Racine High School - Kipikawi Yearbook (Racine, WI)

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KIPI KQ appeared. Lol Before the boys floated the vision of a beautiful tile bathroom. The boys began preparing supper, but in the gathering gloom a light became necessary. Not an oil lamp could be found and not an electric bulb was to be seen, nevertheless the last of the three buttons turned the trick. A stream of light flooded the room, but again the source of the light was invisible. Supper being over, the boys, having surveyed the contents of the bookcase, decided to retire. Harry chose the bed, while Bob took the davenport as his station for slumber. Harry entered the dark bed- room. Three bright buttons again met his eye. One was near him and two others were about three feet apart near the head of the bed. He pressed the nearest button. Something moved in the darkness where he supposed the bed was, and one of the buttons disappeared. Then he touched the remaining button. Light flooded the room. Now what happened before? he muttered as he again pressed the first button. The bed folded into the wall, assuming to all outward appearances the shape of a fireplace. How clever,H he thought as he sum- moned Bob to observe the operation. Some hours later the boys were cata- pulted from their beds. As they rose from the floor, the open window silently closed. The window panes, which ap- peared to be double, began to change from one color to another: in fact it seemed to be a flow of liquid color. The boys endeavored to turn on the light, but their attempt resulted in what appeared to be flashes of lightning pass- ing across the corners of the room, accompanied by sharp, snapping sounds like the cracking of a whip. Suddenly everything became quiet, the flashes ceased, the window panes lost their color. The boys decided to sleep to- gether for the rest of the night. Next morning Bob was awakened by the sudden disappearance of the bed clothes. His outcry woke Harry. There was no choice but to rise and dress. Then Bob prepared breakfast while Harry searched in vain for the bed covers. Later, while they were eating, a shadow darkened the doorway. It was Uncle lim. After accepting an invitation to breakfast he inquired how the boys were enjoying their vacation. They told him of their experiences, the narration of which he seemed to enjoy very much. When they had finished he said, Follow me for the explanation. He told then how he had prepared these surprises for them, as he knew they were coming. He led them through a secret door into his workshop. Here was a water-driven dynamo, all kinds ofelectrical apparatus, and many unpatented inventions. There also was the mystery ship floating on a small pool of water. It was an electri- cally-driven enclosed boat on which he had a model of his newly invented light. The principle of the light he would not disclose, but through some device the light was so diffused that the source was invisible. As to the coloring of the window panes, all physics students should be able to explain that, said Uncle limp so I will leave the rest to you. CLINTON ETTINGI-311, '2l. Ghserhatiuns un the St. latnrenrz Heading into the golden dawn, and leaving the rough waters of Lake Ontario behind us, we entered the St. Lawrence, the river of romance, just as the sun broke over the beautiful expanse of water. Several islands of some size, apparent- ly cut from solid rock, were our reception committee. To our right lay the little town of Kingston-the last town of our own country that we were to see for some time. Here we picked up a French pilot, and after eating a breakfast of our usual menu-red horse, bread, and lava-we continued up the river, or rather down, for we were moving with the current. Beautiful scenery lined either side of the river, and among the dark, shapely evergreens were the summer homes of America's elite. Ten o'clock found us

