Alameda High School - Acorn Yearbook (Alameda, CA)

Page 11 text:

In the first edition of The Acorn it was mentioned that a very prosperous season was anticipated by all and that never before had such school spirit been present. Now, when the term is near- ing its close, and when the staff of the regular Acorn has nearly completed its work, it rejoices with you that all the bright promises are being fulfilled. Yes, these have indeed been satisfactory months for us all, and before the first of June will undoubtedly be more so. There is work still unfinished, however, which still needs the assist- ance of the school. For instance, baseball season is not half over, and baseball—well, all our hopes are centered in baseball. Of course you have supported the team with your good will and are straining every effort to attend the games. Yet how many are there who neglect the financial support that means so much? Is it school spirit to be a non-member of the Student Body, because you have neglected to pay your dues? Remember, too, that The Acorn is included in that sixty cents, and also that election day will soon come along. When a new Acorn staff takes up the work after the summer vacation it is hoped that even more support will be given by the school than there has been this term. This term—well, the paper has improved, a little, because the interest in it has increased. There is still room for advancement, however, and we hope to see this effected. Remember that whatever strides are made must be due to the efforts of the school at large, rather than those of the staff alone, and that the credit or the blame of The Acorn to Ala- meda High rests with the students. The final edition, which will be out about the first of June, will be a souvenir of the senior class, edited and managed entirely by the graduates. It promises to be one of the best ever produced,

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The Acorn up, so many weeks before—and he had been astounded at the discovery. At the time he had felt justified in his deed; but now, day by day, he felt the conviction creeping over him that he had com- mitted the unpardonable crime—he was an outcast from all the world. No land could he ever call “home;” never again would he feel that delicious thrill which is alone produced by deeds of patriot- ism; and he became lowered, day by day, into the depths of black despair. He was leading a detachment of soldiers through a tangled swamp jungle, in order to overcome the Spaniards by a flank movement, when a scheme shaped itself in his mind by which he would be able to lead the Americans to destruction and at the same time reinstate himself in the favor of his countrymen. He would guide the Americans to a place where they would be directly in the firing line between the two struggling armies, and, thus creat- ing a divergence, would enable his own compatriots to charge, while the Americans withheld their fire for fear of hitting their countrymen. They were continually getting nearer to the roar of the battle, and, stopping the company, he werit forward to reconnoiter. He intended reaching the Spanish army and laying his plans before the commandant; but as he emerged between the firing lines he was struck over the head by a bolo wielded by a native scout. The Filipino gave him one look and ran on, leaving him for dead. He was not dead, however, for a low-hanging branch had turned the knife in the native’s hand and he had been struck senseless by the flat side of the blade. The American captain, who was left back in the underbrush, having waited the appointed time, made his way forward with his company and arrived just in time to assist in the final rout of the Spaniards. The spy awoke and deliriously made his way forward through the gathering dusk to the now deserted trench. Picking up a tat- tered Spanish flag, he staggered forward, singing a national hymn. Many times he stumbled and fell, yet he made his way forward till he came into the light of many camp-fires, around which the American soldiers were sitting down to their evening meal. Three sentries challenged him peremptorily, but he made his way for- ward, waving the tattered emblem of his mother country. Again he was challenged, but still he kept on. Three shots rang out simultaneously, and he leaped high in the air and fell sprawling, clutching the sod. He had made repara- tion for his deed—his penance was complete, and his soul was clean in the sight of God. A. C. BERINGER.

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The Acorn and those who purchase it will have not only pleasure and enter- tainment, but also the satisfaction that they have supported an enterprise that means much to the class of June, ‘08. THE PLAYGROUND Ftss In this number of the Acorn we wish to voice the sentiment of the pupils of the schools of Alameda in regard to the playground which we hope will materialize soon. In the first place, everyone wants one large playground. In the second place, if it is decided to have two or three smaller play- grounds, we want one which is large enough to hold an athletic field for the various sports. This “one large playground” bill is supported by the most prominent and unbiased men in Alameda, who are trying to con- serve the best interests of their town and especially the younger generation, and who are not looking out for the welfare of Recrea tion Park and other minor interests. The opposing faction to the “one large playground” bill offers the Thompson property, the Waymire property, and the Hayes tract. The Waymire tract is not available, so that is out of the question. The Southern Pacific Co. has a franchise to run an elec- tric road through the Thompson tract, thus preventing an athletic field on that site. ‘The Hayes tract is the most desirable of the three, but it is hardly large enough for an athletic field; and if one should be laid out, it would necessitate the destruction of some of the finest trees in town. The purchase of these three tracts would therefore leave the school boys without an athletic field of any kind. The people do not seem to realize the chance they have in buy- ing the Dunn-Taylor tract. It is the largest tract in Alameda and it will only be a short time before it will not be available. If the people wish to give an athletic field and large picnic grounds and so forth, as it was originally intended, everything seems to point to this Dunn-Taylor tract. For those who are not able to visit it the following description may help to impress upon them the advantages which this tract affords. It is situated on the bay shore with a water frontage of about a thousand feet and has a fine beach which affords good oppor- tunities for swimming. It is about seven hundred feet deep at one end and about eight hundred at the other. The whole tract con- sists of about twelve acres. The Taylor tract, which covers about four acres, is covered with oak trees and is an ideal place for a park. The Dunn tract, which is separated from this tract by Pros- pect street, seems to be made for an athletic field. The tract is very level and the cost of putting it into shape would be very small. It is sincerely hoped that the citizens of Alameda will see this tract and its various advantages and help us.to secure the one large playground by voting for the Dunn-Taylor tract in the coming election. . SPENCE, ’08.