Vandergrift High School - Spectator Yearbook (Vandergrift, PA)

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THE SPECTATOR 15 rather like Donald, the catch of the season—and there was no doubt of his liking her. But she could not think cf Donald at all, when the laughing, six-foot John seemed so near. Strange, the tricks memory will play upon us, when we think we have forgotten and been forgotten. If she refused Don the girls would think her peculiar— but with a wee tightening of her heart, she felt that surely one more day of freedom need not matter. As if in answer to her thought the clatter of an express wagon told her that here at least was some positive proof of Don’s caring,—roses, red and white, in such profusion that their heavy fragrance weighted down the air in the room and banished her mood of reverie. They were everywhere a-bout her. They seemed to typify what her life with Don would be—roses and luxuries in such quantities that they stifled all the happy, homey thoughts she had. And then she knew—knew she could never forget the old love, now in France, and that roses cannot make love. The Spirit of St. Valentine nodded approvingly as the Queen of Hearts drew Anne’s heart closer and closer to John’s gallant soldier heart. And Dan Cupid chuckled and clapped his hands as they settled slowly down beside one another. In the last mail that evening Ann received a tiny red valentine with the words: “Just a kiss from France For a love both old and new. Won’t you be my Valentine And let me come to you?” Louise Bortz—T9 ------oo------ OUR THREE GREAT WAR PRESIDENTS Our three great war presidents nam'ely, Washington. Lincoln, and Wilson, are put down in history as among the nation’s greatest men. When we stop to consider what it must have meant for these men to be at the head of the nation at such critical times, when the country was in turmoil, we shall not hesitate to consider that they were fully worthy of the honor which is bestowed upon them. Washington, our first war president, was elected to this office just at the time when our government was being formed, so was naturally called The Father of His Country—a man such as our country needed most at this time. During his whole life, Washington did all he could to help the country along, especially after he was made president. When it was said of him that he was “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen”, a great truth was uttered. When the Revoutionary War broke out, he was one of the first men to organize troops. When peace was dawning Washington was one of the first who was in favor of establishing peace among his coun trymen. Lincoln, our second great war president, was elected to this office just before the Civil War. Unlike Washington, Lincoln was reared a very poor boy an,d had a hard struggle all through his life. But in spite of all these hardships, he rose to be one of America’s noblest and most honored men. It has often been said of Lincoln that he had the kindest heart that the world has ever known, and if we stop to reflect upon this statement, we shall find it to be true. During the great war, in spite of his anxiety, his worry, and many other troubles, he would take time to visit and comfort the wounded soldiers, as well as to give aid and comfort to the mothers who came to him concerning their boys. All through his life. Lincoln showed great kindness to everyone and performed his duties so well that when he was assassinated, it was no wonder that the South as well as the North mourned his death. Wilson, our present executive, is our last war president. When we consider what he has done for us in the present war, we do not hesitate to say that he has fully done his duty. In spite of his desire to keep us from getting into the dreadful war which has just passed, when we did enter it, he did all in his power to carry the war through to a victorious end. In respect and honor to these three great war presidents, and great and noble men as well, we pause during these busy days to give them a tribute from our grateful hearts. Evelyn Love—’21

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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

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THE SPECTATOR 16 TO PHOTOGRAPHY Thou Blessed Art,—Photography— My heart and soul go out to thee. For though my friends be far away Thou bidst their image with me stay. Old Father Time cannot erase Youth and manhood from the face. Thy Art has pictured here for me The soldier brave, whom now I see. Who volunteered in Freedom's cause To prove the justice of God’s laws. To help the nations in distress And crush the one who would oppress. Through years. I gaze upon his face; Old Time no furrows there can trace; His noble brow will ever be Always young and fair to me. Though age may dim his piercing eye. Portraits won’t change as years go by. If future years bid him be old, No silver threads can streak the gold. O Art Supreme! my ravings hear— For keeping past friends ever near. Thou guardest them from Time’s rude theft. And Death takes toll;—yet they are left. Mae George—’1ft ------oo------ THE HAPPY MAN ‘‘Have you seen him?” “Who?” “The HAPPY MAN.” “Why where is he? I have not even seen him.” “You have seen him every day, for about a month. He greets every one with a broad and winning smile. He walks down Grant Avenue with his chest expanded and with an air of a generalissimo of the army. You would think to look at him that he had been fighting against the Hun for three years and had just returned to the family circle. Say, he is some big headed fellow, you bet!” “Ah, come ahead and tell us who you have been raving about.” “Well, this is some joke! Haven’t you really seen him? Why he is the fellow who passed his exams on 74.001%”. Margaret Patton—T9 RED TAPE If you turn around in school, you have to go through red tape to turn back again. When I want to speak to a boy or girl in the study-hall, instead of turning around in my seat to speak to him, I have to go and stanS beside him. I say this kind of business is not conserving strength. If I go’from one room to another, to speak to a person, I have to go to the War Department (Principal’s office) and get a passport. I must also ask the Commander-in-chief (teacher) to put the blinds down, if the sun is shining in the room. When I go to the guard house (study-hall) I go there to study, not to talk. I am not allowed to talk in the Barracks (reporting room) after the bell rings. My life is all tangled up in Red Tape. Woe is me! Frank Adams—’23 ------oo------ NIGHT IN THE FOREST The crescent moon hangs high in the sky O’er the velvety darkness of night: And the gentle breezes softly sigh, As they ripplingly make their flight. High in the trees the nightingales sing; Deep in the forest the wood creatures croon Of the wonderous glories of beautiful spring And the radiance bright of the crescent moon. While the towering trees stand a mighty guard O'er all the woodland flowers in sight: And the brook shows a ribbon of silver un marred To share in the beauteous joy of the night. Julia Beck—’23 ------oo------ Miss Griswold—Merle, construct a sentence using the word gruesome. Merle—I got tired of shaving so I gruesome w’liiskers.