Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

Page 11 text:

“Majwab,” commanded the Major to his attendant, “put a basin of milk under the lieutenant’s chair.” The Major’s order was quickly carried out, but hardly had the native put the basin under the chair, than he let out a yell of terror and fled from the tent. In a minute the Major’s hand was on his hip. There was a flash; a report. The lieutenant all but collasped. Great beads of perspiration stood out on his face—head; he had gone through a terrible ordeal. For there in the basin of milk lay the remnants of a tiny snake; a snake with a most poisonous bite; the fear and dread of all the natives of India. Attracted by the milk the snake had crawled down Cresman s back and leg and thence into the milk. “Thank you, Major,” cried the lieutenant, as he clasped his su- perior’s hand. “I would dread to think of what would have happened to me had you not displayed such calmness.” “No,” was the reply,” I would rather dread thinking of the out- come had you not obeyed my command with such coolness and presence of mind.” H. A., ’20. LUFBERRY’S DEATH In the American sector’s skies A German airplane is seen to rise. Now, who the first will be to bring His craft into position to ring Bullets into the enemy’s plane? Several started but all in vain, Then up sprang Lilfberry, Ace of Ace, In many a fight he’d won the chase. He rises over the enemy’s plane And dives down on him, but ’tis in vain. The German craft of armored steel The swiftest bullets does not feel. Suddenly smoke is seen to rise From Lufberry’s plane as down he dives. Realizing this as his last call He choses ’twixt death by fire or by by fall; Rising he leaps from his flaming plane Down thro’ the air which had won him fame; Honor to Lufberry, fearless and brave. The gift of his life to his country he gave. P. P., ’22. nine

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JOHNNY GOES TO THE CIRCUS OHNNY decided to crawl under the circus tent. First he glanced furtively around the huge cylinder. He was plainly excited. His dark blue eyes whipped back and forth ex- citedly. He dropped to his knees a foot from the edge of the tent. Suddenly he heard footsteps. He jumped up im- mediately. His eyes had expanded considerably and he was breathing hard as he ran and mingled with the crowd at the entrance of the tent that held the onlee-e-e one of its kind, half man, half ape.” Two minutes later he was at the same spot, at the same big tent, more nervous and ex- cited than the first time. He would try again, he was on his knees. His heart would break a rib if it didn t slow down soon. He glanced around, once, quickly, and saw nor heard anything that would menace his chance of seeing the Big Show. He lifted the curtain quickly and poked his head and shoulders in. He was manifestly relieved. His eyes still wore a broad grin. He had anticipated someone’s being in there to stop him. Instead there were myriads of laughing and talking people who would never notice his entrance. Suddenly he felt as well as heard a sharp smack on the half of his anatomy he had neglected to draw in soon enough. As a man’s life flashes before him on the brink of death, so the circus with all its gay clowns and all that Johnny would not see flashed through his mind as his expression bore the likeness to one who is eating persimmons. Johnny was hurriedly withdrawn by the familar man with the familar paddle and his expression showed that he antici- pated anything but caressing. R. B., ’19. A THRILLING ADVENTURE IGHT was slowly settling in a forest in India. The silhou- ettes of great trees added weirdness to the scene; a deep gloom pervaded all, save where a beacon of light shone from a large hut in the midst of a native village perched on the edge of the forest. Inside this hut, grouped around a rude table, were the major, a young lieutenant, and several of their friends. The conversation was suddenly broken short by the calm, cool, firm voice of the Major. “Cresman,” he said, addressing the young lieutenant, “could you remain as motionless as possible for a few moments—as though your very life depended upon it? Remember, move and you are a dead man!” “All right. Major,” replied the lieutenant with remarkable calm- ness, “but, please, hurry.” eight

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OLD GLORY Look! Look up on high, “Old Glory” flutters in the sky. Its colors, red and blue, and white Blend with the glorious morning light. The stars that shine from a field of blue Were won by heroes, brave and true. They came as do the stars of night, First one, then two, then a wondrous light Of little candles in the sky That always shine; that never die. So did our flag bring out the stars As our nation grew through the force of wars. First thirteen stars were all that shone. Upon the flags of our heroes’ home, I hirteen stars were all it bore All through eight long years of war. When with one exulting cry Our eagle bearer from on high, Placed upon the flag more stars— Each emblem of the state that’s ours. And so thrpugh all the coming years In peace and war, mid hopes and fears. Forever thus our flag shall be Emblem of freedom’s victory. H. B., ’21. ten