Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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gotten lost in one of the innumerable wings of the high school building, we had just decided to send out an expedition in search of her, when she entered, carrying two very odd looking instruments. Great excite- ment was caused which was further heightened by her taking a very curious object from a paper. We breathed a sigh of relief, however, when she told us that the object she held in her hand was a clam, a c-l-a-m. Assuring us that she would under no conditions allow it to escape from her, we felt safe and prepared ourselves for a complete study of the stranger’s anatomy. The clam is composed of a shell which is divided into two sections, which were tightly closed at the time of our study. Our teacher took one of the odd instruments, which proved to be a knife, and inserted it in the small crevice between the two sections of the shell, and taking the other instrument, which proved to be a small wooden mallet, she ham- mered until the clam was opened. Not a sound did the creature make. This was rather disappointing as we had expected a lively fight and now are inclined to think the clam a coward, having given up its “struggle for existence” too easily. Our teacher then requested that the young ladies of the class gather about her so that she might explain the niceties of this creature’s anatomy to them. There was so much conversation pertaining to the clam going on in the room that the atmosphere began to feel positively “clammy.” Upon our returning to our seats the young men gathered about our teacher, completely shutting off her view of the seated portion of the class. Several young ladies, taking advantage of this opportunity, began to remove their shoes in order to put on their gym “sneaks” as they were destined to take physical training the next period. I observed three new ways of efficiently performing this change and was just about to learn the fourth when one of the young ladies startled us all by uttering a triumphant ejaculation. She had, it seems, found a bent pin on the floor and decided to utilize it. Recalling that the Spartans used to flog their boys in order to test their endurance, she decided to test the en- durance of a certain young man in our class, only in a more effective, modern manner. Accordingly, she placed the pin upon his seat and had hardly done so before the young men took their seats. We held our breath and closed our eyes, waiting for the agonizing scream that was sure (we thought) to follow. Little did we know our classmate, however, for instead of making a scene he sat, one leg care- lessly crossed over the other and a brave “do or die” smile on his countenance. What a relief it was, you may be sure, to know that his endurance was so great, for he was the leader of the young men of our class and since the above event, of the young ladies as well. fifteen

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Pole. Being of a strong, yet lanky build. Miss Ima is one of the best tree climbers to be found anywhere in the surrounding country. She possesses also a fine talent for painting and designing. Since I cannot break her of her annoying habits I decided to take my place opposite to Miss I. Draw. I am sure all know that I am very talkative and I am very disgusted because Miss I. Draw never speaks for she is very busy drawing some picture of girls in different poses. Although I am disgusted with her I cannot help admire her wonderful drawings and paintings, of which I hope Miss I Draw will give an account in our next paper. In the chair beside me sits that tall well-built young girl whom I think you know. It is Miss Nature Lover, our well known poetess. She seems to take great interest in all things pertaining to nature and because of this she composes beautiful poetry. Look out, Mr. Brunning, you have a rival, a second Wordsworth to compete with. Miss Genevieve Cleverton is one of the cleverest girls with whom we are familar and yet, one would scarcely suspect this, as she does not expose her wit in any imposing manner but lets it pop out here and there, in a dramatization for instance or in an essay. She has an expressive little face despite its freckles, and she is always found willing to help another. Last, but as important as the first mentioned, is our quiet one. Miss Nevra Word. In silence, she lives most of the time and perhaps thinks that to her, whose speeches are filled with emptiness, many a quarrel is avoided. These are the members of our so called “Observors,” who will give separate accounts of their special lines of work in our paper. I. Draw. C. Canary. B. Bangs. CLASS-ROOM BEHAVIOR OR LEARNING THROUGH OBSERVATION THERE are two methods of learning: by books and by observation. The latter is the more beneficial, for learning by this method is more easily absorbed and longer retained than learning by the former. This is especially true in a class-room. As we (my classmates and I) yesterday entered our Biology class- room, we observed that our dear teacher was missing. Fearing she had fourteen

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I might here suggest that the young ladies of the class, or even of the school itself, form a secret society for the application of similar tests for endurance to the masculine portion of the school. It will be very gratifying, indeed, if the results turn out as well as in the above instance and if they do, perhaps in time our idea will be adopted by the nation. I. Dictionary. SPOTLESS! MARKLESS! NAMELESS! Without authority, I’ll confess, am I making this prophecy, for the gift of foretelling the future has not been bestowed on me; but allow me to predict that our French 1-2 books will be spotless, markless, and nameless in June. Spotless? And how could they be otherwise when not one person places finger on the leaves of those books unless a clean white handker- chief covers the touched part? No, not always are kerchiefs used, for one boy being unprovided with a kerchief, or rather with a clean one, made the end of his pretty silk tie serve the purpose. Markless? Why the French 1-2 books don’t know what the word “pencil” means, and likewise I assure you, it is of names written where they should not be. I shall here insert a quotation made by one of our conscientious French students, especially for the dubious: “For fear my book might be soiled,” she said, “I never place it with my other books on the writing desk, but take care to keep it on the white counterpane on my bed.” Let each one do as he chooses in believing this prophecy, but let him not try to dissuade others, who by pure evidence, are compelled to believe it. Q. C. THE WAR’S DESOLATION The tow’ring mountain wrapped in mists of dew Discloses two contrasting scenes to view. The one, a valley, gold with ripened grain, The other, causing tears and bitter pain; The one, due to the works of nature’s hands. The other, ruined by war’s cruel demands. Its time for fame and splendor has expired, Its beauty, charms and arts were all required. The school, the church, the homes, all these are past. They yielded to a barb’rous deed at last. N. Lover. sixteen