Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR C LIFT 0 N H I C; II S C H O O L F E B R C A R Y 9 2 6 “Remember my words, my boy. A man who never possesses fear of anything he undertakes, is not what I call courageous; hut, a man who possesses fear and yet stands up and conquers that burning fear in the face of death—he is what I call courageous.” So saying, he smiled, and left the room, drawing his blue cape tight about him. Tom seemed to he filled with a new deter- mination. He rubbed his eyes as if awaking from a dream, stood up, squared his shoulders, and went out to enlist. Alvina Carson, June '26. AN OLD MAX’S DREAM In a chair in his private house in London, England, an old Chinaman sits idly dreaming— dreaming of the land of his childhood among the plum and poppy blossoms, along the Chang River. This is a strange contrast to his pres- ent home, in the midst of the turbulent city. Mist. Fog. Not a pretty landscape in sight. London is by no means a bright spot of nature. It is a seething city, its purpose being mainly the transaction of business; that is what brought him to London business. When his purpose here will have been completed, he will go back —back to that strange, joyful land of his fore- fathers, along that self-same river where as a boy be bad fished, and whistled, and sung songs merrily all day. How well be remembers his blue, baggy trousers and jacket, and his brown, dancing feet, all as if it were but yesterday. What a vivid picture is Hi-Nan’s humble home, among the silver rushes and piping reeds, near the river. Hi-Nan was his mother. She had departed long ago. Her spirit had gone to her fathers. Hi-Nan had been a brave and wonderful mother to him! How dear to his heart are those familiar scenes! Yes, he will go back—back— back, where the gentle breezes will blow, fan- ning his withered cheeks, putting new strength into his weary body. There will he worship bis Buddha, and burn his incense in peace. He will eat the sweet fruit of his countrymen, walk with them, listen to them, speak to them, rule over them! How pleasant will be the re- mainder of his life, spent up there among the plum and poppy blossoms—along the Chang River—where the reeds make hollow noises, as the wind blows—where the rushes moan and sway. Clara Kuzmiak. WHAT THE OLD BELL SAID “You are quite right,” said the old bell. My voice is cracked, because one morning, while I was calling at my loudest from the school- house tower, something went wrong. Since then I have retired to this old dusty attic. 1 was quite fond of the children and used to watch them to and from school, I remember two boys in particular, Hilly Swift and Thomas Slow, both good boys. I could clang and ding-dong at my loudest, but I could never get Thomas to go to school early. His house stood on the top of a hill, a long way from school. He could see the clock in the tower pointing to ten of nine but he said, ‘School starts at nine o’clock ” “Tommy, Tommy Slow!” I cried, “you for- get that you have a long way to school, and it takes some time to walk down that hill. Hurry, or you’ll be late!” Hut not he. “Now it was different with Hilly Swift. He lived in the valley still farther away; but he came to school whistling a cheerful tune and was always ready to say “present” when his name was called. “Many years have rolled by; the boys have left school and are grown up men. Poor Tom- my is still behind Billy Swift. Look through the window, please. Do you see that fine house among the trees? Mr. Swift lives there. See that poor man walking with a rake over his shoulder? That is Thomas Slow, and, I de- clare, he is late for his work in the fields again. “Now listen to me,” continued the old Hell, “walk side by side with time, instead of a step or two behind him.” Evelyn Erlf.r, June ’28. A STRAXGE PARTY An invitation had been given me to attend a surprise party and to bring a cherry pie. So on the appointed evening I went to the given address, and was admitted to a darkened room, as is the ease at most surprise parties. As I sat there I heard many strange and unfamiliar voices. It was then I realized that I was about to have an adventure. Suddenly someone gave the signal to be quiet, for the host was coming. As his huge form darkened the doorway the lights went on. and everybody shouted “Surprise.” What I saw was as much a surprise to .me as it was to my host, for he was George Washington. Hut seeing him was only the first shock, and others followed one after another, as I looked around at the strange crowd. For among them were Christopher Columbus, Captain Kidd Robinson Crusoe, Tom Sawyer, Jessie James and little Red Riding Hood. PALE SEVENTEEN

