Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR '5 through the woods, till you strike the railroad track. A ten minutes’ walk will bring you to the station. Here—take this,” and she pressed a small purse into his hand,—“good-by.” 'I'he man stood still a moment. Then he came close to her and took her hands in his so tightly that he hurt her. lie spoke huskily. Words can- not thank you.” he said. “You don’t—you can’t know how much you’ve done for me. I cannot thank you. You haven’t asked my name, but I’ll tell you. I am Sam Holt—I was charged with em- bezzlement. but I am innocent. Some day, when I’ve proven it. I’ll come back.” He held her hands a moment longer. “Good-by,” he said, good-by, and disappeared out through the little door and into the woods. The girl stood still a while, then, bending down, she picked up the little purse which he had re- fused. A year had passed, and the same 1’arbara sat on the same little white piazza as when her strange. unbidden guest of a summer previous had ac- costed her. She was thinking now of that guest, as she had thought so often since lie left her that early summer morning. The blood surged into her cheek at the remembrance of how he had taken her hands, he—a stranger. Suddenly the little wicket gate clicked. She lifted her head. A tall form came quickly up the walk to the very place where that other figure had come that summer evening before. He came up the steps, and as the girl arose, he said. You see. I have kept my promise. I have come back a free man. A few months ago. the man for whose crime I was imprisoned died, leaving a statement of his deed, thus freeing me from all blame. And so I have come back to you. Barbara. he said, will you renew that acquaintance made on that summer evening a year ago? Has it seemed such a long, lonely year to you as to me? For answer, the girl smiled into those same earnest, determined eves. Yes, she said, just as long. Baseball Reception. On June 26 the Alumni gave a reception to the members of the victorious baseball team. There were numerous speeches made, and all pertained more or less to athletics. Among those who spoke were Mr. Baxter, Mr. Whitcomb, Mr. Jones, Rep- resentative Luce, Eddie Dc Almeida, and a few other men. The Oajaca batting trophy was awarded to Leo llafford, for having attained the highest batting average of any member of the team. Lawrence Mitchell and Edwin Philbrick had charge of the stereopticon views of former football and baseball teams. Singing under the direction of Mr. Had- ley was enjoyed, and the evening completed by cheering. ------------------------- Resolutions. Whereas, by the Divine will of God, our friend and classmate, Ina G. Harding, has been taken from us; and Whereas, we. the class of 1906. have learned of her death with grief, we hereby offer resolutions of sympathy with her parents, who mourn her loss. ARTHUR R. CORWIN, President. IRMA CHRISTOPHER. Secretary. Presence cf Mir.d. He— I understand that you arc to be congratu- lated.” She— No. The engagement is broken off.” He— That is what 1 heard.”—Somerville Journal. Visitor— You haven’t got half as nice a ceme- tery here as we have in Elmville.” Prominent Citizen (of Hawville)— No; I’ve always heard that the cemetery is the only part of your town that holds out any inducements for per- manent residents.”—Chicago Tribune. When you want advice, always ask it of your enemy, and then go and do the opposite.—Somet - ville Journal. An Infant Prodigy. Has Hairovitch always shown a talent for music?” Yes; even as a child he cried every time his hair was cut. —Life. D’ye know. Hooligan, you look like the divil wid a mustache. Yis; I’m goin’ to shave it off. Lave it on: yez’ll look worse widout it. —Life. Perhaps You Know H:m. Lawson— Hicks is absent-minded, isn’t he? Dawson— Yes; I lent him ten dollars two years ago. and he hasn't thought of it once since.”— Somerville Journal.

