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

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THE EASTERNER Ww It Served Him Right By Emity May, 27 Professor Snod was a very set man in all his actions and beliefs. The most emphatic of his convictions was his contempt for America’s younger generation’s lack of adventurous spirit. Since Professor Snod had done some exploring in his younger days, and once, I be- lieve, he had shot a bear, he held his head very high and a contemptuous grin wreathed his fea- tures when he viewed the boys of his college, and their harmless amusements. One day Professor Snod was requested to give a speech to the student body. He deliv- ered it mincingly and drew up his conclusions in such a manner that his last words were: “Youths of this generation are cowards. They have lost all sense of adventure.” He gathered up his notes, and stepped from the platform. The boys were sullen. Mr. Snod had been very emphatic. He had not hidden his contempt for these ‘“‘namby-pamby youths.” That evening the professor sat in his room poring over examination papers, and sprinkling as many deficients as possible among them. The window behind him slowly began to rise. A black clad limb was thrust inside and then another followed. The professor heard a board creak. He turned slowly and met the unflinching gaze of four pairs of eyes behind four black masks. The intruders said not a word; neither did the professor. Slowly they advanced; soon the professor was surrounded. They grabbed him. He struggled. It was no use, for he was done for. His eyes were bound with a cloth, and he felt himself carried through the win- dow, out onto the fire-escape. After a jostling, uncomfortable journey, he was deposited on the ground. His eyes were uncovered, and he looked around him in con- sternation. The lake lapped at his feet. He started up, but fell back because his legs would not hold him. Good heavens, trembling ? was he The four silent kidnapers stood around him rigidly. He looked at them. He looked at the lake, Finally he looked at the woods in back of him. Oh, horror! What were those ghastly lights? By jove, they were wild animal eyes. Peering at him, gloating for him. He arose and began to run. The masked visitors grabbed him and calmly tossed him into the lake. “Help, help! I’m drowning!” he cried. The desperate man tried to swim ashore, but the lake bottom got in the way and he found it would be easier to walk out. As he stumbled ashore, the villains grabbed his coattails, but, unwilling to be detained, the professor slipped out of his coat and began to sprint. He arrived at his room three minutes and nine seconds later. He securely locked both his door and window, undressed, and jumped into bed. The next day Professor Snod was an irrit- able old gentleman with a bad cold. On arriv- ing at his room after classes he found a bundle awaiting him. He opened it and beheld his bedraggled coat. An enclosed note read: “Have the youths of this generation lost their sense of adventure, Snoddie, old dear?” FORGETFULNESS By Paut Horn, 216-2 Forgetfulness is one of the many obstacles in people’s lives. Many successful men become paupers through their forgetfulness. Many people have lost their jobs, and many have lost their lives through this great fault. Forgetfulness is one of my sins. Many times I have forgotten to do my homework, and many times I have forgotten to bring my pen to class. This, of course, has not cost me my ioh. nor has it cost me my life, but it has surely cost me a string of d’s on my report.

