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

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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

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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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and women, with a thorough understanding of the technical arts, are needed to complete the work which is already begun by the older gen- eration, and to make ourselves capable to grapple with the mighty problems of the coun- try in which we live. We are here to develop our minds and train our hands, that we may make the most of our- selves and be of the greatest service to those about us. As young people, it is not expected that we should look entirely upon the serious side while here. We are here to enjoy ourselves while being trained for service. In later years we shall look back to the social life of the Polytechnicg our association with fellow-stu- dents and many true friendships formedg our athletic contests, and even our innocent school pranks, as the happiest times of our lives. The thoughts of our school life will continually return to us, and help to sweeten the bitter experiences, and smooth out the rough places which are certain to come into all our lives. We are here to enjoy ourselves along with work and study. We are here to make the most of our time and talents: to get as much profit and pleasure from our school days as we can, for the time will go by only too quickly, and we shall never pass this way again. BILLINCS IS THE LOCATION. Somewhere in eastern Montana there is sure to be a great educational institution. Un- doubtedly it will be the Polytechnic institute. With Billings as a center draw a circle the diameter of which will be more than 230 miles and within that circle there will not be found another institution of higher learning, with the exception of the state agricultural col- lege at Bozeman, IOO miles west. It was this fact that led the men behind the Billings Polytechnic Institute to decide to es- tablish the college at Billings. The field cov- ers territory in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming. Nebraska and the Dakotas. It caters to a district where live l,000,000 souls and where there is no other such institution. The first year of the school has been suc- cessful from every standpoint, though the finan- cial part has been hard. But last summer when the Professors Eaton were in the East they received assurances that after the school was once started endowments and financial as- sistance would be forthcoming. It is intended to raise a fund of 5l5l,000,000 to put the school on a firm basis. Parents looking for a good place to send their children, a place where they will have every attention and the most watchful care will do well to send them to the Polytechnic in- stitute. It is ideally situated, has a competent corps of instructors and is prepared to give the boy or girl that technical education to enable them to make their way well in life's struggle. Mrs. H. Yaliton. The Annual of I9l0 would be far from complete without mention being made of Mrs. Henry G. Valiton, the matron of the institute, superintendent of the dining room, house mis- tress of the girls' bungalow, physician to the sick, surgeon to the wounded, nurse of the convalescing and mother to us all. Seldom is it given to a person to hold as diflicult a position as that given to her. At any hour of the day or night she stands ready to administer to the needs of anyone who calls. She is untiring in her efforts to make things home-like and comfortable to the students. Without her the Polytechnic could not con- tinue a day. Here's to our mother, Mrs. Valiton, tender in her sympathies, kind in her discipline, patient with our thoughtlessness, and great hearted with us all.