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'4 SOMKRYILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR BARBARA’S KINDNESS. HE long, golden day was drawing to a close. It was getting too dark to read any longer, and the girl on the vine-covered porch of the little white house closed her book with a sigh of contentment, and lay hack in the hammock. Evening drew on so quickly that soon the little gate at the end of the path to the street was lost amid the enveloping darkness. Suddenly a man stealthily pushed open the wicket gate and slipped into the yard, running with noiseless step to the little copse of wood, about ten yards from the piazza, where he sank down amid the shadows, and waited. The girl on the piazza, like a startled deer, lifted her head and listened, ap- prehensively. but all was silent. It was now en- tirely dark, and again the girl leaned back and closed her eyes. A few moments passed thus in silence, when suddenly a low whistle startled her. Again she started to her feet and strained her eyes into the darkness. Then, from the shadow of the wood, the tall form of a man arose and came quickly to the frightened girl. For a second neither spoke, but in that second, which seemed hours to both, the girl noticed that the man was young, tall, and well formed, and that his hair was shaved closely to his head. Then, in a gleam of moonlight, she saw his earnest, deter- mined eyes fixed on hers. The man broke the silence. Don't be fright- ened. he said in a deep, not unmusical voice. 1 won’t hurt you.” Then lie went on hurriedly. You see. I had heard of you—knew how good you were, and I've watched my chance.—I know you won’t turn me away when 1 tell you all.” The girl shrank back, her hands clasped to her breast. The young fellow, with a quick motion, thing off the long coat he wore and stood before her—his head bowed on his chest—clad in the suit of a convict. Then he raised his head with a quick motion. Don’t be frightened.” he said again. I am an escaped convict, but I am innocent of the crime charged against me. I know they all say that, but I am honest. I got away last night, and have lain in hiding all day. Just as soon as night came on, I came here. I had heard that good people lived here, and that you had a kind heart. I am famished and can’t go on. I throw myself on your mercy: it is in your power to give me up. If you do. I'll have to go back and serve double my time, and when I come out a free man, my ambi- tions. my life will be blasted. If you save me— I’ll go away, ’way out West somewhere, and make a new man of myself.” While lie had been speaking, the girl had stood, her hands clasped before her. her eyes fixed on the convict. When he finished, she was silent a mo- ment. and the man hung eagerly on her every ex- pression. which was a combination of contempt for his appeal for protection and admiration for his straightforwardness. Then her eyes flashed, and she quickly held out one hand to the young man. Come ’ she said. The convict followed her without a word, as she led the way through the door, into the hall, and up the stairs. Just as she reached the second floor, she stopped. Remove your shoes,” she whis- pered. He did so, and none too soon, for as they passed a half-open door, a querulous voice de- manded. Barbara. where arc you going? Bar- bara stood still a moment, and then said clearly, Nothing, granny. Just going to my room for something.” They passed on in silence, until they came to a large room. Barbara pushed open the door, lit the candle on the dresser, and. turning, faced the man squarely. You have been frank with me, she said. I will be so with you. I live here alone with my grandparents and one servant. To-night grand- father will not be at home, and I am alone with grandmother, who is a helpless cripple. Something tells me you arc honest, and so I trust you. Re- main in this room, and I will bring you food.” She slipped out. and returned in a few moment with some cold meat, bread, and wine. Now.” she said, stay here, if any one comes, go into that closet. At the farther end of it is a low door. That door leads into a small space between the walls. If anything happens, go into that closet. There you will be perfectly safe, and I will come in the morning.” So she left him. All through the night the young fellow sat near the window, straining to catch every sound, while in his anxiety he imag- ined the tramp of many feet in every cricket-chirp. Slowly the long night wore away, and just as morn- ing dawned, chill and gray, he fell into a tired and troubled sleep. After leaving her prisoner. Barbara went to her grandfather’s room, and hunted around until she found an old suit of clothes. Then, in a box. she found some old mementoes of her grandfather’s youth, including a false wig and mustache, probably some addition to an old masquerade costume. These she folded into a bundle and retired to her room, only to spend a sleepless night. Early next morning Barbara awoke the young man and hastened down to the kitchen, where she prepared a hasty meal. Then, calling him. she bade him eat. When he had finished, she gave him the bundle and told him to disguise himself as best he could. The man retired, and came back in a few mo- ments. looking more like a respectable young man from the country, and less like a desperate, escaped convict. Barbara laughed merrily. “Now,” she said, you must go. Don’t go by the road, but out

