Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

Page 17 text:

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.

Page 16 text:

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

Page 18 text:

12 THE SPECTATOR A Bear Joke ' BY ASED, '09 EREMIAH KIMMELDORFER was the habitual joker of our class. While on a camping tour last summer four of us got even with Jerry one day in the following manner: On the morning of the day set two of us started off for the forest before Jerry had ceased to emit those soul-rending snorts of which we were all so weary. A bearskin, secured for us by one of the men, we carried wrapped in an oilcloth, while Tiny, the camp dog, followed at our heels, occasion- ally lifting his nose to sniff the air or giving a low grunt which Jerry had dubbed a silent bark. The other two in the game remained behind to conduct the unsuspecting Jerry to the spot where we had decided to have him en- counter a fake bear. This spot was a partly cleared place in what was called The Bottom, plainly visible from any of the adjoining hills. We had chosen this location for two reasons, that we might point him out to Tiny from one of the hills, and that we might see the fun from this point of. vantage. After reaching a suitable place on the hillside we dressed Tiny in the bearskin. We made him into a fairly present- able bear. This done, we sat down to wait for Jerry and his companions to appear. It was fully an hour before they came sauntering out from among the thick trees and sat down on a log. But soon our fellow-conspirators, on a pretense of going back to camp for something, left ,Jerry and in about ten minutes came hastening up to us. Now all was in readiness. Thru the trees we allowed the dog to catch sight of Jerry, and then told him to go. With quickly beating hearts we now watched and awaited developments. This time we did not have long to wait. ln an incred- ably short space of time we saw the bear swing out from among the trees behind the log on which Jerry was sitting. We now expected to see Tiny rush up and play- fully knock Jerry off the log. Instead, he came toward Jerry a way, then stopped and raised his nose, apparently snifhng the air. '