Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH S C H O O L F E R R U A R Y 19 2 7 a policeman. He could hear Spot growling ex- citedly, hut the little animal was too small to he of any help (as Dan thought). A hand with a vise-like grip found Dan’s throat, and he tried uselessly to free himself. “I’ve got him!” said a heavy voice. Dan had a glimpse of a leering face before him. He struggled again and managed to free one hand. The next instant a little hall of growing fury leaped, and sharp puppy's teeth sank into the wrist of the man who held Dan. He gave a yelp and kicked poor Spot, crying, into a corner. Dan’s hand came in contact with something cold. It was a wrench. Grabbing this lie struck wildly in the darkness. The heavens spread full of stars for the thief as the wrench struck a blow on his head. “Kick my dog. will you?” Dan yelled ang- rily. A few moments and the other man fell. Hurt and dizzy the hoy humped against some- thing which seemed familiar to him. It was Gipsy! Delighted with finding his car he al- most forgot about Spot until he heard him cry- ing in the corner. Then, again thinking of the men, he wished to escape before they regain- ed consciousness. Quickly and carefully he felt his way to the doors and opened them. He then helped his pal, who had helped him more than anyone else could have helped. He care- fully lifted the little form and put him in the seat. One of the men began to sit up! Dan jumped into the car, started it, and was soon out on the street, leaving the thieves behind. 'rile streets were beginning to be crossed by early-risers, and the first streak of daylight was shining over the horizon. Dan sped over the dirty streets toward the better section of the town. Poor Spot still lay beside Dan, crying softly. Dan loved him more than ever now be- cause of the great help he had been to him in recovering Gipsy. He wondered how Spot had got away from the thieves. Hut now for the the first time he noticed a small piece of rope hanging from the pup’s collar. The end had been chewed off. So the game pup had chewed himself loose and had come all the way home to get his master! The town was reached and Dan went straight to the Doctor’s house, for he knew Doctor would not he up at such an early hour. Again he took his beloved pet in his arms and rang the bell of the house. It was some time before the Doctor made his appearance at the doorway, showing signs of having hastily dressed. “What’s the matter? the Doctor asked. “Here, Doe..” Dan’addressed him as soon-as he appeared, “you're a good doctor and I want you to fix up this little pup for me.” “Hut began the doctor. “No hut’s about it,” replied the boy. “This pup needs your help. Please tend to him quick- ly r Saying nothing else the doctor took Spot into his office while Dan anxiously waited in the waiting-room. He tried to read the magazines hut he couldn’t do anything except look anxious- ly at the office door. Would his pal he all right or would lie die? This and many other ques- tions fronted him as he waited. In half an hour the doctor appeared with the pup in his arms. “How is he?” immediately asked Dan. “Oh, your hound will he all right, but you’ll have to keep him quiet. I did a good job on that leg.” Dan took Spot in his arms and the little ani- mal cast a kind and thankful glance at Dan. “Say, young man, aren’t you doing an awful lot for a mongrel?” asked the doctor. “Mongrel nothing!” grunted Dan as he ten- derly petted the puppy. “He’s my pal now. See?” he added, a trifle unsteadily, as a pink tongue kissed his hand. Lester Spangenbf.rg, June ’28. A WINTER SCENE I stood entranced, gazing out of the broad bay-window at the panorama lying before my eyes. Snow! Snow every where! All was still with a stillness that compels reverence. A little cluster of pine trees stood aloof and proud, weighted down with their fleecy burden. Down in the valley was a sight that inevitably thrills the heart of a winter sportsman, a lake covered firmly with ice. The air rang with the cries and shouts of the ice skaters. An enormous fire burned merrily to one side. Suddenly out of this merry making scene sounded the deep, im- pelling voice of church beds. For one precious moment all was still, hut soon high spirits reign- ed again. At last I could resist it no longer. I bundled up, and, with one last look at the cozy room I was leaving, I stepped out into the cold crisp air. The snow crackled beneath my feet. I felt exhilirated! Thanksgiving filled my soul, and I felt as if great deeds could be accomplish- ed with ease. Maude Andras, Feb. ’27. PAGE FIFTEEN

