Unionville High School, The Graphic, 1949, Page 15

Description:	THE FORTY-NINERS IN FIFTY-NINEHave you ever wondered what life would be like for an Arrow? For an ordinary arrowthings aren’t usually very exciting, but my life has been full of surprises and adventures.From the very beginning of my existence, I have held very high rank. Billy Richardsonmade me in Shop Class during the year 1946-’47. I was placed over the door to the boy’sdressing room in the Unionville High School Gymnasium. My colors, red and white, brightened the entrance way. From my perch I saw many thrilling basketball games, pep sessions,Physical Education classes, picture shows, banquets and other general “get togethers.**During my residence in the Unionville Gymnasium, I became acquainted with the Forty-Niners. I enjoyed watching them in all their various school activities. Each of them hasoutstanding characteristics which will remain in my mind for years.As all good things come to an end sometime, so did my life over the dressing roomdoor. It all happened one summer while the gymnasium was being renovated. The workers took me down so I wouldn’t get my bright shining finish splattered. One started totake me, along with a load of other things, to the school building. As he neared the building, I accidentally fell from his arms and landed in a trash can which stood at the cornerof the building. Later, the contents of the trash can were dumped into a ditch below theschool building.I remained in that ditch until the year 1959. I might have been discovered sooner,but an old dishpan which had been thrown out .of the Home Economics Room covered me.It served as shelter and protection from the weather.One day to my surprise I see the light of day. I get such a shock it takes me a whileto realize how it happened. When I finally get my senses collected I find myself in thehands of a naughty little boy. He runs about the school ground showing me to the otherchildren. I notice they call him F. D. R. I wonder what that stands for. I am not longfinding out, because the teacher calls to him, “Franklin D. Richardson, come here thisinstant.” He slings me into the air and as the wind carries me away I hear him explaining a mischievous act to his teacher, “My pop said he “got by with it” in school, and mypop is Isaac Howard Richardson.”Although I don’t approve of all the doings of F. D. R. he has an interesting background. His dad was one of the famous Forty-niners, the class which graduated fromUnionville in the year of 1949.As I sail along I get a chance to take an inventory of myself. I was once a beautifulbright red. Alas, my color has faded with the years. Evidently a dishpan cannot completely protect one from the years. My joints creak and I almost believe a sudden hardpuff of wind would jerk me to pieces. I get a feeling of nausea — must be the movement.Maybe it is because I am so far above the ground for, as I glance down, the school building seems quite small.I rather like to glide along in the air. (Wish the wind currents would just blow rightso as to keep me up.) But I am losing altitude; I am getting close to the earth. I justmissed that man on a tractor. He looks like one of those Forty-niners I heard about. Towhom is he talking ? I don’t see anyone around. After listening awhile I finally figure outthat he is having a little conversation with his tractor. I must say that it is one-sided because I can’t hear that tractor say a single word. The man pats it affectionately and says,“You shore have been a faithful partner to yer old pal. Dad-gobit if ya ain’t. A bachelor’slife can be pretty lonely sometimes but you help take the dullness out of it.” Then he patsit again and heads toward the barn. I notice these words in bright red letters over the barndoor: “Weed Patch”, Proprietor, Everett Allen Kerr.15
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-unionville/id/518
Collection:	Unionville High School

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