Eastern High School of Commerce - Eastern Echo Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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ADVENTURES IN IMAGIN- ATION STAN NORMAN, SG THE sun is shining, no breeze stirs the sultry airg the only disturbing sound is the hum of distant traffic. It is a perfect example of June wea- ther-one of those days when the greatest joy life can offer is to lie out on the warm sand and gaze at the blue of the lake while being caressed by the warm rays of the June sun. And here am I, having finished my Literature examination, sitting at a desk, doing absolutely nothing at a time when all Nature beckons to me to come out and yield myself to her blandishments. And, as is usual in such a case, my imagination runs riot and I drift away upon the stately barque, Day Dreams .... ' The Coliseum of Ancient Rome pre- sents a ghastly sight to-day. Under the watchful eye of Nero Caesar the Christians are being sacrificed in the Arena. The roars of the hungry beasts pierce the air and the atmos- phere is heavy with the forbidding presence of the Grim Reaper. A new band of martyrs is coming into the Arena. Their beautiful hymn, Shep- ard of Souls , seems to hush even the rabid shoutings of the inhuman Roman mob .... It is many centuries later. The dauntless Crusader band march bravely on toward the Holy Land. Fear not, O Jerusalem! While such as they defend the Cause your sacred walls are secure. Sturdily I stand in front of the beautiful maiden. Unsheathe your sword, you villain! I cry to the for- bidding figure who stands with his hooked left arm menacingly held in the air. Over my dead body only. shall you touch one hair of her head. The pirate reaches for his cutlass .... EASTERN ECHO 1f THE MISSING PIECE IDA KAY, zo Our fingers were weary and worn, Our eyelids were heavy and red, But we all sat there, with a glassy stare, No one dared go to bed. Six long hours we had been there, Till the long day finally closed, I had stuck a pin in my brother Jim When he had closed his eyes-and dozed. We had wrung our hands and pulled our hair, Till our brain was beginning to swim! We had glared at the thing on the table Till our eyes were heavy and dim. But the more we thought it over It wrung our hearts the more. I glanced again at my sister Jane, Who in agony was pacing the Hoor. O! Men who invented this torture. Just think of your sisters and wives! It's not the table you're wearing out, But human creatures' lives! I cast my eyes to the table But it didn't help a bit- Oh! There must have been something missing, 'Cause the Jig-Saw wouldn't fit. What is that ringing noise? Oh-h-h! the school bell brings me back to every-day reality---back from the realms of charm to which Wilson Barrett. Jeffery Farnol. and my othci favourite authors have borne me. As I put away my books my eyes instinctively seek out a poem on the examination paper .... Oh Lord! some pray to Thee for gold. Some for a woman's smile: But all I ask is a breath of life, Once for a little while. Thirty-seven Q

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MURDER! A SHOT! A scream! Silence! I started up, my hair standing on end, and clutching the bedclothes to my neck, trembling in every limb I gazed fearfully into the surrounding darkness. What had happened? Who had screamed? Who had fired that shot? My temples throbbed, my heart raced, my blood ran cold. My spine became jelly and I collapsed on the bed a nervous wreck. What was that? The rapid pad of feet in the hall. My door burst open with a bang. A small pyjama-clad figure came hurtling toward me. It was John, my cousin. O-h-h Ro-o-by, I did it, he quav- ered. What? I showed Bill Uncle Tom's gun and he dared me to shoot it, now I've killed him. I just pressed the trigger easy-itialways stuck before. Killed Billy! I sprang out of bed. The gun was kept in the kitchen. In no time at all I faced that door. Just 'a touch and it swung open. There was the gun! Slowly I look- ed further. What was in the Wood- box? I lighted a lamp, stepped care- fully over an upturned chair and looked-into the dazed eyes of Billy! He crawled out very solemnly and nervously straightened the chair. Well, I said. I didn't tnink he would, honest an' when he touched the trigger I jumped back. The chair was in my way an' I fell into the wood-box. It made an awful noise. I kinda thought I was hurt, he iinished sheepishly. HCNOR LETTER WINNERS Bock Row: P. Richordson, V. Gibson, A. Lee, W. Gordon, J. Smith. Middle Row: Mr. Kecst fPrincipc:l!, W. McDermott, H. Swift, l. Boyd, J. Fidler, S. Norman, Mr. Spence fAsst. Principclll. Front Row: E. Lunney, E. Holbrook, N. McDermott, F. Menard, L. Morton. Thi rty-six EASTERN ECHO

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l l RIFLE TEAM Front Row: J. Wclmsley, G. Withericlge, J. Jones, L. Mackenzie, V. Gibson. Middle Row: J. Virtue, J. Corrigan, A. Tuero, Mr. Schniclc, J. Williamson, D. Ccrplwin. Back Row: A. Parkes. J. Ficller, S. Cranston, H. Posfen. Being the Diary of a Commercialite Cwith apologies to Samuel Pepysi C. WALKINSHAW, 4Gl and G. BARTLE, 55. Monday, April 24 UP and to school with haste. After matins, Mr. Smith did dis- course at great length. Friend McDer- mott did throw chalk and brushes in a spirit of divertissement. Mr. Giffen perchance passed and did out to us in very high terms. Tuesday, April 25 Up betimes and to my classes. Am of cheery thought for it is French to-day. Having discoursed at too great length with one, Glad Bartle Ca merry dog if everl I did appear late. Am espied and must explain. I would not with my best skill forward any sensible reason. Am bidden to his ensemble at 2.30. A strict man. Wednesday, April 26 A very sorry day. Betwixt periods Dot Smerdon and I carolled glees and madrigals with mighty pleasure to ourselves. Did discourse at great length with one, Mr. Rowe. Later Thirty-eight to the tuckshop where, being hungry, I did drink soup with vast content and great noise. Later to the audi- torium where friend Smerdon per- formed divers pieces on the harpsi- cord. Thursday, April 27 Up betimes. Anticipating even Mr, Spence to school. Last even' did Visit a comedy and so this morning was of a mind to borrow Friend Trimbee's French for the nonce. I thought bet- ter. Am now resolved to spend the evening in the bosom of my family. Friday, April 28 Up sprightly and through the pour- ing rain to school, very merry both of us. A noble dinner with much talk of physics and chemistry. In the auditorium Sugarrnan did debate pro- digiously. I perceived he hath new reaped his countenance. Lunney says he is a mad fellow. Indeed, methinks there is method in his madness. EASTERN ECHO