Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

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8 ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. then hurry to the station to give the alarm. About midnight on this twentieth of December the patrol from Peaked Hill Station discovered a two-masted vessel driving for shore at a point not far dis- tant from the station which he had but just left. At this point along the shore there are two sand-bars, visible at low-tide, about an eighth of a mile off shore. The outer is not so high as the inner, but both offer an effectual blockade to vessels drawing much water. The patrol did not stop to watch the schooner, but dashed toward the station and gave the alarm. The men immedi- ately donned oilskins, then harnessed the horses to the carts ; one contained all the signals — mortar, ammunition and other paraphernalia necessary ; the other was a truck, holding the life-boat. Now the horses were driven outside and then started at a gallop toward the spot op- posite, where the vessel was laboring in the terrible surf. By this time the Jason had struck the outer bar, and was pounding against it, until, lifted by a mighty wave, she rose clear over it, and was launched with tre- mendous force against the inner bar. The masts had gone when she struck the outer bar, and now the vessel was a mass of wreckage. The life-savers finding it impossible to launch the life boat in the fearful surf, had decided to use the mortar to shoot a bolt, to which was attached a cord over the vessel. The first shot landed the line across the bow, and Bob Hicks secured it. and read the attached message, which stated that they were to haul in the light rope till they reached a heavy one, to which was attached another rope; to fasten the heavy rope to the stump of the mast, and then haul in the rope attached to it unlil they came to the breeches-buoy, which was a very large life-buoy with an enor- mous pair of short pants attached to it. The crew went ashore safely, sitting in the breeches-buoy, though at times the rope sagged and the men were soaked to the skin in the icy water. As soon as all were landed they were taken to the station quickly, where, un- der the influence of warm food and dry clothing, they were soon very comfort- able. The next morning they were taken in a team over the frozen sand-hills to Provincetown, where they took the train for Boston. Here they soon got posi- tions on another vessel belonging to the owners of the Jason. But since that stormy December night none of the crew pass Highland Light without thinking of their dreadful experience. Frank A. Euhlert, ’03. THE STORY OF A SHOE. On a certain moonlight night the aristocracy of the dump were holding a consultation, whether or not to admit in- to their society a new member. Miss Shoe. To associate with someone that they knew nothing whatever about would never do. At last, one of the members. Miss Red Box, decided to have a tea, at which they would introduce Miss Shoe to their society and invite her to read a paper on her early life. She agreed to this request, and produced a paper some- thing like this : The very first that I can remember about myself, is being taken out of a large box, and put on a glass stand in a store window in what I should judge was a shoe-store, as there were nothing but shoes, as far as I could see. I was then quite good-looking, having a fine smooth complexion, and a bright shinv cap, and as people went past my window I could hear many different remarks, such as would have made anv one but me very vain indeed.

