Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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THE TARGET 19 A NARROW ESCAPE. Jack was just eigheeen and rather small for his age. He wore a suit of blue, carried a gun and had a knap- sack strapped to his side. The morning had come for him to bid his fond and loving mother good- bye. He was going to join the troops of the North some miles distant. The mother watched him ride away with tears in her eyes but trusting he would some day return a brave hero. Jack rode fast with a patriotic soul for he wanted to reach the camp in a short time. Suddenly he heard the roar of drums and the sound of guns. His heart seemed to stand still for he saw the enemy approaching him. What was he to do? If they caught him he would be killed as a spy. The thought struck him, he would fire on them. But what could one gun ac- complish against many? The only thing left to do was leave his horse and run for safety — where he knew not. He saw in the field an old two-room house. He managed to get inside where a couple of old maids stood in great excitement. They too, saw the danger but decided to save the boy. The soldiers of the South came in the cabin knocking things left and right and demanded the boy. They made what they called a thorough search for Tom but, not finding him joined the rest of the troops. One of the maids kept watch and when they were a good distance away, she called to Tom telling him all was well. The youth, pale and excited, crawled out from under the other spinsters great full hoop skirts. This had been his hiding place. He thanked the sisters heartily for their deed and left for the Northern ranks, where he was made a brave general. MELVIN LEE. BEN ' S STORY. New Year ' s day had come. The family was reunited and talking over old times. Finally, Joe, the young- est son, suggested that Uncle Ben, their favorite story teller tell them a story. Uncle Ben thought awhile and then began: Last winter on a cold day, I went out hunting. My rifle was out of order so I took my single barrel shot- gun. I was walking through the woods when I saw a large grizzly bear. Verj ' foolishly I shot at it, which so enraged the bear that it charged at me with its claws, ready to tear me to peices. I dropped my then useless gun, and ran for a tree. Stopping before two: saplings about three feet apart, I climbed one. The bear climbed the other. When the grizzly got to the top it reached over and put its fore- paw on the trunk of my sapling. Now was my chance! Quickly pulling some strong cord from my pocket, I tied the bear ' s paw securely. Thei bear become very angry and put its hind foot over also. I tied this one and quickly sliding down from my tree I climbed the other and fast- ened his other two paws. Then I slid down and surveyed my work with satisfaction. I went on hunting. On coming near the bear about an hour later, I heard him whining and howling. I let the bear loose and it licked me all over. I started home and the bear fol- lowed. He is now my constant com- panion and it was with the greatest difficulty that I left him home this morning. FRED HURT.

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18 THE TARGET HAPPINESS. I once knew two girls, both the same age, and they lived in the same city, only one lived in a lovely man- son, while the other lived in a mean looking little cottage, right in the center of the city. The rich girl whose name was Rose, and she resembled very much the flower for which she was named, was always looking for happiness, when she had everything on earth that her parents could give her. But all the time she whined and said, I know I can never find happiness as lone as I live. In a cottage right in the business part of town, lived a girl very differ- ent from Rose in every way. Her name was Patience and she well de- served the name. Patience had four or five litle brothers and sisters, a poor sick mother, and a father who made very little, but loved his family devotedly. As Patience ' s mother was sick, she had to work in a store as a clerk with a very mean salary, But just the same it helps, as Patience would often say. When she came home, she would try to entertain her little brothers and sisters, take care of her mother, and also get dinner for her father and the family. One day Rose and her governess went into the store where Patience worked and it happened that Patience waited on them. While Rose was waiting for the package, she looked at Patience and asked, ' Why are you smiling so happily? Patience answered smilingly, Be- cause I have little brothers and sis- ters, and a lovely mother and father, and everything that could make me happy. Oh, please let me go to your home with you and see if I can find happiness, said Rose pleadingly. Why, of course you may come, but I would think it would be very easy for you to be happy as you have everything you want on earath, said Patience. This is my home, said Patience as she skipped a little ahead of Rose. And can you be happy in a place like this? asked Rose. Why, of course J can, this is the dearest place on earth to me, but please come in and see my sweet lit- tle mother. Rose hesitated but finally went. She saw a small dingy room with lit- tle children peeping out from every- where, and Rose saw a bed, in the corner of the room, with a small deli- cate woman in it. Patience ran over to the bed and kissed her mother, and all the small, eager faces that were crowding near her. She excused herself, saying that she would have to get dinner ready for father. Rose sat in mute silence watching the proceedings of the family, and when she left, she whispered in Pa- tience ' s ear, I want to thang you so much and 1 am so glad I have met you, for you have shown me the way to true happiness, in forgetting self and doing for others. LEILA M. SHIELDS. Jean Waste (having just bit her cheek): Goodness! that ' s the first taste of venison I ' ve had this season.

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20 THE TARGET A MATTER OF BUSINESS. Rob Dawson paid no attention to the old man ' s remonstrations, but went on with his work of putting in the lighting system of the new Opera House. He was doing it the quickest and easest way possible, although he knew he was doing wrong. Andrew MacCullock, his helper, was with him when he put in the lighting system at the church. Mac- Cullock was telling him he was en- dangering the lives of many people by wiring the Opera House that way. Dawson became irritated and said almost savagely, Do as I tell you or get out and I will get some one in your place. I am sorry, laddie, the old man said gently, but I can ' t choke my conscience for any man not even for you. Without another word he walked out. Rob had a quick temper, but when the flash of fire was gone, he repented deeply. He picked up his tools and said, He ' ll be back here after his job again to-night. But when after several days he did not return, he became lonesome working alone, so he hired two young men on the condition that they would do as he told them. Two days before the opening ex- ercises in the Opera House, Dawson finished his job and received a large check for his services. The next day, however, the church he had formerly worked on, burned to the ground. No one knew the rea- son but Rob Dawson and Andrew MacCullock. It was now too late to rectify his mistake. It would ruin his business career if he confessed to the company. Should he risk the lives of hundreds of people, staking them against his business? Mechanically he left the house and turned toward the fated Opera House. He entered a side door, groped his way in the dark. He struck a match and saw crouching near the stairs, Andrew MacCullock. What does this mean? the young man ex- claimed. Nothing, replied the old man in a murmur, I could not bear to see your business reputation ruined; I have been working here every night snce you turned me off. I knew you were young and hot-headed, so I thought I could save you this time may be. No one will find it out, in the meantime you might open your eyes. I have, I have! groaned Bob. I have been repenting all day. I have just completed the work, informed the old man. Everything is square and above board now. Bob grasped the old man ' s hands and said, I have had many friends, but not one like you. Through a long and successful busi- ness career Rob Dawson never for- got the day when he was snatched away from dishonor and ruin by An- drew MacCullock his friend and part- ner. MURPHY COBB. There was a young man called Haven, Who tried once to do some shav ' n ' ; But the razor was dull And he ruined his skull, And that was the last of Van Haven.