Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

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10 THE GREEN AND WHITE The next day a man came to call on him, and told Pierre that his little song had made him a fortune. Pierre, stunned as he was, could not say a word or thank the man, but fell to his knees and uttered a little prayer for Madame Lefebre who had now made his life worth living. Pierre, who was once a poor boy, is now a rich and accomplished composer, and his mother has gained her health and is on the road to recovery. THE PHANTOM CYCLIST It was the year 1900. May 23 of this year the town, or rather “hamlet” of Brookesville was asleep when thru the main street an auto sped making a terrible racket and waking up the town constable, who immediately turned over in his comfortable bed. The next morning Hiram Jackson, a farmer, came down Turnpike Road and saw lying there a body and a bicycle, which was smashed beyond recognition. The body was that of Ernest Wells, a farmhand, and a man who during life never forgot a wrong and took revenge whenever he could. It is the year 1920. May 23 of this year the town, or rather “hamlet” of Brookes- On a bright September morning in the year 1916, forty timid girls and boys entered the portals of the wonderful Colt Memorial High School to take there their places among the ranks of students. These pupils, afteT being interviewed by Mr. Lee, were assigned to the care of Miss Callan and were soon initiated into the life and work Of High School pupils. Our life, as Freshmen, was very quiet; we were not even organized as a class. Each time a class meeting was scheduled the principal, for some reason or other, would not attend the meeting and so the year passed. The next year we came back as Sophomores and our ranks were increased by the so-called “sub-freshmen” who had entered High School the preceding February. Our life that year was most uneventful— in spite of the sleigh ride. However, we did succeed in organizing and elected as our President, Joseph Kelley; Vice President, Fred Serbst; Secretary, Mar- ville is asleep—but not quite—for the innkeeper of the “Golden Gate” is about to lock up for the night. An auto speeds down and stops. A voice calls. “Hey there, innkeeper! Wait a minute!” The autoist jumps out and enters the inn and seating himself inquires the way to the next village. “Well sir,” said the innkeeper, “I can direct you to the village but I would advise you to wait till morning.” “Why?” querried the autoist. “Just this, sir!” replied the innkeeper, “Twenty years ago today Ernest Wells was killed on Turnpike Road. On May 23rd every year a cyclist appears on the road and chases after automobiles until it gets side of the driver. It is said that if the murderer of Ernest Wells rides down that road he will be found dead next morning. Wells is going to avenge himself.” “Huh! I don’t car for any phantoms. I’ve got to go down that road.” Saying this the autoist started out and drove towards and down Turnpike Road. His engine stalled-in that darkest part. What was that on the road! A cyclist! The next morning the innkeeper sees an auto on Turnpike Road. He hurries down and finds his guest of the night before, dead. H. YOUNG, ’20. guerite Murphy; Treasurer, Fred Palmer; Historian, Julia DeFelice. The Executive Committee was composed of Olive Cogge-shall. Jack Walsh and Elmer Matheson. We were not allowed to have any social functions; our life would have been rather monotonous if it were not for the active members of the class who amused us but annoyed the teachers. The Principal, Mr. Lee, resigned in May and Mr. Hobbs, now Superintendent of Schools, was made Principal. The year was soon over and vacation time came once more. In the fall we returned as Juniors. How proud we were! That year we “graduated” to the second floor and felt that we owned the school. Mr. Hobbs, then Principal, tried to make life pleasant for all. The first momentous occasion of our school life occurred this year, namely, our first dance! How we looked forward to that dance! Each girl planned, weeks in advance, the new “gown” she would have,

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THE GREEN AND WHITE 9 hoarsely all the time, and all their horrid patriotic colors began to form into a cloud and envelop me. I could see nothing, and when I tried to fight my way thru it, my arms encountered hard things which would not move. I screamed, I awoke and found myself thrashing my arms wildly on the ground, with the sun in my eyes, and a flock of crows cawing and fluttering in the trees above me. SELFISH BILLY Billy Smith lived with his parents and two sisters. As he didn’t have any brothers, he was inclined to be very selfish. Never would he share anything with pirls, they alvvays took too much, according to his opinion. To tell the truth his sisters spoiled him. How they petted him because he was the only boy! Would he ever share any of his “goodies” with them? Never! “Anyway,” he would say, I’m the youngest, and the only boy, so they ought to give me everything.” His mother regretted this selfishness, but all her efforts to cure it were in vain. One day Mrs. Smith, his mother, made some fudge and butterscotch. Billy was very fond of all kinds of candy, and when his mother gave him several pieces, he ran out into the barn and climbed up in the hay loft where nobody would see him. He ate a great deal of the fudge and was going to start on the butterscotch when someone called, “Billy, Billy!” “Its my sister May,” said Billy. “1 suppose Mother told her about all the candy I had, so she wants some, but she can’t have it,” and he kept as quiet as a mouse. His sister called many times but receiving no answer went away. When the calling ceased, Billy gave a sigh of relief. Now he could eat his candy without anyone’s disturbing him. About supper time he crawled down from the loft and made his way to the house. As he was going across the lawn, his sister May came running ur to him. “Oh Billy!” she cried, “Where have you been? We hunted all Over the place for you and 1 called and called, but you couldn’t be found. Jack Dawson’s mother gave a party, over on their lawn. We had a lovely time, ice cream, cake, and all kinds of candy. Mother sent over some fudge and butterscotch that she made and oh, it was such a lovely party. Its Jack’s birthday you know, and his father has some tickets for the theatre tonight. I’m sorry you weren’t around for now there won’t be any ticket for you.” Billy hung his head for he was ashamed. How he loved ice cream! And what little boy doesn’t like candy? How he re- gretted his own selfish, little party in the hay loft! Now he must miss the wonderful theatre party with the other boys and girls. That night after the other young people had left, Billy cried to his mother and told her why he couldn’t be found and promised he never would be selfish again, for he had learned a lesson he would never forget. LOUISE MURPHY, ’22. A LITTLE COMPOSER In a lonely, dingy room in one( of the poorest streets of London sat Pierre, a fatherless French boy. He was sitting by the bedside of his sick mother, trying to keep up his spirits, although he had nothing to eat that day, and no food whatever in the pantry. At times he thought of his loneliness and hunger and he could hardly keep the tears from his eyes, for he knew nothing would taste so good to his invalid mother as some fruit, but the had not a penny in the house. The many days which he spent with his mother were not idle ones, for he had comnosed a little song with air and Words. One dav while he was out for a walk, he noticed a large poster which announced that Madame Lefebre would sing that night in public. Pierre wished that he might go, and Inter when he reached home he took a piece of paper and pencil and hastily copied his song. He glanced at his mother and as she was asleep he hu-riedly ran to the theatre where Madame Lefebre was to sing. Arriving there, Pierre told Madame Lefebre of his mother’s sickness, and of their poverty, and thought if she would sinrr his little song that probably some publisher would buy it for a small sum, which would enable him to help his mother get well. Madame Lefebre gave Pierre a ticket that he might attend the concert, and to do so' he asked a kind neighbor to come in and care for his mother. When it was almost time for the concert to begin Pierre ran Out of the house happier than he had ever been, and as he entered the hall, he never dreamed that he would ever be in such a grand place. At last Madame Lefebre came out and breathless he waited. Could it be that she was really singing his little song? He listened carefully. Yes, it was his song, and turning around he noticed many a bright eye dimmed with tears by the touching words. After the concert he left, feeling as if he were the only one in the world.

