Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 12 text:

6 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR Bob Burke, Encuneer JBv? Hrnolb 5H. N Western Canada in the city of jjTj| Grandview, where one of the most important brandies of the Great Northern railroad is situated, lives {LCjmG J the youngest and most popular engi- neer on the G. X., namely, Bob Burke. Bob Burke had begun at the bottom of the lad- der. worked himself up to his present position, and on May 1st was chosen by the board of direc- tors to run the pay special over the mountains to the mining town of Saskatoon, where several gangs were constructing a new road. As the gangs had to lie paid a careful engineer was always needed to run the special; for the mountain passes and tunnels were very danger- ous. Also, the fact that outlaws made Death Valiev, where the railroad passed, their den. proved that a man of tact and ability was needed at the throttle. Bob had gained notice by running a train through a flooded tunnel, and when he told his mother of the appointment she said:— “Be careful of the outlaws, my boy; for you know that they still linger in the mountains. They may come back to their old haunts, and they would not hesitate a minute to derail the special, and you would probably be killed.” Never fear, mother. I'll take care of myself,” said Bob lightly, and kissing his mother, he hastily snatched his lunchbox. and hurried to the station where Barney, his good natured fireman, was oil- ing Old Trusty,” one of the best engines on the road. Barney had gotten plenty of steam up, and everything was in readiness to start. Just as the conductor was going to give the signal to start, the president called Bob to his side, and said:— My boy, in the second car is nearly a million dollars. I am doing an unusual thing in placing an engineer as young as you are in charge of the special. However. I have full confidence in you. and I feel sure that you will make good. As you know, two engineers have given their lives to pro- tect the company's interests, and for that reason 1 did not think you would accept the appointment when it was offered to you. However, you have, and if you get the special through you will not lose by it. I have placed with you three men. two brakemen, and a conductor. Good-bye, my boy, IDurrag, ’16 06 shake hands, and remember that the railroad is waiting with interest to see the outcome of this trip. Bob. with a determined look on his face which plainly showed that he would make good, shook hands, and hurried to the cab, where he met Bar- ney, who said with a good natured smile:— And shure begorra, the ould man ain’t a bad chap at all, at all!” Hie run from the station to Londonderry Cross- ing was made in safety. Bob and Barney talked about the previous runs of the special, and with much interest looked forward to the outcome of this trip. As they approached the switchtower at Red River. Bob noticed a red light which told him officially to stop, lie whistled for down brakes” and soon the special was brought to a stop, and the switchman handed Bob a telegram which read as follows:— Grandview. Alberta, May 3, 1013. “To Engineer Burke: Rumors received that Monte Mack and gang are in vicinity of Death Valley. Watch out. Rush special. (Signed) Despatcher Meyers.” For a moment Bob was lost in reverie. He was thinking of Monte Mack, half-breed outlaw, who had for years defied all capture, and who had boasted of his many holdups, when suddenly he was awakened by the conductor’s voice which said:— Come! come! hurry up! we are losing time!” Bob hastily pulled the throttle open and the special continued on its perilous journey. They were now approaching Arait Hill, the most dangerous pass on the railroad. Bob slack- ened speed, and as they rounded the curve which gave them a view of Death Valley, he saw a red light swinging to and fro. He drove the special at a fair rate of speed, almost up to the man. and when he saw an ugly- looking half-breed holding the lantern on the op- posite track, he pulled the throttle to the highest notch of speed, crying to Barnev the one word:— Duck!” Bob did. and bullets whistled through the cab window where Bob had been a minute before. However, it was of no use, for suddenly there

Page 11 text:

S 31 Somerville: HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR J49700 Vol. XXIII. Somerville, Boston. Massachusetts, October, 1913. No. 1 The Souicrtili.k Hioh School Radiator ie published by the High School on the third Thursday of every month during the school year, and only important news matter can be received after the 5th of the month. Matter for insertion may be left with any of the editorial staff or mailed to the editor at the High School. In contributing, write on one side of the paper only, and sign full name. Communications, according to their nature, should be mailed to the editor, business manager, or exchange editor. Manuscript must be accompanied by necensary postage to insure its return. Terms, 85 Cents per Year Entered as second olass mail matter at Itoston P. O. Single Copies, JO Cents SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT Editorial Staff associate Editor RUTH E. MERCER, ’14 Exchange Editor ELSA I). WILDE, ’14 Sporting Editor JAMES C. SCANLON, ’14 Hlumnl Editors MARJORIE L. KILGORE, ’14 ANNA E. McKULLKY, ’14 Editor ln Cblet RONALD R. MOuRK, 14 Business Manager L. HUBERT BRIGHAM. '14 assistant Business Manager THOMAS K. FORBES, ’14 Second assistant Business Manager HENRY DERBY, 15 treasurer GEORGE M. HOSMER (Faculty) Start artist M A RG UERITE W A LLACE Class Editors WALTER WILEY, ’14 EMIL R. LAWSON. 16a MYRTON EVANS, ’15a ARNOLD MURRAY, T6b JOHN H. CHI PM AN, ’15b JOHN BREWER. TTa CHARLES BAKER, ’17b

