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

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THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT 15 1 will, said Kenneth shaking hands with the president. 'A And will be on the job Monday morning. Today, two years later, Kenneth Taylor is manager of the big company' and is one of the most popular men in his district. Stanley Allen, '25. THE REVENGE HE ringmaster's whip cracked through the air once, twice, and the white horses pranced majestically into the ring, each one bearing its dainty rider. It was the first opening of the season and all performers were doing their best after the mid-winter vacation. Some were rather stiff, especially those who had been in the circus only a few months. Jack, the clown, danced rather ungrace- fully into the ring, then the bell rang. Each horse rising on l1is back feet, then dancing to the tune which jack was whistling, went out of the ring. All ready for second part, cried the assistant manager through his megaphone. All set. he yelled to some of the extras who were lounging around in some chairs. Gee! exclaimed Sally to one of her friends as she watched the lions marching slowly into the ring while a young girl followed with a whip. That girl El1en's got some grit. I'll say she don't know when she's lucky, leaving a good home and lots of money. But, of course, I suppose, her father was kinda cross to her. Cross ! exclaimed Betty. 'A My good- ness, I reckon he ain't so cross as old Mc- Pherson here, indicating the manager. The girl who had been spoken of as Ellen was greatly enjoying life. She loved the animals, especially the lions, whose care had been given to her. She thrilled at see- ing them cower, as she would snap the whip, or watching them doing stunts, as she swung upon the trapeze above their heads. Ellen Marshall had left home be- cause of a quarrel with her father. She wanted to have adventures which she read about. Ellen hated to leave her mother but the world and its ways called to her more than luxuries. Now, as she walked behind the lions, a sharp pain of regret seized her-if her father could only see her now. Good work, said McPherson to Ellen as the act was finished. Hut, he added rather grimly, always be sure the lions think that you can handle them, or, perhaps, some day tl1ey 'll not be under control. just a week from today and we start on our contract. 4- 41 ik lk uf Meanwhile, in New York City Ellen's father, john Marshall, was busy with large contracts. In his spare moments, only, did he think of his daughter. Well, anyway, he thought grimly, I'll get my revenge some day. I'll show her that she can stay at home and be my daughter or go with a show and be disownedf' But Ellen's mother was miserable be- cause of the absence of her daughter. She had only a vague idea of what Ellen was doing, traveling in some circus. There was to be a large circus due in their vicin- ity within several weeks. If only- if only Ellen would be in that one and she could bring her home. At last the great day arrived, when New York's people expected to see the largest circus in the country. The day was hot and sultry. and john Marshall could not settle down to work, so he went home. Several business callers had aske-l him if he was going to the circus. As he went hon1e he decided to take his wife and go to the circus. :of -if if lk ik It was a busy day for the circus people. After the parade in the morning, everyone prepared for the afternoon. At last the afternoon came with all its glories and thrills. The main tent was packed. When it was time for Ellen to enter with the lions, her heart beat fast. But she bore

