Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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THE (;0E1)KX-K01). A l l I LET ICS. The Age of Athletics. The fact that Athletics have played an important part in the records of History for more than three thousand years seems to be lost sight of in almost every discussion of the present day. The Iliad, the SEneid and the other masterpieces of ancient literature all describe, in vivid word-pic- tures, sports and games held upon various occasions, when the people desired either to honor a hero, to reverence a god or to celebrate a victory. In ancient Greece and Rome competi- tors trained by skilful teachers and nourished by a diet of cheese, figs, wheat, bread, and later, meat, struggled for victory in foot races, jumping, throwing the discus, wrestling, boxing and the pan- cratium which was a combination of wrestling and boxing. The prizes, though often nothing more than a simple wreath of laurel, were sought after more for what they meant than for their value, since back of them was a national pride which many times furnished to the winner an easy, pleasant life at public expense. But, although athletics played so prom- inent a part in the days of Grecian and Roman suppremacy, yet not then, but now is the real age of athletics. From a time, when sports were simply national, we have advanced until today no people can elaim a single sport or game as peculiarly its own. Nor has the march of progress paused here. Today, one country reaches out to another the warm grasp of congrat- ulation either over a success or in a defeat in international contests, and the friend- ships thus formed between nations may be the first step towards the cessation of wars and the acceptance of everlasting peace. The recognition of athletics as one of the most powerful factors in education is another proof that now is the age of athletics. Today it is universally under- stood that a sound mind requires a sound body. Nor is this considered to apply simply to men, since now women of every class are seeking, through private instruc- tors and gymnasiums, to obtain the perfect health which comes from well developed bodies. The whole spirit of the present age is exercise instead of rest, or better, rest through varied exercise. Business men, clerks and laborers hasten away from the confinement of work to some field of exercise. It may be the bicycle, or the golf club or even the more prosaic forms of physical recreation, yet nevertheless it is some sport or game. This age also gives promise of wonder- ful results to mankind. With bodies well developed and minds working clearly and promptly, the various vices of intemper- ance and other forms of dissipation must give way until perfection shall be reached and man perfected shall have attained to the goal of the ages. v j LOCALS. Training for the prize contest has begun. Will the Juniors ever learn to pronounce “ romance ?” To have a successful base ball team means an early start. It has been suggested that the ink-wells be filled once in a while. A member of the Freshman class has a decided bent for breaking chairs. The members of the Virgil class are quite elated at the change from Virgil to Cicero for the remainder of the term. If any one is dissatisfied with the read- ing matter in the Golden-Rod, let him ask himself how much he has done to make it interesting.

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THE GOLDEN-ROD. The fire which started in the post-office is supposed to have been set. It con- sumed the only business block of the town, resulting in great damage. For months afterwards it was the talk of the town, since so large a fire was very unusual and an exciting circumstance. All sorts of guesses have been made con- cerning the cause, but I know of nothing that has been brought forth to change these guesses into facts. jA jA Sam. In a little village which lies at the mouth of the P--------river, on the east- ern coast of Maine, lives one of the strangest characters that I ever met. He is a man who is known through- out the neighborhood and surrounding country by the prosaic name, Sam. lie does not live in the village proper, but on an island about four miles up the river. This island bears a strong resem- blance to that one which we have so graphically described as the landing place of Aeneas in Virgil. The two precipitous head-lands come out on either side of it, and we even have the back-ground of dark, bristling shade. Here Sam has lived for twenty or thirty years with only his dogs and other pets for company. To be sure, once in a while a yachting or fishing party will land to see him and his curious little house, and it was on such an occasion that I met him. Landing on a rude quay, you mount some steps, and are confronted by the back of Sam’s house. I never could understand why he placed it in this position, but suppose it is only one of the many evidences