Fredericksburg High School - Rapahanoc Yearbook (Fredericksburg, VA)

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“Let go that horse’s head,” I demanded the negro in a low voice, “I can ride him. I broke him.” The negro meekly obeyed, the girls screamed and hid their faces, the men dashed forward, but too late, at a word from me, and a little pull on the bridle rein “Ivan” plunged, reared forward as I had taught him years before, and cantered off briskly down the drive. After driving to the gate I turned “Ivan,” rode back to the little group and remarked: “Colonel, you have a fine saddle horse here. I suppose you are very proud of him ?” Every one crowded about about, eager to congratulate me. The Colonel was dum- founded, and 1 didn’t give him time to reply. “May 1 try to put “Ben” through his gaits for you?” I asked, and taking the request as his consent, I rode “Ivan” for quite a while. He went through every one of his old saddle gaits like the perfect gentleman he always was with me. Then at my request, Bill put up the hurdles and “Ivan” jumped to his heart’s content. He was really a wonderful horse, and his splendid action was highly appreciated. At last I stopped. “Ivan” was tired and I fancied they all thought me possessed. So, riding up to my audience, I reined in “him” and said, “I feel that I owe you all an explanation, although it’s going to spoil everything to tell you.” “Ben,” or rather “Ivan,” as he is known to me, used to be my saddle horse. Father sold him to a fancy horse dealer when I went away to school. 1 don’t know why, but he has al¬ ways hated men, but a woman can ha idle him with perfect safety, he is just an ordi¬ nary horse if ridden by a girl; so you see,” I added, “I’m really no heroine, only a bunch of deceit.” “Ivan,” said the Colonel, “is too fine a horse to be ruined; please accept him with my compliments. You deserve him, and no sensible person will ever ride him again.” Smilingly I thanked the Colonel and declined, for you see “Ivan” had thrown Dad just before he sold him, and Dad never would allow me to ride a horse that “could throw him if he knew it.” Of course, the rest of my stay was wonderful. 1 became a heroine and 1 really regretted leaving “Ivan.” Sally has written me to spend this summer with her, and she adds in the post¬ script: “Dad still keeps ‘Ivan, the terrible,’ for you. S. N.” Katherine Wayne Gouldin. 71

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It was the Colonel who spoke, and we walked down to where “Ben” stood. Cautiously I approached “Ivan,” as “Ben was known to me, and stretched out my hand. “Ivan,” I said, too low for the Colonel to hear me, “Ivan,” old boy.” He pricked up his ears, whinnied softly, and stretched out his head towards me. “Look out! screamed the Colonel; “he’ll tear you to pieces!” The others had now arrived and I joined them. “Bally fine horse,” drawled the titled Englishman. “Say, old top,” addressing the Colonel, “do you mind if 1 ride him?” “Oh, no,” assured the Colonel, “only you had better take him to a pile of straw, the ground about here is very hard.” But with a confident smile, the Englishman approached “Ivan,” seized the pommel and swung into the saddle. “Ivan” plunged and reared, but Bill kept him under control. The others did not mount, only waited, nervously expectant. Ehe Englishman settled himself in the saddle, and I saw at once that in spite of his small size and feminine looks, he knew how to ride a horse. “All right, ole top,” he drawled, “let him go, I have him.” The negro released his grip on the bridle. “Ivan stood perfectly still for a second, then he humped his back, stiffened his legs and began to buck, and when “Ivan” began to buck things used to come off him. The girls screamed and the Colonel swore. Ivan took two stiff jumps and bucked with such ferocity that the poor, brave, little Englishman, who had kept his seat so well, was hurled through the air, and fell in a heap on the sod. The frightened crowd Hew to his aid but he wasn’t hurt, only a bit shaken up and rather dazed. Bill had now recaptured “Ivan and the Colonel swore the horse should be shot. “Please, Colonel,” I said, coming forward, “let me ride him first.” I he Colonel looked at me and rubbed his eyes and looked again. “Very well,” he said, “bring him here, Bill.” 1 he astonished fellow led the horse up and renewed his grip on him. I went up to “Ivan and started to mount, the girls protested violently, and declared I should not do it. 1 he Colonel had no idea I was serious and grasping my arm he forced me to leave the horse. “But just let me sit on his back, 1 begged. “Bill can hold him —please “Well, you may do that but you shall get off at once,” grudgingly said the Colonel. As I stepped up to “Ivan” and jumped in the saddle, everybody looked just as if they had expected me to be thrown clean out of North Carolina. 70

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Junior - Senior Reception A T eight o’clock on Wednesday, May 24, 1922, an expectant crowd of Seniors assembled in the halls of the High School. The Study Hall was beautifully decorated, carrying out the color scheme of orange and garnet, those being the Senior Class colors. Everybody was given a card with a letter of the alphabet on it. Quite a bit of excitement resulted in matching cards in order to find who would be partners. Having found partners, the Grand March was the opening act of the evening pleasure. The leaders most cheerfully led us over the whole building, finally leading us into the hall of the basement, which was most delightfully converted into a dining room. The color scheme of red and white was very artistically carried out. The menu of the banquet was most elaborate and it was charmingly served. M iss Pearl Goldsmith acted as toastmistress. A response on behalf of the graduates was made by Mr. Alwyn Hundley, vice-president of the Senior Class. Other guests responding were Mr. E. F. Birckhead, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. A. L. Link, Mr. J. M. Steck, Mrs. C. 1. Williams, Mrs. Elsie Rice, Miss Mary Rice and Mrs. Elizabeth Courtney. Following the banquet everybody returned to the Study Hall and there en¬ joyed various forms of entertainment. The most enjoyed, probably, was the square dancing, led by Dr. R. N. Lanier. These amusements were indulged in until eleven o’clock, when partners were asked to form in line, preparatory to marching again. But this time we were led direct to the dining hall, where ice cream and cake were most deliciously served. And thus the delightful occasion ended. Camilla Moody. 72