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

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THE PIONEER. 17 Out of the latter Dan (came) forth, as Daniel in the lion’s den. Dan was bringing with him, Whel(a)ton, more or less, of Broad pieces of Brown Flint. We were about to Hyde when we saw that the great burden he carried was causing him to Dy¬ er nearly die. As he had hurt his hand, we sprinkled some “ Pillsbury’s Best” flour on it to stop the flow of blood. After the excitement was over we tried our luck at fishing, but found that it took Skill-en catching them. Richard(’s)son, who came from the “ Parker House,” saw Ellis-on the other side of the stream trying to Rob-(B)ert’s fishline, and said “ Sweet-ser, Ellen-wood not like to see you Robin(the)son of an honest man.” Ellis was not affected by this Piatt(le) in the least. We found some wads that a hunter had lost, and were going to pick them up, when Gleason said, “ What are Wads-worth without a gun?” On starting for home the two Algers tried to Phillip(s) (fill up) on some Berry cake they had with them. We had walked a short distance homeward when we came to a pasture where cows were grazing. A red shirt worn by one of our party startled the cows and two of them rushed at us at full speed. Their hasty approach caused one of the boys to cry “ Killam !” I hit the cow nearest me with a stone and she fell to the ground. To be Frank, we thought she was dead and we were about to Carter off when I saw a policeman Bob his head out and Peek through the bushes. I cried, “ Here comes the Cop(e) !” Land ! how we ran. He caught us and we were held by a one hundred dollar Bond until the trial, When we, the Class of ’98, Whose names you herein see, And who have never had a mate, Were then, once more, set free. Arthur V. Pillsburv, ’98. STATISTICS OF THE R. H. S. The high school was established in 1856. The first principal was Henry A. Littell, 1858. The first assistant Avas Miss Emeline P. Wake¬ field, 1865. The first class graduated in 1863. The entire number of teachers that have been employed up to present time is 38. The entire number of graduates since 1863 is 479. Report fo r school year ending June 19, 1896 : — Number of teachers : male, 2 ; female, 4. Entire number of pupils enrolled during the year: boys, 47 ; girls, 79. Number of pupils in the following courses : Boys. Girls. Classical, 5 17 Institute, 5 0 English-Latin, 29 46 English, 15 9 Number of volumes in library, 250. Number in school pursuing the following studies: Boys. Girls. Latin, 30 55 Greek, 5 17 French, 10 22 Algebra, 34 35 Geometry, 28 19 Astronomy, 1 4 Physics, 11 15 Chemistry, 5 6 Physical Geography, 3 8 Geology, 3 8 Botany, 5 9 Rhetoric and Authors, 21 25 English Literature, 4 12 History, 26 57 Civics, 1 4 Bookkeeping, 12 10 Editii Temple, ’99. GRADUATION PROGRAM. Overture. Invocation. Singing —“Miller’s Song,” Zollner. Salutatory and Essay — The Model Library, Vera Bradford Isbell. Oration — A Plea for Cuba, Richard Byron Hussey.

