Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

Text from Pages 1 - 44 of the 1905 volume:

2 he ORACLE Commencement Number ee ns ws Ts 2 Reet ee At NEUMAN BROS.’ 501-503 Watchung Ave., The Leading Grocers, You can always find every possible delicacy. Fruits—Foreign and Dumestic. Tels. 146 and 131. LESLIE M. COBBS Established 1868 Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Tatloring An exceptionally fine showing of Water Color Establishment Paintings, Carbons, Etchings and 146 East Fifth Street, near Woman’s Exchange Picture Frames. Sulicsitoronclen ace asa sae U4 OOnIIp ARTISTS’ MATERIALS Trousers toorder . . 4 00 up PAINTINGS CLEANED and RESTORED For $18 a year we will clean and press four [ é Regilding, Rare Engravings, ete. suits, one overcoat and one skirt each month, avable at the rate of $1.50 per month, | in’ y Reade nad altevial @ apeciaitty Swain $s Mee = Garments called for and delivered. 317 West Front Street, Plainiield, NR. J. W. L. SMALLEY CO., Lawn Mowers, Screens and Screen Wire Nattve Cattle, Southdown Sheep and iosen ior Cie, Lawn: Lambs Refrigerators a first-class ine , | a at close prices : Ave. Fourth St. Cor. Park Ave. and Fourth St GAYLE HARDWARE COMPANY: Telephone 58. ; PLAINFIELD, N. J. Front St.and Park Ave. Tel. 468-R Everything Guaranteed First-class WOOLSTON BUCKLE ROBERT GARDNER 145 North Avenue MER CTA Notes “lr lee OcR Full line of Cleaning, Pressing and Repairing a Specialty Glass for Passe Partout 325 Watchung Avenue We print Che Oracle We would like todo Your Printing § ,. N. C, BLAIR, Livery and Boarding Stables Recorder Press 114 WEST SIXTH STREET. . Babcock Building.. Tel, 448-1, | TELEPHONE 152. Pere Blood, the Avenue fo Health Your Conant taeiten ison? RANDOLPH’ S SARSAPARILLA Will cleanse and let nature rebuild red corpuscles. 50c bottle. L. W. RANDOLPH’S CITY PHARMACY 143 W. FRONT STREET ERAT RY DRS FE Ree Headquarters for A. G. Spaulding Bros’., Baseball and Tennis Goods. sicyele repair shop in rear Bicycles. 261-263 W. Front Street GIDDES’ SHOE STORE| _—_=JOHIN J. PRAED | Women’s, Children’s, Men’s | Che Cailor and LBoys’ tligh-grade Shoes | 314 Park Avenue, Plainfield, N. F. | claims that the coa does he p to make the man if he makes the coat. SOROSIS SHOES Cleaning, Pressing, Altering and Repairing a CORNER FRONT STREET AND MADISON AVENUE | specialty. Agents for the famous Summer Oxfords... FOR YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN Young Women’s White Canvas Oxfords, $1.25 and $1.50. Young Women’s Black and Tan Oxtords, $1.50 to $3.50. Young Men’s Tan Oxfords, $2.00 to $2.95. Young Men’s Patent Co!t Oxfords, £2. 95 L.S.PLAUT CO., 707-725 Broad St, Newark Sains ies heen | Miller's Soda Very Popular HARPER’S A Satisfied Customer always Increases Business, this is why our Famous Choc Stationery and School Supplies Soda brings so many to us. 41) PARK AVENUE ee Suey Our Latest | Agency for Belle Mead Sweets. PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY | Park Ave. and 4th St. Special Summer Privileges at the Y. M. C. A. ——_ = $300 $= Swimming Pool, Shower 2 For further particulars Baths and Tennis. inquire Y. M. C. A. S061 49 Sse) The ORACLE | “T am Sir Oracle, and when I ope my lips, let no dog bark.”’ BOARD OF EDITORS Editcr-in-Chief, GERTRUDE L. HunNTER, ’06. Literary Editor, School Editor, Exchange Editor, Jessie F. Mactay, ’o7. ARTHUR S. WHITNEY, ’00. Cuaruotre N. Taytor, ’08. Corresponding Editor, FREDERICK SMITH, ’07. Business Manager, Asst. Bus. Manager. Weston GAVETT, ’07. ; JoserH O. Oscoop, JrR., ’08. Associate Editors, Mr. Linpsey Best, Miss ARIADNE GILBERT. REPORTERS Senior, Junior, EpitH L. JARVIS, ’05. EvizaBetH C. WINTER, ’06, Haroitp A. BRowNELtL, ’05. Lestie E. Patmer, ’00. Sophomore, Freshman, GERTRUDE Mooney, ’07, Epita LocKkwoop, ’08, Wm. D. Taytor, ’07. Francis C. Foster, ’08. IO Velen wale eke WALTER H. RUGEN, ’035. Entered as Second-class Matter November 17, 1904 at the Post Office at Plainfield, N. J., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Published on the first Wednesday of every month during the school year, by the students of the Plainfield (N. J.) High School. Printed by THE RECORDER PRESS, Babcock Building, Plainfield. 15 CENTS THE COPY 75 CENTS THE YEAR VOLUME 3 COMMENCEMENT NUMBER NUMBER 9g JUNE, 1005 A String of Beads. (Awarded first prize in the George H. Babcock Prize Competition. Written by Elizabeth Crane Winter. ) HE child with the golden hair played in the sunshine, and the old man in the wooden chair before the cottage door watched with little rest- less black eyes, while he tirelessly slipped a rosary through his fin- gers, and babbled Aves. Finally the child finished playing with his toys, and crept to the side of the chair. He watched the rosary gravely, as it fell from bead to bead in time with the sibilant patter of prayers. 2 PHE ORACLE, “Why dost thou do that?” he queried, pointing a soft little forefinger at the crucifix, which the rough, work-hardened hand held poised. ““Thow’ ? ‘thou’?” fretted the peasant. “Thou little aristocrat! Hadst thou lived when Samson played his merry little game in Paris, thy pretty head had not saved itself from a cooling in his basket. And he went so fast, so fast. We could not count. It was all blood, and moans, and the tumb- rils rolied in bringing more, always more.” The old man moved in his chair, and sucked in his shriveled lips with a grimace of unholy delight. The child looked troubled. ““Guilbert! Guilbert! they shouted,’ continued the peasant, mumbling to himself and searching the landscape with his eager little eyes. ““Guilbert, save us!’ But I, Guilbert, I did not hear them. The beads were all bloody, but I snatched them, and I laughed in their faces.” The boy clutched the old man’s sleeve and shook him impatiently. “What art thou talking about?” he demanded. “Tell me, now, I wish to know.” Guilbert brought his roving eyes back to the child, but they were bright, hard eyes. His wrinkled face looked like a mask of Tragedy, with exag- gerated lines about the mouth, and a cruel lift to the eyelids. “He locked like thee, the fool!” he muttered. “Silly yellow curls, like the gold he would not give us for bread, and a fair skin like the roses he threw at mein mockery. But she was mine, mine, not his. And was she not mine?’ minced the peasant, changing his tone, and assuming an affected falsetto. “Was she not mine, and did I not do with her in the end as I liked?” His voice dropped. “But she was my foster-sister, and I loved her. Ah, there was no dif- ference then. I took her through the fields, and we peeped at the nestlings in the hedges. and I brought her the first violets that raised their pretty faces to the sun. But they took her away from me, and she grew to be a fine lady. There was no food for us, but she fed the choicest from her plate to her doves and her lap-dogs. For me there was work, work, work, from sun- rise to sunrise; but for her all was pleasure and beauty. “Eh, garcon, but I loved her, peasant that I was, and I went to her fair- haired brother and told him all. I went to him in his grand salon, where he stood alone, awaiting his guests. And what did he do? He laughed at me, and he callecl his servants to hold me until his sister came. She came, and the guests came, too, men from the court and the King’s very presence, and they dragged me out and ridiculed me. ‘“Monseigneur,” they called me, and the women flung their flowers at me in scorn. Roses they flung, and the blossoms caught in my old rosary. Maddened, I tore it off and threw it on THE ORACLE. 3 the ground, broke away from them, and rushed through the window to the lawn. With rage in my heart I watched them, back there in the lighted chamber. They were merry, and my poor crucifix lay on the floor all trampled or, until their smirking chaplain came through the room and res- cued it. ““Eh, eh, my children,’ says he, and that was all. And beneath the stars of Heaven ! swore to be revenged.” “Ah, boy, how soon was that! The revolution came, liberty, and the cursed aristocrats.were dragged to Paris for food for the hungry lady, La Guillotine. And with them came she, and her fair-haired brother, the fool! Ah yes, then it was that they called to Guilbert, when the judgment hall had ghem:in its clutches. Save them? ]?” “ There is no case,’ said the judges; but Guilbert knew. Guilbert whis- pered a word to a friend, and the friend spoke to a prison-keeper. Viola! the prison-keeper whispered to the judge, and there you are, my fine lady and my pretty boy, riding away with plenty of company. How 1s this after vour coach and vour carriage?” The peasant’s shrill voice grew thick in its utterance, and the wide-eved child pressed nearer to hear the better. “How they rolled, the tumbrils, always rolling, like thunder; and the tooth of I.a Guillotine, there you have your lightning. What a merry storm !” “Along she came, with her white hands tied behind her, and her white neck bare. And her brother, too, the fool of the fair curls, he sat beside her. A priest darted out from the crowd. It was the chaplain, and he was holding up my rosary. But no, my curé, Guilbert attends to that. Swifter than the Destroyer herself, I reached forth my arm and snatched it from him. It was all bloody, but I seized it, and grinned at them. ““Oh, Guibert!’ she cried piteously, ‘But save me, Guilbert, and thou shalt have—’”’ ““Ah! Ah! What a pity to cut her short, Samson,’ they cried, laughing loudly at the pun, and shaking hands and embracing one another, as one more head rolled into Samson’s basket.” The peasant heaved a deep sigh. “Those were brave days, garcon,” he chuckled, “and it was this crucifix, fancy, and so long ago.” He yawned and surveyed his wasted form amusedly, no longer savage, but facetiously good-humored. “Well, well, Guilbert could not do it again,’ he lamented. “No, no, little aristocrat, thou wilt have to find another to assist thee to thine end, should La Guillotine come into fashion again.” 4 THE: ORACLE. Baseball Seldom, perhaps never, has the Plainfield High School enjoyed such a successful baseball season as it has this year. Material for teams was so plentiful that two good teams were formed instead of the usual one. The lack of a coach did not prevent fine individual playing, excellent team work, and thirteen substantial victories, as follows: Ferasmus bl ait Ei Sd to cite ree e ik Wiseman ea ct, a nia aie enna see 7-0 Reals School crys cts opt et peeie pte atthe Seneca hg esr seen sen hee ee 10-0 Pin gry SCHOO IN ry rocranctays oe teeter one IIe te ee EE Scat ace nal gh ree 6-0 Crantord sll Si Bt dhe k ae etc tek ett erg een el ir ar Re Neen na ne re ca eae 10-0 ING warksAcadenry Sia) hase StSs cos tie ead fee nae 16-2 I MTay are Wk oe by ase Sea ean Cre EAI WO RAI oy eee ee Bnd pre OS nee Tins Ges 4-O Deals SCHOOL mece ch ap. atte nlc we eh ian hence ect yee Pea ae 29-1 Routoer sil reps SCHOCIT IA} acc Seas tonne een ne er ee ee 21-3 INIGWATIC! Ede som ws Rot nee rere RET Ns eas tery” Me ay Rk eC A 4-2 Ritger'ssP reps Chooliyd: 2 magia whet cee ee A ey ck ete ee 10-1 Grate Gid TESS aia rec coiatge as tobe ea re ore ok Ree NE Ce EE I a ae I1-4 Reading sacadeniy urs cog ten ae canoes ee A ae ae. ent en oe ae ee ae 19-1 PICKS orci e ye Bacal emt OTN ne ae STON ane on Set Ea ht Se ae 5-1 We were defeated by: j Brooklyn Boys - HAS 2 fees asad ee cere cog eres cane hee Li-a2 Gampsbowser® Glib iAg ans. Seals der sel erots sie eae nie ee a eee ae tee 5-11 eo b hae eN ee Merete ele Urea Nien WENA yh Ate Ti ery t nd MAG LO 6s 65 2- 6 These defeats we do not regret, nor have we any excuses to make. The “Camp Bowser” and Blair Hall teams are composed of college athletes who receive fine coaching. The defeat by Brooklyn Boys’ High was received after having played the first game of a double header and walking about three miles to their ball grounds. Not thinking a margin of one run a fair proof of the superiority of the Brooklyn Boys’ High team, we tried to ar- range a second game with them on either their field or ours. No reply was received. Newark High School and Pingry School, after having been defeated by us on their grounds, both cancelled their second (scheduled) game with us less than twenty-four hours before the game was to have been played. For our home supporters this made a sad windup to a successful season, but the knowledge that our team knocked all of the sportiness out of these teams in the first game ought to be a sufficient compensation for the loss of the home games. The title of “state scholastic champions” is a hollow one, as the high TMAk ORACLE: 5 school teams of North Jersey are not able to play their nearby opponents and also the preparatory schools of South Jersey, such as Lawrenceville. But the title of state high school champions can be figured out with more correct- ness. The three leaders of this class this year are Montclair, East Orange, and Plainfield High Schools. Our game with Montclair was called on ac- count of rain, but Morris High School defeated Montclair, and we defeated Morris High School. Thus eliminating Montclair, East Orange remains as a competitor for the title of “State High School Champions.” East Orange refused a game with us on the ground that they had to save their pitchers for their game with Newark High School on the day following the day on which we offered to play them. Comparisons are odious, but anyone doubting our rightful claim to be the champion high school baseball team of New Jersey, is left to compare our respective completed schedules. The cause of our success is obvious. We had the best school boy base- ball players. The infield was a crack-a-jack combination. Our battery trio, Smith, Burt, and Davis, were as a rule too much for any opposing batsmen, so much so, in fact, that the outfield never had a chance to prove their worth. It is useless to exploit the two all round stars, Conway and Craig, the ap- pended statistics will do that, but these same statistics do not show the able handling the team received from Captain Thompson. To him belongs a large share of the laurels won by the Plainfield High School. And to Man- ager Lapsley great credit is due for his able and financially successful man- agement of the season’s schedule. INDIVIDUAL RECORDS AND SUMMARIES: Averages ' Bat- F'ld- Names GaneseaAl Ba Ret Bi Or eM Hs S85 tino ime CR erin Se He oe hat an Sua Me canoer i COD 40 By iG BR S S sir vie sess; MOTI PSO Ml emnres mracmhie.s eet olan seater eta eet oes is On 20 Br 29° Bo il Ae serie Sik (CCI IENe ns Donia: See ete ccc ee Ome ee OMA enor LO MECZORE OSs SSNOTUKU Ne oe gta clateea kin Girepearenee cam ioeeIcS OMS ee ene: eee? OME LONE 27m Sih Sao itieemniat metas eisete ail atten race oe ert ne TS, 42 iG) aul R i Be Bi BO WI Mie DER GIS eh a Aen ann Oe ee ice eeroe e ey Al iG) SIL TS A) BY aS) A oe, IRWIN Boab cuc o Chae co Lea eo e ee cece” OV AE Thoin era | BO OQ D eee ieee lees Dineeinatie siaarsme ebne + ic ele oe arses Gp. Gy TA oe I OR A= ih AI Re) Brace levee trace cry Aerkaere tas Be tyne Scie TS OOm Teer de Th 5 OD) oe IBYOR Naor Mee eA rae ee trae hone ROO is. By 1G) 16) 1A 16 Dp Tey so wos Birt ieeeseaicven Sey ee Oe LOm Oe pl ro UZ 2B WR Osa see Total number of runs, P. H. S., 181; opponents, 49. Percentage of games won, .800. 6 THE ORACLE. P. JH. S.; 43 Morris H. S., 0. Our baseball team scored its third shut-out on April 29, by defeating the Morris H. S. nine. It was a light-hitting game, and was well played in spite of the rain, which fell during the latter part of the morning. Our team made four h its and one error, to one hit and two errors for our opponents. Smith pitched a fine game, striking out eleven men, and it was because of their inability to hit that we whitewashed them. Score by innings: Ps als): Srey ae, Rape): Aree IY cc pee ak ee ea tennaeE th gt naey Ae 20010001 —4 BYES TLS PS cterwea te ccpedde arch eras ne peechie aa ote erske a ane renee 00000000 0—9 Peghl. 53-2025 BAL a: Again did our nine smother Leal’s on May 3, and this time our men made so many runs that the score keeper could hardly keep count of them. Three hits and twenty errors for Leal’s tells the whole sad story. For the first few innings it seemed as if the game would be close, for after we had scored a run, Leal’s scored also, their first and only run, by a base on balls and a hit. But in the third inning the merry-go-round started, and by the ending of the fifth inning the score was 15 to 1. But worse things were to follow. Jewett was taken out of the box and Browne was substituted, and in the sixth inning alone our boys scored eleven runs. Burt pitched the first five innings and did fine work, allowing only three hits. Smith pitched the rest of the game and struck out three of the six men who faced him. Our other players also played excellent ball, and not a single error was scored against us, while Leal’s seemed to be “stage-struck,”’ for they made errors in nearly every case where an error could possibly be made. They certainly gave the poorest exhibition of baseball that has been seen here this season. The score by innings: |e elites eet Sree Pa Pera if Be ose EAE DA Dh Se 01905 II 3—29 [eas ich cate deve aes Cee ade po = eee toe 01000 00—I1 P. H.'S., 104 Cranrorp H.'S:,:0. Our baseball team administered a coat of white-wash to the Cranford team, at Cranford, on May 6. Smith was in fine form, and did not allow a single hit, nor did he give a single base on balls. Our boys batted like vet- erans, making hits whenever they were necessary, and securing in all 15 hits from Bareus’ delivery. Bargus puzzled our batters once in a while, getting eight strike outs. Smith struck out Io men. Our team played a steady game, and made only two mishaps. The score by innings was: j cae Cee ee Meat, etry, ee Le Rr eae rE CARD Os: 20-253) 1 (04210 (Hale Sie, ate, aie Gates, ts aetna ORY ens Ee eae 000000 0—0 mesa [eqeseg THE ORACLE. 