Pembroke High School - Mattakeesett Yearbook (Pembroke, MA)

Page 14 text:

THE WAMPUM 15 A STRANGE EPISODE One night, as I was walking from the depot, I thought someone was fol- lowing me. At first I paid little at- tention to this, but when I continued to hear footsteps behind me, I quick- ened my pace. The person, whoever he was, walked faster also, and I be- gan to feel quite nervous. -Coming to a fence, I vaulted it, thinking in this way to rid myself of my pursuer. However, as I looked back, a figure was vaulting over the fence, convinc- ing me that I was being followed. Now it happened that nearby was a grave- yard, and I knew that only the most desperate intentions would lead a man to follow me there in the dark. With this in mind, I entered and sat down by one of the tombs. While visions of robbers and murderers came to my mind, a man passed me, all but stum- bling over my outstretched legs. I endeavored to pull them in, but in do- ing so, made a noise which caused the man to turn and see me. I stood up, my fists clenched ready to ight. What do you want? I demanded. For heavens' sake, is this the way you go home every night ? asked the man. They told me at the depot that you lived next door to Mr. Jones, and as I was going up there I thought I might follow you. E. G. W., '18. SUPERSTITIONS Dorothy Baker was getting ready to gn to Boston on a visit. As she was rushing around the house, she bumped against a chair, and over it fell. Oh, Dorothy! You make me so nervous. The tipping over of that chair is asign of a disappointment. You had better not go to Boston, said her mother, who was a strong believer in signs. However, Dorothy was not going to have her visit spoiled by a foolish su- perstition, so she continued to get ready. See, Dotj' cried her little sister Grace. I found a pin! I will put it in my dress and have good luck before I go to bed. Run out to play. I would advise you to put that pin in the pin-cushion before it sticks into you. Thus it was that Dorothy showed her sympa- thy for superstitious. Mrs. Baker looked in at the door and remarked, While you are combing your hair, I will sweep up the kitchen, as my work is terribly behind this morning? As she picked up the broom, it slipped from her grasp, falling across the door-sill. Oh dear, we will surely have bad luck,', wailed the nervous woman. I don't see why you have any cause for such thoughts, mother. Why, daughter! Don't you see that broom lying across the threshold? It is a sign that nevecr fails. You are positively exasperating, mother, with your old signs. If you don't stop predicting bad luck, I won't catch the car, said Dorothy as she hurried back to her room to put up her hair. In about fifteen minutes Mrs. Bak- er appeared in the bedroom again, saying, Did you hear that dog whine outside the window last night? I have been so worried ever since. That is a sign of a death in the family. And I dreamed of black horses, which means the same thing. I should think a woman of your age would know better than to put so much conidence in such things. You will be a nervous wreck if the neigh- bors do not stop telling you the mean- ings of such foolishness. Is my lunch ready ?

Page 13 text:

