Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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I0 THE SPECTATOR Dick BY JANE S. BOYER Dick was a big, heavy, brown mule, as balky and obstinate as mules usually are. For many years he and his friend Tom hauled a large bread wagon to town, and at night slept in a stable near the bakery. Tom was gentle and friendly, but Dick was constantly watching for an opportunity to run off, kick some one, or cause John, his driver, any amount of trouble. Several years ago their stable was being repaired, and John got permission from my father to keep the mules in our stable. lt is often said that a mule shows his obstinacy most when he is being taken into a strange stable, and Dick was no exception to this rule. The driver took him by the halter and led him to the door. Dick set one foot inside the stable door, threw back his head, and looked around the large stall, the floor of which was covered with fresh straw, and then refused to move another step. Neither coaxing nor whipping could induce him to go any further. John was about ready to give up, when a man who was watching him said, Tie something over his eyes. Then he will go in. So Dick was turned around and led away from the stable. After tying a large handkerchief over his eyes, John again turned him around, led him into the stable, and tied him with a strong strap. When Dick saw that he was defeated, he tried in many different ways to get loose, but did not succed. Finally he gave up, and for a few days was as mild and gentle as a mule could be. One night about a week later lwas awakened by a strange sound. lt was a clear, moonlight night. Whenl went to the window l distinctly saw Dick on our lawn playing and dancing around, then rolling from one side to the other. By the time father got down stairs Dick had run around the house several times, each time tearing up the flower beds, making large holes in the soft ground, and destroying everything he possibly could. On one trip he ran into a small plum tree with such force that he bent it almost to the ground. After considerable trouble, father caught him and took him to the stable. There he found

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THE SPECTATOR 9 cowardice. But the man was determined. He would not go alone to that church in the night. Would he go if the deacon went with him? Yes, he would do that, very well. And so they started-the servant. who could go alone, but wouldn't, carrying on his back his masterg the deacon, who would go alone, but couldn't. While on the journey the deacon horrified his servant by telling him tales of the things the ghouls which haunted the churchyard had done in the past and might be expected to do in the future. But when they neared the graveyard the deacon became silent. For, to tell the truth, he was frightened by his own stories. When they reached the graveyard, however, he had enough courage to tell his ser- vant to cheer up, as the ghouls would probably take him, the master, and spare the servant, out of gratitude to the latter for bringing them the deacon. Bnt he immediately reversed this, and stated that, after all, the ghouls would probably take the servant, as he was the fatter of the two, and it was well known that the ghouls preferred fat men td lean ones. When they entered the graveyard the deacon again became quiet. They crossed the 'graveyard in silence. They neared the church. They approached the steps be- hind which, unknown to them, crouched the waiting sheep thief. Suddenly, when they were not more than ten feet from the steps, there arose against the white church a large black figure, which asked in a hollow, hungry voice: ls he a fat one? I' I' -I -I As soon as he recovered from his fright, the servant dropped his master, and started 'cross country for home. He made the journey in record-breaking time. But, not- withstanding his speed, he found his master, the one-time paralytic, arrived there ahead of him.

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THE SPECTATOR I1 that the driver had left the outside door open because the weather was very warm. Dick had pulled and chewed at the halter strap until it gave way, and then he had gone out by the open door. After that Dick was more securely tied, and was just as obstinate as ever, until one night the stable was struck by lightning. Tom was killed and Dick was severely stunned. He was taken back to his old home at the bakery, and although he was tenderly cared for, he never fully recovered from the shock. About four months later the bakery and stables burned to the ground and Dick perished in the flames. Hymn to the Night BY V. R. P., '10 AIN would I leave the light of day, To Wander in thy shade, O Night! To hear thy voices chant a lay, Thru all thy hours with fervent might. I love the katydid's crisp song, Singing and calling thru the trees, With one accord the Whole night long, While branches sway them in the breeze. The crickets make this heart rejoice, Whene're they ope their happy straing Telling me with one chirping voice Of kings, methinks, that are to reign. The Wind of night, how soft it blows O'er meadows wide, and tree, and rushg And now o'er hill and vale it goes With never a sign of lower hush. O Night! What glories thou hast concealed Beneath thy canopy on highg To keep them safe, forever sealed Is thine: 'tis ours to reason why.