Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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. '

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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.

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THE SPECTATOR 13 Suddenly aware of the bear's presence, Jerry jumped from the log and wheeled about. But he did not, as we had anticipated, make a mad dash for camp. Instead, we saw him grab his gun, level it at theranimal, and a puff of smoke shot forth, followed by the crack, for we were some distance away. No, the bear did not roll over dead, and thus put an end to our joke, besides getting us into a lot of trouble. With a rush it made straight at Jerry, who, apparently too scared to move, stood as if petrined. But it nf ver reached him. At this instant there shot into the clearing another bear. Yet its run was unmistakably that of a dog, and it was then that we realized in horror that it was a real bear with which Jerry had Hrst to deal, and that the newcomer was Tiny. All this flashed thru our minds as the hound in his bearskin sprang at Jerry's assailant. As the two animals came together we saw Jerry make off thru the trees and knew that he was safe, at least. During the battle which ensued we could do nothing but sit in awe and watch. At our distance dog and beast were as one, so that when finally one great form rolled over and lay still we knew not whether. to laugh or cry. What we did do, however, was to cock our guns and rush madly down the hill toward the clearing. lt seemed hours before we got there, but when we did arrive and found Jerry sitting onthe ground with Tiny's head in his lap Qlre had torn off the bearskinj and the bear motionless beside him, we laughed and cried for joy, But when he raised his hand warningly, and, pointing to the dog, motioned us to come to him, our spirits fell, for we knew that something was wrong. As we drew near Tiny raised his head a little, reveal- ing a great gash in his neck from which the blood was slowly oozing. He looked up wistfully at us, then at Jerry, and whined softly. His head fell back limply, his eyes began to glaze, a shudder passed over him, and he lay still. Tiny was dead.