Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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SOMIvRYILLK HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. »3 and went tliou the slave of Regulus, the gambler? The Scythian bowed his head in answer. “Tell me when thou were condemned to the galleys.” Then replied Aisnax. “On the evening of the day I lost the race, although on the promise ot Regulus I had twice before won mv freedom, he summoned all of his slaves before him, then ordered his freedmen to beat us until morning came. After giving this order he retired to his chamber, opened his veins, and was found dead in the morning by the officer of the emperor, who had come to demand of him the payment of the wager he had lost to Tallienus. The officer seized all the property, and as there was not enough to pay the debt in full, with the j ortion due the state, all the able-bodied slaves—1 among the rest—were sent to the galleys until such time as we should work our release. 'Pile house was then closed and the seal of the emperor set on the portals.” So thou art not condemned for life. said Cas- tor. joyfully. No, replied Aisnax. Regulus, in his anger, forgot that part of the threat, but he knew full well what mv lot would be. Then said Castor, turning to Romulus. Dost thou believe Tallienus would purchase the freedom of Aisnax from the emperor? Then replied Romulus, who had now become interested in both his slave and his charge, and who knew full well the reputation of Regulus, the gambler. There is a law in Rome that should a debtor die as did Regulus, owing both his wager and the state, his property shall be confiscated bv the emperor and sold by his officer to justify his creditor, but the slaves become the chattels of the state, and can be bought or exchanged for sesterces if the emperor gives his consent. Whoever pur- chases such a slave has the power, of course, to free him if he chooses. In the case of No. Y1I.', or Aisnax. as thou callest him, I have no doubt that the noble Tallienus will grant you the favor you so much desire. So. my Meet-footed Castor, on the morrow write on thy tablet of wax a letter, asking him to aid you. and I will despatch it back to Rome on the first galley we meet going thither, and in the meantime Aisnax will remain with me as ‘No. VII.' ( n the morrow the tablet was despatched, and Castor prayed the gods for its safe delivery and a favorable reply. « ■ « Tallienus to Castor sends greeting:— “Peace be unto thy house. Thy letter, sent me through the noble Romu- lus, has filled me with joy. 1 have been looking for the slave Aisnax since the death of Regulus, and have been searching among the galleys of the em- peror for him, as I desire the Scythian to take thy place in my household, but thou knowest that the slaves of the galleys have no names, and my search has been a failure. As soon as I received thy tablet I interviewed the emperor, and the hour that the galley com- manded by Romulus is fastened to the mole at Ostia. Aisnax will be my slave, and before the next dawn he shall be a freeman. 1 send thee also a favor of the gods, enclosed in a casket containing this parchment: use them to grace thv mother and sister, and for thyself accept the coins. Wishing thee the favor of Jove and the gods, farewell. Tallienus. Castor in his home at Athens reads aloud this tablet of Tallienus to his mother and sister, and together they humbly pray the gods for the long life of Tallienus. THE NEW YEAR. With grave and wondering, yet expectant, eyes. Within the doorway leading from the past. Through which his predecessor may not step. The New Year pauses,—pauses, then looks back. He sees the Old Year stretched uj on his bier. And thinks how but a little hour ago Pell kindly precepts from those now mute lips,— Ripe wisdom gathered from the ages past. And standing, looking back, the young year sighs. Then, half reluctant, turns away his face To gaze upon the regions unexplored, Through which it is his destiny to go. Pager and hopeful, and yet serious. And with a little haunting of distrust. I le wonders what his coming is to bring To the great world wherein he is to move. With one last look behind, he shuts the door Upon the past, upon the dead Old Year. nd lifts one hesitating foot from off The threshold where it fain would linger still. P,ut with that step within him suddenly A courage new is born: in the free air He leaps—he bounds—he feels all through his frame A quivering thrill of happy certainty! He knows, he knows what, in his journey through The world, to all mankind he is to bring.— Perhaps much anguish, pain, heart-rending loss. Perhaps much sin and bitterest despair. But is that all? Ah. no! he is to bring To earnest men of purpose here on earth Higher ideals and nobler sentiments. Loftier motives, insight deeper far. So. all within this busy world of ours Shall bless the New Year’s advent, and take up Their burdens with as light a heart as he Who in his coming would bring naught but joy! Marv Piper. S. L. S., 01.

