Strong High School - Mussul Unsquit Yearbook (Strong, ME)

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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 11 of Helen's departure he immediately knew what was up and set out. As he neared the Fort he saw the dog team and the half breeds start out. He ran and caught up or tried to, but they saw him coniing and set out at a brisk run. He shot one of the half breeds but the others got away and he trailed them to the cabin where he found Helen unconscious from a blow on the head. Hjiin, he told me if he could.n't have me you wouldn't, and he hit me on the head and would have killed me but the Indians told him you were coming up the trail and if he wanted to live he 'd better hurry up. Jim, I hate that man. I wish he were dead ! Don't worry, he 's mine. just as soon as you are all right I'll go get him. I'm all right. Go get him, Jim, and I'll stay with you always. I'll go right down to the Fort and get some dogs and men to go with me and we'l1 trail you. All right, jim said, I'm off. He then bade her good-bye as all true lovers should, and struck out on Big jim's trail. Helen went direct to the Fort and got :1 good dog team. She then went to the saloon and told the men that 'The Killer had gone after Big jim. 'The Killer' after Big Jim? God, that will be some light! I have dogs and 1,111 looking for three or four men who will be willing to go with me to the end of the trail, or go till we lind them. Two half breeds immediately stepped out, followed later by four men from the Fort. All right, Helen's voice was steady, I ,ll give you twenty minutes to get ready. The men were ready in ten minutes and they struck out on the trail of The Kill- er and Big jim. The Killer was gaining :East on Big Jim and as he entered a forest of fir trees, Helen and the men came from another for- est from which he had just come. He pro- ceeded with great caution. When he rounded a curve in the trail he was con- fronted by the two Indians, who immedi- ately opened fire. The Killer was hit, but he kept up, and killed the two Indians. Big jim then jumped on him. He had the advantage as The Killer was on his knees. The knife tore a large hole in The Kil1er's side but he did not give up. He called all his will power. Heaving Big jim from him he drew his revolver and shot Big jim through the head as he got to his feet. The Killer fell on his face in a swoon. Helen heard the shots just as she entered the forestg she ran ahead of the men. When she rounded the turn in the trail she saw the two Indians and Big jim lying almost side by sideg a little farther on was The Killerf, She rushed to him and saw that he was the men to hurry. turned him over. She alive and she called to When they arrived they loaded him onto a sled and took him to his cabin where Helen nursed him back to life. One day when Helen Post she found one of the young ladies from the Fort with jim and they were talk- ing in low tones, but when she entered they stopped and the young lady left without looking at Helen. That night Helen decided to know the truth. So after she read to jim a while she laid her book aside, turned to him and asked, jim, are you married? No, but I'm going to be. Then I can he of no more use to you here so I will go home.', What! go home? I couldnlt get mar- ried if you left! xr But n returned from the 'fHelen, there was a hungry look in Jim's eyes, didn't you tell me if I killed Big jim you would go anywhere with me? We will get married, go home and every year we will spend a month in my big woods. There were tears in Helen's eyes as she went to jim's outstretched arms. J. Percy Sample, '23.

