Westbrook High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Westbrook, ME)

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20 Instantly Henry was on his guard. I think so,', he said. It must be important, she hinted, as she left the room. Henry left the kitchen and sallied out into the back yard where two men were at work. I'l1 soon have this done,', he heard one of them say. Henry started. The words had been said in English. 'KHowdy, greeted the man to Henry. We are going to work for Mr. Gratten. He's my father, said Henry, but he's gone away for a while. b The man looked at Henry and then went on working. Then Henry heard him remark, It's a tiresome conflict. Henry started-it was the very words his father often quoted, and following his father's example Henry said, But right will triumph. The man turned quickly and gave Henry a sharp glance, then went on working. Henry waited and soon the man crossed the yard and passed Henry, pressing something into his hand and whispering, Tomorrow at ten. Then the man continued his work as though nothing had happened. Henry went to his room and examined the any cubes. Only on one side of it was there writing and this bore a figure G, Henry was 4465! puzzled. VVhat connection did this figure have with his father? He examined the cube more closely and-what was that? A tiny key- hole in one corner. But where was the key? Suddenly it dawned upon him. His father left a bunch of keys for Henry to keep and Henry had secreted these in his bureau drawer. Quickly opening the drawer he drew out a bunch of keys. One of these keys bore the small figure UG. Inserting this key into the small hole Henry opened the cube and there neatly folded up lay a piece of paper. On this paper the words were written, Come to Papenburg tomorrow, 21 Branden Street. Report as a Workman. Oh! this was ua message for his father but Henry must carry it out. I've got to do it, thought Henry, but how? How can I leave this place without arousing suspicion P He slipped the cube and paper into his pocket and finally decided to try his level best. Next morning Henry made a slight pretext of The Blue fr VVhite going to see a friend at Papenburg, which was about three miles away. Starting about eight Henry arrived in Papenburg at twenty minutes of ten. He had been here a few times before so he had no trouble in finding 21 Branden Street. There was a building here under construction. Henry stood on the sidewalk contemplating what he should do next when, It's a tiresome confiict rang in his ears. Turning quickly he saw a boy about his own age standing close to his elbow. Again this was repeated, It's a tiresome conflict, and Henry answered mechanically, But right will triumph. There is danger ahead, whispered the boy, they are watching the place. Don't go near. Buy your bread across the street and eat it alone. With these words the boy was gone. Henry crossed the street and went into the baker's shop. It was a small store which had few provisions. Henry asked the baker for a loaf of bread. Have you a ticket F the baker asked. UNO-79 Well, then, I can not sell you the bread. Donft you know- He stopped short and glanced up to the store window and Henry turned just in time to see the boy who had warned him disap- pear. VVell, I guess you can have a loaf, but you had better eat it alone, said the baker. Henry took the bread, placed it in his knapsack, and left the store. Then he left the city and went to a secluded spot in the country to eat his lunch. He broke the loaf of bread apart to eat it, but it remained attached by a piece of paper which had been baked in the bread. Henry dug the paper out and read it. Three American prisoners have escaped from a prison camp and will be at Rogers' in Papenburg to- morrow night. Convey them to the border. They are needed by the American government. Henry burned the paper and started homeward. How could he, a boy of sixteen, do this perilous task set before him? But even now the words of his father came back to him, Do your duty. I'll do it, he muttered, even if Ilm caught. When he reached home he conceived a plan which he thought would work and went to bed pleased with the day's work.