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TUE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1926 He turned to the telephone and wasted a number of precious minutes attempting to reach the doctor, but the only answer central would give him was, “Sorry. They don’t answer.” Something must be done. He remembered see- ing her turn down Henry Street, so he rushed off in that direction, stopping a second to tell the patrolman on the beat to watch the store so no one would carry off the safe and cash register. Fear lent speed to his heels and short- ly he arrived at Henry Street. “What house did she enter? Thev are all alike.” By this time Joe saw himself laid out in a coffin with his friends silently and sadly mourn- ing over him. “This will never do. How can I ffnd her?” He was walking slowly down the street let- ting his gaze rove every which-way when his eye encountered an orange splotch far up on the dark expanses of the tenement. “That must be the sick-room. I had better investigate.” Into the hallway plunged Joe on his way to the top floor. His path was blocked by the accu- mulation of ages. Discarded baby carriages, broken bird cages, filthy mattresses; everything the tenants had no use for at present seemed to be out in the passageway in order to hinder him in his quest. At last the top floor was reached. He rush- ed through the dirty unkempt rooms until he came to the front bedroom. There was the woman pouring out a dose of the medicine in what appeared to Joe as the largest teaspoon in the world. Joe’s heart stopped beating. “Wait a minute. Let me see that label. Did you give her any of this stuff yet?” Glaring up at him was a plain blank label, and when the lady gave him a negative re- sponse Joe’s heart resumed its natural function. He gave her explicit directions and a dropper, and then went back to the store. But not to sleep. When old man Miner came down in the morning he found the store open for business and the place all cleaned up; even the floor was freshly mopped. Something was wrong. Joe was in the back crimping the prescription labels. “What’s the matter, Joe? Aren’t you feeling well? What are you doing?” “I’m all right. I’m just fixing these so they don’t stick together; they might give us some trouble some time.” Stanley Woodruff, June '26. COURAGE “I’m afraid, I’m afraid,” sobbed the boy, as he sat at the table with his head on his arms. President Lincoln had just issued a new draft. Men, money, and more men were need- ed! Lee’s victories in the east had instilled fear in the hearts of the countrymen in Penn- sylvania and New York. Union soldiers were deserting at the rate of a thousand a week! Officers were finding hundreds of excuses for “vacations.” Lincoln realized that an important step must be taken, or the war might result disastrously for the North. The new draft was put to work in Pennsylvania and New York, and was caus- ing riots and mob attacks. Thomas Amor had been notified of the draft. He was but a lad of sixteen, called to duty to fight for the honor of his country. His father and older brother had just been killed in the terrific battle of Shiloh. This episode had in- stilled fear of war in the boy’s heart. He was afraid! He lifted his head at a sound in the hall. Soft, steady footsteps came until they were outside his door. The boy re- mained motionless. The door knob was turned quickly. The door opened and closed. The first thing that Tom seemed to see through his blurred eyes was a gorgeous blue cape, wrapped around the body of a tall, lithe man. As the man came nearer, Tom’s eyes cleared and were drawn to his quiet, forceful features. He saw clear eyes, looking steadily into his, seeming to pierce his soul. This man lifted his right arm and pointed at the boy, saying in a kindly tone, “Do you know me? I am Courage. My talc is a tale of the highways and byways, and the broad, white plains, and the midnight pines, and the mystic- tinkle of hidden brooks on moonlit hillsides. “It is a tale of the sea, of battlefields, of pal- aces and humble cottages, of the roads that cross and recross everywhere—railroads, mud roads, and the straight, straight road of duty. The desert wastes of Egypt know it, the cold snows of Labrador, the rice fields of China,— and the streets of Philadelphia. “I can infuse bravery and courage into every human being. For doing brave deeds, some are called heroes. You are afraid now, but you will not be so on the battle-field. PAGE SIXTEEN

