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

Page 19 text:

As Well That Ends Well. It was, as I remember it, on the thir- teenth of August, in the business por- tion of a small town on the south shore of Long Island, that I was a witness of the worst fire that has ever raged on the strip of land known by that name. It was one of those hot August days that makes one wish for zero weather or a glass of ice cold lemonade. Not a breath of air was stirring. Not a drop of rain had fallen for weeks, and every- thing was as dry as a cracker. I was first made aware of the fire by the ringing of the large fire gong, which hung in the tower of the shed holding the only hose-reel in town, I hurried to this shed, and, finding no one there, took the key which always hangs on the door-jamb, unlocked the door and tried to drag the hand reel into the street. Somehow, my muscles would not respond, so, grabbing a hammer, I rushed up the stairs to help ring the fire- gong. By this time two of the volunteer fire- men were coming down the street, walk- ing as though they had plenty of time. After impressing upon them the neces- sity for speed, we pulled the reel into the street, where we were joined by three other so-called firemen. When we got to the f ire a whole row of frame stores had already been con- sumed, and the fire, which had crossed the street, was slowly but steadily eat- ing its way into the residential section, leaving behind it a mass of smouldering ashes. The volunteer bucket brigade had been working for some time, but it took so much time to pump a bucket of water from the well that nothing was accom- plished towards stopping the onward rush of the flames. Everywhere was the pain of some suf- ferer made known by a scream or by a heart-rending groan; everywhere were people weeping over the loss of their houses ; everywhere were people francti- cally shouting prayers over the body of some dear friend near the point of death; and everywhere were the streets strewn with furniture of every description. At the corner of Deer Park Avenue and Main Street a woman staggered to an upstairs window, dropped her already dead baby into the arms of a fireman and fell back, overcome by the dense black smoke and flames. A horse, with his body badly burned, ran for perhaps his last time down Main Street, neigh- ing madly, his pain and fear plainly visi- ble in his bulging eyes. Somewhere a dog went mad, starting a panic am ong the already crazed people. Everywhere someone was shouting orders, no one knowing what he meant, or who was giving them—at least I didn’t. About this time I happened to think o1 my boarding house, and, looking across the street, saw something that made me turn white. The house was almost at the point of collapsing when my board- ing mistress, who, with her pretty daugh- ter, had been screaming for help, jumped, landing on the sidewalk below—dead.

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Be Near the end of last year ata meeting of the Rifle Club the following officers were elected: President Schwartz, Sec- retary H. C. Graves, Treasurer Floyd, and Captain Barkman. ‘Treasurer Floyd did not return this year, therefore at the first meeting this year Harvey Johnson was elected to fill the vacancy. At this meeting Mr. Schwartz told the club that the rifles, which had been re- turned to the War Department to be re- paired, would be returned to the club ina few days. As soon as these are received practice will begin. In addition to the N. R. A. prizes, which are given every year, two new decorations have been offered to the members of the club. The prizes are the “Proficient Shot’s Ribbon” and the “Perfect Score Ribbon,” and are to be presented to the fellows who make the qualifying scores. Miss Boyd: McEllhannon, where did you come from? Mac: From Mr. Schwartz's room. Miss B.: You'll have to go up to As- sembly Hall and get a permit first. Mac: Have to go all the way up there? Miss B.:; Oh, no, just go up half way and it will drop down the other half. IRifle Totes ws The Rifle Club expects to bring home several cups, medals, and other trophies, If you want to be on a winning team, join the Rifle Club immediately and do your best for the school. The freshmen have always supported the Club heartily and have generally de- rived great benefit from their participa- tion in rifle shooting. As some of the best shots come from the classes, much is expected from the pres- There are ‘special freshmen ent first-year class. inducements for freshmen who join at the beginning of the year. These are certain prizes which are well worth win- ning. If you want to know more about what awaits you in the Rifle Club, join and find out. Mr. Catella: What is your name, Miss Ashby ? A Freshman (translating Latin) : Haec in Gallia est importus made it, Hike into Gaul, it’s important. Marion Watson: How many subjects are you carrying? Inez: I am carrying one and dragging three.

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E EA 18 TH i save the My greatest aim now was to save i i fee daughter, and, running upstairs ie or four steps at a time, I reachec i Su, room and pulled down the burning doo The heat was terrific, and the smoke blinding, and as I picked up the ee girl, I awoke with a start, shut off the STERNER jarm (setting it for a half hour later) : itled down the shade to keep the hot pu : e re from shining 11 My face, told my oom-mate to stop snoring SO loudly, and rooim- went back to sleep. H. Water Graves, “15. gee fp ES See ae) This department, started last year, is to be enlarged this year. Though still under the same heading, it is to be divided into three sections: Mail Bag, Question Box, and Critical Criticisms. The first of these will receive all let- fers commenting upon anything in con- nection with Eastern. But, because of lack of space, these letters must be lim- ited to about seventy-five words. The “Question Box” is just what its name suggests. Anyone who is in doubt about anything around the school should write his or her question on a piece of paper and either drop it into Tar East- ERNER box at the end of the lower corri- dor, or give it to one of the Critical Com- ment editors. The questions will be put in the paper in the following issue with as intelligent an answer as possible. We hope that there will be no hesitation on the part of any of the pupils to ask any questions about which he would like to know. : The “Critical Criticisms” branch is written by the editors of the department. In it will be found criticisms of any kind, both good and bad. = Critical Comment © IN THE CORRIDORS. eins During the five-minute period between classes the pupils must pass from one room to the other. They cannot help making some noise, but it 1s wholly un- necessary to linger in the corridors tall- ing to friends, and thus hindering others from going on their way. See to it that you are not one of those who must be told to “move on.” GIRLS’ BASKETBALL. Why don’t the girls play basketball? Phat is a question which has been asked many times this year. Few know the real reason. Instead of trying to find out the “whys and the wherefores” of the thing, the majority of the girls con- tent themselves with grumbling about its unfairness. ‘The real cause of there being no girls’ basketball goes back to the girls themselves. Their interest is fluctuating. They do not assume the proper responsibilty. Girls, if you want basketball you have to support it. And if you really are determined to support it, you will have it.