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

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THE PIONEER. $ Now began the wondrous story Of the famous ninety-sixers. Strange and full of great surprises, Yet with some a glad fruition Of the youthful promise given. First he told me of Miss Copeland ; How she went to teach the heathen, Leaving home and friends and kindred ; How on Africa’s coast she landed, Never fearful of the dangers That she found ou every side. Much amazed was I at this news, But much more at that which followed ; For he said that Richard Hussey Contemplated preaching, too. Then the old man turned and told me, In a tremulous voice, yet clear, Of the Misses Beal and Harris,— Of the crowds they were attracting In large cities, by enacting Parts as Portia and Helena, And of others, fair and virtuous. Then I asked about Miss Isbell, Famed for our salutatory. She a maiden tall and slender, Had the noble gift of language, So she teaches French and German In the college at Northampton. Emma Burgess, our musician, Has become a famous teacher, Trained by years of faithful study In the lands across the waters. Now I hear of Chester Kingman, Senator at Washington. Very smart was he in Civics, Fond of questions for debate. Then I thought he’d go to Congress Should he ever have his due. Mr. Pillsbury’s a professor, Teaching French and mathematics In the famous M. I. T. Then the old man spoke of Gertrude, Who in Boston now is studying In the school of Oratory. In her youth she showed this talent And in public oft declaimed. On and on the old man hurried, Hardly stopping till he’d ended With the classmates still so dear. Edith Barrows, a great cyclist, Has a school for ladies free, Where they learn to ride the “ Safety” Gracefully and easil}’. Thought I then of little Florence, For great friends were they as maidens, Sitting side by side in school there Drawing pictures of the pupils. As her life’s profession took she Work in oils and water-colors, And in Italy now studies. In the city of old Boston, In a home for little wanderers, Is Miss Choate, the loving matron. At her light hand is Miss Parker, Gay and giddy girl in school life, But become a noble woman, Much beloved by those about her. Still remains a bright young fellow, Known as Joe by all the school boys. To some day become a lawyer, He in Harvard has been studying, Solving puzzling legal problems. Joyous then I left the dark room, For my heart was full of gladness, Thinking that my friends and classmates Were such noble men and women. Helen A. Parker, ’96. HOMERIC TYPES OF CHARACTER. (Abstract.) The Homeric poems are considered far in ad¬ vance of the popular ballads of any modern nation in reach of thought and richness of phraseology. They are a work of great imagi¬ nation, with characters naturally drawn and finely discriminated, reanimating the age of Achaean heroism. Homer has been very successful in tracing certain types of character, which even now stand before the imagination of the world. Achilles, who is considered by critics to be the hero of the Iliad, is the type of heroic might, violent in anger and sorrow, yet capable of tender compas¬ sion. Also, in the character of Thersites, the

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THE PIONEER 7 great improvement this year. The course now includes the most advanced requirements for ad¬ mission to the Institute of Technology, covering solid geometry and advanced algebra the last year for those that have taken mathematics the preceding years. In connection with this sub¬ ject may be mentioned the new method of teach¬ ing geometry. The pupil is obliged to prove all his theorems, instead of learning the proofs from a text book. Thus it becomes more than a mat¬ ter of memory only; the pupil must think for himself, and cannot demonstrate a proposition until he thoroughly understands it. This method has been tried with very good results in many places, and has given complete satisfaction in our school. This year the classes in drawing have aston¬ ished the school by their proficiency. The subject of projections was studied during the first part of the year, and the progress made in this rather difficult branch was surprising. But a greater surprise was occasioned the school when repre¬ sentation was taken up, and numerous works of art in brown and black crayon ornamented the walls of our temple of learning. The decorative work which followed was also good. We are glad to notice the many excellent drawings. This is a pleasant and, in many respects, a prac¬ tical study, and should be fully appreciated. The cover of this issue deserves special men¬ tion, the design being chosen from class work. It is a very’ fair specimen of Mr. James Alger’s drawing through the year. The artist should be warmly congratulated on his success. Oue of the essential elements of a good school is loyalty ; but perhaps there are pupils who do not know fully what is meant by this term. Certainly when a pupil says, “ 1 don’t care about the standard of the school ; I am as indifferent to my work and to my relations to the school as 1 dare to be,” that person is not loyal; he is selfish, unfaithful not only to his school, but to himself. There are many who realize the worth of a school and are anxious to make it as profitable to themselves as possible. These surely raise the standard of the school, but the down-pull of the selfish, unpatriotic pupils, who are negligent in the performance of their duties, may seriously affect the progress of the school. Pupils thus exert an influence, good or bad, upon the school. They co-operate with teachers in their efforts to maintain a high standard in the school, or they, by their unpatriotic conduct, are a hindrance to the progress and welfare of the school. Loyalty to school means loyalty to one’s higher self ; it demands not only the manifesta¬ tion of the spirit of a learner, but also willing obedience to all rules established for the good of the school, a firm adherence to the truth, and politeness of conduct in all the relations that pupils sustain to one another and to their teachers. PROPHECY. Once again I paused and wondered As I oft had done before. What my classmates then were doing Far upon the homeland shore, While in Paris I was wandering Through the Exposition buildings. Years had passed since we had severed Ties that bound us in our class-life, Yet my thoughts turned often backward To those dear old friends beloved. Through the long rooms slowly walking Soon this sign my eyes attracted : “ Futures told with great exactness By the well-known famous Seer.” In I went, in quest of knowledge Of the classmates who had parted One June evening in old Reading. When I passed within the portals Stood an aged man before me. When I told what I had come for, One keen look, then silent turning, Into a darkened room he led me.

