Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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THE TARGET 9 A BETTER STORY. A big party of men once went up to the Williamson ' s ranch to hunt and fish. I was invited over from a neigh- boring farm to visit these sportsmen as I was to guide some ' of them the following day to a little creek. After supper was over, the men be- gan to tell stories. This was kept up till Colonel Peters told of a bear fight he had once with an old grizzly. This eclipsed the others so far that no one had even enough courage to attempt to go him one better. Finally an old Indian fighter reck- oned he could beat that story. Every one was laughing to himself for he had a reputation for stretching an idea as far as he could and he took no particular pains to make his gram- mar good. Well, it was like this: — When we were fighting the Modocs, one of their chiefs came into camp to make peace. After this was done, he pro- ceeded in true Indian fashion to lay his hand on anything he saw. He walked up to where I was frying some eggs and hooked on to my gun which was a beautv. I hit bi n with a fried f egg, that being the worst in- sult I thought you could offer an In- dian. Instead of shooting me he list tarned and walked away with a deen scowl on his face. I knew that I would have tarnation to pay. A few days later while I was washing myself down at a river, I saw him coming with an infernal mob of painted heathens. When he spied me, he let out a Minnehaha and started after me. Well you can jist bet I started up that river at a terrible pace. Finally I had to stop as a water-fall was in front of me. Here the old hunter paused to see what an effect his speech had made on the audience. Did you hide or swim under wat- er down stream? asked Colonel Peters, who thought he had easily guessed the end of the story. Neither, was the reply. Well what did you do? Seeing that I had been washing myself, I took the soap and made a lather. With this, I constructed a bridge and climbed over the water- fall, after greasing the bridge so the Indians couldn ' t use it. DONALD KITZMILLER. CALIFORNIAS ' VOLCANO. Mount Lassen was always complete- ly covered with lovely, white snow. At sunset it was wonderful; beautiful hues of rose, golden and violet gleam- ed on the snow. One hot sultry morning my sister came rushing in. Just come out and look at Mt. Lassen! she exclaimed, it ' s in erup- tion. I went out into the street where several other people were watching the mountain with telescopes and field glasses. It certainly was won- derful; the thick, black smoke was puffing out of the crater in huge columns. The eruption continued at intervals during the day and in the evening. When I looked out at it again I saw instead of a snowy white mountain, an ashy gray one. Either the snow had been covered up by the ashes or had been melted by the heat; but the mountain has never looked quite so snowy and white since as it did before the eruption. DOROTHY ANDREWS.

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8 THE TARGET THE ABANDONED TRAIL. Through wildering forests of primeval trees, Untrod by man or beast, a lonely trail Winds in and out; and the perennial breeze Doth whisper weirdly an unwritten tale Of him who fought with neither lance nor mail. In nature ' s paths he trod and learned her art; And when on his last voyage he set sail And did from wigwam and from friends depart, The hope of happy hunting grounds upheld his heart. WINIFRED WISHARD. JOVE AIDS. I was in the smoke to be sure but I had yet to get into the smother. Where was I? Among whom? What had I to do? The Indians in the southern desert country were now revolting against the authority of the whites. Treacher- ous deeds were being enacted by the burly chief and his band. No white man ' s life was his own. The whole country, like a sea of threatening wat- ers, was surging and tossing under the direction of this one fearless man. He was the cause of it all and it was my commission to put an end to him. How I was to accomplish this, I knew no more than perhaps my read- er knows at this moment, but it was my business to set about and find a way. This was inded an adventurous period in my life and one to be long remembered. Taking no companion with me and traveling by night, I made my way into the fatal land, hardly expecting ever to return. Stopping one night with an old rancher, who had grown to know and understand the red-men, I learned of a conclave which was to be held on the following day. Here was the chance of my life ! Keeping my intentions from my host, I made preparations for the final plunge. The sky was overcast and huge black clouds were to be seen coming from the mountains. Know- ing the desert, I saw at once signs of a terrific storm. This might help me in my purpose! It did — and in a strange way. The storm came one fiercer. Above the din I could now and again hear the yells of the assembling men ever coming nearer. Finally a loud peal of thunder broke as from the depths of the earth. At that moment a great light flashed at my right and a huge tree came crashing down. Rushing to the spot, I found — stretched upon the ground at my feet — the fearless chief and the one object of my quest! MARIE MYERS. WHAT A PICTURE TOLD ME. Drawn up in bright array at the top of the hill three thousand knights stood waiting for the word, Charge! Above them floated dull, gray clouds which softened the glare of the red roofs of the houses below. The steeds upon which they were mounted pawed the ground in rest- lessness. At last the word Charge! sent a thrill through all. Down the hill with spears abreast they went. As the spears struck the enemy, a road was plowed through the opposing phalanx scattering the soldiers in every direction. Suddenly the general shouted Halt! The day is ours. HOWARD BROWN. John Madden (to Fred Edinger with guitar case) : Why did you bring your tennis raquet to school?

