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

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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 29 About nine o'clock he went out, saddled a fresh horse, and started for Canon City three miles away. He had been gone scarcely fifteen minutes when five men on horseback came out of the woods a little way up the trail. They moved carefully, yet in a few minutes they were gone, tak- ing with them all of Ranger's horses ex- cept one. This one was Ellen's pony and was kept in the barn. It was not long after this that Ellen re- turned. She said good-bye to her friends at the gate and walked on up to the house alone. As she entered the house she had an impression that something was wrong. She could see nothing, however, so she called it her fancy. As she stood in the open door she heard voices in the corrals. Slipping noiselessly to the fence, she peeped through. On the farther side were the fig- ures of three me11 stooping over a fourth. She said nothing but crouched close to the ground and watched. They picked the in- jured man up and carried him to their horses, which stood a few feet away. After mounting they turned out of the corral and took the trail for town. Ellen, thoroughly frightened, went back to the house. As she entered she became aware of somebody in the farther corner of the room. Something seemed to tell her she was in danger. At that moment a breath of wind from the open window blew out the light. Seizing her chance, Ellen rushed for the ladder that led to the loft. Her feet made no noise on the bare floor. She reached the top just in timeg as she rolled over the edge, a match was struck in the room below. A few minutes later someone else came in and began to talk in low tones with the first man. In a few words he told him that he and his followers had found nothing i11 the corrals or barn, also, that ,lack had fallen from the fence and hurt himself quite badly. The first man, whose name proved to be Pete, said there was nothing in the cabin that he could find. At last they decided they could do no more that night, so, blowing out the light, they went out and closed the door. Ellen came down, waited a few minutes to give them a start, then went out and saddled the one remaining pony. In half an hour she was with her father in Brown's saloon. She asked him to come outside, as she had something to tell him. In a few minutes she told him the story. Then they mounted and started for the hills. The moon was shining when they reached home but it was not light enough for them to see any tracks. They went inside, on the table was a slip of white paper, held in place by the butt of a gun. Ranger went quickly to the table. On the paper was written: Come to my oliice at ten to- morrow. Important. Don't bring any ' Mountain ' friends along with you. Sher- iff Turner. So that was it. They thought he was one of the rustlers or Mountain crowd and here they had taken his horses that very night. The next morning he arose early and fol- lowed the trail far up into the mountains until it became plain to him that the rustlers were taking his horses to their camp. Then he turned and rode back to town. He reached Sheriff Turner's office about 9.45. They had a long talk and Ranger proved that he knew nothing about it. He then told Turner where they were going. Turner immediately sent a gang of men to follow them. Two days later they returned bringing with them the whole outlaw band and a large number of stolen horses. Ranger's good name, which for a time had been doubted, was re-established and Ellen's fame went all over the country. Vivian Hammond, '25.

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28 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT About two weeks after he became office boy for Barnam and Son, a man came into the office and asked to see the boss . Jimmy knew he had seen that face some- where before. He isn't in yet, said the boy politely. Shut up, you young fool, growled the stranger. What are you doing in this office anyway, a kid like you, he sneered. Meaning I 'm a goat, I suppose, smiled back jimmy. After that the man refused to talk. Mr. Barnam, Senior, came in a few minutes and took the stranger into his private ofiice. jimmy, like other boys of his age, was curious. And besides, he didn't like this man's looks. He crept to the door of Barnam's private ofiice and listened. The men were already deep in conversation. I suppose you have great iniiuence over your fellow associates, said the oily voice of the stranger. I Hatter myself that I have some infiu- ence at least, answered Mr. Barnam. And you will invest in our mine out in Colorado, of course. You will also speak to some of your friends, went on the visitor. 4' Look here, Mr. Black, said Barnam, 'AI must look this mining claim over some before I invest. So his name is Black, said Jimmy under his breath. He certainly looks as though he could live up to his name. I 'm glad, Mr. Black, that Mr. Barnam has sense enough to look at the trap before he steps in it. I think that is all then, said Mr. Black, and Jimmy went back to his post without waiting to hear more. As the man passed out it flashed on Jimmy's mind that this was the man he had seen read the sign about three weeks ago. A week later Mr. Bob started west. He sent Jimmy several pictures and post cards describing his journey. It was apparent that he was mixing pleasure with business. He was away a month. Meanwhile jimmy had not been idle. He was finding out things for himself. When Mr. Black came to find out whether Barnam was going to help finance his scheme or not, he brought a friend with him. To his great surprise and dismay he found himself seized upon by officers of the law and placed under arrest. What does this mean? demanded Mr. Black, putting up a bold front. It means, said the chief of police, that you are arrested for wilful swindfe. We have had our eyes on you for some time, and thanks to this boy, he turned to Jimmy, we have caught you red-handed, also your partner. With that the captives were taken away and punished to the extent of the law. The Real Estate Company could not do enough for Jimmy. They sent him to school and when he reached the age of twenty-one, gave him a partnership in the firm. james Andrews, jr., partner of the Barnam and Son Real Estate firm, hardly recognizes himself as the ragged little boot- black of nine years ago. He that sows shall reap. Lulu Ill. Huff, '25, COLORADO PLUCK HE sun had just set behind the hills leaving the little valley in darkness, as a man, Tom Ranger by name, rode up the well-worn trail to the lonely cabin, which he called home. He was roughly dressed in an old buckskin suit that had evidently seen much hard service. After putting up his horse he went in. Standing his gun in a corner he set about getting supper. Tom Ranger had lived in those hills for a good many years. His wife was dead, but he had a daughter, Ellen, about fifteen years of age. She had been staying with a neighbor for a week but he expected her back either that night or the next day.

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30 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT O ooo School nl 'I . , AH D 6 .-Vi? ul ul-ul N the early part of the year an orchestra was formed which has met with much success and has been well spoken of at its public appearances, tl1e first of these being at the senior drama and dance, December 8. The purchase of a piano by the High school has given them greater opportunity for re- hearsals as well as being greatly appreci- ated by the school. The members of the orchestra are: Harold Spear Violin Arthur McCle:1ry Violin Eddie Goodwin Cornet Dana Peary Cornet George Fletcher Saxophone Maurice Peary Trombone Lena Gould Piano Randall Vining Base Drum Hugh Allen Traps ON November 24, 1922, the senior class of the Strong High School were royally entertained by the Kingneld seniors at a social and dance at the Kingtield High School. Each of the seniors and some of the juniors took one or two members of il-Q? . u ' ng lk l.lFll.4-'U - lv qs the visiting class to their homes for the night. Before train time the next forenoon the different places of interest around town were visited. On February 23, the night of the junior play, the Kingfield seniors were entertained by Strong. The following day, Saturday, they were taken to West Freeman where an oyster dinner and general good time were enjoyed. TIIE drama, Professor Pepp, was suc- cessfully presented by the senior class at the Strong Grange Hall, December 8, 1922. Music for the drama and the dance which followed was furnished by the school or- chestra. An enthusiastic audience greeted both players and musicians. The cast: Professor Pepp, a nervous wreck J. Percy Sample Mr. C. B. Buttonbuster, a giddy butterfly of 48 Eugene Huff Howard Greene, who changed his name Eddie Goodwin Sim Batty, town constable Glendon Brackley