Eastern High School - Punch and Judy Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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The Easterner We hadn't any idea of getting in.” Mr. Castle looked around at them all and laughed, as he saw they had the grace to blush. “My dear young ladies,” he said, “I 11 was in the summer house late on the afternoon of the try-out, and held a sec- ond try-out, though the actors didn’t know it.” F. M. Lirrre, 1B. Graduation in a Theatre (With apologies to Burke.) When I first entered upon my senior year the subject of how and where to graduate was immediately brought be- fore us. This great deliberation inter- ested me. I was obliged to form some fixed ideas concerning it, and I have continued ever since in those opinions. The plan which | shall presume to suggest derives, however, one great ad- vantage from the action taken by the class—separate graduation. The question on which you must now decide is where the exercises shall be held. As far as I am capable of dis- cerning, there are but two places which are obtainable, These are the assembly hall at this school and a theater. The first of these places, the assembly hall in this building, I think to be the most reasonable, if you look at the ex- penses alone, but it is attended with great objections. This will appear by examining the greatest of them. The first question, one which caused the class to vote for a separate gradua- tion, is, “How many seats will each re- ceive for his friends?” There are only four hundred seats in this hall, and with a few over seventy graduates it would leave no more seats, if as many, for each student as he would receive in a united graduation. With regard to the feeling toward this hall, some object. It is known to all that these exercises are a great step in our lives. This place of assembly car- ries with it memories, some pleasant and a few otherwise. And many members of the class think, since this is such an important step, it should take place not in a place with some unpleasant memories, but in new and pleasant surroundings. If, then, this first possibility is shown to be objectionable, what way remains? No way is open but the second and last— to hold it in a public place, which means a theater. The objection of price is a conjecture. The National ‘I heater can be rented for one hundred dollars, which, with seventy- five graduates, would tax each one only a little over one dollar and a quarter, which does not appear too much even with the other senior expenses. The seating capacity which is an ob- jection to the first, is removed, for the National seats seventeen hundred people and that ‘would leave to each member of the class twenty-two seats for his friends. This proof is so convincing of the fact that the theater is the better place, that there is no cause to exag- gerate. This makes up the fundamental rea- sons for my plan. The conclusion is irresistible. You cannot say it is not the best place in which to hold a sepa- rate graduation. Neither is it true, that there will not be enough seats, or that it will cost too much. I therefore move you, That the graduating exercises of the Eastern High School will prove more beneficial if held in a theater than the mode hitherto practiced. Hazex Hunt, 7B.

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10 “Only for maid humbly, as the Elsie,” said Ethel, turned abruptly to look out of the window. “We thought some of us might get it, you know. “Well, my dear, I’m sure it would be very nice to have you in, but you know experience counts for so much, and Mr. Castle is very particular, so don't be too disappointed if you don’t get it, and she tripped off again. Finally, with many giggles, Helen was ushered into the room and the other girls were off to classes, all agreeing to meet at the summer house at four to tell the results of their adventure. ‘Don’t let’s go into the summer house,” said Ethel, at four, sinking down upon the grass as she spoke. “Now I'm going to begin. You know he looked right hopeful as I went in and asked what part I was trying for. I said, ‘lead- ing lady’ in a very modest tone, and he stalked around and blushed and said, ‘Er—that seems to be a popular part; all the young ladies are trying for it’ Well, I did my Juliet stunt. I went into a box and leaned over the railing and I really was dramatic. I forgot now and then, but I just made things up. I didn’t dare look at him while I was per- forming, and his face when I got done— well, he walked to the door suddently and said, ‘That will do, in a sort of stifled tone and I ran!’ “I couldn’t think of anything but Riley's ‘I’m Been Visiting “Bout a Week,’ so I gave that,” said Margaret, who was tall and stately. “When I fin- ished, he said, ‘You for leading lady, too?’ and I murmured that I had thought of it. And I ran, too. Positively I was scared.” Bessie had spoken a missionary piece she learned in infancy and Louise gave a pantomine— ‘Sewing on a button kids, and I made it awfully long.” So with laugher and clever imitations of the dis- tressed director, they talked until the supper gong sounded faintly over the campus, and then they raced across to their dormitory. About eight that evening the Winsome Wonders were strewn about Bessie’s The Easterner room sampling freely a box of candy Margaret's “man” had just sent. There was a knock at the door, and the maid entered with a note for Bessie, and seeing the other three, produced notes for each of them, There was silence for an in- stant, then four exclamations, then each girl looked at each other and began to laugh. “Tt must be a joke! But who knew? It’s a man’s writing. Report for prac- tice to-morrow: at four. And I’m cast for leading man after my sentimental Juliet,” gasped Ethel hysterically, diving among the cushions of the couch. “And I'm leading lady after my Riley poem,” sobbed Margaret. “Oh! isn’t it too rich.” “And I am clown, thanks to the pantomine,” said Louise, wiping her eyes, ‘and Bessie,” she seized the note, for Bessie was speechless by this time— “is maid! Oh, my darlings, the work we must do!” The campus was brilliant with class day visitors and every one was discuss- ing the Senior play, just over. “A very clever little play,” announced a pompous father to a pretty Senior in cap and gown, who was steering him around. “Very clever. That leading man, now, he was capital, and the clown and maid—they got in some clever by- play, didn’t they? And what a pretty leading lady.” “They're all great girls!” declared the Senior, enthusiastically. “They can just do everything; how they have worked on this. They are completely tired out with it all, too. We met them last night coming home from rehearsal, and they were so cross and tired they wouldn't speak to anyone.” 3ack by the improvised tent dressing room the Wonders were being congratu- lated by the much abused, patient di- rector, Mr. Castle. “My dear young ladies,” he said, “it was perfect; it went beyond my expec- tations. I am delighted, delighted, with my choice in the first place.” ‘But, tell us,” burst forth Ethel, im- pulsively, “how did you ever come to choose us? We weren't really trying.

