gave three hundred dollars for the ring. He took the first train out after having procured two quarts of gin. After having drunk himself into a stupor, he got off at a station that happened to be Albany. Jock had his senses enough to telegraph his parents. The telegram read: Delores to be married Tuesday. Do not look for me. She marries some one else. The heartbroken parents again turned to God for aid. Why should they suf- fer such anguish! It wasn't fair, but it had happened and must be reckoned with. llfir. Cartier at once took a train for Albany, having found that Jock was there, by the telegram. Upon arriving, he could find no trace of Jock except that he had checked out of a hotel that morning. There followed a heartbreaking fruitless pursuit Fifty-one