Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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The Golden Rod Tom” evidently had his part all learned, for he thrust his hand into the bridle and brought forth some wearing apparel, decidely feminine in appear- ance. With plenty of assistance soon a long black skirt was pulled over Tom’s legs, and a queer-look- ing apron was tied about his waist; while on his head was a hat of somewhat questionable date. After a few touches here and there, the men stood off and viewed the result of their efforts with evid- ent satisfaction. True, Tom’s appearance as a spinster was not very promising: the hat was too low over the face and the black skirt hung too loosely from the hips. But the stage was seen coming over a distant hill, so “Long Tom” was hastily given parting instructions. When the coach stopped the strange looking bride, suit case in hand,jumped in and took a seat beside a grinning parson who had been noti- fied the day before that his services would be re- quired. The other men returned to the ranch where they found Steve restlessly pacing up and down sweating like a trooper, and experiencing rather queer sensation about the heart. PART III. Dust in the distance, a black speck on the road the stage was coming! Steve was calmly resigned to his fate. When amid the cheers of the cowboys the stage stopped, a long angular object flopped lovingly on Steve’s shoulder. The would-be bride- groom decided that the worse had come and started wildly down the road followed closely by his com- rades, the minister and the bride. Up and down hill went the pursued and the pur- suers. Steve felt that he could not hold out much longer; his breathing was laboured and his tired legs were fast refusing to carry two hundred and fifty pounds over the hard ground. Just then he caught his foot in a root and fell headlong. He felt that all was over and he must resign himself to his fate. So he calmly picked himself up to meet his future wife as she came running to him, throwing her arms affectionately about his neck. The ardent spinster tried her best to convince her lover of all his good qualities and hers too. Now Steve was unused to the ways of courting but he bravely reached up and tickled her under the chin. On the tanned and sun-burned forehead, partly- concealed by the broad hat pins, was a long scar, the exact simile of “Long Tom’s”. Carefully' scan- ning the face of his comrade, Steve snatched the hat from his head and then was revealed to him the visage and head of his old pal. For the moment with a flash of anger Steve jumped to his feet and was about to reach for his revolver, then thinking better of it he laid it aside. Stretching out his hand hesaid to his pard,“Put it there, old fellow, I am saved.” Ralph Ford, 1910 A Baseball Game and A String of Pearls T was the day of the great base-ball game between Hilcrest Academy and Bridgeford Military School. For three years the game had been a tie, but this year Hilcrest was almost sure of victory until Jack Lennard, the star pitcher and captain of the Hilcrest eleven, had sprained his ankle a few-days before the game and would,consequently, be unable to walk for se- veral weeks. The Hilcrest team was in the depths of despair, and so was their captain himself as he lay on the couch in his den, watching the people pass on their way to the base-ball field, the day of the game. ‘‘Its bad enough not to be able to play,” he groaned “but not to see the game at all—that’s the limit!” Suddenly the door opened and Jack’s father and mother, carrying Hilcrest banners, entered the room. Mr. Lennard walked over to the couch and patting his son on the back,, said, “Come, cheer up, lad. I know it’s hard luck that you can’t play this after-noon, but never mind, Hilcrest is going to win.I am sorry that you will be alone.I will bring some of the other fellows back with me and you can hear all about the game from them. By the way, do you remember my speaking of a five thou- sand dollar string of pearls,this morning? Mr.Howe

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The Golden Rod Sometimes Marriage Proves A Failure Part I The Double X Ranch lay idle under the merci- less rays of a scorching Arizona sun. It was the middle of August and all the ranchmen lay stretched out in the shade, fanning themselves with the broad sombreros and trying in vain to keep cool. Only one man appeared to be busy, he was the largest of the group, a great strapping six footer. Steve, as he was called,sat a little apart from the others, industriously trying to thread a needle with which to do a little neccessary repairing on his ragged shirt. His clumsy efforts attracted the attention of the other men who jokingly suggested that he ought to get married and save himself the neccessity of doing such trivial duties. Big Steve Allison received all their banter good naturedly and continued his task. Sometime later. Steve opened the Daily Ga- zette”, the only paper of which the town of Little Creek could boast. As the ranchman glanced carelessly through the columns, his attention was attracted to an item in the rather limited advertising section. Wanted—a good faithful husband. A spin- ster with a small fortune is desirous to marry; any man who is in need of a good wife will find that she can more than fill the bill. Ed. F. Gazette Office. “Oh, what a chance,” murmured Steve. How much easier, and certainly more cheerful.life would be with a help-mate!” Whereupon,he went into the shack.threw down the paper, found a piece of paper, and wrote the following answer:- “Dear Miss. I’m yer man. Am much in need of a woman like you describe verself to be. I ain’t much fer good looks but I’m strong and affectionate and will undoubtedly prove satisfactory. Take Bill Niles’ stage next Thursday at Cooney’s Cross- road and I’ll be ther. don’t fergit yer dust and bring a preacher. Steve Allison Double X Ranch. The ranchmen outside observing their comrade’s unusual excitement, had sent Shiftless Mike” to reconnoitre. The spy, seeing the newspaper on the table, picked it up and read the advertisement. Ah! this was the cause of Steve’s excitement; here were black marks where soiled fingers had traced lines . Here was an apportunity for some real live excitement. Rushing out to his friends, Mike read the “ad to them. The men put their heads together and decided to wait