Pembroke High School - Mattakeesett Yearbook (Pembroke, MA)

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10 THE WAMPUM ever, the Dodgers managed to getfa run in the ninth on a base on balls and a double. On the other hand, the Giants had three men on bases in the last of the ninth with two out. O,Connor was to bat for the pitcher and the crowd, having in mind the home-run he had made on a somewhat similar occasion, yelled with such noise that people for miles around paused to listen. The op- posing pitcher was a south-paw, and Tim's hobby was south-paws. The first ball pitched was of the variety that might be called either a ball or a strike, Without causing a disturbance. The um- pire, however, chose to call it a strike. The next three were high ones all going for balls. Tim fouled the next, making the count three and two. Now, thought Tim, he'll have to put one over, or pass me. So he resolved to hit the next one. The ball came, a wide one. Tim swung with all his might, and-next day he started for the min- ors. ' E. G. W. '18, THE NECKLACE OF RIIJAH It was a necklace worth speaking about. The contrast between the pure white glitter of the perfect diamonds and the bold Hash of the bright rubies was one of its novel splendors. ' Riijah, the owner of the necklace, was the daughter of the wealthy Turk- ish merchant, Kiel. The three things that Kiel loved most in the world were Riijah, money, and music. Kiel had his private box at the great opera house in Constantinople, and it was there that he and Riijah spent many happy eve- nings. It Wa.s there, also, that Riijah often wore her beautiful jewels, among which was the necklace. One night there came to the opera house a French chorus. A young man, whose looks as well ashis voice probably helped him get this place, interested Riijah. He took only a minor part, but in one scene he was left alone on the stage for a few minutes. As Riijah bent slightly over' the edge of the box, the man looked up. A smile came into his eyes as he saw the pretty face of Riijah turned toward him, then sud- denly something very diiferent took the place of that smile. He no longer saw the pretty face 5 he saw the flash of the necklace as it gleamed and coiled about the fair throat of Riijah. Kiel and Riijah went often to see the French company. Then came the last night of its stay. The house was crowded, even to the boxes. Kiel had invited a party of friends to accompany him, and so it happened that Riijah sat in one of the back seats near the part- ing of the heavy curtains. Slhe looked in vain for her favorite characterg he did not appear. Toward the end of the last act, the curtains parted in the back of Kiel's box. A hand crept towards Riijalfs neck, slowly, quietly, it came. Suddenly another hand shot forward, there was a sharp snap, then both hands withdrew holding the fiashing necklace. Riijahzs hand flew to her throat, but not in time. Her rubies and diamonds were gone. Later the whole city was searched, but no necklace was found. Two years afterwards, when her fa- ther died, Riijah found herself in very different circumstances. She was left with so little money that she was ob- liged to sell the last of her jewels to pay the debts. With what she did have left, she studied music, and then went to Paris, hoping to obtain an en- gagement. Thus it happened that on a certain evening Riij ah was taking an important opera role in one of Paris's largehouses.

