Newport High School - Blunita Yearbook (Newport, PA)

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8 THE BLUE AND WHITE till ----------- “For pity’s sake, Betty, quit screaming and tell me what’s the matter,” cried Louise by Betty's bed side. The Indians! The Indians!” screamed Betty. Then gaining clear consciousness, and realizing where she was, she looked up at her sister and said, “Oh, Louise, why did I ever read that Indian novel before coming to bed? I should have known better, but oh, what a horrible dream!” A GIRL OF 76 By DOROTHY SWARTZ, ’29. Betsy Jane Merideth lived in a small town, fifteen miles from Boston. Betsy was a rather tall girl with black, curly hair and dark, flashing eyes. She was very daring for a girl of 1774. There were mostly Tories living in this town, her father being the foremost one. Betsy was a patriot through and through. Oft times the wives of these Tories would get together and discuss Betsy, saying that sometime she would bring misfortune upon her Tory father and all his associates. • • Two years have elapsed and we find Betsy still living with her father; the Declaration of Independence signed, and the preparations for war with the Mother country were being accomplished. One cold day in November, Betsy was home baking, when all of a sudden she heard a cry which arose from the throats of hundreds of men. Looking out she beheld many Redcoats. They marched on until they reached the door of the Merideth home. The leader jumped from his horse and came up the path to the house. He rapped at the door which was opened by Betsy. She made a very pretty picture standing there with her cheeks flushed and her eyes blazing. After entering and shutting the door he demanded where Mr. MeTideth was and when Betsy said he was away the officer called to three of his friends to come within as there was a beaut” in here. These men came in and asked not very gently for food and drink. This made Betsy’s hatred for the English burn more deeply. She resolved there that they would not get anything over on an American. That night when her father returned home and was entertaining the four Englishmen, she stole into the back room and stationed herself at the door. Her father thinking that she had gone to bed drew his chair near his visitors’. Then they planned to march quietly to Boston that night and capture the American Army. When Betsy heard this she quietly left the house by the back

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THE BLUE AND WHITE 7 “Such nerve! That young man’s been following me for the last three days. It's disgusting!” Why my dear li.tle sister!” Louise cried, laughing ’till the tears ran down her cheeks, that’s my husband! Betty, blushing furiously ,was then presented to Louise's husband, Jack Blake. “Oh, I’m so sorry I acted the way I did, but why didn't you speak to me?” I tried to speak to you, you remember, but you threatened to call the conductor. However, I’m sure glad to neet you and I know that we shall be the best of friends,” Jack replied. The next morning Betty dressed herself for riding, and, picking a high spirited horse, started off at a gallop. “Don’t go to the Indian Reservations, Betty, for they aren’t friendly toward the whites, Louise called after her. Indians always had a great attraction for Betty, so Straight to the Indian Reservations she rode. In some places, along the trail, she had to pick her way through dense underbrush. Hearing a noise in front of her she looked up, to see two Indians step in front r,f lur, me grabbing the horse’s bridle. Betty left out a muffled scream as a large hand was clasped over her mouth. “We take her to camp,” said one of the Indians. Then addressing Betty, he continued, “Indians hate all white people. They unfair. We kill you. Big time to-night. We scalp you jus’ like this,” and with this last remark he took hold of Betty’s brown, curly hair and with an imaginary tomahawk scalped her. Betty struggled to get free but all in vain. What could she do? How could she get loose? With these questions revolving in her mind, the three rode up to an Indian encampment. “Get off horse, ordered one of the Indians. Betty could do nothing but obey. Then one of the Indians began beating a tom-tom. From every tent issued men, women and children, all Indians. Each one wore a malicious look on his face and everyone was dressed for some celebration, with faces painted hideously, and wearing the gayest of blankets and feathers. “Tie her to that tree,” said one Indian, who Betty took to be the chief. The two Indians who had captured he, hastened to do his bidding. Then the Indian dance began! Betty, beyond reasoning power, was rather fascinated than otherwise. What awful noises they made! What queer gestures! And see, there is the chief beyond them, with his jeering face and manners! Stop!” he cried suddenly. ‘“Tis time she were killed. The sun is setting. Let us offer her as a sacrifice to the great Sun God. Make room for I shall kill her. WTith great deference the Indians moved aside. The chief, swinging his tomahawk came on, and on,

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THE BLUE AND WHITE 9 door ard ran 1o the stable where she saddled her favorite horse. She 'vaulted into the saddle and spurred her horse to a gallop. There were many dangers connected with this ride as there were English men hiding nearly everywhere, but Betsy only thought of her mis-slon which was to go to Boston and warn George Washington. While collecting her scattered wits her horse suddenly stumbled and fell, breaking his leg and throwing Betsy to the side of the road. She was not hurt but her horse was in great pain. She drew her pistol from a pocket in her dress and shot the horse. She did this without a tear because it was for her country. She was now over halfway and without delaying she started to run as fast as possible. Finally she came to a friend's home where she got another horse. At last she reached Boston and after much persuading, a servant led her to interview Washington. She told him her mission in a few sentences and he at once dispatched a regiment of Continentals. These troops came upon and captured the English regiment a couple miles from Boston. It was in this way that Betsy helped her country and made for herself a lifelong friend in George Washington. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SYLVIA By DOROTHY TUCKER, ’27. Dick and Sylvia Benner had been pronounced man and wife only a few weeks before they took possession of a cozy bungalow in the Seven Mountains. They were very happy, until one day when Dick came home from work Sylvia was not at the doorway to meet her husband. Thinking that she was probably hiding to scare him. he tiptoed into the house and began to search for her. He continued searching for some time, but all in vain for Sylvia was not in the house. Dick could not understand why Sylvia had gone away and not told him. Finally he decided to go to their neighbor’s to see if she had gone there. Dick had only gone a short distance when he saw something lying on the ground. Upon looking further he noticed that it was the revol'ver which he had given Sylvia to use in case of an emergency when he was not at home. Dick became very much excited for upon approaching the spot where the revolver lay, he noticed large spots of blood. He hurried back to the bungalow and telephoned for help. When it arrived he began searching for Sylvia, who he thought had been murdered and carried away. After many hours of search, the party returned to the house. Dick was almost wild and paced the floor until almost exhausted. IFlnally dawn came and Dick, determined to find Sylvia, again