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

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26 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT given him. With his head bowed down and his eyes cast upon the ground, he moved along, like the very picture of gloom. Townsend glanced quizzically at him. Why so glum, ' Sun'? he asked, at last. Don't you know that this is the day of the big field meet here at Blair, and that you 're supposed to win the quarter-mile race before the admiring gaze of the assembled ' mulchitood ' ? Rae smiled, half-heartedly, but said nothing. Townsend stood it as long as he could, and then ventured to put his hand upon his room-mate's shoulder. There 's something wrong, Rae, and you might as well tell me about it, if I can do any- thing -! No, there 's nothing you can do, and perhaps there is really nothing wrong, either: maybe I'm just borrowing trouble. It 's the race that 's worrying me! HIS that all! exclaimed Jack, with a sigh of relief. Why, that 's as good as won: no one else has a show in the quarter unless it is Boxford -, of all the fellows who have big handicaps, there isn't a run- ner in the lot! That is just the trouble 5 to make a good showing on the trackg Coach Whiting has entered every fellow in school who makes a pretense of running, and has given them all big handicaps. As soon as the pistol cracks, they will string out all over the track, and if either Boxford or I want to win, we will have to force a way through, and someone will be hurt. I won't take a chance on injuring some of those younger chaps. Townsend whistled. No, you won't- but Boxford will and then good-bye race! Well, it 's only a school match--what do you care whether you win or lose? Sun smiled. It just happens that john Merrit, the biggest contractor in town, has offered me a position this summer if I win today. He used to be a great runner in his time, and he has the idea that men wlio are successful in athletics at school have the grit and brains that he needs in his business. If I want the job, I 've got to win ! Whew! you are in a boat! responded Jack sympathetically. But cheer up, per- haps some of the youngsters will withdraw and you 'll have a fair race with Boxford after all. I hope so! replied Sun fervently. There 's no use of worrying, anyway, I 'll just have to go in and do the best I can. I 'll do nothing to be ashamed of - whether Merrit hires me or not. If Sun Rae had any hope that some of the younger boys entered in the quarter- mile race against him would withdraw, he was doomed to disappointment, for when he and Boxford lined up at the start - both being on scratch -it was to see fully twenty other contestants ahead of them, each upon the mark that his handicap had given him. Instantly Rae made his resolve, instead of swinging at once into the inside track, he would cut to the outside of the track, for by so doing, he would be able to advance around the struggling runners in- stead of having to force his way through them. Such a course would add many yards to the distance which he had to go, and as it was plain from Boxford's attitude that he intended to stick to the pole, what- ever happened, Sun was giving him just that much advantage. Get ready! Get the starter, and Rae and Boxford flashed off upon the race which was to result in either winning or losing Sun's coveted position. The first of the handicapped men was soon caught and passed, Boxford shoving him roughly out of the way with his elbow, while Rae went by on the outer side. So with the second and third, yet in spite of the extra distance that Sun was traveling, he held even with his opponent. During the race Boxford pushed a small- er boy against Rae with such force that it knocked him overg the result was that Boxford got in first. Rae got the prize for victory because Boxford fouled in knocking the boy over. set! Go! snapped

