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

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s THE OLLA P O D R I D A be careful and don ' t get shot by the Filipinos or by our men in mistake. Thank you, Captain; 1 will try and take care of myself. At three o ' clock on Christmas morning, the Americans swooped down upon the unsuspect- ing villagers like an eagle upon its prey. They drove all before them, pursuing them far into the forest, for the Americans were determined to revenge the insult to their flag. But Dick, as soon as he got inside the village, hastened to the hut where Jack was confined. Seizing a musket, Dick made short work of the two sleep} ' guards. In three seconds he had Jack ' s bonds cut, and once more the friends were united. Thank you, old man! said Jack. I can never repay you. Get out! I didn ' t do anything, ex- plained Dick. Come help me get my box from where 1 hid it. After Dick had recovered his precious box, Jack made him change his clothes and sit be- fore a warm fire, so that he would not catch a fever, despite Dick ' s emphatic protestation. Then Dick proceeded to tell his story. Christmas morning dawned on a world of beauty, for the rain of last night had only ? v 9 S freshened the landscape. Clear skies looked down upon the plumed heads of the bananas and cocoanuts, and upon the wide-spreading mangrove, while hundreds of brilliant, tropical flowers reflected the sun ' s rays. All was quiet and peaceful in the village, for none but a few women and children had remained, and the Americans were enjoying their well-earned rest. Nothing save the sentinels pacing their beats and the mountain-howitzer, with its hundred deaths, betokened that grim var was in this garden of Eden. As Dick looked upon this scene of quietness and peace, he felt a true Christian spirit of peace on earth and good will to man He even felt a feeling of pity for the treacherous Filipinos, because they had been driven from home. And Dick sighed, — How I would like to step in on the folks at home. It would be Christmas then sure ! As he turned to go into the tent, his eves fell on that precious box, which had saved him and his companions from probable death. As he thought of the loving hands that had packed it, a tear dropped from his eyes and he thanked God for his preservation . Berthold Foster Hews, B. H. S., ' 03. s Past Reflections This life of ours has been compared To many things beneath the sun; By some a battle-field declared, By some a stage, where every one Must play his part, both great and small, And frown or smile, or plead, or fight, Until the curtain ' s final fall Hides him at length from mortal sight. And some say life is but a school To fit us for a higher sphere, Where heavenly love and wisdom rule, But dimly comprehended here. So may it be to all our boys — A school of labor and of love, Where useful work and harmless jojs Succeed each other, may it prove ! May life to us a High School be — A school of manle, true endeavor, Of duty, kindness, charity, And good deeds that endure forever; And then — for all ends here below — When school is over, work and play, May each with good report, to show, Go home for the long Holiday ! -L. C. H., ' 03.

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THE OLLA PODR1DA and, casting a glance at the captive to see if he was secure, they squatted down with the box between them. Having opened it, the first thing they saw was a large, handsome bottle of alcohol, which Dick ' s brother, Bob, had sent him to preservesome of the bug family in. One ot the Filipinos pulled forth the cork, smelled of it, and drank nearly a gill of the spirit. Apparently satisfied with it, he smacked his lips, and took another draught of it. He then passed it to the other, who drank it with delight. Impossible as it may seem, it was nevertheless true, for the throats and stomachs of the Filipinos have become so burned with arrack, that alcohol seemed mild to them . At first Dick was filled with anger at seeing his Christmas box broken into and its treasures handled by such hands. But soon this feeling turned into one of astonishment when he saw them drink the alcohol. Very quickly Dick felt hope revive and saw an early escape from his prison, for both the guards had become in- sensible from the strong spirit. Tugging and straining at his bonds, Dick at last was free. Cautiously drawing a keen-edged bolo knife from one of the sleeping Filipinos, he cut a slit in the back of the hut. Taking his precious box in one hand and the bolo knife in the other, Dick crawled out of the hut and hastened into the forest. Dick hid his box near a giant breadfruit tree, a peer among his fellows, and stood within its shelter. Knowing it was utterly impossible to attempt to rescue the others by himself alone, he resolved to find the rest of the company and bring aid. Dick knew that their camp lay in an northeastern direction. After several futile attempts, Dick caught a large firefly, and by its light, he was enabled to see his compass, which fortunately he had with him, and thus set off in the right direction. The rain descended in torrents, and every tree was a fountain. Dense forests separated Dick from the other camp, and no distinct road led through the forest. Yet Dick set off bravely, though he knew Giant Fever lurked in every turn and corner of the forest, seeking to ensnare the unwary traveler. Drenched to the skin, impeded by creepers and great snarled roots, often losing his way, yet Dick struggled on courageously. Once stuck in a marsh, another time entwined by giant creep- ers, Dick nearly despaired, but the thought of his country, his home, and Helen, spurred him on. Once indeed Dick thought it was his last moment, when suddenly two glaring eyes of a wild-cat faced him, but he gave a shrill yell, and the beast, flighted, fled. At last, after three hours of terrible walking, Dick saw, gleaming through the forest like beacon fires on a rocky shore, the camo fires of the boys in blue. With renewed cour- age, Dick struggled on, and as he staggered past the sentinel, having given the password, into camp, he cried out: Boys, the Tagals have risen, and all the rest are prisoners! Rescue them! Nature could stand no more, and Dick fell into the arms of his captain. As soon as he revived, Dick insisted on telling the whole story and describing state of affairs at the other camp. When he had finished, the soldiers- cheered him, but they were so angry, that if there had been a village of Tagals near the camp, the enraged soldiers would have killed them to a man. Ra pid preparations were made for a hasty march to the other camp. They made Dick ride the only horse in camp, despite his insisting that he was all right and that he was no baby. They set off through the downpour of rain about midnight, following an irregular path. Twice was the way lost and the boys found themselves attempting to cross a marsh. Be- ing thus delayed, it was nearly three o ' clock when thev arrived in the vicinity of the camp. Cautiously they surrounded the village in the dark, placing themselves in the shadows of the forest. The natives seemed to keep no watch, feeling perfectly safe from attacks, for Dick ' s escape was yet unknown. Captain, whispered Dick, may I free my friend as soon as I get in camp? Certainly, Dick, responded his friendly captain, we can take care of the Tagals, but

