Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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and putting a trembling finger on the trigger, called out in a command- ing voice, “Whoever or whatever you are, speak or I’ll shoot.” Far, far in the distance came the clank of chains, as if they had been dropped to the ground, and out of the darkness came McGregor’s voice, “Ten dollars are yours, Will.” EARNEST TAKAKI. -O- A Narrow Escape (A True Story) NE night, when we were sitting around the fire, we asked my grandmother to tell us some story, which happened when she was settling in her new home. This is the one she told: “We had just come across the plains to Oregon, and had hardly settled in our new little home, when we heard that the Si-wash Indians were on the warpath “One day, my mother sent me down to our neighbor’s home, Mrs. Pennfield’s, to borrow half a sack of flour. As I had to pass through a thickly settled forest, my thoughts were only on the Indians. But I reached M rs. Pennfield’s house safely. Mrs. Pennfield invited me to stay for the noonday meal, and as I felt very hungry after my long walk, I de- cided to stay. I left right after the meal. I had just crossed the river, w ' hich was about half a mile from home, when I looked back and was startled to see four or five Indian scouts. My first impulse was to run, but then I realized that they could quickly catch up with me. Suddenly I had an idea; I quickly opened the bag of flour that I was carrying and poured it on to myself, covering myself from head to toe. I certainly must have looked queer, for when the Indians saw me, I think they almost turned white, and then with their terrible yells they ran back into the forest. I quickly ran home, but my mother seeing something white com- ing up the road, and not knowing what it was, quickly bolted the door. I screamed to her, telling her that it was I. She unlocked the door and let me in. We were never troubled by Indians again. “A few years after that, an old Indian brave was visiting at our house. He told us he was one of the group of Indians who had seen the White Devil near our house. He added, ‘The other Indians moved far away.’ ” ALICE GOMPERTZ.

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said Will, teasingly, as he threw a handful of chestnuts on the glowing fire. Pat did not hear him, apparently. He sat there in his chair as if petrified. His eyes were glued on the burning coals and were full of fear and horror. Will repeated his question, “I say, Pat, was there any unusual oc- currence in the haunted house the night that you passed in it?” Pat seemed to come to suddenly, and shook himself fiercely as if to shake off some horrible thought that had grasped him. “Bur-r-’ he muttered. “What is the matter, McGregor?” asked one of the group. “Did Will disturb a pleasant dream?” “Dream? Bah!” Pat muttered under his breath. “Was it really as bad as that?” asked Will curiously. “Yes, and worse still,” answered Pat peevishly. “Well, if you could pass a night in that cabin and come out un- harmed, I guess I can do the same,’ said Will. “Bet you ten dollars you can ' t,” replied Pat quickly. “Taken,” said Will, and the bargain was clinched. That night, as we were turning in, Pat remarked to Will, “Sleep well to-morrow night, and the ten dollars are yours.” The next evening. Will entered the little cabin, and after opening some windows to let in fresh air, placed his revolver under his pillow and rolled into bed. He did not sleep, however. The slight breeze of the day before had developed into a brisk wind which kept the branches of the trees knocking on the roof of the cabin. Will’s ear was open for every sound. Not an echo in the house, not a scuffle from the mice beneath the floor, not a sound of the idle swinging of the outside gate, escaped Will ' s hearing. He had slightly dozed off, when he was awakened by the clanking of chains, far in the distance at first, then nearer and nearer. He was almost wild with fear. His heart fluttered like that of a trapped bird in a cage, and his body was bathed in perspiration. A hundred thoughts flashed through his brain. “Could this be the dead woman that had come with her chains?” His eyes were glued on the chair beside his head. It suddenly jerked, then turned around itself several times, and then silently moved towards the door. Will grabbed his revolver and followed the chair tremblingly. As he entered the next room, something white seemed to come before him and then flutter to the farthest corner of the room where it sank down. Will, summoning all his courage, braced himself against the wall;

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LINCOLN and the SOLDIER Lincoln was a very good man. A very kind man was he. He always did the best he could. To set a prisoner free. One day a mother came to him, A tear was in her eye. Her only son, a soldier boy; Was sentenced soon to die. “My boy but seventeen is he, A very brave soldier lad; His Captain said he was among, The very best they had. “He marched and fought in ram and snow, A whole week this went by ; He fell asleep on guard one night, And sentenced is to die.” Lincoln took her by the hand, “Your son shall pardoned be; I’ll send a wire this very hour, And he shall soon be free.” The mother hurried then to camp; She found her boy was free, And both beside the evening fire. Rejoiced right happily. ALEXANDER RUSSELL. Greenhorns UT IN the great open spaces where men are men,” murmured Clarence. “Well, how do I look, Cedric?” “Magnificent,” praised Cedric. he conversation was between two very docile city chaps. The former was a tall person with light hair. On his nose he wore some bone- rimmed spectacles. The latter was a short person, who seemed like a