Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR lo THE WORM WILL TURN. By E. Wtngersky, E.f '02. 11 ARLES A. HALL was a man of pluck and determination. He was patient and law-abiding until his patience gave out. Then—he knew no law. It was dangerous to trifle with him when he was aroused. By occupation he was a real estate dealer, influ- ential in the district in which he resided. He was rated by the knowing ones as being worth about a quarter of a million, with plenty more behind him. At the end of one of the principal streets of the citv was a three-storied brick tenement house. When Mr. Hall purchased it. it was a costly piece of property, but a railroad running through had taken part of the land, and its valuation had de- creased. Two branches of the road intersected each other ai this point, and when the crossing was built it was deemed unwise to erect a dropping gate, on account of the great danger to the large traffic. So a swinging gate had to be substituted. When it was open for one road, it was closed on the other. When this was closed, one end of it was compelled to swing across the sidewalk fronting the house owned by Mr. Hall. 'I bis was a great nuisance, and. moreover, a great danger to the children play- ing in the street. One blow from the massive iron gate was enough to fell a man. much more a child. So it was that the tenements often remained empty for months at a time. Two years had elapsed since the building of the gate. Week after week Mr. Hall had complained to the superintendent of the railroad owning the gate all in vain. This morning he sat in his office buried in thought. Determination was written in cverv line of his countenance. He was becoming resolute and dangerous. He turned to an assist- ant. and said shortly. Louis, I am going out. If any one calls, tell him I do not expect to return to- dav.” A brisk walk brought him to the office of the superintendent of the G. M. railroad. On the door, in large letters, was the mystic sign. Private.” He knocked on the door. It was opened bv a colored bov. who said with a grin: Mr. Hammond is busy. He can sec no one.” Mr. Hall gave his card and waited. Soon the door of the inner office opened, and he was told to step inside. At the desk sat an old man. writing busily. Mr. Hall took a scat and waited. At the end of a few minutes the superintendent rose and extended his hand to his visitor. Well. Mr. Hall,” lie began sarcastically, isn't that gate question settled yet?” You ought to know,” was the angry answer. I must have that grade crossing removed. What I want is satisfaction, and I’m going to have it.” The superintendent merely raised his eyebrows. To him such a threat was a common occurrence. (The idea of a railroad giving satisfaction!) “Is that so?” he muttered to himself. Is that the case?” Then he turned to his visitor. Mr. Hall,” he said, this has got to stop. You won't get any satisfaction here, and it's useless for you to try. The Ci. St M. railroad is going to take care of the (i. M. railroad, and Mr. C. A. Hall can take care of Mr. C. A. Hall. I bid you good afternoon. Then he returned to his desk and resumed writing. The next morning there was a strange sight in from of the tenement house. Three teams loaded with rubbish of all descriptions were backed up against the curb. Sitting in the yard were twelve workmen with shovels in their hands. Walking in their midst, and carrying a building permit which gave him the use of the sidewalk and eight feet of road in front of his house, was Mr. Hall. It was a sudden decision on his part that his house needed remodeling. Soon the whistle of a train was heard, and the gate began to move until one end stretched directly across the walk. This was the signal. The twelve men commenced work, and in three minutes the gate was covered with rubbish. When the train had passed, the brakeman started to move the gate. It was stuck. For ten minutes nothing happened. Then a train came along on the closed road. It could not pass through the gate. A half hour later on one of the officials appeared. He was a short man. thick-set, with fiery red hair. He bounced up to Mr. Hall. “Are you the owner of this building?” he demanded. 1 am. was the cool answer. “Well, sir. continued the angry official, shaking his hand in the other's face. Well, sir. do you know what you arc doing? Are you aware of the dan- ger you are putting yourself in?” He was not thinking of correct grammar. Still calm. Mr. Hall answered quietly, Not being mentaliv unbalanced. 1 am fully aware of the enor- mity of mv offense, and I am willing to suffer all consequences. Here is my building permit, signed by the citv clerk. I bid you good afternoon.” The official waited no ionger. A few moments later he returned at the head of a gang of laborers. Men,” he said imperatively, clear away that rub- bish. At the side of the pile stood two men armed with revolvers. Mr. Hall appeared. Drawing his per- mit from his pocket, and turning to the official, he said. That rubbish is on my land, and belongs to me. and I am going to protect it. The man who touches it does so at his peril. The official looked first at Mr. Hall, then at the men guarding the pile, hesitated—and withdrew with his men. The streets by this time were filled with a good-natured crowd, who shouted. Three