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THE OLLA POD R IDA 9 THe Family Honor Elsa ' s father and mother were dead. As far as she knew, she had always lived with her exacting and unsympathetic Aunt Jane, and her poor, bed-ridden, half-crazed grand- mother. Under the strict authority of her Aunt Jane, who, though seemingly indifferent to and uninterested in her little niece, yet con- scientiously preached truth and honor to the child, Elsa grew to have the excellent reputa- tion among her schoolmates of never having told a lie. And Elsa ' s fame was hardly won and well-deserved. One day, when all the children at school had marched into the class-room, they found their teacher busily writing at her desk. Her ac- tions looked suspicious, and there was a buzz of excitement in the room, for a few moments, since each scholar felt it his duty to impart to his neighbor, in a stage whisper, just what he thought was going to happen. But Elsa sat quietly with folded hands, as was her custom. Her heart beat uncomfortably, for she predict- ed an examination, and feared the results of one, for herself. Soon the teacher arose, and informed her pupils of the importance of the writing test she was going to give them, which would decide for each one whether he could be promoted or not. As she wrote the questions on the board, Elsa ' s face grew hot, and she thought to herself, I must be promoted. If 1 am not, Aunt Jane will be disgusted with me. She will say that if I am never to oe anything else than a stupid, I might as well not live. Poor Elsa! Her Aunt Jane ' s opinio n meant everything to her in those days. The questions were hard, but Elsa answered all but two. There was one that she had nev- er heard of before. The girl in front of her was writing, excitedly. Elsa wondered, idly, if that girl would be promoted. She felt the time slipping away gradually, and her heart beat faster and faster. Soon she got disagree- ably warm; then her head began to ache, and for a moment she rested it on her hand. Al- most unconsciously her eyes fell on the paper of the girl in front. There in black and white was the answer to that awful question. She knew her promotion depended on that question, and she thought of her Aunt Jane. It was the work of an instant to copy the answer on her own paper; then the bell rang, and the papers were taken up. That night, Elsa cried herself to sleep. She had never cheated before in her life, and her conscience rebelled. She would tell Aunt Jane the first thing in the morning; then everything would be the same again. But when Elsa went to breakfast the next morning, she was met with new difficulties. Miss Jackson has just told me that you did very well in your examination, and that you are promoted, said her Aunt Jane. I am very glad, Elsa, that you partake of the fam- ily intellect. You must remember, child, that honor and intellect are two of our family traits. Aunt Jane left the room then, but when she returned, Elsa was sobbing, violently. Come, come Elsa. You will barely have time to get to school. Run along! I will tell Miss Jackson about it, Elsa re- solved, miserably. But Miss Jackson met the little girl smilingly. I am delighted, dear, she said, that you succeeded so well. Your paper was very good, and I feel satisfied in promoting you. Oh! cried Elsa, with tears of despair, I don ' t deserve it — the promotion. Why, nonsense. Elsa. You mustn ' t cry, dear. You must feel happy about it. Awarded second prize in the prize story contest for this edition.