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THE REFLECTOR CLI FTO N II I C. II S C H O O L F E II R U ARY I 9 2 f. Introductions followed and then I found out why I had been invited, for I was introduced as Alice of Wonderland, and I certainly felt as if 1 was in wonderland. When the excite- ment was over we played games of every age. George Washington started the fun by suggest- ing a dance which was in style at his time. And although no one else was familiar with the steps, we started, and before long were dancing it as well as he. Next Christopher Columbus began a funny game of rolling around the floor like a ball to show why he thought the world was round. Then Captain Kidd showed his weakness for the jingle of money, so we match- ed pennies. He won them all. Robinson Crusoe appointed Iluek Finn as his good man Friday, and then started a game he called “foot prints.” This game was interesting and very amusing, for we all had to step in flour and then walk around and make the foot prints, and then follow each other. Afterwards the others suggested several games which we played until we were called to the table to eat, and then the fun really began. We were scarcely seated when Geargc Wash- ington jumped up. produced a hatchet, and said he smelled cherries. He discovered they were in my pie so he chopped the pie in even pieces and served it. Christopher Columbus then call- ed for a hard boiled egg so that he could cut the end off and make it stand up. Rut by some mistake the egg was not boiled, and when he cut the top off the egg splashed around most inconveniently. Jessie James asked for a broom. He mounted this, making believe it was a horse, and then began to gallop around the room. Tom Sawyer brought out his pipe and started to smoke. Huck Finn laughed at him and said that he could smoke better than that, so Tom gave him his pipe. After a few puffs Iluek became sick and had to be taken home. When somebody bumped into Coptain Kidd he began to jingle. It was then discovered that he had all the silverware in his pockets. Robin- son Crusoe took a huge animal rug off the floor, put it around him, and shouted that he was once again on his island. Little Red Riding Hood sat in the corner with her arm around a huge dog which she said was a wolf. Shortly after we had eaten, we took our de- parture. As we reached the door a strange looking little fellow, with cap in hand, was shouting, “Taxi,—Taxi.” Standing at the curb was a peculiar looking vehicle with a big sign painted on it which read “The Magic C arpet.” Into this we crowd- ed and were whisked away at a terrific pace through the path of time, history, and fiction. Year after year flew by. with each of my com- panions leaving the carpet at the proper time and disappearing into space. Before long I was the only passenger left, when suddenly I was dropped into space—and back to my own Won- derland. Adeline Maih, June ’28. A MOV IK COMEDY DRAMA The Midshipman, on his way Over the Hill to the Poorhouse, found a Sea Hawk. Upon closer examination it proved to have been dead tor at least Six Days. He picked up the bird and tried to feed it to his pet Cobra. Needle., to say, the snake refused to eat it, so his mas- ter sent him into The Lost World. Continuing on his way our hero met Little Annie Rooney, accompanied by Her Sister From Paris. The latter had been given only One Year To Liv • by her physician. Therefore she had decided to sec The Iron Horse before it should join The Big Parade in the Scarlet West. While they were talking who should come up but The Mer- ry Widow whom Zander the Great called The Dark Angel. She was very unhappy over the publicity given to the Classified Ad she had inserted in The Limited Mail. The paper had unjustly represented her as a Goose Woman. She was leading A Dog’s Life, she said. At this moment the Covered Wagon came along and they all hopped in. When they had seated themselves they began to sing the Song of Love. A Fresh- man interrupted them in the chorus. Regard- ing him as a Necessary Evil they made him ride with I he Man On The Box. All was well for a time until they were held up by Seven Sin- ners headed by Wild Wild Susan. She had Bobbed Hair and was dressed in Sackcloth and Scarlet. She was more wicked than The Thief of Bagdad. Her ruling passion was Greed. In one small Crowded Hour she Obtained enough loot to set ther back on The Road To Yester- day. The terror after she left was worse than that occasioned bv the discovery of Spook Ranch. As they were coming through The Street of Forgotten Men, A beggar on Horse- back fired at them from North of 36. By this time the occupants in fear of being held up jumped out. But the stranger proved to be The Best Bad Man they had ever seen, for he gave them each a Desert Flower, and told them to turn back because a White Monkey was mak- ing his way from California Straight Ahead to them. They disregarded his warning, however, and entered the Gold Rush country in Six Weeks under The Light of Western Stars. Irma Peters, June ’ 26. pac;e eighteen