Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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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

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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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Till'. SOMERVILLE RADIATOR 9 stem, and the wind blew piercing cold, but the determined lad only set bis teeth the harder and braced himself anew. liis unde had either fainted again or had fallen asleep.—probably the latter, judging front his heavy breathing. Rut there was no chance of sleep for David: although lie was tired, he must remain awake and navigate the knockabout all night, or, at least, until the gale subsided enough for him to anchor safely. And stay awake he did. beating up and down be- fore that faithful lighthouse. The boat pitched and tossed, occasionally the sleeper groaned or spoke, the sea lashed itself into a seeming frenzy of delight over the boy’s predicament, with always that steady four reef blow, blow, blow. After a few centuries of tacking, coming about, and tacking. David began to see faces peering at Inm from behind the wave crests. He heard voices in the air. laughing and shouting at him. The faces drew nearer and took on a threatening look; the voices grew louder and angrier. Then it seemed as though the whole ocean were about to rise and sink the little craft. Sharp pains ran up his back, his legs grew weak, and his eyes went blind for a moment. With a tremendous effort he pulled himself to- gether and took a new position, repeating with des- perate emphasis over and over again: Stand by, child! Stand by! You’ve got to stand by!” A bout this time the wind abated a little, making the steering somewhat easier, as far as physical exertion was concerned. But with the lull came a fog bank which shut in over everything so dense that Dave could not see the other end of the cock- pit. For a moment he was at a loss what to do, until a whistle began to blow with suggestive regu- larity. As it was in the direction of the lighthouse, he decided to use it as he had the light for a range. A beautiful July morning broke. The sun before it had risen very high, burnt off the fog, and, the wind having subsided to a comfortable whole-sail breeze, the sea was as smooth as a mill-pond. Out- side the harbor was seen a knockabout under four- reefed mainsail beating up and down off Great Island Light. At the helm was a pale young giant in the last throes of exhaustion. Me kept up now only by siieer force of will. Presently the knockabout was seen to fall off the wind, slack her sheet, and run for the entrance of the channel. Coming further into the inner har- bor than before, she brought to off the steamboat wharf and hove anchor. Down came the sail, and was furled and stopped almost unconsciously by the brawny lad. The Katydidn't’s tender, con- taining three men. the absent crew, now came up alongside, and the occupants piled aboard. TeJI us----” Run for a doctor; Uncle Dave’s broke a rib!” was their greeting from the exhausted youth. Mr. Chamberlain, who had awaked about sun- rise. cried feebly: I'll tell you all about it. only first give three rousers for the bravest second mate that ever sailed a ship single-handed all night in a four- reef hurricane!” “All right. Uncle Dave. I’m a hero, but I won’t do it again if---” and the second mate fell into the captain’s arms sound asleep. Obe to 5. 111. anb X. jfootball (Air: Maryland. My Maryland.”) I. Oh, Somerville! my Somerville! Fast are nailed your colors high— Fast they will fly. proud in the sky, Just listen to the reason why— ()ur boys are true and play clean game, With honor ever as their aim. ()h, Somerville! my Somerville' For you our cheers continue still. II. Our boys in colors red and blue Upon the check” know what to do. They push the ball straight down the field, And never know the words to yield. We’ve kickers, too. there with the brick, (fur Captain Bowlbv does the trick. Oh. Somerville! my Somerville! For vou our cheers continue still. III. Our line is strong, let's raise this song To the backs who dash along. Tis they we prize, in them strength lies, Gleams courage ever in their eyes. (fur snappy “ends” have got the last,” They stop the halfs and nail ’em fast. Oh. Somerville! my Somerville! For you our cheers continue still. IV. ( ur quarter knows his business, too, ’Cause Mixer works for the red and blue; Our centre Ireland's fat and fair, He’s got the goods, and is right there. Our guards” and tackles fill the list. For all without them would be missed. Oh, Somerville! my Somerville! For you our cheers continue still.