Gloucester High School - Flicker Yearbook (Gloucester, MA)

Page 22 text:

Meanwhile Mr. B. held his gaslight sessions on the study-room platform, and after hockey and football we plodded wearily through Manlius and Archias. Nor shall we ever forget the afternoons of college exams, with Miss Woodbury, for woe unto us if our papers were not corrected up to date ; we state this as a warning to all of our would-be successful followers. However, as a bit of encouragement, we add that we had many jolly good times those afternoons and sadly missed them our Senior year. Fall soon passed and almost before we realized it we found our- selves at Prize Speaking, Here we did ourselves proud by carrying off all the prizes in declamation and two in composition, a deed unequaled in the annals of any former class. Acting on the suggestion of ’04 we made the “ Crimson and White ” a school rather than a class paper, and although the impor- tant positions were filled by Juniors, every class was represented on the board. In this way we gained the support of a larger majority than the paper had hitherto had, both in regard to subject matter and subscription, and the experiment was in everyway very successful. At last came the closing days of Junior year with college exams, for some of us. Certainly we plugged faithfully tho se days and did not waste much time in sleep, but ah, what bliss when they were over — the Summer Vacation ! Senior Year. Here we were back again in September, parading the halls and greeting old friends in much the same way as ever. Yet, strange as it may seem, we did not feel much more dignified than before ; but we certainly had grown, for our histor} ' teacher informed us that we filled up our seats much better than four years ago. The boys were now really Officers, which we had been trying in vain to realize for the last few months. But when at last the uniforms arrived, we can- not attempt to describe the brilliance and splendor of Senior class- rooms ! Then indeed our Senior dignity revealed itself in all its glor ’. The first thing on the year’s program was the Battalion Fair, for which we labored weeks beforehand. We decided on a Bohemian Booth, after much discussion, and started in to make a red canopy, intending to have all in readiness for Fair Da} ' when we should merely have to hang it. So far we succeeded and when the day approached, confidently we set about the simple job ; — but lo and behold — our 20

Page 21 text:

“ Its an ill wind that blows no one any j ood,” — thus goes the old saying and just so it seemed to us, when the coal supply gave out just at Fair time and brought us an unexpected vacation. Ah, those happy days when idleness was in fashion, and school work took a back seat ! That blissful Fair week when we could be abed mornings and dream of good times at night ! The three weeks ended all too soon, and reluctantly we took up our busy life again only to find how good it felt to be really working. A very interesting affair took place along the middle of the year, that is, the initiation of ten of our boys into the deep and awful mysteries of the Phi Mu Theta Society, under the direction of the Seniors ; also the great and memorable banquet held at the Point, where, we understand, such eloquence prevailed as was only equalled by a secoiifl appearance of one of the participants a few weeks ago, when he spoke in defence of Charles Sumner. With spring came Prize Speaking and Composition Writing, from which we modestly retired with one prize. The Battalion F ' ield Day came soon, with the Sergeants’ Party in the evening, and shortly after. Regimental Field Day at Chelsea. Soon after wc closed the remarkable career of our .Sophomore year, wiser fools than when we had begun. Junior Year. At last we were really Juniors and changed our dwelling for one more befitting our rank, farther up the hall, and here we became quite grand with a Sophomore janitor as the crowning glory of the new establishment. Moreover, we began to take pride in our orderly files led by Miss Allen, especially as our corridor was very dark and to hold one’s way successfully against the surging crowd was quite a feat. And now our work began in dead earnest. No more idle stud) periods for us with those dread college exams, looming up in the distance ; no more vain frivolity ; we had now reached a place of so much importance in the world that we felt strangely humble. We said good-bye to gymnastics this year, and our athletic girls, parting from their beloved “ gym,” established a system of walks and aesthetic dancing. On Mondays, clad in sweaters and short skirts, they ‘‘did Gloucester,” and on Fridays they daintily ‘‘ skipped the light fantastic toe.” After a time hockey at Stage Fort took the place of these sports, and then you may be sure, the Juniors were in it. 19

Page 23 text:

Carefully wrought canopy, notwithstanding various twitches and pullings, went exactly halfway around the booth ! As if this were not enough one observer casually remarked : “ Gee, it looks just like a shower-bath,” — refreshing, to say the least. But here our faithful “ Uncle ” came to the rescue, and by means of a few artistic patches, it was at last persuaded to go quite around, and, not only that, but we certainly had the prettiest booth in the hall. The Officers in charge of the various tables ” put to ” with a will, and far surpassed former years in the receipts, which was remarkable considering the large number of other fairs held in the same month During school hours charming little scenes were enacted daily, third periods, in that far off corner of the study-room, Daubepin and Marguerite were our favorites and fully deserved their hearty applause. And who knows how delightful it is on that soft springy couch in the teachers’ dressing-room, or who would recollect the “ little green lawyer’s bag,” except our Seniors in Greek ? Along the first of February our poetic ability was taxed to the utmost, and on the 14th the results of our toils were disclosed at a Valentine Party held by two of our faculty, when even Sanborn spoke his little piece, to the great satisfaction of all present. It was not until midnight that we were induced to part, and we all went home to the touching strains of the “ Galaloochie Man.” Three nights later came the great and grand event of ’05, namely, the Officers’ Party. Prize Speaking and Compositions soon passed, but not without leaving half their wealth in the hands of ’05, who fully appreciates the past favors of that institution. And now graduation has come all too soon, as we look back on the completed school year with reluctance and regret. For most of us they are last school days, for now we must enter the busy world where we shall meet more serious cares and more lasting joys. But what- ever we do, let us not forget that we are ever menffiers of ’05, and as such we have the grave duty of making our lives a success. Only thus can we repay the vast debt of gratitude which we owe to the wise teachings and kindl y influences of the Gloucester High School. So rise all ye comrades, and with bumpers filled to the brim let us join in the refrain : — Here’s to the school that sends us forth. Long may her Principal thrive. Here’s to our mother. Old G. H. S., Here’s to our Class ’05. 21