Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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THE SOM HR VI LI.K RADIATOR 7 £be Ibarpist :«5 ? Cora TH. Sargent, JE., '07 31 HK auditorium of one of the fashion- able theatres in Paris was crowded to the doors. Every one seemed gay and happy, laughing and talking sb rapidly that, as I forced my way to my seat, the place reminded me of a hive of bees, buzzing on all sides of me. I was alone, and as the gossip of those around me annoyed me, I had intended coming in just as the curtains would open. 1 was only five minutes carlv. so awaited the time patiently. I hat night the girl harpist was to play for the first time in Paris. She had come from America followed by showers of praise which seemed impos- sible for a young girl not yet twenty to have at- tained. That night the highest society of Paris were ready to welcome her. as they often do noted artists at first, and later dismiss them with a smile which longs for something new. I had taken a sudden interest in this girl. Why I do not know. I longed for her success and triumph as 1 imagined she longed for it. Although I had never seen her. her youth strangely appealed to me and her strong devotion to music. Music has been a dominating part of my nature, and nothing touches my soul as much as the soft, vibrating tones of the harp. The five minutes were up. and the lights in the great auditorium were slowly lowered, while the string orchestra became more and more distant. The people ceased their chatter, and as the crimson curtains parted became lost to everything but what was before them. I gasped in amazement as I beheld in the centre of the stage the harp. Such a beautiful one is rarely seen, and I gazed upon it as if fascinated. At one side of it was the little seat. These were the only objects visible. The stage was dimly lighted, and on all three sides were hung curtains of deep yellow satin. The effect was mystical and wonderful. I felt as if I was in a strange, beautiful land. But as I gazed, the golden curtains at the back slowly parted and the young harpist came forth. Gowned in a white, soft, clinging robe, devoid of ornament or jewel, her golden hair falling from her shoulders, and her violet eyes shyly meeting the gaze of the people—she stood before us. The people clapped long and loud, but she only responded with a slight nod and took her scat. For a moment her fingers hesitated, and I felt myself tremble, but for the second time she lifted those wondrous eyes and began to play. She held us spellbound. Hardly a breath could be heard. More and more I seemed drawn within tlmt strange land. As her slender fingers moved, she never withdrew her gaze from the people. Xo smile lighted her face. but her whole soul and every emo- tion was portrayed in her countenance, as well as in her music. Some folk song, simple and sweet, then a brilliant rhapsody, then an original compo- sition : many and many she played, resting now and then for a minute. At last, after having played with our emotions, from sadness to joy. from bitterness to sweetness, from passion to calmness, she stopped—but did not rise. The moments passed—site turned to her harp and played that piece that is known and loved, not only bv Americans, but by all. “Home. Sweet Home.” Her whole being was poured into those few simple notes. Then site arose and slowly drew back, and the golden curtains closed. The audience did not move. All were in tears. Many had bouquets which they had intended to threw to her. but they were forgotten. Finally the flowers were thrown on the stage and the clapping began, not loud, but long and half-broken, like so many sobs issuing from a thousand throats. She did not appear, and we did not expect it. Still moving under the spell the young and beau- tiful harpist had cast over us. that great mass of humanity passed from the doors of the theatre— without sound. 5. O. fID. Club The oresent school year finds the S. O. M. Club stronger in numbers and as active as ever in school and social affairs. The Alpha Chapter has already held two successful meetings, as has also the Beta Chapter, and a well-attended general meeting of the club was held at Flemming Hall on October 8. Schedules of social affairs have been made up, and the coming year promises to be an eventful one. The annual club show will be held at Odd Fellows Hall February 34, 1906, and the members, with their many friends, have already started things going, all of which portends for the eminent success •of this coming event. New members arc constantly being recruited to the ranks of the votaries at the shrine of S. O. M., and the institution of a third chapter is now medi- tated. ----------»♦—+—-♦■» fl bi ZUpba On September 28 the Phi Alpha Sorority held its first meeting at the house of its president, Miss Katherine Foote. After a short business meeting, a social hour was enjoyed and light refreshments were served. It is hoped to make this year the most prosperous yet. and many good times are looked forward,to. The officers of this year are: President, Miss Katherine Foote: treasurer. Miss Ada Hallctt: and secretary, Miss Dorothy Crane.