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i6 SOMi-:rvilli-: high school radiator THE DUKE OF THORWALDEN. By C. Sherwood Ricker, L., '04. ADV DUXMORDEN sat meditatively j j gazing into the depths of the fitfully- XI lighted fireplace in the library of Dun- 'r’ElS T)| morden Castle, as the varying Ec shadows of twilight chased away the final rays of a late fall afternoon. An ejaculation of the Lady brought her wander- ing thoughts to her present surroundings. She took off her glasses and rubbed the lenses with sup- pressed excitement. Her eyes snapped, and her ill-shaped mouth twitched itself into a cynical smile. “A fine idea! He has the bearing of a noble- man. she ventured aloud, as she rose and pulled the bell rope. The folding doors opened. Madame, you called, said the butler. Yes. John, come in and close the door. I would have a word with you. Is there any one without? No. madame. all the servants are below.” Very good, be seated. I am about to take you into my confidence.” Thank you. Will you promise absolute secrecy? she asked, warming to her topic. Most assuredly, madame.” Are you willing to take the principal part in a practical joke I am about to play? she questioned, beginning in this interrogative manner. Your will is my pleasure, and a practical joke is always amusing.” the butler answered, a suave smile parting his thin lips. Good—now listen. For mv own reasons, which will in time evolve and make themselves clear to you, I am going to introduce you to the nobility hereabout as the Duke of Thorwaldcn. I will fur- nish you with money, clothes, and a valet. You must betake yourself to London this night with money I shall give you. and prepare yourself to re- turn within a fortnight, a guest, my nephew, the Duke of Thorwaldcn. Put on your best manners: I credit you with these, and from appearances now, I am sure you will be exceptionally good-looking when you have on some respectable clothes. Re- member. send me word now and then by post as to your progress, and, believe me, if you make this a success. I will handsomely reward you.” Madame, the privilege is sufficient unto itself. Shall I go and prepare immediately?” Yes, John, immediately, then return to me. Enter without knocking.” “So far. so good.” she soliloquized. “Lady Evelyn Ashmead shall now feel the potency of my will. She has trodden on and snubbed me for the last time. Xo longer shall that young girl scarcely out of her teens steal away my friends.” The old lady was working herself up into a fine wrath, all on account of the above-named young lady, who had personal injury to Lady Dunmorden far from her thought. Unconsciously, it is true. the social circle of Lady Dunmorden had dwindled away upon the ascendance of this new social star, till now Lady Ashmead had eclipsed the former so- ciety queen. Sorely to heart had the elder lady taken this deal of fate, and though openly they passed as friends, still Lady Dunmorden secretly coveted the first chance to herald the downfall of her social enemy. The other, on the contrary, not well versed in the intrigues of jealousy, failed to comprehend the elder lady's manner, and. in an endeavor to conciliate the half-latent dislike, never once forgot to request her presence at every function. Tims the social feud stood. The butler returned, received her final instruc- tions. and started for London. In the meantime, cards came out announcing a very select ball at Gainsborough Hall, the summer residence of Lady Evelyn Ashmead. Lady Dunmorden answered that most sincerely she thanked Lady Ashmead for such honored rec- ognition. but regretted to add that, owing to the ar- rival of a nephew whom she had not seen since he was a mere boy. she felt that her attention and time would be entirely absorbed in his pleasure. The letter of the elder lady worked beautifully. The following morning she tore open a second communication, which read: I should consider it in the nature of an honor could Lady Dunmorden’? nephew accompany his aunt. The latter lady hurriedly scratched off an accept- ance. That’s done. she murmured. The fortnight came to a close, and the Duke of Thorwaldcn was regally installed in Dunmorden Castle. The advent of a duke, and especiallv a near rela- tive of Ladv Dunmorden, was an event extraordi- nary upon the social planet. So when the austere Lady entered the ballroom of Gainsborough Hall upon the arm of the new invader,” for such was he in the social vocabulary, all eyes were riveted upon the door. A tall, spare man. of decidedly soldierly appeal - ance. accompanied the mistress of Dunmorden Castle. In an evening dress uniform, with gold- hilted sword at his side, he carried himself with dig- nity. The Lady at his side beamed upon all. and intro- duced her nephew. 'Hie spacious ballroom scintil- lated in the flickering light of a thousand candles. Society arrayed in its most seductive and superb trappings was present; everything was in one splendid glow. The hostess stood at one end of the hall attired in black. Her white throat sparkled with jewels. The black gown exhibited to advan- tage the soft lines of an exquisite form. Lady Evelyn certainly looked beautiful. One could easily sec why the followers of Lady Dunmorden had deserted to the standard of this beautiful