Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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THB SOMERVILLE RADIATOR loft end. but as the coach thought one of the others somewhat better, a fellow by the name of Cook, the latter got the position, and when the line-up for this last game of the year appeared, the name of Stubbs appeared among the substitutes. Ry this time excitement at the academy was at a high pitch, for the rival school had a team of the best kind, and in the earlier games of the season it had shown up better against certain of the other schools than had Willis Academy. Likewise, the students of Thornton Academy felt certain of the victory: for their men were much heavier, though not so fast as their opponents. And so the day for the great game dawned. Al- though the weather looked forbidding at first, yet as the morning wore on the clouds cleared away, leaving the sky blue and with a strong westerly wind blowing. A half an hour before the scheduled time for the game, the Thornton Academy team and its sup- porters arrived on the grounds, accompanied by a brass band. Then for thirty minutes that group of musicians played for all they were worth, and in direct opposition sounded the strains of the Willis Academy band. Then, greeted by a shout like rolling thunder, the rival teams trotted on to the field, engaged in a little preliminary practice, and the game was on. For thirty minutes the rivals battled, but without anv result. At the end of the first half the score board displayed. Willis Academy. 0. Thornton Academy. 0. and each team straggled to its dress- ing room, there to receive encouragement from the respective coaches, accompanied by dire threats as to what would happen if defeat fell to their lot. After what seemed a short time, the whistle sounded for the second half, and the twenty-two men again lined up. Sitting on the bench. Phil Stubbs had forgotten his desire to get into the game in the one great wish to see the blue and gold of his beloved academy triumph. Again the out- come of the first half seemed likely to be repeated. 11 but as time went on the brute strength of the Thornton players seemed to be beginning to tell on the Willis Academy boys. Hut the cheers for Willis. Willis. Willis, rah, rah. rah. Willis, Willis, Willis! came none the less diminished in sound. Twenty-five minutes had passed, and the ball was on Willis’ fifteen-yard line. Thrice had they been downed without making the necessary distance, but on the third down Cook, worn out by the constant hammering of Thornton's sturdy giants, could no longer stand the strain, and, much against his will, was forced to give up. Then came Phil's chance. With a few words of encouragement from the coach, he trotted into his position, ready to be of down the field with the punt which Warner, playing fullback for Willis, must now make. Straight as an arrow the ball came from the centre’s hands, the fullback’s foot met it dropping, and it started on a long and high kick. On the instant Phil was off down the field with the ball. Thornton's right halfback and quar- terback stood waiting tor the ball, and as it neared the ground. Phil came at full speed toward the two players. At this moment, as the two stood ready to catch the descending sphere, carried outward by the strong wind which was blowing, the ball eluded the grasp of the visiting players, and, quick as a thought. Phil had pounced upon it. and was off with it toward the Thornton goal. A groan arose from the Thornton stands as they saw the game slipping from their hands, and with might and main did their players strive to overtake the man with the ball; but Phil was fresh, they were tired, and the attempt was in vain. Then what a roar arose from the Willis Academy students, for. even if the goal was not kicked a mo- ment later, was not the game won? In the two minutes that remained. Willis held Thornton Acad- emy safe, and the Willis Academy boys had won the greatest game in their history. Was Phil Stubbs, in their minds, at least, in any way less great than the most famous graduate of grand old Willis Academy? No! £bc lE.vpcvtcncce of Ittumbcr 279 16 ? Xoulse Oraiiuicr, JE., '00 HERE shall I be able to find the book- entitled ‘When Knighthood Was in Flower’?” inquired a young lady of one of the library assistants. “I think that it is a new one,” she added. In the next room,” the latter replied. Mv heart gave such a great bound at this con- versation that the type on my pages was jostled up and down: upon this maiden’s approach, it was a small wonder that the letters did not change places and remain so. ... She was a vision of loveliness, with her dainty coloring and pink, bcruffled gown. Oh, such a sweet scent of violets! The fragrance came from the extraordinary large bouquet in her bodice. Then she took me down from my home on the shelf. How lovely it was to be held in a dainty, silk-gloved hand, and to be driven to my temporary home in a carriage! I knew for a certainty that my third cousin. Monsieur Ueaucaire,” would be so envious of my good fortune when 1 told him of it. I had resided in the library for only one week, and during that time I had not been taken out by any person; surely this was a good beginning, but