7 PRLEsSeeo oe DENTR: FALL .O, On May to our team played their hardest game of the season with the Blair Hall team from Princeton. The game was interesting, but we came out second hest by the score of 2 to6. Our boys put up a good, stiff game, but they were simply outclassed by older, and more experienced players. Smith played well, as usual, striking out eleven men and making three of our six hits. Jt was due to his hitting that we secured our second run. The first score for our side was made by Thompson through a home run in the first inning. Lewis pitched a star game for Blair Hall, keeping our hits well scattered, except in the eighth inning, when two hits and a stolen base netted our second and last run. Our coaching was very poor in this game, for men were put out on base when with proper coaching they would doubtless have scored. The score by innings: DH Fete Le 2° Sahm, Fe ROR eos ceria Pers ce ble ARAL cu ues ie 10002200 I—6 Oe Stet ket en Rei heise Ears A ae en ee IOOQ0O0O0OOI O—2 Peel go 2 RUTGERS PREDE. 3: On May 132 our team had another walk-over at New Brunswick against the team from Rutger’s Preparatory School. Burt pitched the entire game and allowed only 3 hits. Our boys found Applegate easy and made 16 hits, one of them being a home run by Conway. Our opponents also helped us along by making eleven errors. The game was quite interesting from start to finish, for our men started the scoring in the first inning and did not stop until the ninth. The score by innings follows: eae RP Brey oes ns SL et he Sed RO ite 3% 2074020 2 4-21 1 re ae ae ane STR A ca vem ca, Mohs eae Gh OO0O000III10 —3 Rees, (ASN EW ARK Mil Sa: Our tenth victory of the season was procured at the expense of the Newark High School team, at Newark on May 17. The field was wet and muddy, and the ball was in the same condition, so that errors were un- avoidable. In spite of the slippery condition of the ball, Smith struck out eight men, and allowed only two safe hits. Our players secured seven hits from Watts. Newark started out well by making two runs in the second inning but these proved to be their only ones. Our team tied the score in the third and fourth innings, and then in the fourth, Conway knocked in the win- ning runs with a long drive over centre field, with two men on bases. He himself, however, was called out for cutting the bases. Both sides put men 8 THE ORACLE: on bases atter this, but there was no scoring after the fourth inning. Score by innings: Pic S eee raaie atest coe tome ee at nome 00130000 0—4 is ate Hae Mp a te ia arent Franks vit Sine Mee pA 02000000 0—2 Pail. S.c10s RUTGERS PREP: “1: On May 19 we played all around the Rutger’s Prep. team for the second time, and although they played better than in the previous game, we defeated them by a score of 10 to 1. Our boys did not find the opposing pitcher as easy as in the first game, for we secured only 7 hits, but our opponents’ 10 errors helped to increase our score. Smith was in good form, striking out sixteen men and allowing six scattered hits. The score by innings was: Rebs S pttea oh cs ccctaaaece en obnepted eo N Ne er ete Pree eenion O00001000—I1 PEL IOS teas crce ae eect oa tok Oo rabes tees t hae we eee ASME ech GO! @F0) 370 4,2. 4-10 Por S81 r CRANFORD Aa: Our second game with Cranford, on May 23, also resulted in an easy victory for our team. Burt pitched most of the game and did fine work, striking out eleven men and allowing Cranford to score in only one inning. Cranford on the whole played a poorer game than the last, and our runs came in ma‘nly becatise of their errors, but Bargus pitched better than before. The game was slow from the start, and at no time was there the least doubt as to the result. The score by innings: Cine 6 ne SAREE a: bane e area se Saber MN ys SN g TL eaten hy RSIS 000004000—4 tJ is Be aries pent aby ey okin Late Fe crak ee om PO02 2c Ot Fiat eae ot P.H:S., 20; READING ACADEMY, I: On May 27 we played the Reading Academy team at Flemington, in place of the South Orange game, which was cancelled. Our boys started right in at the beginning to score, for Conway, the first man up, knocked a long drive over the left field fence and came home on a trot. Parker, who pitched for Reading. was very effective when he found the plate, but he gave 12 bases on halls, and these, coupled with our opponents’ 18 errors, allowed us to score almost at will. Our base-running was very good, and the field- ing was fast and snappy. Burt pitched the first five innings and allowed only two hits. Smith, in the last four innings, allowed only one hit, and struck out eight men. Reading made their only run in the second inning on an error, followed by a two-base hit. Conway’s heavy hitting and the base- running of our players, were the features of the game. The score by in- nings: RAGE, orcs hie aay Aether Ne seers cle chugs ianets 01000000 0—I1 Weg Pls So Detics cxcg she PREV came ete cco ER ee 301303 3 3 4—20 THE ORACLE. y ITH true regret we learn that we are to lose Miss Ball and Miss Cum- - ming from the faculty next year. When the announcement was made that the Board of Education had granted them a year’s leave of absence, we realized as never before the good influence which they have exerted over us. With the able services of Miss Ball, the rough p ath leading to proficiency in geometry has been smoothed out for us, and even Greek is not distasteful to us when under Miss Cumming’s patient guidance. Both have worked untiringly to bring our High School up to its present. high standard of scholarship, as well as to make our school life a pleasant one. We feel that their places will be extremely difficult to fill, and cannot but thank them with all sincerity for their efforts in our behalf. The entire student-body unites in wishing them Godspeed, and at the same time looks forward most eagerly to the time when they shall reassume their places among us. When Dr. William Dunning. of Columbia University dropped in upon us on May 25, a special assembly was called at 11 o’clock, and we had the pleasure of listening to a most interesting talk by an “old grad” of ’74. Dr. Dunning gave an amusing account of the laying of the cornerstone of our High Schocl, a very momentous occasion for Plainfield. When the school- boys of the class in which Dr. Dunning was then a member, heard rumors of a high school, they decided, “with the mature wisdom of eight years,” that the building would be high, architecturally. Their anticipations were rea- lized, and when completed, the school stood three stories in height. Dr. Dunning spoke also, with much humor, of the publication of the first period- ical in the P. H. S. It was “Echoes from the Class-Room,” edited and printed by the class of 74. However, the aspiring printer disregarded syl- labification, and the result was horrible to relate. Words were dissected at any convenient letter at the end of a line, apostrophes were forgotten, and the second edition of “Echoes from the Class-Room”’ never appeared. In conclusion, Dr. Dunning spoke of Mr. Kerr, a former principal of the school, in words of highest commendation. He expressed his sincerest thanks to Mr. Kerr for his uplifting influence, and said that however little we may appreciate the efforts of our teachers now, we certainly can not fail to do so latvr in life. Ulysses was off for the wars. “T do hope,’ murmured Penelope, “he won't get mixed up in that Japan- ese-Russian affair ; he doesn’t speak anything but blank verse Greek.” Anxiously unravelling the shroud, she awaited the extras. YEAR BOOK ° - 22 “GUASS of 7905 Managing Editor, Percy Brown. Committee, Howarp G. Lapstey, chairman; ApA WesrpHat, LILLIAN SNODGRASS. Cummrurcement Speaker of Evenng, THE REV. NEWELL DWIGHT HILLIS, D.D. Salutatorian, E. FLorence Derpy. Valedictorian, CAROLYN PALMER. SALUTATORY yO you, our friends, our relatives, our benefactors, who have as- sembled here to-night because of your interest in individual graduates, in the graduating class, in the Plainfield High School, and in educational advancement in general, we extend our heart- iest greeting. We welcome you to these exercises commemorat- ing the completion of four years of study and labor. You have come here to witness our transition from one stage of our journey to another. In every period of transition we look into the past as well as into the future. Perhaps some of us have not met with the largest outward success in our school work, but what we have left undone in school need not