Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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THE SPECTATO R 13 ecstacy of delight. That afternoon Pat closed the general store and hurried over to Bridget’s house with his precious valentine. “Good afternoon Bridget, said Pat. “Good afternoon, said Bridget, conducting Pat into the par- lor, where they remained for a long while. “Oi’m so glad that ye love me,” exclaimed Pat. Who told ye oi love ye? answered Bridget. “Why this valentine ye sent me told me, said Pat. “Oi niver sint the likes of ye a valentine, Bridget replied. Then followed a careful examination of the valentines. “Begorrah,” exclaimed Pat, “it must ’afe been St. Valentine himself who sent them. But will ye marry me anyway, Bridget? “Oi will, Pat,” replied Bridget, “if ye promise to do what oi tell ye after we are married.” Oi promise,” said Pat. When Will heard the news, he congratulated Pat and teased him about the valentines. “How did he know about the valentines,” thought Pat and aloud he asked, “Were ye the little brat that sint them?” Will confessed what he had done and on Valentine’s Day he was the guest of honor at the wedding of Pat McDonald and Bridget McQuire. A Soldier’s Sacrifice JOS. KAMINSKY, ’l2. The Crimean War raged fiercely. Gen. Marivin, the Russian military expert, was home with his mother in St. Petersburg. She was afflicted with cholera. The last call came for the young gen- eral to report for duty, and he realized that he had to go. He left in October, a few days after the call. The parting words of his kind mother rang in his ears: “Alexis, come back before I die.” The ride to Odessa was long, but nevertheless the time passed rapidly, and he reached his destination within twenty- eight hours. He was met by cheers and shouts from the entire army, but his heart remained heavy. He led his regiment west- ward, where he combined his forces with those of Gen. Rinas. The combined forces moved southward where the Czar ordered them to attack some Turkish forces. Meeting the foe the Rus- sians almost annihilated the Turkish army. Here, Gen. Marivin was greatly honored, Czar Nicholas I himself awarding him a medal for excellent work and heroic bravery. The Turks, deter- mined to avenge their defeat and regain their lost power, mus-

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12 THE SPECTATOR threw the enemy. Releasing one hand for a moment he seized a lump of coal, and while his foe attempted to choke him he beat him into unconsciousness with it. He then climbed back into the cab, and brought the train into Williamsburg. Seeing his ap- proach the soldiers greeted him with a cheer, clambored aboard, and while the return journey was being made Keene related the conditions to the Colonel in command. As they neared the town, the Colonel gave the order, “Fix bayonets,” and as the train drew into the railroad yards and the men leaped off, “Strike forma- tion,” “Double quick time,” and “Charge” followed each other in rapid succession. After the strike was broken two weeks later, Keene was call- ed to the President’s office, presented with a check for $1,000, and offered the post of foreman of his own roundhouse. Carey and Myers were also promoted. Since then the end of each year had found Keene occupying a more responsible and more remunerative position; three months previous he had been offered his present situation. As Keene ended his reverie a clerk announced that the Presi- dent would see him. Will’s Valentines ESTELLA FRICK, ’14. It was a week before St. Valentine’s Day. Will, the bad boy of Beesville, had bought two pretty valentines and he hadn;t bought them for nothing. In this village lived Pat McDonald, the general storekeeper. Many a time Bridget McQuire had gone into his store; many a time had he wished he could muster up courage to ask her to become his wife, but his nerve had always failed him at the critical moment. Now it was Leap Year and he was hoping that she would ask the fatal question. But his hope had not been realized. Pat and Bridget were to be the honored recipients of Will’s valentines. Though it was a week before St. Valentine’s Day, when he purchased them, his eagerness got the better of him and he mailed them the same day. The next morning Pat received a letter. On opening it, he found a valentine with the inscription, “I love you,” and Bridget’s name signed to it. “If I had only known it before,” sighed Pat. Meanwhile Bridget had also received a valentine which bore the motto, “Will you marry me? Pat.” Bridget was in an

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14 THE SPECTATOR tered their forces from the forts along the Black Sea and the Russian border, and sent them to meet the combined forces of Nicholas I. In this contest the Turks were determined to win, and they outnumbered the Russians five to one. The battle was soon at hand, and Nicholas assigned Marivin the entire command, even over the veteran Rinas. Nicholas left for a sm ll town near at hand, for he always left the battlefield until the combat was over. When the Turkish forces appeared in battle array, Gen. Rinas shuddered at the sight and really hesitated to engage in the contest, but Marivin felt that it must be fought. When the strife began, Marivin ordered the left wing to ad- vance and by thus doing he opened the Turkish line. In the meantime the forces under Rinas were gradually being defeated. An order was then given that all the forces should unite and attack the Turks. This was done, but unfortunately the plan failed. Then, as Marivin was giving the last signal a messenger call- ed him aside. He immediately rode to the rear, expecting to hear some advice or a new plan, but the messenger quietly said, “Your mother is dying; come at once.” The general hesitated. The disgrace of leaving the field of battle recurred to his considera- tion, and on the other hand the last words of his mother re- echoed. At last filial love conquered, and he headed for the Rus- sian capital, where he arrived only in time to press the hand of his dying mother at the last minute. When Rinas fully under- stood the circumstances of his forces, he sent a messenger to Nicholas for aid; the Czar immediately sent his body guard, un- der an experienced general, to aid in the decisive contest. But it was useless. The Russian army was put to flight. After the battle Czar Nicholas came to the remaining forces. After inquiring concerning Marivin’s departure he sent for Mari- vin 'and told him that he had lost his position in the army. Mari- vin begged forgiveness, but the stern ruler refused to hear his plea. Marivin lost his glory and popularity. Some called him traitor; others a coward. Few realized the pangs which came to the noble heart of a hero, a real hero, because he had sacrificed his fame and honor for his mother’s love.