Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 7 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. 5 B Glimpse of tbe Hbmtval. MARY F. CAR KICK. We were in Rome when we first heard that the Olympia had reached Naples, and all decided that we must be among the first to welcome Admiral Dewey. The day after our arrival, while in the Neapolitan Museum, looking at those world-famous bronzes, the “ Dancing Faun ” and the u Narcissus,” our atten- tion was caught by two men in white duck uniforms, who, we concluded, must belong to the Olympia’s crew. The bronzes were at once forgotten, and the sailors found themselves surrounded by eager Americans, all asking questions at once, for they were, as we had supposed, men from the Olympia, one an engineer, the other a steward. Both had taken part in the battle of Manila Bay, and after a jumbled talk of ten minutes we had learned a good deal about the battle, the Admiral, and themselves. They were glad to have had a part in the making of history, glad to have served under Dewey, and glad to be returning home. The engineer, who felt a little self-conscious, said that it seemed strange to be dressed up and to wear a “ boiled shirt,” the one he had on having been laundered in New York two years before. Upon being questioned, he gave us some idea of the fearful heat in the engine-room during the action. The men were only able to remain long enough to replenish the engines, and then staggered out in a half-fainting condition, to be revived by buckets of cold water which were dashed over them. Through all that was said I felt their sincere love and admiration for Admiral Dewey. The admiration I fully appre- ciated, and later I noticed that consider- ation and kindliness of manner to all of his subordinates which has made him so universally beloved. They assured us of a hearty welcome on board the Olympia, and regretted that they them- selves would not be present, for having secured a day’s leave, they were on their way to Pompeii. After this meeting it was strange how pale Vesu- vius grew. A proposed trip to the crater of an extinct volcano was abandoned, and our entire attention given to a living hero. We could hardly wait for lunch to be over, and the bar- gaining for boats at the wharf seemed interminable, but at last we started. We had for our boatman a swarthy Neapolitan, who stood while rowing, swaying his body to and fro with a rhythmical motion. His efforts to outdo the other boat which contained the rest of our party soon caused the perspira- tion to stream from his face, which, nevertheless, wore a happy expression, even when the other boat distanced us. This buoyancy of nature is characteris- tic of the poorer Neapolitans, despite their squalid and miserable lives. As we came alongside, the Admiral’s flag was flying, and before we had time to collect our wits and prepare a little speech, we were climbing on board, the sailors were helping us up the stairs, and the blessed English language was being spoken all about us. We sent our cards to Admiral Dewey, and whi'e we waited a young sailor from Chicago was detailed to show us about the boat. He had just explained the action of one gun, and was about to take us into the sailors’ quarters, when a pleasant voice, a few feet below us, said, “ I would not go down there, it is too warm,” and looking down I saw the Admiral. In a minute he had invited us below, and we were shaking hands like old friends. “ We have come all the way from Rome to see you,” we said. This seemed to please him, for several times he repeated, “ So you have come down from Rome to see me?” In fact, it seemed that we alone had conferred the honor of visiting the flagship. He led the way to his private cabin, and it was here that we first saw Bobby, a yellow Chinese dog of which the Admiral is

Page 6 text:

