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

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E. a1:::::: K -1 ,Zgh-3-:gi q throughout New York state. llflr. Cartier did not dare enlist the services of the police, because of the nasty publicity. Albany, VVatertown, Malone, VVhitehall, Utica, Syracuse, then back to Albany, went lVIr. Cartier, always getting there too late. Telegrams came from Jock at frequent intervals, asking for money. This was always given, for fear that something would happen if he were without funds. A pitiful plea for him to come home always accompanied the money, but jock scarcely heeded them because he kept himself in a constant alcoholic stupor. Need we go on with this sordid, heartbreaking description? It ended with the suddeness that it started with. Jock became totally unconscious on a train out of Syracuse en rout to Alexandria. His identification was found in his clothes. He was taken to a hospital and lVIr. Cartier was summoned. For one week Jock was entirely out of his head, suffering with the D. T. When he 1'eturned to normalcy, but a shadow of his former self was left. A white drawn face accompanied by a weak, nerve-wracked body presented itself to the beautfiul sunshine that day in June when Jock again became himself. He came home, accompanied by Mr. Cartier, a physical and mental wreck, that time and care alone could mend, with a dull, gripping, grinding, poisonous hatred in his heart for the opposite sex. Slowly but surely, Jock regained his health, even though he did not try very hard. Through the watchful, loving care of his mother, the warped frame and mind languidly came into their own. After several months of convalescing, Jock was again able to enjoy life as he normally should have, but that burning hatred still smouldered in his heart. Jock was eighteen now, but he looked many years older. YVhen 1he had fully recovered health, 'his warped mind hatiched out this heinous plan. He would make some one suffer as he had suffered-and then laugh. This would be revenge of the most refined sort. He selected several victims, but did not succeed in making them think enough of him to really hurt when he threw them down. Une day, some time later, a beautiful girl crossed his path. She seemed a bit interested in him so that Jock, ever waiting to play his cruel game with human hearts, at once reciprocated and a romance started. The girl, Caroline lVIcKay, was a lover of all things beautiful. Jock pretended to be interested in the beauties of nature and they held many conversations on nature's phenomona. In this way, did Jock litterally talk his way into Carolines' heart. One day when they were driving along the shores of a charming little lake, Caroline broke the silence by saying. jock, you are the most understanding friend I have ever had. Why don't you try to make something of yourself instead of drifting? Jock stopped the car and turned to Caroline. Carol, if I had some one like you to spur me on, I think I would try to do something. Do you think you could ever call me more than a friend ? Jock dear, I guess I've loved you from the start. I tried not to because I didn't think you would want my love, but I can't help it. I am yours if you Wallt me. H Fifty-two

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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

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5. x X Jock thrilled with feindish joy, while Caroline was experiencing her first real love. .. Things went on much the same, Jock promoting the affair until he was sure there was no doubt of the fact that Carol still loved him. Wliat fiendish plan was going on in that wretched mind? Like a serpent play- ing with its' victim before anihilating it, breaking will power, sense of caution, decency, pushing every thing that human civilization is based on, before it, that awful distorted idea of revenge. Nothing can stop it now. As a vampire bat drinks the blood of its victim thus did Jock mean to sap strength, vitality and even reason from this beautiful young thing. Can nothing stop him? Oh Heavens! If there is a God, why do you look on from above and let this horrible scheme develop. Is it necessary in your scheme of the universe, that a beautiful, innocent, sweet child should fall into the clutches of an almost-maniac? Do you allow this? We shall see-: As time went on, Caroline became more and more in love with Jock. He was indeed, a perfect lover. She wanted for nothing that he did not do his best to pro- cure for her. Carol planned and dreamed by the hour of the time when they would be as one. This great love completely possessed her. Every waking moment was filled with thoughts of Jock. Every sleeping moment was crowded with Jock. Happy with him, miserable without himg such was the state of affairs when Jock prepared to strike, swiftlyg and with its' terrible effect made a certainty. On a beautiful evening in june, the moon looked down on a powerful sedan, wending its way over hill and dale. At the wheel sat Carol, Jock occupied the other half of the front seat. After having driven for about an hour the sedan slowed to a stop in a spot beneath whispering aspens that seemed to breathe romance and the earths awaking from its long slumber. This spot over looked a lake, so silent, so still, as though it were holding its breath expecting the extraordinary to happen. The moon Cast its silvery path across the shimmering bosom of the water. All nature seemed hushed and expectant. Could any one with a soul blaspheme the night by performing a horrible deed? It doesn't seem possible and yet God and fate had combined to bring forth an animal in human form, utterly without a heart or soulg one who had no respect for the great law of the universe--loveg one whose very being was permeated with the poisonous germ of revenge. Poisoned blood leaped through the veins of this being. The time was fast approaching when a blow was to be struck that would shatter every code of humanity had ever estab- lished for the welfaregand happiness of human beings. The silence was broken by Carols silvery voice. Jock, do you still love me? I know you do but tell me again and again. It is all I live for. God has been so good to me in giving me you. VVhen I touch you it seems almost saeriligious, you are so wonderful in my eyes. For a moment Jock faltered, was he going on with this? Then the old spirit of revenge surged over him like a wave. Now, now, noir, was the time to strike, - Carol, you will have to plan your future without me. I don't love you. I don't even like you. I hate you! almost shouted jock. Nerveless hands fell from his neck, a pitiful little hysterical laugh jarred the evenings' stillness. ' Jock, I guess you don't mean that. Please don't frighten me so. Don't look Fifty-three'