Piedmont High School - Tris Yearbook (Piedmont, WV)

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Hal There wasn't any boat there at all. There was a pause while the chief indulged in the enunciation of dis- reputable vulgarisms. When the blue coat had relieved himself off his opin- ions concerning the mysterious individual the voice continued in a caution- ing bone. Fools rush where angels fear to tread. By this time the Police Force had reached the bank and seen his tor- mentor disappear around a corner. The chief ran hurriedly after the cul- prit, but soon cafme to a sudden stop. Standing directly in front of him stood the mystery main. attired in a frock coat and a black silk hat. His hands were folded and on his face one beheld a grim, horrible smile of ltri- uimph. The chief lurched forward, now assured off success, with outstretch- ed arms. The scoundrel nimbly side-stepped and the chief found himself embracing a telephone pole. Recovering his senses the chief raced after the rogu-e. The chief gain- ed rapidly and just as he was about to lay his hands on the frock coat the man fell. The chief, who was directly behind the k.!1l3lVe, tripped beautiful- ly and his two hundred and fifty pounds made a mark in the W-orld as he landed with a thunderous crash. The Police Force drifted into t-he land of sweet harmony and oblivion. He awoke from his state of unconsciousness in time to pounce upon his victim, who was regaining his senses. Feeling the huge bulk of the policeman on his back the mischievous person exclaim- ed, Merciful heavens, whalt's wrong ? The chief did not have time to reply before he felt a heavy .hand upon his shoulder. Turning around he saw three men in uniform, two of whom were armed. The chief gasped in armazement as one of the men said, We have come to escort the Prince to his home. The Police Fiorce was motionless with surprise but he managed to mut- ter some unintelligible phrases. One of the men handed tlhe Clhief a card, whose Writing was illegible in the darkness. Ta ta, old bean, said the Prince as he and his escorts started away. Neat lbit of a town you have here. By the way, stop in to see father and me some time. We would be glad to have you. Fingering the card nervously, the chief walked to the arc of light be- neath a street lamp. His face turn-ed a deathly hfue as he read the follow- ing inscription in glaring black letters:- HOME FOR THE FEEBLE MINDED T'he chief fell backwards and reposed peacefully in the enticing and comfortasbl-e folds of a concrete pavement. As he was lapsing into a state of semi-consciousness, he heard the faint voice of the lunatic in the dis- tance. ADOLPH ABRAMSON '24 Page eighty-three

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of the community had upon various occasions expressed their extreme dis- gust and, much to the chagrin of the chief, threaftenled him with possible discharge. Consequently, We find our eminent and venturesome chieftain avowing a solemn' declaration of hostility against the elusive rascal who might bring ignominious disgrace. The chief arose lalbori-ously and his huge bulk moved silently towards the door. For a. moment he peered out into the moonlit night with an ex- pression of wonder, and then, donning his official garb, starrted in pursuit of the roguish vagalbond. When the Police Force reached me main street of the prosperous little village he perceived the shadowy form of his intend- ed victim sauntering aimlessly alonlg the darkened buildings. Our hero took a thunderous step forward amd the villain whirled immediately about. Their ferocious orbs met for one swift, silent second. There then took place a race which would have struck envy into the hearts of the most renowned patrons of the winged foot. Foot by foot the pace increased until by the time they were nearing the end of the street both had gained an astonishing rnomentum. Wlhat the chief lost in velo- city he gained in mass. As the two speed demons approached a nearby cor- ner the sooundrel slackened his srpeed and rounded the curve with ease. Quite different, however, were the actions of our chieftadn. He made a vain effort to check his tremendous velocity, but was unsuccessful in his effort. His face turned a ghastly white as he became aware of the City Hfotel build- ing, which was directly in his path. The chief closed his eves :and trusted to the Almighty above for deliverance from this inevitable fate. The frail -doors of the hotel were of insufficient strength to in any way diminish the 'a-stounding momentum the chief had acquired in his unavail- ing pursuit. After demolishing the several tables, breaking up ia few poker games and rendering general disorder the chief was brought to a sudden stop when he came into violent collision with the rear Wall of the hotel. A- mid the crash of fallen pictures and the wild shrieks off several terrified vic- tims the Police Force crumpled into a dis-orderly heap. The -chief was made a total wreck by this recent clash fthe hotel was in a like condition! , but, al- though somewhat broken' up over the affair he gathered himself to-gether and departed in immediate chase. As the Police Force' reached the wharf he saw a fboat move silently and swiftly down the Potomac, which was then at the height olt' its beauty and glorification. The chief muttered an exclamation' of satisfaction and relief. Expecting to land comfortalbly on the cushions in the bottom cf his private boat he lunged contentedly forward. Suddenly the boart moved from its ac- customed position and to his evident surprise, amid a volley of remonstran- ces, the chief fell gracefully, to be engulfed by the welcoming waves of the warm slimy Potomac. A few moments later the head of the chief appeared at the surface. After spluttering about for a few seconds and venting his pent up feelings upon the surrounding water, he lumbered slowly and awk- vwardly toward the shore. From behind a screen of bushes came a low, taunting voice. Page eighty-tfwo -.- J., .

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!?33Pv-21 C. I F illilliunher what the btairtnap Thinks? Crash! Bvang! Bumpety, Bumpety, Bump! Dear me, will that clum- sy Vida Largent ever stop falling up these steps? If she only knew how it hurts me. I'm sure she would be more particular about where she deposits her two hundred pounds. CI feel sure its every bit of that.D Whew! ! ! There goes Ethel Wildermtan. It seems that she never will out-live her childhood days. Imagine! friends, she still amuses herself and the whole school by sliding down' the bannisters. Ah! ha! do I hear footsteps approachiing? Yes, it is Mr. Rhodes, too. He seems very angry. Ah! poor girls. He seems to be persuading Deb- by Ord and Enmid Ours to make their appearance in detention period. Sh! I hear him talking. Here! here! How many times have I told you not bo run down those steps? Don't you know the grades are still 'in session and that so much noise disturbs them? You may remain in for detention for the rest of this week ! These are only ia few of the happenings in one day. Teachers, pupils, visitors, a.ll pass me by without so much as a thought of my presence except an oooasioned, These steps V' or I really think we ought to have an elevfa- tor, or Look how worn tihese old steps areg they are about to fall to pieces. No, no one appreciates me, but I wonder what would happen if I would go off some night and forget to come back. I clan see them all climb- ing up the bell ropef! Now, Leota Shincliff woul-d be the Hirst one up I know. But I can imagine that there would be more growling due to my absence than there is due to my presence. So I guess I'll just stay until I'm so old that I totter an-d fall, for I'm only meant to be walked on anyway. V. B. '24 Ghz Ctlumehack It hlad rained all night, it was still drizzling rain at ten o'c'Iock the next morning. As the rain come down, the hopes of twenty-two boys went down. for this was the day of the big game. Since 1916 the boys at P-- School had not played a foot Iball game. So now in 1924 they head formed a team to play a game with a team from St. M-- School of a neighiboring town. To be sure P-- did not have much practice, but that dsid not disconcert them, they wanted to play. The afternoon before the day of the game the players went home with the high- est hopes of the morrow. But now it was naining. At one o'clock the boys gathered in the dressing room, grumbling at Page eighty-four