Anderson Union High School - Aurora Yearbook (Anderson, CA)

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Isn't it great! The letter says we probably will be ordered to the border line, he read. lYhy, ldfanda, what is it? he asked when he noticed her bowed head and trembling lips. As she raised her tearless eyes to his for answer. the letter fell from his now nerveless fingers and his face whitened--he under- stood the meaning of war at last. Ah, Wfanda, I know now! Thank God for our women and what they teach us. he said as he reverently drew her arm through his and led her to the banquet room, which was fast filling as the spirit of dancing could not be recalled. Vlfhen the lunch was finished, Col. Preston. who had been in active service in the war of 1898 and was a stanch patriot, delivered a speech that quenched the wild romantic spirit of his young friends and instilled in the hearts of everyone present a greater, truer sense of patriotism and duty to one's country. After the cheers and sobs had somewhat subsided Captain Perry was called upon to speak. Standing straight and resolute before them and glancing first at the girl who sat beside him with downcast eyes, he told them how he had not thought at first of the seriousness of the call for troops, he had regarded a trip to Mexico as a lark, not thinking of the battles they might have to fight. He told them that he had learned a lesson through the pain of someone else, and how he hated warfare and would rather give his life to peace, but when called upon he clearly saw his dutyg for why shouldnlt he go as well as some other? lle cautioned them not to waste too many tears because they were not yet sure as to whether they would be sent to the Mexico of bandits and fighting guerrillas, perhaps things were not as serious there as they now appeared. At the doorstep of his home Col. Preston, uuemotional man as he was, grasped the hand of Captain Perry and his voice shook as he said: Go on, my boy, as you have begun and Old Glory will be proud of you,', and quickly disappeared into the house. lN7anda lingered yet a while to whisper how proud she had been of him and how much she would miss her soldier boy. I The next morning, Sunday. the whole town awoke to repair to the church. The old church steps creaked under the unaccustomed tread of so many feet: never before had there convened in its pews so many people with just one thought uppermost in their minds. Xdfith heads bowed low they listened to the prayers of the venerable pastor for their boys who must go to battle or what not. After the services, everyone congregated under the trees nearby for a brief time, to say the last good-bys. :lifter being presented by Col. Preston with a large silk American Hag and a huge box of cigars to insure their good luck, as he expressed it, the precious horde of soldiers marched away. Wfanda did not return home afterwards, but leaving her father at their gate she stole quietly to her secret spot in the woods that she might be alone with her thoughts, for she had not learned the sad stern lessons of sacrifice that the Great lVar teaches to thousands of its women every day. Two lifeless, sultry days passed by and still nothing had been heard as Thirty

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.lust as the gray dawn peeped over the edges of the horizon indicating the begiiming' of the tenth day, jupiter arose and demanded silence while he spoke. 'f'his gift was a suggestion of Minerva's. tive all agree as to its wis- dom. l,et her settle this dispute as she settled the former one. Minerva, the wisest of all the wise, arose, tall and stately. Froin the nrst moment we began work on our creation. l have known what it would be called. Vtfhen you hear it you, also. will know that it could not be named but one name and that is 'woman. ' 'he iavrnra Efhat Bib nt Bic Ry 'f'f1:.xNc14:s M. JESSEN, '16, tlaiety was everywhere in the brilliantly lighted dance hall. for in the little mountain town society and pleasure slumbered during the week only to burst 'forth on Saturday nights with a greater energy. XVhile youth whirled across the floor in each other's arms, mothers and chaperons bustled about in the banquet room arranging for the midnight lunch, now and then stopping at the doorway to enjoy the almost irresistible music and the dizzy sight within. .Xmidst the gay laughter and stolen whispers. the rapid hoofbeats upon the rocky streets outside were not observed except by Hfanda Preston, the only daughter of Colonel Preston, the most influential man in the sleepy little town, and Captain Perry, who sat together near an open window. . Xttracted by the unusual sound Wanda seized the opportunity to turn the conversation into channels of a less personal natu1'e. lsn't it strange that someone would be coming' here at this time of the night, and on horseback? she asked, assuming' a tone of interest. Yes, rather, he answered patiently. flut when a shrill bugle note echoed above the noisy room, Captain f'erry leaped to his feet, all attention. X'Yanda clutched her lover's arm- one thought reflected from his eyes, flashed across her mind and pierced her heart like an arrow, for such a note connotates only one thing' in this time of shattered dreams of world peace. And had not the governor only the other day, issued a call for troops to quell the raids along' the Mexican border, and was not Captain Perry a soldier? ln the tense silence that followed the messenger was easily heard when he shouted out briefly: Friends, l was sent here by the lieutenant of the militia of this county to inform the men of this eonununity to report for duty to-morrow at 3 P. M. lrlere is the letter for Captain Perry of Company D. .Xs Captain l erry dashed back with his letter of instruction in his hand. unmindful of the blanched cheeks and lips of his sweetheart, his eyes flashed with excitement and his heart was seized by the spirit of adven- ture. Twenty-urine

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to whether Company D was ordered to the border line. On the second evening as XVanda, thoughtful, loitered along' the familiar leafy path, which hugged the mountain side, her unhearing ears, except for one sound, sensed the tramp of horses' feet upon a mountain road-or was she dreaming? Peering down anxiously through the leaves at the green banked road below, she waited breathlessly for the sound to approach nearer. On spying a streak of blue through the trees at the turn in the road, she turned and sped down the path bursting into the study of her father, who sat in the twilight smoking his cigar, with the cry: 'l'hey are coming back! They are coming back! and she threw her arms about her astonished father's neck. lJaughter, calm yourself and tell me who is coming. Why, the boys are coming back, they didn't to Mexico-I saw them coming around the bend. You are probably mistaken but let us go out and see. Ifrect and silent the old soldier and his daughter stood at their gate as the weary, dusty band came in view, headed by Captain Perry. Xtith a salute they clattered up the street cheering hilariously. after being dis- missed by their captain, who had dismounted at the gate. lYell, my boy, l suppose matters are not very serious in Mexico since you have come back to us? asked Col. Preston. Yes. it is serious, but all the companies reported so punetually that they had all the troops they needed before they came to us. The boys were so anxious to show what they could do that I did my best to get our company enlisted but it was of no use. - 1 lb, l ani so glad they didn't need you, said XYanda joyfully. So am l, dear-for your sake. and Captain Perry smiled upon the happy face opposite him. lint the boys are all glad to be back. You should have seen how they all brightened up on that hot, dusty road when they caught sight of the familiar things near here, he added. .Xs Wanda sat bathed in moonlight, on the step below Captain Perry, later in the evening she said rather wistfully: What has happened to you? You are so changed and thoughtful. You don't seem a bit glad to be back. .'xh, X-Vanda, no one is happier to be back than I-for isn't peace and love better than war and hate? :Xnd yet l can't help thinking-, and his voice trailed off into silence. XX'hat ? she asked. Uh, of the company that was sent in our place. of the man who had tn go in my place, probably he has someone already vainly waiting for his return. he finished. I lb, hush dear, l've thought of those things for myself, for how did l know when you went away that l should ever see you again ? l understand, dear. Uh, il' we might have a peace so that no one would have to die in others' places, he said as she laid her hand in his eager outstretched one. - T1lf1'fQyl'01LC