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16 NEE BASTERNER The Poets’ Corner SONG These things I covet .. . Under a blue heaven, A garden, all of Phlox and columbine; : A little house that knows no step but mine; The hushed, cool solitude of summer even; A small bronze Pan, to set among the flowers, In all his impish pathos; an old well; But most of all the musty, homelike smell Of loved old books in happy leisure hours. i E.ise ScHar®, ’27. A WORD-PORTRAIT To Beryre Epmiston You are like a young birch tree— As straight, as slender, S clean-cut, as passionless. You move like a birch tree in the wind, With a slow rhythm that is almost languid. The oak is Majestic; The pine, friendly ; he poplar, aloof; But the birch tree is proud, And the grasses round it pay it homage. Ettse Scrarr, '27. A MAIDEN TO HER LOVER You're not a member of a “frat”— Bootleg you neither buy nor sell; Your ties are tame and mild; your hat Is irreproachable as well. You do not have the cosmic urge; You stay, contented, where you are; And folk will never sound your dirge For speeding in your flivver-car. You're surely not collegiate ; You're oft mistaken for a hick; It takes a deal to penetrate Your skull, because, alas, it’s thick. With all your faults, I love you still; T could not do without you, for— Although you seem an awful pill, You certainly are not a bore, You don’t know what to talk about— So conversation’s on the shelf; But still your praises I can shout— You never talk about yourself. Elsie Scharf, ’27, A SONNET in French, with various tenses, nk test after test, lose to fas eae i though I’m doing my best terrible work, the ane Olt in a Spanish ae Wishing ™ bs aren't so hard, nor homework so long, Where vb have the ghost of a chance to pass, ieee ie ugh you must ride a “pony” along; een these thoughts my French teacher almost e ee aia id then my grad d ass a test—an Y grade, pS eerionieet at break of day arising ead ixty to one hundred in the shade ; aaa es sweet French remembered, all. troubles vanish, s Rape to change my French for panish. That then I scorn Shi Nears ats hen struggling, ate and flu ‘And come pretty ¢ THE INVALID very.ill® Tray, I hear, has been very i + Hes led to swallow many a pill; However, he’s getting better now, f He'll soon be able to say “Bow-wow | leverest doctors, I hear it said, Riaatet his paw and shook his head— 7 And vowed, in sad tones, that the complaint He suffered was extremely quaint ave it a Dog Latin name, a word That ae mother never before had heard; But when she’s asked, in solemn tones, She only replies “Stuff—too many bones,” Rut ABELMAN, ’29, PROPHECY The world is still In its early morn, And uncounted ages Yet shall be born. After my days These things shall be, Yet who may say That I shall not see? For I shall roam Where spirits are And I can watch From the nearest star. And I have faith That it will be so, For I saw the day-break Long ago. —Ruth Bell, ’28.

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18 THE EASTERNER ( hk aN Ss uD yy ) COPYING Copying or cheating in class work is one of the most Tuining and despicable habits that could befall a student. It not only makes him untrustworthy, but will eventually render him a weakling in overcoming any obstacles alone, for he will have grown accustomed to de- Pending on the aid of others. Cheating is hopelessly foolish from the be- ginning. There is nothing to be gained and everything that is honorable to be lost. Per- haps a grade may be gained. However, will the world shelter and clothe you on that grade? No; the world demands what you can do, not what you can bluff doing. Far better is it to “flunk” a subject and later learn it than to re- ceive a mark that would be mere mockery to your true worth. When the roll is called the capable men will assume the important roles in the walks of life, while the pitiful copier will toil away in a dingy shop for a pittance. P.L.S. Are you thinking of going to college? Many former graduates have found it impos- sible at the last minute to attend the college they preferred, since they lacked certain neces- sary credits. Do not make the mistake they did. If possible, decide on your college at once. Get its catalogue and base your high school course on its requirements. For any additional information go to Miss Hawes in her office, room 301. She will be very glad to help you. M. H.K. Did you ever stop to think about the or- ganization of Eastern and how like a little com- munity it is in itself? Take the government, for instance. The sections are ruled over by various members of the faculty who are in turn Tesponsible to Mr, Hart, the chief execittive, We, on have a voice through the Students’ Councij, We possess a lunch room, a bank, an assem. bly hall, an armory, a print shop, and Scientific laboratories, besides our regular homes, the section rooms. What more can anyone wish— food, books, money, entertainment, lodging, clothing, and even one’s own magazine? Moreover, within our stronghold are soldiers to protect us, athletes of fame, talented actors and actresses, writers, orators, and musica] geniuses who all uphold the honor of oyp school along the lines in which they excel, Then there is the social side of life here. The clubs are varied. They entertain in different ways—teas, parties, and dances, which nearly everyone attends and enjoys, In the assembly hall are plays, vaudevilles, and movies. Like all good citizens, we should try to make our community where we receive so many benefits a model one. M.H.K. The recent basketball series was terminated rather abruptly by a disagreeable incident which occurred at the close of the Central- Western game, January 25. It is reported that it was of a turbulent nature and was due to lack of restraint on the part of several im- petuous high school students. We are thank- ful, and proud of the fact, that Eastern did not participate in the melee. Those involved acted heedlessly, perhaps, moved by strong partisan spirit, but cannot be excused on this ground. Very often we lose sight of the real purpose of athletics and resort to tagging opponents with unseemly remarks. Eastern students, being human, have, at rare intervals, yielded (Continued on page 33)