necessarily determine our future. We can each be that which commands respect and esteem from everyone, rich or poor, exalted or lowly,—a power for good. Our influence may extend only to those around us, in constant touch with us, or it may reach out over broader and farther fields. Those, on the other hand, who have been more successful in the High School, must not stop here as if the work were over. Tennyson says: “How dull it is to pause, to make an end, To rust unburnished, not to shine in use; As though to breathe were life—”’ Truly we must goon. There are great regions of the unknown for each one of us to discover, regions that are waiting for us alone, to explore which we have thus far been preparing. Our explorations will take us in different directions, some far, some near. We are standing together at the cross- roads, waiting—some to start north, some south, some east or west. Some THE ORACLE. “It may go far and meet with success on every hand; others may follow in more sheltered paths, quietly doing the little things near at hand. Of failure we hope there will be little. We have always before us our aims, our ideals. Yet these ideals will fade and disappear, unless we share them, unless we en- thuse others with the beauty and the value of the life that we ourselves are slowly learning to realize, and that we are trying to attain. We appreciate the fact that it is to wish us success on this journey that you have come here to-night. You have watched from year to year the graduation of other classes ;-you have taken an interest that has inspired us to do our best; and it is the result of your interest as well as of our own en- deavor that we can now look not mournfully into the past that comes not back again, but hopefully and confidentially forward, with purpose wisely to improve each present opportunity. E. Florence Derey. ESSAY SAMUEL CHAPMAN ARMSTRONG. ANNA LOUISE RUNYON. N these days, educational developments in the South are attract- ing general attention. Men are devoting more and more time to the study of the great problem with which the South has to deal, and are watching carefully every new step taken in its so- lution. Mr. Robert C. Ogden of New York yearly invites a large delegation of well-known northern educators to accom- pany him to educational conferences held in the South, for the express purpose of learning more about the education of the freedman and what is being done for him. You ask why we are all so interested in the education of the freedman? Why do we not let him live his happy care-free life in ignorant bliss, dwelling in his log cabin and never learning even to write his name? The reason is this: At the close of the Civil War our nation was confronted with the problem of dealing with ten million freedmen. Of this number five per cent. possessed a small knowledge of reading and writing, a fewwere skilled manual work- men, and all were totally untaught in the art of taking care of themselves. Plainly something must be done! The nation was bound to take upon her- self the task of fitting these men for the freedom she had bestowed upon them. How should this be done? It required a master to solve this mighty problem, and that master was Samuel Chapman Armstrong. From the mo- 12 DHE ORACLE, ment he put his hand to the plough he never turned back, and to-day Hamp- ton and Tuskegee are the direct results of his unceasing labors. It seemed as 1f Providence had been preparing the man for the task he was to perform Born of good New England stock and brought up in the Hawaiian Islands, he was early brought into contact with the throngs of na- tives that gathered around his father’s missionary home. With a tender love and pity he watched carefully their needs; and the desire to help them grew in his heart. He came to America to enter Williams College about a year be- fore the Civil War broke out. Here too his interest in those who were helpless in no way decreased. Although never calling himself an American, Armstrong enlisted after he had been graduated from college, and the traits of character which were to make him supremely the man needed to work out the salvation of the freedman were fostered by his years in the army. En- thusiasm, cheerfulness, thoroughness and persistency are the distinguishing characteristics of the man. These characteristics are shown in no better way than in some of his letters. While in the army he wrote: “We are kept con- stantly on the qui vive. The enemy is near. I can see their tents easily. They can at any time throw a 100-po und shell right into my camp,—yes, a dozen of them; we are in easy artillery range, but both sides seem to have tacitly agreed not to fire, and so we live on, perfectly at ease and always ready. I have a splendid regiment and a splendid opportunity; shall do or die; shall be distinguished or extinguished—that is, if I have the chance.” In the most trying times when he was about to be transferred from his own regiment to take charge of six companies of the Ninth Regiment, United States Colored troops, he wrote this cheerful letter to his mother: “To-mor- row I leave my brave old companions, my gallant Company D. It is very hard to do this, very hard. It is harder than leaving my classmates when I left college. I go into untried scenes, but with no fear to meet the future. If the Negroes can be made to fight well, then is the question of their freedom settled. I tell you the present is the grandest time the world ever saw. The star of Africa is rising, her millions now for the first time catching the glimpse of a glorious dawn. I gladly lend myself to the experiment—to this issue. It will yet be a grand thing to have been identified with this Negro movement.” T hus we see from his own words his unselfish willingness to give up the objects nearest to his own ends for the privilege of helping others. After the war, still imbued with a deep love and sympathy for those who were like sheep having no shepherd, Samuel Armstrong applied to the Bureau of Freedman for a position. “With a letter from his late chief of staff and his brilliant record as an officer of colored troops he was received THE ORACLE. 13 favorably,” and dispatched to Hampton Roads to take charge of a large num- ber of contrabands gathered there. It was dismal on that low, marshy land. Seven thousand contrabands were fast becoming pauperized by the daily ra- tions from the government. Samuel Armstrong set to work to better the situation. With his usual great enthusiasm he undertook the work at Hamp- ton Roads. It took him two long years to bring order out of chaos, but at last he succeeded in making the little community orderly and quiet. In the meantime he had not neglected the education of the children, and daily gathered together fifteen hundred of them for instruction. As this small work grew slowly, Armstrong gradually saw the fitness of the place for a permanent and great educational work. He said, “A day-dream of the Hampton School, nearly as it is, had come to me during the war a few times ; once in a camp during the siege of Richmond, and once one beautiful even- ing on the Gulf of Mexico, while on the wheel house of the transport Il- linois.” If he could have looked ahead he would have seen a Hampton that went far beyond those early day dreams. Starting with only two teachers and fifteen pupils, but filled with the determination to do or die, Armstrong laid the foundations of his famous school. For years he struggled along, and many times, when his helpers would have given up in despair, he with unfailing good cheer and boundless faith kept up their spirits and encourag- ed them in their tasks. Everyone knows the outcome of this small beginning. Hampton now has sixty buildings, eighty teachers, and over a thousand pupils. Such men as Edward Everett Hale, Hamilton Wright Mabie, President Eliot, and An- drew Carnegie, are deeply interested in it. John Graham Brooks. says, “There is no institution in the United States, from which schools, colleges, and universities, North and South, for black and for white, can just now learn more than from Hampton Institute.” It seems to me that nothing so well illustrates the spirit of Hampton, that spirit of enthusiasm, of cheerful- ness, and of thoroughness, which lived in the heart of its great founder, as this little story: Cunningham came when a young man in utmost poverty to Hampton. For two years he worked by day learning his trade of black- smith, and for two years worked faithfully in the night school trying to learn to read, to write, and to cipher. At the end of this period it was necessary for him to be told for the fifth time that he could not be promoted. This came hard to Cunningham, for he was burning with desire to uplift his own people. Soon afterward he was called