Greenfield High School - Evergreen / Exponent Yearbook (Greenfield, MA)

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16 THE EXPONENT obliged to work harder than before, making up for lost time. A number of our members made their debut as authors and several had essays appear in “The Record¬ er. ” Beatrice St. Lawrence chose a good subject for hers; at least, some say it was one with which she was familiar: “Burning the Midnight Oil.” “Rain” is the title that Mabel Sweeley chose for her essay, and “The Excitement of Having a Bank Account” was written up by Con¬ stance Lovell. Only a few of the very good ones that were printed have been mentioned. Weary of the general routi ne of the year, about twenty-five members, after much confusion, hired tenders and rowed (rode) to Spofford Lake for a picnic. On a party of their own, Joe Bonneville with Buckley and Houghton nearly drowned by upsetting a canoe. Otherwise things were quite nor-, mal and everybody had a wonder¬ ful time. Another Prom and then—we were half way through the course; some had left the ship for positions else¬ where; some had moved away; some had gone to sail on larger and per¬ haps better known ships; but about ninety were still floating. ’Twas a happy gathering that crowded onto the decks of Good Ship G. H. S. the first Tuesday of September, 1919. The cabin and staterooms were crowded to their capacity, and the excitement was in¬ tense as our steady pilot, Mr. Smith, again hoisted anchor. “Hurrah! We’re off,” shouted we of the Good Ship. The first call came for the athletes to man the boats and go far out to sea to contest for the banner which floated for the fastest team. It was for the purple and gold banner which now hangs in our Chapel Hall, that made the Good Ship’s mates fly neck and neck with Shelburne’s fast ship, but finally we passed her with a mighty shout. Our biggest triumphs were when Ray Houghton and Charlie Bates’ little boats crossed the mile marks, easy winners of their events. Then the bugle sounded again. It called for a captain and mates to take the crew of ’21 on their course. Our captain, McDonald, had bade us farewell on our last voyage; and a new captain must be chosen. With loud rejoicing, Herbert Buckley was elected, with Edna Christopher as first mate; Mary Nims, second mate; Robert Rist, chief purser, and Eliza¬ beth Peck, assistant purser. Around decks went up signs: “Chocolate for Sale. Help the Good Ship ’21 for our Big Festival, the Prom!” And they did. Sea life became monotonous on board, so the skippers suggested a Hallowe’en Party with cornstalks, cider and doughnuts. The “hop” was ag rand affair and a boom¬ ing, success, financially. Then we encountered choppy sea and all held to the rail until the horizon cleared. A new “passage” system was established with “six” as the minimum mark. This pleased some of the passengers, who found it hard to get the necessary “seven.” One day there was a scramble on deck and we heard Captain Joe Bon¬ neville say: “Let’s get a crew and show these outside “rookies” some football.” With the aid of “Bud” Griswold, “Ray” Houghton, Clark Woodrow, and Luther Wood, of the crew of ’21, they showed that a promising team could be looked for in coming voyages. Dark clouds filled the horizon again and fierce winds blew from the north, warning us of the ap¬ proach of enemy ships. “Choose one and board it for the coming storm,” said our teachers. Some hailed the one called “Himarx” and more fell to “Lomarx” until the terrible “Mid- gers” were over. Storms at sea cease quickly, and the good ship found its course again. The decks were being cleared for Basket Ball crew. Captain Griswold, with Herbert Buckley, Ray Hough¬ ton, Joe Bonneville, and Clark Wood- row, of our Ship ’21 hailed the Turn¬ ers’ Ship and exciting races resulted. Each boat won a victory, but ours was a decisive one, while they won by a margin. Then the elder skippers called for some more jigs and reels and thus

