Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

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THE GOLDEN-ROD 21 ferred to as the “Autobiography of Strawville.” A very slight hint starts the history from 1829 to whatever year it may be when the victim escapes. Then skipping the next twenty-three houses of importance, which it would be difficult to classify without raising twenty-two rows, we arrive at the twenty-eighth, “The Little Red School- house” which, in the minds of the younger members of the population, un- doubtedly deserves last place. In it many generations of Hopkins, Spidder- kins, Sprouls, etc., have studied, di- gested, and thoroughly misunderstood the uses of the comma; have chased the elusive X through all its deviations, and have misspelled word after word. In fact, it has been a place where literary genius blossomed forth like cactus in Alaska. The teacher, Miss Emma Spriggs, is often pointed to with pride by the in- habitants, as one of the town’s relics, for no one can remember when she was a girl. After acquiring all this information I turned my steps towards Spidderkins’ and received my rod; but how changed it was, and how changeless my pockets became. I replaced the rod, saw that the motor worked, and then took off, leaving behind me a sea of gaping faces and 86.89. —Arthur Whitehead',’21. ON THE TRAIL OF DON QUIXOTE (A Book In this travel book, “On the Trail of Don Quixote,” August Jaccaci presents to the reader a quaint and picturesque description of the people, sites, and ruins which he encounters duringa trip through the old Spanish province of La Mancha. The author’s chief interest is to visit and investigate the places in which many of the adventures of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance took place. Across the broad plateaus, sandy and desolate Jenness: (after a long argument by G. Paris) “I move the class agree with Paris and proceed to the next point in the day’s recitation.” Vallee: “What have you in the locket on your watch fob?” Goodhue: “A lock of my father’s hair” Vallee: “But your father is still alive.” Goodhue: “Yes, but his hair is all gone.” Teacher: “I want so see you get a G in this exam, young man.” Shyne: “So do I. Let’s pull together.” Report) in their barren and rugged beauty, over mountains, and through the vineyard country, one is taken with the author, in a small, two-wheeled cart, which bumps along in a most uncomfortable way. The book is most interesting through- out and describes vividly the sights and ruins which still remain, even in the nineteenth century. —Dorothy Cole, ’20. Hughes: (when the bell is five minutes late in ringing at the close of school) “Those clocks are working for the Company.” Latin is a language dead, As dead as it can be, It killed the ancient Romans And now it’s killing me. La Croix (to manager): “There’s two men on our team that are no good.” Manager: “That so, who’s the other one?”

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20 THE GOLDEN-ROD A DAY’S ADVENTURE One day, last summer, as I was out for a spin in my aeroplane, my motor stopped, and I was forced, by the law of gravity, to descend. I picked out a suitable landing spot and “dropped in” as you might say, on a town, which I found to be Strawville. Finding that it would take several hours to have the blacksmith weld a broken rod together, I set out to give the town the “once over.” The history of the town I learned from a few relics, who were artistically draped on the railing of the general store. Strawville was discovered in 1829 A. D. by some explorers. They made haste to vacate that undesirable region, but one broke his leg in the general rush, so they had to build a cabin to stay in until the invalid’s leg was well. Later, other people passed by, saw the cabin; one moved in, others built houses, and thus the world was enriched (?) by the presence of Strawville, so called because the name of the man who was hurt was “Straw.” This history being sufficient for my fertile brain, I departed to see the won- ders of the town, upon which I will elucidate in the order of their import- ance. First comes Mrs. Sproul’s boarding house. Although the delicatessen of the latter place is neither nectar nor am- brosia, still, among the voters (men of course) it ranks first. It was built in 1872, and in the opinion of most of its patrons, has not yet used up the stock of bread, eggs, vegetables, canned goods, etc., laid in then. The most frequent items on the menu are hash, beans, and apple pies like mother used to make (perhaps she did make them, but oh! how time has changed their tates!). The grub usually eaten is anything but these three, hence their constancy. The second floor of this sumptuous and spacious apartment house is used by those mortals who have no other place to sleep, and therefore, having Hobson’s choice, go to Mrs. Sproul’s. The second place of importance is the railroad station, without which Straw- ville would never be known. Thither congregate the male population of Straw- vill at 10:30 A. M. and 4:28 P. M. to witness the visits of the east and west- bound trains. These sojourn in Straw- ville for two or three seconds, just long enough for the baggage man to give the postmaster the mail. The third place of interest is the com- bination fire station, theater, church, and jail, otherwise known as the Town Hall. The first floor of this edifice is occupied as the “Neverspout,” an an- cient hand tub, equipped with up-to-date leather buckets and bed wrenches. The theater is on the second floor, where such masterpieces as “Samantha of Saratoga” are given monthly, with a cast recruited from Strawville. This room, every Sunday, is converted into a church by the appearance of Rev. Hop- kins, Deacon Spidderkins, and the Strawville male choir, also recruited from Strawville. This room is also used as a meeting place for Selectmen Hop- kins, Sproul, and Spidderkins. The basement of this highly imposing structure serves as a town jail, last used when a certain resident investigated the contents of a barrel marked “Cider” both internally and externally. The fourth place of importance is Spidderkins’ general store, which further explored can be called a grocery, meat market, dry and wet goods store, a black- smithery; and with a postoffice as a side issue, in which the daily mail is inspected, digested, and censored. Perhaps this is why Mrs. Spidderkins is sometimes re-

