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

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TIIE PIONEER. 15 With great reluctance, as it was a case of necessity, Mr. Butterfield subdued his ancestral pride and fixed a dollar and a quarter as his price. After a good deal of arguing, a dollar was agreed upon. When the man had counted out this sum in pennies and five cent pieces, and recounted it several times, he dropped it slowly with the check into Mr. Butterfield’s hand, while he placed one hand on the bag. Mr. B utterfield now removed the contents of the bag into his own and Artemus’ pockets, to the bewilderment of the pawnbroker. After he had finished, he laid it reverently on the counter, only to see the pawnbroker take it and toss it into a corner between some rusty garden tools and a broken chair. Mr. Butterfield quivered with indignation, but controlling his anger, he grasped Artemus by the hand and left the store. “1 feel condemned, Artemus Butterfield, to think I’ve gone and spent ten dollars for clothes an’ let your gran’ther’s bag go fer one dollar. Almirer Jane’ll never fergive me. But, really, 1 couldn’t ha’ dried your clothes an’ you might er caught cold, and I spose we’ve got ter git home.” “But won’t you ketch it when mother finds it out?” answered Artemus. At length they reached the station and suc¬ ceeded in finding the train. Artemus did not raise any objection when they got on, but took a seat and sat very still. Mr. Butterfield did not speak until after the train had started, and then he said, “I dew wish Almira Jane could ’a seen tliet new kind ’er tricycle what runs up hill.” “Well, I aint got the candy,” grumbled Artemus, whose temper had been spoiled with his clothes. “Shet up, yeow ungrateful leetle scamp,” said Mr. B utterfield sternly. Hattie E. Gleason. Class of 1901. THE BOER WAR. The present trouble between the English and the Dutch is nothing more than a continuance of a long series of quarrels in the past. Their relations were never really friendly when they first became neighbors on the shore of the Ger¬ man Ocean, as it was called. As explorers and adventurers they were very naturally rivals, and this rivalry again showed itself when the took up commerce. Their very first difficulty was about herrings. In the fourteenth century, they came to a dispute on this subject, although both colonies had pur¬ sued the industry for very many years. The Dutch fishermen dragged their nets upon Eng¬ land’s very shores and then caused the English to buy their own fish. Naturally enough, this created a disturbance, and although no very serious difficulty arose, yet this trifling matter started the feeling of enmity which still exists. The troubles in South Africa commenced in the early part of the present century, and they have gradually increased until now. Great Britain, with the largest army that she ever put upon the field, has practically ended the war with the Boers. Many writers call England’s part in the war a mistake. When she first took possesion of the Dutch colony in South Africa, she made a good start. Everything seemed peaceful and the colonists were perfectly satisfied. The Eng¬ lish rule was much easier than the Dutch, to which they had been accustomed, and they were glad to enjoy it. In a few years, however, they received their first disappointment when the emancipation of their slaves was declared by England. The step in itself was all right, but the methods and the suddenness occasioned the trouble. As a re¬ sult of this action, many wealthy men lost not. only their slaves, but also the amount of money due them for their loss. The feeling of enmity once started could not be wholly subdued, and ever since it has from time to time come to the surface. In fact, this action was the real cause for the great immigration of many of the colonists to the land near the Orange and Vaal Rivers, where in the wilderness they formed their own country, free from the rule of England. The history of this colony up to the year