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6 THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR '%t3a's Strategy Xaura iDitllc, X., '07 c I IE sun was just setting beyond the ex- tensive tobacco fields of a plantation in Virginia. Amid the lengthening ■ shadows of the fast-gathering twilight, bringing to an end the heat of the day. with its cares and toils, two figures were seated on the veranda of the old Brag- don mansion. Roth were silent, gazing at the familiar hills and fields which stretched far and wide. The man, small and slender, with his woolly, white hair offsetting his black, wrinkled face, was the first to attempt conversation. Wa!. ‘Liza, ‘pears ter me yo’ ain't much fer talkin’ ternight. Wha’ am de matter? Ain’t cher gwinc talk?’’ “Yo' jes’ min' yo’ bizniss, ’Rastus Jotliam Wash- in’ton. an’ !c’ me alone. Nothing more was said until a form appeared in the doorway of the house, and some one spoke. Oh. Eliza, I've found you at last,” sighed Mrs. Bragdon. What shall i do? You know that be- fore Colonel Bragdon died, he asked me to always keep our custom of having the annual dinner, and we must have it this year, the first one after his death. But there is nothing to give to the guests. As you know, we rely on the tobacco; but the pro- ceeds have not come in yet, and will not in time for the dinner!” Tcr’blo, ter'ble,” nodded Liza, rocking back and forth in her chair. Then, you know.” continued Mrs. Bragdon, “we have no poultry to speak of except the turkey gobbler, and that would be far from enough.” Suddenly a light shone in Liza's gleaming eyes, and she said • Xebber yousc min', honey. Sic an’ ’Rastus ’ll tak’ car’ ob dat. You jes’ stop worritin’ ober it an’ we uns '11 fix dat all right.” Mrs. Bragdon, glad to place the burden upon the strong shoulders of the old. faithful family servant, thought little more of it. She felt that, in the hands of the trustworthy servant, surely everything would come out right. TJza did a great deal of thinking that night, and the next morning, while washing dishes, she con- fided her plans and made known her orders to ’Rastus. Now. yo' sec here. ’Rastus Jotliam, when it gits dark ter-night youse gwine driss up lak a gal; yousc gwinc put on dat rid driss ob mine, an' a kcr- chcef, an’ my ole yaller sunbonnet. Now. vo’ jes’ berember. an’ yo’ nuts' act reel lak’ a chile, too. Yo’ tak’ ina’ does bastrik an’ put dat turkey gob- bler in an’ go an’ sell it.” “Yas, ’Liza.” said ’Rastus meekly, for he knew that to go against ’Liza’s orders would mean trouble. Toward evening that day. a little figure clad in feminine apparel, with a covered basket on its arm. stole cautiously away from the gate of the Bragdon mansion. It made its way toward a plantation about a half-mile off. There was no difficulty in selling the gobbler, and after depositing it in the poultry yard. ’Rastus re- ceived two dollars and a half and returned home. Late on the same night ’Rastus again went stealthily from the house, and went to the same place where he had sold the turkey. He took the bird from the yard, careful not to awaken any one, and then, running home, placed it safely in the Bragdon poultry yard. ()n the following day affairs went on as usual. The gobbler was strutting about in the yard, and Mrs. Bragdon could discern nothing amiss. Toward evening ’Rastus, again attired as a girl, slipped out with the turkey, and, going in a differ- ent direction from that of the previous night, sold the bird a second time. Again late at night he stole the gobbler back, and again placed it in the Bragdon poultry yard. This went on for four nights, and ’Liza thought that in two more nights she would have enough money for the dinner. On the fifth night, as 'Rastus started out to sell the turkey, ’Liza called him back, and said : Now. min'. 'Rastus, be keerful an' don’ yo’ fergit dat dorg wha’ youse gwinc ter. Don’ yo’ class ter fergit.” As 'Rastus neared the house of the Grants, where he was to sell the gobbler, he forgot about the dog, which was feared bv very many people, and was hoping that this would be his last night as a pedlcr. The sale was made quickly enough, but as 'Rastus turned from the door, he started to hop and skip. The dog, seeing the fluttering red dress from behind the house, flew out and took hold of it with his jaws Rastus shouted lustily for help. Upon hearing his shouts, the inmates of the house came running out. It was too late for ’Rastus to escape then; for his sunbonnet had fallen back on his shoulders, disclosing clearly his black face in the moonlight. With much difficulty he explained his conduct to the Grants, who laughed exceedingly over it. Then, quickly retaining his turkey, he re- turned home with many misgivings. Bres ma' soul.” he said to himself, almost sobbing, hope ’Liza won’t skin dis pore nigger.” Upon his confession to ’Liza, her anger at first was beyond words, but afterwards she began to give ’Rastus his just deserts. Wha’ fo' vo’ do dat? Yo’ am a pore fool ob a nigger.” Mrs. Bragdon. hearing the disturbance, came from the house, and seeing ‘Rastus in the torn aj - parcl, which neither of the darkies had thought of in their excitement, demanded an explanation. She was greatly mortified, and on the following day sent 'Rastus to return the money, with a note of apology to each plantation where he had been. After that she said no more, but proceeded to make plans for the dinner herself. But ’Liza remained angry for several weeks. She was forever freshening the incident in the mind of 'Rastus. “ Yo’ pore fool ob a nigger. she would sav, yo’ deserb a good hard lammin’!” And ’Rastus would meekly reply: Yas, ’Liza, I knows it. ’Liza, I do fo’ shore.”

