Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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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.

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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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38 SPECTATOR The subject was dropped and they soon retired, but Betty could not sleep as she thought of how the old couple dreaded the losing of their old home. All at once an idea flashed into her head and after thinking awhile she drop- ped off to sleep. The next morning, she and Mr. Gray walked down and she boarded the train, and when she reached her destination, her plan was matured. When the train stopped at Hilldale, there was Kitty waiting. The moment Betty appeared. Kitty ran to her. “I’ve been pahfectly distracted. I didn’t know what awful accident might have happened. I’m so glad to have you heah, that I don’t know what to do. It seems ages since I saw you last. Don’t you all remembah me standing on the platfohm waving my handkerchief and you all wav- ing yoahs from the train? And how we almost cried ouh eyes out. You all must tell me all about yoahself. But heah I am talking as if I were wound off. I’ll go and get yoah trunks sent up. Get into the carriage,” and off she flew. “Wait! Wait!” cried Betty. “I want to send a tele- giam to father.” They went to the telegraph office and Betty sent a long telegram to her father. Then they went to the carriage and set out for home. Not long after, Mr. Marsden, seated in his office, re- ceived a telegram from his daughter asking for a large sum of money. It gave her whole plan in full. Mr. Marsden remembered that his father had spoken of a Charles Gray who had saved his life in the war; he gladly sent the money. On the way home Betty unfolded her plan to Kitty and the following afternoon found a large pine tree on its way to the old couple, and that evening found the girls, laden With baskets, setting out for the same place. They spent a happy evening with the old people, who retired early. The girls got the Christmas tree, which was