Vandergrift High School - Spectator Yearbook (Vandergrift, PA)

Page 13 text:

THE SPECTATOR 13 such as this, reveal his care and sympathy for the common soldier. He would say, “Perhaps the man is poor and friendless. If he has no friend I will be his friend”. But Lincoln also knew that trying to attend to the troubles of all the soldiers would be like trying to bail the water out of the Hudson river with a spoon. Because of his sympathy and kindness to them, the soldiers named him “Father Abraham”, and surely no one deserved the name more than he. Margaret Clawson—’23 ------oo------ CUPID’S VICTORY Mirandy was in the kitchen making cookies to take to Daisy Slocum’s party that night. She was all excited because Ephriam Jones, her sweetheart. was to accompany her to Daisy’s home. All at once she heard the dog barking and she knew the postman was passing. She was going to go out, but her cookies were almost ready to come out of the oven and if she left them, they would bum. Her little sister, Dorothy ran to get the mail. She brought the letters in and laid them on the table near the pet parrot. Jerry’s cage. Among the letters, was one for Mirandy from Ephriam, but Jerry could not read and he seemed to be aching to get into mischief. He stuck his claw out through the cage bars and clutched the letter. Ah. what a tragedy! He drew it into his cage and was soon very busy tearing it into an infinity of shreds. That night. Mirandy waited and waited, but Ephriam did not come. She wondered why Ephriam had not come. Could he be ill? Could something dreadful have happened to him? Ephriam would not stay away without some good reason; but why did he neglect letting her know? Two days passed and still no word from Ephriam. Finally Mirandy’s patience was worn out and she declared she wouM have nothing more to do with Ephriam Jones. Ephriam. on the other hand, wondered what had happened to sever the relationship between them. Then he remembered that Valentine Day was soon to come, and decided to send Mirandy a Valentine. He flew out of the house and into the barn where he saddled his fastest horse and off he rode. The minutes seemed like hours, even though his horse broke all speed records of the countryside. He finally reached a store where valentines were sold. He selected one he thought most suitable to carry his love message. He did not notice the booklet attached to it until he was home, but decided it was just the thing to make amends for anything wrong he had done. Poor Dan Cupid had been at his wit’s end to know how to mend the broken friendship. He was soon put at ease, however, when he discovered Eph-riam’s plan. He simply guided Eph-riam’s choice in the selection of the little booklet, the verse in which ran. thus: “The little note I send to you. 1 was compelled to send by Fate. And though you are the one I woo. You have turned away in Hate. E’en though your love has wandered away, My love for you will never stray.” On Valentine Day. Mirandy received the valentine, which saved her from becoming a spinster for life. She sent Ephriam a note filled with love and forgiveness and Dan Cupid knew then that he had won the victory. Hazel Henry—’21 ------oo------ THE GREATEST AMERICAN It is a deep tragedy to America that the death of Theodore Roosevelt should come at a time when our country needs the help of its best trained minds. Therefore, it is the wish and duty of the American people to pay him tribute. Roosevelt embodied the American spirit. He was ever ready to respond when the call to arms came. He gave willingly to the poor, and never tired in his work for the progress or humanity. He would go quickly to the aid of a stricken enemy. He loved children. Roosevelt was in every sense a true American. Evelyn Swanson—’23

Page 12 text:

12 THE SPECTATOR LITERARY FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, February 22, 1732. At the age of sixteen he was n ode surveyor of the large Fairfax property in Virginia. He camped out in the forest and was in constant danger from the Indians. When the French and Indian war broke out, he was sent by Gorvernor Dinwiddie to warn the French, and his vigorous defense of Fort Necessity gained him, when only twenty-three years of age, the post of Commander-in-chief of all the Virginia forces. He later served in Braddock’s campaign, and at Fort Duquesne. After his vigorous campaign he married a wealthy widow and settled down at Mount Vernon, living the life of a Southern planter for twenty years. He was several times a member of the Virginia legislature, where his friend, Patrick Henry, called him the greatest n:an in the assembly. In 1774 he was sent to the Continental Congress. He was elected Commander-in-chief of the army when the Revolutionary War broke out. He hastened to Cambridge and took command of the army, July 2, 1775. When the convention met in Philadelphia. in 1778, to frame the Constitution he was its presiding officer, and when the time came, under its provisions, to elect the first president, there was only one choice in the country; Washington was made first President of the United States. His good judgment was needed in the forming of the new republic, and gradually with Washington’s aid the new government was constructed. He made his farewell address in 1796 and returned to his Mount Vernon home. When the difficulties with France threatened war, Washington was again called to the command of the army. He died amidst all these military activities and the entire country mourned hia death. These words of John Marshall’s, spoken in tribute of Washington at the time of his death, are well remembered throughout the nation. ’’First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Gladys Agnew—T9 ---oo---- THE GREAT HEART Among the great men of our nation's history, Abraham Lincoln stands out distinctly as an American who was in sympathy with, and who loved, his country. Lincoln started at the very foot of the ladder and won his way to the top. When his trial came, he knew intimately the class of people he was going to pilot. The first anecdote recalled, which gives him the name of “Honest Abe”, is the story of his starting out early one morning with his axe on his shoulder, his small sister, Matilda, following him, against her mother’s orders. The child slipped up behind him and throwing her arms about his neck, drew him backward to the earth. As he fell, his axe cut her ankle. While they were administering first aid,” the child wondered how she could conceal her disobedience from her mother, but her brother advised the simple truth. During Lincoln’s career as a lawyer he won the good will of many. If his client was poor, he often refused payment for his services. During the Civil War, it was a cause of great sorrow to President Lincoln to have to punish soldiers for misdeeds, and if no reason for pardon was evident, he was willing to find one. Whatever he was doing, the fate of the sentenced soldier was on his heart, and he pardoned many because of their tender age. On Friday, which was chosen as execution day, he was often heard to remark that a boy was to be shot that day, and he hoped he was not wrong in allowing it. Many instances,