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14 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR OUR NEW TEACHERS. The Latin School extends a cordial welcome to her three new instructors, Mr. Ilosmer, Miss Pratt. and Miss Bowman. Mr. George M. Ilosmer was born in East Som- erville, and there he has always resided, lie at- tended the Prescott Grammar School, from which he was graduated in 1893, the last year that Mr. Southworth acted as principal. He then entered the Latin School, being graduated in 1897 with the enviable record of ranking first in his class. The following term he entered Harvard, where he studied with the intention of making teaching his profession. Being graduated in the class of 1901, he was appointed instructor of Latin and mathe- matics at the Latin school. Throughout his college career Mr. Ilosmer was grouped among the best scholars of his class. In his second vear he took honors in classics, and later on was made a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society. Miss Grace T. Pratt was born in Deerfield, Mass., and fitted for college in the academy of her native town, from which she entered Smith Col- lege. Graduated in '92, she gained her first ex- perience in teaching in a school preparatory for Wellesley at Shclbyvillc, Ky. Since then she has taught in Wilmington. Whitman, and Paw- tucket. In the high school of the last named city she remained for four years, leaving to assume her present position in the Somerville Latin School. Miss Pratt received in 1901 the degree of Master of Arts from Brown University. Although we regret the loss of Miss Witham, our former teacher of English, we feel that her successor is in every way qualified to amply fill her place, and we extend to Miss Pratt our heartiest welcome, and assurances of earnest co-operation in the work of the year which lies before us. Miss Mabel E. Bowman, who holds the position of student teacher in the Latin School, is a native of this city, and has always resided in Somerville, obtaining her early education in the Latin High School, from which she was graduated in ’93. She then entered Wellesley, and was identified with the merry college life of that institution until ’97, when she obtained her degree. In ’99 she received a degree from Radcliffe College, and has since taught in Natick, in the Walnut Hill School, which offers preparation for Wellesley. Miss Bowman will remain with us at least until the mid-year holidays. K K As a result of the June meeting of the board, Jonathan Leonard became a member of the faculty of the English high school, where he will teach modern languages. He was born in Sandwich in 1875, preparing for Harvard in the high school of his native town. Being graduated in the class of ’91, he devoted the ensuing year to private study, after which he entered Harvard College, and at the completion of the regular four years' course received the degree A. B. He returned to the col- lege in 97, and received the degree of A. M.. studying at the Harvard graduate school. For a portion of the year he was engaged as substitute principal in the Sandwich high school, but later taught languages at the Newark Academy, Newark, N. J. During 1900-01 he pursued an ad- vance course of study in modern languages at Columbia University. He was married in 1898 to M. Elizabeth Norton, of Sandwich. We are very pleased to welcome to the depart- ment of mathematics of the English High School Miss Ella D. Gray, formerly a graduate of the Medford High School. After a full course at Bos- ton University, she was graduated in 1896. Dur- ing the following year she taught at the Thetford (Vt.) Academy. For periods of two years each she was instructor at Bourne (Mass.) and Rockland (Mass.). From the latter position she was called as teacher to the Somerville English High School. Miss Bertha Poole Chase, who has been ap- pointed teacher of algebra and English in the Som- erville English High School, was born in Lynn, Mass., and prepared for college in the public schools of that city. Miss Chase entered Bryn Mawr College, and was graduated in '99 with the degree A. B., From 1899-1901 she taught in the High School at Braintree, Mass., but resigned this ]x sition to come to Somerville. Miss Helen E. Harding, a former graduate of the Latin High School, of this city, has returned this year to our English School as a teacher. She received the degree A. B. in ’96. after a four years’ course at Radcliffe College. Miss Harding has had a five years’ experience in teaching, first at Franklin Falls (Vt.), then at the Fitchburg High School. From here she came to the English High. Miss Prichard, who has returned to us this year as student teacher and assistant in the department of biology, was a graduate of the class of 1901, English High. Her entire life has been spent in Somerville, where she was graduated from the Prescott School in '97. The biology department is one of the most interesting and extensive of the various branches of study, and the services of Miss Prichard arc very much appreciated. Miss Ethel Brayant Harmon was born in Adams, Mass. She received her early education in the Medford and Somerville High Schools. Being graduated from the Somerville Latin School in '96, she entered Tufts, from which she received the de- gree of A 15. in 1901. Uist summer she traveled extensively abroad, and, returning, entered the Latin School as a student teacher.

