USA > Indiana > Hancock County > Greenfield > Camaraderie : the annual of the Senior Class of Greenfield High School, 1913 > Part 5
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"A very great likness," replied the captain.
"Captain, you have given me hope. I must see the General ! Captain, will you do me a favor? You give this trinket to him and tell him that I beg him to grant me an interview," and he put a tiny gold locket in the hand of the captain.
"I will do my best for you," answered the captain, and motion- ing to the guard to resume his duty, he hastened to the tent of the general. He said to the sentinel
"Ask the General if I may speak with him. Tell him it is very important." The guard entered the tent and soon returned, say- ing, "The General begs to be excused."
"But, man, I must see him!" And he passed the sentinel and entered the tent. The general stood facing him.
"Captain, I gave orders that I was not to be disturbed. I ask you to leave."
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"General, I have come to ask you again to see that young
man
"I have given my orders concerning that young man, and I re- fuse to listen."
The captain said nothing, but simply held out his hand, in the palm of which lay the gold locket. The general looked at him for a moment, then striding towards him, exclaimed, "Where did you get that?"
"The boy sent it to plead for him."
"Where did he get it?"
"I do not know."
"Did he tell you nothing?"
"Nothing."
The general sank into his chair and buried his face in his arms. When finally he raised his head there was a softened, yet unbe- lieving, look in his face.
"You say the boy looks like me?" he questioned of the cap- tain.
"Very much," was the reply.
"I could not help but notice it this morning in the court. Bring him to me." The captain hastened away and soon returned with the prisoner. The general gazed at the face of the boy before him and once again could not help but recognize the likeness to himself.
'Whose locket is this?" he questioned of the boy.
"It is mine."
"Where did you get it?"
"My mother gave it to me." The general put his hand on the table to steady himself.
"Who was your mother? Her name?" .
"For years she was known as Mrs. Jameson. But her real name was Grant. I knew it only a while before she died."
"My boy, tell me of your mother and my- wife," came brokenly from the general. The captain started, but said noth- ing.
The young man began: "I had known for several years that my mother was suffering from some mental disease. A few days before her death I was called home from my school at West Point. I did not know that she was so sick, but when I reached home she was unconscious. For three days she was in that condition, but on the night of the fourth day she came to her- self. She seemed much better and I was overjoyed.
"The next evening the doctor and I were sitting in the room with her. I had noticed that she had seemed rather pre-occupied and worried all day. For some time she had been lying with eyes closed, holding my hand.
"Suddenly she opened her eyes and asked, 'Doctor, have I al- ways lived here?' At first the doctor was perplexed. Then asked eagerly, 'No; can you remember your former life? Before I knew you?' Mother seemed bewildered.
" 'All day I have been trying to remember. I seem to remem- ber my husband and boy. Where is my husband? Why is he not here ?'"
Here the young man's story was interrupted by the low cry of his father, "Oh Milly, Milly!"
Tears were in the boy's eyes when he began again. "The doctor told her he did not know, and then began to question her. She did not reply for some time, then she said: 'I remember this much. Ted and I had just moved to a strange town. I can't remember its name. Our boy was then about a year old. Ted was ordered to take his company to a distant city, and I stayed
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at the hotel. I did not know anyone and was very lonesome. One day, about three weeks after Ted had gone, I started to take a walk. I can't remember much more, except I seemed to see lots of trees. I think I must have sat down to rest and gone to sleep. Ch! I wish I could remember!' and the tears were streaming down her face. The doctor put his hand upon her wrist, waited a minute, then said: 'I think maybe I can tell you the rest. I
believe you are right in saying you fell asleep. You must have been worrying about something. When you rested upon the damp ground the contact of the dampness upon the heated and overtaxed brain caused a mental apathy. I cannot exactly explain for it is not well understood. But this apathy did not injure your other faculties in the least. You simply did not remember any- thing in the past.
" 'I do not know how long you wandered about after you awoke, but you finally came to the cabin of a tobacco grower, who lived at the edge of the forest. The man told me his wife started to the barn and saw you sitting on the door step. She took you in and cared for you three days. You told them your name was Jameson and that you were going to Jamestown. You did not seem in any hurry to leave. All you wanted to do was to care for the baby boy you carried in your arms. They no- ticed you acted rather queerly and seemed to know nothing about yourself. They talked the matter over and decided to bring you to me. Accordingly, he asked you if you did not want to ride to Jamestown, as he was going there on business. You consented, and the next day he arrived at my office. He explained the cir- cumstances to me and asked my advice.
