Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCH O O L FEBRUARY 1927 PALS A mid-day sun was shining upon the little village of Claxton, and a warm breeze blew lazi- lv through the green leaves of the huge oak trees that lined the main road. l)an Rodger sat against a tree in the yard of his home on Columbia Avenue, enjoying the adventures of an exciting book. Occasionally, the pages of his book rustled with the breeze that blew the scent of roses through the air. In the rear of the yard was a garage in which stood Gipsy, a red roadster, which was Dan’s greatest pride and enjoyment. He had worked hard for it in Lambert’s Grocery store down in the center of the town. The roadster was a nice little affair, clean and well-kept. During his spare hours Dan would clean and re pair it and then take a ride to town or through the country lanes. He attended high school and was very fond of history. Today was Saturday, and as he was so ab- sorbed in his book lie did not notice a small pup- py crossing the road, directly in the path of an oncoming automobile. He was now startled by the yelps and cries of the pup as the auto struck it. The motorist did not stop, but drove on, leaving the pup limping to the curb. It got as far as the lawn in front of Dan’s house and there it fell. The boy, so startled by the sudden happening and drowsy from reading, sat there in a stupor for a minute. Then he jumped to his feet and ran toward the injured animal. The pup proved to be no more than a plain mongrel with wiry white hair and a patch of black over his right eye. It had an extraordin- arily long tail, far too long for its body, a dozen times. It lay there crying with its side bleeding, but that was all the boy could find wrong with it. The pup cast curious glances toward Dan, which seemed to soften the boy’s heart. He put his hand close to it to see if it were friendly. It said nothing and so, seeing it needed help, he gently carried it around to the back of the house and laid it under a large apple tree. He quickly got some hot water and bathed the cut. The little ball of fur ceased crying and lay still, eyeing Dan curiously. An apple getting too heavy for the limb upon which it hung, fell to the ground directly in front of the pup. It quickly got to its feet growling at the apple. The boy almost fell with laughter and kicked the apple away. “More frightened than hurt,’’ was the motto Dan put upon the pup. “Well, youngster,’’ Dan addressed him, “how do you feel now?” The pup answered and gave his thanks by licking Dan’s hand with a small pink tongue which came from a grinning mouth. “Yes, you’re here.’’ said Dan, “but how long you’ll stay I couldn’t say. Dad may like your long tail and homely figure and he may not. You’ll need a name, too. won’t you? Well, you’ve a black spot over your eye so I’ll call you Spot. That’s your name from now on if no one claims you. Do you understand?’’ Probably Spot knew what Dan said and may- be he didn’t, but anyway he answered with a weak puppy-like bark. “Hungry?” asked Dan. The pup said nothing, but after five minutes a bulging pup, having surrounded a whole can of condensed milk, to say nothing of half a box of crackers, lazily walked over toward the tree and lay down on the smooth lawn to rest. “A dog’s life.” sadly said the boy as he went in for supper. Dan had lost a dog just a year ago, so the boy wished with all his heart that his father would let him keep his new-found friend. Mr. PAGE THIRTEEN

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1927 THE COURTSHIP OF LADY LUCK AND DAME FORTUNE Did you say Lady Luck never walks at your side And Dame Fortune is bitterly holding a grudge Against you? Say, lad. let me ask, have you tried To make friends with those two? If you never budge From your spot on the map and get out on your own, Why of course Lady Luck will stay far, far away! Do you think that your cowardly, whimpering moan Of weak discontent pleases Dame Fortune? Pray, What is it you think will entice Lady Luck? .lust sitting and waiting? No sir! You’re all w’rong! It’s courage, it’s gameness, it’s will-powered pluck! Lady Luck is the friend of the man who is strong. Get out and fight hard with an undying zest; Don’t shrink back in fear from the slash of Fate’s knife! Never quit! Never whine! Never let foolish pride Hold you back in disdain from the laboring swirl! You do that, and you’ll find Lady Luck at your side, And dear old Dame Fortune vour very best girl! “Pie.” JUST TRY Say, guy. Don’t sigh; Just try. Aim high. Don’t just sit, Work a bit; Let’s be fit; Fight with grit. A smile Is great When joshed By Fate. On your way With a smile; You'll find Life Well worth while! “Pie.” TO THE FRESHMAN There is no sense in fooling. And breaking every ruling. When you’re out to get your schooling. Little man. For the thing that you are after Isn’t won by idle laughter. Little man. If you want to be a master You have got to stick like plaster. In spite of each disaster. Little man. (Don’t let me hear you snicker)! You’ve got to be a sticker, Little man! You are in the stage of growing. Dig right in and keep on going, (Take a hint from one who’s knowing) ! Little