Bourne High School - Canal Currents Yearbook (Bourne, MA)

Page 7 text:

THE HIGH SCHOOL ECHO. THE WAR IN THE TRANSVAAL. The South African Rey)ublic, or ' I’ransvaal, is situated in the southern part of Africa, Its area is 112,700 square miles. This republic was formed in 18 8 by Dutch farmers who emigrated from Cape Colony. In 1854 its independence was re- cognized by Creat Britain ; but in 1877 it was annexed, causing much opposition from the Boers, who, in December, 1879, declared independence, proclaiming the Transvaal a republic in December, 1880; in 1881 the British renounced all right to the direction of its internal affairs. In a president and a council ut five mem- bers is vested the executive power, the legis- lative in a parliament of two chambers hav- ing twenty-four members each. The country is very hilly and the scenery is not attractive. The principal products are gold, silver, coal, iron, w(»ol, cattle, grain, ivory, etc. The exports are valued at about $37,000,000, and the imports at over $32,- 000,000. ' I ' here are over 800 miles of rail- way and nearly 2.000 miles of telegraph line. There are many English schools, besides over 400 village schools. The natives, for the most part farmers and wool-growers, are a quiet, honest, religious people, having a great love of home ; the greater part of them are sai l to have a fair educat ion. The rights of the foreigners, or Outlanders (principally English), living in the Transvaal, were considered by the British most arbi- trary, and they, claiming suzerainty over the people, demanded better rights for these Outlanders, although this was simply a sub- terfuge, their real object being to gain pos- session of the country’s wealth. Kruger, the president of the republic, offered some con- cessions which the British refused to accept, and hostilities commenced. The Boers were well prepared for this. Preparations had been going on, on both sides, for some time. It is understood that the Boers had been training under the best military instructors whom they could pro- cure, and that they were in excellent con- dition for carrying on the war. They are using French arms and have ammunition and food supplies in abundance. d ' he British much underrated their abilities and also their numbers, and thought at first that it would not take many men to whip them ; but they soon discovered their mis- take. They have sent many of their best men for services in the Transvaal. The Boers seem to know beforehand the moves which the British idan and are gen- erally prepared to meet them. ' They tore down a number of bridges which would have been of advantage to the British, and have interrupted communication by telegraph be- tween towns held by them. d ' hey are fol- lowing tactics which they learned from Ger- man military instructors. It was from a knowledge of these that they could surprise Fuller when he attempted to cross the 1 u- gela river, and thought that he was going to do it so easily. But he found that the Boers knew a thing or two, and he was forced to retreat with his army so ciippled, that he was able to do nothing until he was rein- forced. At the beginning of the war the Boers took the defensive attitude, but they have since assumed the offensive. After they had settled a few things their own way in the northern part of Cape Colony, they began very unexpectedly to close in upon Gen. White at Ladysmith. They dug trenches about the town, which in places came very close to the fortifications of the British. From these they can fire upon it with very little danger to themselves. The news of the capitulation of Vhite will, we think, be a surprise to very few. England is continually sending reinforce- ments to the Transvaal, and Kruger has ordered all burghers to the front. At first the British thought that they were only going to have a little boar (Boer) hunt but the “boars” soon got on the track of the English, and about all they have got out of it are reverses, caused by what their rej:)ort- ers call “accidents.” H. E. C. There are but thirty-seven scholars in the High School. It is the fewest for some time.

