Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

Page 13 text:

THE GOLDEN-ROD 11 Lee F r s Sip The dense, wet fog that hung over Chinatown like a blanket, prevented any one from being comfortable. It was im- possible for one to keep one’s thoughts on all that was good in that dark, empty street, with only the sound of the cop’s footsteps that fell heavily on the dead air. Somewhere out in the world a clock struck eleven. The cop continued on his beat down the road which led to inner China- town. Here lived Lee Fang, a rich, influ- ential Chink of the underworld. He was thought to smuggle opium into his tea shop, but he had never been caught with the goods. It was the duty of Duncan, the voung, good-looking cop, to catch Lee Fang smuggling. More than once, when a cargo of tea came to the shop, did Duncan go in “just for a good cup of tea”; but really to investigate. Lee Fang had a daughter; that was the whole trouble. Loy was v.ery sweet and pretty as Chinese girls go, and Dun- can liked to have her sit across the table from him and pour his tea; she chattered with him and made him laugh, and he told her of the happenings on his beat. Loy worshipped Duncan and Fang knew this: Duncan was unaware of it. On this dark, foggy night, Duncan saw a cargo of tea being taken into the tea shop, so he dropped in for his tea. Near the doorway stood Fang and his daughter talking. “You do as I say, Loy; that man has ruined you and will ruin me,” Fang said threateningly to his daughter. “Father, no, no, not that, he is just good and kind to me!” cried Loy. Standing over her like an ugly demon, he hissed, “But me, me, what about me? If I am caught—” He stopped abruptly for Duncan had entered. “Hist, you Loy, do as I told you to,” was his warning as Duncan advanced. “Are you ready to pour my tea for me, little Loy?” asked Duncan laugh- ingly. “Oh, hello, Fang,” this dryly, “how is the tea business coming along? “As well as can be expected in such weather,” Fang replied, bowing low. “Come Loy get Duncan his tea and seat him where he can watch me!” This with a touch of dry humor. “Watch you, no, no, not to-night, Fang.” Loy led Duncan over to a table that was screened off from the rest and left him while she went out for his tea. After she had gone, Duncan thought, even on that dark, dreary night, in the dirty hole, it was good to be alive. Life was sweet. Life was not so sweet out in the back, for Fang was once more frightening Loy, but it was for the last time. “Oh, no, Little Loy,” said Fang, using the name Duncan called her, “it is all lixed, the tea. You may take it to your Duncan, and may there be a curse of all gods known and unknown on his soul!” “I am afraid, my father! please have pity,” sobbed little Loy. Fang pushed her out of the door with the tray in her hands. “Come, little Loy,” said Duncan. “What, do I see tears in your eyes?” “No,” said Loy softly, “I am not cry- ing.” Duncan stood up and took the tray from her and set it on the table. He watched Loy as she was drinking her tea; what a little, sad thing she was; he felt sorry for her and resolved to be kinder to her in the future. Loy was sipping her tea without looking up when an awful, sharp pang shot through her; she stood up, her face deathly white, gave Duncan one pitiful look, and with a moan sank to the floor. Duncan stood up; he felt dizzy. What had happened to Loy? Then it occurred to him, “Loy, Fang—Fang had thought!” “God,” he muttered thickly, and his head sank to his arm on the table. Fang, behind the screen, rubbed his hands together and went away chuckling; he had to make sure, so he had poisoned both. Duncan, the good, clean, great- hearted, Irish boy, and Loy, the sweet, wistful Chinese maid were dead. Somewhere out in the world a clock struck twelve, and the world went on un- mindful of Lee Fang’s sin. Ellen Pratt, September, ’24.

Page 12 text:

10 THE GOLDEN-ROD Tbe Te se The tease, according to Webster, is one who vexes or irritates another person by petty requests. Who hasn’t been the victim of one of these infernal teases at least once in his life: When you were first learning to sit up as a baby, didn’t your brother or sister tease you with a cookie, or when you enjoyed sucking your thumb,didn’t someone tease you by pulling it out of your mouth just for the pleasure it gave her, and not because it was a bad habit that she was trying to eliminate: So it is all through childhood—continually you are teased. When you enter high school and meet some wonderful girl to whom you are attracted as a magnet attracts steel, you are teased about her by your chums at school. Even mother teases you by say- ing, “Such puppy love!” Your first love is soon over, and many more follow, but later, about your last year in high school, you meet some girl whom you could swear to stand by for life, and face the cruel world with all its cares together. You fall deeply in love with this pretty creature, and of course she allows you to, but soon you find she is a tease. She torments you by going out with other fellows, while you, devoted lover that you arc, stay at home thinking of the beloved lady. And that is not all, for she caps the cl max by tellng you what a perfectly wonderful time she had. You shout, “Oh death, where is thy sting?” If she would not tease you, she would be perfect, but if she did not tease you, what would take the place of her teasing: We learn in chemistry that nothing can be destroyed, which leads us to the con- clusion that it is best to endure teasing, for any substitute might be worse. William Hodgkin son, September, ’23. MV GARDEN’ Who’cl like lo coine to my garden. And see the flowers there? Who’d like to sec all my roses. And all my lilies fair? My garden is a lovely place: My true friends make it so. For they plant precious seeds for me. And I just make them grow. The sweetest flower that I have Is love’s own fragrant rose: Sincerity is a lily tall That in my garden grows. Goodwill is a shining buttercup. So bright in fields of green: The daisy stands for purity Wherever it is seen. Kind deeds, of course, are goldcnrod. Rich clusters on a stem; The lilac sweet is helpfulness. A worthy, purple gem. The violet is the thoughtfulness Of many friends of mine; While friendship true and steadfast is The clinging ivy vine. Who'd like to come to my garden, And see the flowers there? Who’d like to sec all my roses. And all my lilies fair? Mabel Guiliiop. Feb., ‘25. I WAS A GOOD CHILD ON THE WHOLE I killed our cat. Squashed him flat. Ditto to the old man’s hat. Yet I was a good child on the whole. I shinnied up many a tree, Wore out many a trouser knee. Also put snuff in grandpa’s tea. Yea. I was a good child on the whole. I ran away. Stayed all day. But 1 came back to hit the hay. Verily. I was a good child on the whole One day 1 stole my father’s pipe, For that. I was sick all night. Gee! my head was awful light. But I was a good child on the whole. My pop and I had many a row Because I refused darned good chow. But say. ain’t licorice the cat’s meow? Yet I was a good child on the whole. Now as my years increased. My boldness has indeed decreased. My everlasting tricks have ceased. Yet I was a good child on the whole. Wendell Bishop.

Page 14 text:

12 THE GOLDEN-ROD School New? On January 16, the whole school was given the opportunity to hear the well- known authority on birds and animals, Ernest Harold Baynes, through the in- vitation of the Thalia Club. After being presented by the President of the Club, Alice Goodhue. Mr. Baynes gave an illus- trated talk cn “Our Animal Allies of the World War.” The work accomplished by animals during the recent war was very interestingly presented by Mr. Baynes, who closed his lecture with the thought that even though the war has ceased, our debt to our animal allies has but started. The school greatly appreciates the club’s efforts in securing such a speaker. MOTHER’S DAY The Thalia Club continued its good work bv presenting the school with a beautiful piece of statuary on February- 15. The unveiling of this statue, “Diana of Versailles,” took place during the Mother’s Day entertainment. The after- noon opened with a reception in the school library in honor of the mothers of the club members. Later Miss Leamy gave a talk on her tour through Europe. The members sang their recently adopted Thalia Club song, the words of which were written by Harriet Couch and the music by Sarah Couch. Miss Bushnell was in charge of the afternoon’s program. Geraldine Hanson, Edna Abbiatti, Eliza- beth Brown, Edith Miller and Eleanor Di Panfilo also served on various commit- tees. ASSEMBLY After returning from a week’s vaca- tion, the pupils passed to the assembly hall on February 26, to hear a few re- marks by Mr. Collins. The pupils had the opportunity of seeing the gift of the Thalia Club, “Diana of Vers- ailles,” for the first time. The statue will, no doubt, occupy a prominent place in our new High School. Mr. Collins, voicing the sentiments of the Thalia Club, impressed upon the students the need of pictures, statutes, and other decorative pieces for the new building. JUNIOR-SENIOR DANCE The Junior-Senior dance took place in the school gym on February 9. In the hall, previous to the dancing, a musi- cal program was furnished by Bill Hodg- kinson, with his saxophone, and the Double Male Quartette. Fred Smyth’s Orchestra was responsible for the delight- ful music furnished in the gym for those wishing to dance. Both the dancing and entertainment were enjoyed by the large crowd which attended. Much credit is due those in charge of the decorations, for the pretty valentine decorations helped to make the dance one of the most suc- cessful of the season. SENIOR DRAMATICS It is a known fact that the play given each year is considered the best from the point of view of each Senior class, but from outside comments and remarks we can truly say that “The Day After” was a huge success. The play was well at- tended each night and the cast was en- thusiastically applauded at each perform- ance. Mr. Mitchell supervised the play and deserves the thanks of the whole school for the time and energy he spent in making the play what it was. GRADUATION The first February .class that Quincy High has ever known has passed on its way. The graduation exercises were held on January 25, in the school hall. Wil- liam C. Crawford, head of the Trade School, Boston, proved to be a very in- teresting speaker, and his talk was en- joyed by all who heard him. The Glee Club rendered a number of vocal selec- tions during the evening. Dr. Hunting, of the School Board, then presented the members of the graduating class with their diplomas. The graduates brought the exercises to a close by singing their class song.