Cloverdale Union High School - Spectator Yearbook (Cloverdale, CA)

Page 28 text:

A Glimpse of Cloverdale One day in answer to the alluring summons of spring I found myself rambling over a low range of hills to the east of Clover- dale. On a spur I stopped in ecstasy. Below me wrapped in morning sunshine encircled by mountains, seemingly asleep under the soft blue canopy of the sky was the prettiest little town I have ever seen; shut in from the outer world by its cordon of mountains, it lay as if under a spell of enchantment Most of the houses, nestled among trees, were half hidden from view, but a few of the public buildings were plainly visible. To the south the rectangular block of the town pa vilion overtopped by the roofs of neighboring hotels; to the north the irregular shape of the school building sentineled by a squad of sturdy oaks. Close by on a knoll to my left stood the tall white monuments of the cemetery, fantastic shapes; a party of ghosts come out for a noonday bath in the warm, inviting sunshine. Below the town, winding in and out like a silver thread through the valley, flowed the beautiful Russian River. Brown vineyards and orchards just bursting into bloom stretched away from the outskirts of Cloverdale. Behind these rose on all sides steep rugged mountains covered with fir and redwood, their peaks half hidden in a soft blue haze. Turning away from the valley, I confronted the rocky sum¬ mit of Lone Pine Mountain where it cut the horizon. At its foot were the blue rocks of Sulphur Creek, and toward these I directed my foot steps. Spreading oaks waved their branches above me as I passed down over a carpet of soft green grass dotted here and there with buttercups and shooting stars.° Gertrude Ludwig, ’13 26

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I slowly opened my eyes at last And all around me poppies grew. M. T., ’13. Just then Maud’s husband came out into the garden to say that both the children were crying and that he smelled the cake she was baking for their party that afternoon burning in the oven. z ! 25

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School Twenty Years Afterwards After twenty years’ absence from my old home, one day a longing came over me to return. Although many of the people I knew had left or passed away I determined to go back if only for a day. On driving up West Street I easily recognized all the old buildings which had not been demolished, even though many new and tall ones overshadowed these landmarks. As I saw none but strange faces I proceeded up the street till I saw a familiar old house set back among the shady oaks, It was the school house, the same as when I used to attend, except that it looked older and shabbier. I was surprised at not seeing a fine new structure, but found out later that there was a new school house on the hill, the old one being used for the High School. It was recess. The boys were playing ball and were fighting about it as they did twenty years ago. I wanted to go back again, so I entered the old portals, and seeing no one ascended the steep and narrow stairs. The old bell-rope still dangled over the wood-box and the ladder was in its place so that the janitor could go up in the attic and fix the bell when the boys turned it over, which was often. The first room wms empty. I was glad because an unac¬ countable loneliness was stealing over me. Back by the stove was my old seat and I marched down the aisle and ‘ ‘ took it. ’ ’ As I shut my eyes memories came back. There stood the teacher, book in hand ready to call the roll, looking sharply 1o left and to right in order to catch some unruly boy talking. My name was called. I answered mechanically, and then came the order, “Pass to your classes.” Taking up my battered history I shuffled out with the rest of them talking to my chum behind me, while in front two girls were giggling. 27