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It) SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR cheers for Mr. Hall. Three cheers for the man who abolished the grade crossing. Some few minutes later a squad of police ap- peared marching down the street. When opposite the house, the leader called to his men to halt, and, advancing to Mr. Hall, handed him a note. It was a kindly, unofficial message, asking him to come to the station, where no harm was intended him. Mr. Hall turned to his men, gave a few com- mands. and then started down the street, under the escort of the police. The mob began to get ex- cited. Mr. Hall turned to the crowd and raised his hand for silence. Friends. lie began. I am not being arrested. I am going of my own free will.” The remainder of the trip was uneventful. The mob followed, silent, but determined to see fair play. Mr. Hall entered the station in company with the leader of the police. Around the room were half a dozen white-haired railroad officials. Mr. Captain.” he began, you sent for me; I have come.” Win. Mr. Hall.” broke out the captain, “what are you doing? 1 always took you for an honest, intelligent, business man. Have you lost vour senses? Pitting yourself against one of the largest railroads of the country? You ought to know bet- ter. you ought----- Mr. Captain, interrupted Mr. Hall briskly, I did not come here for advice, nor did I ask for it. I have an attorney to advise me, and I pay him good money for his advice. If that is all you have to saw I will return.” He started for the door, but was intercepted by one of the officials. My man. he said sharply, do you know how expensive this trifling will be? It will cost vou $10,000 for every hour you keep that gate closed.” Mr. Hall nodded. “Let me see.” he muttered. “$10,000 per hour. Well.” he said to the man. I guess I am able to hold it closed for about eighteen hours.” Evervbody in the room burst out laugh- ing at the look of dismay painted on the face of the iiate man. Rut the officials were not to be laughed out of court.” One of them, excitedly rising, called loudly, Mr. Captain, do you give us permission to remove that obstructing rubbish? The captain paused. Before he could answer. Mr. Hall broke in. Captain Landers,” he said (he was a trifle paler, but as cool as ever), Mr. Cap- tain. 1 will hold you personally responsible for the action of these men. Then. said the captain. “1 do not give you per- mission to remove that rubbish. At the door Mr. Hall was met by the mob, who escorted him back noisily to the house, where he again took his stand. Affairs were becoming desperate. Two hours had passed. Over a dozen trains were stalled, and the passengers were loud in their complaints. The mob was still happy. Ten minutes later an open carriage, drawn by two horses, appeared. It stopped, and the superintend- ent stepped down. Advancing, he said kindly, Come come! Don’t be too hard. What arc your best terms?” At last satisfaction! So vou are at last willing to come to terms? You must remove the grade crossing to-day. Wouldn’t a money compensation answer the purpose? Drop your price a little, and we may come to terms.” Not a bit less, replied Mr. Hall. I give you three hours in which to remove the gate. If. at the end of that time, it is not removed. I will block it again until it is removed. If the price doesn’t suit you. don’t pav it. Yesterday you said to me. ‘The G. M. railroad will take care of the G. M. rail- road. and Mr. C. A. Hall can take care of Mr. C. A. Hall.' For two years the G. M. railroad has taken care of the G. M. railroad. Now it is my inning. Mr. C. A. Hall is looking out for Mr. C. A. Hall.” The superintendent drew a notebook from his pocket, wrote out a promise, and handed it to Mr. Hall, who turned to the men and gave the order, Remove the rubbish.” It was obeyed. The crowd, who had witnessed the whole affair, even to the giving of the promise, now gave three cheers, and dispersed. . The next morning one of the papers contained these headlines:— A Man Against a Railroad. Mr. Charles A. Hall Compels the G. M. Railroad to Come to His Terms. For Three Years the Common Council Has Tried in Vain to Abolish the Grade Crossing. Mr. Hall Abolished It in Three Minutes. It was weeks before the last of the affair was heard. It is even to-day cited as one of the few cases in which an individual defeated a corpora- tion. ! His Proud Boast. No, sir,” exclaimed the loud-voiced drummer in the smoker. Fm proud to say that no house in the country has more men pushing its line of goods than ours.” “What do vou sell?” asked a curious one. “Baby carriages.”—Syracuse Herald. Is it a sign of anything when a person has eye of different colors?” Well, yes—when they’re black and blue.” Evidence Not All Out Yet. Me.— Do vou think my mustache becoming?” She (meditatively).— Well, it may be coming, but it hasn’t come vet.”—Stray Stories.