home to care for his mother and sis- ters, left utterly destitute by the death of his father. Some two years later, one of the Hampton teachers visited a tiny settlement, and this is what she saw: The road appeared to have been raked with a garden rake, so clean it I4 THE ORACKE, was. Every poor little hut was gleaming with white-wash and surrounded by a rude white-washed fence. There was the usual group of loungers around the store, but behind one of the cabins there was a man hoeing, another mending a plough, and best of all there were a half a dozen women washing in the yard of the largest cabin. She stepped across the road and stood an unseen listener at the window of one of the cabins. She says: “The pathetic little room went to my heart. There was not a sign of furniture in it, save a row of upturned boxes and pails for seats. Even these had given out, and were supplemented with a huge log rolled in from the woods, whereon were perched fifteen or twenty colored children. Every eye was solmnly fixed on the teacher, and the teacher was Cunningham.” “By their fruits ye shall know them.” If this is what one of Hampton’s failures did, think what its successful graduates are able to accomplish. For this spirit of enthusism, of unfailing cheerfulness in the midst of discourage- ment, of incomparable thoroughness in everything undertaken, Hampton is indebted to its great founder. And if the American nation can be said to be solving to any degree the problem that was put into its hands by the Emancipation Proclamation, the credit for it is due to Samuel Chapman Armstrong. ANNA LoulIse Runyon. ORATION MASTER WORKMEN. HOWARD G. LAPSLEY. N this age of energetic, powerful men, who in different branches of indus- ] try are achieving miracles, two men stand out boldly. [For the high of- fices which they fill, they are both extremely young ; one is forty-six, the other is forty-five years old. They are both statesmen of the highest caliber. They both are masterful rulers of men; one is a constitutional monarch whose power is quadrupled by his personality ; the other is, even without his virile personality, the most powerful constitutional ruler of to-day. They both are overworked heads of nations; one rules sixty, the other eighty, mil- lions of people; one is Emperor William II. of Germany; the other is Theo- dore Roosevelt. Scholarly, strong, strenuous, versatile, fearless, the similarity between them is remarkable. The education and preparation of these men for their life’s work was superb in the case of Emperor William and absolutely re- markable in that of Mr. Roosevelt. It was fitting that Crown Prince Wil- liam should be finely educated at the University of Bonn before beginning THE ORACLE. 15 his army training. Through the army he went step by step, from second lieutenant of the gigantic Potsdam Guards to commander of the largest and best trained army in the world. It was not only fitting, but highly remark- able, that Mr. Roosevelt received such a preparation for his present office as he has had. Crown Princes are tutored and trained from birth for their special office in life. Mr. Roosevelt, although not a crown prince, could scarcely have been more superbly prepared for the presidency. Theodore Roosevelt’s four years at Harvard certainly did not have a tendency to make him conventional. Harvard is scarcely the college to do that. A course in Columbia Law School, a year’s study in Germany, and mountain climbing in Switzerland, made him neither narrower nor more timid. Mr. Roosevelt’s election to the New. York Legislature at the im- pressionable age of twenty-three years did not leave him undeceived as to the iniquities of state politics. His six years’ term on the Civil Service Com- mission was not a political, salary-drawing, plum. Through his influence the number of those holding office under civil service regulations jumped from 14,000 to 40,000. Next as president of the New York police force board he was not thrown into the arena to combat with square business men but rather with some thousands of municipal grafters. His office as assistant secretary of the navy was not a primary education in the lack of red tape in things martial. Of the far reaching effect of this same baneful influence, he was not kept unaware, when colonel of a regiment in service. As governor of the Empire State he was not kept in a secluded nook away from political bullies. Surely all these several employments are steps of a ladder of pre- paration up which not one of the twenty-five presidents before Mr. Roose- velt has climbed. The real test of strength is not so much the power a ruler has with his own country as it is the power he has with the world. In Mr. Roosevelt’s case we were strongly impressed with this quite recently when we read from our morning papers: ‘““The President urges the Russian and Japanese gov- ernments. . . . . to open direct negotiations for peace with one another.” Seemingly President Roosevelt has done what Togo could not do, namely, make the Russians acknowledge that they were beaten. Such an acknowl- edgment is an unparalleled compliment to Mr. Roosevelt’s strength. Tennyson says: “never yet Was noble man, but made ignoble tallk.”’ Especially in this age of rapid fire journalism, men who make self enter into their work are harshly, often scandalously, criticised on variously colored charges. These newspaper attacks affect both the Kaiser and the President 16 THE-ORACLE. in the way which stones thrown into a lake affect the lake. If it is raging no quantity of stones thrown into it will stop its raging. Of this fearlessness of attack and individuality of action, both the Kaiser and the President nave recently shown evidence; the Kaiser in Morocco and the President in Panama. Upsetting the Anglo-French idea of lordship over Morocco, Em- peror William, in his visit to Tangiers, told the Sultan that Germany regard- ed Morocco as a free country. France fumed, but France remembered. Similarly in Panama, President Roosevelt saw trouble if Colombian troops got near the canal, so he recognized Panama’s independence. News- papers talked about limits of a -President’s power, but in both cases the results have been achieved. In pursuing their courses both the Emperor and the President saw great possibilities of trouble. Unintimidat- ed, however, they both did their duty as they saw it. They not only have done things, but they keep doing. The Kaiser has chosen a motto applicable to both himself and Mr. Roosevelt, “If I rest, I Cust o What then has William done to keep from rusting? On assuming the throne he discharged Bismarck. He wished to be his own chancellor. On assuming the throne he found Germany without any battleships. She now has nineteen. The Kaiser’s ideas dove-tail exactly with Mr. Roosevelt's where navies are concerned. Their mutual idea is that “‘to be prepared for war is the most effectual means to promote peace.” Every ruling member of the Hohenzollern family has added territory to Germany. The Em- peror has proved his right to the name of Hohenzollern by adding an un- pronounceable island in the North Sea and a province in China. It is a safe assumption that he will not be content with this. Kaiser William has a powerful hold in the Turkish army, and if dilapidated Turkey falls apart Germany will get the lion’s share and, moreover, she will keep it. During the next twenty years Germany will be an interesting country to watch. With its internal tendencies to anarchy, with its borders fringed with military powers, with its enormous army and rapidly developing navy, it is sure to be a country in which many political, social, and industrial prob- lems must be faced and solved; and they will be wisely solved, we cannot doubt, under the directing genius of Emperor William. Mr. Roosevelt has not had half the chance for such strenuousness on a large scale that Emperor William has had, In the last few years what has he done? As President, his administration is made memorable by many acts outside of the routine of the office ; acts by which a courageous President has used the whole mighty influence of his office for the welfare of his people. He appointed the coal strike commission and thus by his own power and in- Tre ORACISE, é 17 fluence ended a great deal of misery. The only living ex-president once said, “We face conditions, not theories.”’ Mr. Roosevelt realizes this. The question of to-day is the right to monopolize. Mr. Roosevelt recently show- ed the Chicago strikers that monopoly is as much an evil among laborers as among capitalists. The Northern Securities case, the Beef Trust case, the Sherman Anti-Trust act, and the establishment of a Bureau of Corporation, are great strides President Roosevelt has taken in the solving of this problem of monopoly. This is an age of tremendous accomplishments, but the accomplishments of no two individuals stand out in bolder relief than those of our two master- workmen. Emperor William’s versatility and fearlessness will always brighten the pages of German History; an admiration for Mr. Roosevelt has already been engraved upon the hearts of the American people. Many sides our President has. Indeed, the St. James’ Gazette says: “Smack of Lord Cromer, Jeff Davis a touch of him, A little of Lincoln, But not very much of him, Kitchener, Bismarck and Germany’s Will, Jupiter, Chamberlain, Buffalo Bill.” But after all what makes him the man of the time? It is the wisdom that enables him to seize upon the action necessary to the circumstances. It is the fearlessness and confidence with which he enters upon that action, once decided upon. It is the consecration of heart and soul to the cause of pro- moting righteousness. And it is the personal force which he throws into everything he undertakes. These qualities make him great. Mankind awards the crown o f distinction, not to mediocre workers, who, shunning the chance of failure, leave no lasting mark behind, but to the eager worker who grandly dares and nobly does. Such a master workman is Theodore Roosevelt. School Teacher (showing off her best boy): “Now, Perkins, can you name some of the important by-products of the steel industry ?” Perkins: “Yes’m; Carnegie libraries.’—Ex. Miss Cumming, after a toilsome canvass of the Junior English class, had just succeeded in eliciting the term “evolution” in connection with the Darwinian theory. Budding genius, triumphantly to her seat mate: “Why of course! We evoluted!” 18 TRE ONACTE: Class Day Poem IIE sun peers o’er the Eastern mountains, and espies Te A traveler far beneath him, staff in hand. With eager steps the steep ascent he tries, And gazes ‘round him on the fruitful land. At first the way is easy, fresh his zeal and strength; But soon the underbrush ensnares his feet. The path grows rocky then, and seems of endless length; The traveler longs for rest amid the heat. The Sun hath climbed the arch of heaven; down doth send His parching beams upon the traveler’s head. He groans and cries aloud, “Ah, will this never end? ’T were easier far,” he thinks, “if I] were dead.” But now, amid the noonday’s burning sun, He comes upon a cool and sheltered nook. Neath friendly crags he rests, and hopes his journey done, And drinks reviving draughts of a clear mountain brook. Reluctant, but with strength renewed, he leaves the spot, His eyes turned toward yon distant shining peak. The uphi!l road is rocky still, the sun beats hot ; Yet keenly strives he on, the top to seek. Traveler, the way leads upward to the very end. You look ahead, and hope ere set of sun, To gain the top. A few more steps, another bend— And now you see your journey’s just begun. Thus on and on, as strength allows, you climb and rest, Oftimes too weary to enjoy the view. But lose not courage, care-worn traveler, all is best. Climb while the daylight lasts; soon comes the evening dew. THE ORACLE. 10 At length amid a glow of rosy sunset light, The traveler sees the summit near at hand. Amazed, he gazes; all about him now is bright; ’Tis but a step into the Perfect Land. LILLIAN SNODGRASS. History OST class historians make names for themselves by narrating things which might have happened in such a way that they will read as if they had really happened. But in the case of our class, the simple truth would sound like a reckless exaggeration, Ax, and so we must confine ourselves to describing the more com- x mon-place achievements of our class. In the first place, the class of 1905, during its High School career, has made a record in athletics which cannot be duplicat- ed by any other class in the school. For three years in succes- sion our class has won the athletic championship, and one of its members has held the individual championship. In our Senior year espec- ially did we prove our superiority by defeating the next best class by twenty- nine points. In tennis also the class of 1905 stood far above all competitors. For the last three years the tennis championship in singles has been won by one of our members. In doubles we were also very successful, since for the last two years our class has also carried off this honor. In our Senior year, however, more honor was heaped upon the class when our crack tennis play- er, Chester Briggs, won the Columbia University Interscholastic champion- ship. The last two seasons in baseball, basketball, and hockey, also speak for the ability of Thompson and Craig as captains. One might continue indefinitely in this strain, telling how all the officers of the Athletic Associa- tion are ’05 fellows, and how our class team easily defeated the mighty class of 1903 in a baseball game in our Sophomore year; but this is entirely un- necessary. Records speak for themselves, and the banners and cups which adorn our school testify to the athletic prowess of the class of 1905. Our dramatic ability is also exceptional, and the Athletic Association is indebted to it for liberal financial aid. In our Freshma n year we gave a Kinder Symphony to an enthusiastic audience, and as a result of this several handsome pictures were added to the school’s collection. In our Junior year our dramatic stars again delighted a large audience with their pre- sentation of “The House-boat on the Styx.” But our final and crowning 20 ILE DSOWA GIVE. success in dramatics came this spring, when we presented “The Rivals” in a truly artistic manner, and, according to the highest authorities, fully main- taining the high reputation of our school. The Girls’ Athletic Association, THE OrAcLE Board, the Instrumental and Glee Clubs, the Battalion and all the other organizations of the school, are proud to number members of our class among their best officers and most loyal members. THE ORACLE was never more successful than when run by an Editor-in-chief and a Business Manager from the class of 1905. The Battalion, though small in numbers, has seldom done better drilling than under the instruction of our class President, and the Instrumental and Glee Clubs have this year surpassed their previous achievements. To tell the truth, some of our members are seriously considering taking post-graduate courses, so that these various organizations will not be completely wrecked by our departure from the school. These are some of the minor achievements of the class of 1905, for our history is far from being completed. In a few more days we shall launch our barques on an unknown sea, but with hearts full of love for the old Plain- field High School, we will press bravely on toward the distant port, breast- ing every storm and continually increasing the honor of the class of 1905. WALTER H. RUGEN. Prophecy EORGE BEentLey—You will be the leading lady at Proctor’s Theatre G because you blush so prettily and because you are so stunning when you're made up. Carro Brrp—You will write a translation of Aeneid which will surpass Pope’s Haid, but you have so little confidence in your own powers, and such a retiring nature, that you will not consider it good enough to publish. Cuester Briccs—You especially pride yourself on the use of your “oracular” tongue. When you have attained to years of discretion, you will be a distinguished teacher of elocution and a recognized authority on pro- nunciation. Percy BrowN—You will achieve great renown,—not my son, in the field of Greek literature,—but upon the wild and lonely prairie, as a cowboy, you will find your appropriate destiny. After excelling in the art of riding bucking broncos and lassoing prairie chickens, you will return to your-native town, and, as a distinguished alumnus, you will discourse to the student body of the Plainfield High School upon the best methods of forgetting all you have learned within its granite walls. THE GRACLE. 