" 'At that time my sister, an invalid, was living with me, and in order that I might have you near me, I proposed that you stay as a companion for her and act as housekeeper. You readily con-
sented, and from that time on you and my sister were fast friends. Do you not remember my sister? Do you not know approxi- mately how many years you have lived here?' Mother put her hand to her head and tried to remember, but could not. Then she asked him to continue.
" 'You stayed until my sister died. That was eight years ago. After a great deal of trouble I persuaded you to remain in the capacity of housekeeper for me. Your boy seemed as my own son, and I loved him as such. When he was old enough we sent him to West Point to school. That seemed to be your one de- sire. He has been there three years, and you are going to get well and live to see him graduate,' and he tried to cheer her, but she was heart-broken at the thought of her husband's grief."
"Ch, Milly, darling! Did you really dream of my grief all these years?" The boy continued:
"I sat with her all that night, trying to comfort her. About 2 o'clock she told me to get a little box from the dresser drawer. She opened it and took that little locket from it. Then pulling me down by the side of the bed, she put the locket in my hand. 'Darling, -- inside the locket is a picture of your father. I want you -- to devote your life in finding him. Tell-him that I-was always true and loved him.' I begged her to stop talk- ing that way, that it broke my heart, but she smiled at me and said, 'Darling --- mother can't stay -- with you always. You know-know -- mother loves her boy -- don't-you, dear? Find -- Ted-tell him -- I always loved him- - not to blame -- her -- to forgive. I am -- so -- sleepy -- -boy, good night --- darling.' She closed her eyes and a beautiful smile played on her lips. I watched her gently breathing then bowed my head upon the pillow. Presently an awful quiet seemed to fill the room and I raised my head. ; My hand acci-
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dently touched mother's. A damp, cold dew was on it. She was not breathing. I could not believe it. I called to her -- I kissed her -- but ah, mother you did not answer! Oh, mother, darling!" and the boy's wail rang through the still, quiet camp.
At sight of his boy's grief the general controlled his own and tried to comfort him. The boy put his arms about his father's neck. "Ch, father! Why did you not search for her?" The strong man raised his head and his face was ashen.
"I thought that if she loved another man better than I, that I would not.mar her happiness by following her."
"No! no! no! father! Not another man!"
"Yes. When I returned from camp, I was told my wife had been running around with a young, handsome devil of the town. My wife and child were gone. The fellow was gone. What else could I think ? Can you ever forgive me, darling wife?" But presently he remembered his duties as a general, and cried, "Oh, God! is my happiness to be taken away from me so soon? Is it true that my boy is a spy and must be shot like a dog?" A clear, confident voice replied, "Father, I am not a spy.' ",
"Why did you not explain in the court this morning?"
"And tell my mother's sad story before all those cold, hard- hearted men? No, indeed."
"But, how came you in those clothes?"
"About a week ago I saw your picture in Harper's magazine. The likeness to the face in the locket was remarkable. I remem- bered mother's last words. I immediately started to you. On the way I was stripped of my uniform by a deserter, I suppose. I knew I would not be allowed in camp in these clothes. I planned to wait in the woods and rob the sentry of his uniform. My plan failed, as you know. Do you believe me, father?"
"I do, my boy. Forgive me. I was so struck by the resem-
blance this morning that for a moment I hoped. But then my pride conquered. I was ashamed to own my wife deserted me and my boy a spy. Boy, my pride always did get the best of me." Turning to the captain, who had withdrawn to a respect- ful distance, he said, with a smile, "Captain Macy, I will grant you that extension of time. Congratulate me," which the cap- tain readily did. EDNA JACKSON, '14.
JIM BANK'S REVENGE.
Jim Banks looked out of the window and sighed. Ch! how he longed to be sitting on the bridge over there, dangling his feet in the cool water, and idly watching his float to see if he had a bite. He felt all out of sorts, and wished he could then lick the fellow whom he had just seen throw a note to his best girl. He had seen the tiny bit of yellow paper flit past the window.
"I'll git ye arter school," he whispered, between clenched teeth.
"No, ye won't, neither, Wild Cat."
Now, Wild Cat had always been his nickname since he was a little chap, on account of his fiery temper, which some people at- tributed to his red hair. Again he looked out of the window and saw a bright, yellow butterfly flit past. He jumped and- "Jim, will you please settle down and study your lesson?" came in front at the teacher's desk.