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14 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT passing out free to do as he pleases once more. As one looks closely and watches this man as he passes through the gates one can not believe that this is the same young man who entered the prison ten years be- fore. Today this man is older, his shoul- ders are rounding and stooping and in his face can be seen the suffering that he has been through. His eyes show no light of happiness that had once been there and on his hands are the signs caused by the hard work in the prison. As the gates of the prison close behind him he turns and views what has been his home for the last ten years and begins to think. Could he call this his home for the last ten years? Yes, it has been his home but still it was not a home. It was a place of hard labor and punishment. It made you a marked man for the rest of your life. It gave you a record but such a record as would injure you more than help you. In fact, it de- stroys all chances of success for you. You had no friends who would trust you and help you get started. It left you without money and with a hard life ahead. It fact, it makes you a lone man among thousands and thousands of honest people. It gives you the name of an ex-convict, a name that follows you to the end of your days and with it ten years of life that you will never forget. As Kenneth turned from looking at the prison there was but one light in his eyes, hate and revenge for the wrong that had as he was walking been done him. just away from the prison an oliicer came run- ning up and told him that he was wanted at the Courthouse and that he would take him there. On entering the Court room whom did Kenneth see sitting, handcuffed, before the judges' desk but his old friend Harold Phillips. Kenneth soon learned that Harold had been caught and found guilty of enter- ing with intentions to steal and of an at- tempt to murder a watchman, in the build- ing where he once worked. The watch- man had been found in the building with two bullet holes in his side when Harold was caught. When the judge pronounced sentence Harold was given twenty years of hard labor in the Federal prison. Fifteen years was for the attempt at murder and the other five was for deceiving the Court and giving false information ten years before that had sent an innocent man to prison. When Harold heard his sentence read he turned to Kenneth and said, Oh, Kenneth, can't you save me? You know that I was your best friend before you went to prisonf' Yes, I knowf' said Kenneth, and what did my best friend do but send me to prison? You forgot to mention that and now when you are in trouble you expect the man you sent to prison to help you out, but you are mistaken. I will not raise my little finger to help you out. I told you ten years ago in this same Court room that you would suffer as I was going to suffer and now the day has come. Be a man and take what you deserve, that is what I had to do. After Harold had been taken from the Court room Kenneth learned that a diary had been found in Harold's room and in it was a page written about how Harold had placed the money in Kenneth's room when he was out and that he had had him arrested by bringing the ofhcers to his room and showing them where the money was and making them believe that Kenneth had taken it. As Kenneth turned to leave the Court room he felt a light tap on his shoulder and on turning whom did he see but the president of the company where he had once worked. I am sorry that I made a mistake in believing that you took the money, said the president, and now I want to shake hands with you and tell you that I have a position for you at my office with a salary of fifty dollars a week to commence with. Will you forget the wrong that I have done by mistake and take the job ?',

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16 THE MUSSUL UNSQUIT her head proudly and walked in. A great applause greeted her. She snapped the whip, then the intense moments came. She swung upon the trapeze, the lions doing their part. Ellen could feel the great ropes stretch as elastic, her face grew wliite as marble. If they should break she could save herself, but the lions would not under- stand, they would become unmanagable. She saw the second one look at her, then noticed the wild look which came into his eyes. The crowd was cheering, calling, and laughing. Then the fatal moment--the rope broke, she felt dizzy, the next she felt those outstretched claws tearing at her. The lions were fierce. Now the tent was filled with terror. Children and women screamed. She heard someone call her name hoarsely, opening her eyes she looked into the face of her father. I-I couldn't manage them, daddy, she gasped faintly. Oh, God, moaned her father as he held the dying figure close, is this my re- venge? Clisrisfy Vining, '27. A BAFFLED INQUIRER MONG the hills of New Hampshire there is a village called Southtown. It is not very large, having only about four hundred inhabitants. There are two stores and a church. The school building is on a hill overlooking the rest of the town. There is only one lodging house and that is very small and cheap. The people of the town are very proud of the fact that they have a railroad. True there is only one train each day which combines a passenger and a freight, but they think it is wonderful, nevertheless. No one ever visits Southtown unless it is absolutely necessary and then they never stay any longer than they have to. There is nothing to do, nothing to go to, and the people are so inquisitive that strangers have no peace from the time they come until they leave. One day there was unusual excitement. A strange young man had arrived on the train. He was a very common looking fel- low. He was dressed in a blue suit, much the worse for wear. His straw hat was rather battered. As he descended to the platform the townspeople, who were at the station, were very curious to know who he was. He set down his suitcase, yanked a faded blue handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wiped the sweat from his face, which was many times too red to be beautiful. He turned his pale blue eyes on the staring crowd and then inquired of the station master where he could find a hotel. The man pointed across the street to the dingy boarding house. The young man thanked him and made his way through the crowd to the building. Several days passed. No one knew any more about him than that his name was john Smith. He did not seem to have any business. Several people had tried to find out but he evaded all their attempts to pry into his affairs. At last the sheriff, a man long noted for his cleverness, decided that it was his duty to find out something about him. So that evening, as the men were gathered in the general store, he began, Ever in Southtown before? in No.0 Going farther, I expect? No answer. How much longer will you be here with us? Two weeks. Excuse my curiosity, but may I ask what kind of business you represent? There was a long pause. The listeners thought he was not going to answer. Then- You are the sheriff you said? in- quired the stranger. H Yes!!