21 Harotp BRowNELL—You have a fondness for chemistry and for burn- ing off your fingers while experimenting. You will achieve great renown by writing a cook-book on the science of cooking with chemicals and will die while brewing one of your own concoctions. Howarp Craic—You are addicted to heart-failure, having just passed through a severe attack. You are now on the road to convalescence, al- though there is danger of a relapse. Your heart will always be weak and subject to these violent attacks, but nevertheless you will remain a jolly old bachelor to the end of the chapter. FLORENCE DErby—There are two sides to your nature. Here you pre- tend to be good, proper, and studious, but elsewhere your true nature asserts itself. When none of your Plainfield friends are near, you become frivolous and given to “fussing.” You are also fond of day-dreams, and among the castles in the air which you fondly build there is a French castle which will really materialize——unless something happens. Soon you will leave America to dwell in joy and happiness in his native France. May peace at- tend you! Haze. Grant—You adore boys and understand the art of “fussing” well. You have fascinating brown eyes which have charmed, and now hold spell-bound a stunning dark-complexioned youth with whom you will elope on the thirty-first of this month. You will dwell together peacefully beneath the equator Maup Dissrow—You are very excitable and energetic. You will marry a rich man, and since time will hang heavily upon your hands, you will interest yourself in women’s clubs. You will finally achieve the crowning triumph of becoming presi dent of the celebrated National Federation of Women’s Clubs. THEODORE GAvETt—Your “dream of female loveliness” is realized at last, for a certain fair maiden has won your heart, hitherto unmoved by the charms of the gentler sex,—and now Tolles the knell of all her would-be rivals. Mary Gray—You are partial to Lehigh because you enthusiastically ad- mire the Brown Ells on Lehigh pillows. Emity HALLetr—Your great curiosity will cause a terrible misfortune in your life, and your whole destiny will be altered by it. After a year and a day, however, the change will become favorable, and henceforth your lot will be one of unadulterated bliss. Emit JAHN—You will be disappointed in love and this will so sober your naturally mischievous disposition that you will be filled with a longing to further the advancement of human progress, and accordingly will spend 22 WANE, CORACILIE. your pent-up feelings and energy in the building of a Suspension Bridge across the Atlantic. Epirnu JARvis—You are of a calm and placid disposition, unruffled and serene. After graduating from college you will seek a foreign shore in order to have a larger scope. Fitting through the Old World, you will visit Switzerland. Upon the topmost peak of the Matterhorn you will meet an Alpine shepherd, and charmed by his unsophisticated philosophy, you will marry him upon the spot; and evermore upon the icy pinnacle of the Mat- terhorn in the midst of silver-lined clouds you will live the “simple life.” ZELLA KeELLY—You are impetuous, and your joints of philosophy are well-developed. You have good reasoning powers which often enable you to bluff through English. You will study Ethical Culture this summer and will subsequently make your fame as a leader of the Salvation Army. Howarp Lapstey—You will apprentice yourself to a Taylor for life. Roxana Love—You have found the “lost chord” and three or four others equally divine. With the tune composed of them you will delight the ears of future generations of pupils in the new High School as they march into chapel. LAWRENCE MILLER—You will become a manufacturer of airships, and then, “Keep away from the sun, little Miller You will singe your gauzy wings, I know it is bright, and a glorious sight, But it isn’t quite right, little Miller, To play with such dangerous things.” CAROLYN PALMER—As you are good at making faces, you have in you the ability to become a famous artist and cartoonist. If you do not spoil your future by getting married, you will bec ome great as an illustrator of books like “Alice in Wonderland.” Mary RANnpoLpH—You will write a book on the most improved method of remembering dates in English Literature—upon which Mr. Travell will joyfully pounce for his Senior English class. WaLterR RuGEN—You will be a scholarly man of great learning, and as you grow older will become absent-minded and benignant. You will spend your life writing an argument in Latin proving to your own satisfaction that a yard-stick can be made with only one end. ANNA Runyon—You used to be afraid of boys but now you are well- drilled in the art of love-making and know how to play with the countless Rivals who throng about you. You will long to be a missionary, but you will fall in love with a stunning youth. You will then be torn between con- TALE ORACIE: 23 flicting emotions, and at the moment of sailing for the Orient you will rush down the gang-plank, crying: “When love and duty clash, Let duty go to smash.” LILLIAN SNopGrass—The most astonishing thing in your future is that you will cease to habitually wear a white shirt-waist and skirt with a linen collar and a black bow. You are very energetic and passionate, and you have decided philanthropic tendencies. You will become matron of a Chil- dren’s Home on the East Side, and will spend your time in running after small howling children to keep them out of mischief. LuLu STtRYKER—Your great power lies in writing songs and poems. If I read your hand aright you have a glorious future in store for you,—a fut- ure created by this talent. Only beware! You have a desire for celebrity at any cost, and unless you are careful, this will mar your life. Again, I say, Beware! Martin StuTsMAN—You are fond of chasing butterflies and have caught many in your day, although they have all finally escaped from the meshes of your net. But now you have caught another, who seems a volun- tary captive, though sometimes fluttering tremulously at your approach, and who will cast a Rosy glow upon your remaining days. Inez ToLLes—You are kind-hearted to all mankind. You will be pet- rifled while combing your hair. Iiarry THompson—During the long winter months you have often gone Berrying, and although you have found only one little Berry this one is so sweet and satisfying that you will be abundantly repaid in the future for all the trouble and hardship of your search. Ava WeEsTPpHAL—You are a mistress of ingenuity and artifice. You will marry a rich Alderman, and will come to a class reunion in 1925,—‘‘and even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed” as you will be. Emity WINANT—Y ou are modest, timid, and retiring ; very solemn, and never known to smile. You are simple, unaffected, and afraid of boys. You will take refuge in a convent to escape them. AIMEE CONANT— There’s a prim little maiden named Aimee, Who likes little boys, just the samey ; And they'll line up some day In fine battle array, While she chooses Jack, Willie or Jamie. 24 TEES ORACIG Songs THE BLUE AND WHITE. Tune, “By the Old Oak Tree.” i UR school days soon will ended be; O The time draws near When we as students in these halls Shall no more appear. 3ut although we depart from this dear old school, Where we've learned to obey every helpful rule, We'll not forget its memories dear Which we have cherished year by year. Then let us gladly sing,— CHORUS. Fling out our banner, Dear old flag of blue and white. Oh, may it ever Help us to do the right. Emblem of truth and purity, May we ever loyal -be to thee. The name to honor, let us strive, Of naughty-five. iy. Our school days soon we'll leave behind And take our stand . mong the others in Life’s field, Working hand in hand. And although the sun may at times seem hot, The memories of schooldays will not be forgot. They will return and cheer each heart, And give us strength to do our part. Oh, then we'll gladly sing,— CHORUS: Ly In this fair Springtime of our lives May we all sow Good seeds in the rich field of Life, ELE ORCA CLs As onward we go. And when the Autumn of Life appears, May the harvest be rich with the fruit of our years. But still, ‘though many years be flown. _ May schoolday memories be our own. Now let us gladly sing,— CHORUS: Lutu M. STRYKER. IN PRAISE ‘OF NAUGHTY-FIVE. Tune, “Old Nassau.” Ip. HEN first we came into this school, We made up our minds to strive ; We started in to do great things In praise of Naughty-[ive. CHORUS: In praise of Naughty-Five, once more, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah; The school will give while yet we live Three cheers for Naughty-Five. Ik In the years just past we've done great things, May our spirit long stay alive. Tn years to come the school will sing In praise of Naughty-Five. CHORUS: WR But now we've got to drop our work, And let other classes contrive Yo do for themselves what we have done In praise of Naughty-Five. CHORUS: 25 THE ORACLE: IV. These walls may crumble into dust And everything decay; 3ut the great fame of Naughty-Five Will never pass away. CHORUS: Will never pass away, my lads, ete. Wie And now we're going from out this school, Our nails of fame to drive. From every side we hear this cry, “Good luck to Naughty-Five.” CHORUS: Good luck to Naughty-Five, my ‘lads, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah; The school will give, while yet we live, Good luck to Naughty-Five. Howarp H. Cratc. LHe CLASS OF IN AUGHTY-FLY E. Tune, “The Yankee Doodle Boy.” ie E’VE been heard of far and wide, For we're the class of 1905. Well, we’re glad we are, For its a star. All four years our class has shone, In atl