Page 14 text:

14 THE SPECTATOR THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A MOUSE Reading in the paper one day of a new building which had been erected, I decided to leave my peaceful abode in Shutt's Livery'and rent a suite of rooms in this wonderful building. So taking enough food to last the journey, I set out upon the inarch. The building, situated at the head of Franklin Avenue, is of white brick. I selected the most suitable rooms, considering the store houses, refrigerators, and all conveniences in general. These rooms are located on the third floor, fourth room to the right, front. There are six tables, three in a row and of course, two rows. Several cupboards are set in the walls and afford ample storage for all the food I may need. I enjoyed the privacy of these rooms for several days, but my bill-of-fare was very scanty and I was just about to depart from my happy home, when there arrived upon the scene of action fair maidens and boisterous lads, laden with many of the good things of this earth. They laid their burdens in one of the drawers of the table, and sallied forth from the room. Taking it upon my humble self to inspect the bundles, I had just reached the drawer when, alas, (but too late to keep the secret from me) the same boisterous lads and the same fair maidens entered, joyous and triumphant They set to work with a vim that was much unlike their usual mode of action. But this lasted only a few minutes. Then came the great issue of the day. Sandwiches, cake, popcorn, and candy were brought forth, all of it home-made except the candy. Then one tall slim young man furnished a quart of grape juice. I watched them long and silently, saying over and over in my mind, “Eat drink, and be m rry, for to-morrow you may die.” They ate and drank, and ate and drank, and I became worried as to whether there would be anything left for me. The first period passed; they still ate! The second came and went; and with it went that whole gormandizing class! Deeming it better that I should wait till evening, I partook of a few crumbs only. I. waited. The day passed slowly. Evening came at last and ’twas then that 1 feasted as I had never feasted before. Cake crumbs, bread crumbs, bits of chocolate candy, and grape juice that was left in the glasses—all were almost new to me, for I had spent the greater part of my days in the Livery Stable. That festive day is past but ’twill never be forgotten. Every night I pray that these same men and maidens may soon decile to feast again. Not till then shall 1 be happy! Paul Long—T9 -----oo------ GUIDING HEART STRINGS The Queen of Hearts leaned lovingly over Anne Martin this fourteenth day of February. But the Spirit of St. Valentine shook a warning finger at her, as she flipped Ann’s heart from suitor to suitor then let it slow up dangerously near the heart of Donald Roger. Anne, sitting before the fire in her cosy sitting room, made a beautiful living picture. The leaping flames and dancing lights from the coal fire lit the big room dimly, and threw tantalizing shadows on her bewitching little face, with its glowing brown eyes and fluffy hair. The soft clucking hisses of the burning coals sounded surprisingly like the faint sighs that escaped her gently-routing lips, and the dreamy atmosphere of the room was conducive to just such thoughts as troubled Ann's pretty head. Should she or should she not accept Donald Roger's proposal? Of course, Don’s future wife need have no fear for the more material comforts of life. He had everything a girl's heart could wish in money and position. But had she really forgotten John Wentworth? Was the love of that manly, blue-eyed soldier gone completely out of her life, just because of that foolish quarrel? Surely, surely he coud not really have forgotten the wonderful hours they had spent together in that faraway June two years ago. But he had not written; and her proud little head straightened resentfully at the thought. Furthermore she did