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THE HIGH SCHOOL ECHO. THE ELECTRIC ROAD. After considering the many advantages which an electric road would give Cape Cod, how can one think of it otherwise than as a great benefit to the public? The ladies could .then step out of their front doors and in almost no time they would be whizzing toward their destination. How flush the Treasurer’s pocket would .be. on Town Meeting Day. A short ride on the electrics would bring many a working man home, thus saving him the extra expense of boarding, and giving him the enjoyment of his family and home. The benefit to real estate would be such that land owners would be trying to compete with the pomp and style of the summer peo- ple ; and since it would be taxable property, it would be a benefit to the Town Treasury. It would give the outlying villages the full be ' nefit of the Public Library, and the young people would have cheap transportation to entertainments. Scholars staying at the High School for rehearsals or on class busi- ness, would not have to wait around the Buzzards Bay depot from 3.30 until 6 00 o’clock. High School scholars missing the first train could then take the electrics, thus avoid being late, but most of all, avoid being laughed at. Express would be cheaper by the electrics and better communication would be opened up between neighboring villages. Such pleasant trips would be opened up, as can hardly be imagined. It seems to me, that the summer people instead of rejecting such trips, would be delighted with them thus aiding the maintenance of the electrics. On the other hand, there seem to be but two arguments against this pro])osed rail- road. First, horses would be frightened. Second, stable-keepers would lose trade. Either of these is unimportant, for horses would soon become accustomed to the elec- trics, and the livery business is very small. .Any loss occasioned by electrics in tliis way would hardly l)e taken into consideration, they would be so overbalanced by arguments in favor of the electric road. •?:. :• SCHOOL TIMES. ■f- ft’ was noon by ' the clock in the school-room, ' Arid ' the day had half worn away. The class in geometry had recited And the lesson assigned for next day. ' ... -r - ;f ' Le scholars were dismissed in a hurry, Apd the teachers departed for lunch ; There, surely was no cause for worry As the school-room was quiet for once. ■ ' Alas ! • This quiet was soon broken Akdhe scholars came scuffling in. All this time no one had spoken For nothing could be heard but the din. It was “one” by the clock in the school- room, And ’the teacher stood by the door, ' I ' he pointers, yardsticks, erasers and brooms Were scattered about on the floor. i’ .- ' t ■ ' r Silence reigned supreme in the school- room, The cigek for awhile held its breath ; the teacher looked calmly around him As he struck the bell with his left. .A shadow seemed to hang o’er the room, But it very soon cleared away. The girls were dismissed as at noon-time But the boys had not finished the day. They were called to attention by the teacher Who stood by the desk near his chair ; Elach name he called off in order To see who had broken the chair.’ Then a boy spoke up from the back seat, .As boys of the High school will do. And the teacher took down his name ; For the rest he probably knew. The boys then were dismissed in order. And the sun went down in the west ; May everyone answer as promptly When “they” have come to the test. A. N. E. Teacher — And where did Grant go then ? Bright Pupil — “He proceeded with his corps (e). — The Beacon.

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THE HIGH SCHOOL EHCO. GENERAL WOOD’S SUCCESS IN CUBA. In order to give you, readers, a good understanding of General Wood’s success in Cuba, I will give you a glimpse of his early life. General Leonard Wood, a Cape Cod boy, lived in Hoc asset during his youth. Here he was very fond of sailing during rough weather and of doing other perilous things. In 1881-82 he went through Harvard Medical School and began to practice in Boston, but such a quiet life did not satisfy Gen. Wood, for he loved adventure. He soon joined the army as cantract surgeon, and was sent out West with Gen. Miles’ army. Here he had to contend with the terrible Apache Indians. In order to follow the Indians, the soldiers mu t possess great powers ot endurance and great courage. Gen. Miles soon found out that (ien. Wood possessed these requisites, and that few of the whites, either sol liers or frontiers- men, could last with him. He could even equal the fiiendly Indian trailers. In campaigns of this kind it was necessary to select the man best fitted to command, and WMod, though only a contract surgeon, won deserved fame as commanding officer of a certain detachment sent out to capture the Indian chief, Geronimo. In these cam- paigns, Cren. NV ' ood displayed such extra- ordinary powers of endurance and unusual courage, such excellent judgment and trust- worthiness, he was awarded a medal of honor. Henceforth he held a foremost place in the regard of his superior officers. General Wood was made Colonel of the “Rough Riders” in 1898, his firm friend, Theodore Roosevelt, being Lieutenant- Colonel. The excellent service rendered in Cuba caused his appointment as Brigadier- General — and the fame of the Rough Riders and their brave commanders will long live in history. ' When Santiago surrendered, Gen. Wood was given charge of the city and later of the entire province. Here he worked wonders. His previous medical and military training were of great service to him. He surely could not have accomplished what he did without them. Those who saw him in Cuba ever found him attending to numerous duties — faithfully inspecting hospitals — superintending cleaning of the extremely filthy streets — planning a system of sewerage and endeavoring to secure the return of land tillers — furnishing employment to many an idle person, yet never losing his own place in mere detail but delegating to others what could be safely delegated. ' To General Wood has fallen the duty of preserving order, of seeing the best Cubans begin to administer the government, of pro- tecting the lives and property of the Span- iards, and of securing the best hygienic conditions possible in the city, of opening the schools, of re-establishing agriculture and commerce in Cuba General VVood by his energy, firmness, common sense and moderation has done wonders in preventing an out-break among the Cubans, Spaniards and Americans, as every condition was ripe for anarchy ; but he won the friendship of the citizens and thus prevented it. He has always attended faithfully to the duties confided to him, never by word or act forfeiting the confidence of the government, or seeking political preferment. Now you often hear these words : — “If we only had a few more General Woods to put in command of our new possessions.” Five little pigs came one day. Outside the school-house door. Which made the scholars laugh and play, For their tails out of curl they wore. ’d vas on a stormy, foggy day. Which made us scholars think, ' That the fog accounted for the way These pigs’ tails had no kink. M. E. P. “F ' or two weeks,” said the returned ex- plorer, “I was without food; but one day I found a calendar.” “What good did that do you?” asked the skeptical listener. “I immediately ate the dates,” was the unblushing rejily. — [Philadelphia Record.