Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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2 THE SPECTATOR The Vandal BY HERBERT GRAHAM, '10 T was the golden days of Greece, when Athens was at the height of her glory and the strength of her position was made even greater by the brilliancy of he-r rival Sparta. Beneath the protection of these two powers the smaller Greek states dwelt in security, cultivated their fields and sacrificed to their gods in safety. Among the latter was the beautiful little island of Nlelos, one of those many beauty spots that dot the blue shores of the Aegean. The people of Nlelos were little disturbed by the troubles that distracted the political life of the larger states. Generation succeeded generation, each following the placid way of its ancestors. To cultivate their Helds, to sacrifice to their gods, and to recognize the beauty of the nature and art that lay around them-these were their duties. The last of these was by no means neglected. Nature had out- done herself in this little isle and the people grew up real- izing it. They tried to bring up their children not only to appreciate what was tangible about them, but to see the aesthetic side of it as well. So each generation increased in skill in sculpture and painting and architecture until their little island became famous even in Greece for the beauty of its buildings and works of art. At last there was born into one of the principal families a baby boy, who, as he matured, showed especial promise of artistic development. As a lad Phidias studied and played with equal earnestness. ln his play Glaucon was his companion. Glaucon, a youth of godlike form, was his constant playmate. Phidias himself was not unusually handsome, yet there was about him a peculiar charm of manner that drew one to him immediately. Between these two there grew up a friendship such as could have existed only between two Greek men. Even when they became older and when they both came to love the same maiden they were still friends. Tho Glaucon did not possess the manual skill of Phidias, yet he was much interested in his friend's development. The young woman who was so fortunate as to be the

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be igb cbool pec ator 'Uzres acquiril eundof' , ,,,Y , ,, 1 , .......- ,,v--.?, VoL. XI. HIGH SCHOOL, JOSQOWN, PA. N 1 N f rib' lV fl i 4 .- -- f??l'l f,lfQi -5 'i NEW mln 'J . Il' S lf E ,,lJi:mlll sl Ampv- Y XKH ly l l l -Qssm ssgilgdllh... f Y f fb 0 A'-L ! '1!, !ef', bw, ,., H V K ' K Val. K J - W ff fl' LI TEILA Y The Harvest Moon BY FRANK M. BRENISER, '09 N August, when the golden sheaves Stand marshaled in the Widespread field 5 When Summer, e'er this world she leaves Makes to her charms our senses yieldg Then as the long and fervid day Sinks into cooling twilight shades, And stillness reigns o'er hills and glades, Gay mortals join with elf and fayg And on the sward, with merry tune, J oyfully greet the Harvest Moon. At Hrst above the wooded hill Appears a mystic, golden rimg But soon she mounts on high until All objects in her full beams swim. And thus she shines until the hour Of breathing morn usurps her power. Men, too, may shine on sea and main, But ah ! likethee, fair Moon, to wane.

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THE SPECTATOR 3 object of their affection was a maiden of the name Actia. She was very beautiful, in a classic way. Her features were regular and clearly cut, her body was slender and graceful. Besides being so beautiful, she had many accom- plishments, and it was small wonder that she had many suitors. Of these Glaucon and Phidias soon came to be thought the most successful. Tho these two saw the inev- itable issue, yet neither spoke of the matter, each tacitly agreeing to let it go as long as possible. Matters stood thus when a messenger came to Melos to speak with Phidias. By this time the fame of Phidias had gone out all over Greece. This messenger was a repre- sentative of the board of men in charge of the public art works of Athens. They proposed that Phidias should come to their city, where they would give him a good position. They wished him, however, to carve first some statues to be sent to Athens for the critical judgment of the Athenians. . The young man was delighted with this proposal on account of the advancement it offered, and his friend rejoiced with him. ln spite of his friend's protests, Phidias decreed that Glaucon should not see the statue until it was altogether hnished. The people of the island became inter- ested in the affair and helped him in any way possible. Phidias was allowed to work in a buildihg on the sacred hill. This was a slight eminence covered by olive trees, which was used somewhat as a pleasure park as well as for religious purposes. Here Phidias toiled unceasingly. At length the statue was completed. Many rumors had gone out about the beauty of the carving, and Phidias had con- sented to unveil the statue publicly the next day. Early on the preceding evening Phidias took his friend Glaucon to see the statue. For a moment after his first glimpse of the carving Glaucon stood there torn by the conflicting emotions of anger and admiration. Well might he admire, for the statue excelled all others he had ever seen in beauty and grace! It represented, according to the artist's conception, the ideal womanhood. It was indeed a noble statueg but the woman-it was Actia in marble! This was the cause of Glaucon's anger. With an effort, however, he controlled his feelings and praised the statue