Providence Technical High School - Review Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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1928 THE TECH REVIEW 105 Neither leg was broken for he could move them. To raise himself to his feet was the hardest task of all. By sheer nerve he finally succeeded in standing. A cold sweat gathered on his forehead. Two painful steps took him to the dimly out- lined table, on which he leaned for sup- port. The pains were almost unbearable. Three paces separated him from the door to the other room. Still using the table for support, Norman took another step forward, sliding his hands across the ta- ble’s surface. His hands touched a cold object. Norman grasped the object. Joy! for there was the means of salvation. For in fact, not one but two revolvers lay on the table. Norman was satisfied with one. 'I'he two remaining steps brought him to the door. A crack between two boards served as a peep hole to get the -o- cation of the men in the next room. 'I'he light at first blurred his vision, but, grad- ually becoming accustomed to it. he dis- cerned the men grouped around the gun. Spang!—Spang!—Spang! In rapid suc- cession the projectiles shot while one maneuvered the machine so as to rake the forest. “Say, I wonder how the kid’s getting along.’’ The black eves of one of them were looking directly at him. Of course, a petition was between them. “Why don’t ya go in and find out?’’ Norman’s heart stood still. “Heck, no. I’m not that interested.’’ He wasn’t hey! Well he certainly would be in a short while. The time for action was at hand. To grasp the knob, swing the door open, and cover the men with the gun was but the work of few moments. Yet to Norman the task seemed slow. His numl ed muscles refused to act quickly. But in fact it was done in no time. The men turned to face a very pale but de- termined person. Norman’s command of “Don’t move” was unnecessary for the men were stupefied. Then as the amaze- ment passed and their senses returned, the four jumped to their feet. A report of Norman’s revolver, however, prevented them from doing anything rashly. “Now do just as I tell you and keep your hands where 1 can see them. One of you hail the officers. Shout to them that you surrender. Hurry!” After a few moments of hesitation, the leader reluctantly hailed the officers and acknowledged his defeat. “Good. Now tell them that you’re go- ing to file out the door.” 'I'he door was opened and the gangsters marched out into the powerful beams of searchlights. When all four were out, Norman gave a sigh of relief and dragged his body to the door and out into the wet night. There his strength failed him and with a sickening sensation, Norman felt himself being carried down, down, down. Then he know no more. Ill When Norman regained consciousness the second time, lie found himself at home in his bed. Beside him stood his mother. Tears filled her eyes and a wor- ried expression dominated her face. On seeing that his eyes were open, a smile crept through her grief and she stooped to imprint a kiss on his forehead. “Mother” was his only word. His head throbbed with pain, and the aches of his body felt more numerous and intense. In spite of all, the joy of lieing home acted as a soothing balm and Norman relapsed into slumber. He knew not how long he slept, but when he awoke again he was alone. To his surprise, he found that his left arm was encased in a plaster cast. His aches, however, were almost entirely gone and his mind and body felt refreshed. My how good it felt to be home! Norman never realized what home meant until then. Had he been such a fool as to think of running away ?