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SOMKRVIf.LH HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. 82 arena was grand in its magnificence; the scats arose tier after tier, and from them eighty thousand spectators were looking down in eager anticipa- tion. for the shows in the circus were their chief amusement. On the podium sat the emperor himself, with his gayly arrayed nobles and chiefs from all the world tributary to Rome. Castor and Aisnax were side by side in the foremost rank, and he heard the Scythian boy murmur: It is the first prize or the galleys.” Castor did not turn to look at him. for he was thinking: “The first prize, or my good master becomes a pauper, and I shall perhaps become the slave of that wicked Regulus. I must win. or I shall never see Athens again.” The trumpet once more sounded, at a signal from one of the judges, and the runners were off. Tot one of them but had proved himself worthy of a place in the race. A splendid runner was the slave of Regulus, and he shot ahead with a great bound, that called forth plaudits from the spectators. Close behind him came several others, but before the runners were a third of the distance around the arena, one tripped and fell, and others went headlong over him. More than half the rest of the runners were behind Castor now. but the speed with which they had started was too great to last long. Several of the men were shortly compelled to slacken their pace, and Castor passed them, but still away in the front, with an elastic, swinging stride, the sturdy Scythian kept the lead. Mv barbarian will win. O noble Tallienus: thy 'Syrian panther.’ as thou callest him. is twenty paces behind.” sneered Regulus, and Tallienus. who sat near, pale and nervous, replied: Wait, thou braggart, wait! Tis the last course that tells. Just then the runners came nearer: Regulus and his friend Claudius were silent until they passed. ()ncc more around and the race is finished. All are out of the race but Castor and the slave of Regulus.” cried Tallienus to his friend Tullius, who sat beside him. I shall lose my fortune if my Greek bov fails me. Look! Sec. Tullius, my Greek is gaining! They arc abreast! They still had a long run before them, but Castor and the Scythian ran side by side, and the circus rang with the applause of the multitude. From his seat Regulus saw. with much uneasi- ness. that the slave of his enemy was gaining on his own. Now. at the very last moment. Castor remem- bers his home in far-away Greece: his mother and sister, who perhaps mourn him as dead: the mis- fortunes that will befall his master if he does not win. and his promise of liberty. He gathers all his strength and energy, and as the two runners near the goal. Castor draws ahead and passes the goal, three paces in the lead of the Scythian. TIow the amphitheatre rang with the shouts, as the two. who had distanced all the rest, were led before the Prefect of the games to receive their prizes! Tallienus was there, and proclaimed his promise to Castor, and his purpose to keep it. The next day after the race Tallienus took Castor to the merchant shops of Rome and pur- chased for him new and costly robes and gar- ments. and then placed him on board a galley which was commanded by his friend Romulus, the tribune, which was bound for Athens. Before parting. Tallienus placed his hands upon the shoulders of the Greek boy. and said, affection- ately. Farewell. Castor, thou hast been a good and faithful servant. Thou hast saved the honor of my house, and as I promised. 1 have given thee thy freedom. Take this purse with my best wish: care for thy mother and sister, and the gods will bless thee. Farewell.” 0 On the morning of the second day before the calends of Tulv. Castor stood on the deck of the galley with his face turned towards the cast, watch- ing the glorious sunrise, the reflection of the red and yellow on the metallic waters, so strikingly beautiful in contrast to the snow white galley, with its gaily decorated sails spreading and bend- ing in the gentle morning wind. His thoughts were busily occupied with the scene of the race, which ended so happily for him; lie tried to imagine what had become of Aisnax, and whether Regulus had executed his threat on the poor Scythian boy by condemning him to the galleys for life. Instinctively he thought of the slaves that were laboring so steadily at the oars of his own galley, and he wondered if his rival in the race could be among them. He gained permission of the tribune to stand beside the hortator, or chief of the rowers, who was beating with his gavel on the sounding table the cadence of the stroke for all to puli together, that he might search again the number of faces for the countenance of his friend. This he had done before in the afternoons, but the rowers were changed every fourth hour, and so far his searches had proved in vain. At last he was rewarded by discovering that the seventh rower in the third bank was no other than his rival in the arena, lie was. indeed. Aisnax. the slave of Regulus. Castor made a slight signal of recognition and repaired to the tribune, who was lying on a couch enjoying the fragrant morning air. Telling the tribune of his success, for Romulus was already aware of the story of the race. Castor asked the privilege of an interview with the slave. The tribune promised to grant him his request when the rowers were changed. At last the moment arrived, and an officer brought into the presence of the tribune and (.'as- tor, Aisnax. who was tabulated as No. VII.” On his arms and on his ankles were the shackles, and his face wore a look of wonderment and anxiety. “Is thy name Aisnax?” demanded the tribune,