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2 THE GOLDEN-ROD School News DEBATING SOCIETY The Debating Society met on Decem- ber 11, at 7:30, with Mr.Shyne presiding. The question discussed was: Resolved, That the Plumb Plan is superior to the Cummings Railroad Plan. Ruggles, Holden, and Jenness upheld the affirm- ative with Haskell, Rogers, and Couch as opponents. The debate was one of the best given this season, with fine delivery on each side. The decision was in favor of the negative. Mr. Couch was unan- imously elected best speaker. John Beale was then elected to the Club. Fitton was given a vote of thanks for his successful work as business manager of the Cambridge-Quincy debate. After a very hot discussion the following motion was passed: That the president appoint a committee of two besides himself to make preparations for the annual De- bating Society entertainment. The meeting adjourned at 9:30. On Jan. 13, the Debating Society met in Room 23. Mr. Clarence Lundin, who spent many months on submarine chasers and mine sweepers, gave an interesting talk on his war experiences. He then answered many questions asked by the members. The meeting ad- journed at 10:00. THALIA CLUB The Thalia Club met on January 12 with Miss Campbell presiding. Miss Jenkins gave the members basket-ball tickets to sell. The question of having a sleigh ride was considered. After a lengthy discussion no conclusion was reached. GLEE CLUB The Glee Club meets every Tuesday for a pleasant hour under the direction of Miss Howes. We are waiting expectantly for the annual public concert of the Club. ORCHESTRA Don’t forget for a minute what a fine orchestra we have. If you heard them play at the Francis Parker School, Jan. 14, you probably wondered where all the talent comes from. LATIN CLUB The Latin Club met for the first time this year on Jan 7, with Miss Cole pre- siding. It was decided, after a long dis- cussion, that the Club should be more of a literary and less of a social nature. With this idea in view a committee was chosen to revise the Constitution of the Club. COMMERCIAL CLUB With Miss Vaile as faculty adviser, the Senior Commercial students have started a Club which will soon equal or surpass every similar organization in the school. The purpose of this Club is primarily to supplement the daily work of the students. The idea is to give them a chance to learn much which a lack of time will not permit them to get in school time. At the last meeting a committee was elected to nominate officers. ASSEMBLIES On Monday, December 8, Messrs. Couch and Fitton spoke in behalf of the Golden Rod. Mr. Couch showed that the cost of the paper was not beyond the means of anyone and that as a matter of school spirit it is the duty of each pupil to purchase a copy. Mr. Fitton asked for contributions of a literary nature and said that all criticism will be welcome. A very pleasant entertainment was provided at the Monday morning assem- bly on December 29. Arnold Haskell, chairman of the “Honor Roll” committee, made a spirited plea for money to pur- chase a fitting memorial to all enlisted