Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

Page 11 text:

THE MISSILE. 5 and not cheat?” Did the thought cross his mind that every act weaves the threads of his future character ? Did he think that each evil deed finds its way to the Ruler of Heaven and casts a darker shadow upon his soul for- ever? Did he realize that “in manhood’s morning, when the shadows are still falling toward the west,” is when the foundation of character is laid ? Thoughts of his sin did come to him. If caught, he would be expelled in dis- grace; no one would recognize him; he would be scorned by all; his life would be a living death. He glanced around guiltily and met the drawn face of Jane Wilson, but quickly looked away, not being able to face her. Again he extended his hand toward the blue paper — again he hesitated. Then with a sudden grasp he seized it and drew it nearer. As a miser grasps his long-saved coin, he seized the rough notes and glanced around to see if any one was watching him. It was now too late. Mr, Huff, the teacher of history, was coming to his desk. “What have you in your hand, sir ?” he demanded in a stern voice. All eyes were upon Hamilton, expecting a crisis. He sank back into his seat, the pencil dropped from his hand, he could not answer. “What is that paper?” again demanded the teacher, now growing indignant. Upon seeing that Hamilton would not speak, he tore it from his hand and carefully examined its contents. His face darkened, and shaking his finger in rage, he ex- claimed: — “Is this your paper? Answer me; where did you get it?” €j »»

Page 10 text:

4 THE MISSILE aside. Not a word was uttered — not a movement made. The girl was first to speak. She looked around, and in a pleading tone said, as she looked straight into his face, “Don’t, Mr. Hamilton, don’t — .” She could say no more, but Hamilton understood the rest. The bell rang, and she walked toward the door. She then turned as if to give a final adieu, and disap- peared in the building. Hamilton was thunderstruck — a coward does not move when he recognizes his guilt. He did not think; his mind was a blank. Upon hearing the bell he, too, turned into the school. The period for examination had arrived. Every min- ute seemed an hour, and finally the principal entered with the single sheets. Shaking hands grasped them, while eyes seemed to burst trying to read all with one glance. A sudden hush fell over the room, and all were held in breathless awe. Some immediately began to write, while others hesitated and tried to think. Some faces were bright; others were doubtful. But one hand sluggishly grasped the paper and tried to hide it from his eyes. It seemed as if he would rather die than look at his paper. This student was Arthur Hamilton. Finally he did look at the questions. The first one he could answer, but the second he could not. Now was the time for that blue piece of paper. He .sank back in his seat, and hideous thoughts ran through his brain. “If I fail, I shall be considered a blockhead; the boys won’t recognize me; I’ll lose my place on the nine; I’ll be drop- ped from the magazine staff. I must — I must,” he thought to himself Slowly he extended his handi and quickly he drew it back. “I’m a coward; I’m a cheater; I’m — every- thing,” he said to himself, “but could one be in my place

Page 12 text:

6 THE MISSILE. Hamilton was interrupted. A slim girlish figure stood up in the rear of the room. It was Jane Wilson. Staring through the window, then turning to the teacher, she spoke: “Mr. Hamilton is innocent, sir; I put the paper on his desk.” “Miss Wilson, no, you ” Hamilton was again interrupted, this time by the prin- cipal, who ordered Jane Wilson to his office. Everyone was amazed at the girl. To think that a girl like Jane Wilson would help Arthur Hamilton to cheat. It seemed impossible. She walked down the aisle, and casting a pleading look at Hamilton, closed the door. “Does he appreciate this?” she thought to herself. Something seemed to tell her, “Yes.” This was sufficient. The prin- cipal, enraged, seated her, and began his lecture regard- ing her act. In his room Hamilton was miserable, “The girl shall not stand for it. Even if I am a coward, there’s too much manliness in me to let a girl shelter my sin .” At this thought, without hesitation, he advanced from his desk and walked out of the room, “Do you realize the significance of your act?” the prin- cipal said to Jane Wilson, who was seated before him. “Do you know what you have done?” Jane Wilson did not speak. Every word seemed like the roar of a cannon, beating against her brain. At that moment the door opened, and Arthur Hamil- ton entered. Pale, his face drawn, he looked first at the girl and then at the principal. The words seemed to be forced, but he meant them from his heart. “Miss Wilson is innocent, sir; she did this to protect me, but there is too much of a gentleman’s spirit in me