Vanceboro High School - Tattler Yearbook (Vanceboro, ME)

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10 THE VANCEBORO TATTLER ,V The Colonel did not reply to that, but they started for the track. When they arrived there, they found Thun- der walking around to limber up. The betting odds favored Humdinger, a famous Kentucky horse. Then all the horses were called to the barrier. All of them were champ- ing at the bit and stepping around very gingerly, as if afraid of soiling their dainty little hoofs. All at once there was a terrific yell from the crowds, They're oif! , and the horses went tearing down the stretch of track. The jockeys leaned low, crouching at the arch of the mount's neck. Thunder swung into third place, his powerful legs pumping, his deep chest heaving. Gradually he began to lead the iield, all except Humdinger who kept at his heels. As they rounded the last turn, he crept up on Thunder. The mob cheered wildly: the stands roared with the sound of thousands of voices. On the home stretch, the horses were running neck and neck. Both were doing their best, but neither seemed to be able to gain. Just then, Humdinger's jockey, in despera- tion, began to use the whip. The horse, who had been doing his mightiest, began to falter-just for the fraction of a second. Thunder shot ahead. Under the wire he went, winner by a length. The crowd went frantic with joy, the Colonel most frantic of all. He rushed down and kissed Thun- der on the nose. The horse showed his delight by pricking up his ears, and making a playful nibble at her master's hand. The Governor placed the huge floral wreath around the beaming jockey and the trembling horse. Jim and Marguerite led Thunder in triumph to the stables for his rub-down. That night at the Colonel's home, they had a dinner for a few friends. Jim and Marguerite formally an- nounced their engagement, and were warmly congratulated. Jim went back to college, and after graduation he got the job as chief engineer, and he and Marguerite were married. As to the financial boost of which Jim had spoken, both the Mayor and the Colonel at- tended to that. . -DoN VERNON, '28. A STORM AT SEA It was a fine summer day. A num- ber of people were on the deck of the liner, some walking around, some sitting in chairs, and others gazing lazily over the great ocean. Among the passengers were Frances Conley and Eugene Campbell, a very beau- tiful girl of twelve and a boy of fourteen. They were talking and laughing together unaware of any- one. All were waiting for the dinner bell: soon it rang and they all drifted toward the dining-room. They were all seated around the tables enjoying their dinner when they became aware that the day had darkened suddenly and that the ves- sel was beginning to rock. An ofiicer told the excited crowd that a storm was coming, 'but that there was no -13-

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THE VANCEBORO TATTLER 9 done the impossible in clipping that second off the record? Thunder, his only worldly pride besides the Colonel's son, had at last realized J im's greatest ambition. Jimmy now hoped that the horse could keep going at top speed all season in order to save the Colonel from utter ruin. Every cent the Colonel could raise he had bet on the outcome of the big race next week. Already he was heavily in debt, as he had placed a large mortgage on his home and his stables. He owed his jockeys many months' back payg but they worked because he boarded them, and because they were loyal to him. Now they were planning a big surprise. Every cent they owned they pooled togetherg every discarded article was con- tributed to be sold to help out the fund. When everything was turned in, Jolly Jimmy counted it and found: 5369.56 in cash, a pair of riding boots, two quirts, a pair of spurs, thirteen razors, seven sets of dice, two old watches, and one old suit that had become too small for its owner. After selling evewtbinfr, they had exactly S401.89. All of this was placed on Thunder to win at odds of 16 to 1, which would give them just about S6,430. Finally, after several days of strenuous workouts for Thunder, the day of the race rolled around. It was a perfect day for racing: the sun was high and there was a cool breeze blow- ing. The track was thoroughly dry and well packed. l The Colonel sat calmly in his box smoking a cigar. That is, he was outwardly calm, but his mind was excitedly running over the events of the past few years. Since the death of his wife, the Colonel had gradually slipped until now everything de- pended on this one race. If Thunder won, he intended to pay off the mort- gage and start over again. If he lost, he must sell out. His son, James, was away at col- lege, but his father expected him home today to see the race. James was engaged to Marguerite O'Donnel, daughter of the mayor of Knoxville, where the Hawthornes lived. The Colonel had met her at the station, waiting for Jim. They had conversed on several different subjects, but they always seemed to drift back to talk- ing about the race. When the train came in, a tall, well- built, athletic looking young man, dressed in the latest approved college style, stepped off. When he saw his father, he rushed over and the two shook hands affectionately. Then, see- ing Marguerite, he caught her up, whirled her around, and kissed her. Gee, Dad, it's great to be home again, was the way in which Jim erpressed his delight. Then, How's Thunder? I've been thinking about the race all the way down. I hope we win because I graduate in June, Dad, and Marguerite and I were planning to be married as soon as I land that enfrineerinfr job. So you've got a job in view? smiled the Colonel. Yes, his son went on. You know that tunnel thev're drilling at May- iiower Ridge. The prof. in Engineer- ing gave me a fine recommendation when I applied for the job. Of course, we'll need a little boost financially to get started.

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THE vANcsBoRo TATTLER 11 dangerg so they went back to their respective places. Suddenly water began to pour in over the deck and through the cabin doors. The passengers again rushed on deck, and this time they could not be driven back. Sailors began lower- ing the life-boats and putting the people into them. Mr. and Mrs. Conley and the Campbells were half thrown into one of these. They cried for their children, but the sailors told them they would be put into the next boat. They had to be satisfied with this answer, as they were some dis- tance from the fast sinking steamer. About half an hour later the pas- sengers of the wrecked vessel were safely on board another, which, as luck would have it, had come along just in time. But when a check of the passenger-list was made, it was discovered that Frances and Eugene were not there. Their parents, believ- ing them dead, went broken-hearted hack to their homes in New York. Meanwhile the boy and girl were safe on an island. During the storm, they had put on life-belts, had jumped overboard, and by clinging' to some drifting wreckage they had reached the island. The next morning they had been found by a hermit who lived there. They lived on the island with the hermit for seven years, as boats sel- dom came there and none could be hailed. Then one day Eugene came running up to the hut waving his hands above his head and shouting, A ship! In answer to their frantic signals, a small boat was sent to shore. After the boy and girl had bidden the hermit a regretful good- bye and had promised to come back some day, they started for home to iind the parents who believed them lost at sea. We can imagine the surprise and joy of their parents when they saw the children whom they had never dreamed of seeing again. Not very long after, Frances and Eugene were marriedg and as the ocean did not frighten them in the least, they decided to go abroad. You may be sure that on their way back they went to pay a visit to the hermit. -CLOTHILDE MACLAUGHLIN, '28, .1-11. HIGH SCHOOL DAYS Oh, 'tis sweet to have reflections Of the days that have gone by, Of those fond old recollections That are dear to you and I. And prominent in our memories Of that fondly treasured maze, Will be what we now encounter In these good old high school days. There'll be friendships, long forgotten, There'll be loves-sweet tales--untoldg There'll be fears that We'll be caught in Many a test we're called to hold. An-d we'll smile, as we remember ' How our teeth together pound As we come to class some morning, When a quiz is passed around. And our teachers-they're impressing On us notions as we go, And We'll not be slow in guessing Which are good, and which are show. And of some we'll all grow fonder As along life's stream we row, While of some, we'll always ponder How they got that way, you know. . There are many things before usg Memories constantly amass. We'll encounter much, of wonder, As along the way we pass. Yet, betimes, in our reflections, ' From that fondly treasured maze Will come vivid recollections Of these good old high school days. -Percy E. Jackman, '08,