Alexandria High School - Alecko Yearbook (Alexandria, VA)

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• [ Fage Six ]} ■

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fTc, flic class of nineteen twenty-eight, dedi- cate this book to onr dear friend and teacher, Mr. Tavenner, for his willingness to help, his pleasing personality, his interest in ns and our athletic affairs, his fatherly advice, and above all onr true love for him for being fast zvhat he is. ■»![ Page Five ]! ■

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he ALE CKO THE ROMANCE OF ALEXANDRIA Alexandria is a romantic old city. Around her ancient homes and churches hangs a haze of dignified tradition, and figures famed in history have traversed her streets of cobhlestone. Let us sto]i to picture it when the streets were crowded with lovely old coaches, when the southern sun was .shining on heautiful yellow and white jasmine and roses in high-walled gardens, and when Lafayette, in coming from Mt. Vernon through Alexandria, said: ‘‘The City of Alexandria! May her prosperity and hap])iness more and more realize the fondest wishes of our venerated Washington.” The Carlyle House, which was erected on an old fortiheation in Ho2 hy John Carlyle and was used as headquarters in 1755 hy Cenerals Washington and Brad- dock, has been the scene of many romantic as well as historic events. Every Alexandrian holds his head a little higher when he thinks of the conference held in the old j aneled drawing room — a conference to make plans for the proposed hostilities of the English against the French and Indian allies. And how he is fascinated hy the picture of General Braddock sitting in the huge old high-hacked chair with Governor Dinwiddie, DeLancy, Morris, and others around him. , nd again how he is fascinated hy the apj)earance of the wonderful old house at the hall given by the Carlyles, with groups of ladies, splendid with trains carried on their arms, with their jiiowdered locks, and gay laughter. And now let us turn our thoughts to the old tower of Christ Church, which casts the same shadow over us that it cast over George Washington as he dejiarted from the Sunday morning seiwice on his way to take dinner at the old Ramsay House, the home of his witty and patriotic cousin. The old cannon on Braddock Road also brings its reminiscence of the past, for it marks the trail taken hy General Braddock when he left on y pril 20, 1755, to defend the western frontier against the French and Indians. This cannon, mounted on cobblestones taken from the streets of Alexandria, stands ready to fire at anyone who dares to say anything hut praise about those brave soldiers. The Masonic Temple forms a link between the I’resent and the Fast; within the walls of this beautiful modern structure are treasured relics of the past. It stands as majestic and commanding as Washington, the one whom it commemorates. Although people nowadays do not ride in coaches and wear powdered wigs, a historic atmosphere pervades this beloved city of ours, and these monuments of the past will remain with us forever. Mary Saunders, ’ 28 . ■»|[ Page Seven