Piedmont High School - Tris Yearbook (Piedmont, WV)

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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

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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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lrl The igztnitnzbzh Qllurk It was in Pikesville on a Sunday night at about half past eleven o'clock that a human leg might have been seen entering Deacon Henry Culpepper's kitchen window. The leg was followed finally by the entire person of a live- ly youth. Joe Sikes, thus in the dead of night, won his way into the deac- on's kitchen. Formerly the deacon had told Joe not to darken his door again. Joe promised him he wouldn't, but the deacon didn't say anything about the windows, so Joe took the advantage. When he landed in the kitchen it was as cold as an iceberg and all the lights were out. Joe could not move for fear that he would wake the old folks. So he stayed in the same position waiting for Sally, the deacon's daughter, to arrive. A Finally, the beautiful maid descended the stairs with a tallow candle and a box of matches. After greeting Joe, Sally made a roaring fire in the cooking stove, and the happy couple sat down to enjoy the sweet interchange of hopes and views. But the course of true love ran no smoother in old Culpe4plper's kitchen than it did elsewhere, and Joe, who was making up his mind to treat himself to a kiss, was startled by the voice of the deacon shouting from up- stairs: Sally, what are you getting up in the middle of the night for ? Joe whispered: Tell him it is morning. I can't tella fib, said Sally. I'll make it the truth then, said Joe, and running to the huge, old fashioned clock that stood in the corner, he set it at five. Then from above the voice of the deacon was heard again. Look at the clock and tell me what time it is. Sally responded, It is five by the clock, and corroborating the words the clock struck five. The lovers sat down again to continue their conversation, when sud- denly the staircase began to creak. Good gracious, it's father, cried Sally. Hide me, Sal! Hide me quick, cried the nervous Joe. Oh! Where can I hide you ? cried the distracted girl. I know. said Joe. I will squeeze into the clock case. Without another word he concealed himself in the case and drew the door behind him. The deacon came down fully dressed, and seating himself by the stove, pulled out his pipe and lighted it, and commenced smoking very deliberate- ly and calmly. Five o'clock, eh ? said he. Well, I shall have time to smoke three or four pipes, then I'll go and feed the critters. The dutiful Sally suggested: But pa, hadn't you better feed the crit- Page eighty-eight l