Winchester School - Oui Dire Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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OUI- 1 HIRE 5r hovered over them. Presently to their great sur- prise it landed almost at the steps of the club- house, A clean-cut, well built, young man, with a foreign air, stepped out and inquired if any one knew the whereabouts of Dr. Maitland. It was an unfamiliar name, but a moment later he added that he was sometimes called Cyclone. Immediately a chorus of voices informed him that the little old man lived in an abandoned street car. The little party that offered to guide him there, gave in full detail the account of his heroic deed of a few months before. Une could imagine their astonishment when, the old man having appeared at the door of the house, the young aviator rushed toward him, crying. Father. For days Rosemont talked of nothing else but of the wonderful discovery that the famous surgeon, who had disappeared several years be- fore, was found to be none other than their little old mine watchman. L. N. '17. AN INTERESTING TALE. On a high cliff overlooking the sea stands a small one-story cabin with several windows and a large open door. By this door sits an old man, his head bent as he busily whittles a toy ship out of a piece of wood. His mind is not on this, as one may well see, for he mum- bles to himself while he works. He is awakened from his reverie by the ap- proach of a group of merry children who im- mediately demand a story. He laughs to him- self as if well pleased, for to-day he has de- cided to tell them the story of his life. ' Once upon a time a boy with a bundle in his arms one night stole quietly away from his home to seek his fortune. He walked all night and for many days afterwards, until one even- ing at sunset he came to the city. How good it looked to him at his first glimpse of it! This impression did not last long. After many days of searching for work he came upon a group of sailors in the street. He made their acquaint- ance, and before he knew it, he was sailing out from the harbor towards the sea. I-Ie traveled through many ports of the world, saw all kinds of peoples and races, and had many various adventures. Once he had been chased by Chinese piratesg another time he had been for days becalmed in 'the tropics? still another time he had barely escaped drown- ing by shipwreckg in many a storm had he been and he wondered if he should ever see his home again. Une night he thought all hope of ever returning home was lost, because the ship was sinking fast. They were rescued after many hours, and from that time forth he de- termined to settle at last in his peaceful home. As he grew older he was promoted from one olilice to another, until at last he was captain of a fine vessel. He now had a chance to visit his home again, but he did not care to go, for strangers lived there now and his family was all scattered. At last he thought of a quiet spot near the sea, where he could build a house. He went there, and now tells stories to some nice children whom he likes very much. XYe like th-at story best of all, said the children, because we know it is true, and we are coming again to-morrow. The old man did not hear them, for he was again back at sea, lost in memories recalled by telling his story. M. S., '17, MY DREAM GARDEN. One afternoon last summer as I was weed- ing in the fiower garden, I began to think of the garden of my dreams. with its lovely old stone wall all soft and mossy with age. At the right of the gate the birds live. The robin has her nest in the crooked old apple tree, and the bluebird in the dead branch of the pear tree. while the catbirds and the song sparrows build in the shrubs along the inside of the wall. :Xt the left of the gate is the big chestnut tree, where the squirrels have their home: of course they are gray squirrels, for there must be no fighting among the inhabitants of my garden. Nothing will grow under the old chestnut tree but strawberries, and they think it is an ex- cellent place to live in, and so does the little field sparrow who feels a tritle shy among her aristocratic neighbors. Looking down the green carpeted path through rose hedges and pergolas, one sees a garden seat over which clematis and blue ipomoea grow in profusion. Still farther down the path through this arch of blue and white, stands the old sun dial in all its dignity, on a green carpet with a border of merrilv laughing Howers who, I am sure, leave their beds some nights to dance with the fairies on the velvety Carpet, for in the morning are found in untidy confusion their forgotten party icapes that Arachne had so skilfully spun for them. To the left of the sun dial is the children's corner, where they can play without feeling