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THE PIONEER. 9 poet has stamped qualities which are especially distinctive. The Homeric types of women, also, are remarkable for true and fine insights. Andro¬ mache, the young wife and mother, who, in los¬ ing Hector, loses all, awakens our curiosity and our pity ; Helen, also, clear sighted, remorseful, and appreciating any kindness shown to her at Troy, perfect in grace and accomplishments, is restored to our favor. She appears to be one of these ideal creatures of the fancy, over which time, space, circumstance and moral probability hold no sway. The divine types of character are marked as clearly as the human. Zeus, the powerful ruler of Olympus, is intolerant of competing might, and manageable only by flattery and by appeal to his emotions. Hera is the proud and jealous queen, ever ready to find fault with whatever Zeus undertakes. Apollo is the minister of death, the prophet, active in upholding the decrees of his father, Jupiter, and never at va¬ riance with him. Athene, the goddess of war, art and industry, unlike her brother Apollo, is often opposed to the purposes of Zeus. Many beautiful scenes, filled with pathos, are pictured in the Iliad. Especially touching is the farewell of Hector and Andromache. The latter is overcome with grief, clasping lovingly the hand of her husband for the last time. The infant child, fearing the glitter and clash of the armor, shrinks from the father’s arms. The speeches of the Homeric personages ex¬ press the attributes of the speakers. Illustra¬ tive of this is the great speech of Achilles, in the ninth book, of Odysseus and Ajax, who have come as envoys to him from Agamemnon, en¬ treating him to return to battle. The Homeric outlines of character, in all cases, are especially distinct, yet the poet leaves to the reader a certain liberty of imagination to fill them in to satisfy his own ideal. Florence E. McIntiue. (One of the young ladies in geometry class) “ This ratio is represented by the Greek letter which means ‘ pie.’ ” R. H. S. ALPHABET. A is for Amsden, a belle of the school; Governed by conscience, she minds every rule. B is for Burnham, in football so fleet; Oft in the evening he walks Salem street. C is for Connelly, the funniest kid, Count on him always to do as he’s bid. D is for Dyer; the wheel she doth ride — Into high fences how gracefully glide! E is for Edna, who dwells far away ; Though she owns horses she’s late every day. F is for Frank,— quite a driller they say, So very attentive to learn all he may. G is for Grace. O’er her mates she doth soar, Bearing class honors ; how can she ask more? H is for Houseman, our Cicero star, Who iu declensions exceeds us afar. I is for Ida, our dear little child, Loved by us all, though just a bit wild. J is for James-John, gigantic pair, Who spen 1 much time in arranging their hair. K’s for the Kingmans,— a triplet they make. Brains are their birthright; they all take the cake. L is for Leon, who gives us surprise, Winning in drill, sure, whenever he tries. M is for Myra,— sometimes she’s called Mike,— Love of cold water endangers her “ bike.” N is for Nellie, who has a back seat; There she is able to stand summer’s heat. O stands for cipher; if one’s in our school, Sure he’s no blockhead and neither a fool. P is for Pillsbury, Parker and Pratt; Peas in one pod, but unlike for all that. Q’s for my queen ; she’s a person of fame. Ah ! you’re just dying to find out her name ! R is for Rob, a smart Sophomore man; Hardest task learned is to shirk when he can. S is for Stella, our Senior so fair. Bright sparkles a gem ’mid the curls of her hair.