Siskiyou Union High School - White and Gold Yearbook (Weed, CA)

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1 time Hi s ' ' 4 ,ff S Km , fi I If in , A1 'u-up . tx- - I: qu TI-IE NEW JUSTICE FIRST PRIZE STORY Wal, drawled the old weather-beaten miner as he stroked his beard- ed chin, it's a sing that's what it is. It's gitting so as a man cain't trust his best friend. First Johnson from down the Klamath hills kills his min- ing partner, then Brown kills his wife, and now Lopez and Scott killed that store-keeper up on the Siskiyous. Somethin' ougta be done about it, I tell ye, somethin' ougta be done T. As the man spoke, others standing near also stroked their chins and began nodding in assent. A seed was being planted in their minds that was soon to bear fruit of man-made justice. The small group dissolved and moved down the street, scattering the seed in the fertile minds of the milling crowd. The sun rose higher in the sky, the heat became insufferableg the streets were packed with men of all classes, but in the eyes of all was a look of grim determination, glazed by the fear of those who make laws and often lay down their lives to enforce them. Far away from this growing uneasiness, John Callahan and his wife Lucy stood arm in arm looking over their peaceful farm nestled in the hills. It was tranquil and serene as the twilight began to descend over the mountains. Suddenly a cloud of dust appearedg then soon a man on horseback rode up to the gate, jumped off his horse, and ran quickly to the steps. john, he said jerkily while his eyes were twitching with nervous- ness, can I speak with ye by yerself? The two men hurried toward the barn, leaving Lucy bewildered and frightened. She went into the house to do some work in an effort to overcome her nervousness. Soon she heard them coming back. She walked to the door in time to overhear John saying, Sure, you can count on me, as the other man rode swiftly away. What is it, john?,' cried Lucy, looking into his fiery eyes. What are you going to do? cil'IIl'I'tll Lih'rm'YyS4'r'fiur1 f PAGE 13

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ALMA SOLARI '34 Mt. Shasta Higb School

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Nothin',,' he said slowly while a million thoughts ran through his mind. 'Tm jist goin' into town to see whatis to be done with them four men in jail. John, Lucy begged with tears slowly gathering in her eyes, if they talk of lynching, please take the side of the law. Remember that it is not your power to judge others. She opened the drawer of the desk and drew out some paper. She said, John, these words are as true as any I've ever read. He laughed, kissing her, and said, I must be going now, dear. Lucy stood and watched John get on his horse, thinking what a tall, dark, handsome man he was. Feeling as if some disaster were going to happen and wishing he had not gone, Lucy turned back into the house to bury her fears in work. As the fading sun was sinking behind the hills, John Callahan galloped into the small town and pulled up his dirty, sweat laden horse before a group of men talking in low and menacing tones. All eyes turned to him as he jumped to the ground and came toward them. Twilight deepened into darkness and the group had grown into a mob in which john Callahan had become the central figure. His eyes burned feverishly in the dull light that was cast out by the oil street lamp, and gradually the flame was kindled in the eyes of those around him. He walked swiftly to his horse and mounted, straightened his shoulders, and with a beckon of his hand rode majestically up the street, the figure of a born leader. The moon cast fitful gleams on the deserted town and then came from behind the sailing clouds to beam down through the fluttering leaves of two ancient trees in cold horror upon a glittering steel bar from which four silent, dark forms swayed gently in the night breeze. Many years have passed since that night the moon kept its lonely vigil with the four silenced objects. The awful thing that was done has become a legend. John Callahan lives alone on his small farm for his Lucy has long since gone to an early grave, carrying with her an open wound resulting from that night of horror so long ago. Again the small town is stunned by the lawless snuffmg out of the lives of two of their best citizens. Restlessness prevails. Men form in groups and talk among themselves in low tones. John was in the barn when he heard the noise of a car stopping quickly in front of his home. He strode to the gate in time to see a cloud of dust disappearing. A man jumped out of the car and walked quickly to John. The two men conversed with great rapidity. The man returned to his car as John said, Count on me, I'll be there. John went into the house with the same look in his eyes that he had many years ago. He began nervously pacing up and down the room A General Liferary Section 1 PAGE 14