Sheridan High School - Bronc Yearbook (Sheridan, WY)

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(5 THE OCKSHEPERIDA rushed to their windows saw the wagon draw up in front of the constable's house and the man to run up the walk and to pound on the door. By the time John Andrews, the constable, and Uncle Jake came running back, the street was full of half-dressed men, women and children—all demanding to know what was wrong. Receiving no reply, they followed the two men down to the bridge, and there Uncle Jake explained all that he knew about it. The crowd was horror-stricken at this charge against their old neighbor, and at first refused to believe it. But the evidence seemed so strong that one by one they began to add things which he had said and done lately that would lead one to suspect that he intended to do something like this. “I recollect now,” said old Pete Sanders, thoughtfully, as how he says to me t'other day into Dolan's, says he, ‘Seems as though I got to do somethin' desp'rate pretty soon seein's Ihain't done nothin’ for so long.’ Yessir, them’s his very words.” At any other time they would have laughed at this as one of Abe’s good-natured threats about going to work, but now everyone saw it in a different light. By this time the wild-lojking procession had reached Dolan’s general store, and the constable, who had not spoken a word since he heard the news, mounted a chair which stood outside the door. He rapped on the wall for silence, and then in a few short words he stated the case, and asked for volunteers to help search for Abe Benton. As he spoke his lips drew tight, and several of the older people in tne crowd remarked that he and Abe had been schoolboys together. But John Andrews had become the constable, highly respected by all his neighbors, and Abe Benton became known as the laziest man in the village. So John resclved to do his duty even in the case of his friend. A half dozen men had volunteered, and the constable had stepped down from the chair, when someone asked, Who was it?” “Who was it?” a dozen voices echoed, “why, Abe Benton!” “I know.” said the first speaker, “but whom did he kill?” Everyone looked at everyone else, and all were silent. This was a point they had overlooked. Just then the telephone inside the store rang and Mr. D;lan lurried to answer it. When he came back it was plain to all that he had learned something more about the startling case. Dave Bailey’s missing,” he began; but he got no farther. I reckon we can put two and two together,” said old Pete, glancing around over the crowd which seemed to echo his sentiment. Everyone began to talk at once and everyone had something to add to the already enormous tale. There had been a dance the night before, and both the missing men had been there. One man raid that at 12 o’clock when he was coming home he had seen them both cross the bridge and disappear into the bushes. Presently they had reappeared and stopped cn the bridge. Just then he had reached home and had seen nothing more. Perhaps if he had but waited a minute he could have prevented this crime, which would place a blot upon the history of the village forever. Since he could learn nothing more, the constable gathered his men together and set out in search of the criminal. It was hard to follow the trail for although it was midwinter, there was very little snow upon the ground, and anyone not wishing to leave a trail could easily avoid doing so. The crowd about the store gradually thinned as the day advanced, but toward noon it assembled again; the men gathered about the general store, and the women collected next door at Miss Pent's millinery shop. They were talking, of course, about the events of the morning. They discussed Abe Benton's character thor-o.ghly; they pitied his pcor old mother who had been dead ten years, and thanked heaven that he had no family to suffer from his d sgraee. Uncle Jake sat on the apple barrel in the corner and told for the fiftieth time just how and where he had found the knife; but poor old Cllory still r.tocd tied by the constable's gate, feeling anything but glorious. Presently a hush fell upon the crowd, and all eyes were turned toward the street. And then in through the open door came Abe Renton himself! For a moment no on spoke. Then Simon Bradley, who had been given the constable’s authority during the abrence cf John Andrews, stood up

