Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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THE SPECTATOR 3 Ullu' ijigh § riuuil apertator Truth to the fact and a good spirit in the treatment' ’ Vol. XIV. Johnstown, Pa., March, 1912. No. 6. The First Valentine MARGARET AMBROSE, ’13. All were busy, from the proud peacock, displaying his plum- age at every turn, to the snow-white doves, calling to one another. Each had to do his part to make the departure of the Maiden Spring a pleasant one. She must hold beautiful memories of the wonderful Garden of Pynas, after she has left it to take to Earth some of its joys. The orioles and nightingales rehearsed their concerts; the fountain played a low melody as it shot up colored sprays of mist. All the devoted servants of Spring were happy in preparing pleasure for her. A lilac bush hid the one unhappy occupant of the Garden. With his head bent in his hands and by his side the neglected bow and arrow, Cupid moped, realizing for the first time the bitter- ness of defeat. He could not shut the memory of it out of his mind. Over and over again pictures flitted before him. Now they became connected and he reviewed his disaster from begin- ning to end. He saw himself as he entered unseen the grove of King Leer. Hiding behind a tall pine, he watched the beautiful Princess and the young court-jester take a morning walk. He heard again the pleasant conversation of these young people who had been playmates from childhood. “Don’t you enjoy this grove, Jaqucr; where you can get away from those people who want you to be funny all the time? Isn’t it often hard to laugh and make other people laugh; surely some- times you must want to be serious ?” “Then listen to me, little Princess,” Jaquer replied, as he help- ed her to a mossy seat on a little knoll and threw himself at its foot. “I often saw you when you were just a tiny child, sitting on the throne with the King. When old Count Mardow would entan- gle his long beard in the medals on his coat, I remember how you would clench your hands and how tightly you would close your mouth to keep from laughing. Then when I feel dull, and jok- ing seems impossible. I recall the lesson you silently taught me from the throne, and win out.”

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Lives of great men all remind us We can make or lives sublime, And departing leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time.— Longfellow.

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4 THE SPECTATOR The little Princess’ eyes shone and laughingly she said, “I am glad of that; and, Jaquer, do you remember”—and she placed her hand on the shoulder of her attendant anti laughed as she re- called some picture in the past. A shudder passed over Cupid as he recollected that moment. In a mischievous mood he had lifted the silver bow and sent a tiny gold arrow into the heart of the jester. Then fearing detec- tion he had hurried away. A change came over the jester at that moment. At first he did not realize it. A day later he knew that he had lost his little playmate, for he could never treat Ralein the same. The days that followed brought a strange silence over him, which the Princess could not understand. Jaquer avoided her and she noticed that his acting in the court was forced. Then Cupid realized his mistake. How could this court- jester ever hope to win the daughter of the King he served, when the King, with a selfish love for his daughter, had kept her awav from all the world with only a jester for her companion? For months Cupid had watched for the lonely little Princess and the young jester, who was fighting daily an inward passion. Then he came to the Garden of Pvnas, dejected and miserable. The happiness here contrasted strongly with his sorrow. He could not forget what he had done. Two white doves alighted on the lawn very near him. As he looked at these little carriers of happiness, a sudden thought came to him. At his call they alighted on his outstretched hand, list- ening attentively while he told them what he wished them to do. Then thev flew awav. Soon they returned carrying a basket woven of delicate flowers. Into this their little master jumped and buried himself beneath the petals. The doves took up the flowery array and flew away, away from the Garden of Pvnas out into the great world. Over the grove of King Leer thev paused and fluttered down toward a green knoll, where sat a little Princess. The carriers placed the basket in her lap and then rose to the branches of the tall pine. Ralein smiled as one who believes he is enjoying a pleasant dream, though half awake. Unseen within Cupid sent out another tiny arrow and finished his mission. Then bursting forth from his flowery covering he stood before the girl. In eloquent words he pled the case of Jaquer. Would she not come with him to the Garden of Pvnas ? No mortal can resist this little god of love. Jaquer, drawn toward the knoll, found them there. Ralein called to him and Cupid beckoned. He came and understood. With a smile Cupid turned away. The doves fluttered near. The first valentine was a success.