Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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THE SPECTATOR K5 Mock Heroes C. E. IG. '10 'IROT often does a person have an opportunity to save a a human life, but this summer while visiting a small town on the seashore, a friend and I almost had the chance to become applicants for hero medals. The whole incident took place on a lazy afternoon, when most of tne summer cottagers dozed away in their hammocks, chasing mosquitos and dreaming of home. We two heroes, humbly unconscious of the great events await- ing us, were bowling duck-pins in a little resort along the ocean board-walk. Now and then one of us would step out of the stuffy room to get a breath of fresh air, and to brace us for a change of luck. During one of these nerve treat- ments, my friend noticed a few excited people running down the beach, where only a few bathers were enjoying the surf in the afternoon lull. After spreading an alarm, he left the alley with me to find the cause of the disturbance. ln a minute, by straining our eyes over the sea, we descried a black speck bobbing up and down abouttwo hun- dred yards from shore. The tide had just reached its low- est point, and was beginning to flow, lf only the swimmer could hold out afew minutes longer the tide might help him in to shore. But now something must be done, and that on the moment, as the old captain of the life saving crew was not there, and as the boat lay 'way up on the beach, high and dry from the water, one of the younger life-savers, thinking it an easy rescue, dashed out through the breakers toward the helpless swimmer. A companion swam after, floating a life preserver before him. By this time the shore was lined with a helpless multi- tude. ln spite of their frantic arm waving and shouted directions, the life-saver could not locate the drowning person over the low waves. Just at intervals could the body be seen nowg the tide was advancing rapidly, the crowd despaired, but in one last hope my companion raised a cry for the boat, which had been forgotten- in the excite- ment. Finally when two young college fellows consented to row, a score of hands pushed the boat over the sand to

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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.

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16 THB SPECTATOR the water's edge, but there all aid was sacrificed to new clothes. What! Quitters are you? shouted the volunteer oarsmen. The person might not be saved now, but at least the boat could pick him up. So my comrade and l, rushing into the water up to our knees, shoved the boat before us, when suddenly the keel stuck in the sand. We strained and tugged until at last the boat floated, we two marched out of the water, heroes already. In the meantime the life-savers were tiring, and also a complete story was circulating about the sea's victim. Yes, its Miss Brown, of Chicago. She went in by herself, when the undertow and ebb pulled her out to sea. The body could no longer be seen, but all hoped to have it found. At first the boat took the life-savers aboard and then cast about for the drowned person. After a few minutes reconnoitering, the boat suddenly headed for shore. Had they given up the search? lt so appeared to the indig- nant crowd until the boat grated on the pebbles, Then the mass quickly dissolved. The heroes, their new clothes dripping with salt water, with down-cast eyes and dejected hearts, slunk away thru the unused streets. That evening the Daily Reporter published the fol- lowing: TOP OF PILE MISTAKEN FOR DROWNING BATHER. This afternoon, during the lowest tide for weeks, an old log used for tying Hshermen's nets, appearing in the troughs of the waves, etc., etc. A Diamond Stratagem BY J oHN H. CovER, '11 ADR. CLUTCH, a retired business man and a lover of travel, lately related an interesting incident which happened during an extended journey in Africa. He was at the time visiting the Kimberley Diamond Mines which were in their infancy. A contention between two native tribes had made the route to Cape Town unsafe for the shipment of diamonds.