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50 our- DIRE A DESCRIPTION OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. Sleepy Hollow, a valley lying near the shores of the Hudson and made famous by XVashington lrving in his Sketch Book, pictures itself thus in my imagination. It is surrounded by tall walnut trees. There are many little gray and brown squirrels scrambling up the trunks of the trees or running about on the ground looking for nuts. It is very still in this small valley, Any hunter would be startled by the roar of his own gun as it would break the stillness and be prolonged by echoes. .-X small brook tiows noiselessly through it. The occasional whistle of a quail or tapping of a woodpecker is about the only sound that breaks the uniform tranquillity. In autumn this valley is particularly beautiful. with all the leaves of the trees turning brown, red, yellow and orange against the blue of the clear sky. The small birds beginning to depart to warmer regions, are having their farewell revelry. They chirp and hop from tree to tree enjoying the festivities. Surrounding the grove are orchards of luscious-looking red apples and fields of sheaves of wheat with yellow pumpkins scattered among them. The chestnuts are be- ginning to ripen and the ground is covered with the burrs. Sometimes a flock of wild ducks can be seen flying over the tree tops. :Xt times at night the screech of the owl can be heard. The mystery of the place is increased by the legends which are told about it. They are about a soldier who had been in the Revolutionary XYar and had his head shot off. lle could be seen riding through Sleepy Hollow on his horse on dark and stormy nights. This makes people afraid to ride through the hollow at night. How- ever, taken all together, Sleepy Hollow is a verv beautiful and interesting place. I li. XV. ,I7. CYCLONE. Cyclone, the watchman for the Stuart and firaham mine, was one of the most interesting and well-known characters of Rosemont. lle was generally followed by a crowd of children, not jeering at this eccentric old ligure, as one might suppose, but thoroughly interested in the tales he always had to tell. AX stranger looking at him would have wondered that the children were allowed to be with him, for he was cer- tainly in the last state of dilapidation, and one could not imagine a more ill-kept human being. It was evident that his only shaving instrument was a pair of old shears, the neck of his shirt was always open, buttons were strangers to his overcoat, a rope generally taking their place, and, summer and winter, an old straw hat, several sizes too large, was pulled down over his ears. Cyclones hobby was collecting all kinds of rub- bish. It was no unusual sight to see him stag- gering up the hill with a huge barrel or half a tree over his shoulder. At times he would be seen without his crowd of children, but he was never deserted by the most faithful companion he could have, his dog Julius Caesar. If one could see through Caesar's many years' accumu- lation of dirt, they would find a thorough-bred English bull. Although harmless, Cyclone was undoubtedly crazy. According to him, he was in turn President of the United States, the Kaiser's most intimate friend, and lerome's legal adviser: in fact, at one time or another, he had been practically every prominent man one hears or reads about. K Une day early in May, Mr. Stuart very un- willingly allowed his daughter to go through the mine with only a miner in attendance. He him- self was not able to go that day. Cyclone from the door of the old abandoned street car, where Caesar and he kept bachelor apartments, watched her disappear into the great black hole with no small forebodings, for Miss Shirley had been a favorite of his from the time she wore short dresses. Presently Caesar, who had been nosing around the entrance to the mine, began to sniff the air suspiciously, giving short barks. until he linally attracted his master's attention by a low growl. Realizing something was wrong, Cyclone went to the entrance. For a moment terror struck his heart when the deadlv odor of mine damp reached him. Not hesitating an in- stant, he dashed into the black tunnel. On and on he rushed, with never a thought but that his beloved Miss Shirley was somewhere in that dreadful blackness. All the time faithful Caesar bounded at his heels. Then a deafening explo- sion was heard, Turning into a still narrower passage Caesar rushed ahead, then stopped and gave short staccato barks. In an instant Cyclone was bending over a motionless white form. Miss Shirley had been deserted by her guide. Stoop- ing he lifted her in his arms, and began to re- trace his steps. Blinded and almost exhausted. he stumbled along with his limp burden. Final- ly a small ray of light appeared. Gathering all his strength together in one last supreme effort. he lunged forward through the opening into sun- light and life. Une afternoon late in August the golfers on the Rosemont course were very much interested in watching the maneuvers of an airship that N

