Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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THE PIONEER. 27 But few have the advantages Irving had, as he was allowed to dwell in the old palace for some time, thus having an opportunity to make an interesting description of the place, lie paints true to life many of the characters of the Alhambra, and it becomes an enchanted spot to the reader. The manner of dress and the speech of the ancient Moors are described in his sketches in such a way as to give a good idea of the customs of the followers of Mahomet. Such a sub¬ ject as “The Alhambra” treated by another writer, would-be liable to become monot¬ onous, but Irving, by interweaving fact with fiction, makes it grow more interesting as the reader proceeds. The Alhambra, a fortified suburb of Gra¬ nada and forming an acropolis to the city, is surrounded by a strong wall more than a mile in length and studded with towers. The portions still standing are ranged about two oblong courts, one called the “Court of the Fish Pond,” the other the “Court of the Lions.” They consist of porticos, pillared halls, cool chambers, small gardens, foun¬ tains, etc. The beauty of the columns and arches, and the richness of the ornamenta¬ tion, have never been surpassed. On enter¬ ing the palace, one would think he was in the time of the Moors, so excellently has it been preserved. The stone lace work scat¬ tered over the building appears, to those ignorant of the Arabic language, as mere quaint and beautiful scrolls, but it is really a complex arrangement of Arabic poetry and verses from the Koran. The coloring, which has been marvellously preserved, uses the three primary colors only, of which the blue is employed the most, although the atmosphere has transformed much of it to green. Entrance is by a horse¬ shoe arch, called by the Moors, the “Gate of the Law,” where the king sat to admin¬ ister justice. Here the work of the Moors has been broken to make a place for a wooden image of the Virgin. Irving tells of many strange characters, the most interesting of whom I think to be Boabdil El Chico, or “The Unlucky.” He merited the title, for indeed he was very unfortunate from the cradle to the grave; yet, notwithstanding all that has been said of him, he was a kind, amiable and just king. He had great courage, which cannot be denied ; but, when the time for quick decisions came, was found wanting, because he was of a wavering disposition. Another person who interested me nearly as much was Jusef Abul Hagias, the finisher of the Alhambra. The reign of this monarch was very different from that of “The Un¬ lucky,” as was also his character. He was of fine appearance, with fair complexion and had great strength. Although he was brave, he fared better in peace than in war. He introduced many improvements in the city, besides completing the Alhambra, and made Granada a city of palaces. His great mag¬ nanimity was shown in a number of inci¬ dents, and he deserved a better fate than he met with. Of the legends which Irving has written, I hardly know which pleased me most, as all are very amusing. The “Legend of the Moor’s Legacy,” especially so. Here is a short sketch of it: In the Alhambra there once lived a water-carrier, Peregil by name, who was in very fair circumstances, being the happy possessor of a donkey. One evening he took in a Moor who was com¬ pletely exhausted, and gave him lodging. During: the night the traveller died, but first gave to Peregil, as a reward for his kindness, a small box. The family now had to dispose of the body, and so the water-carrier took it to the river bank and there buried it. As ill-luck would have it, a meddlesome barber saw him do it and reported the fact to the

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26 THE PIONEER. that of using at all times, only such language as will everywhere stamp him as a gentleman. We do not wish to insinuate that any pupils of this school are especially addicted to impro¬ prieties of speech in their social life, but we do wish to say, and every manly student who gives the subject a moment’s careful thought, will agree with us, that the use of that which certainly is not “polite Eng¬ lish” and in the unguarded moment may savor of vulgarism, is derogatory to their higher education and belittling to their man- hood. We should remember that we are known, not only by what we do, but by what we say, and that the language which we use in society will stamp us with the marks of the educated gentleman, or brand us as low and vulgar. A word to our contributors. We have had matter sent in a few times, written on both sides of the sheet. We believe it to be due to thoughtlessness, and therefore hope that a little more care will be taken to write on one side of the sheet only. M e have thus far refrained from the hack¬ neyed exhortation to subscribe to the school paper. Now, however, we desire to urge all to take as many copies of The Pioneer as their means permit, sending such copies as they do not need to friends who are inter¬ ested in the school. All graduates are cor¬ dially invited to subscribe, thus aiding the the paper, and obtaining a fair knowledge of the course of events in the High School. 