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10 THE TARGET A TRIP TO FAIRYLAND. Dorothy was sitting under a big apple tree one beautiful day in June, watching the fleecy white clouds as they slowly passed by. Suddenly a small object appeared among the clouds. As it drew nearer, Dorothy could detect the form of a little elf dressed in red. He was soon right over her head, and dropping down at her feet, settled himself comfortably on the grass. Dorothy opened her eyes in astonishment when he told her that he was the Fairy King, called Skipp, and that his wife, the Queen of the Fairies, had invited her to come and visit Fairyland. We shall reward you because you have believed in Fairy Tales, he concluded, and even when your lit- tle friends tried to persuade you that there were no fairies, you stil had faith in us. That is the reason my Queen has given you this oportunity. Dorothy danced for joy. Skipp waved his wand, and Doro- thy was a little fairy, clothed in the beautiful garments of fairies. In a few seconds they were flying high above the clouds, and soon after slowly descended right into Fairy- land. There before them was the prettiest little garden ever seen. Tiny lanterns were strung among the trees, and strains of sweet music floated through the air. Little fairies were dancing among the trees and flowers. Come, said Skipp, when he thought Dorothy had gazed long enough, I ' ll take you to the Queen first, and after that we shall attend the ball. ' The Queen ' s abode was a tiny house made of violet leaves, with flowers for furniture. Snugly tucked away in the heart of a violet, a wee baby fairy slept. She was a dear lit- tle thing, all pink and white. In the tiny kitchen Skipp showed Dorothy the little dishes of ice cream, and many delicious cakes no bigger than the head of a pin. They then went back through the dainty little green halls which were scented with violets. As they approached the door, they heard the silvery tinkle of bells, at the sound of which the fairies all dis- appeared. Almost immediately they returned in the most shimmering at- tire, ready for the ball which soon took place. The fairy Dorothy thought most beautiful was a sweet-faced sprite with blue eyes, and a bewitching smile playing about her pretty red lips. She wore a baby wild rose in her golden hair, and her dress was of delicate rainbow tints. Dorothy gazing open-mouthed at the brilliant scene, was surprised on hearing the voice of Skipp, saying, Would you like to dance with me? But, added, remembering his ordin- ary red clothes which did not harm- onize at all with the delicate colors of the others, perhaps you would rath- er not dance with me in such raim- ent. Skipp laughed, waved his wand, and Presto! Change! he was a fairy-like dashing youth, dressed in cloth of gold. No sooner was he transformed than the beautifulfairy came up to them and laughingly said, Have you real- ly come, Skipp? You ' ve been a long time on your journey ; andthen turn- ing to Dorothy she said, Dear, I am the Queen of the Fairies. Would you like to be a fairy for one night? Yes indeed! beautiful Queen, she answered. The music softly stole out upon the air, and Skipp, taking Dorothy ' s arm,