Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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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.

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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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THE SPECTATOR 15 Sir Roger At The Moving Pictures CHARLES BUTLER, ’l2. My friend, Sir Roger, and I were aimlessly strolling up Main street, when a thought came to my mind. As I knew that the old gentleman was fond of pictures, I invited him to go to the moving picture show. He assented. Sir Roger was no more than seated when he remarked, “It is not very often that the women take off their hats. They generally leave that to the men.” The first reel pictured a hunting expedition. The old man became so interested that he took his pipe out of his pocket, and was about to light it when I intervened. Sir Roger said, “This reminds me of an old fox chase that I engaged in about twenty- five years ago; but those young hunters are not to be compared with us old fellows.” In the meantime one of the hunters in the picture, a hand- some young fellow who had been hunting from early in the morning until noon, became so hungry that he decided to go to a farmhouse for something to eat. The fox hunter was riding on a white horse which reminded Sir Roger of the old white pad he kept in his stable. I heard the old knight mumble to himself. “That fellow’s horse cannot run so fast as mine ran on the day I shot the big gray fox.” The fox hunter dismounted and tied his horse to a tree. He rapped at the door and a pretty girl respond- ed. She bade him come in. The young gentleman and pretty girl were soon engaged in conversation. He made several calls to see her, and after a series of pictures they were happily mar- ried. I noticed Sir Roger drop his head. Then he said aloud. “Do you know thqt young fellow did more in one day than I did in all my life? Well, perhaps he is a little better looking than I am, but I’ll wager that I can beat him hunting hares and foxes.” The second reel pertained to farm life. Several children were riding on top of a hay wagon. As the farmer drove his wagon along the side of a steep hill, the wagon leaned threateningly. Sir Roger, who has often talked entertainingly on the subject of un- necessary accidents, pushed his shoulder against mine as if he were helping to upright the wagon. Then much to the amuse- ment of the audience he shouted, “Those children will be killed!” When the last reel, which pictured a German beer garden, was put on I saw on Sir Roger’s face a look of intense interest. The knight cried, “Do you see that old fellow sitting at the right of the table? Well, he just looks like Sir Andrew Freeport. I used to argue with him every time I went to the coffee house. He was always wrong; his arguments failed to make clear his