Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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36 SPECTATOR had evidently discovered the stopping of the train and when Betty approaching, he raised his hat and asked if she was one of the passengers. Betty replied in the affirmative. “Could you tell me what is the mattah?” Certainly,” replied Betty. “The bridge over a small creek ahead has burned and the train must stop till to-mor- row.” They talked a while and Betty, charmed by the courtesy of the old gentleman, told how this was her first trip to the South and how she was going to Kitty Allen’s for Christ- mas and New Year’s. “Kitty Allen! I know her. She is my niece. So you all are going to visit her. Won’t you all come in and meet her Aunt Mahgaret?” he said. He and Betty passed up the broad avenue, beneath huge live oaks. Here were groups of neglected huts which had evidently been used for slave quarters before the war. Near them was a larger house which had been occupied by the overseer. A little farther on, the avenue curved, and they came to a large, white house, evidently of the ante-bellum period. A broad veranda extended along the front. Vines grew up over it. Plots of ground with many dead stalks showed that there was a profusion of flowers in summer. From the avenue a glimpse was caught of large stables. “Mothah! Oh, Mothah!” called the old man. ‘‘Heah’s a visitah.” “Land sakes! Who, Charles?” and a little old lady ap- peared on the veranda. She was dressed simply. Her white hair was drawn back loosely and gathered into a knot be- hind. “This is Miss Mahsden, who is going to visit Kitty. The bridge ovah Snaky Creek buhned down and I have in- vited her to come in foah a little while.” “Come in. You all are quite welcome, I’m suah,” and she led the way into the house. After they had talked a while. Mrs. Gray (for this was

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SPECTATOR 35 Man gibt Striimpfe, Kleider, Handschuhe, Pantoffeln, und andere niitzlichen Gaben; oft bekommt man Seife — nichts kommt iibel. „Den ganzen Tag lacht und singt die Familie. Dann am Abend fangt der Vater mit einem Weihnachtslied an und die Frau und die Kinder stimmen ein. Spater, oft am an- deren Tag, besuchen sich die Bekannte und Verwandte und geben einander herzlichste Griisse. Also ist diese Jahreszeit eine von grosser Freude und Gliickseligkeit. Das ist die Sitte der Deutschen.” c A Happy Christmas Helen Millhoff ’17 The train lumbered on. Betty Marsden read and dozed by turns. It was dusk and the lights had been turned on. Betty was tired for she had been traveling since yesterday. She expected to reach her destination that evening. This was her first trip to the South. Kitty Allen had invited her down for Christmas and New Year’s day. Betty was delighted to go, for Kitty and she had been chums at college. She was thinking of the fine time she would have, when there came a shrill blast from the locomotive whistle, a grinding of brakes, and the train stopped. Several of the passengers got out to investigate. After a time the conductor came through the car saying, “The bridge over a small creek not far away has burned. We will have to wait till to-mor- row morning, so that the repair crew from the next station can build a temporary bridge.” After he had passed on, Betty got off the train and de- cided to take a walk. She walked about half a mile, then stopped and looked about her. What she saw was a roll- ing country, evidently good farm land but full of weeds. The fences were fallen down. In fact, everything seemed to be in a state of neglect. Not far away, on top of a slight elevation, Betty caught a glimpse of a large, white house and upon walking nearer she discovered an old, white haired gentleman leaning on the wrought-iron gate. He

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SPECTATOR 37 the old lady’s name) said, “Miss Mahsden, couldn’t you all stay heah to-night?” “Why, yes, if it would be no trouble to you,” replied Betty. “Chahles, you all go down to the train and ask them to let Miss Mahsden know befoah they staht in the mawn- ing.” Mr. Gray and Betty walked down to the train and found the conductor, who knew the old man, for he said, “How do you do, Mr. Gray. The bridge over Snaky Creek has burned.” “So this young lady has been telling me,” returned Mr. Gray. “I have asked her to stay at ouah house foah the night. She has consented and we would be much obliged if you all would let us know befoah the train stahts in the mawning.” “Certainly I will,” replied the conductor. “I’ll tell the engineer to blow two blasts with the whistle.” The old man went after Betty’s bags and the conductor said, “If you like to hear war stories ask him to tell you some for he was a Confederate soldier.” As Betty said, “Thank you,” Mr. Gray returned and they walked back to the house. When they reached it they ate their evening meal and then went to the sitting room. It was an immense room with a huge fireplace at one end. They sat around the fire and Mr. Gray told some war stories. It was found that he and Betty’s grandfather had been great friends, even though they fought on opposite sides. Betty casually remarked what a beautiful place they had. Mr. Gray looked at his wife, then he said, “It won’t be ouah’s foah long. Theah is a moahgage whose payment falls due in a week. We are not able to pay. The man will not wait, but is going to foahclose, so we lose ouah home soon.” “What a pity!” exclaimed Betty sympathetically.