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53 oUr-DIRE they will lltll'l any llowers, I do not mean to sav-tl1e1'e are no tlowers there. Uh, yes, there sweetpeas and llZlSlIll'llllll1S cling to the wall. and pansies and linglish daisies a11d the kind 11fll11XXe1's cl1il1lren love to pick. Last of all is the corner to the right of the SUIT dial, where there is a stone seat beside the little stream that lost her way and came running in under the wall, but t11r11ed right around Zllltl we11t stumltling o11t over some stones. .-Xnd there's pansies, that's for thought, Zlllfl there's rose- niarv, that's for l'Clllk'llllll'LllICL'.H i R. .X., '17, THE LOST CHORD. XX'ithin a great cathedral, where llllll and quiet shadows fell over a few scattered pe11i- lL'lllS kneeling in silent prayer. sat an organist. ,Xlone with tl1e keys-idly l1is lingers strayed. striking here and there a note, 11 chord,-his INl1Itl far away groping, groping for a thoughtl and still his fingers wandered, as he too bowed his head i11 prayer. Xkvhile thus in silent communion with his tlod, a wondrous beam front the setting' sun F-lltbllk' through the great stained-glass wi11dows. and fell 11po11 l1i111, fill- ing the erstwhile dim a11d silent church witl1 soft and radiant beauty. XYith swelling heart and tear-dimmed eyes, again his lingers fell upon the keys, and there was born a marvelous, heavenly Sl.I'IllIl, such as no lIltJl'lQIll had ever .Xhnost prostrate with ineffable joy, the organist tried with all his powers to repro- heard. tlllCC the chord. Une by o11e all the combina- tions he had ever known fell from his trem- bling hands. lltllll'5 passed, days, years, tl1e niusician grew l'l'4PlN young 1na11l1ood to old age. and l1is supreme tliought flllll ambition was still totindhis l'.ost Lil1o1'1l, WhiCh,i11 0110 tleeting nionient had been born, a11d l1ad as swiftly l'Cll1l'llL'll to its heavenly source. II. L., 'I7. THE WOMAN ON THE MOUNTAIN. I'o1' hours we had been riding along the trail that led up the mountain side. NYe had hoped to reach the Hgllllllllll il louse but hour by hour this hope had become fainter lllllll all we now de- sired was shelter for tl1e night. At last we espied a light amid the glooni of the trees and we urged our weary horses forward. .ks we rode up to the floor, my brotlier remarked that he hoped we would spt,-111l tht night' here. l hoped so too be- cause we -.ve1'e so tired Zllltl the night air was ex- tremely cold. Wfell, we could only ask for a night's lodging and abide by the answer. In re- sponse to Dick's knock the door was opened by a little woman. She peered anxiously out at us and I suppose was convinced of our harmlessness, for after a l'l'lOllICHtiS hesitation she requested us in a very kindly 1I'lEtII1'lC1' to come in. XVe had be- come so used to the rough tones and manners of the mountain people that we were startled by the contrast of this polite request. The room into which we were invited was a sight to rest people even as tired as we were. It was long and low and at one end a blazing log tire sent out a cheerful warmth. Except for the light TTOIII the burning embers the room was in darkness, but our hostess made haste to light two high candles that stood on the mantle. She seemed to realize that we wished to spend the night, for as she dropped the taper into the tire she said, XYon't you'take off your wraps and sit by the fire while I get you a bite to eat XYithout another word she hurried into the next room where we could see her hurrying around prepar- ing supper. Soon the savory odor of browning bacon fllld strong coffee could be smelt and pres- ently our hostess brought in a jug of milk and a plate of snowy bread to be toasted at the fire. .-Ns she re-entered she smiled and said, Oh. I know what is wanted by the people that come here on their way to the Slllllllllt. Many people used to stop here several years ago b11t now the people don't seem to care any more to follow the trail. For the tirst ti111e I looked at her closely. She was very little and slight and quick in all l1er movements. Irler hair was soft and gray, and the eyes beneath were kee11 and very blue and seemed to see everything. .Xfter supper was over, Dick turned to Mrs. XYillard-this we had learned was lIC1' name- a11d said, Are yo11 all alone here, Mrs XVilla1'd P The little lady shook her head and stepping to tl1e door, whistled shrilly. In a IHOIIISIII a large collie dog appeared at her side. Here is my companion, sir: and a Fine o11e he is, she said as she closed the door and returned to her chair by the tire. The dog followed and lay down by her side. XVe talked of many things and finally drew the following story from her: just twenty-seven years ago she had come out froni the old country with her husband. She was a bride then and life was f11ll of promise. jim and sl1e had made a home for themselves in a city of the middle west and for two years all went well. Tl1Cll one evening at dusk .lim came and told her they had to leave the city before morn- ing. I-le had brought her away up here i11to the N 3