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14 THE PIONEER. lcre l along, looking in the shop windows and enjoying himself generally. Suddenly his eye fell upon a strange looking wagon which was passing along the street. Its body, which looked like a great barrel, rested on four stout wheels, while from the rear there was a wide protuberance which was bored with numerous round holes. Artemus felt very curious to examine this queer arrangement, so when it had passed by, he stepped up behind and stood looking at it with his hands in his pockets. lie had just bent over and was trying to poke his fingers in the holes, when all of a sudden there spurted out from all the openings at once, a heavy shower of cold water which completely drenched poor Artemus to the skin. He set up aloud outcry which brought from the crowd a gentleman carrying a carpet-bag and blue umbrella, who cried excitedly, “At last I have found my son,” and catching him by the hand, he drew the boy on to the sidewalk. Artemus presented a pitiable appearance indeed. Over his woeful face, little red rivulets were making their way from the red cotton streamers of his hatband. The once stiffly starched gingham waist was now limp and life¬ less, and the colors of his green plaid necktie, the pride of his heart, were blended in a wonderful manner. Master Butterfield was still wailing loudly and looking regretfully at his ruined splendor. They stopped at a clothier’s and Mr. Butter¬ field ordered a new suit for Artemus, afterward inquiring the price. “Ten-dollars,” answered the clerk carelessly, and proceeded to do up the parcel. Mr. Butterfield rose on his tiptoes, saying under his breath, “Fifteen-cents left to get home with.” But pride ruled his purse, so he paid the price and commanded Artemus to stop making a noise. He gained permission to change Artemus’ clothes in a little back room of the store, and soon that young man was arrayed in such a fine new suit that he would have been glad that lie had met with the disaster, if it had not been for the reprimand which he expected from his father, when he should leave the store. But his fears were dispelled when his father commenced on an entirely different subject. “How are we to get home with fifteen cents?” “Ef I hed anythin’ valu’ble, 1 might sell it,” lie said, “I don’t ’spose anybody’d want ter buy th’ luncheon Almirer Jane put up fer us, though there be a nice slice o’ joint an’ a ras’b’ry turn¬ over.” All at once, Mr. Butterfield thought of his blue umbrella, and though he was loth to part with the ancient article, he asked several people if they would like to buy it. He could not find anyone who wanted it, but one old lady suggested, “Why don’t you take it to the pawnbroker’s? There’s one right down the street here.” Thanking her for the suggestion, he acted upon it at once. He found the shop without any trouble, but the shrewd old pawnbroker shook his head and said, “Zat ees of no use to me, not von beet.” “Waal now,” exclaimed Mr. Butterfield some¬ what taken aback, “Yer don’ know what a chance yer losin’. There aint a person in Beantown that wouldn’t jump at th’ chance o’ buyin’ thet umbreller,” and he was plunging into its history when the man interrupted, “I haf no use for zat, but ze bag, I vill see ze bag.” For a moment, Mr. Butterfield was speechless with rage at the thought of the proposed desecration, but the stern realities of his position came back to him, together with the soothing remembrance that he could return immediately and redeem it, so he answered, “Mebhe I’ll sell it. But it ought ter bring a good lump o’ money.” “I gif you no more’n sefenty-fife cent,” ans¬ wered the man, with a hideous grin. “Seventy-five cents!” cried Mr. Butterfield indignantly, “Why thet bag’s worth more’n ten dollars, Gran’ther Butterfield paid fifteen dollars fer thet there carpet-bag.” “Veil, veil, as you pices,” and the pawn¬ broker turned away as if the transaction were ended.

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10 TIIE PIONEER. 1877 is one full of struggles with the native tribes and difficulties in getting along. The people had no real form of government; every family seemed to be a little state in itself. There was disorder everywhere, and to the better educated part of the colonists, the only thing which seemed advisable was to demand annexation from England. Although the lower classes were opposed to this, yet they were obliged to give in and the Transvaal became a part of England, in the above named year. This was a wise course in one respect, for they were assisted by the English in quelling the Zulus, and an orderly government was obtained. Rut again the hostile feeling arose, and the reason for it was chiefly that the annexation was accomplished before it should have been II the English government had waited a little there would have been no other alternative for the Boers because of the great depredations of the Zulus. Then, when driven by sheer neces¬ sity, even the least intelligent would have gladly welcomed England’s protection. The feeling increased and finally resulted in the war of 1880, when the British were taken by surprise and after several engagements fought the battle of Majuba. The entire British force was practically annihilated. At this period the war stopped. The minis¬ try for different reasons decided to go no farther. Gladstone’s influence undoubtedly had great effect, when he said that the people should be given their liberty and not conquered. But the Boers looked at this decision in exactly the wrong light. They thought that their victories had occasioned the English leniency, and that the British did not dare go on. “Magnanimity to an enemy, unless he recognizes it as such, is a mistake.” But it was impossible to stop there. To have the Majuba victory as the deciding point of the question was against the feelings of the English people, and the Boers knew it. So during the interim between that time and this, they have been gathering arms and ammunition and have been growing expert in the art of warfare, in preparation for the final struggle. The present war, the immediate cause of which was President Kruger’s ultimatum, is now nearly ended. The result can only be the final defeat of the Boers, for while Britain has her greatest army upon the field, the Boers have a small force. It is even true that the whole South African population is less than that of some of England’s largest cities. The wonder is that the Boers have held out so long. They were no easy foe and have, as is well known, caused great havoc in the British army by their expert military tactics. It took England’s great¬ est general, Lord Roberts, with the powerful aid of Lord Kitchener to cause their defeat. What the final result will be in regard to the relations between the two countries is difficult to tell. The world in general is waiting and hoping that it will be fair and just to all. Edward F. Park hr, Jr. ORANGE CULTURE IN FLORIDA. (l)rawu from Observation.) The orange was first introduced into Florida about three centuries ago, but it was not until after the war that its cultivation became an industry. Before commerce was cut off by the Civil War, tobacco was more profitable than oranges; but during the four years, from sixtv- one to sixty-five , tobacco could hot be exported and therefore the industry went down, and since the great freeze of ninety-five, has not been revived until within the last five years. The orange seeds are planted in nurseries about a foot apart, and when they come up arc permitted to grow until the trees are about four feet high. They are then budded with what¬ ever variety the grower desires. The budding consists of cutting a slit in the bark of the tree and putting the bud of a thorn in it, the thorn being cut off. A small piece of waxed cloth is then tied around the tree, leaving the tiny bud uncovered. It is left in this way for ten days, when, if the bud is going to take, it has put out small leaves. The bud is put in at from six to thirty inches above the ground, and the old stock is cut off down to this.