14 THE WAMPUM THE SACRED MEAL Sanjakakoka QWhite Wolfj was a refugee. His father had banished him, though he had done no wrong. The Chief would not believe what he told, of how he had captured the stolen horse from the Sioux. Had it not been found in Sanjakakoka's coral? The Chief had decreed that he should be killed on sight after sunrise, which was only four hours off, but he did not care. Death would be sweet to him, he thought. The sun rose over the distant pur- ple hills. He saw three young men of the village spur their ponies toward the place where he rested in his sad- dle, and a great anger arose within his heart. They had been his playmates, and now they were trying to kill him. He dug his heels into the body of his calico pony and rode over the sand hills like the wind. The race of en- durance was now on. One of the pur- suing horsemen Was thrown over his' pony's head, reducing the enemy to two. Slowly the calico pony was be- coming exhausted. Its owner looked up and saw in the distance a pueblo village. A new hope came to him. If he could reach that, he was safe. His friends there would believe him and would not let his pursuers enter. While thinking thus, he came within a half mile of the village. His pony was now blinded by dust and nearly dead from running. Suddenly its foot fell into aprairie dogs hole, and it was out of the race with a broken .leg. Sanjakakoka jumped off, secured 'his weapons, and ran forward. At full speed he climbed the stairs of rock to the village and told his story. The Chief went down and told the two waiting young braves that they could not enter. While decreeing thus, he scattered a line of sacred Indian meal in front of them, barring their way. If anyone crossed this line except a sun priest, death was his fate. The young warriors in their eagerness stepped on the other side and would have gone up the stairs had not two great boulders fallen from the cliff above and crushed them. The Chief solemnly gathered up the sacred meal and spoke to his men, who took away the boulders. Then in a quiet voice he sa.id, It is a it pun- ishment for the hasty. Go on your way, Sanjakakoka, and may the Great Spirit be with you? A. F. C., '19. HIS FIRST BITE It was one of tho-se quiet June days when the leaves of the trees were fully grown and the birds were back from the South. Not a ripple broke the mirror-like surface of the pools. It was at one of these pools where the tallest rushes grew that a boy, a small, ragged, freckled, dirt-begrimed boy, was seen coming through the bushes. He was adorned with a willow pole and a tomato can of freshly dug worms. Then after pricking himself while baiting up, he cast. He settled down as comfortably as possible upon a great log that had fallen across the lower end of the pool. Wonder-eyed he gazed at his line for the Hrst nib- ble. It came, and with a gasp of ex- citement the lad gave a yank that would have raised a whale. He went with the yank, and was soon covered by the dark waters of the pool, from which he dragged himself some few seconds later, a wet, sad, and cleaner boy. His line, permanently lodged in a neighboring tree, was left behind, and the boy went home. D. E. A., '20,

Page 15 text:

16 THE WAMPUM 'iYes,'J her mother replied, You may think it foolish g but when I dropped that knife yesterday a man did call, and the time I dropped the fork and spoon your aunt Addie and cousin Ellen came. Didn't I tell you a knife, fork and spoon meant a man, woman and child would call ?,' Dorothy sighed and reached for an- other slice of bread. -However, she drew in her hand and looked sheepish- ly at her mother. There is one sign I am rather wary of, and that is to take the last piece of bread on the plate. I would hate to have to be an old maid. Ha, ha! So you are a little foolish yourself. I ought to punish you by not giving you another slice, but I won't this timef' Dorothy laughed as she slipped on her coat. HI will wish on the first star tonight that you will keep well and happy while I am away. Good-bye, dear, here comes my carf' A E. G., 318. A DISCONTENTED WASTE BASKET The waste basket beside the desk was full. The janitor had forgotten it for three days. And still more pa- per was thrust into it. I Won't stand it, said the waste basket. Won,t stand what ? said the tele- phone, who had heard the words of the basket. I won't stand being used as a catchall every day for all who come in- to this room. The janitor persists in forgetting me, and here I am, full and even running over. Well,,' said the telephone, I wouldn't stand that myself. I know a plan for you when they bring paper and things. Do not hold them, let them out? How can IPD asked the basket. We'll get our friend the nail to catch ahold of you and tear the little straws. The nail did as it was bidden, and the fancy part of the basket was torn. Just then a man entered the room and went to the desk. As he opened it, the telephone rang, and he hurried- ly threw some paper and rubbish into the waste basket. When he returned, the paper lay on the floor. Well, I'll be hanged, came in sur- prise from the man. Well, I'll be hanged, too,', said the basket as it landed in a pile of dump an hour later. R. M. D., '19. ISN'T IT WORTH WHILE? Some people are of the opinion that a high school education is not neces- sary. They seem to think that the time spent in studying Algebra, Lat- in, Geometry, English, and other similar subjects is wasted. Such peo- ple believe that a grammar school ed- ucation is good enough. We will take an illustration of each case,-a boy having a grammar school educa- tion, and one who has received his high school diploma. The first boy leaves school at the age of Hfteen or thereabouts. Through some acquaintance he gets a position with an insurance company. He re- ceives two dollars a day, which of course is good pay for a boy of his age. The time comes, sooner or lat- er, when one of his superiors leaves- illness perhaps or another position. Our friend would like to take his place. Does he get it? No, and why not? He hasnft the training. He isn't