Polytechnic High School - Caerulea Yearbook (Long Beach, CA)

Page 19 text:

Selma. Cilaue Jim Disguiee i T was Christmas eve in San Francisco. The rain was com I ins down in a steady drizzle, and already the lights weIe blazing from the great shop windows with their loads of Christmas toys and candiei. The whole atmosphere breathed the Christmas spirit. but the pushing, ioatling crowd which hustled to and fro buying gifts for their loved onea,paid no attention to the pinched little face pressed against the window pane, or the raggedly dressed little urchin who stood in the biting wind. He hat! gazed for hours with hungry eyeSenow at the funny toys in the windows. now at the busy clerks inside or the eorpulent well-dressed boss. or at the people as they rushed by with a merry jest, or humming a bit of a Christmas song. Hie little heart sank and he asked himself. Can this be Santa Claus' headquarters? Jimmy had said so. but surely dear old Santy would not let a liltte boy stand out in the wet. without giving him his share of the Christmas goodies. The great tears were beginning to roH down his cheeks. when a tramp came rolling down the street on a jambaree. He stated at the poor little urchin, and patted him on the head as he said in a husky voice. I once had a lad like you --he heaitated for a moment and hastily brushed his coat sleeve across his eyeb'hut my little bay is dead. What cher cryin' for? 'Cause it's Christmas! Well. dum me, I didn't know it and wouldn't have. if I hadn't come along here and seen youse cryin'. I'm a stranger here. but it looks though this was the place where Santa Claus conducts his Christmas biz. I know a man who used to be a friend at old Santa. so you stand here in the shadow while I go and see him. I'm going to do the best I can to put in a word for a poor little kid. He staggered oft in the min to an alley behind a big department stem. He cautiously lifted the window and crept into the store room. where he seized a box of building blocks. a Noah's ark, an engine that wound with a key. and a black furry clog which barked when he squeezed it. As he was about to leave. he happened to see a big. werrn-iooking fur. which he snatched up for the boy's mother. so he mused. As he crept out into the darkness. he murmured. Well. dere's nuttin' small about me. . He hurrieci through the pouring rain back to where the little urchin eagerly awaited him. The little fellow'a blue eyes grew big as he caught sight of the toys. and he laughed delightedly as he squeezed the barking pup. The tramp loadccl the beaming child with the toys. and whlspered: Now, cut it for home. and give you: me a surprise. A He laughed as he land. You can tell her. they're from Santa Claus in disguise. St. Peter looked at the angels: they in tum looked at him. They had held their breath till the tramp had the toys and was safe once more in the alley. St. Peter gravely took up his ledger Ohe angels trembled, end one, a mother angel. wepD. He looked at the debit side, then tore the page clean out of the book. and the angels burst forth in a joyous Christmas carol. which resounded the heavens over. One little boy angel, in his overwhelming joy, leaned clear out of heaven and gave three cheers and a tiger for Santa Clam ' d'sgum' Virginia Crank. 1912. Nineteen

Page 18 text:

The Teuchdbwm W0 teams had lined up for the last quarter. The score was close and the team: were tired. During the inter- mission of quarter: one of the coaches had made a change in hie line-up. The whietIe blew and the battle surged back and forth with no decisive victory for either team. Two minutes left, yelied the timekeeper. as the teem: massed together on the aide line. At thii moment a player could be distinguished, in the dust, running with the hall. He dodged his opponent?! tackle and headed for the fullback who squatted nervoully on the line. There soon followed a brilliant tackle. but as the runner fell heavily to the ground he made a touchdown. A few seconds later the whistle blew for time out. The bleachers quickly emptied and the players ran to the shower moms. But the runner. who had made the touchdown and won the game. was rushed off in an automobile before congratulations cauld teach him. He lay. limp. in the seat. leaning heavily on the coach as the automobile sped off to a physician. As the machine arrived at the doctor's oltice. the unconscious player came to his senses. 1-. We won the game and you will pun through sout'l.u said the coach to Im. I wasn't playing. answered the boy. He in still a little twisted, said the doctor. twirling his finger around his head in circles. I am all right. I told you I was supposed to be on the aide lines. I wasn't playing. He continued. I was put out at the end of the third quarter. I new an open place when the teams bunched up around me. I lost all self- control, and with the one thought of touchdown in my mind I headed for our goal The coach had sunk heavily into a chair and the doctor rushed for restoratives. Nothing needed, mid the coach. as he arose again. uI gun: I shaft go end break the had new: to the IelIowe. Johnson look: so much like this fellow, when they both have on suits. that I took out the wrong man. Glen Green. I9l 3. Eighteen

Page 20 text:

Such Its life tWith apologiei to LowellJ CHOOL gels its pric: for what school give: us. We're all of us asked for our corner: to dine in. At the icwmam booth an: little cans sold. But each cornucopia takes that much gold. For a three tinys' absentee. exam: wc pay. For football training we're forced into fasting: 'Ti: Hunks alone that am given away. 'Tis only zeros may be had for the askingl Yet. some say. What's such fun as our years at Ichool? Then. if ever. come perfect days. Then teacher tries us out. if we know our rules: And by our names. plainly, a blue mark lays. Whether we look. or whether we listen. We hear a Prof. coming, or see his eyes glisten. When we haven't a single permit in night! Then. instinct within un that comes unaware- And with our small conscience begins to fight, Telll us heat it quick upstairs! The slude while he's grinding feeIs lighter thoughts coma. Of Iurnmer vacation. pcrhapl. or of Iwimming: He than full his whole natlm being o'cmtn With all of his holidny plans overbrimmirg: School days ann'l so bad when he's thinking of ballad These lesson: don't seem quioe so harti after all! Yet. comparing vacation with all of the rent. Just which of than days do you think he likes But? Ruth Stanley Adams, l9f2. thnl y