Suppressed giggles came from behind, and he looked around. It was more than he could stand. He clenched his fists.
"Say, Suse Carlton, I'll lick your brother at noon fer that. Now, see if I don't!"
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"Well, I don't doubt that a bit. Never saw anybody yet you didn't try to lick," retorted Susan.
Jim was out of sorts all the rest of the day. At noon, however, he paid his respects to Carl Carlton with a good, sound whipping, a thing, however, that Carl had needed for some time.
After dinner Jim walked up to Grace Jones, his best girl, then seated in a swing, and said, "Say, Grace, if you're tired of me, I gist wisht you'd say so, nen I won't have to lick yer other friend."
"Oh, I don't know," replied Grace with a toss of her pigtails. "Guess you ain't the whole cheese."
"All 'smatter with you is just that you think you're a regular gentleman killer," answered Jim, as he walked away to find Jack, his rival, and administer the necessary punishment.
The afternoon went slowly with Jim. It was all arranged, however; he and Jack were to have a duel down by the creek after school. He felt that he had no friends, and-all he wanted was revenge anyway -- so what's the difference.
After school was over they walked slowly down by the creek. Each boy was pulling off his coat and rolling up his sleeves as he walked along.
"It ain't so much the girl," Jim was saying, "as the idea of sneakedness, what you were doin'."
"I wasn't sneakin' nuther, an' don't you say I wuz," retorted Jack.
At last they reached a spot secluded from the road by a hedge, and decided to fight here. They grappled each other, rolled, tumbled and fought until it was almost dark. Jim, however, after every round, for they did have some system about their fighting, had the advantage. At last they quit and Jim trotted off home
nearly all night that night, thinking the matter over. By morning he had all of his plans made out. He was never again to speak to Grace, but was to pay all of his attention to Ellen Marks. Every time he saw Grace looking at him the next day, he would throw a note at Ellen. It was very amusing, indeed, for him, to watch Grace's little pug nose fly up in the air and to see her toss her little pigtails about.
About three weeks later Jim was walking up the street. Grace was in front of him and, whether by accident or not, Jim could never determine, dropped a note. Jim slyly picked it up and turned up the next street to read it. He tore it in his haste to open it, and after putting the pieces together, this is what he found:
"Dear Grace :- There is to be a recital at our church next Saturday afternoon, an' I want you to go with me. Jack.
"P. S. You can ride on the back of my tricycle. We'll show Jim a few things."
Jim hastily put the note in his pocket and started on home. Suddenly his face lit up, and he started off as fast as he could to Bub Jinks'. Calling Bub out upon the back porch, he had quite a lengthy talk with him. They held their heads closely together, and as Jim started off he said, "Stick to yer contract, Bub. I'll be over tomorrow night after 'im."
"Yep, you do the same," answered Bub.
Jim didn't go home, but went directly to "Evening Sentinel" office. He entered and addressed the manager thus, "Mr. Teel, kin I git a job passin' papers ?"
"Well, sonny, I'm so glad you came. Herv was just in and said he couldn't pass any more papers. Wait just a minute and I'll get you started."
Jim almost shouted aloud. His plan was working to perfec- victor, none the worse except for a black eye. He lay awake tion. The manager then reappeared and gave him his papers
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and a book telling him where to leave them. All along his route he whistled and kept saying to himself, "This is Tuesday. Can I do it?"
The following day Jim was certainly busy. He dug his mother's flowers up for her and put them in pots, for which he received a quarter; took the neighbor's horse down to the black- smith shop and received a dime. He was always doing some- thing to make money. He received his dollar and a half for passing his papers Friday evening. It seemed an enormous sum to him, but it was not near enough for completing his plans. That night he borrowed some money from his father. Between times he was also busy in the woodshed, and when he came in to bed that night his mother said, "Why, Jimmie, what's the matter with your face?"
He looked in the glass. There was a long streak of red paint on his pace. He hastily washed it off as best he could and went to bed, for fear his mother might ask him some more questions. The next day was Saturday, and Jim was up bright and early. He worked all day long and when evening came told his mother all about his going to the recital, and his plans to take Ellen. At 2 o'clock all was ready. He went dashing up the street in a bright, new red wagon, to which was hitched a Billie goat. He stopped for Ellen and she clambered into the back seat. They went dashing up Main street, Ellen with hair flying, was trying to hold her hat on with one hand and on to the wagon with the other. There were very seldom more than two wheels on the ground at one time. Jim was triumphant, and as they passed Jack and Grace, who were toiling up the hill, Jim turned and shouted, "The latest modes of travel is some punk, ain't they Ell?"
