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

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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.

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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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Owing to the good reputation we have gained for ourselves in dramatics, we feel, in duty bound, to do as well this year, if not better, than heretofore. We hope to take a great stride forward in this activity, and from the number of inquiries regarding the dramatic club it is evident that an unequaled interest is to be taken. All who attend the meet- ings find great pleasure in the plays pre- sented, which are helpful as well as en- tertaining. There is a committee appointed to ar- range the program meetings. Last year the program committee was certainly an excellent one. It presented several pantomimes, which were very clever and greatly enjoyed. Among the plays given, “Priscilla, Myles and John,” and scenes To the Editor of the Critical Comment Department: So far this year we have had several days when it has been rainy at noon, and many when it has been very disagreeable. On each of these we have had fond hopes of the drill hall being opened for danc- ing. But so far our hopes have not been realized. Last year the drill hall was opened every rainy day, and all enjoyed their noon recesses. This year rainy noons have been a period of unpleasantness. This could all from “Henry V,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” and “She Stoops to Conquer,” without a doubt, were well presented. And those who saw, “A Knight of Ar- thur’s Court,” our spring play, need not be told of its success. Although these were presented in the best way possible, the dramatic society last year felt that it did not accomplish the work it wished to. Probably the greatest reason for this was that the members of the lower classes did not take the right kind of interest. Not only do the members of the so- ciety have the privilege of seeing these plays, but also the opportunity of listen- ing to many interesting talks. By the payment of the small fee of ten cents one can become a member of this society. CRITICAL COMMENT -— Continued from page 18. be changed by the opening of the DRILL HALL DOOR, SCHOOL PRIDE. Boys, where is your school pride? Do you think it adds to the good appear- ance of Eastern to see chalk lying on the floor, or to see eraser marks on the black- board and furniture? No, of course you don’t, and neither do our visitors. So now, boys, use the chalk and erasers as they are meant to be used, and not as ammunition.