Piedmont High School - Tris Yearbook (Piedmont, WV)

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I H 3 Qlihz Blank Bihar A large vision rose before meg it was a ghost dressed in a large black robe and with large staring eyes which shone like fire. I am not a coward, but yet the sight of this strange visitor made me tremble. In my fear I reached out a hand toward it and uttered: Do you wish something from me ? But not a sound was heard from the strangerg it seemed to repeat everything I didg it reached two arms toward me. I rose from my seat and left the room to see if I could not get away from my un- welcome friend. Upon reaching the next room I found that my friend was there before me. He greeted me with a sign of the hand and bade me sit down. I did as I was asked for I was afraid not to. While sitting here my visitor gained his speech. He wanted to know if we were alone and if I would go with him to his cave, which was called Black Pit. I was afraid not to say Yes, but the thought of entering Black Pit made me shudder. People had often wanted to go in but dared not venture because of the mysterious enchantment of the place, and because Black Rider had warned them not to come near. As I was dazzled in thought I glanced nervously to the stranger and, behold here I was in a house with the Black Rider, faced by a long sharp knife. I was not long answering his questions, for to everyone I was com- pelled to answer: Yes. After I promised him I would go and would tell no one of his visit, he disappeared. How glad I was he was gone, but what would I do about visiting Black Pit? This was the question which confront- ed me. I was sure that death awaited me. Having put in a restless night of sleeping, I rose and prepared for my dreadful journey. I was no sooner ready than my visitor came leaping up to the gate. He was disguised in a long black coat and a little old felt hat was drawn down over his forehead. I was put on the horse by the strang- er and we started for Black Pit. Before going far I looked back to see my home before meeting my doom. The stranger saw that I was dreadfully frightened and questioned me on what I thought Black Pit was. I told him about my hearing it was the place where death awaited those who ven- tured in and of every detail of the Black Rider. He gave a few snarls and spurred the horse with his heels and said: People seem to know a lot a- bout other people's business in this towng there must be a stop fput to it. I would not talk except when questioned, then I was just able to mumble. The Pit was soon reached. We were surrounded by a number of cur- ious looking fellows, who resembled the rider in every Way possible. These fellows looked at me as if they had never seen a person before. Page eighty-six

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Mary uf a Ileah 1BenriI Monday. My! I feel so good this morning. I am all dressed up in a nice yellow suit, and a nice red rubber cap is fastened securely on my head. I just arrived in Piedmont and the store man who bought me has put me in the window. Oh! It is so pleasant here and I can take in all the sights. I saw Sue Fredlock and Clyde Marker going down street, but, of course, they didn't notice poor little me. They seemed very happy. I wish them the best of luck. Tuesday. Well, I don't feel quite as good to-day as I did yesterday. The store keeper took me out of the window this morning and set me on the counter with some more of my brother and sister pencils. I can't see very much here and I am so afraid someone will come in and buy me and then I will be treated cruelly. Oh! What a noise! Who is coming? Why, it is Virginia Fisher and of course, she had to buy me. Wednesday. Oh dear, this is my first appearance in P. H. S. Of course someone took me up to the pencil sharpener and sharpened me. My! How that operation did pain me. I hear the sound of approaching foot- steps. Oh! It is Mr. Rhodes. Now, there is a rush for class rooms and someone had to take me along. I don't know who he was, but he opened his pocket knife and cut me part away. I am getting rather used to this op- eration as it is repeated so much. Well, I've just written and figured all this livelong day. I feel so old and I am afraid my life will soon draw to a close. I suppose everyone has gone and left me here on this desk, so I guess I will get a little rest for a while, because I surely do need it. Thursday. My! I had a good rest last night and feel refreshed this morning. Had quite an interesting conversation with one of my friends. But my! He surely must be rich because he wears a gold suit and by the way he talked he must be treated good. I often wonder why it is that some pencils are treated so good and I am treated so cruelly. I have led an un- happy life ever since my first day in P. H. S. when that operation was per- formed upon me. Friday. Something unusual happened this morning. I heard the most peculiar noise and what do you think? Someone said it was Eula Freeman playing the piano. Then, some boy came along and put me way down in his pocket. Oh! It was so dark in there. At last I found myself falling and before I knew what had happened I was on the floor. The next thing I knew I was with a lot of papers in a basket. Saturday. Just a few words this morning to whomever may read this diary. I was once long and handsome and as happy as could be, now I have grown aged and I fear my life is about to close. Oh! don't abuse your 'pen- cils, but handle them with care, and just think how you would wonder what to do if these friendly pencils could not be made for your use. RUTH TURNER '25 Page zighty-five

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g rw: Consequently the door keeper of the cave had not been told of my ar- rival with the Rider and as I started in the door he drew his sharp ax to stop me, but as the ax was descending I lost consciousness and did not re- cover for some hours later. When I recovered I saw the Black Rider, changed in his black robe, seated on a high chair or throne. As I opened my eyes he came toward me and said: You are fortunate to be found in this pit alive. He showed me the skeletons and bones of a few people who were killed by him many years before. I wondered what he could want with me. He glanced angrily at me and said between his teeth: You think you shall get off lucky, but wait until to-morrow and I will make use of you. To-morrow I am going to make a new town. I shall warn the people to hold their tongues and you will keep the pit in company with my lion, 'Bravo.' How do you think you will like that ? I did not answer but stood stupified. The next day I was left alone. I thought the Black Rider had just told me I was with a lion to scare me, so I decided to explore the pit. It was light in the room where I was now, but traveling back in the darkness with a hope to find a place to escape, I could see no sign of a door except a small hole in the top of the roof. I had just about given up hope when I heard a strange sound. Just then a lion came leaping toward me. I ran to my room with the lion leaping after me, but fortunately I got the iron trap door closed before it rushed in. I hunted around in the room to see what I could find. After a few hours of hunting I found the faithful sword of the Black Rider. It was hidden in an old box which took the place of a trunk. I was looking at the sword when the Black Rider came in. He was filled with rage. He dashed toward me, but I had a thought and soon used it. I struck him with the sword, knocking him to the floor of the pit. He kick- ed the door open as he hit the ground and in jumped Bravo, growling and roaring at me with rage. He sprang at me, but I struck him with my sword, killing him instantly. After this act I left the pit, avoiding all the small fellows who guarded it, for they were fast asleep. When I entered the town and told the people of the Black Rider's' death, everyone rejoiced, while many of the town folks later explored the pit merely for curiosity. I was satisfied for I had gotten my revenge. GRACE KN OTT ' 26 Page eighty-sewn