BEATRICE BECKNER, '14.
DID IT GET HER INTO TROUBLE?
"Evelen, do wake up! I have been talking to you for the last half hour, and you haven't heard a word. Just now I asked you if you wanted me to go home, and you said, 'Yes.'"
"Alice, do forgive me! Really, I did mean to listen, but you know I always did like to dream, and of late the habit has been growing. You know George just loves to talk about his chemis- try, and since I have known him he has been dealing out that dope to me. When he begins, I fix myself comfortably for lis- tening, and then promptly leave him to his talk of compounds, while I drift into the land of dreams. I go on in imaginary shop- ping expedition, where I don't have to look in more than a dozen shops for one article. For the most part he doesn't expect me to talk. However, by the slight inflection of his voice at a momen- tary pause, I know he has asked me something, and answer yes or no. If, perchance, I answer yes at the wrong place he thinks he has gone a little deep for me, and dives into an hour's ex- planation. Then, at this pause, I say no. By that time it is late and he takes his leave, assuring me that he has had a pleasant chat."
"My dear, you can't be blamed in that case. But we girls talk of things that ought to interest you. Let me tell you, you have formed a habit which will get you into no end of trouble unless you break yourself of it."
"Ch, Alice! If you start preaching I won't listen. I am sure it will never get me into trouble."
"All right. But I bet that within a month you will be so em- barrassed because of it that you will wish you had listened to me. But I must be going now. I'll come again when you can be more entertaining."
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Three weeks later Alice, coming again to call on Evelen, rushed breathlessly into the room. "Well, of all things, Evelen Gleen! Why in the world didn't you tell your best friend about it?"
Evelen's dreamy eyes rested on her friend's face as she list- lessly said, "Alice, will you kindly explain what you are talking about?"
"Well, of all things! You don't act like you were a bit ex- cited. I am sure I would be if I were in your shoes. You needn't look so amazed; I know all about it, even if you didn't think enough of our friendship to trust me with your secret. Since it has become public, you will talk to me about it won't you?"
"Alice, I never knew before that you could be so aggravating ! Why don't you explain yourself?"
"Evelen, you are the one that is aggravating! How can you tease so, when you must be so happy? Jack told me all about it. George is simply overflowing with happiness."
"May I ask what George is so happy about?"
"Evelen if you don't settle down, I am going to shake you!"
"But you didn't answer my question."
"You little goose; happy because you are to be his pretty little wife, of course."
"Be his wife!" exclaimed Evelen in amazement. "Who said so?"
"Oh, George told Jack all about it."
"Alice, please explain just what you mean."
"All right, my little Miss Innocence. George said that eve-
ning before last as he sat talking to you, it occurred to him that he would like to have you to talk to always, so he asked you to be his wife."
"Alice! You must enjoy telling imaginary stories. He did nothing of the kind.
"As I was saying," said Alice with a twinkle in her eyes, "George asked if you would be his wife. You set his heart bounding with joy by immediately answering, 'yes.' He prompt- ly kissed you. You sprang up and demanded to know if he were a gentleman. He assured you to your satisfaction that he was, and presently left, thinking he was the happiest man living. And now I am waiting for my invitation. When is it going to be?"
"Alice, are you telling me the truth?" asked Evelen very solemnly.
"Honest Injun! Why do you ask?"
"I know you are laughing at me, but really I didn't know that George asked me that. I was thinking of what dress to wear to your party next week, when he suddenly kissed me. I was shocked and angry, but he begged off so beautifully, that I had to forgive him. Alice, if you don't stop laughing, I am going to my room and lock the door.'
"Oh, Evelen! How funny! Didn't I tell you that your habit of not listening would get you into an embarrassing position ?"
"But, Alice, it didn't," said Evelen with a note of happiness in her voice. "You see, it wasn't nearly so embarrassing as if I had heard what he said. And it didn't get me into any trouble either, for I do love George, and I am going to begin studying chemistry right away, so I really can talk to him intelligently."
MABEL TOLES, '13.
seventy-four
"LOUIS GETS FUNNY."
"Whatever became of old Sim Jones?" asked a man who had just returned to his old home town, after a lapse of many years.
"See that building on the hill over yonder?" asked the old settler of the town.
"You don't mean to say that is the home of Sim Jones?"
