Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 14 text:

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.

Page 13 text:

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.

Page 15 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR. 85 AN INCIDENT OF THE REBELLION. 44 Boz ' E., 'Oi. Nestled among: die rocky hills of Nova Scotia, the village of Old Canso slumbers peacefully in the rays ot the sun. the reflection of its small window- panes brilliantly thrown back from the waters of the broad Atlantic. From either side and at the back of the village the ground slopes gradually upward, forming a protection against wind and rain for the small vallev in which Old Canso is situated. The sombre nines and hemlocks make a delightful con- trast to the small white cottages of the fishermen. In the village there is little sign of activity, but far awav on the horizon numerous fishing craft are to be seen making their way to and fro. their sails only appearing to view, reminding one of huge birds of prey gliding o’er the sea in search of food. One would scarcely think that th:s quiet hamlet had witnessed one of the most tragical incidents of our Civil W ar. yet such is the fact. When political strife rent the sections of our country, and piratical privateers preyed upon our commerce, the Alabama, the most dreaded of them all. appeared suddenly on the banks one afternoon in the fab of 1SG3. and captured an unresisting fish- ing schooner The others immediately made for the straits of Canso and anchored before the village of that name. Semmes dared not follow, as he was entirely unacquainted with the locality, and the breakers over the submerged ledge of Roaring Bull restrained him. A fleet of fourteen fishing craft were anchored closely together, waiting for a stormy night to at- tempt an escape. Among them was the two- niasted schooner Clara Jane, of Boson. The vessel was partlv owned and commanded by Captain Dun- ham. After waiting six days, the long-lookcd-for opportunity arrived in the form of a bad storm. But even this could not force the privateer to lessen her vigilance. She was still in front of the harbor, and seemed resolved to permit none to escape. The word was passed for all to leave the harbor at mid- night, and it was thought that, in the intense fog which prevailed, nearly, if not all. would escape. At the appointed hour the fourteen vessels glided softly out of the harbor, the Clara Jane, being new and one of the fastest sailers, next to the last. All went well until they passed the spot where fhe supposed the Alabama to be. when suddenly the boom swung loudly over to starboard, and the sails flapped in the breeze, betraying the presence of a vessel to any seaman. It was the fault of the helmsman, who. being interested in keeping as far as |K ssible from the dreaded spot, had sailed too far into the “eve of the wind. consequently, when the wind struck on the other side, all the sails swung over. Thev were already congratulating them- selves on the enemy’s not hearing the noise, when a hail rang out across the water. “What ship is that?” Captain Dunham immediately mounted the taffrail and called back. The British brig Oliver Cromwell; who are you?” The crew held their breath in suspense. Would the trick deceive the enemy? Could they get beyond range under cover of darkness? They were still sailing on. But the command, Lay to, till we send a boat aboard,” shattered their hopes. The captain answered. All right, sir. and in the same breath and a much lower tone gave orders to swiftly and silently tack the ship. They heard a boat being lowered and the sound of oars, then another hail, this time unanswered. Semmes, sus- pecting a trick, was now convinced of the fact, and commenced firing, hoping to locate his intended prize. For a time they were unscathed, but an un- fortunate shot struck the foremast fairly, ten feet above the deck, and it broke off. carrying with it the foresail and topsails. They were twice hulled, and again a stroke of bad luck befell them. Even while clearing away the wreckage of the foremast, the main boom was struck by another random shot, and the mainsail carried away. The crashing of wood informed the enemy of their success, and loud cheers arose from the throats of the privateersmen. They were again and again struck, and the boats were rendered useless. They were now entirely crippled and unable to move, except by tide and sea. But still they battled against fate. There was yet one chance. The privateer, not knowing of their crippled condition, might sail away in pursuit, and in the morning they could obtain assistance from Canso. as all the inhabitants were friendly. But no, thev were doomed to disappointment, for. when morning broke, the fog lifted perceptibly, and there lav the Alabama, scarcely an eighth of a mile distant. On seeing the wrecked schooner, she sailed within hailing distance, and summoned the Yankee to surrender, but, receiving no reply, boarders were called away.” and left the snip in three boats, which simultaneously attacked the ves- sel at bow. stern, and amidships. No resistance was offered until the uniformed lieutenant cut down the Stars and Stripes.” which, up to this time, had been proudly floating from the masthead. Then the pent-up wrath of the captain broke loose, and. pulling a pistol from his pocket, he shot the officer dead. 'I bis act was as a spark to gunpowder. The sailors picked up whatever was nearest their hands, and. turning on the foe. forced them back into their boats. The loss of their officer and this unexpected resistance stupefied them. But the sue cess of the Yankees was short-lived, for at this moment the captain fell mortally wounded by a shot from the ! oats. The fall of their valiant leader mad- dened the crew, and they resolved to resist to the last, and pistols, and even shot-guns, were brought forth to fight against the guns of a man-of-war. The Alabama recommenced firing, which did not