Southold High School - Snuffbox Yearbook (Southold, NY)

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THE SNUFF BOX literary achievement for Doyle. A Study in Scarlet,” Micah Clarke,” The Sign of Four,” and The White Company,” were, all greeted by his publisher with great enthusiasm. A trip to Switzerland proved an intermission for a short while, but as soon as the newly-discovered author reached England again he wrote The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” The Stark Munro Letters,” The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard,” and many other interesting novels, besides some excellent plays and poems. The Great Boer War,” a volume that appeared in 1900, caused him to be made a knight of the realm, and so popular did the book become that it was translated into twelve languages and 100,000 copies were distributed by the British Government. In 1906, Sir Arthur’s wife died. She had previously been ill for a long time, but her husband suffered a severe shock and in desperation, sought solace in spiritualism. The next year, he married again, his second wife being Jean Leckie, daughter of James Blythe Leckie of Glebe House, Blackheath. He had now dropped fiction entirely, writing only about the world of souls, and when his son was killed in the Great War, his belief in the supernatural became doubly strong. A big man physically, the amiable Sir Arthur had the appearance of a typical Englishman—especially when he was attired for golf in rough tweed knickers and cap. His two particular recreations were cycling and walking, while he dabbled slightly in politics as a side line, but without much success. In his college days he gained quite a reputation as a cricket player, and up to the time of his death, on July 7, 1930, he was regarded as an unfailing authority on billiards. Conan Doyle’s accomplishments were many and varied, and his contributions, literary or otherwise, were at all times truly acceptable. He will permanently dwell in our memories as one of the noblest men who have ever lived. A. V. C. ’31. DIAMOND CHIPS It was the day of the faculty baseball game. Mr. Blodgett glanced at the clock. Two-thirty. He fretted an instant and then throwing caution to the zephyrs stalked off to find Mr. Vail. Mr. Vail, do you think it will be all right to let school out at three o’clock so we can begin that ball game?” Why, I don’t know. I guess it will be all right. Has anyone been tardy this week? Sure. Go ahead!” The faculty gathered at the diamond. A. Pedersen (Petey) and Aitch Pedersen, captains of opposing sides, had their men picked (and how). Judge Hawkins, famous for his decisions, was to umpire. Brownie included, there were but eight on a team. Southold’s right arm of the law, Fred Booth, appeared with two baying blood-hounds in leash. 22

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THE SNUFF BOX SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE The omniscient Sherlock Holmes, with his quaint air of condescension and his oft-repeated Elementary, my dear Watson,” is destined to live forever in the hearts of both young and old. One visualizes him as a man of flesh and blood, a man who has truly lived, a man who, after filling his pipe, taking his magnifying-glass from his pocket, and examining a speck of dust, has actually been able to name the murderer. It is perplexing to realize that this super-sleuth was merely the brain-child of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but the fact only accentuates the genius of the author, for, in portraying his hero, he knew precisely how far to enter the realms of the fantastic without becoming absurd. Few people are aware that Doyle, besides being a great writer, was an excellent physician and a prominent crusader for spiritualism. His medical kit was seldom in use, however, but his mind was always busy trying to lift the veil of psychic phenomena. When he sensed that Death was tightening her clammy arms around him, he smilingly awaited his departure into the mists he sought to pierce,” viewing such things with an equanimity that was largely due to his vast amount of research work. Having descended from Scotch-Irish lineage, Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, on May 22, 1859. During his early years, neighboring schools solved the problem of his education—neighboring schools and brutal schoolmasters who believed firmly in the old adage, Spare the rod and spoil the child.” At sixteen, the youth was sent to Germany, after the fashion of the time. There, his Catholic beliefs were utterly destroyed, and to quote his own words, Both from my reading and from my studies I found the foundations, not only of Roman Catholicism but of the whole Christian faith, as presented to me in Nineteenth Century theology, were so weak that my mind could not build upon them.” This probably accounts for the agnostic Holmes. Returning from Germany, Doyle entered Edinburgh University as a medical student. When he received his degree at twenty-one, wanderlust seized him, and as ship’s surgeon he voyaged to the west coast of Africa before settling down to a meager practice in Portsmouth, England. Then, in 1885, Fate bade him marry Louise Hawkins, of Minsterworth, and Financial Pressure decreed that he renounce the doctor’s profession for that of author, since he was having such a terrific struggle trying to make both ends meet. His literary ventures were successful from the very beginning. He and his wife were now living in the heart of London, and it was in that locality the illustrious Sherlock was given his residence—a small Georgian house on Baker Street with a colorless brick front, tiny windows, and iron hand-rails at the door. One can easily imagine the famous detective in such an atmosphere, peering from behind the curtains at a cab driven by a suspicious character, or, perhaps, deciphering a difficult code. The following years (from 1887 to 1891) were filled with remarkable 21

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THE SNUFF BOX I’ll take Mr. Booth for my side. It’s my choose,” cried Petey. Tarnation, ye wont either,” said the sleuth, displaying a silver star. I’ll take ye fer parkin’ by a hydrant.” But we’re having a ball game. You can’t arrest me. Besides, I want you on my side.” Wal, then, I’ll play. I’ll not press the charge.” Judge Hawkins gave the constable a dirty look, for he had figured on the fine. (He was appeased later, however, by a Dart-Blodgett plan by which he reaped huge profits in the writing utensil industry.) Look here,” said the rival Pedersen, he can’t play. He must be connected with the school.” Humph, I guess I’m truant officer. I play.” Then I choose the janitor, Mr. Vail,” said Aitch Pedersen. Play ball,” thundered the judge, hammering the pitcher’s rubber with a gavel. Hummer Prince, bat boy, dusted off the clubs and arranged them neatly in a row while Miss York warmed up in the pitcher’s box. The pitcher delivered the ball. It curved both ways and then dropped. Miss Metz, at bat, ducked, got her club in the way and tapped the ball for a single. Booth bunted and was thrown out by Blodgett at first. Metz reached second. Paddy Locker, who was coaching from third, instructed her to steal third. Metzy was tagged with the ball in the attempt. Two out!” said the judge. Only one can be out at a time!” retorted Kitty Kute Malone. And they can only stay five minutes.” Very well, sentence suspended,” decided Judge Hawkins, as he thumbed the rule book. Return aforesaid player to third.” Miss Metz, however had vanished with the stolen base. Sherlock Booth unleashed his bloodhounds and soon located her in the auditorium where she was teaching some seniors to sing sour notes for an operetta called Pickles.” The game continued as Little Orphan Annie Estock’s bat found the ball and drove it to center field. Miss Miller (called Dusty, for short) caught the ball in a fur muff which she was wearing. Little Annie crossed home plate. She’s out!” said Harry Vail, as he rode in from right field on a power mower. Safe!” called Hawkins, having turned a few pages in the book. Rule states that a muffed ball entitles runner to a base. Run counts!” Skiff relieved York as pitcher and proved to have an odd assortment of curves and good control. She struck out Lefty” Grover Whalen easily, retiring the side. Mrs. Symonds (Cy), twirler for the opposition, threw a few to Petey and the batter was called up. Crack! Tuthill met the first ball squarely, rounded first, second, and finally limped to third, complaining that she had a charley horse. 23