4 SOMKRVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. our school life, the reflection of our mental activity, the expression of our athletic enthusiasm, the warder of our moral associations — to stand by right, to decry wrong, to applaud our suc- cesses, to find encouragement even in reverses. AS we look forward towards the com- ing year, we see several things against which to direct our editorial shaft. First, and affecting our readers most closely, is the overcrowded condi- tion of the English High School. Much has been said already on this subject, in print and in words, by teachers and by pupils, but as the school organ, the Radiator again protests, voicing the sentiments of 30 teachers and more than 700scholars. Reparation ispromised us. When ? At some far-off, indefinite time. We need it now ! Every square foot of floor room is utilized. The dressing rooms arc of insufficient capacity ; scholars are obliged to use for that purpose the corri- dors of the fourth floor; musicis con- ducted in three divisions; the Lecture Hall provides for little more than half of the first year class, whose ethics period has to be divided between its two sec- tions ; classes are heard in the labora- tories ; classes recite in corridors ; classes arc instructed in dressing-rooms, where there is poor light and poor ventilation ; three classes fill the Lecture Hall, sepa- rated by a mere thickness of curtain, through which every sound can be dis- tinctly heard; even the quiet of the library is disturbed by recitations,— this, and we are promised “redress in the future.” City fathers, the health, as well as the comfort of the young people of Somerville requires that immediate steps should be taken toward improving the present state of affairs. A great extension of the Public Library is in progress • is not the crowding of future citizens of more importance than the crowding of books? Answer it,— we know! LAST year Somerville accomplished a feat unparalleled in Interscholastic football circles. The school produced a team which entered upon an untried field and carried all before it, and whose grit, science, and gentlemanly conduct well won the silver championship trophy Prophets of evil are always cr)ing, “ we can't do it again!” Why can’t we? There is a team in Somerville this year, a team composed of men whose dash and determination covers up to a great extent their comparative inexperience, and whose general showing in practice games has been decidedly encouraging They need our united and individual support. Let us attend the games. And let us cheer lustily when the boys are up ; when they are down—all the more. Here’s to the present and pros- pective champions ! Drink it down ! FOR the first time in the recent his- tory of the Radiator, the journal- istic year has begun in October. For the first time in all its history, the Radi- ator has contracted for a regular 28 page issue. We hope these innovations have come to stay. Whether they stay or not remains with you. Contribute to the Radiator, buy the Radiator, patronize the Radiator’s advertisers. WITH the “ beforehandedness” char- acteristic of the Somerville High Schools, the Radiator claims to be the first school journal to secure a personal interview with the nation’s hero—Ad- miral Dewey. Miss Carrick, one of the teachers at the English High, who met the admiral at Naples this summer, has written of her interesting experience in a very entertaining manner. WE take this way to express our thanks to Mr. Renj. I '. Freeman, the photographer, for his aid in securing our frontispiece. Mr. Freeman’s kind- nesses have made him a friend indeed to every Radiator staff. THE features of next month’s issue will be a special Thanksgiving cover, an article on the Public Library exten- sion, a long Alumni column, a depart- ment with the same aim as last year’s Contributor’s Ciub, Exchanges, and news items. SEE our prize competition announce- ment on page 1.

Page 8 text:

6 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. very fond. When we were again on deck and would have bidden him good- bye, as others had come on board to claim his attention, he would not permit us to go. “ You must stay and have tea with me, and I promise you it shall be some of the best that you ever tasted. 1 le went on to say that lie had a Chi- nese cook, a rich man in his own coun- try, •• richer than I am, but he likes to go about with me, and I find him a treasure. The cook, dressed all in white, his long queue touching the floor, appeared, bringing a nest of little tables. These were placed in front of us, the largest in the centre holding the bread and butter sandwiches, chocolate eclairs and cakes. While these preparations were going on Admiral Dewey noticed a camera owned by one of our party, and sug- gested that Hobby’s picture should be taken. Hobby would only remain quiet while the Admiral held him, and as we were sitting very near at the time, I imagine that it was a group picture. The tea and sandwiches, which the Admiral passed with his own hands, were as delicious as we had anticipated, and I am afraid that we would have been tempted to stay longer, had it not been for the fact that the officers had a dinner engagement. Just as we were leaving, Dewey said, “ I have received a letter from your Governor, in which you will be inter- ested. It is the letter of a gentleman, and added, “ Will some one read it ? I always choke when I read such letters. It was growing late when the letter was finished, and with many last words we left the Olympia. It was not until we saw the sailors watching us longingly from the side of the boat that we real- ized we had found no time to speak to them. You can imagine how enthusiastic we were on our way back to the landing. One of the girls and myself gave up a drive along the Hay to look for flowers which we hoped that we might have the opportunity of giving Admiral Dewey, as the dinner was to take place at the Royal, our hotel. How we longed for Hoston florists as we ransacked those tiny shops, — but in the end we were rewarded by a great armful of yellow roses, which, with a little card attached, “ From the Americans whom you so cordially entertained this afternoon, we gave into the care of the concierge, who was to place them on the table. We were in the large dining-hall when the officers of the Olympia arrived, and, as if by electricity, we arose and stood until they had passed into the private suite of rooms. The next morning I peeped into the room, expecting to see our wilted roses among the other decorations, but they had disappeared. The concierge told us that several times during the even- ing the Admiral had said, “ See what my American friends have done for me,” and that he had taken our flowers back to the Olympia. Dr. Ilanscom, while speaking to me the other day recalled an incident of his life during the Civil War. For half an hour he stood very near, watching the faces of Lincoln and Grant while they were reviewing the Army. He said that the picture was as clear to him as if it had happened only yesterday, and added that my tea with Admiral Dewey would always be one of my treasured remembrances. To meet a'man whose fame is world-wide, a nation’s hero, and withal so unspoiled by success, is a privilege which I shall never forget.