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

Page 17 text:

Page Seven The Pioneer family. Her place was acceptably filled during her absence by Miss Ely. ooo The Typewriting room has been newly equipped with No. 10 Reming¬ ton machines. Formerly No. 10s and No. 6s were used. ooo On Dec. 22 the Senior and Junior German classes held a delightful Christmas party in the school library. The room was very attractive in its festive decorations, Christmas tree, and blazing fire-place. Probably the greatest attraction of the afternoon was the venerable “Kris Kringle,” (Miss Helen Gilmore, from the Allen School), who distributed the presents, which created much amusement, and read the accompanying German verses in a captivating manner. For the first time the students were initiated into the mysteries of German foou, and declared the “Marzpans” and “Weih- nachtskuchen” delicious (?). An ex¬ citing German game was played and then followed an enjoyable social hour. For the success of the party great praise is due the German teach¬ ers, Miss Dey and Miss Low. ooo Those of the Senior class who at¬ tended the Christmas dance were overjoyed at having the opportunity of greeting Mr. Redden, who was sub¬ master when we entered High School. He remarked to some of us that he had grown old since he left here, but we certainly could not perceive any difference in his looks. He is still the same “Billy.” The following names should be add¬ ed to the list of candidates for the girl’s basketball teams: M. Gage, E. Young, B. Abbott, T3; M. Sherman, G. Bancroft, T4; FI. Henderson, T5. ALUMNI NOTES The classes of 1906 and 1909 held a reunion at Reading High school on Dec. 28, 1911 About forty alumni were present at the banquet which was served in the Art Room. Dean Peabody, president of Class ’06, offi¬ ciated as toastmaster. Superintend¬ ent Harry T. Watkins, former Sub- Master William T. Redden, and Miss Helen Abbott of Class ’06 were the speakers. Dean Peabody, Harry Park¬ er, Lowell Hanson ’06, and Harlan Eames, Myrtle Wells and Marion Flint ’09, were on the committee. The majority of those present attended the 1912 dance later in the evening. The scarcity of Alumni notes in this issue is due to the fact that our Alumni editor is visiting in the South for the winter. EXCHANGES We acknowledge with thanks— The Radiator, Somerville. School Life, Melrose. Pun chard Ensign, Andover. Cambridge Review, Cambridge. The Clarion, West Roxbury H. S. The Mirror, Waltham. The Aegis, Beverly. The Focus, New Haven, Conn. The Comet, No. Bennington, Vt. The North Star, Houlton, Me. The Tattler, Nashua, N. H.

Page 16 text:

The Pioneer Page Six On Thursday, Jan. 18, an owl was perched in a fir tree outside the High School building. Many conjectures were made as to the cause of his coming, and what he thought of R. H. S. Some of the English classes have tried to solve the problem. (Editor’s Note.) ooo It seems that the great reputation which Reading High School enjoys has found its way even to the ani¬ mal kingdom, for the wise philosopher of the feathered tribe has endeavored to pay us a visit. He first decided to view the mysteries of the physical laboratory and what he saw there interested him so much that, despite the inhospitable treatment which various members of the industrious class accorded him, he remained en¬ thralled before that window the rest of the day, entirely neglecting the other portions of the building. In fact, so still did he appear, that it is to be feared that the quiet and studious atmosphere which surrounds our beautiful building quite lulled him into a deep sleep. We hope that pleasant dreams left him a happy memory of our inspiring presence and a desire to again visit us When less sleepily inclined. V. WILLIAM H. LEE, T2. ooo , The owl decided to come to the Reading High School because he had heard of the wisdom of the gradu¬ ating class. He thought his wisdom svas greater than that of 1912. When he found, however, that it couldn’t compare with that of the class, he flew away in disgust. Now the owl is a very sensitive little bird, and he thinks that he knows more than any other living creature, so all day long on Thursday of January 18, 1912, there was a very hot contest for the prize, between the little owl and his larger rival, the Senior class. The prize was “Wisdom,” and it is a prize worth fighting for. But on the night of that great day, the judge, who was Mr. Watkins, decided that though the owl put up a great fight for his standard, he was greatly sur¬ passed by his rival. That night there was great rejoicing in Reading, when the announcement was made. The owl took advantage of the excitement and ’darkness to steal away in meek humiliation. ELMER CLOUDMAN, ’12. SCHOOL NOTES The Senior dance, held in High School hall Dec. 28, was largely at¬ tended. The success of the dance was assured by the reunion of the classes of 1906 and 1909, the same evening. The hall was effectively decorated with a red and green color scheme. In the matrons’ corner was a Christ¬ mas tree lighted with small electric bulbs, from the top of which shone a large moon. The matrons were Miss Shand and Miss Jensen of the faculty. The American orchestra furnished the music. ooo Miss Dey did not return until sev¬ eral weeks later after the Christmas recess, on account of illness in her

Page 18 text:

The Pioneer Page Eight MUSICIAN TO HER MAJESTY He had been lost in his playing, when suddenly a knock startled him from his reverie. Who could be com¬ ing to see him? Surely not his land¬ lady, for she knew only too well that he had no money to pay her; yet who was it? He had no other friends since his old teacher, Monsieur Sarrazin, had died. Another knock! He sprang to his feet, laid down his violin and opened the door; before him stood an elder¬ ly lady with snow-white hair, flash¬ ing black eyes and a trim little fig¬ ure. She was dressed in black vel¬ vet, which suited her French type. She could be no other than La Grande-Duchesse de Gerolstein, the wonderful woman so interested in the poor of Paris, in aid of whom she was going to give a concert the next week. “Bonjour, Monsieur Vineron?” “Oui, madam.©, pray what can I do for Your Highness?” “I came here to see the wife of one of my servants who is sick, and I heard you playing a wonderfully sweet piece which I must have played at my concert next week. Would you be willing to do it?” “Madame, it is impossible that you should wish me, a poor musician, to play at your grand concert.” “Ah, will you not play for me? 1 will gladly pay all you ask.” “Ah, ma chere Madame, I will most gladly do it for the honor. It has been my heart’s one desire to have a chance; a chance to show the world what my possibilities are! If this great chance has come at last, I know I can move the people to love my music that comes from the soul.” “Then I will hear you Tuesday evening at the castle.. I must have vour number at the end.” And then she was gone, leaving the man lean¬ ing against the wall, staring at the spot where she had stood. Tuesday, the day of La Grande- Duchesse de Gerolstein’s concert, Vineron sat playing his piece over for the last time. It was hard for him to realize that after twenty years of hard work (for he was now thir¬ ty) his great anticipated chance was to come at last. A knock! Somehow, he hated to open the door. He had a feeling of something cruel which was to happen, but he went slowly to the door, op¬ ened it, and outside stood not the Duchess, but one of her immaculate footmen, with a note for “Monsieur,” written by her daughter. Hastily, Vineron opened it: the first word which caught his eye was “cancelled.” What w r as “cancelled?” He began to read aloud: “Your en¬ gagement to play for my mother will have to be cancelled as she is very ill. Enclosed you will find some money. I am very sorry this should happen, and hope that you will not misunderstand. “Frances Malo Rancouras de Gerol¬ stein” Vineron let the paper fall from his hands and stood motionless, gazing blankly at the floor. Money! He did not want it! He only wanted his chance. He rushed for his hat, hastily picked up the money, and was off to the palace of