Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION Literary Depart me nt 1 - i Mr. G. B. C. Rugg, editor of The Boston Traveler’s short story contest, lias kindly sent the Literary Depart- ment some of the stories receiving dis- tinction and honorable mention. Only one of our students received distinction : Stanley Troy, ’25 Those receiving honorable mention are: John Gruber, ’24 John Devine, ’24 Arthur Landers, ’24 Marjorie Dick, ’24 Charlotte Hickey, ’24 Helen Joseph, ’25 Esther Alden, ’20 We are expecting that at some very near date Mr. Rugg will speak to us in Assembly. He lias most kindly of- fered to explain and comment upon the Contest, the results of which will be printed in the next issue of the Clar- ion. Two of the stories will be found on the succeeding pages. We hope you will enjoy them. In the following issues the other stories which received honor- able mention will be printed. If, my dear reader, at any time you have the ambition of becoming an author, please don’t hesitate but send your inspiration in on paper to the Literary Editor of the Clarion and let the whole school know that in our midst (here is a budding author. But, mean- while, please pass your judgment on the notable works of your schoolmates as found in this issue. If you have comments or criticisms, send them in too, as we have hopes for a comment column. Helen Stokes, ’25. 11 inning Distinction in The Boston Traveler Short Story Contest for High School Students of New England Behind the Keys Donald Graham leaned heavily against the stubborn iron bars which, for forty years, had stood as a barri- cade between him and freedom. So entranced in his thoughts was he, that he did not hear the warden approach. There was a startled look in his eyes when he beheld the man so near to him. With an encouraging look in his eyes, the warden said : “I have good news for you, Graham. Your sentence is 1 up, and you are free once more.” But Graham’s thoughts were far away as the warden spoke. He thought of all the years he had spent in that little room of stone. While he had been there, Myra, the only one avIio had trusted and loved him, had died, ner death Avas a terri- ble shock to Graham, and for weeks

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4 THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION enriched our curriculums. Last year we had no idea that we should have this year a boy’s basketball team, a new athletic association, a mandolin club, a winter club, gym classes, and an or- chestra in the gym at recess. We all enjoy these many improvements and with the help and generosity of the school we hope to enjoy the Clarion. Doris J. McCarthy, ’25. To the Editors and Headers of the Clarion : Now that the Clarion has returned, we hope that you will appreciate it, and be willing to work for and support it. From the enthusiasm that has been shown so far, we are sure that you will make it a great success. We heartily support you, and wish the new Clarion the best of luck! The Editors of the Red and Gray. PATRONIZE OCR ADVERTISERS A few moments will give you enough time to look through our advertise- ments. You must know that those who give ns “ads,” help support the Clarion, whether or not they gain any thing by it. Because of their generosity and thoughtfulness, we should in turn help our advertisers by patronizing them. Let’s hear from the foreign language departments. Established 1824 Troy, N. Y. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute A School of Engineering and Science Four-year Courses in Civil Engineering (C. E.), Mechanical Engineering (M. E.), Electrical Engineering (E. E.) ( Chemical Engineering (Ch. E.), and Gen- eral Science (B. S.). Graduate Courses leading to Master and Doctor Degrees. Modern and fully equipped Chemical, Physical, Electrical, Mechanical and Materials Testing Laboratories. For catalogue and illustrated pamphlets, showing work of graduates and views of buildings and campus, apply to Registrar, Pittsburgh Building, Troy, N.Y.

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THE ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION ; he did nothing but call for her in his delirium. The warden once more interrupted his tjain of thoughts, as, embracing Graham, he led him from the cell. Graham a few hours later stood in- side the house he had once called home. From the hall, he entered the parlor, and then, like a man seeing a phantom, he passed his hand over his face as if unwilling to believe what his eyes told him. His gaze rested on a beautiful mahogany piano, which stood at the opposite side of the room. He stag- gered forward until he was able to touch the wood, and read the name of the manufacturer on front. lie stared long and hard at the names Brandon and Howe, which stood out so beauti- fully in gold letters. Suddenly, with a curse on his lips, he picked up a large vase which stood near and hurled it into the names that seemed to mock and scorn him. For fifteen years, Donald Graham had worked for Brandon and Howe, one of the largest piano concerns ever es- tablished. Graham was a very effi- cient worker, and when lie asked a favor of his employers, they gratified his wish. He was to be married in a few months, and he wished to make all of the beau- tiful piano he would present his wife. A few days before his marriage an in- cident happened which changed the rest of Graham’s life. One day, while he was out varnishing some boards to complete the upper sec tion of the piano, Robert Wheeler, the paymaster, entered his room with a bag containing a large sum of money be- longing to the concern. He had hardly entered the room when he received a terrbile blow on the head, which rendered him unconscious. At this moment, Graham returned, and seeing the state of affairs, he rushed at the stranger. Grabbing the bag from him, Graham threw it over his head, and then rushed at his opponent. By this time Wheeler had regained con- sciousness, and had staggered to his feet. The intruder seeing his danger, pulled a pistol from his pocket and tired at Wheeler, who fell with a bullet above his heart. Graham now ran for- ward. The stranger dodged and hit him on the head with the gun as he passed. All went black before Graham as he fell headlong at the feet of Wheeler. When he came to himself he became aware that he was handcuffed, and, to his astonishment and dismay, was ad- dressed as the murderer of Robert Wheeler. At the trial everything was against him. He told his story to no avail, lie had been found lying beside Wheeler with the gun in his hand. Wheeler had died with Graham’s name on his lips. When asked about the bag, he told them that he had thrown it in the direction of the window. A search below the window revealed no bag, and now he was looked upon all the more as the guilty party. The verdict was guilty, and Donald Graham was sent to prison for a term of forty years. Brandon knew that Graham had made the piano for Myra, so be com- pleted it and sent it to her. As Graham looked at it now it brought the memories back ever clearer in his mind. He glared once more at the names Brandon and Howe on front. The names seemed to mock him. Had not both men convicted and condemned him? All within him turned to hate as he thought of this. How could he live with this as a constant reminder of all he wished to forget? He would find a way. Beside the fire-place stood a heavy