Stamford Union Free School - Camera Yearbook (Stamford, NY)

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THE JUSTICE OF JOHN LAKE Is this the way to Canaan?', asked the strange looking man who had halted on the road that led into the heart of the town. The countryman turned an inquiring eye and stared at the questioner. Sure it be, he said. 'Tis a matter of another iive miles. The stranger nodded and resumed his tramp. It is good to be back, murmured the man, as he trudged on. Then he gave a little laugh, a laugh which was out of keeping with what should have been his frame of mind, but his bitterness faded as he neared the village. It was a quaint old place where he had lived before the gold rush. He remembered the old watering trough and the stone house near the out- skirts of the town, both of which brought back memories of his younger days. He had been very lucky in spite of his illness whilch had kept him prisoner for many months. He had been ill, so ill in fact, that the letter that had come for him at the old cabin in the land of snowy north, was hopelessly out of date before he read it. It was the letter John Lake had hoped for. It was from Grace, a letter written many months before. A letter telling him that she was, as ever, his and that she would still be waiting for him. He was rich despite his ragged appearance. He had changed so much that no one would know him now, and he smiled as he wondered if time had also left its mark upon Grace's ap- pearance. ulVIorning,'7 came from a man on his way to market. Lake stared at the speaker. It was Bill Rice, the mailman, and he did not know his former friend. lVIorning,'7 said Lake. He passed on toward the old Inn, where Mrs. Larcon lived, Graceis widowed mother. This was Canaan at last, and what the man had longed for. He had thought it would be of no use to inform them in advance of his home com- ing, and again he smiled as he adjusted his weighty knapsack. Grace would be able to do as she liked when they were married, for he was rich now. He had had friends in the old days before his adventures, but he had been looked down upon as a man who ldid not follow the beaten pathway and rest contented with a regular wagej. But Grace Larcon had stood by

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TRAINING CLASS PICTURE BACK ROW: Left to right-Alice Rich, Katherine Hastings, Arthur Bush H'arla,n Lewis, Beatrice Cole, Ida. Fredenburg, Marian Newell. FRONT ROW: Kathleen Beggs, Marian Nichols, Miss Chase, Eileen Hub bard, Harriet Buck, Beatrice Van Buren.

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him and he still had her promise, a promise which had cheered him during hard times in the cruel North. He had suffered up there, but he had won. Better to have endured exile and win, than to go through life in complacent peace. He moved slowly toward the lnn door. What a place of rest after his strife! John Lake entered the Inn and set down his heavy burden to stretch his arms. Yes, it was good to be there. Then he heard the sound of voices, and Mrs. Larcon, looking somewhat older than when he had seen her before, entered. Good day, Sirfi she said, Hwhat can I get for youfw John Lake stared at the woman who had always been so kind to him. Get me?,' he faltered. He looked illg ill as well as ragged and worn. She did not know him, this thought flashed to his mind. Then his long stay up there in the far North must have changed him more than he realized. It was natural for Bill not to recognize him, but Mrs. Larcon, who had been almost a mother to him in the past, dealt him a severe blow. Lake again tried to speak. nl would like something to eatf' he said. 4'Yes, sirf' said the landlady, and she hurried to prepare the meal. She was inquisitive, but nevertheless a tactful woman, who would not rush questions at a dejected man who wanted time to think. 'LYou are from abroad, sir?,' she said at last. 4'Yes,', he said, 'gl have been away a long time. Have you been here long?'7 Yes, sir,', Mrs. Larcon went on, as though glad to tell her griefs to one who might sympathize with her. I thought of going away a year ago so that my daughter might be able to forget after her illness. Your daughter? Was she ill? The woman did not notice the tense feeling underneath his words. NYfs, the poor girl nearly died, but she is alright now and is happy again. It was best. Her wedding day is tomorrow. We thought she would never forget the death of the man she loved, yet she will be happy with George Calvin. He was good to us. A very rich man, who did all in his power to aid us during our time of sickness. George is a true man and he loves her.', 5'Your daughter thinks her lover is dead?,' he asked huskily. 4'There can be no doubt of it. The news was brought by some one who was wifth him in the North. Poor Jack Lake. He was a good fellow, but she will be happier with the man she has chosen now.