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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 25 ceived news that other ranchmen had lost cattle and horses. Some men from each ranch were sent out in quest of the cattle. They followed the freshest tracks, which led them to a place in the mountainsg after that the tracks were obliterated by a recent rain. They thought they would investigate and be pre- pared to follow them another time. After they had gone through the pass they found a corral, therefore they proceeded very carefully and quietly. At the farther end of the corral were two or three cattle. They looked exhausted and the brand on their sides were obliterated by more recent branding. The men thought they were some of their cattle all right so a guard was set back at the pass and three men went forward to find the shelter of the men. They found it beyond the Corral. There were two horses tethered in front of the cabin, which denoted that there were at least two men at home, the others probably had driven the cattle on before they were discovered. Peter's men wondered which way they would return. They attacked the cabin and t'covered the two men, who were very busily playing cards at a table in the room. In the farther corner were some bunks indicating that this was also their sleeping quarters. The men, taken by surprise, easily surrendered themselves into the hands of their captors. They were both Mexicans and they would tell nothing to Peter's men. The Mexicans' hands were secured behind them, they were told to mount their horses. The captives' horses were tied together and led by one man while the others followed. When they reached the pass they were warned that someone was coming. Con-- cealing themselves hurriedly and as well as they could, they hadn't long to wait, for soon horses appeared through the pass. They were instantly surrounded and cap- tured. The man who was evidently their leader, was jim Twain, a Mexican like the rest of his gang. They had some very good horses and their saddles and bridlcs were the best and most beautiful of Mexi- can styles. They evidently had been steal- ing cattle for some time, and were getting rich out of it. The ranchmen after disarm- ing them set a guard about them and started on their way toward home. Several of the Mexicans tried to break and get away but they were pursued and recap- tured, while one fellow was killed in the attempt to get away. He was bound to his saddle and his horse led on. They reached Peter's ranch and Peter looked over the prisoners and sent a messenger to tell the other ranch owners. Within an hour the men from all around the neighborhood were there, all throwing jests and oaths at the captives, making them miserable. After they had tortured the leader to the utmost he told them that the cattle were sold, he handed over the money and pleaded to be saved. But the ranchmen were heart- less to these Mexican brutes. They took them to the cottonwoods not far away and prepared to carry out the rule of the plains, A man who is low enough to steal horses or cattle shall be hanged! i' One after another the men were strung up to die, leaving the leader, jim Twain, until the last. What a terrible thing it was to him to see all of his men and companions hanged like dogs before his eyes and to know that his turn was to come. His turn at last did come and he was strung up with- out mercy. When he was still the ranch- men turned away from the terrible sight. But in their hearts they were glad that they should never be bothered by these men again. Ha-srl J. K crshuvr, '23, 'rl-IE LOSER OF THE QUARTER-MILE S a general thing, Sun Rae lived up to his nickname, but today, as he walked with his chum and room-mate, Jack Townsend, toward the athletic field, one almost wondered why such a title had been

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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 27 Mr. Merrit presented a silver loving cup to be given to the winner or loser who up- held fairness. Coach Whiting gave this cup to Rae. Rae was so overcome with joy that he did not know what to say. He was rescued by Mr. Merrit coming in and saying, Rae, I promised you a certain position if you won today, did I not? Yes, sir! gulped Sun U. But, went on the contractor, K' I 've got a better job for you, where something be- sides 'rough work ' will count. Come in to see about it on, say, June the fifteenth. I'1l be there, sir, smiled the loser of the quarter-mile happily. Joseph Foster, '26. UP FROM THE GUTTER HINE, sir, asked a polite little boot- black as a man passed him, presum- ably on his way to his downtown office. The speaker, a handsome, dark-eyed boy of twelve, whom fate had dropped in the poor section of the city, looked after the retreat- ing figure. Say! he said aloud, A' that fellow is in a mighty big hurry for some reason. Wish to goodness, he continued, t' that somebody had got up late so not to have had time to black their shoes. If things go this way I see where I get a back door hand out for supper. Might as well move, he added as he gathered up his polish and brushes. He passed down the street quite uncon- scious of his surroundings. Suddenly he saw the man whom he had accosted a few minutes before stop and look up at a sign over the door he was passing. The boy also looked up and read the familiar sign, Barnam and Son, Dealers in Real Estate. The younger Mr. Barnam had taken a fancy to jimmy Andrews and often stopped to speak to him or give him a ride in his car, so of course jimmy liked him very much. just then somebody wanted a quick shine and Jimmy was obliged to stop dream- ing and get down to business. It was in the latter part of the afternoon before jimmy had time to think of his friend again. Guess I'll go down to the office now and see if Mr. Bob hasn't some errands I can do, said Jimmy to himself, and away he went. There were no errands to be done but as Mr. Bob was going out to the golf grounds he invited Jimmy to go with him. 'K Well, kid, how is business today? he asked as soon as they were on their way. Not very lively. None at all till half past nine. Think I'll try selling papers. Tliere's more money in that. How would you like to be an office boy? asked Barnam. Great l was the enthusiastic reply. But thenf, he added sadly, what's the use of wishing? Nothing like that will ever happen to me. I'll be a bootblack, newsboy, or something similar till I 'm big enough to do a man's work, then I'll End a job in a mill or something. VVhy not? questioned Barnam. I am needing an oliice boy right now and if you think you 'd like the job I'll hire you. jimmy was too astonished to speak. The ground seemed to have fallen away from his feet and left him sailing around among the clouds. Well, asked Mr. Bob after a long silence, are you going to take the job? Take it! You bet I'll take it! And thank you, Mr. Bob, he added as an after thought. It 's mighty good of you. No, not at all. I had to have an oliice boy and you are the first boy I've seen that I thought would fill the bill. jimmy swelled with pride. He was smart enough to catch a compliment. The next Monday morning he was intro- duced to his new duties. It seemed rather quiet after being out on the streets and perhaps having a fight or two a day. Jimmy had no intention of going back, however. He was now earning a dollar a day and when he was blacking boots for a livelihood he seldom made over sixty cents.