man. Now’s the time your training takes you. And it either makes or breaks you. Little man. Fill your head chuck full or learning. Train yourself to true discerning Where the road you follow’s turning. Little man. You’ve four years of school before you. Do them justice, we implore you. Little man! A Senior. SNOW Snow, snow, where do you come from? Are you frozen rain, as they say? Or are you just a band of spirits, Kept for the winter’s day? I think that you are spirits sweet. With little souls all your own. That you do enjoy drifting earthward here. Though you know you are far from home. While flying downward thru the air. You look both left and right, As if to see as much as you can, Before on earth you alight. Myrtle Foy, June ’27. GREEN RUSHES No more shall your green blades push upward thru the mud. No more shall they wave to and fro, nodding subjection to the gentle breeze. No more shall the cattails stand like silent sen- tinels in the dusk. Joseph Gulardo, June ’30. PAGE twelve

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1927 Kodger was a kind, considerate man, and he decided the little pup should stay providing no one claimed him. All that week Dan advertised in the papers for the owner of the pup, hut to no avail. At last he concluded the dog had been abandoned and now belonged to him. At night Spot slept on the seat of Gipsy, the red roadster. He was a good watch-dog and Dan’s mother wasn’t bothered with beggars because they never dared enter the yard. The next week was spent in the training of Spot. First he was taught the danger of auto- mobiles. Dan practically whipped him when he went into the street, and by the end of the week he never went farther than the curb, even though Dan threw a ball out into the street. Many other tricks were taught him bv Dan after school hours. Spot was a mongrel but he was intelligent, and that is all that is needed in a dog. Every week Spot found himself in a tub with a scrub- bing brush and soap with which Dan made his fur like silk. A pair of goggles were bent to fit around his ears so that he might go riding with his master and not be bothered by bugs that happened to hit him. He would sit wisely in the seat beside Dan with one ear erect and the other turned down. It was now the circus season and all the bill- boards in town were covered with news and pic- tures of the coining show. So one evening after supper Spot set out with his master in Gipsy. I le acted very distinguished as he turned to look at other dogs that they passed. At the grounds he barked at the elephants and yelped when the monkey scratched his nose. A dog happened along and got too fresh for him. so a fight began, which was stopped by Dan. Not long after being scolded for fighting he again got into another fight. This time he was sent back to the car where he sadly watched for his master. The show was fine in Dan’s opinion, and after eating a hot dog he set out for where he had left his car. But as he neared the spot where the ear had stood, he beheld it to be empty. Gipsy was gone and Spot with it! He searched all around but with no success. That night when the moon poked a curious eye over the eastern horizon, it shone upon a worried and sad boy, rolling and tossing in his bed. All night, to remind him of his loss, he dreamt of riding in Gipsy with Spot by his side. He imagined how Spot must have fought but to be overwhelmed by the thieves. Once he thought he had his hands upon tin thief but woke up to find himself still in bed. The next day he was drowsy and had no heart in his studies. Even the basketball game failed to enliven his mind. He was asked a hundred times about his roadster, and each time he had to relate his sad story. At meal time he ate lit- tle and lay in bed the rest of the day. The next night his dreams were as bad. He imagined he heard Spot barking as if he were calling him, until at last it woke him up. Could it be true? Was it Spot barking, or was he still dreaming? He pinched himself to make sure. It was Spot. Dan hastily slipped on his clothes and passed quietly beyond his parents' door and out of the house. There stood Spot by the door barking loudly, his long tail wagging from side to side, and his little tongue hanging out. Dan bade him be quiet but he refused to stop. Instead, he ran toward the street and back to Dan. He understood. He got his hat and followed the pup. Spot led him down Main Street, through tile- residential section, through dark alleys, and in to a vacant lot. Had the faithful animal come all this distance to aid his master? Across the lot he led him to an old garage. Here he stop- ped and lay down upon the ground looking at Dan. It was a very rickety old shack. Thinking the shack to be empty Dan gave a strong push upon the old door that sent it fiv- ing off its hinges. Instantly he regretted his haste, for as soon as he broke the door he was assailed by two rough looking men. He fought with all his might but he was backed into the garage against the wall. His hands were full and he had no excess breath to waste in a cry for help now, but could only fight with clench- ed teeth and hope that the noise would attract PAGE FOURTEEN