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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

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THE REFLECTOR CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 1927 An Introduction Je suis—qui?” is all I'll sign. 1 hope you’ll like my verse. Beneath these triolets of mine “Je suis—qui?” is all I’ll sign; I’ll grant they’re neither great nor fine, But still there have been worse. “Je suis—qui?” is all I’ll sign. I hope you’ll like my verse. A Tviolet A triolet’s a cheery thing. So short, hut ah ! so full of light! It seems to dance, it seems to sing. A triolet’s a cheery thing, It lilts along on speedy wing, A star-like bit of rhyme in flight. A triolet’s a cheery thing. So short, but ah! so full of light! The Rain I hear the pattering of the rain Like dancing fairies’ feet, That dance, then rest, then dance again. I hear the pattering of the rain (Perhaps they dance to hide some pain) And, oh ! the sound is sweet! I hear the pattering of the rain Like dancing fairies’ feet. I Asked Her to Go Out with Me I asked her to go out with me, And gosh! she answered, “Yes.” It made my heart beat swift with glee; I asked her to go out with me. And, asking, met with great success. So her kindly heart I bless! I asked her to go out with me, And gosh ! she answered “Yes.” In Latin Class In Latin class We suffer so! The minutes pass In Latin class As if Time’s glass Had ceased its flow. In Latin class We suffer so! “Je Sris—Qui?” A Chance “Je suis—qui?” has changed his sphere; Some rondeaus he is now essaying And hopes that you’ll not start to jeer. “Je suis—qui?” has changed his sphere. His brow is pale and white with fear, And for success, oh ! how he’s praying! “Je suis—qui?” has changed his sphere; Some rondeaus he is now essaying. These Old French Forms These old French forms! I find them so Entrancing! Poets never know How sweet their muse can really be, How clear their lyre’s ecstacy, Until they’ve tried to fashion a rondeau, Ballade (these are the forms that show How swift his rhyming pen can go) Or triolet. So light and free— These old French forms! Their rhymes go rippling to and fro Right merrily; they’re seldom slow, (Although a weightier minstrelsey At times may enter). With laughing glee In calm serenity they flow— These old French forms. “Je Suis—Qui?” THE MYSTERY OF THE HIDDEN ARM The fog was of the thick, “pea-soupy” type, so common in the city of London, especially in that section along the banks of the Thames. The cabs were running along slowly and the omni- buses were barely crawling. Mixed with the fog was a slight drizzle that wet one through to the skin in a few moments if one were unlucky enough to be caught in it without an umbrella. The crowds were just getting out from the theatres and most of them were directing their steps towards one of the numerous night-clubs with which the Strand, England’s Broadway, was spotted, or rather, splashed. Suddenly out of the crowd stepped two elderly men, Mr. Hartley, talking rather rapidly, and Mr. Smithe, who listened to every word attentively. Evi- dently they were discussing something of im- portance, for they neglected to take an omnibus, but instead turned down Ramsey Street as a short-cut to Mr. Hartley’s house. “What is the use of going around through the ‘bright-lights’ when we can reach home quicker this way, and it is also easier to talk while in one of these quiet streets,” explained Mr. Hart- ley. “Just as you say,” agreed Mr. Smithe, and they again entered into the argument in which they seemed to be very interested. After they had talked for five or ten minutes, they lapsed into silence. Suddenly Mr. Hartley turned to tell Mr. Smithe something, but he could see his companion nowhere. After several minutes of futile searching, he directed his steps toward his nephew’s house. Once there he explained everything and his relative, I)an Hardy, bade him pass the night with him. Once Mr. Hartley had fallen asleep, Dan went out, and with the directions given him by his uncle, found the place of the disappearance. PAGE SIXTEEN