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ARLiNcrroN iik;h SCHOOL CLARION. 7 When the shepherd told of the wiles of wicked Comus, each head turned simul- faneously, it would seem, on a pivot, and their large eyes rolled backward and for- ward in dreadful and awe-stricken terror. But the best fun of all was the last act, where the scene was laid in a stately palace. High in an enchanted chair sits the beautiful lady, while Comus, clothed in white and crowned with a wreath of green leaves, entreated her to driid the treacherous wine, but she with disdain put it from her. Standing about the room were creatures of strangest description ; frogs reared on their hind legs and rab- bits four feet in height. The walls were all hung with tapestries of fantastic de- sign with a generous amount of red. During Comus’ speech we could let our imagination carry us so far that we could almost think the lady really beauti- ful. We could round out the cheeks and soften the lines of the mouth, forget the long, thin nose, and the one long stringy lock of straight black hair which had been pulled out from the gauzy veil. But when the lady replied in words of righteous resentment, “Fool, do not boast,” “’Twill not false traitor,” and so on, mercy! the words were called out in a loud, dee]) voice without th.e virtue even of sounding natural. The tone was forced and harsh, the effect coarse and grating. Then, too, in his gestures the actor was exceedingly awkward. When the lady raised her hand toward her wicked betrayer, it stuck out stiffly before her with threatening firmness ; and, too, when her brothers rushed in and rescued her and the spell of her enchantment was broken, down came my lady fair, with a loud ho]) and jump from her lofty seat, and then with a violent kick at her train she marched in manly strides over the stage and made her exit. Helena Robertson, igor. THE WRECK OF THE JASON. Three years ago next twentieth of De- cember we had a terrible storm along the coast of the New England states, and it was especially fierce on the Massachu- setts coast. The Jason, a hundred ton two-masted schooner, with a cargo of cotton, was on her way from Savannah to Boston. She had as crew six men — Joe Dinks, cap- tain ; Manuel Silva, mate, and Bob Hicks, cook, with three deck hands. The weather as far as New York had been very good ; they had passed Hatteras in safety and all hands were anticipating spending Christmas in port. At this point, however, Captain Dinks saw that trouble was brewing, but thought he could get into Boston harbor before the storm broke. Instead of gath- ering slowly, however, the storm gained strength rapidly, and at nightfall, off Highland Light, Cape Cod, about eighty miles from Boston, the Jason was ap- parently in the centre of the storm. The wind from the east’ard blew a gale, and the seas broke over the vessel almost constantly. Presently one of the tiller chains broke, and could not be repaired, so great was the violence of the storm. After this the fated vessel, completely at the mercy of the wind and waves, drifted rapidly shorewards. The life-saving stations in the region of Provincetown and Truro are stationed about four or five miles apart, and the beach between them is constantly patrolled. A life guard leaving one sta- tion is given a brass check which he gives at the half-way house, a small shed with a fire in it, to the guard from the next station, receiving in exchange a check bearing the name of that guard’s station. Tlicse men keep a sharp watch on the sea for any signs of a wreck. If one is seen they light a red-light torch to show the sailors that they are discovered, and

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ARLINGION HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. 9 I had been there but a few days when tliere went past my window a lady who at first glance took my fancy. She had light golden hair, brushed lightly back from her face, and soft blue eyes. She entered the door of the store, and I heard her say, “Can’t you take that pair out of the window ?” ‘That pair’ meant my better-half and me. I was tried on her small foot and pro- nounced a perfect fit, and after being wrapped in tissue paper and packed in my own little box, I was sent to her home. It was one of the grandest houses I have ever been in, with its large halls and rooms, and its broad stair-case. Well, soon I was taken out again and placed on her foot, and we tripped gaily down the sta irs, and entered a large draw- ing-room. It was brilliantly lighted, and ladies and gentlemen stood in little groups talking. Suddenly the band, which was over in one corner of the room, struck up a dreamy waltz, and I heard some one say, “May I have the pleasure. Miss May?” The answer must have been yes, but I didn’t hear it, for we went gracefully gliding around the room. First we went forward, then back- ward, then forward, and backward again, and then round and round for a few times. I cannot describe that evening, except that I had a very agreeable time, even if my sole did burn and smart a little afterwards. I went to a number of such parties, and then after having a new sole on me (for mine was nearly worn out) I was put up in the closet with lots of other shoes, among which were my mistress’s tan golf shoes, her new fancy dancing shoes, and her high storm shoes. We had quite sociable times there evenings, and from my friends that I have mentioned, I found out that my mistress was a fine golf and tennis player, and that on rainy, disagree- able days, when most people were in their homes enjoying their grate-fires, she was out on an errand of charity, or doing some good deed. Of course these things made me think all the more of her, yet I couldn’t help wondering why she had cast me aside, and why she didn’t wear me any more. I soon found out though. T. K. MILLETT, practical Rair Drcescr, 454 Mass. Avenue, Arlington. Visit... COLUMBIAN CAFE, FOR A Quick Lunch or Good Dinner CIGARS AND TOBACCO. A. C. LaBREQUE, Railroad Crossing. Fred W. Derby, Refracting Optician . 458 Hass. Av., Arlington, Mass. Subjective and objective methods used. Darkroom facilities. Accuracy guaranteed. % K K X X X X X X X TRY Kim Aim HT p lour It has no equal. Try it and be convinced. WM. WHYTAL SON, R. W. Shattuck « Co., PLUMBERS Furnaces, Ranges and General Jobbing 467 Massachusetts Avenue.