school sports we stand alone, We've led old Plainfield High four years and now we're loth to leave her. O, listen to our Yankee song, We wonder what they'll do when we are gone; They'll miss us we know After we go; Onit's hard tocay, Just how they will get along when we're away. NO eA Cle CHORUS: 1905's the class for me; O, it’s a class I’ll love alway, A real live member of our P. H. S. We're sorry that we can’t stay. Our happy days in Plainfield High are past, We've brought fame unto our school, Go anywhere, We're heard of there, Our fame is universal, For we're the class of naughty-five. EE For one glad year we’ve occupied Front chapel seats in Plainfield High, We're the best you bet That’s been in them yet. Front seats go well with our looks, For we were always fond of books. We've won big prizes right and left, now others have a chance. O, we have certainly had our way, Since our first time in school until to-day ; We've led all the school In obeying each rule, O, it’s certainly not right To leave the school in such a sorry plight. CHORUS: 1905's the class for me, QO, it’s a class I'll love alway, No other class will fit those front seats well, That’s why we should like to stay, Tho’ other classes soon forgotten are, Ours will always head the list ; Tho’ rocks and hills may melt away, Fond memory of us will stay ; For we are the class of naughty-five. Tu: Of illustrations, one or two Will quite suffice to prove to you 27 28 TEHECORAGCEE: That we really are The best by far, — In baseball, basketball, track-meets too, Our young athletes stand first in view, In glee and mandolin clubs and dramatics we’ve no “Rivals.” Tho’ out in the world for fame we strive, We'll ever love dear naughty-five ; And while on life’s ways In future days We will often recall The gay times we used to have down in the hall. CHORUS: Plainfield High, we soon must leave you, And launch our ships on boundless seas, What we shall be we must decide ourselves, Mind what our Captain’s voice decrees. Our childhood days have all been spent in play, We now must tread life’s blinding path. We sadly grieve that we must leave; We love our Alma Mater. Three cheers for the class of naughty-five. GeEoRGE L. BENTLEY. ce SJLOIM 242 ,, 40 358) USN Ole Gwe: 20 dihessenior Play On the evening of May 20, the most interesting affair in the school vear, barring, of course, Christmas and Commencement, took place at the Casino— the presentation of Sheridan’s “The Rivals,” by the class of ’05. With what- ever uncertain feelings we may have directed our steps Casino-ward, we came away with a fixed idea of the excellence of the play and the actors. From the moment Mrs. Malaprop sailed upon the stage, with her volleys of “ingeniously deranged epitaphs,” until the curtain went down upon the touch- ing scene in King’s Meadfield, we were all attention. Miss Westphal had her part well in hand, and worked it up to a pitch of professional action. Along with her was Sir Anthony Absolute, and we are still marvelling at the fiery anger of the otherwise modulate “Ted” Gav- ett. Anna Runyon played Lydia Languish to perfection, and when Captain Jack Absolute, otherwise known as Howard Craig, appeared upon the scenes we no longer wondered at Lydia’s deep infatuation for Beverly. And Bob Acres! Was there ever such a jolly, easy-going, cowardly Bob as Martin B. Stutsman? Odds, flints, pans, and triggers, but he did well! The suaveness of that Irish gentleman, Sir Lucius O’Trigger, and his little, natural brogue, quite won the audience over to George S. Bentley, and we laughed before David, Chester H. Briggs, said a word. Did space permit, we could con- tinue for pages upon the good work of Inez Tolles, as Julia, Hazel Grant, as Mr. Fag, Harry Thompson in the part of Thomas, Harold Brownell as Faulkland, Amy Conant, the sly Lucy, and Zella Kelly, the charming maid. It is sufficient, however, to say that the whole cast were remarkably fine, thanks to the patience and kindness and fine coaching of Miss Ball and Mr. Howe. Concert The Banjo and Mandolin Clubs gave their final concert of the year Monday evening, June 19, at the Casino. The program, given below, was rendered in a pleasing manner, and proved a fitting culmination of a vear’s most efficient training : 1. Daybreak - - - - - Fanning Glee Club and String Quartet 2. Trio opx330 - - - - - Carl Bohm Violin, Mr. Arthur 5S. Mosher Cello, Mr. C. Kenneth Shupp Piano, Mr. Vincent G. Sokol Bue dees Lullaby - - - - - Kyjerulf 30 LEME, ORAGEE: b. Invitation to the Fairies - - - - Parry Glee Club. Solos by Charles P. Titsworth 4. a. Zeona Waltzes - - - - Arnold b. Sun Dance - - - - - Friedmann Mandolin Club 5. a Abendstimmung | ee ae ‘ 2 = Johannes Pache ‘AR yenG) b. Zigennertanz ( 6. Estudiantina = = Combined Clubs = = E. Waldteuffel Alumni Notes ‘74-82. The school received two pleasant visits last month. William A. Dunning, ’74, Professor of History in Columbia University, and Edwin H. Lewis, 82, Professor of English in the Lewis Institute, at Chicago, both visited the school. Let us see more of the “old boys” next year. ‘ot. Frederic Allyn Daboll was recently married to Mrs. Margaret M. Walker, near Philadelphia. 98. Flenry A. Pearce will supply the pulpit of a Presbyterian church in the Bronx, New York City, during the summer. ‘o2. Filste Goddard is president of the Wellesley College Settlement As- sociation. ‘The work is carried on at Dennison House, Boston. ‘02. Harold Nomer will remain in Williamstown this summer as a col- lege guide. 03. Hervey K. Doane has been elected Captain of Co. A, of the Rut- gers College Battalion. ‘04. Charles F. Neagle was recently awarded a scholarship in the Art Students’ League of New York. ’°o4. Mr. George M. Jones, secretary of Oberlin College, writes as fol- lows: “Dear Mr. Travell, I beg to enclose herewith a report showing the work done during the first semester of this year by Miss Anna Brodnax, who enrolled as a Freshman in this college last September from the Plainfield High School. Miss Brodnax’s record is exceedingly creditable. I do not remember that we have had a colored student here in recent years who has done such thoroughly good work in her college studies. There are two hun- dred students in the Freshman class, and Miss Brodnax’s grades entitle her to rank sixth in that class, with only two white girls ahead of her.” CAMP CHESTERFIELD A Summer Camp for Boys AT SPOFFORD LAKE - = = Nearest Railway Stations, Brattleboro, Vt., and Keene, N. H. Firearms and Tobacco Ruled Out. Illustrated Prospectus for the Asking. SPOFFORD, N. H. ASSISTANTS Boys over nine years of age taken. Rowing, Swimming, Tramping, Base Ball, Tennis, Golf Etc. MANUAL TRAINING, TUTOR- ING. An ideal place for making up lost ground in High School subjects. Conditions. in College examinations worked off. { Carlton E. Power, Rochester ’o8, | John D. Haughey, Princeton ’o08. EDGAR B. SMITH, 316 East Seventh Street, Plainfield, N. J. Tel. 325=L. School Groups Ate... LANGHORNE’S STUDIO J. W. GAVETT Cut Glass, Fine China, Art Pottery EDWARD A. LAING, 149 West Front Street Stationer, Bookseller: and Newsdealer. BASEBALL AND TENNIS GOODS June “Oracle”? on Sale READ THE COURIER-NEWS | and you will get ALL THE NEWS of Plainfield and vicinity 10c. a week Telephone 16, 2c. a copy 201 Park Avenue. MULFORD ESTIL, Bookseller and Stationer Baseball Goods Tennis Supplies Croquet Sets Discounts on Novels and Gift Books. III Park Avenue, Plainfield, N. . Van Zandt Voorhees DEALERS IN FLOUR, GRAIN, FEED, HAY, STRAW, ETC. 304-306 Park Ave., Plainfield N. J. CLOTHIERS TAILORS SCHWED BROTHERS 105, 107, 109 E. Front St., PLAINFIELD, N. J. FURNISHERS HATTERS VAILS for Watches and Jewelry Ey es Examined Free Satisfaction Guaranteed _ 2103 Park Avenue E. B. MAYNARD, Tonsorial Attise. The Best Service in Town. 141 North Avenue, - - PLAINFIELD. Ciamonds and Standard Watches Our Specialty. Orders for Graduation Presents Solicited. TRUE WORTH Maiden Lane Diamond, Watch Jewelry Co. 14 Maiden Lane, New York J. A. Smith Bro. Wholesale and Retail GROCERS SPECIALTIES: Fruits and Vegetables 151 to 153 West Front Street, Plainfield, N. J. Telephone Connections. PLATINUM PRINTS in Individual Holders make a particular Artistic Portrait. Made by P. FRANK STONE 125 East Front St. ALLEN B. LAING Electrical Contractor Automobile Repairing 135 North Ave., Plainfield Telephone 333-J J. HERVEY DOANE Jeweler and Graduate Optician All kinds of repairing Work guaranteed Tel. 334-R 115 PARK AVENUE FANCY GROCERIES Fine Butter, Teas and Coffees, Fruits and Vegetables. MACK SCUDDER GROCERY CO., JAMES F. DALY, Manager. 332 Park Ave., Cor Fourth St. Phone Con. Oxford Year And I am showing a big variety. Tan, Black and Patent Colt. Prices $2.50 to $5.00. VAN ARSDALE Neji: This is a Big 27 East Front Street, Plainfield, Sl _