Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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The MissHiE 5 the gate, and the ditch. There would be no jumping. She glanced at Miss Macdonald. She was very pale, but there was no flinching in her grey eyes — instead, a firm, but des- perate purpose. She had half risen. And now, clinging to the buggy, she climbed over the dashboard, to the madly- lurching shafts. How they pitched ! How near were Pluto ' s awful hoofs! But — how near was the pine tree! With des- perate caution she worked her way forward, step by step, clutching at the harness for support. And now she had gained the horse’s back, and was unbuckling the straps wrapped around the shafts on each side. And now, she was working her way back to the dash. And now she had un- buckled the straps farther back, until only the traces held the mad horse to the careening buggy. The shafts struck him on his fore legs at every leap. Imminent destruction threatened. Working quick as lightning, the girl snatched the reins from her friend, tossed them forward, and unfast- ened one trace. The singletree whirled and the buggy jerked — the other trace broke, and Pluto was free. For one moment the buggy quivered, on two wheels, and Miss Macdonald clung to the broken shafts. Then the buggy came to a stop, and the girl fell lifelessly to the ground. In a flash Barbara was at her side, bending anxiously over her. She straightened her — for one foot was doubled under her — loosened her clothing, did what she could. But what could be done? Perhaps — (things were becoming black) — perhaps she could get some water, and — and — she dropped. In the mad race she had been struck by a flying stone. And the two were found there late in the night, both unconscious, and were carried to the house. Doctors were summoned, and nurses, but it was long before they came. And when they did the doctors were very uncommunicative. Barbara would be all right in a few days, but Miss Mac- donald — one should not be pessimistic, they said, but her foot was in very bad condition. She would never be able to walk far again.

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4 The MissHjE Barbara and the leader came out together, after the cus- tomary greeting had been paid, and went over to the buggy. Jim Rawlings was to drive them home behind Pluto, a long- limbed, black beauty of a horse, with wicked eyes, and ears that seemed always flat back. But now, instead of starting ofl ' at once, he came forward with a worried air. There had been trouble between their father and his neighbor, and if certain papers were not brought home that night, there might be serious trouble for them. Could the two go home by themselves? Pluto had seemed rather decent recently. Barbara was delighted at the thought of the long drive. “Surely ! I can manage Pluto very well.’ ' “Wei — 1. But best go slow. I don’t half like to leave you.” “Ohi, he’ll be all right. Come on. Miss Macdonald.” And they climbed into the buggy, while Jim hurried off. Pluto struck out for home at a swinging trot, while the girls settled themselves for the long drive. It was almost dark when they reached Gatewood, about three miles from home. The roadside was a mass of waver- ing shadows, and silent shades glared at them from trees and bushes. Pluto was uneasy. He did not like such in- definite views, nor did he deem it good policy to be entirely unconcerned about terrible things he couldn’t just see. So when a fluffy mass of blackness formed awkwardly from the bushes, followed by an equally terrifying ball of gliding black, he was on the alert. He stopped short just one moment, and then was off, rushing straight for home. His head was up, his ears were forward, and his nostrils were diste nded ; his breath came in gasps. There was no stopping Pluto now — no, not if the rankest bit in the world were between his teeth. Cling- ing desperately to the reins, Barbara realized this, and, sick- ening, she saw a vivid picture of the end. They would dash past Angers farm, then Pluto would dart ’round the corner by the old pine tree. They would be thrown out and prob- ably killed. And if they, by some miraculous chance, did manage to cling to the buggy, there was that other turn at

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6 The Missile Days passed slowly, until Barbara was almost well and Miss Macdonald slowly becoming better. Then they told her how it would be when she recovered — she could not walk much. And when they told her, she just turned to the wall for a moment. Then she turned again and softly sang a verse of an old ballad, haunting and sweet. She had sacri- ficed, but not in vain. Barbara, unthinking, answered, and sang another, still more softly, her voice full of sorrow and grief. Then as her voice grew stronger with emotion, she realized of a sudden that it was a new something singing, something wonderful and strong. For she could sing. — Ida Routh, ' 16 . “Jimmie, your face is dirty again this morning!” ex- claimed the teacher. “What would you say if I came to school with a dirty face?” “I ' d be too perlite,” replied Jimmie, “to say anything, ma’am,” THE COUNTRY HOTEl’s RULES AND REGULATIONS. If you find no bell, ring the towel. Guests on retiring, please remove their shoes. Guests are required not to speak to dumb waiters. Guests wishing to go driving will be supplied with nails. If your room gets too hot, open the window and watch the fire escape. If you want to practice ball, you’ll find a pitcher on the stand. If there is no water in your room, turn back the cover and find the springs.