Prattsburgh Central High School - Franklinite Yearbook (Prattsburgh, NY)

Page 19 text:

FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL 17 for me. He told me that I had been so faithful in my duties that I was destined to take a more trustworthy part in the wualr. I was chosen to go with him, and a small number of men to a place near the Union forces in order thzaut we might find out something of their future plans. We went to a hill from which we could see the Union forces. Having given us explicit directions as to our future actions, Gen- eral B-, with half of the men, set off for the other side of the ramp. 4'We became too daring in our anxiety to please General B- and before we were aware of the fact, a squad of Union men, nearly four times as large as ours, began to shoot at us from the forest in the rear. We all ran in different directions to escape from the vnemv. I was unnoticed for awhile and, by dodging from tree to tree 'lad mlainaged to get nearly to the house of a Confederate lady whom I kne.w. When the trees could no longer conceal me, I started and ran for her houseg but instead of going directly into it, I rushed madly around to the back door so that the Union men would think I had not gone in. The lady knew by my face what was the msatter and without 1 moment's hesitation led me to a cl-othes room, and taking one of her small hoop-skirts from the nail, bade me crawl under the skirt. I did so and she hung the dress up again back of two larger dresses. She then went out, locking the. door behind her. In a short time I heard voices somewhere in the house but could hear nothing of what was said until the mistress exclaimed in a loud voice: 'VVell, you can search the house if you wish! In a few moments I heard the tramping of feet upstairs and was be- ginning to get over my fright wlhen the Union men came down- stairs and into the room adjoining my hiding place. My heart be- gan to beat more quickly and wthen they opened the door it seemecl as though they would certainly hear it thumping wildly against my breast. I wondered if after I was killed by the Union men Violet would keep patiently waiting for me until she was old and gray, or if she had already forgotten me and was in love with some other man. Meanwihile the man who came into the clothes room was opening boxes and roughly taking clothes from their hooks. Luckily for me he did not take down the dress under which I was hiding, but went sullenly out, slamming the door behind him and muttering something about the Confederates being 'as sly as foxes! In a short time he left and after what seemed ages to me the mistress came and said that it was now safe for me to come out.

Page 18 text:

16 FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL A STORY TOLD BY AN OLD WAR VETERAN. MARGARET BROWN-1918. In the southern part of West Virginia is a small town known as Hemlock Ridge. In the center of the villiaxge is the 'fOld Janson Homestead,,' which is the favorite resort of the young people of the Ridge, especially on winter evenings. For cannot Mr. Janson. familiarly called Colonel J anson, tell the best stories of anyone in that locality? And are not his wlar stories true and interesting? One evening, wlhen the wind whistled and blew around the corners of the house, and the snow was steadily falling, a party of people were in the Janson living-room, begging for a story. Col- noel Janson looked thoughtfully into the dying embers in the old- fashioned fireplace. There was silence in the room, for he was recalling an incident and was not to be interrupted. Soon a smile played about his mouth, and he looked into the faces of his expec- tant audience a.nd began: VVhen I wiaas a young man of nineteen years, the Civil VVar broke out. Jefferson Davis called for volunteers to fight for the south. My father had died many years before, leaving me, the youngest child and only son, and four sisters. They were all mar- ricd, hence I was the only child my mother had to comfort her in her advancing years. At President Davis' first call I was eager to go, thinking that the war wlould soon be over. Mother would not consent to my go- ing, however, so I had to be content at home. Intrying to forget about the war, I went into more social affairs than before. I at- tended husking bees, corn roasts, barn dances and numerous other amusements. It was then that I became acquainted with Violct Summers. She had a very sweet, winsome nature, and this, to- gether with her beauty made her the most popular girl in Hemlock Ridge. I became deeply in love with her. Bult I was only one of many suitors, and thought I stood no chance of wlinning her. Yet, it was not long before I found that Violet loved me. Before Davis' second call, Violet and I were engaged. You may be sure that I did not want to go, but wlhen the third call came, I knew it was my duty to go and help my country. Mother and Violet tried to be brave, so that I might have cheerful faces to think of when I w'ent, but they did not succeed very well. After traveling for several days, I arrived at a Confederate camp, commanded by Genenall B-. I was immediately sent to the front to fight the Union men. One day, about a year after I had enlisted, General B- sent

Page 20 text:

18 FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL W hen I had eaten something prepared by my hostess, it was dark and I thought I could get back to the Confederate forces safely. tt When I was nearly there a shot from somewhere hit me in the leg. I groaned but hobbled on and was not further molested. Soon I was safe in the camp of my friends. A I fainted a11d knew nothing more until the next morning when ,I awoke and found myself in a neat looking room with rows and rows of beds everywhere .aadleveryone occupied by a wounded soldier. I tried to move and as I did so a white-capped nurse came to my bedside. To my joy it was none other than my sweetheart, Violet Summers. She said that after I had gone to fight for my oountry her con- science did not feel clear because she thought that she, too, must do something for her country. So not long after I had left, she, too, left for the battlefield. When I recovered I was discharged and, with Violet, I left for Hemlock Ridge. Soon after, Violet and I were nzuairried, and neither of us have ever regretted it. ' When he finished, he smiled tenderly at the sweet-faced, gray- haired lady who had noiselessly entered during the narrative. l'hrough happy tears she smiled back at him and answered softly, UNO, never! QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. ' Q. What is the most common advice given to Donald Wheeler? Ans. U-need-a Moon CUnadah Moonl. Q. What girl's name is a.n impossible time for girls to arise? Ans. Early. Q. What boy has the name of the most famous traitor in the history of the United States? Ans. Arnold. Q. What girl 's name is the first words of ia proposal? Ans. Dearlove. Q. 'What girl's name is a mother's greatest desire for her eligible daughter? Ans. Marry Wortli fMary VVurthl. Q. What girl's name is the brand -of Elma Cincebiau's favor- itepork and beans? Ame. Snyder. Q. VVhat girl's name is the most important for the main- tenance of life? Ans. Blood. Q. What boy has the name for ia, toad? Ans. Paddock. Q. What girl has the name of a month and a famous brand of soups? Ans. May Campbell. YVisdom consists in knowing how to use knowledge.