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

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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

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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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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 13 The tears rose to his eyes as he thanked the kind farmer. He was given something to eat and then the farmer showed him to a room that had been occupied for several years by a nephew who had recently died. There jerry was treated to a warm bath and given a suit of clothes which had once belonged to Bob who was the nephew. t' He don't look like the same boy, said Mrs. Eccles to Louise. You won't know him when you get back from your aunt's he'll be so fat and healthy. Louise started early the next morning, kissed her mother good-bye and drove away by her father's side, well wrapped up in shawls and buffalo robes, for the weather was very cold and the ride was a long one. Louise looked out of the car window and watched her father as he crossed the rail- way track to where his wagon stood wait- ing. He's just the best father! she thought. I know he does not like the idea of my going away, but he would not say a word against it, because he knows how dis- appointed I would be. As if I would ever get too hue to help mother! But I do wish I had some handsome clothes. Reta will think my best dress hardly good enough for every day. But she can 't laugh at niy jewelry -- that 's handsome enough, any- way, and it 's all the more handsome for being old. She opened a little bag she carried and looked in, a satisfied smile on her face. The six weeks passed quickly for Louise to whom the city was a great novelty. It was nearly Christmas when Louise saw her home again and had never before realized how dear it was to her. VVhen she inquired for jerry her mother told her that he was not there any more. VVe sent him away. VVhy, what did he do? asked Louise. HI hardly like to tell you--I know it will be such a shock to youf' said Mrs. Eccles. I was fixing the top drawer of the bureau and discovered that the three diamond rings were gone! Louise sank into the first chair she came to, her face pale and horror-stricken. You-you-thought jerry- she gasped. There was no room for doubt, my dear. I will never see my diamonds again- Yes, yes-you will! cried Louise. W'ill you ever forgive me? And it was all my vanity-my wretched vanity! I' Louise, what do you mean ? cried Mrs. Eccles. That I took the rings, mother! Oh, mother, don't look like that! I did not mean to do wrong-I didn't indeed. Louise wept bitter tears that night. Her vanity had cost poor Jerry dear. It was a hard task to tell her story over again to her father. They tried to find Jerry but the winter passed and spring came with no sign of him. But one rainy, cold night Mr. Eccles and his wife were sitting by the tire, when a low tap sounded on the door and into the room, wet, ragged, stepped jerry. I came back, he said, 'I for I thought per- haps you had found those diamond rings. Of course Jerry's dark days of poverty were over. But Louise never forgot the lesson she had learned, and never again felt any desire to wear Grandma Sheldon's diamond rings. Hilda Jolzusou, '25. SAND T was a hot, sultry evening in the month of August, the sun had long ago gone to rest behind the horizon. Far away the distant rumble of thunder could be heard, and in the sky above lightning darted hither and thither in an alarming manner. Upon this dark, wild night Harvey Clark alone to l1is troubled thoughts, rode his cowpony around and around the restless herd of Texas long horns. He was troubled not so much by the storm or the uneasiness of the cattle, but by a dull, heart-rending pain. This night his longed for bride, Polly Anderson, had gone across the prairie to pay a farewell call to a friend,