of his peculiarity. The house itself is a curiosity. It is situated on the highest part of the island, commanding a good view of the bay, and has a very pretty grove of trees nearby. It has two good-sized windows, and a big, brick chimney built upon the outside, making one think of the log houses our ancestors built when they first came to this country. The inside is fitted up more like a camp than a permanent home. It is furnished with the rudest of everything; a small cook stove, a table, two camp chairs,—minus backs, a china closet made of a dry goods box, and two bunks built against the wall constitute the whole contents, with the exception of some pictures from newspapers of prize fight- ers, race horses, dogs, etc. The day I visited the house, everything was scrupu- lously clean, ami a big pan of molasses gingerbread on the table, gave evidence of Sam’s skill as a cook. Near the house is a shed which served as a shelter for the numerous pets which Sam keeps. He has a dog, sheep, chick- ens and raccoons. At one time he had a tame seal, which he kept in a pen out in the water. Once in a while he would let it out and it would follow his boat anywhere. On a smaller island back of his own, there lives a family of foxes who know his voice and will come to him when he gives a peculiar call. He used to be unequalled anywhere about, for his skill as a boatman and hunter; but of late years he has not been as active, for, in some way he has con- tracted that dread disease, consumption. He has friends on shore who have tried in every way to make him come ashore and spend the winter months with them, but he obstinatelv refuses. He has a flag o which he hangs out every morning as a signal that “all’s well,” and I should not be surprised to hear at almost anytime, that the signal had not appeared and that, at last, Sam had gone to another home. x. w. Every time I tell the truth I add to my strength of character.—Emerson.

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THE (JOLDKN-KOI). With the approach of warm weather, increases the list of casualties on the pond. The Senior girls outdid themselves by having one day of perfect attendance this month. 1902 regrets the loss of three of its members: Miss Thorne, Miss Cole and Mr. Cobb. Shall the Golden-Rod still be published ? It is those who have not yet subscribed who should decide this. In the Junior Debating society the latest mode of addressing the presiding officer is “ Mr. Chinaman.” An improvement in the appearance of the study hall has been made by a new arrangement of the pictures. The Freshmen have discovered that the waste-basket is the best place to go, when they are not allowed to speak. If the girls of 1900 would follow out the mottoes that appeared on their desk covers, it would be a good thing. The Junior open debate has been com- pared to a Quaker prayer meeting. Such a contrast to the animated discussions of the seniors. Jsers of varnish ought not to leave it around on the chairs. One of the young ladies in the Freshman class was slightly embarrassed when she found that she could not leave her seat. How many pupils know the names of the pictures and busts in the Study Hall? Very few. Probably no one can give them all correctly, strange as it may seem. The length of the school session varies inversely as the distance. If you are lucky enough to come on the special car from Atlantic, quarter of nine is early enough to reach school. Heard in the debate on the Boer war : “Now I have Boered you long enough ’ Teacher,—“What do you know of Socrates’ wife?” Pupil, —“She was a woman” — (long pause). Much to the regret of a number of the members of the school, no athletic meet will be held with Adams, though there is no doubt that our ability, in that line, exceeds that of our neighbors up the street. Charles W. Hearn of Boston is the class photographer for 1900. Any member of the school who wishes to have pictures taken may have them done there at almost half price by procuring a ticket of Mr. Keyes of the Senior class. These tickets are good until September, 1900. The Post-graduates are thinking of having this sign put up on the corner of the Annex: “ Hogan’s Alley To Annex, 3rd door to right. Private Way. Dangerous Passing.” The cliss of 1900 seems to be the seat of athletics in the school. They won the Inter-class meet in ’98, probably would have in ’99, had they tried, and will in .1900. If there is any doubt of their superiority over the class of ’99 watch for broken records this year. The teachers of the High school have played a very prominent part in the var- ious literary organizations of the city during the past month. Mr. Harper had a paper on “ The Possibilities of Electri- city ” and Mr. Campbell on “The Electric Motor and Dynamo,” at the Wollaston Unity club, while the Monday Evening Club of Atlantic was entertained by an interesting paper on “The Ninteenth Century Literature ” by Miss Fish.