Williamstown High School - Yearbook (Williamstown, MA)

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W.H.S.1933 YEAR BOOK pageforty-three me a moment. Billy, before you leave, I wish you'd,check up on the accessories and then see me. Then turning to Scrappy he continued, Now, then, what is it you wish to see me about? I have come to buy your garage, and I will offer more than it is - I am not selling, broke in Stan. But I'm offering more than it is worth, insisted the gangster. I don't want to sell, and that's that, he replied. Hey, Buddy, if you don't sell, it's just too bad for you. You'd better think it over. With these words the thug left. Stan was stunned by his last words and stared after him as he got into his car to leave. Billy had finished his work, and as he came in the salesroom, he noticed the troubled look on Stan's face. What's the trouble? Bad news? Yes, Billy. You saw the man who was just here. Well, he has threatened me and my business. You know what that means. Yeah. Say, I didn't like the looks of him. Is he from town? Billy asked. No, he's a big shot of some gang and wants this place for a blind for his racket. You know, Billy, I told Margaret we would get married as soon as I got my place settled. Well, it's settled, and I've asked her to come down in two weeks. Where is she now, Stan? She has a secretarial job at the Hartford Insurance Company in Con- necticut. She has never been to Florida before and is coming down for a vaca- tion. If we can get rid of this gangster who is threatening me, it will be a long vacation for her. Stan, what do you say we stay here tonight? It's your week to work nights, anyway, and I'll stay with you. You never can tell what those con- founded men might do. If they are determined to get this place, they will let nothing stand in their way. Oh, by the way, Stan, have you shot your revolvers lately? It's great sport. Say, that's an idea, Billy. Go down to the Sporting Goods Store and get two hundred 38 caliber revolver shells. I have a couple of my revolvers here in my oflice. We can fix up a small target at the lower end of the garage and have a little fun. Billy brought the shells, and the contest began, Stan holding Billy by hitting the bulls-eye 8 out of 10 chances. The shells went fast, and it began raining, and both boys decided to close up for the night. The next morning brought word from'Margaret. The letter was lying on the desk when Stan arrived at the garage. He quickly opened it and his face brightened as he read it. She was to start her vacation the following week. Stan sprang up from his chair to call Billy and related his good news, but instead of being greeted by Billy, he looked into the rough face of Scrappy. if

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pageforty-two W.H.S.1933 YEAR BOOK glass was still intact. But soon, he learned that he had lost his ten dollar part- nership in the business. He had broken a new windshield in the show window. Late that afternoon, a large touring car drove up for gas. The men in it asked Billy about the business and other things. The driver handed him a large bill for the gas. As he drove off, he said to Billy over his shoulder, I'll be seeing you . Billy thought they looked like gangsters, so he and Stan tried every way to find out their business. They were told that the Chief and Scrappy were rum trade pals and they were looking out for a good place for business. Al- though the boys didn't know it, Chief and Scrappy wanted their garage for a blind and a place to keep cars without arousing suspicions. The two rum runners and their guests stayed in a suite at the Mason Hotel, which was the largest and most elaborate one in the city. Soon after they reached the hotel, the Chief, in an adjoining room, shouted in a shrill voice. Say, youse mugs, we've got to get that bloomin' garage, or we're licked. You know, licked? If we can't buy it, we can scare him out, maybe. Hey, you, Scrappy, call up that feller and ask him if he wants to sell, and offer him S5,000. O.K. boss, answered Scrappy while proceeding to look through the city directory for the number. Wait! the Chief exclaimed, I think it would be better to send letters through some Real Estate Office. Scrappy withdrew from the telephone. The garage was made very attractive by its new decorations. The busi- ness was increasing rapidly. Stan was a good business man and somewhat economical. He had built a large office and had his trophies, which he had won in Sharpshooting, well 'arranged on a shelf above his desk. They were for both revolver and rifle. He was very proud of his skill and kept the prizes shining. Gun handling was a salvation in the South. He received a couple of letters on which the signatures were identical. They came from a poorly educated person because the grammar and con- struction of sentences were very poor. Then again this morning a most aston- ishing letter arrived, threatening the two boys. Stan was greatly moved by these threats and began to investigate from whence they came. The gangster had not been satisfied with Stan's attitude toward the letters and stopped one day at the garage for a chat about the subject. It was rather late and most of the mechanics were through for the day. Only the two boys remained, and were checking the sales of the day when the gang- ster entered. Good afternoon, said Scrappy in a gentle tone. Anything I can do for you? asked Billy. I would like to speak to the owner of this here place, he returned. I am the proprietor, said Stan in a most business-like manner. Pardon

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pageforty-four W.H.S.1933 YEAR BOOK I've come to see if you've thought over what we were discussing late yesterday afternoon, Mr. Whiteman, Scrappy said, placing his right hand on the butt of his gun. Stan, trying to be nonchalant, dusted off his trophiesand answered in a carefree manner, I do not wish to sell, and have not, and will not, consider any of your propositions. Scrappy thought a while and suddenly said, You have some nice trophies. Did ya win them in golf? No, answered Stan proudly, I won them at sharpshootingf' Scrappy's mouth fell open in awe and his hands fell limp to his sides. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, When did you win them? At that moment the telephone rang and as Stan went over to answer it, he told Scrappy that the dates were on the trophies. Scrappy looked at them and immediately left the room thinking only of a way to escape. In the meantime, the Chief had been wandering around the garage. He noticed the target and shells around the floor. He asked Billy casually who had been doing all the shooting, and Billy answered in not too steady a voice, Uh, the boss and I have just been having a little fun, that's all . Just then Scrappy ran into the Chief who motioned to him to leave. They hurried out together and left Billy staring after them. A week passed and everything at the garage ran smoothly. The threaten- ing letters had ceased but Margaret's letters continued. On Saturday morning Stan called Billy in his office and in an agitated voice exclaimed, I've been threatened again! What! demanded Billy. Then a smile played around Stan's mouth and he calmly added, Mar- garet has threatened to marry me upon her arrival here Tuesday . Earl Green '33 fN di? xg fivlsx