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THE OCKSHKPERIDA 5 f t the road's property which was put in his care; so now he watched this intruder rather doubtfully. Hut the young fellow immediately handed him the piece of paper which he had in his hand when he boarded the train. He explained that he had been sent to help McCrag out a little; also that he had made a mistake in the schedule and had nearly been left behind. McCrag looked over the slip of paper and seeing that it was duly signed by 'T. B.,’ the general manager, said that he was glad he had made connections all right, and showed him where to begin work. The stranger set to work with so much care and accuracy that McCrag thought he had a fine fellow to help him; but he could not help turning every few minutes to see what the fellow was doing. The stranger apparently did not notice this, but went on with his work as if nothing had happened. Occasionally, he would cast sly glances at te safe, the door of which stood ajar; and once, while piling a couple of trunks near the safe, he noticed several canvas bags with government reals on them. Evidently there was a shipment of gold going to the Denver mint. Just then the train stopped, or merely hesitated long enough to dump off a trunk and let a passenger fall ofT the best way he could. After we had got pretty well underway aagin. McCrag felt a vice-like grip on each of his aims and in another second he was lying flat cn his back on the car floor and his helper was neatly tying him hand and foot. This done, he proceeded as calmly as ever to gag him and secure him to a large trunk. When he thought he had him tied securely, be went through his pockets for safety and removed all of his weapons. Then he opened the empty siit-case and fllljd it with the canvas bags out of the safe. When he hda put in all that his suitcase would hold without looking too heavy, he went out at the end door and rode the blind until the train started to slow up, going up a real steep grade, and then he jumped and disappeared among the shadows. Just at that m ment a whistle was heard and Slim started for his engine to prepare to pull the passenger out. “Well, they never caught their man. he shouted, as he passed the shanty on his way to the depot. + + + THE VILLAGE CRIMINAL. + ------------------------ • + By a Sophomore. 4 + + + + + + {- + + + + + + The old milk wag n rattled down the hill and struck the bridge with a vicious bump, then stopped with a suddenness that threw Uncle Jake, the driver, forward upon his knees. Uncle Jake had fit in the war from beginnin' to end” and four years of camp life had not softened his temper or reduced his supply of profane words. Now he saw no reason for restraining himself, and so the fresh morning air was treated to a perfect stream of vile words. Through it all, the old horse, who by some freak of the imagination had been named Glory, stood unmoved with ears pricked forward knowingly. So the old man got down stiffly and went arcund to his horse’s head, grumbling irritably to himself all the while. One plank of the bridge was torn up and displaced. As he was dragging it back, he saw an open knife lying just beyond the broken place. When he stooped to pick ft up, he noticed that the blade was covered with blood, and cn the bridge there was more blood and signs of a struggle. Old Jake's imagination, which had had dull fond since he had begun to drive the milk wagon, was at once filled with an hundred dire possibilities, and he decided that there had been a fight—perhaps a murder! He examined the knife more closely and on the handle found the initials, A. B.” “Why, that must be Abe Benton, thought Uncle Jake, and he suddenly remembered several things which Abe had said to him in the last week, which would lead one to suppose that he had terrible plans in his mind. True, Uncle Jake had looked upon them as jokes at the time: but now they had a new and terrible meaning. It aroused his fighting blood to think about it, and he decided instantly what he must do—arouse the village, and get the constable on the murderer’s track. A moment later, everyone in the village was awakened by the sound of rattling milk cans and the inartic date, b’ood-curd-ling yells of someone who was driving down the street at full speed. Those who

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THE OCKSHEPERIDA 7 and drew from behind him the bloody knife. Abe Benton,” he said slowly and impressively,” this knife was found ----------” 'Why, so it was,” said Abe, in a mildly surprised way.” “Where'd you find it?” and he reached out his hand for it. But the deputy ignored his words and act. This nife was found.” he repeated again hut Uncle Jake grew Impatient. “Abe,” he jelled, jumping excitedly to his feet. You’re arrested!” With difficulty, he was put down, and Simon continued, It was found on the east bridge, covered with blood!” “Well,” said Abe in an amused way. Supposin’ it was? What’s that to you? That was too much for Uncle Jake. He feaped upon a counter, and no one could stop him until he had told the whole story, with a few original variations. At first, Abe laughed; then he became as excited as he ever allowed himself to become. Me kill Dave Hailey?” he asked, Why he's my best friend, next to John Andrews. Then he added more quietly, If you’ll all be still. I'll tell you all about it. When Dave and I lert the dance, he told me he had caught a rabbit on the way in. and said I could have it if I would help him kill it. He had it hidden in some bushes on the other side of the bridge so when we got to the bridge, Dave asked why should he come back any further, so we killed it right there, and I lost my knife. Thank you for finding it. I guess you-know the rest.” “Rut where is Dave?” persisted Simon Bradley. “Why, what's wrong with him?” asked Abe. “He has disappeared!” Abe looked stunned for a moment, but before he could recover himself enough to reply, the teleph ne rang. Simon answered it, and when he came back, there was a look of disappointment lurking in his face. “Dave has been found,” he said bluntly. He was in the haymow asleep all the time.” Abe seemed relieved. “Uncle Jake.” he said, smiling broadly. I'm goin' to have rabbit pie for dinner tomorrow. Won't you come and help me eat It? “No.” said Uncle Jake, retreating hastily. “No, thanks. I calkilate to be right busy all day tomorrow.” + SENIOR NOTES. ----- •S By Clara Wade. ❖ + •♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦+♦ + ♦♦♦ + Nineteen nine has parsed, and nineteen ten, that used to seem so far away, is here at last. Even if it is last we will see to it that it is by no means least. We have found a slang word In Virgil's classic “Aeneid,” so we have decided it must be proper to use it. It is “Nate Dea.” meaning, “Oh, you son of a Goddess!” What is it in Chemistry laboratory that reminds us of Juniors?” Why. copper oxide, when nitric acid is poured over it.” Virgil Class Motto:—“Dum Spiro, Spero.” (While we live, we kick.) In Chemistry laboratory we have been making N-2 O (nitrout oxide), called “laughing gas ” by some. So if there is any unusual exictement in Room Four, that will account for it. “Why is Ruth so musical?” Because she wears a brass band n her arm!” For a Purpose. When Senior girls wear heavy braids. And flatten down their hair, They do it just for fun. you know. And—to show that hair is there. The study of Macbeth is interesting and quite different from the other plays we have studied. Not Far Away. Nineteen ten is here And in its spicy air, We realize the fact, at last Graduation day is near.