Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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THE OLDEST HOUSE

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“Wh — what are you talking about?” “I mean that they — up at the house — need another messenger to go to General Washington. Will you go? You may ride my pony and — will you take this for me and keep it always ? I won’t see you again for a long time — if you go home after you deliver the message.” And the young boy clasped something small into his friend’s hand. “Now — hurry !” A messenger was needed so urgently that no one noticed the person who took it. It was assumed by all that he was trustworthy. No one doubted it. It was a long ride to Washington’s headquarters that night, but per- severance and a feeling of elation in “his” confidence in him speeded him on. The general himself greeted James and smiled kindly on him as he took the sealed document. “Thank you, young man. You are English, aren’t you?” “Yes, sir,” was the reluctant reply. “Then I am doubly indebted to you.” The sentinel wasn’t on the pier that night. Strange! Yet James didn’t tarry to question the stillness of the night. ’Twas a boy alone on ship that night — but not lonely. He sat in a cor- ner of the cabin ; his eyes glowed and sparkled. In his hand he held a tiny ring. Now that he glanced up one could see that he was very happy. He had a friend — and such a friend! And he had carried a message to Gen- eral Washington. What a lucky boy was he ! By Shirley Wilensky The stars peeked through the willow tree. Set in a sky black with the night; The soft, wind moaned, caressing me. The lights of the city were out of sight. The stream was rushing over the rocks. Birds were singing in the dark ; An elusive fragrance scented my locks. My head in joyful reverence bent. The chirping of crickets gave me content. So I bended my knee to my God to pray ; My head in joyful reverence bent I thought. Thank You for this lovely day. THE MISSILE Page thirteen

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Y orktown— Today and Yesterday By Shirley Wilensky UST before reaching Yorktown, your excitement mounts and imagination stirs as you think of all that this tiny town has seen. Here Cornwallis, proud, haughty leader of the English army sur- rendered to the Continental army on Octo- ber 18, 1781, and although there were a few skirmishes elsewhere, the war vir- tually came to an end on that historic, sig- nificant day. Yorktown is located on the York river, formerly called Charles river. Now it flows freely, calmly, steadily on its course, but many a tale of how the Brit- ish and Continental armies fought are in its depths, hidden forever. If you could talk, what weird stories would you tell? On a beautiful bluif overlooking the river stands the Yorktown Monu- ment, commemorating the victory for Independence. The four sides of the base contain, first, an inscription dedicating the monument as a memorial of victory; second, an inscription presenting a narrative of the siege; third, the treaty of an alliance with the King of France; fourth, the treaty of peace with the King of England. In the pediments over these four sides are carved emblems of nation- ality, emblems of war, emblems of alliance, and emblems of peace. On the circular pradum are thirteen female figures, representing the thirteen original colonies. On the belt beneath their feet are the words: “One Country, One Destiny, and One Constitution.” Words to remember now. At the top of the monument stands the Goddess of Liberty, star- crowned, welcoming everyone to share our peace and prosperity — bidding us to hold forever dear in our hearts the memory of the struggle that took place more than one hundred and fifty years ago. As the sun streams THE MISSILE Page fifteen