"Yep, you will find him right there if you was to go and ask for him. You see old Sim got to inventing things. He first in- vented a shoe brush, which worked by turning a crank, and would have made a fortune out of it, if he had fixed the brush so it would tilt, but you see it was stationary and would only brush the top part of his boots.
"Then he next invented a dishwashing machine, and say, the people were excited about it. A man came here with lots of money to push it right through."
"And Sim was too smart to let him cheat him out of all the profits, eh? How much do you suppose he is worth?"
"Worth? Ain't worth a cent."
"But I thought you said he lived in that fine place upon the hill."
"Well, I did, but you see that is our new poorhouse."
LOUIS MOREHEAD, '13.
RILEY DAY.
honor of the birthday of our much-loved poet, James Whitcomb Riley, it being the first real celebration that his birth town has ever given him, and every effort was put forth on the part of all to make it a success.
At 8:30 A. M. the members of the High School and Depart- mental had a short program in the High School assembly room. This consisted of Riley songs and readings, given by several of the pupils, a talk by Mrs. Poulson on "The Poet's Boyhood," and one by Miss Sample on "What Made Riley Famous." The School Board furnished each pupil with a flag and Riley Day badge, and Mr. Forest kindly furnished them with flowers.
At 10 o'clock a long procession of the pupils was formed, which marched west on Main to Broadway to greet Riley. As he came the ranks were parted and his machine was driven be- tween them, while flowers were showered at the poet from either side.
The band and procession followed Riley to the court house, where a very large crowd was gathered. Here a program was given, consisting of speeches, made by Messrs. George Carr, John Mitchell, Sr., William A. Hough, William R. Hough, Henry Snow and Ora Myers. Most of these men were boyhood friends of Riley, and they told many interesting things concerning his youth and the happy hours which they had spent with him at the "Old Swimmin' Hole."
Superintendent Larrabee then introduced George Walton, a grandson of one of Riley's schoolmates, who presented the poet with a silver loving cup, bearing the following inscription:
"To JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY,
October 7th was one of the most pleasant holidays ever en- joyed, not only by the pupils of the Greenfield schools, but also From the Children of the Public Schools-Greenfield, Indiana, by the people of the city and vicinity. The occasion was in City of His Birth-October 7, 1912."
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Mr. Riley was not even able to stand in the machine to ac- knowledge the gift, but he was deeply touched and with emotion accepted it in these words: "I thank you. Sometimes I think that I ought to apologize to the people of Greenfield in that I may not seem to appreciate all they do for me. Not being able to arise, I shall only say, that I cannot tell you how my heart is touched. It is a great thing, and if later we can claim the re-
ward we all hope for, heaven will indeed have to surpass itself to find more than I have here. I thank you."
Having given nine "Rahs" for Riley, the crowd dispersed.
Considering the ill condition of Mr. Riley's health, it was very fortunate that we could have him with us upon that day, and the celebration can never be forgotten.
URITH C. DAILEY, '13.
Miss S. (in English)-Why do they talk Latin to ghosts? Urith D .-- Because it's a dead language.
Miss Engibous-What are the prime colors ? Frank Stewart-Red, White and Blue.
Todd-Well, you all did fine today, with the exception of those that didn't do fine.
What did Asa Good-win?
Letty P. (in Chemistry ) -Nitrogen has neither odor, taste nor smell.
Laura R .-- Oh, Bob, come back close to me (so I can put my of H? feet on your chair) .
J. W. K .- Why did Henry turn Protestant ? M. Gorman-To have more supporters.
Miss S. (in Chaucer class) -If you read "Chaucer" ." a good deal, it is hard for you to talk straight.
Bob M .- According to that, if you read "Ten Nights in a Bar Room," it is hard for you to walk straight.
Bob M .- Specific gravity is-is-, Oh, I forget the last of that !
If the matrimony fever again strikes our school will Mary Sample ?
Mr. Moore (in Chemistry ) -Louise, what is the significance
Louise T .- Do you mean what is stands for?
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ELECTION DAY.
Such an important event as the election could not pass the Greenfield High School unnoticed, so upon the afternoon of No- vember 5th, a school election was held. Small ballots were print- ed for the occasion, upon which were the names of the five can- didates for President and the five for Governor. An election board was appointed, consisting of Louis Morehead, inspector; Richard Morgan and Ralph Bruner, judges; Sheldon Cooper and Russell Stuart, clerks, and Miner Pugh and Nelson Black, marshals.
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