Rocky Mountain College - Yellowstone / Poly Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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GROUP OF MEMBERS OF AMERICAN EAGLE LITERARY SOCIETY. B Right of Mfghf OGETHER they had tacked and stretched the big, black shawl across the east window of the clean and well ordered kitchen. When Old Rutherford had buried his wife a year before, he had tenderly folded the large shawl about his weeping daughter, and now, because they had nothing else, they had taken it out of the dresser drawer and tacked it up to the window. After every crack and crevice had been covered, so that no ray of light could penetrate the outer darkness, Patty's father made a cir- cuit of the small cabin and returning assured her that all was well. They now turned to the table for the delayed evening meal. Both made a brave attempt at eating, but their com- mon fare could not tempt either the father or daughter. They had seen and heard of the night riders' work in the valley farms. They had gone to every place where they had planted tobacco after being ordered not to, but because of the smallness of their patch they had been living in hopes that they had been forgotten. After the meal the cloth was adjusted, a lamp placed carefully in the center of the table and turned low. And now, I'll get the wood in for mornin' for I reckon you'll be for keepin' close com- pany pretty soon, eh, Pattyfyi' and Old Ruth- erford rose and emptied his pipe in the ashes on the hearth, forgetful that he had been wrapped in silent thought for more than half an hour, and that Patty had watched every ex- pression of his face. No, dad, not tonight. Thereis wood a- plenty in the box. But a cloud gathered On Rutherford's face and he said: 'Tm a free man yet, God knows, and I go and come when I chooseln When he came in he went straight to the closet and taking down his hunting piece he examined it carefully and placed it against the frame work of the kitchen door. Patty left off the darning, with which she had been occupied, and drew her chair over to his side. Leaning her head against his arm she began to think of her mother and the good times they had had together. Suddenly she sat upright, startled by the

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societies. Four members were selected from each society to tell a story. Those chosen from the Alpha society were Miss ldah Shaw, Miss Hazel Rathbone, Miss Vera Guilbault and Miss Winnona Hunter. Each girl was well prepared and told her story in an inter- esting manner. Miss Shaw chose The Dawn of a To-morrow. The story was well told and kept the hearers interested. Miss Hunter chose Poeis Black Cat, telling the story in a way that only Poe can write: Miss Guil- bault told the Sausage Sale. The story itself is very comical and the teller was equal to the occasion. Miss Rathbone,s story was The Casting Away of Mrs. Alleshine and Mrs. Lekesf' Miss Rathbone told hers exception- ally well, keeping her audience interested every minute and oftentimes convulsed with laugh- ter. ' Owing to the crowded quarters. and this being the first year of the school the society has had no regular meeting room, but it is hoped that when other buildings are erected the Alphas may be given one room, fitted with a library, where they may hold their meetings, socials and give their plays. A strong literary society adds much to the school life, both socially and intellectually, and it is with no little pride that the members of the society look back over the work done this year, and it is hoped that when school opens again next year the membership will be doubled and as a great an interest will be shown in the work. The American Eagle Literary Society MONG the first things looked after at the opening of the Polytechnic Institute last fall was the formation of literary societies for the students. At that time it was believed that two societies-one for the girls and one for the boys-would take care of all the students. It became evident, however, soon after the organi- zation of the Pioneers, that there were sufficient students for two large boys, societies. A meeting for the organization of the second society was held November IZ, I9I0, and a committee was named to draft a constitution. This committee reported to a meeting on No- vember I5, when officers were elected and a constitution adopted. Arguments on the adop- tion of the constitution and the parliamentary manner in which the first meeting was conduct- ed showed that the students had considerable literary training. Several excellent programs were prepared by the committee during the fall and winter and were given in private. After a few weeks' practice the Eagles carried off the honors in the first debate at the Polytechnic. This was a close contest as the Pioneers were represented by debaters of great ability. Soon after this victory the society met its first defeat in a contest with the Alphas. This was not a defeat that caused shame as the closeness of it was a credit to the Eagles, one of the Alpha debaters being said to be second best in the state. February 8 the Eagles found the flag of the Pioneers floating from the Hagstaff and believ- ing that no Hag should float there but Old Glory proceeded to remove the banner, arousing the ire of The Pioneers. The rivalry engen- dered then has continued friendly throughout the year. The members seem to have realized what can be accomplished by a literary society and as a result the record is surprising in the amount of good accomplished. So many members have and work on been compelled to leave school the ranches this spring that our numbers have been greatly reduced. As a result little work has been attempted this spring, but in the fall we will be there in force and with an increased membership it is certain that the season of l9l0-l9ll will see the Eagles one of the most flourishing literary societies in the state.

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striking of the clock, whose hands pointed to twelve, and it was only then that she realized that she must have been asleep. Turning to her father she saw that his head had sunk low on his breast, and that he was sound asleep. Then, she drew from the folds of her dress a stiff, white square of paper, showing four torn holes at the corners. and with a white face read the warning again. When had it been posted on that lonely door? Carefully taking a match from the safe she tiptoed to the table and was leaning over the lamp to light it, when her father suddenly awoke. Why, Patty, what ails you, my girl? Was you frightened by the lonesomeness or-wait a minute, you dropped something, didn't you? He stooped to pick up the bit of paper and as he read the girl stood watching him with frightened eyes. A sudden cracking of a twig caused both to turn their heads, it seemed ages to them before: Open! came the command. Not a sound answered the summons. Father and daughter watched until the odor of charred wood met their nostrils. Rutherford Hung wide his door and discharged a load of shot in the midst of the men-but to what purpose? His arms were caught from behind and they formed a hollow square around him, making him walk along for fifty yards. Then the command ul-laltln was given. The victim's back was bared and long stinging blows were heard by the listeners.. When the full measure had been given they took their silent departure. But before the last man was gone a crouching figure knelt beside the crushedman and whispered softly, Dad.', On their way home their path was suddenly brightened by a reddish glow. They could soon see that it was their barn that was burn- ing and they well knew that it contained all their provisions for the winter as well as all of their tobacco crop. The riders had done their work well, and all that was left was a smol- dering heap, but in the soul of Old Rutherford the torch had just been lighted. Why We Are Here HY are we here? This is indeed a difficult question to answer, and it is probable that were the question put to each student individually, it would be hard to get a sensible reply, yet down deep in the heart of things there is a reason for us being here. This section of the country is in its first stages of advancement, and its industrial de- velopment must be provided for. As students of the Billings Polytechnic Institute, we rea- lize this fact, and we are here as a whole to prepare ourselves for the great future, and fit ourselves to lead the New Northwest in its onward movement. Conditions have changed in the last half century. In Abraham l..incoln's time skilled workmen were rare, and those who acquired any degree of skill at all did so by serving an apprenticeship and literally working their way to the front. Skilled labor was not in demand as it is at the present day, and the people had no conception as to its importanceg but now the technical schools are not graduating as many skilled laborers as are needed. The Polytechnic offers every opportunity for the training of boys in mechanical and industrial lines, and also fits them to take their place in commercial enterprises. Girls, too, are thor- oughly trained along industrial lines, which will fit them for happy homemakers in future yearsg or, if so inclined they may take up courses which will enable them to enter into a business career. We are here because we know that the trained Workman is in greater demand today than ever before, because we know that men