Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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SPECTATOR 23 just as she finished her letter her mother called and said she wanted her to go over to the neighbor's for her, so Margaret left her letter lying on her table beside the open window. While Margaret was gone, a wind storm came up and blew terrihcally. It carried her letter out the window and down the street and deposited it on the sidewalk of the next cross street. Mr. Harold Vance, formerly of Virginia, and at present of Philadelphia, was walking along this street and, seeing this letter, picked it up. He looked for some sign of owner- ship and seeing none, decided to throw it away when the salutation caught his eye. It read, Dearest Jerry. At first he thought it must be a coincidence and decided to read further to see if it was such. The letter read: Dearest jerry, I have had the most terrible luck, nothing unusual, and mother has invited the Johnston's and that tiresome old English cousin of theirs out for the week-end. Imagine, Jerry, me with Lord Aspin showing him the beauties of Philadelphia while you are playing golf or tennis or riding that beautiful black horse of yours in Virginia. Oh, me, oh, my! I just- can't think of it. I'1l think of you lots. VVell, Jerry, I must go now and finish practicing before lunch. Hope you have a lovely time and am just awfully sorry that I can't come, I am, Your loving roomy, Billie. l'd bet my hat that this letter belongs to that friend of Geraldine Oldham's of whom she is forever telling me! Well, I'll just keep it and see if Geraldine can throw any light on the subject next week. Meanwhile Margaret had returned to find her letter gone. She went down stairs and asked 'her mother and the maids if they knew anything about it, but the letter could not be found. ' The next day Mrs. Williams received a letter saying that her guests could not come because Mrs. Johnston had

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22 SPECTATOR Q7VIargaret's Letter' ' Sarah Young '16 Margaret NVilliams and Geraldine Oldham were room- mates at boarding school, and as they were about to leave school for a two weeks' vacation, they sat on a large couch in their room talking about the two weeks before them. Geraldine, always called Jerry among her friends, liv- ed on a large plantation in Virginiag while Margaret, or Billie, as she was called, because there were so many Pegsy' and Peggysu in the school, lived in Philadelphia. Billie sat looking out on the campus and was thinking very seriously, for her, when suddenly she jumped up and exclaimed, Oh, jerry, I know what we'll do during vaca- tion! Let's have a house-party before we come back to school! The only trouble is where to have itf' 'fWhy, Billie, we can have it at our plantation and let's ask all the bunch and, of course, they can ask their own friends if they care to. All right, when they come up for the feast to-night let's pop the question and see how many are in favor. Accordingly the question was popped and agreed upon and the girls all left early the next morning for their differ- ent homes. A Week later the invitations for the house-party were sent out, and across the back of Margaret's was written, Billie, I know the nicest young man for you. Please let him to me and don't ask any friend to come for you. VVhen Margaret Williams showed her invitation to her mother, Mrs. Williams said she was very sorry, but she would need Margaret at home at that time because she ex- pected some company for the week-end. Margaret was quite disappointed, but being of a cheer- ful disposition, she did not remain cross long. The next day she scribbled a note to Geraldine telling her how sorry she was that she could not come and hoping they would all have a fine time. According to her custom, she simply signed, Your loving roomy, Billie.

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24 SPECTATOR to go South to see a very sick friend. Margaret received the news quite happily and exclaimed, I knew that I should get to go. The letter's being lost was an act of Providence, I know. Let me see, to-day is Wed- nesday and Friday the house-party begins. Well, I'll just start right away to get ready. I may go may I not, Mother? Oh, Margaret, you know that it would not make any difference to you if I did say, 'No,' but just to be agreeable I'll say 'yes.' Now run along and get your clothes ready to fake and I'll see that your trunk and other things are sent to school for you. On Friday morning Margaret was up bright and early and was ready to start to Virginia at 10:56. Harold Vance, M. D., was also ready to go to the house- party in Virginia at 10:56. Mrs. VVilliams went to the station with her daughter Margaret to see her off. Mrs. Williams said, Give my love to Geraldine and her mother and tell them both to come and see us real soon. Now don't forget to behave' yourself on the train. All right Mother, I'll be just as good, as good, called Margaret in imitation of her mother's tone. The.train pulled out and Margaret' found but one seat in the train left and part of that was occupied by a very handsome young man. He seemed quite a gentleman so Margaret seated herself and began to read. Her story was not interesting so she asked her companion the time. He answered just ll :50 and, then asked where she was going. I am going to 0ldham's plantation in Virginia, said Margaret. Why, what luckf' exclaimed the gentleman, 'Tm bound for that spot myself! My name is Vance and I believe you are Miss Margaret Williams, are you not? How did you ever know me? I am jerry's roomy and I just can't understand how you knew so much about me l After some conversation, Harold Vance, pulled the letter out of his pocket and asked if it did not belong to her.