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

Page 31 text:

old couple and the stranger eating breakfast. Again the launch comes and the Inspector steps out. He asks Mr. Pope if he is ready to take charge of the light-house and tells John and Martha to get their things together and he will take them over to the city. Mr. Pope saw at a glance the utter disap¬ pointment in the faces of the old people and said, I think, Mr. Page, the present keeper is doing all that is necessary. If it is just the same to you, I had rather the present keeper and his wife would stay.” Mr. Page seemed astonished but merely said, “Very well, Mr. Pope you will go back with me.” They rose to leave and, as they shook hands with the old man and his wife the y noticed tears in the eyes of each. As soon as the door closed behind the strangers, Martha and John hurried up stairs to the old light. Together they stood by the big window, John’s arm around his wife, silently watching the launch glide away over the waves until it was lost in the fog. It seemed to the old couple standing there that the launch was bearing all their troubles away. iflalar olntr MYRTLE READ, ’16. e REAT was the excitement in Atlanta when news was received of the capture of Fort Sumter. Many men and boys were making preparations to join Jefferson Davis, for it was conceeded that there would be a war between the North and the South. Dr. Langley and his family were discussing the probable effects of a war at the breakfast table. Harry was unusu¬ ally quiet. Suddenly he spoke, “Father I am going to the war .’ 9 Mrs. Langley and Ada turned pale but Mr. Langley ans¬ wered, “Certainly, my boy, I will not stop you if you wish it. There is nothing like serving your country. Will you join Lee or Davis V 9 29

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When he entered the room where his wife sat she looked up and noticed a peculiar expression on his face. “What’s the matter John, you look so happy?” Carefully John put the lantern down and went over to her. “Marthy do you remember when you first came to this place? You used to get lonesome and cry and I got lonesome, too. Do you re¬ member all the dangers we’ve seen each other through ? And Marthy, to-day we have been married fifty years. I jest thought of it when I was lightin’ that ere lantern. I guess like’s not we’ll have to get out our boat and go over to town tomorrer and kind er celebrate.” Fondly the wife looked up into his face and said “Yes, John, we’ll go to town and like’s not we’ll stay, as I got a letter from sister Mary sayin’ as she heard we was to leave here and a Mr. Pope would take our place. We might as well begin to pack up now. John protested against packing on their anniversary but Martha said the letter was a week old when she got it and no telling when the new keeper would come. Finally John gave in to his wife, as most men do in time, and together they be¬ gan the task. It was very late when Martha said she thought all was packed that they could get along without and the old couple went to bed only to dream of the separation from their beloved home. Neither John nor Martha woke until an hour later than usual the next morning. While they were eating breakfast a launch stopped at the landing and a tall gentleman stepped out and approached the door. John and Martha greeted him cordially and invited him to have breakfast. Soon he told them he was the new keeper and he was going to stay with them two weeks while he learned what he was to do. He then departed saying he would return in the afternoon. Until now John and Martha had not fully realized the situ¬ ation. They had hoped that it would prove untrue. Now the dreaded day was coming all too soon, yet what could they do but submit and make the next two weeks worth being re¬ membered? The last day of the two weeks is dawning and we see the 28

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Harry’s face flushed and he said in a low though steady voice. “I will join McClellan.” For a minute the doctor did not speak. Then he said cold¬ ly, ‘‘When did you make this hasty decision?” ‘‘It is not a hasty one, father,” answered Harry, “I have been thinking of it for the last week. We all know that war will soon be declared and many of my friends are going to help the South. I, at first thought to join with the South but it has been growing upon me that the South is wrong to try and secede from the union. Try as I may, I cannot rid my¬ self of that thought, so I have decided to join the North.” ‘‘You are only twenty Harry and until you are twenty-one I have control over you. You shall not join the Federals. ” ‘‘Then sir I will remain at home,” answered Harry, but there was a determined look in his eyes which his father did not see. After breakfast Harry went into the library and a few minutes later Ada followed him. ‘‘Harry, you won’t join the North will you?” she asked, ‘‘Ada dear, I must, I cannot stay at home, neither can I help the South in their outra¬ geous plans against the government.” Standing together the two looked greatly alike. Both had brown hair, deep blue eyes, and a fair complexion. Their features were also similar although Harry’s were coarser than Ada’s. Harry’s nature was strong and determined and once he reached a decision nothing could turn him from it. Ada’s was a more refined nature, although it was greatly like Harry’s She had an amount of courage quite unusual in a girl. Harry was two years the oldest. The next morning Harry did not come in. A servant was sent to call him. He soon returned with the startling news that Harry was not there and the bed had not been slept in. They rushed up stairs to find that all he said was true. Harry’s revolvers and rifle were gone and also some of his clothes. On the dresser lay a note. Dr. Langley opened it and read: Dear Father: You would not give me your consent to join the Union so I am going without it. I will stand by the Stars and 30