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THE EXPONENT 15 THE LOG OF THE GOOD SHIP G. H. S. IN THE VOYAGE FROM 1918-1921 It was June 26, 1917, when one hundred and one mariners left the Pleasant Street Wharf, said good¬ bye to “Daddy Flint” and prepared for a four years’ sail on the good ship G. H. S., planning to land on Graduation Island about June 30, 1921. As we looked at those who had been traveling somewhat longer than we, the island seemed quite a dis¬ tance ahead. Those voyagers, who had been on for four years appeared so natural, so at ease, that it seemed to us new passengers, they must have always been traveling. We were timid, a bit bashful; in fact, so much so, that we were rather looked down upon by the older, more dignified ones. But the fond hope entertained when we first came aboard that we might some day at¬ tain that state is realized here today, for what better examples of solemn and learned dignity could you ask for, than Robert James Rist or Eliza¬ beth Doris Peck? The first day of the voyage many members found quite a bit of difficulty in getting their sea-legs and ran around in much excitement, noticeably Homer Staples and Ray Houghton. We found that the other voyagers had officers, so we got together and elected Edward Zeiner, Captain; Madeline Field, Mate; Katherine Lawler, Steward; and John Regan, Purser. Early in October, the members of Class ’20 endeavored to give us a re¬ ception and their endeavors were very successful, for every one agreed that the first social event couldn’t have been better. Of course, athletics played their part and quite an important one with us, for “Bud” Griswold and “Vic” MacDonald certainly did their bit. During the entire year, we were sailing over the ripples of war and all did their share in helping Uncle Sam win the fight. We purchased War Savings Stamps and contributed toward the Victory Loan. The girls sewed for the Red Cross, while the boys joined the military squad. The one great sorrow of the year was the departure of our pilot, Mr. Jewett. Altho we had known him only for a few months, his loss was felt seriously by the whole crew. Mr. Hodges was elected to take his place and the sailing was smooth, until we fell into the depths of Finals—and then it was the Prom. I’ll admit the two didn’t furnish the same style of anticipation, altho they took place, one right after the other. Some¬ how, most of us swam through Finals, felt sorry for those who failed, and then dared look about us again. The Juniors surely gave us a good time at the Prom. For most of us, it was our first real party, and the conclusion of a pleas¬ ant sail. We landed at Sophomore Dock and set out, rather scattered in num¬ bers, to enjoy a two months’ fur¬ lough. II Our second year started under the rule of a new pilot. On the first appearance of Mr. Smith, one might judge him to be most severe but upon becoming acquainted, we found that he always had a pleasant smile and generally a word for those he met along the decks. With Victor MacDonald as Cap¬ tain; Lucille Hunt, Mate; Irma Winslow, Purser; and Elpheage Ki- rouac, Steward, we anticipated a splendid year. It was now our time to give a festival, so committees were ap¬ pointed and we tried to give as good a reception as was given to us. We had been sailing but a short time, before an epidemic of the “Flu” broke out. We were quaran¬ tined in one direction and then in another until, finally, it was neces¬ sary to dock. At the end of a five weeks’ vacation on land, we came back. The five weeks were not so bad while they lasted, but for the remainder of the voyage, we were

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THE EXPONENT 17 the New Year Party was held, with an ideal evening as a result. Every¬ one enjoyed the recreation after the terrible suspense of “Midgers.” Again the cry went out tor more money to replenish the provisions and to pay for the festival affairs. As usual, a ray of hope came from the unexpected, in form of one who had just come aboard who said: “Let us try our voices in shouting to the sea dragons, and see who can per¬ form the best.” For many weeks the sore throat gargles were used faith¬ fully, and at last the crew of Public Speakers came on deck for the first time in the voyages of G. H. S. It was a successful trial and will prove to be a big factor in coming trips. Madeline Field, Catherine Hamilton, and Celia Pease took the honors, but the decision was close. The Baseball Banner was yet to be captured and with Joe Bonne¬ ville, Herbert Buckley, Ray Hough¬ ton and pitcher, Bartlett, from the Ship ’21, we contested hard, but our boat lacked the experience of that crack Orange crew. As we approached the end of the voyage, a picnic island was reached and all went ashore for a stroll and swim. We found Lake Spofford an ideal place and everyone voted “’twas a good time.” The good ship ’21 took up anchor again and said farewell to our Senior crew in the last and best Prom Festival ever held on the decks of the big ship called “Greenfield Armory.” The expense was great but who worried when the dance was on? Dark clouds must take care of themselves and storms come in the future. Dance on! We watched the older passengers go down the plank to Graduation Port, to take passports for other voyages. Thus , we were left alone to enjoy two months’ leave of ab¬ sence. ' ’ -! ' ' ’- When we gathered on deck again and the anchor was lifted, the decks of olde G. H. S. were too crowded. To be exact, four hundred and fif¬ teen skippers had come aboard, when only three hundred and sixty- five could be accommodated. So it was necessary to allow only one half of the deck hands on duty at once. “Very inconvenient,” said our pilot, Mr. Smith. The annual boat race was held and for the first time in four years, Shelburne nosed us out by a small margin. But the redeeming feature was the little “Hot Dog Boat” which was anchored off side the Big Ship. With its lusty voices and painted signs it tempted the public to help pay our Festival Prom debt left over from last year. And again the Purser was able to look the world in the face. An S. 0. S. wireless call came from the “big bosses” for cash to run the “Hops,” football, basketball and baseball crews. So the ever- alert Elpheage Kirouac and Rebecca Eberlein came to the rescue and handed us pledges to “pay our passages or get off” and it brought the desired effect. We paid a little more but got very much more for our money. That’s business. The usual signs of storms were noted in the roll and rocking of our good ship so we got together and got a head. Elpheage Kirouac was elected captain, with Edna Christo¬ pher as first mate; Irma Winslow as second mate; Madeliene Field as chief purser and Donald Perry, as¬ sistant purser. Then the good old ship tacked about and went steadier until mutiny among the faster element called for another festival. Again the crew of ’21 had the Hallowe’en Party, with some one present who evidently thought the cider and doughnuts were too good for those for whom they were intended and made away with them. Perhaps, they dumped them over-board and perhaps they didn’t. “Enuf Sed.” The next wind Mother Fortune saw fit to send, was in form of pos¬ ters and signs plastered all over the ship to the effect that “Good English Week is for You!” So each class did its best and showed us why we should use better English. Some one got out a warrant for Ray Houghton and brought proceedings in court against him on grounds that he used bad English and had com-