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THE WAMPUM 9 in those homes. But he mustn't think of that, he would be unable to do his duty U1 if he did. He was still some miles from the village when he suddenly came upon a wall which surrounded a large field. In the middle of the field, which showed signs of a good crop to come, was a tall, slim Bgure clothed in blue blouse and overalls, bending diligently over its work. The scout dropped quickly to his knee and raised the rifle to his shoulder. The figure in the held worked on undisturbed. The Hngers which held the rifle crept slowly toward the trigger. 'Dhe Hgure straightened. The fingers which were now on the trig- ger seemed to hesitate. The figureis arms moved as if to drive away the in- tense heat ot' the sunis rays, and swept oif the large straw hat, a shower of golden curls fell over the straightened shoulders. The fingers which had hesi- tated for a moment dropped, the rifle fell among the leaves. The young Ger- man picked it up and stole noiselessly back along the wall, the vision of an- other golden-haired girl in Germany, flashed across his mind. M. M. D. '18. FRANCIS PARKMAN Francis Parkman was born in Boston on the 16th of September, 1823. His father, like his great gTandfather, was a clergyman, and his mother a direct descendant of John Cotton. As his health was very poor, he spent most of his time while a youth with his grand- parents, who lived in Middlesex Fells. Here he was wont to wander about the Helds and streams, collecting, in his lei- sure, birds, eggs and reptiles. At an early age he entered Harvard, where he showed a marked ability in composition. While a student there, he took a trip through the New Hamp- shire wilds for the sake of lifein the open and adventure. He graduated from Harvard in 18-14 with high honors. Having made up his mind to study wilderness life, he set out for the prair- ies of Nebraska, accompanied by his friend, Francis Shaw. From here, after months of hardships and privations, he managed to get back to civilization. Then, although very ill and almost blind, he wrote one of his most popular books, The Oregon Trailf' He also wrote other histories and stories of In- dian life. He died in Jamaica Plain, in 1893. He is remembered chiefly for his truth in depicting Indian life and customs, a quality which many romances of Cooper and other authors do not possess. W. A. C. ,17. THE BUSH-LEAGUE RECRUIT Timothy O'Connor had been a bush- leaguer for three years before McGraw signed him as a pinch-hitter. On one- occasion he had made a home run with the bases full, the following day he was hailed by the papers as a second Ty Cobb, and Tim thought the papers were right. Consequently, he asked the manager for a raise. The manager, however, thought the home run a mat- ter of pure luck, and told Tim if he didn't like the salary he was getting, he knew what he could do. Tim, of course, realized that this meant the bushes 'Tll show him, thought' Tim, what little he knows about base-- ball. All he does is warm the bench and hand the lineup to the umpf' The Dodgers were playing the Giants at the Polo grounds. Both were tied for first place, and the team that won would be in the lead. Up to the eighth inning neither team had scored. How--

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THE WAMPUM 11 As she stood waiting for the moment to appear on the stage, a great fear seized her. She had never taken part in anything but chorus work before, and tonight she must act with her singing, Oh ! she thought, if only I had my necklace, I should not have to do this. It was time for her to go on. The house was full, but that did not bother her at Hrst. At the end, however, she was supposed to swoon, and at the be- ginning of the second part of the piece shebegan to feel frightened and stid. She glanced up at the boxes, and there, leaning over the edge of one, was a wo- man. Around her neck flashed and coiled Riijah's beautiful necklace. It was too much for the poor little sing- erg her voice wavered, and she fell for- ward in a faint. The French manager had been a little afraid of his latest find, but now-. With a bound he was out of his seat, and met Riijah just as she staggered to her feet. He seized her two hands. Charmant, charmant, si naturel! cried the pleased and excited French- man, I must keep you always, tou- joursf' Riijah smiled faintly. Her necklace had lost her a fortune, but gained her success' M. M. D. '18. LOST Itwas dusk 3 already the shadows of night were beginning to fall. There was no moon, and the night bade fair to be dark and cloudy. One lone huntsman stood scanning the sky with an anxious eye. ,For some time he had been following the trail of a buck, not realizing that it was grow- ing so late. The trail grew fresher and fresher until at last he spied the huge animal a short distance ahead of him. He raised the gun and tired. He had secured his prize 3 but he did not know his whereabouts. So in- tent on the trail had he been that he had noticed neither the time of day nor the direction in which he had gone. He judged that he must be several miles from camp, but in what direction? He realized that it would be best to camp out for the night where he now stood. Fortunately there was a small brook near at hand. His preparations for the night must be made. So he skinned the buck with his hunting knife, hung the skin and meat from the limb of a tree, and gathered hemlock boughs for a bed. These he spread in a hollow. After his preparations were all made, 'he cooked his supper of deer meat. It was a lonesome meal, and soon over. His sleep was deep and peaceful. When he awoke next morn- ing, the first thing that he saw clear- ly was a thin column of smoke curling upward. It appeared to be only a quarter of a mile away. Arising hastily, he made straight for the column of smoke. Things began to look familiar. It was his own camp, there stood his friend Bob leaning over a bright fire, pre- paring breakfast. The hunter had slept next door to his own camp, be- lieving himself to be miles away. W. A. R., '18, POLAND SPRINGS Poland Springs, which is a noted summer resort, is situated in South Poland, Maine, only a few miles from Lewiston and Auburn. It is owned by the Ricker Brothers, who make a business of bottling and sending away the water from the spring, for which the resort is named. The spring house