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The Hasterner 12 School Happenings he ‘e are well launched upon t Salsas eat oh! so much has hap- f We have had plenty of good d! ea work, but we have also had much Jeasure. The older members of the cehibel are getting back into the school ways, and the Freshmen have is ae become accustomed to the ways of the school, and no longer shake or shudder when they are spoken to by a teacher. In fact they have grown bold and make as much, if not more, fuss in the study hall than the other classes. So it is easily seen that much progress has been made. TALKS. On November 25, Miss Ward gave the second of the series of talks to be given by the Senior Class. Miss Ward spoke on the “Execution of Francisco Ferrer.” She told us that immediately upon the execution all Europe was in a turmoil, protesting against the murder of a patriot, and condemning the state and church as equally guilty in the crime. Every European country felt the influence of Spain’s act. The labor un- ions were in sympathy with Ferrer and strikes were declared in many large cities of Europe. The American Federation of Labor in Washington passed resolutions denouncing the execution and ranking Ferrer among the world’s martyrs. This execution is a crisis in the affairs of Spain and we hope that it will benefit the sorely tried people. I am sure that all agree that it was a very interesting and enlightening talk. On December 2, Miss Freeman spoke on the “Hookworm.” She told us of this terrible disease, which prevails among the poor white and negroes of the far South. This disease has a terrible effect on the people, and it has caused them to develop the terrible habit of eat- ing dirt. They are very much ashamed of this habit, but it seems that nothing else will quite satisfy them. Much is being done to help these poor people, but the disease has a strong hold on them and it is rapidly spreading. It is hoped, however, that something will soon be ac- complished in the way of relief. We were all very much benefited by Miss Freeman’s splendid speech. On December 9, Mr. Luckett gave an exceedingly interesting account of the discovery of the North Pole. He told us that this discove ry began with a dash and ended with a question mark. He only considered the dash, as he did not have the temerity to consider the ques- tion mark. Mr. Luckett traced the ex- pedition of Dr. Cook, as well as that of Commander Peary. He then gave an interesting account of the life of the Esquimoes, and ended leaving the audi- ence to decide for themselves as to the discoverer. Mr. Luckett treated the sub- ject with so much tact that he neither leaned toward one explorer or the other. The following week, on December 16, Lieutenant Royall spoke to the school on the “Crisis in the British Govern- ment.” Mr. Royall told us that the out- come of this affair may determine whether the House of Lords shall exist in the future as a legislative body, and that it will be memorable in the parlia- mentary annals of Great Britain. “View- ing the subject from every point of view,” he said, “there seems to be seri- ous trouble ahead for England no matter what course the people may take. Dur- ing the next three months events of his- toric importance will take place.” It is seldom that we have so good an oppor- tunity to watch history in the making; so take advantage of it. Bear in mind what Mr. Royall has told you. On Thursday morning, January 6, 1910, Miss Lufrio gave a very interest- ing account of the Nicaraguan situation. She stated that the trouble was caused by the execution of two Americans named Cannon and Groce, in the revolu- tionary forces. They had incurred the enmity of President Zelaya by their op- position to his government and when they were captured by government forces he had them executed without a fair trial. The United States immediately demanded an explanation and as a re- sult of the stand taken by Secretary Knox, Zelaya was forced to resign.