Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

Page 15 text:

THE SPECTATOR I3 amphitheatre, passing the Giant's Pipe Organ, at which the musician sat who entertained His Majesty with his Hne playing. The coloring along the cliff is beautiful. The rich reds and salmons of the rocks, and the bright green of the grass harmonized perfectly with the cloudless blue of the sky and the tossing blue-green of the sea below. The vicinity of the region is rich in legends, among the most accepted of which is that of how a Scotch giant pre- pared to cross over to Ireland to settle a feud which had long existed between him and an lrish giant. When the latter's wife saw him crossing the Causeway, she devised a scheme by which she might save her husband. She hid her infant son, and in his stead placed her husband in the cradle. When the Scotch giant arrived and asked to see her husband, she replied: He is not at home, but you may see his three-month old baby if you wish. When he saw the size of the supposed infant, he became alarmed. He marveled, and wondered what the father could be like, if his son were of such large size. Thus the strife ended, and the Causeway fell into disuse. The regularity with which these columns are placed makes a tale of such an origin quite plausible. Dress Parade at the Barracks BY HAYDEN L. HEWS '12 WOUD and clear the notes of the bugle sounded on the cool morning air and dwindled away in the distance. lt was First call for dress parade. Instantly every one bestirred himself. The spectators all moved up to the edge of the parade ground, orderlies could be seen hurrying to and fro from the Ofhcers' Headquarters, and all the soldiers, who had been lounging around the park, went to- ward the headquarters, We could see, here and there about the various buildings, groups of men lining up to march to the parade ground. These soldiers belong to the regular standing army of the United States, the post being at Columbus, Ohio. We had gone to the barracks that morning with the hope that

Page 14 text:

I2 THE SPECTATOR our guide to a most interesting cave. Portcoon Cave can be approached by two entrances, one from the sea, the other from land if the tide is low. The sea was too rough for the oarsmen to venture to row us in, and so we climbed alonga very rough, narrow foot-path of smooth cobble- stones to the entrance. The cave was dark and damp. Our guide carried a lantern to give light. Along the roof is a Hne example of a slipping of layers of rocks, called a geological fault, The whole must have been produced by a tremendous upheaval. The roar of the waves inside is terrihc, and as we looked out thru the sea entrance, we could see the Irish Sea rolling its waves with much force along the cliffs. Leaving the cave we proceeded to the Causeway proper. From a distance it looked disappointing-more like a pile of cobble-stones than an elegant arrangement of verti- cal basaltic columns. More than forty thousand of these columns, composed of blocks which seem to be artificially placed one on top of the other, extend to an uncertain depth. Some of them are polygonal in shape, and range from three-sided formations to eight-sided ones. The key- stone is said to be the only octagonal stone in existence. The peculiar formations in various parts of the Cause- way have been given names suggested by their fantastic shapes. In one part is a depression, Hlled with water, called the Giant's Punchbowlg another, the Giant's Fan, formed by Hve pentagons surrounding a hexagon. In the Grand Causeway is Lord Antrim's Parlor, a number of large yellow stones which resembles a parlor in disorder the morning after a night of money-making. The entire Causeway is divided into three parts---the Little, Middle and Grand Causeway. The second is shaped like a honey-comb. One group of stones, the Wishing Chair, resembles a chair. We each sat in it and made three wishes, after which we proceeded to the Wishing Well, presided over by an old Irish peasant woman, who gave us each a drink of the sweet water with which to wash down our wishes, so that they may come to pass. Leaving the Causeway thru a gate-way of solid rock, known as the Giant's Gateway, we began a difhcult climb up the cliffs for several miles along the Irish Sea to the

Page 16 text:

14 THB SPECTATOR we should see the dress parade. We were not disappointed. At the second sound of the bugle, all the companies marched to the parade ground and lined up. The band came out, followed by two men bearing the flags. There are two flags carried with the parade, the stars and stripes and the flag of peace. Armed guards march at each side of the bearers and woe to him who attempts to harm them! The band fell into position and played while the sol- diers lined up in two long lines, each company being headed by the captain. The colonel advanced to the front and the officer of the day took his position, The captains ran their men thru the various drills, and at last all stood at atten- tion, The ofhcer of the day then received the reports from the captains and he, in return reported to the superior ofhcer. The colonel then advancing stated that Major - would be the ofhcer for the following day. The order for advancing was given and all the ofhcers came forward, saluted, and turned to face the men. The band struck up a tune and the parade began. lt was a beautiful sightg the men in their close-fitting khaki suits, the ofhcers' brilliant uniforms and flashing swords, and above all, Old Glory. The fhg was carried in the middleof the parade. As the line pissel the officers, they took off their hats and placed them reverently over their hearts until the flag had passed. The observance of this custom was required of all specta- tors. lt was an inspiring sight to see every man and boy on the grounds take his hat off as the flag passed. After the soldiers had marched around the parade ground a few times, they marched toward the main building. They were well drilled, each gun being held at exactly the same angle, every foot coming down at the same instant, as they marched up the walk. When they reached the headquarters they disbanded. The parade was over.