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THE GREEN AND WHITE 11 and the pleasure we had Teally fulfilled our expectations. The dance was most successful. In June, we introduced the “Junior Promenade.” This was a dance given in honor of the Seniors. The girls and boys in charge worked very hard and the affair was charming. The large auditorium was wonderfully decorated with colored paper streamers, suspended from all corners of the hall. The daisies! The girls who gathered them will never forget them, but they made such a picturesque scene on the stage that they were well worth the trouble. Everyone at that dance enjoyed it and it was with regret that the “Good Xieht Waltz” was played. The next year we returned to the dear old school as dignified Seniors. How dignified? Well, we will let the teachers answer that question. The officers of the class for the year were elected as follows: President, Joseph Kelley; Vice President, George Stuart; Secretary, Dorothy Kenney; Treasurer, Annie Dunbar; Historian, Julia DeFelice; Executive Committee, Chairman, James Sullivan; Marguerite Murphy, Vasta La Rocco. What wonderful dances and entertainments we were going to have during our Senior year! Alas, our expectations were not fulfilled because early in September we were informed that we could have only four entertainments during the entire year, for example, one each quarter. It is needless to say that we were disappointed but then we decided to “smile” and make the best of it. During the first quarter, the class held a dance which was most successful, but our next social function which was to be another dance, was postponed by the Committee on account of the terrible snow storm. But the most beautiful event of the month of May was the Food Sale. The members of the Class worked very hard to make this affair a success. A great deal of credit is due to our Class Advisor, Miss Sara C. Callan, in organizing two teams to compete with each other in order to arouse more interest among the pupils. A musical program and the School Orchestra, under the direction of Miss Theresa Sullivan, also added to make the affair very enjoyable. Later in the evening different articles were auctioned off, Joseph Kelley presiding as chief auctioneer and Harry Young as assistant. In all, this Food Sale was the most pleasant and successful form of entertainment that the Class of 1920 has ever held. Of course all our time was not taken up with socials, we did our share of work, too. The Commercial pupils were kept busy not only by the regular school work, but office work at Mr. Hobbs’ office. The Classical, pupils all found algebra their greatest difficulty and the usual salutations of the members of the class were, “Have you done your algebra?” “How many have you done?” In spite of it all, they were very happy. Now, the year is practically over and we have come to the parting of the ways; some of the pupils will continue their education in higher institutions of learning, while others will take their place in the world, as business men and women. May we all always prove efficient and worthy of all lessons taught us. in order to bring honor and esteem to the dear old school .in which we have always revelled with happiness, although at times we have proven unworthy; and may we always have the love and esteem for each other in the years to come as we have had during the four years of high school. JULIA DeFELICE. OUR MOVIES Picture—Marion Paul with lessons all prepared. Kathleen Hodgdon with a know-it-all air. “Red” Clowes keeping quiet for one hour. Virginia August trying to look sour. Harry Young with his algebra all done. Frank Newton making a home-run. Annie Andrade calling people names. The Base Ball team winning just three games. Virginia Drury arriving at school on time. Milton Paine saying “Darling wilt thou be mine?” Howard Grinnell never chewing gum. Olive Coggeshall trying to have some fun. Joe Kelley never trying to bluff. A Senior meeting without a terrible fuss. Yarlasavetski never using ain’t. Charlotte Smith trying to look ouaint. Wennerstrand growing a foot a night. Palmer looking an awfful fright. Mildred Erikson trying to look sad. Luciano Capone never getting mad. Dot Kenney ever missing a dance. Jackie Walsh in long pants. Catherine Sparks never whispering to the boys. Marguerite Mimphy making a great deal of noise.