The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-12
SONG OF AHIGHWAY
D. JEANNFrTE ARWETr LEEPrR.

~ JEANETTE ANNgTT IEePeR.
First OF all. Just will have . look
at the river-1 have always been de-
termined about that from the begin.
ming High stone walls intervene. and
enormous engines would brighten me
away with snorts and grunts. and in
terminable numbers OF freight cars
squeal al me as they roll along on end.
less twin steel rails. but nothing can
deter me; rush right over them
onto the bridge. and on windy days
toss fine. yellow clouds Of dust TO the
wrinkled. emerald surface.
The river is splendid, l. OF all my
sisters. NAV see II every day Every
day and every night | look at II. as
the late still hours come. stare in
profound silence; but when the red
sun rises and day reigns, roar. and
threaten. and thunder over the unheed-
ing water.
Always the river first, and then the
hill! ! am a climber; not a social
climber. like Fairmont avenue.-even
the dullest eye which follows my up
ward path would never accuse me OF
that for a moment. No limousines, or
pink satin slippers have regard for
me; no landscape gardener ever pom
dered over my possibilities. and ten
dered me scarlet roses. or the blue
lit candles OF Normandy pines. No
children clad with expensive simple
i,y romp with me. Not for NE.
climb. only because OF curiosity, sole
~ and simply 10 see what is on the
other side of the hill
1 an an adventurcr OF a highway
B | am Jack Of all trades, but ] will not
be wearied by any. Twice ! cntice the
trolley cars to enter my threshold. but
/ promptly turn them out in short or.
Ger-l am net to bear, like beast OF
burden. trolley line all my enduring
length. make sure OF that. ! am con
slant 20 one thing only, the top Of the
hill, never forget that in the mean.
time | amuse myself vastly every step
Of the way up.
! / am a cosmopolitan end n CathO-
lie. Grceas. Italians. Jews, Russians
p 1i.A @Nh4tAANouH IL z h4iitts anu lAlalS -
the church with the golden cross.
! / carry the scent OF lemons and
apricOts from the huddled little fruit
stores. whore swartny foreigners COS.
sip and gesticulate, while the black.
eyed babies roll about under icJt over
the cobblestones which are my por.
| zion.
carry savory odors OF soup and
7 steaming vegetables 10 coax humans
to visit at lunch time. have fine
druggy smell 10 offer where | cross
busy, impatient, arrogant, Main street,
also whifls of black and tan shoe pol.
ish flirted about by flying brushes,
and further along ugh. gasoline!
l climb. and never forget the top.
, :Gd as | climb grow silent and less
gay. more staid and less whimsical.
see the gilded cross aglitter in the
sun. and the open portal OF the church
but It is not for nle, that portal. be-
cause il opens not 10 me-wide and
broad ii invites my sister; however
it grieycs me not! .Iine is the breath
Of the swinging censor's incense, ana
sweetness o. the altar flowers. | can
hear the murmur OF many prayers. and
the exlltant music Of the choir. so
ran close By and make my comics.
sion.
There Is the flag! Right In the
center Of an immaculate flower and
vegetable plot-both presided over by
an army blue guardian. the creator OF
the speckless garden. and the symbol
Of the sole reason that the flag yet
waves. | always salute the flag. 1t
is my flag.
hurry faster and faster: always
arrive at the top bTeathless because
each time forget what always hap
pens when ! arrive. You see never
do actually get to look over at all.
Two OF my sisters meet me there and
turn me squarely back again; what
can there be in the paths they pursue
that they guard so jealousy? Some
day | will reach the top first and will
see for myself. One thing is sure
they snail never see my river! ! look
well 10 that.
turn again and descend. mad. pre-
cipitant, headlong, to fling myself
upon the bridge and watch the vivid
green current below.
am many things-I am a menace
10 old folks in winter, | am dare TO