Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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30 THE M ISSILE comes upon the fire of a camper he al- most always finds himself welcome. VVhen men were more of woodsmen than they are now, friendships formed in this way were many and ,lasting Then after dark. as the campers gather round the blazing fire and talk, tell stories and jokes, and relate their own experience in different happenings there is evident again that feeling of a better understanding and companion- ship with each other. Perhaps at such a place it is the presence of the Great Spiritn whom the Hrst Americans wor- shiped that exerts this influence. What- ever it is, it is nevertheless there. My grandfather too is a great advo- cate of the open fire. When he had the hot-air system installed in our home, he kept the so-called old-fashioned fireplaces. I have seen him more than once, long after spring and warm weath- er had come, with a fire in the grate, merely, I believe, for the pleasure of making it himself and of sitting and reading by it. A chimney was once a very essential part of a house, but now some people scarcely use it for more than an an- tique decoration or as a place on which to tack the radio aerial. Every year up to a few years back the chimney and the fireplace at our house server another pur- pose around Christmas Eve. At that time the young folks, the very young ones who were ardent believers in the age-old tradition of Santa Claus, would write their Christmas letters to that old gentleman, would hold the let- ters above the flames of the crackling fire, and let the draft carry the mes- sages up through the chimney and, sup- posedly to the address, Mr. S. S. Claus, North Pole. All in all, the only fault I find with a fire is that my attempts to stay awake and study by it very often prove fruit- less, for an open fire has that strange effect of making me unusually drowsy and dreamy. After all, that is not so bad though, for sometimes I likiz to dream. R9 A TREE By Geraldine Beazley A great massive thing Like a temple stands firmly Upon the earth and pays Its tribute to God. It reaches high above us And breathes the pure air of heaven, Not knowing or even caring R9 THE MOUNTAIN CAMP By Catherine Rudy What men do. Marian Burton came to the door of the Burtons' cabin, and lifting the cow horn to her lips blew upon it a long blast. This meant, Come to breakfast. The sun had not as yet risen, but everybody was up and chores were finished. The yelping of dogs showed well that they knew the meaning of that horn blowing as well as did Marian's two brothers, Jaques and Gas- pard. The Buttons were early settlers in the

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THE M 1 SSILE 29 his friend, see him safely to the fort. Great Heart drew Black Bear from rushing waters when they would have closed over his head. Black Bear gives again his life for White Hunterf Then turning to fall into my arms again he whispered as only a real man could whisper, 'My brother if you ever see XVhite Rose tell her I died bravely, fearlessly, defending one I loved al- most as much as her. Goodby. It is well.' Tom broke the solemn, still silence in the room asking, Did the Pawnees take you home safely P That my brave lad, is another story, smiled the good old captain. I Q9 SHATTERED BEAUTY By Ercelle Reade China teacup, there you lie A broken crumbled mass of beauty, Your imitation we can buy, But not the memories you suggest 5 You tradition can supply. Grandma filled with fragrant tea You and others of your kind. You heard many a recipeg If only you had power of speech To tell of grandma's coterie. But your life, although so grand, Now at last comes to an end, Broken by a careless hand. You, so used to careful touch, Only thoughtful care could stand. 65-E? THE FIRESIDE. By Hamilton Crloclcfofrd Not so many years ago, the fire- place was a most important part of every house and home, and now it has lost its place of prestige probably for- ever. Folks of the present generation have to tax their brains a little to recall the time when they sat around the open Fire and listened to their favorite uncle's wonderful tales of adventure. Steam heat, hot air furnaces and oil furnaces, have replaced the Fireplace now. just another evidence, some people might say, that the good ole days are gone. And why? I believe it is because of the fact that an open tire provides a certain feeling of cheerf-ulness and congeniality and Make yourself at homeness that is experienced nowhere else. When one has visitors and the party assembles at the fireside each and every one feels just a little closer to the others. There must be a certain magic of the flames that brings about such things, for I have noticed it on many occasions. From hikes and camping trips that I have been on, I have found the camp-fire especially a good mixer. When a stranger walking through the woods

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