1 he ground is clear of snow once more, and the approach of spring brings with it the need of active preparation for that sport pe¬ culiar to the season — baseball. There is no good reason why we should not have a team to represent us this year, as there is enough good material. We can certainly do w r ell,if all our forces are utilized. It remains to be seen, however, if any school enterprise can command the support of all the students. A few always wish to run or ruin all desirable projects. Once in a while they succeed; once in a while —they don’t. We hope and expect that this season, all factions will unite and work for our common interests. We wish to do now what we should have done in our first issue, namely, to urge upon the students the importance of patronizing those who advertise in the paper. At no cost to themselves, and often at an advan¬ tage, can our subscribers show that The Pio¬ neer is a good advertising medium, and by so doing, help the paper financially, as well as make the rough path of the business man¬ ager a little smoother when the next time he goes the round of the old advertisers to solicit the renewal of their advertisements. We cannot expect to retain their patronage, unless we give them some return. IRVING’S “ALHAMBRA.” These sketches and tales were mostly written in the old Moorish palace of the Alhambra in Granada. When Irving visited that place he was urged by a friend, who was accompanying him, to write a chronicle of their journey, and thus preserve some of the many legends and traditions of this noted stronghold of the Moors.

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28 THE PIONEER. Alcalde. This Alcalde was a greedy, avari¬ cious man, and when he heard that a trav¬ eller, as he supposed, had been made way with, he wished to gain possession of the money, for which he thought the Moor had been murdered. By means of a little bluster and a few threats, he forced the water-carrier to relate all the particulars of the death of the way¬ farer. When he found that nothing was to be gained, he allowed the frightened Peregil to go, but took his beloved donkey. Peregil was very despondent for a while, and was much upbraided by his wife, but at last he thought of the box bequeathed to him, and, opening it, found that it contained a paper by which he might gain possession of a great treasure hidden in a cave. He, in company with another Moor, carried out the direc¬ tions, and suddenly the little water-carrier was a rich man. Now Peregil would have been free from harm, if he had not com¬ mitted an indiscretion, which men are prone to do ; he told his wife. She was seen by the meddlesome barber one morning, parad¬ ing in her room covered with jewels, and off he went again to the Alcalde. When that officer was told about it, lie straightway posted himself to Peregil’s house, and forced him to tell where he had gained possession of so much wealth. Doubtless the Alcalde would have imprisoned them, and confiscated their property, had he not been desirous of securing all that was left in the cave. They went to the place, and the water-carrier and his companion went down into the cavern, and brought up as much as they could carry. But the Alcalde was not satisfied with this and resolved to bring up the contents of an iron box, which had been described by the others. As soon as he, his assistant, and the meddlesome barber had entered the cave, the spell was broken which kept it open, and there they were, and there they probably are to this day. The water-carrier and his friend returned home, and lived in luxury for the rest of their lives. “The Alhambra” was probably written both for entertainment, and as a description of the Alhambra and its occupants. The author asks the reader to use much imagina¬ tion, and makes the narrative very interest¬ ing with his artistic hand. Irving especially excels in descriptions of scenery, and is noted for his simplicity of style. Bernard Barrows, ’ 92 . THE PIECE. The boy stood by the master’s desk, His piece lie could not speak And when he essayed an attempt, Ilis voice seemed strangely weak. The master took him by the sleeve And led him from the floor, And it was very late that night Before he reached his door. A MONDAY VISITOR. In the first place it was on Saturday night that I received a letter from Aunt Jane announcing that she and Bobby would be here on Monday morning by ten, and if we would kindly send the carriage to meet the train she would be very much obliged. Now to any one who does not keep a ser¬ vant, company on washing day means gen¬ eral discomfort and the old remains of yes¬ terday’s leg of lamb, but to have Aunt Jane, who was the terror of the whole family was even worse than ordinary circumstances of this kind. But what must be, must be, so I accepted the inevitable and saved the best portion of the boiled ham for Monday’s din¬ ner, and made everything ready for the washerwoman. On Monday I arose early and went into the pantry to make something for dessert.