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16 THE PIONEER. of that kind began to investigate systems of exercises for the girls with the result that today physical training is given to both sexes in nearly all schools. Even pupils of the primary grades have their special work in gymnastics, as the girls of the colleges have their physical exercises and games of basket-ball, tennis, and golf. This physical training points to one end, — a change from mental work to physical, — a change which shall bring the blood from brains oppressed by hours of study, and send it dancing through the bodies cramped by improper ways of standing and sitting; which shall straighten bent shoul¬ ders, fill out hollow r chests, and refresh and invigorate the whole system. Physical training means the intelligent train¬ ing of the body, — the symmetrical development of every part, and the proper use of that part, thus improving the carriage of the head and body, and restoring the proper circulation and the normal muscular tone. Gymnastic drill has also its mental effect. A girl is taught that prompt and complete obedi¬ ence is one of the chief points of her gymnastic work, as well as of her general school work. When a command is given it must be obeyed immediately ; the pupil must learn to work in unison with others, to think and act quickly, and to concentrate her whole mind on the work be¬ fore her,— or that work is a failure as far as she is concerned. Thus habits of prompt obedi¬ ence are formed in school which are found very useful both there and in after life. During the present school year the Swedish system of gymnastics was introduced under the supervision of Miss H. G. Brown, a graduate of the Normal School of Gymnastics. Twenty minutes of each day are devoted to invigorating and refreshing exercise. While the schoolroom is used for the daily drill, yet the space it affords is insufficient to give the best results. However, the work has gone on very satisfactorily. The girls are organized as a battalion, with the following officers : Major, Helen A. Parker. Company A. Captain, Grace E. Copeland. First lieutenant, Hattie J. Amsden. Second lieutenant, Louisa M. Whelton. Company B. Captain, Elsie W. Clark. First lieutenant, Florence B. Parker. Second lieutenant, Edith M. Sweetser. Company C. Captain, Lila II. Beal. First lieutenant, Helen A. Brown. Second lieutenant, Carrie W. McDonald. Company D. Captain, Stella L. Harris. First lieutenant, Grace J. Abbot. Second lieutenant, Bertha U. Brooks. A system of composition work in connection with the gymnastics has been tried and is prov¬ ing very successful. The girls are called upon in turn to write criticisms on the work of the different companies, and these criticisms both teach observance and give exercise in writing. One more point may be spoken of in connec¬ tion with this work, and that is, the effort that must be made by the pupil. It is true in other places as well as in school that all the teaching in the world can have very little effect unless accompanied by an effort on the part of the pupil to profit by it. If a girl does not care whether her body is erect and symmetrical, she is not very likely to be erect. If she does not care enough about the work to make an effort herself, the work done by others is not likely to be of much use to her. Therefore, girls, let us make up our minds to make the physical exer¬ cises of the R. II. S. the best of any high school in the country. Shall we? Harriett May Hyde, ’98. A TRIP FISHING. One morning in the early part of summer some of my friends and I went on a fishing trip. As we were very thirsty while on the way to the Brooks where we were to fish, and as there was No-well near, we stopped at A-dam (s, in a river and quenched our thirst. After walking a short distance we arrived at two dens, known as Harn-deu and Ams-deu.

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18 THE PIONEER. Singing—Down in the Dewy Deli, Henry Smart. Essay—The Trial Scene from the Merchant of Venice, Edith Barrows. Valedictory Address — The Value of Character, Grace Ethelwyn Copeland. Singing—“The Children’s Hour,” Alfred R. Gaul. Presentation of Diplomas. Singing—“Lullaby,” G. W. Chadwick. LOCALS. The Senior class in Greek have read the first four books of Homer’s Iliad and the sixth, and have been recently reviewing Xenophon, with the Juniors. Will some one of the Sophomores please in¬ form us what a “ stationary vibration ” is? Special credit is due to the Misses Skillen, Flint, Berry and Danforth, for their earnest and successful efforts in securing advertisements for this issue. The enthusiasm of the botany class causes the unfortunates not in it envy and wonder. The eager botanists tramp miles, in rain and shine, for a specimen. They return in a bedraggled and weary state, but still supremely happy if they have found it. All flowers are fearfully and wonder¬ fully made, they tell us, and moved by over¬ powering curiosity, without a pause for admiring its beauty, they cruelly dissect their treasure. Well, when we get there, we may understand. A certain musical fowl has made herself un¬ pleasantly noticeable during the morning periods. If something is not done about the matter, the owner may experience a loss. If the Junior class are puzzled to know what to present to the school, we would suggest a set of mouse traps, as being inexpensive as well as useful. For Sale or To Let — A back seat in good condition. The owner has been obliged to move nearer the front. Terms cheap. Apply to “ Duck.” There are plenty of “little brown jugs” hang¬ ing on the wall in the main room. Our compositions are completed ; We ourselves are quite conceited That what we wrote is just the stuff, To make the paper quite enough. Those wonderful Juniors have issued invita¬ tions for a “complementary” reception to the Senior class, June 19, 189G, at 9 o’clock. Not desiring to be behind the times we, too, have a “ poster.” Have you seen it? We are glad to notice the friendly relations between members of our school and the high school in our neighboring town. Wanted — Fewer anniversaries in the sur¬ rounding towns. Wanted — A new lunch counter and some more soup. There is one toilet article which is very much needed and wished for by the young gentlemen of the school. That is a comb, and it is hoped that one will be purchased from the funds re¬ sulting from the sale of the commencement issue of the Pioneer. Please have it ready for use next September. Wanted — Some of the time wasted by various members of the R. II. S. Geometry Teacher: “Which angle are you talking about? This one, or that?” Pupil: “ No’m ; the other.” First Pupil: “ Here’s a conundrum for you. Where was II —, when the Caesar exam was finished ?” Second Pupil: “ In the soup.” The following was an excuse handed to the principal of the R. H. S by one of the young ladies for tardiness: “A combination of un¬ precedented lassitude and continual procrastina¬ tion.” The day when the geology class visited the Natural History rooms will be remembered by