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104 THE TECH REVIEW 1928 in inky darkness, except for the small amount of light which entered through the several narrow cracks of the frail pe- tition. A window at the foot of his bed indicated that the night was well ad- vanced. The rain was pattering against the roof in a constant stream, and the wind was howling around the building, slipping in through the cracks and mak- ing a chilling current. In one corner of the room indistinctly outlined, was a pile of cases stacked to the roof. “Illegal liquor,” thought Norman. “If dad only knew about this.” Norman had hardly finished these ob- servations, when above the wind he heard excited voices of men approaching. Ev- idently the “boss” had arrived. The door burst open and from the sound of the scuffing feet and of the voices, Norman concluded that they were four in all. “Never mind about the guy in there,” said a voice which Norman took for that of the leader of the gang, “we ain’t got time to bother with him. We got to get ready for business. 1 just got word that the sleuth is out on a raid tonight. Joe saw him leave with five other men in his car and he left town in this direction. Course lie may not he after us, hut we ain’t going ta he found unprepared. Rill, you put on your slicker and get out there a couple cf hundred yards up the road. If you see any lights, breeze hack in a hurry. Get me?” “Right.” Now you men get that gun ready and bar them windows.” A bustle indicated all were hard at work. “Sleuth!” Why that was the name they called dad. Hope surged through Nor- man. The thought that perhaps his father was approaching consoled him somewhat. What would “dad” say when he found him there. Still, there was a possibility that the raid was somewhere else. Racked with pains from his bruised body and aching bones Norman realized the helplessness of his condition. 11 is mind was distracted from these dark- thoughts by the sudden return of “Bill.” “Boys, we’re in for it. A car’s coming up the road.” Norman’s heart lcajicd into his mouth. Dad was coming to his rescue though ig- norant of the fact. “Anybody that’s goin' to crash the gates in on us has got to face this toy.” a voice exclaimed, “a hundred shot per is not so good to dodge.” “Shut up.” This came from the leader. “Get down to work and let them open up first.” “O. K. boss.” The noise of an approaching car came out of the night. Then the sound ceased as the machine came to a stop under the protection of the trees a hundred or so feet away. An intense moment of silence followed. Then from outside a sharp voice broke the silence. “Hello there in the cabin.” Sure enough it was dad’s voice. The hail went by unanswered. For a few mo- ments, Norman heard the whispering of the men. “Hello!—Hello! In the name of the law we command you to surrender. We’ve got you surrounded so there’s no chance to escape.” Then the gruff voice of the leader an- swered, “Come and get us if you want ns.” The reports of revolvers followed and then the gangsters’ machine gun began shooting its deadly missiles. The combat was on. Norman was on edge. The gangsters were firing upon the officers. His father was among them and in danger. He must find some way of helping him. Gritting his teeth, as he swung his feet off the bed, he slowly rose to a sitting position.

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106 THE TECH REVIEW 1928 While thus reviewing the adventure of the past day, Norman heard the approach of someone. His father entered. “Well, son, feel any better? Doctor says you’ve got to stay there for a week or so. Lucky you didn’t get killed or maimed for life.” And as he said this, he smiled down at Norman. “It certainly was a close one. How did you find out?” “One of the prisoners told me how you happened to be there, but how you got over in that section still puzzles me. The biggest surprise I ever got was when I found you there. What were you doing so far from home?” Norman looked sheepish. “You see, I acted rather foolish yes- terday in school—disobeyed a teacher— so I was expelled for a week, and 1 got the idea of running away.” In this fashion Norman hid the real purpose. “So that’s it. Mother and I didn’t worry because we thought you had gone away to see the team play as you had planned. Its all over now. By the way. did you know that you are a hero? Look at this.” Mr. Watson tossed a newspa- per to his son. On the front i agc was the whole story. “YOUTH CAPTURES BOOTLEGGERS UNAIDED Norman Watson, Son of Noted Revenue Officer Holds Four Thugs at the Point of a pistol until father arrives—then Falls Unconscious.” The paper contained a detailed account of the feat accompanied by a picture of Norman. Norman read the article and smiled. Two weeks later, Norman was again well. Except for his broken arm which he must keep in the cast for several weeks, no effects of the blow lingered. Norman dreaded returning to school. Not only had his week of punishment ex- pired, but through his own fault another had been piled upon it. The additional work he would have to do to catch up to the class was not the cause of his dread. Norman dreaded the unavoidable meeting with Claire. Hadn’t he resolved to make her sorry? And yet the resolution had come to naught. Monday morning dawned. Norman left for school or as he expressed it, “to get it over with.” His way led past Claire's residence. Norman would gladly have taken a different route but sneaking around was not his way of doing things. Usually, Claire waited for him. Of course, Roy would have already replaced him. Just as he passed her home. Claire came out and greeted him. “Hello, Norman, I see you’re well again. I’m so glad to see you.” “Hello,” replied Norman sharply. Then he added sarcastically, “Waiting for Roy?” Claire glanced at him. “No. Roy has gone already. I was waiting for some- one else,” she said blushing. “Who?” “I’ll let you guess.” “It couldn’t be I.” “Yes, it is you.” Claire looked away. “What made you think it was Roy?” “Because—Because, oh hang it all, be- cause I made such a fool of myself two weeks ago. I didn’t think you would want to speak to me again.” “Norman, the fault is really all mine. Won’t you please forgive me. 1 accept- ed Roy’s invitation to see if I could make you jealous. I wanted to see if you real- ly cared.” “And have you found out if I care.” “Yes,” she replied softly, as she looked straight at him, “1 have.”