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10 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT Three months went by and the woman was still at the Fort but she was being tor- mented by a man called Big jim, who was a big bully. He was always asking her to marry him but she did not want him. She was only staying at the Fort because she had become interested in The Killer, whom she had heard so much about, and, then again, she was hoping against hope that her dream might be realized. A week or so later she was down town and she heard the cry, 'The Killer' is coming! All the people rushed out to meet him except Big Jim. Helen decided to stay and see The Killer. As he neared she was struck with the familiarity of his iig- ure. As he came up through the street he greeted everyone with a cheery Howdy. Helen was standing in the crowd as The Killer approached. He was greeted by all the people. He doesn't look much like a killer as he stoops to pat his dog, thought Helen. When he looked up he looked straight into Helen's eyes. He jumped back with a strange cry and Helen rushed out to him and cried, ' jim MacDonald, what are you doing way up here? Jim was not stirred up a might after he got over his first surprise. Helen, he said, you drove me up here and I 've made a name for myself. Yes, a pretty name you 've made, Jim! You asked me once if I 'd marry you! Ask me again! Jim's eyes snapped with the remembrance of the time when he was refused. His reply was cold as steel. Helen, would you be willing to live the rest of your life here? I leave in two days for the woods againg if you want to come I'll take you! Jim! jim! Think what you are asking me. To leave my life behind, to go into the woods with you. Jim, I love you and I 'd do almost anything for you but oh, I can 'tl I can 't! You have two days in which to think it over. With that Jim turned and strode toward the fort. When Helen got over her surprise she called after Jim but he did not hear her. She then walked over to one of her woman friends and told her she felt sick and that she would like some water. After she had drunk the water she said, Dear old jim, of course I'll be ready, in two days, to go with you, but first I will find out what you are good for. With that she went to her her boarding house. Big Jim had been standing close by and he motioned to three half breeds who were lurking in the outskirts of the crowd. Did you see that? Well, she 'll never go to him as long as Big jim is alive. And, boys, I've a plan that I think will work out slick. You be ready at sunrise tomorrow with teams, and get the best dogs you can find in the settlement. He then went direct to Helen and told her that Jim had to leave immediately for one of the settler's cabins and he wanted her to let Big Jim conduct her to the cabin. Helen got ready at once and Big Jim led the way. The cabin that Jim led her to was situated on the very outskirts of the settlement. As Helen entered it she was seized by the three half breeds, whom Big Jim had told to come there, and bound. Now, my pretty hussy, we will see who you are going into the woods with, Jim or myself, and as he spoke Big Jim caught her and threw her into one of the bunks. He then turned to the half breeds, and said, Get the dogs and sled out front as quick as you can. The Indians departed to do their bidding. Big Jim then proceeded to get Helen ready for a long, cold ride, so he said, Ah, my dear, when your Jim learns of this, won't he feel fine? Meanwhile Jim had decided to go call on Helen and tell her that he was willing to leave the North for a while, but every year they would come back for a month or two. When he arrived at the house and learned

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I2 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT GRANDMA'S DIAMOND RINGS H KNOW Aunt Julia will think my things terribly old-fashioned, moth- er, said Louise Eccles, as she stood by the trunk which her mother was packing. Just look at these old shoes. When I remember the splendid clothes Reta brought here last summer I feel almost ashamed of my poor little outfit. Everything you have is well enough made and suited toyour age, my dear, said Mrs. Eccles. I do not approve of silks, satins and jewelry for young girls, they are better off without them. If you are to start on your trip with a heart full of vanity and envy, I think you had better give it up at once. Oh, I'd rather go with only the dress I have on than not go at all! exclaimed Louiseg but I can 't help liking nice things, mother, and I do wish you would let me take your watch. I would be very careful of it, and it would be such a com- fort to me. Mrs. Eccles hesitated. I would like to please you, she said, and though I think young girls of your age appear better with- out jewelry of any kind, I will let you take the watch if you will promise me not to ask to keep it after your return home. I would 110t want to wear it here on the farm, mother. I will return it to you the day I get back, cried Louise, delighted. She followed her mother downstairs to the large bedroom that opened off the kitchen. In one corner was a high, old- fashioned bureau, with brass knobs. Mrs. Eccles took down a key which hung on a nail just over the bureau and unlocked the top drawer. It was filled with keepsakes of every sort. At one end of the drawer was a small cedar box, which when opened, showed four compartments, lined with faded lavender satin, and containing a heavy gold watch, a link-chain and locket, three diamond rings, and a big brooch, in which was the picture of a handsome old lady with white hair. Louise had a great liking for finery of every kind, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at the jewelry. She took up the three rings and slipped them on two of the fingers of her left hand. I wonder if Grandma Sheldon wore these every day? she said, thinking how very becoming diamonds were to the hands. Very likely, answered Mrs. Eccles. to work the way I do. She never had Her husband was a rich man, and she had It would be absurd for plenty of servants. me to wear them, however. H They will be they, mother? Yes, I suppose sog but the day is a long way oif, my dear. Now, Louise, take the watch, and put back those rings, for I must go. I have too much to do to waste time here. With a deep sigh Louise drew the rings from her fingers, and put them back in the cedar box. I wish - she began but was interrupted by the opening of the door and the appearance of her father. Come here a minute, wife, he said. There is someone out here I want you to see. Mrs. Eccles closed the drawer, without stopping to lock it, went into the kitchen followed a few minutes later by Louise, who had stayed to look once more at Grandma Sheldon's jewelry, for it was not often she had a chance. The kitchen was a large room with four windows, through which the November sunshine streamed broadly, and by one of them, sitting on the edge of a chair, was a boy of apparently fourteen years of age, whose sunken cheeks, hollow eyes and ragged clothes told of hunger, want and neglect. Mr. Eccles found him under the hay in the barn. He told them he had left the city a week before and could not find work. They decided to keep him, he seemed like a nice boy. The boy's delight when he learned that he was to stay was very plain to be seen. mine some day, won t