Glass High School - Crest Yearbook (Lynchburg, VA)

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THE ORITIC' 161 What a dinnerl Everything customary for Christmas din- ner Was there, turkey, sauce, ham, delicious hot rolls, and many kinds of cake. It was all put on the table, and though no one felt like eating, all felt bound to perform their duty and try. A nice mess the table and everything else Was in when they finished, too. Grandfather irritably cutting the turkey, had sloshed half of it oft' on the table cloth, Joe had spilled gravy all over the front of his new shirt, the baby had been allowed to do his Worst, and everybody in general had crumbled cake into bits by the plates, unable to cat it. Suddenly--ting-a-ling- the phone rang. Christine jumped, then springing to her feet, showed signs of life for the first time that day by running to answer the phone-with what hopes? She was, however, disappointed, and returned, gloomier than ever, it was only someone calling to thank her for a gift. This time, though, Grandfather broke out, and ex- pressed himself fully and without reserve concerning that consarned young jackanapesf' The storm burst. Christine burst into tears again, Mamma syrnpathetically crying with her. Everybody started talking at once, laying load after load of blame on the recreant lover. Sammy, to keep com- pany with the rest, began screaming some unintelligible jar- gon at the top of his voice. A bell rang somewhere, but no attention was paid to it. J oe hurled himself out of the room in boyish disgust, determined to crack as many squibs as possible while the racket lasted. Suddenly, while in full swing, the hubbub ceased. There, in the door, stood a pleas- ant-looking young man, evidently out of breath, with a long, mysterious-looking package under one arm. He gazed with surprise at the scene before him, and the family stared back, dumfounded. At last, Christine found voice, Why, John---I then, realizing what a scene there was, rushed, covered with em-

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160 THE CRI TI C' But Mamma would not be driven away and 'Stineu unexpectedly handed Sammy over to her, much to that small gentlemanis surprise. Mamma, however, understood. Chris- tine, at any other time, would have loved to wind up Sammy's toys, and to play with and cuddle him, but today she was not to be bothered. The family, you see, sympa- thized with Christine's troubles, though they were at a loss what to do about it. At least, they determined, she should not be unnecessarily worried. So the morning passed, as it had started. By the time din- ner was ready, everything and everybody was in a sweet stew. Christine, of course, appeared red-eyed and Weepy. Mamma, who was of a nervous disposition, declared ve- hemently every few minutes, Baby, you will worry the soul out of your mother l Joe, too, was sulky, because he was not allowed to shoot a single fire-cracker, as Christine com- plained of a headache, and it might worry her. Why, he had argued, doesn't 'Stine always help shoot 'em oif herself 5 't least, every year but this one ! 'Twas of no avail, he should not. Everyone, in fact, was grave and serious, or irritable. Grandfather even, seemed concerned and perplexed. The only person at the Christmas table that was not solemn was the Baby. He, too, had been through many trials that day, but always, after a storm of tears, he would clear up, brighter than ever, as is the way with babies. Thus dinner progressed, silent and gloomy. Baby, seem- ing to feel the gloom, tried to make up in noise for all the rest, but no one paid any attention to him. Brandishing his drum-stick of turkey, he pounded on the table, screaming, I want some more turkey, I do, now! On being silenced and supplied with the turkey, which none of the others seemed to enjoy at all, he relapsed for a while, only to rise up again, apparently bent on putting some life into the others, at least. But his efforts all failed.

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162 THE URITIC' barrassment, into the next room. John followed, greatly puzzled. A sigh of relief went up from all the family- Thank the Lord, said Mamma, he's come-and with a present. l THE MOUNTAINS Over their lofty tops the sun first casts its cheerful rays into the valleys and at night sinks into the western sky be- hind them. They tower into the skies sometimes above the very clouds, keeping watch over all. Among their craggy precipices the eagle has his eyrie, and on their sides grow the age-old trees. Now and then a dead one stretches its leaiiess limbs to the sky as if inviting the birds to rest upon its branches. Down their steep slopes roar the creeks and rivers, cutting deep canyons into the 'very rock foundation of the mountains. By changing a few Words of Tennyson's poem on The Brook we have- ' A For men may come and men may go, But I stand here forever. They are the monuments to the unknown dead and unre- corded deeds of the ages long since past. They are the vaults of Nature where she has stored up her minerals, her fuel and jewels. They are the storehouse of the rocks from which our most beautiful buildings are made. They break the mon- otony of the landscape. Indeed, what other natural assets have we which contributes to our happiness more than the mountains, because from them we get wealth, health, and beauty. M. J oHNsoN. God bless us every one 1 said Tiny Tim.