developments. Soon Steve appeared and casually remarked that he was going on a short ride; as he strode off to unhitch his pony, a bit of white something protruded from beneath his belt. The men chuck- led to themselves for this tell-tale spoke louder than words. Five minutes after Steve had dropped his letter in the box at the Four Corners, two miles distant, eight cowboys rode gaily up to the box and there from took the letter. Part II. Thursday morning at length dawned; Steve was visibly nervous. Oh. the joy of anticipation! And he had had his full share of it during the week. In a short time he would break the news of his happiness to his companions. How they would envy him! Soon the rest of the men appeared on the scene Steve delayed no longer but disclosed the secret of his unwonted gaiety to them. The men appeared to be greatly surprised and offered t heir hearties congratulations. The stage was due at three in the afternoon but by one, Steve came rushing out of the door, trying in vain to fasten his collar. All fell to and after some hard work on the men’s part and much discomfiture on Steve’s the collar was finally fastened. Then leaving one of the number to keep thet bride groom to-be company, the rest pretended to see some cattle which had broken loose on a hummock not far distant. The cowboys,leaving the two alone, made for their ponies while Shiftless Mike” slyly picked up a big bundle which had been concealed behind thecattle pen and threw it on his saddle bow. After a short gallop across the prairie the men soon entered the wood about three miles up. “Long

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THe Golden Rod is coming to look at it to-night, so I will leave it with you for safe keeping,” As he spoke, Mr. Len- nart! handedjack a jewelry box,which the’boy put beside him on the couch. Mr. Leonard was the junior partner of a large jewelry firm; often times he brought valuable gems to his own house to show his customers, who could not come to the store during the day. “Take good care of yourself and the pearls, son,” said Mrs. Leonard, we will be back victorious in a few hours.” Then she kissed Jack, and to-gether Mr. and Mrs, Leonard left the room. For a few minutes after his parents had gone, Jack lay there thinking about the pearls and won- dering how Hilcrest would ever be able to win, until gradually the objects in the room faded away and the boy fell asleep. While asleep, Jack dreamed that after all he had played against Bridgeford. and that by means of a sensational home run on his part, Hilcrest had won the game. A strange looking man, carrying a black cat in his arms,presented him with a beautiful string of pearls, as a reward for his fine playing. Just at this interesting point in his dream, Jack awoke with a start. He gazed about him in a dazed manner. Why,why, where am I ? I thought that I was play- ing baseball,” murmured he. Why, I guess that I’ve been dreaming.” Then,from the hall below came the sound of muf- fled footsteps. Jack started. Who can that be?” he gasped, It isn’t either of the servants, because they’re both out.” Then,a sickly fear seized him as he quickly looked on the couch for the jewelry box. It had disappeared. Jack’s face turned an ashen hue as he grasped the sides of the couch. The pearls, ”he gasped, they arc gone. Someone stole them while I was asleep.” Then again the sound of soft footsteps came to his ears. There is some one down stairs, probably the thief who stole the pearls. I must manage to get him somehow,” exclaimed he. Above his head on the wall was a rack filled with shooting implements which Jack had used on his camping trip the summer before. From among these Jack reached for a revolver, which luckily was load- ed, Grasping it tightly in his right hand and then gathering all his strenght to-gether, the boy lifted himself from the couch to the floor. Excruciating pains shot through every bone in his body; he lay here wondering how he could ever reach the hall clow. By this time all was still. Gritting his teeth, Jack crawled painfully across the room, groaning at cverymove. Finally, with a great effort he reached the hall door. How shall I ever get down stairs?”faintly murmured the star player. Just then he heard those stealthily approa- ching steps that settled his mind. I will slide down down,” he said. So clutching his revolver tightly in his hand, he held his breath and in some mysterious way he gained the foot of the stairs. Very much shaken up and extremely weak, Jack looked around him. As he lay there, all in a heap with agonizing pains shooting through his ankle and leg, he heard steps coming toward him. With what little strength he had left,Jack grasped his revolver and waited. Out of the parlor into the hall came those mysterious sounds. He closed his eyes but opened them again quickly as an object rubbed up against him. With a quick breath, Jack started up and beheld, instead of a masked burglar.Juno his big, black cat. Oh!” groaned the poor boy, the steps I heard were only the cat’s and the thief got away with the pearls before 1 awoke. What will father say?” And with these words Jack fainted, When he regained consciousness Jack was in bed with his mother and father bending over him. On the other side of the room were five or six husky fellows talking in whispers. There,he is conscious at last,” said Mr.Leonard Jack gazed about him, Where am I, and where are the pearls? he murmured confusedly. “The pearls? why they’re safe and sound,” said his father. Then in a stern voice he added, Jack, why did you go down stairs?” Oh, father! I am so sorry, but I fell sleep and when I awoke the box you gave me had disappeared. I heard someone down stairs and thinking it was a thief, I crawled to the baluster and slid downstairs but the noise I heard was only the cat Those beautiful pearls! Whatever will you do to me, father?” While Jack had been speaking, a look of pride spread over Mr. Lennard’s face. He bent nearer his son and answered, My boy, I’m proud of you. The pearls are safe. After we left you, I worried about the pearls and as I had plenty of time your mother suggested that I should come back and lock the necklace in the safe. I did as she advised and as you were asleep, I was careful not to awaken you. I am very sorry, son, but as the pearls are safe, let’s think of something else. The fellows have come to tell you about the game.”