Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

Page 13 text:

THE GOLDEN ROD. ken. Tonight we stand on the threshold. Behind us is the school life we have just finished. Before us the portals of life’s school are opened wide to receive us. Above the entrance I fancy I see the following words inscribed: “Something yet to be attained.” Indeed, we feel that we have by no means reached the acme of knowledge, for there are more steps for us to climb, and Minerva stands waiting to offer us many things from the richness of her store. Though we reluctantly leave the school within whose walls we have received instruction and pleasure, let us enter upon our life work with a determination to succeed. May we at all times do our duty. Let us waste no oppor- tunity for ennobling ourselves and shedding an influence for good around us. Classmates, let us— “Do noble things, not dream them all day long, And so make lite, death, and that vast forever, One grand, sweet song.” —Cassendana Thayer, ’93. CLASS POEM-1893. Backward we look with ever lingering eyes, And with reluctance close the school- room door; While joyous memories in our minds arise, Of by-gone times too lightly prized be- fore. We recollect our pride and keen delight, When problems deep at last were fully solved, Or Latin sentences were read aright,— Hard sentences, that patience great in- volved. Sweet memories of our pleasant inter- course, With dear familiar scenes for aye en- twined, We know the mystic power to enforce Regrets that we must leave so much be- hind. Still comes an impulse o’er us with the day Bidding us hasten forward, thus to learn What fortune has for us of grave or gay, Our restless human hearts would tate discern. Whate’er our way, whate’er our fate may be, With whatsoever dangers we may cope, Whatever lot before us we may see, We will endure it while we still have Hope. Yes, Angel Hope our aid and stay shall be. That Hope which through all ages has endured, And through the world’s long troubles ceaselessly The timorous heart of man hath aye as- sured. When fair Pandora could not overcome The overpowering wish to ascertain Of golden wealth within that box the sum, Then first on earth began misfortune’s reign. But Hope came, too, with her bright rain- bow hue. To assuage the sorrow and to heal the pain Of man; and more, she did his soul im- bue With thoughts of happiness he yet might gain. And ever since, this varied world through- out, Eternal Hope hath made her welcome way, Shedding on many a path her joy about. On great and lowly with impartial ray. Thus when the rich man, tired of soulless ease, Doth loathe his aimless life, by Hope he can For noble uses turn his treasure keys. And gain reward by aiding fellowman. And when the poor man, wearied by his toil, Would murmur. Hope low whispers that he may Lay down his burdens, leaving labor's moil For rest eternal; cheered he goes his way. Great men with mighty works for them to do, Oft pause in dread lest they more strength should need, Till courageous Hope sweeps before their view, And lo! the world is glad by some grand deed. And humble men, in humble spheres re- pining That’t is not theirs great actions to per- form, By Hope are told that God is still assign- ing All parts, with-love and justice uniform. So as we sadly close the schoolroom door, And at the portal of Life’s school we stand, Dear Hope, we pray thee, ever as before. Take our hands in thine own all helping hand. Until Life’s lessons all at last are done. And golden light streams forth through “Gates Ajar,” Until Life's graduation day is won, Sweet Hope, be thou, we pray, our guid- ing star. —Annie E. Burns, '93.

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THE GOLDEN ROD. SALUTATORY. AT last the day long looked for- ward to, yet sometimes dread- ed, has come; the day on which we leave the school with which we have so long been associated. How swiftly the time has flown! We can hardly believe that four years have passed since we entered upon our High School course, and that we have arrived at the point where we must sadly bid adieu to school life. What season could be more fit- ting for this occasion than the pre- sent ? The trees have arrayed themselves in their most beautiful vestures. Nestling under leafy canopies, the birds are singing their sweetest songs, and their music is blended with the balmy air of June. The summer breezes, laden with the breath of flowers, are wafting messages of love and ioy to all manking. On every hand we behold the beauties of na- ture, and tonight she joins us in extending our greetings to one and all. Friends, city officials, and citi- zens of Quincy, who have assem- bled here tonight to listen to the graduation exercises of the Class of ’93, and who have always taken such an interest in our school, it is my great pleasure as well as duty to bid you a cordial welcome. Parents of the class of ’93, we extend to you a filial greeting. It is through your never-tiring care and support that we are enabled to hold the position we do tonight. Your loving guidance and counsel have ever been with us, and for all this we can find no words sufficient to express our gratitude. As we are about to enter upon the broad field of life, it is our earnest desire to accomplish therein that which will be an honor to you, and which may perhaps repay you in part for your loving care. We would now salute our school committee and superintendent, who so wisely and carefully supervise the schools of our city, especially the High School. We know that you have always taken a great in- terest in us, and we highly appre- ciate your able and zealous efforts in our behalf. Schoolmates, our greetings and best wishes. Though we shall no more be associated with you day by day, and though we shall not meet with you when you again re- sume your studies, nevertheless the friendships which we have formed among you will always re- main. You have our best wishes for a successful course, and when you shall occupy our places, may you be able to look back upon high- ly profitable days. Ever be loyal to your school; neglect no “golden opportunity,” and thus you will leave a glorious record. And now to you, our esteemed teachers, we extend our heartiest greetings. You have labored long and earnestly for our instruction. Through your endeavors we have been able honorably to complete our course. Not only have you taught us the requisite branches of knowledge, but by your example and precepts you have ever held before us ideal manhood and wo- manhood, thus molding our char- acters and elevating our purposes, —lessons far more important than any learned from books. You have helped us over many rough places in the path of knowl- edge, and step by step have led us up to higher planes from which we might obtain a broader view. Your patience has been never-ending, your assistance ever ready and willing. Words cannot express our gratitude for the many favors received from your hands. As we must part, we leave with you our best wishes, and we shall carry away many pleasant recollections of the days we have passed to- gether. Classmates, I extend to each of you a most cordial welcome. As we meet tonight we experience a feeling of joy mingled with sad- ness. Although we must sever the ties of companionship which have become stronger day by day, nevertheless not one link of the “golden chain” that binds us in loving friendship can ever be bro-