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L il' N I i,. , I 5 G I Q Eacatiun Qbcperienne y Say, Bob, remarked Harry as they sped along the country road, Have you heard about that nutty old hermit, or whatever he is, who is supposed to live in Hoover's Woocl? Yes, but I don't believe there ever was such a persong I've been hunting in that wood many a time and I've never met any unusual persons. That's just another one of Uncle Iim's hunting stories. Well, returned Harry, I'm going to scout around and see if I can observe some of those peculiar incidents that your Uncle's told about. Harry Hill and Robert Hanson had just returned from college and were on their way to Hoover's Wood for a week's vacation. Soon after the above conver- sation closed, they reached their old camping place where they spent a quiet night. Next evening the boys went for a canoe ride. They were paddling along in the deepening twilight when suddenly a white object glided out from the bank above them and proceeded up the river. That the object was a boat was certain, but what propelled it was a mystery. The curiosity of the boys led them to attempt to overtake, if possible, the mysterious object, but as soon as their speed was increased, the boat moved with a similar increase of speed. The boys pursued without successg darkness settled down over the river, the mystery ship was nothing but a speck, then it dis- appeared altogether. Turning, they let their canoe float down the river toward camp. They had drifted but a short dis- tance when suddenly the river and trees before them became illuminated. From where did the illumination come? Not a light appeared on the bank, on the water, or in the sky, and the river behind them was in darkness. Harry and Bob were mystified. The light continued to go before them until they reached camp: then it disappeared as quickly as it had come. Next afternoon Harry and Bob went again for a canoe ride. All at once they observed a small stream which had never' before attracted their attention. They turned their canoe and had paddled up the stream about a mile when Harry exclaimed, Lookl the house of the her- mitfas sure as I live! On their left was a low, bark-covered house whose color blended so well with its surroundings that it was almost in- visible from the stream. A narrow leaf- covered path led up to the doorg a small canal led around to the rear of the house. The boys reached the house and found a modern door-bell button installed. Bob pressed it vigorously. The door opened immediately, but no one was there to admit them. Harry stepped inside and called, Hellol Hellol Anyone home? No answer. Come on, Harry, let's have a look around, the hermit doesnit seem to be home. Perhaps he's dead, I haven't heard Iim speak of him for a long time. Seems to me you're taking a lot for granted-U Come on, don't argue. The first room they entered was a sitting-room and library combined. It contained a davenport, a library-table, leather-bound chairs, and a book case well filled with scientific books. They proceeded to the bed room which boasted a bed, a lone chair, and a French mirror set in the wardrobe door. The dining room was also simply furnished, con- taining only a table, three chairs, and a china closet. But the kitchen held their interest. Here they found an electric stove and a well-stocked larder. Upon viewing the provisions, the boys im- mediately decided to eat. Let's open a-What's this? ex- claimed Harry as he observed three bright buttons on the wall. An electric switch, as I livelu This from Bob as he pressed the first button. A low purr-like movement of machinery, then the sound of running water greeted their ears. Harry pressed another button. A panel of the kitchen wall silently dis-

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.A f .Q l v entering the world-famous Thousand Islands. There were islands ofall shapes, descriptions, and sizes, all inhabited by people who lived in everything from mansions to tents. Here was the man- sion of the Astorsg here the beautiful summer home of Nlary Garden, here, also, the residence of the deceased John Bunny, each vying with the other for beauty and prominence. Now we were passing between islands so close together that one could speak to the people who inhabited them, and now the river turned, and we were a mile from any shore. Strange to say, from its point of emergence from Lake Ontario to its entrance into the Atlantic at Nlontreal, this river varies from a quarter of a mile to fourteen miles in width. By three o'clock in the afternoon, we had left this play-ground and its lore behind us, and were putting our surplus time to the work of locking our ship around the rapids. This was slow, tire- some work, and sometimes our pilot would, in preference to passing thru the lock, shoot the rapids. This was very exciting, as the ship traveled at a tre- mendous speed. HI I .HQ I Early next morning we stopped at Nlontreal for provisions and fuel. Here we visited everything of interest, in- cluding the Place D'Armes, Notre Dame Church, Mount Royal, and the famous market place. Each had its individual attraction and romantic tales which the guide told us on request. The streets were narrow, dirty, and ill-paved. Drunken men loitered on all corners, and noisy French girls paraded the streets. At Montreal we passed our last lock, the Black Bridge, and now we were at sea level. Here the water began to taste salty. Continuing down the river, we saw on either side, great lofty hills, and now and then a green vineyard came into view. We were by this time passing ocean liners of considerable size, bound up the river to Nlontreal. Nlost of these ships were tlying the British colors. Dawn found us passing under the Quebec Bridge, made famous by the great disaster several years ago when the middle span fell and carried scores of workmen to death. An hour more and