Page 13 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR 7 was a terrible crash: splinters flew in all direc- tions: the hitherto panting engine came to a dead stop; Rob and Barney were thrown against the side of the cab and knocked unconscious, while the voice of Monte Mack directed his men at work. “Bind the conductor and brakemen—also those two kids, and get to work at the second coach. Wait a minute, here is the key to the door. I found it in his pocket. he yelled. Meanwhile. Bob had recovered consciousness, and upon calling. Barney three times he re- ceived a faint answer of Arc you there. Bob? Where arc we?” “I think we are in the cab. What happened, anyway? It seemed as if a thousand stars dropped. Oh. my head is split! Hark! what is that noise? asked Bob in a subdued whisper. “It must be somebody at work at the safe: now I remember; the train was stopped. We are bound! What are we going to do? As luck would have it Bob espied a small sharp- edged piece of tin amongst the coal. Slowly working his way on his stomach, lie at last, after ten minutes’ of hard work, got the dull edge of the tin in his mouth. Another period of hard work, and he was near Barney, then alongside, sawing the cords that bound his wrist. Hurrah! they arc cut enough for Barney to break them! Barney fell back ex- hausted. The rest was easy. Barney untied Bob’s ankles, found his knife, which the outlaws had foolishly left in his pocket, and freed both. We arc indeed in luck, said Bob, there is no guard in front of the door of the money coach. Monte Mack is not so wise as he thinks he is. Ready! ’Sh! Easy! Creep along near the ground! Now we arc near the door. Can I believe my eyes? Monte Mack has left the key outside in the lock? He has! Did you ever sec such luck, Bar- ney? No. niver! solemnly replied Barney. In the meantime while this was going on. the outlaws were trying in vain to burst open the safe. Suddenly, just as they were going to open their dynamite kit. they heard the sharp closing of a door, and the click of a key in the lock. Now they were the prisoners, and it was in vain that Monte Mack and his gang cursed and kicked the door, demanding to be let out: they blamed each other for not having forethought to place a guard over the boys. Each now saw that his self-com- placency and boasting had led to his capture, which would in return lead to death: for Monte Mack was wanted on several counts for murder. But it was too late. “Well, now that was a foinc deed! said Bar- ney. Don’t crow. returned Bob. we are not out of the woods yet. Hurry! Find the conductor and brakemen. then come back here, and we wilt begin to clear the track. The three men were very proud of Bob. but as there was plenty of work to be done, no time was wasted in talking. After the track was cleared, and Barney had gotten steam up. Bob once more took his seat at the throttle of Old Trusty. pulled it open, and after three hours’ journey they drew up along- side the platform of the station in Saskatoon, three hours late. Oid John Higgins, the head boss of all the gangs, was on hand to meet them, accompanied by three sheriffs and eight miners who were to help transport the money to the bank. When Bob told his story, people’s eyes began to grow large. I can hardly believe it.” said one sheriff. There is a reward of $5,000 out for his capture, and we shall be glad to pay it to the pluckiest lad we ever met—the capturer of Monte Mack, the famous outlaw. Whoop her up. boys, three cheers! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! Bob blushingly thanked the men for their com- pliments. and reminded them that the outlaws were in the second coach. With the miners’ aid, the sheriffs soon had the prisoners cowed, and after the money was trans- ported to the bank, they were confined in the jail. It would take too long to tell you of Bob when he got home with the reward and receipt of the money; of the president's thanks; of his mother’s pride, and so. to make a long story short, we will say that Bob was promoted to be superintendent of the Western division, and Barney to be an en- gineer. and will leave them to enjoy the reward of their courage. The Senior class greatly regret that Miss Isabel Petrie has been obliged to give up her school work. Miss Petrie has suffered much from ill health, but with heroic courage has persevered to the Senior year. She hopes to be sufficiently recovered to return next year. The class extend their sympathy and good wishes to her.