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THE GOLDEN ROD. FRENCH TRANSLA IVON. E VIEUVILLE was sudden- ]y interrupted by a desperate cry, and at the same time a pecul- iar noise was heard. This cry and these noises came from the in- terior of the ship. The captain and lieutenant hurried towards the gun-deck, but they were una- ble to enter. All the cannoneers were ascending, dismayed. Some- thing frightful had just happened. One ot the carronades of the bat- tery, a piece of eighty calibre, had become detached. Nothing more terrible can happen to a man-of- war at sea going at full speed. A cannon which breaks its moor- ings becomes suddenly no one knows what kind of a supernatural monstei. It is a machine trans- formed into a demon This mass running on wheels has the move- ments of a billiard-ball, inclining with the rolling of the ship, plun- ging with the pitching; goes back, crosses the ship from one end to the other like an arrow, whirls, conceals itself, kills, exterminates. It weighs ten thousand pounds and bounds like a child’s ball. There are sudden whirlings cut- ting right angles. What is to be done ? How is one to get the mastery over it ? A tem- pest will cease, a cyclone pass over, the wind calm, a broken mast can be replaced, but what is to be done with that monster of bronze ? How is one to begin ? Yon can reason with a dog, stun a bull, fascinate a snake, frighten a tiger, and soothe a lion, but there is no resource with this monster, a de- tached cannon. You cannot kill it ; it is dead, and at the same time it lives. It lives a wicked life which comes to it from the infinite. In an instant all the crew were on deck. The accident was the fault of the captain of the gun, who had neglected to lock the nut of the mooring-chain and badly shackled the four wheels of the car- ronade. A strong wave having struck the port side, the poorly shackled cannon recoiled, broke its chain, and began to wander freely about the deck. Let one imagine, in order to have an idea of this strange slipping, a drop of water careering over a pane of glass. When the chain broke the can- noneers were in the battery, some in groups, others scattered about occupied with their usual work when sailors are in anticipation of a clearing of decks for action. The cannon, thrown by the pitching of the ship, scattered this group of men and crushed four at the first blow, then, darting back, was dis- charged by the rolling of the ship, and cut a fifth miserable one in two, and hurled to the port side a piece of the battery which it de- tached. Thence came the cry of distress which they had just heard. All the men hurried to the companion- way. The battery was emptied in the twinkling of an eye. The enormous cannon had been left alone. It was its own mistress and the mistress of the ship. All the crew, men accustomed to laugh in battle, trembled; to describe such terror in words is impossible Captain Boisberthelot and Lieu- tenant Le Vieuville, both brave men, were, however, standing at the top of the stairs, mute, pale, and hesitating, looking down on the gun-deck. Some one nudged them with the elbow and went down. It was the passenger, the peasant, the man of whom they were speaking a moment ago. The cannon careered to and fro on the gun-deck. It continued capering over the ship ; it had al- ready broken four other guns and made two holes in the side of the ship, fortunately above the water line, but through which the water would enter if a squall came on. It threw itself frantically against the frame of the ship. The strong beams resisted. The curved tim- bers had a peculiar solidity, but one could hear them crack under this huge mass striking on ail sides at once. The four wheels passed and re- passed over the dead men, cutting, crushing and mangling them ; the five bodies made twenty fragments