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VVestbrook High School of the knife with evident relish, then lifted it and sighted along its keen length. The Marshall felt a shiver scamper along his spine as he saw the sharp blade pointing in his direction. He Ames that as if it were a gun, he thought. Wal, said the Smith, how do you know that I bought that there land? Maybe 'twas the Miller or the Taylor. Of course it was you, retorted the Marshall, I've got the records of the sale. Give me the money so I can get started for home. I have a long walk before me and it's nearly Sundown now. Yes, yes, of course, assented the Smith. Pretty lonely walk, too. Long stretch of woods to go thrufl He lowered his voice. You want to watch out for the wild Hawkes when you go thru them woods, he said. Wild Hawkes! exclaimed the Marshall, leaning forward in his interest. Why, what do you mean P The Smith glanced around cautiously. It isn't generally known, he said, but it's the truth that there's a flock of wild Hawkes in them woods. They've got gigantic wings, and great strong beaks. They swoop down, as black as night, on their victims and carry them off to the hills. They watch out especially for strangers. You'd better be careful. C-can't I do anything to protect myself ? asked the Marshall. Well, there's hay, of course. Hay! Yes, hay! There's Hayes of all kinds. Good hay, bad hay, dry hay, and wet hay. Wet hay is the best. Them Hawkes are scairt to death of wet hay. You get a lot of good wet hay and put it all over you-around your shoulders, in your pockets and everywhere, and I think you'll get by safe. The Marshall stood up. Be ye going now ? asked the Smith. Y-yes, I guess I'd better. Never mind the payment now. I'll send some one after it next week. Well, now, that's real Sweet of you. Better have a drink of that Moxcey before you go, in- vited the Smith hospitably, pointing to an old rusty harness which hung on the wall nearby. I9 This was the last Straw. Convinced that the great dark man who sat humped over the Emery wheel, his eyes agleam, his powerful hands sharp- ening and re-sharpening the long shining knife, was completely insane, the Marshall took to his heels and fied. As he disappeared the Smith tossed aside the knife and picking up some horseshoes, placed them on the forge. That's one way to get rid of bill collectors, he chuckled in amusement. ERNESTINE HANNA, '25, DOING HIS DUTY I cannot remain. I must go. They suspect me, but you, a boy of sixteen, will never arouse suspicion or cause the authorities any trouble. Will you come back soon, Father ? I do not know. Probably I shall be gone for a lo-ng time. The authorities and detectives will watch my every act, and to return would mean failure. Be brave and steadfast and do not fail to do your duty. Henry watched his father from the window till he disappeared around the corner of the street. Then he leaned against the wall and meditated on the duties and tasks thrust upon him by his father. I must do this, he thought, even tho discovery means death. Henry could ask no help from anyone, but must depend upon himself. He should have liked to have had someone to advise him, but no, he must work alone. Henry Gratton and his father were living in Germany at the opening of the war. Mr. Gratton was connected with American interests in Ger- many at this time and necessity demanded that he should be present there to protect them. For a while things had been calm enough but of late the elder Gratton had aroused suspicion and the government had put detectives and Secret Service men on his track, and so he had thought it wise to leave the village for a time and go elsewhere. This state of affairs had left Henry to continue his work. After thinking over this situation Henry wan- dered down to the kitchen where Bertha, the housekeeper, was preparing dinner. Is your father coming back? she asked.

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Westbrookp High School The next morning Henry went to see the land- lord, Peter. Peter needs some more hay from Papenburg and I can hide the three men in hay, thought Henry, and carry them over the frontier. When Henry found the landlord he asked, Have you got your hay yet, Peter ?', No, hay is pretty scarce here. Well, I've got to go to Papenburg for father and I'll get you some hay, said Henry. I know how to drive horses and it would help you. You're a smart boy, Henry. I guess you can do it. The preparations were completed and Henry set out for Papenburg. Arriving about noon, he went immediately and procured the hay. Then he drove out of town a little way and stopped. Taking out a wrench he took the nut off the axle of one of the rear wheels. Driving a little further the wheel came off and a part of the hay toppled off. There, I guess that will hold me, said Henry. He unhitched the horses and took them to a stable, and went in search of help. He must find this Rogers, the man alluded to in the letter. Coming up the street Henry saw the name hung out over a jeweler's shop. He entered the shop and there sat the man be- hind the counter. Reaching into his pocket, Henry took out the cube which the Workman had given him and, tapping on the case, asked the price of a watch. The jeweler eyed him and said, Are you alone P Yes. I have a load of hay out in the suburbs broken down. You should have gone to a blacksmith shop, said the jeweler. Oh! I thought you and your three men could help me. The man drew a quick breath. You,re a brick, he breathed. It will soon be dark and you will have help. Henry left the shop-successful. After dark four men dressed like Germans came up the street and Henry knew they were the prisoners. When they arrived the jeweler said, We must work quickly, before suspicion is laid on us. The men lifted the wagon and Henry slipped on 2l the wheel. Then Mr. Rogers told two men to get up on the hay and help store up the hay which had come off. At a word of command they buried out of sight and they were soon followed by their comrades, leaving Mr. Rogers and Henry alone on the road. Get your horses now, lad, said Mr. Rogers, and he walked off down the road. In about an hour Henry was ready to start. He drove directly toward the Dutch border. He was halted several times by soldiers, but his reasons were always taken and he was permitted to pass. Nearer and nearer he advanced to the border until only two miles lay between him and safety -only one more village to pass through. As he drove past the inn of the village a voice said, Halt. The Sentry advanced. Who is this, shouted an officer. 'fIt's a boy with a load of hay, said the sentry. What's he doing here this time of night P Henry endeavored to explain. Well, mused the officer. Then loudly- Unhitch those horses and I'll take them in the name of the government. Henry sat immovable-a blow to his hopes. Get down, roared the officer. Can't I take this hay home ? pleaded Henry. We need the hay. Get down. Henry descended heavy-hearted. He felt that discovery would surely come now to the prisoners buried in the hay. Two of you take the hay to camp, ordered the officer. Can't I ride with them ? asked Henry. The officer mumbled his consent and Henry climbed up in back of the two. They started. Henry watched every movement and then leaning over to the place where the men were hidden whispered his plan. The driver was shouting to the horses and his companion was singing. Neither paid any atten- tion to Henry. I'll cough as a signal, whispered Henry. As they were passing a lonely stretch of road Henry coughed. The hay lifted and three figures fastened onto the soldiers. In a short time all were bound and gagged and hid in the hay with the prisoners.