Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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H Sketch Look on this picture and then on that. AR off in Old Mexico there stood one of those charming low ranch- houses of stone and adobe, enclosing a court set with flowers and shrubs. The morning was nearly gone ; indeed the stillness suggested noontime. Within the court the faint tinkling of a bell announced to the inmates of Senor Lorenzo ' s household that the dinner-time was actually at hand. Presently a door opened gently and the stately figure of Senora Lorenzo appeared under the portico. Glancing at the table spread a short distance away, she saw that no one, except herself, had answered the summons to dinner ; so she stepped to the edge of the portico, where sunshine and shadow met in a distinct line, and called softly two or three times. Children ' s voices answered from another part of the garden, and soon three little boys, dark eyed and curly headed, came racing up, only to be quickly dispatched to get ready for their meal. The children had no sooner disappeared than the sound of galloping hoots was heard, which announced the arrival of the lord of the ranch, Senor Lorenzo himself. In a few moments he appeared within the court, fanning his dusky face with his huge sombrero. When at last this little family was seated at the table, what could be more homelike than the picture they presented. Under the shady arches it was cool and restful ; the sound of the water in the fountain dropping into the stone basin and trickling happily away in a little stream through the flower beds furnished an accom- paniment soft and musical ; gentle breezes wafted faint perfumes hither and thither. The birds chirped, the children laughed and chattered. The first part of dinner over, the little ones waited impatiently for the coming of the old servant with their favorite dish. That dish most savory, most appetizing, was the far-famed Olla Podrida, which is as often identified with a Mexican as a guitar is with a Spanish troubadour. It came upon the table in a large earthen bowl, a family heirloom, which some Lorenzo of ancient days had obtained from an Indian chief. The crude scrolls and circles on the outside gave it an unique appearance, strongly in contrast with the delicate and elaborately worked linen which surrounded it. A peep at the interior revealed an indescribable mass of meat and vegetables : peas, corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, red peppers and — the cook only knew what else ! As the name indicates, a most interesting mixture was this. The family appetites were at length appeased, and the noble dish was borne away. But the Olla Podrida transported to the shore of San Francisco Bay, banishes the thought of the picturesque southern mansion, with its balconies, portico, garden and fountain. Instead we see a grim old building covered with a coat of gray paint equal- ing only itself in age. Within this uninviting structure a large family dwells, and it is I I

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H farewell from f ot OOD-BY to Nineteen Hundred ' s class, That body grave and grand. Now at the close of High School days Before the world they stand. How proud our Senior struts about, Nor deigns to give a smile To Juniors small and Middlers all, Who gaze with awe the while ! Oh, note that proud and lofty brow, Bespeaking such a mind ! That patronizing glance bestowed On others left behind. Dear Seniors all, we know full well Your great, surpassing worth, But now that you ' re to graduate, Pray don ' t expect the earth ! ' Tis true you ' ll all go forth and win Great glory, many a prize ; You all do honor to our school, That fact we ' ll not disguise. And that we ' ll miss you, Seniors dear, I ' ll own is very true. But still you ' ll leave some others here Who ' ll shine as bright as you ! If you would see the magic power Of genius, wit and brain, Just wait until the Naughty-Ones Assume this High School ' s rein. Till we have reached the Senior ' s place, Our glory spreading far — Till we can show to all the rest How very small they are ! With this in mind, our honored Iriends, We really can ' t, you know, Profess that we ' re so very sad To see you Seniors go ! So hoping that good fortune fair May on your pathway lie, We ' ll give three cheers for Naughty-Naught, And gladly say, 1 ' Good-by ! ' ' A. K. M., ' 01 IO

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interesting to know that this family, so far away from the one first mentioned, indulges once every two weeks in that same concoction, the Olla Podrida. On the specified day an announcement is made that the Olla Podrida will be given out, and then, of course, the famished multitude make frantic efforts to get their individual allotments. This unseemly haste would, perhaps, be excused, considering the intervening time between servings, but when groups of boys and girls pass down the principal streets of the town eagerly devouring the Olla Podrida, it is evident that it is no longer Old Mexico, and that custom is different. This compound is somewhat drier than its namesake, and in place of the earthen bowl it is served between crimson leaves, one of which is adorned by an artistic sketch; the other is covered with hieroglyphics interesting to decipher. The ingredients are as varied as could be imagined. Some are pithy, but hard to digest ; these the chief cook attends to himself, so he alone is responsible. Some ingredients are at times sharp and cutting ; others are pleasant and mild — Exchanges one might call them. They can always be relied upon and are relished by those who live at a distance. Again, there are parts sweet, delicious and familiar, having a spicy personality which is thoroughly enjoyed by all, and highly necessary to the excellence of the mixture. Then there is one of a Latin name, found in the compound only, in tiny pieces, because of the great and lamented scarcity of the essential elements. Tales of varying lengths and grades are the most substantial of all parts. Other titbits, plain and healthful, add their own peculiar touches of flavor. All these numerous compo- nents are blended and made into a composite mass by the application of a liberal amount of spirits, voluntarily bestowed by the whole school. This school spirit is the essence which contributes so much to the enjoyment of all who are interested in the welfare of this Olla Podrida. katherine Frances storie, ' 00. 12