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s THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR TZhc Second filiate Ernest XU. Gbapin, E., '00 AVID ('I'MMIXGS was a lad of six- teen. He was only a Freshman, but was very large for bis age. being nearly six feet in height, with tough sinews and a well-knit frame. This was the third summer he had played the part—for it was play to him—of second mate on the knockabout Katydidn’t.” The “Katy- didn't was a swift, staunch, little craft some thirty feet in length, owned by Dave’s uncle, who used her in knocking about the shores of Xcw England and Xova Scotia during the summer months. This year it was July when they started out of Portsmouth. X. 11.. for a run north. The party consisted of Captain Ren Matthews, First Mate Uncle Dave'' Chamberlain. Second Mate David Cummings, before the mast. Dr. Francis Clifford and Lilly Edwards, two friends of the owner. David, being the youngest of the party, was of course the butt of all their jokes. He was not sea- man enough to be trusted with much authority, yet he knew more about handling the ship than did either of the landlubbers before the mast,” who were practically ignorant of the art of sailing. So it was that all the unpleasant little jobs fell to him. on the ground that it was the second mate’s duty.” If he objected, the captain, or Uncle Dave, would say. Got to. Second mate’s job always.” Some- times they would order him to do some such thing as pulling up the centreboard while the boat was sailing close-hauled and heeled ’way over, or swab- bing down the decks in a heavy sea, and then laugh at his vain endeavors to execute the command. Xeverthelcss, he had a very enjoyable time of it. for his work was in reality light, and he was the pet of the crew. The “Katydidn’t ran up the shore at a good rate with fresh southerly and easterly winds. Stop- ping in a day here and a day there. F.astport was soon reached. Here they put in for a look at the town. The boat was a stiff one. carrying a whole sail while others had in a reef or two, but she had scudded in under two reefs. The breeze was blow- ing east, with every promise of freshening. After deciding to remain in port until more favorable weather. Ren. the doctor, and Billy went ashore, leaving the Davids to stand guard on board. Xot being familiar with the place, the captain had anchored a little too far off in the outer harbor, ac- cording to his principle of never going too near shore in strange waters. Unfortunately he had chosen a bad situation, for the strong ebb tide and the stronger east wind made dangerous rips over the wicked rocks of the channel. As the rips grew chcppier and more ominous, the Davids grew more and more nervous, until finally the elder said: Looks as though we’d have to get out of here pretty quick.” Let’s put in the fourth now and get ready,” re- plied the other. Accordingly they set to work and reefed her down to the last point. When this was accomplished, the sea was running so high that the “crew” decided to up anchor and run for it rather than risk staying in that rocky sluicc-wav. Young David went forward to pick the course through the rocks, while his uncle took the wheel. Ir was a difficult problem to beat the ship out of a strange channel in that wind and tide, and with night fast coming on, but they felt capable of it between them. “Hard-a-lee!” shouted Dave, as they approached shoal water. Xo motion was made to comply, however, and the young pilot turned to repeat the order. There lay his uncle in a heap beside the wheel! David leaped aft. and. releasing the spokes from the grasp of the unconscious helmsman, spun the wheel over just in time to escape the jagged head of a rock. This tack brought them into breakers at the end of the channel. They looked dangerous, but it was do or die. so I avc gritted his teeth and braced him- self with a firm hold on the wheel. As the boat was pretty well heeled over, he luffed her up just as she reached the breakers, and stood by to cut the halyards if necessary. Rut, instead, he grabbed hold of them, barely saving himself from being swept overboard by a great wave which poured into the cockpit. Dashing aft again, he let the boat fall off on the starboard tack for a light lie had noticed coming in. lie didn’t know the name of it or where it was located—except in relation to the ship channel and harbor entrance—but he felt able to keep in deep water with its help. When Dave tacked ship again, all the water in the cockpit soused over to the other side and sub- merged Mr. Chamberlain’s head. As he had merely fainted, this brought him to. and with much difficulty ami many moans he raised himself to a sitting posture. “What struck y’u?” inquired the nephew in a hoarse shout. Rroke a rib against the wheel when she jumped on a flaw! Fainted!” replied the victim in a weak yell. “Look out you don't do the same! Say! But you’ve a job cut out for you! The boy soon realized the truth of this. The “Katydidn’t” was the best boat her builder had ever turned out. but Dave had all he could do to keep her from capsizing. The fierce wind howled in fiendish joy, the waves chased astern, eager to break aboard, while the knockabout, with her lee ribband awash and young David Cummings putting every ounce of strength on the wheel, tore along in the teeth of the gale. In ordinary circumstances the l oat was a remarkably dry one, but now she shipped every sea. The water swept from stem to