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84 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. EXCHANGE NOTES. “The Christmas Assignment,” in the Bices Mili- tary Academy Monthly, is a well-told and interest- ing story, worthy of publication in something higher than an amateur paper. The Girl of the Case” is original in style, hut somewhat stilted” in expression in places. The staff of the Omaha Register is to be compli- mented upon the success of the annual number. The exchange column of the Wakefield Beacon is of little benefit to other papers, as the exchange editor has only given the list of his exchanges, with- out criticism. “The Sophomore's Serenade,” in the Christmas Crimson and White, is an interesting sketch, with a rather original plot and style. The November Lowell Review reflects great credit upon its publishing staff. The Normal Pennant is one of our most interest- ing exchanges. “The Miniature.” in the December Volunteer, is written in a simple and interesting manner. The High School Argus for December is an ex- ceptionallv good publication. “In Bethlehem of Old is excellent, as are all the articles in the Belles-Lettres department. A Fair Exchange,” in the Christmas Racquet, is an unusuallv well-written story. Although the plot and the strange coincident” of a meeting on the other side of the globe arc common, the style is good. The Roxbury Enterprise for December is a great improvement over past numbers. The exchange column of the Oracle is not made enough of. “A Christmas Crime,” in the Bloomington Aegis, is a very well-told story. The December Csonian is rich in good prose and verse. “On the Wheel and Off, in the January Cherry and White, is an exceedingly amusing sketch, and one worth reading. The new exchanges are: High School Record. Evansville, Ind.: Guard and Tackle. Stockton, Cal.: Red and Black, Claremont, N. II.; Authen- tic. Stoneham. Mass.; Drury Academe. North Adams, Mass.: Chips. Providence, R. I.; Pythian. Kalamazoo. Mich.: Philalethian, Mycrstown. Pa.: Tahoma. Tacoma. Wash.; Volunteer. Concord, X. H.; Voice. Concord. Mass.: Kent's Hill Breeze. Kent’s Hill. Me.: Cogswell Petit Courier, San Francisco. Cal.: Review. Boone, la.; Echo, Mil- ford. X’. H.: Owl. Rockford, 111.; Courier. Haver- hill. Mass.; Observer, Central Falls, R. I.: Cue. Albany, N. Y.; Mercury, Milwaukee, Wis. Before marriage a man holds an umbrella over a woman's head to keep her from getting wet; after marriage, to keep the hat from getting wet. Professor.—“Why did Drake sail around the world ?” Student.—“Because he couldn’t walk around, sir.” A school teacher put the question: What is the highest form of animal life?’’ And the bright boy of the class answered: The giraffe.” Mrs. C (to james, who is sliding down the cellar door).— What are you doing out there?” James.—“Making a pair of pants for an orphan. Willie.-- What do they make talking machines of. pa?” Papa.—“The first one was made of a rib, my son.” Street Robber.— Your money or your life! Pedestrian.— T am just returning from a church fair.” Street Robber.—“Beg pardon. Here’s a nickel for car fare.” ' As a cable car swung around the corner, the pretty girl, who had been clinging to a strap, landed gracefully in the lap of a young gentleman perusing the latest number of Town Topics. I beg your pardon. she said, blushing. The pleasure is mine,” replied the young man absently. Lives of football men remind us That they write their names in blood. And, departing, leave behind them Half their faces in the mud. Professor to Pupil.— In which of his battles was Gustavus Adolphus killed?” Pupil (after reflection).'—“I think it was his last battle.” Lady Agatha—“It is a great deal to ask, I knov . Mi. Daubaway. but would you. some day. give me one oi your paintings for an institution in which 1 am deeply interested: It is the Home of Rest for the Blind.” When we go to a Christmas party, And corns are the worst of our woes. We object not to rings on our fingers. But we do to belles” on our toes. Mr. Brown, furrier, begs to announce that he will make up gowns, capes, etc., for ladies out of their own skins.” “We don't want to buy your dry goods, We don’t like you any more: You’ll he sorry when you see us Going to some other store. You can’t sell us any sweaters. Four-in-hands, or other fad. We don’t want to trade at your store If you won’t give us your ad.”—Ex.