Fredericksburg High School - Rapahanoc Yearbook (Fredericksburg, VA)

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Ivan Y ES,” concluded mother, folding my letter and replacing it in the envelope. “Yes, 1 believe you had better go to the house party; Colonel Nevil and your father used to be great chums when they were boys, and though I’ve never met him, I’ve heard he is a splendid man.” 1 made no reply to this verdict, but went slowly to my room, took the letter from my pocket and reread it. It was from Sally Nevil, the only child of the wealthy and prominent Colonel Nevil. She wanted me to he one of her guests at a house party, and she reminded me of my promise to visit her, given in Washington the summer before, where I had met her. 1 knew nothing of the rest of the family, of course, as 1 had never seen them, but her mother joined her in the invitation, so 1 supposed it was all right, at least mother said it was. Hut I didn’t want to go, 1 never cared for rich, formal, and extremely fashionable society, and 1 had no desire to spend ten davs in it. Hut mother said I should go, and that settled it. At last the day of my departure came; 10:30, Friday morning, found me at the railway station, properly attired for traveling, in charge of two suitcases, my bull- terrier, “Sketer, a box of candy, some flowers, and several magazines (for “Socks” had come to see me off), besides numerous directions about tickets and dignity. Sally met me at “South Bend” Station in a high-powered roadster, and appeared overjoyed to see me, though 1 had no idea why. “Oh,” she bubbled, “It’s just too splendid of you to come, father and mother are charmed, and my guests—they’re all so excited. I’ve given them such a glowing description of you, and oh! I’ve got such a wonderful surprise for you! It’s just too good to keep!” And with that she began to drive her car in a most reckless and rapid manner, while I smiled and told her how glad I was to be there, what a nice trip I’d had, and that I was sure that I was going to have a wonderful time. Just about this time we came to the foot of a hill, on top of which stood a magnificent brick mansion, surrounded by great trees. The place was charming, and looked just as 1 imagined the old manor houses of England looked. There was an extensive lawn about the house, used also for tennis and golf. As we drew near, the massive white pillows of the porch, the palms, the ferns, hammocks, cushions and swings, together with the number of idle people, caused me to believe it was some hotel. Hut as we reached the gate, Sally turned in, and swung up the drive. “Here,” she announced quietly, “is where I live; I hope you’ll like it—but it is tiresome.” 68

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T wentv-two History of the Class I N IQ 15 we assembled for the first time. We were divided into two groups, one taught by Miss Perrin, and one by Miss Keim. The two groups together were composed of Starvos Calmos, James Biscoe, Rebecca Leacock, Alma Fines, Dora Farmer, Charles Snellings, Raymond Sale, Vivian Jones, Willard Layton, Edwin Sullivan, Everett Cole, Edith Boulware, Brawner Bolling, Dorothy Jones, Sidney Snellings, Louise Garnett and Bernard Stone. These have been promoted every year, while others have been left behind. William Brown and Nannie Goodloe joined us in the second grade, bringing our number to twenty. In our third grade we added to our group Margaret Garth and E. B. White. With the opening of school in 1918 Frances Thornton, Carrol Woodard, Nancy King and Katherine Stoffregen came to us. Edith Larkin, Pauline White, Evelyn Stevens, Alvin Favill, Francis Orrock and Robert Stevens were added to our group in the fifth grade. Seven new pupils answered to roll call in our sixth year. They were, Frances Lightener, Martha Cable, James Southall, Lillie Harry, Evelyn Moody, Virginia Tompkins and Elizabeth Chesley. We thus acquired our second Elizabeth. Carrol Woodard left us at the end of the sixth grade going to Warrenton. He entered again at the middle of the seventh grade. Virginia Pancoast, Clem Sale, William Stevens, Ruth Heflin, Willard Allison, Goldie Kidwell, Robert Tompkins, Arneda Sullivan, Willard Downs, Laura Molter, Francis Hicks, Frances Ray, John Maker, Mildred Sacery, Julia Brewer, Harold Brown, Clara Freeman, Archer Brown and Helmet Pepmire entered our class, bringing our number to fifty-eight. One of the most important events in our school life was coming to the new High School. We like the High School very much, but at first it was hard to get accustomed to changing teachers, etc. We defy any class to beat us in having more pupils with the same name than we have. We have Franc (i or e)s, Hicks, Thornton, Orrock, Lightener, Ray, Willard Layton, Downes and Allison. We met our first examinations this year, and we should not like to tell the results of the meeting. James Biscoe has from the time he began school, been one of our best speakers, and coming to the High School has not stopped his speeches. Francis Orrock is still our 10 o’clock scholar”, having been tardy sixteen times in one month. We all hope to get promoted to the First Year High, but looking at our examina¬ tion marks, we doubt it. 67 —Bernard Stone.

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Rapahanoc T wentv-two “You live here!” I almost shrieked, but 1 caught myself in time to add, in a bored tone, “Why, yes, 1 think I shall like it; it is quite attractive.” At this moment we reached the house, and a bevy of people came out to meet us. I was formally introduced, and we exchanged the usual greetings. They were a widely different bunch, and I became so confused under my set smile, newly acquired sweet voice, and dignity, that I could have embraced the maid who came to show me to my rooms. Once there, I seated myself in my elegant surroundings, and tried to see how many names I could remember, the only one that 1 had the slightest recollection of was a titled somebody, who pronounced all his words as if they ended with an “h.” Later I found out this little Englishman was the “wonderful surprise.” Well things went fine for the first few days, 1 learned everyone’s name, and Col. and Mrs. Nevil were lovely to me, but I felt dreadfully unsophisticated, the rest of the guests did everything better than I did, and 1 wished that something would turn up that I could do to make them “sit up and take notice.” Though I knew they must think me green, 1 cou ld never have discovered it from their attitudes. They were such a tactful bunch. At last my opportunity came, just two days after I’d promised Sally to remain a few days longer. One evening, just before dinner, we were all seated in the library, when the Col. suggested we all take a horseback ride the next morning. “But,” he added, “if you all go some one will have to ride Ben,” as there are only eight saddle horses on the place.” “Who’ll ride him, father?” protested Sally. “He hates men, and of course he isn’t safe for the girls.” “What’s the matter with Ben?” I asked. “Matter!” stormed the Colonel, “Why not only is he the handsomest and best saddle horse in the State, but he is the meanest piece of horse flesh 1 have ever laid eyes upon. He’s thrown or tried to throw every man on this place. He’s prac¬ tical ly worthless to me, and but for his beauty I’d sell him—no one dares use him.” Dinner was announced, and the horses were forgotten. The next morning the saddle horses were brought up to the porch by the grooms. They w’ere all fine animals, spirited but perfectly trained. The last one was a black, tall and slender, magnificently formed, with a white face and flashing eyes, clean limbed as a gazelle. Prancing, pawing, chaffing the bit, the black was brought around by Bill, a huge mulatto, who succeeded in holding “Ben” to the ground. 1 thought the horse looked familiar, and imagine my surprise, as he drew nearer, to recognize the black colt I had trained in Virginia. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and I was just getting over the shock, when a voice announced at my elbow, “That ' s ‘Ben,’ the black; come down and have a look at him. Bill has him securely.” 69