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10 THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR TOtnmng Tilts “TOH” .16 j XUalter IE. IDernll, X„ ’07 ITUATED on the banks of a winding river in New England lies one of the many academies for which New Eng- land is so famous. This one has a record of which it may well be proud. Founded in the early ‘forties bv the Rev. James Willis, from whom it takes its name, Willis Academy has turned out many graduates who have risen high in the business or profession they entered. Indeed, two have become governors of their native state: one was an ambassador for a long term to Great Britain ; several have been emi- nent judges, and there arc lawyers, ministers, and merchants galore, some of whom now doubtless think of the time they were caught, while at the academy, making faces at their Greek teacher by his seeing their reflection in his spectacles, and wish that they were boys once more. One autumn day in the year 190—, there stood on the campus of the academy a small group of stu- dents just back from their summer vacation, talk- ing over in loud tones and with much laughter their experiences while separated. Now. fellows,” one of them was saying, 'T11 wager that I had the queerest experience of any of you this summer. One day I was out canoeing near my home, and carelessly I capsized the canoe. Well, you ai! know I can’t swim a stroke, and the water all around that spot was twenty feet deep. I started to flounder around and veil for help, when to my surprise I found that I wasn’t sinking. Well, if you'll believe it, when I investigated the cause, after help came, I found that there was so much cork in the soles of my shoes that it kept me above water just by its buoyancy ’ Tin's story was met with veils of derision, and one lx v said : Sec here now. ‘Fish’ Blodgett, if you give us any more yarns like that this term, we’ll doom you to eternal association with the Freshies.” And with this terrible warning, young Mr. Blod- gett subsided. At tiiis point the conversation was interrupted to greet the arrival of another youth, who was appa- rently well known to all present. “Phil Stubbs, by all that's wonderful, I’m glad to see you again!” exclaimed one. and there were other expressions of joy heard which indicated that the newcomer was, in the well-worn words of the story book, a general favorite. And now let us take a look at our new friend, who is to be the central figure of this brief narrative. Phil at this time was seventeen years of age. and while rather below medium height, showed by his appearance that his muscles were well developed. He was also noted for his swiftness of foot, having won several cups in different school races. He was quite the conventional hero, being the only child of a widow, who, deprived of her husband by a train wreck, had been left with scant means of support. There would have been small chance of Phil’s at- tending school for any length of time under these circumstances, but he was ambitious to obtain an education, and by doing odd jobs around the acad- emy in the three years previous he had earned money to pay his tuition, and had saved enough to allow him his full time for his own on this his fourth and last year at Willis Academy. But to return again to the group on the campus, where by this time the conversation had turned to what is the chief fall topic in almost every academy, high school, and college in these United States, football. “Topsy” Brady, the academy wise man. here making answer to one of his less well-informed classmates, said: Yes, fellows, we've all got to hustle this year, if we arc going to beat those fel- lows from Thornton Academy, for their team is one of nearly all veterans, while we have only three of last vear’s pla vers back, though we couldn't have any better captain than Fred Warner, who’s worth any two ordinary players.” But,” said another, they say that there are plenty of new fellows coming this autumn who have good material in them, so we’ll hope for the best.” Here Phil broke in: Well, boys, I for one am going out for the team, and it 1 do make a position on it. I’ll do the best I can to uphold the honor of the school.” Several others also said that they were going to try for the team, and after this, with promises that they would soon meet again, the group broke up and scattered to their different rooms. The next day marked the formal opening of the academy, and it passed off uneventfully except for the customary pranks played upon certain ones of the “greenhorns” by their elders, the Sophomores, who forgot in the dignity of their new position that they had been just as verdant themselves but twelve months before. And so a week passed by. Then Captain Warner issued the call for the football can- didates. and the athletic season had started. Willis Academy had secured for this year for her coach a young man named Blake, just graduated from L-------- University, where he had been one of the leading athletes. Although this was his first year at coaching, yet he was determined to turn out a good team, and therefore he gave more attention and time to the candidates than an older coach would have done. Seeing Phil Stubbs the first day among the other candidates for the team, he noted that he was quick on his feet, and resolved to sec how he would do at left end. Therefore he as- signed our friend to this position, with two other boys, both heavier than Phil, though nearly as swift as lie. Although it would be gratifying to tell how Phil by brilliant work beat his two fellow-students for the position, such was not the case. When the time came for the final selecting of the team for the Thornton game, the captain favored Phil for

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12 TIIK SOMERVILLE RADIATOR suddenly my conscience troubled me. I recalled a proverb which ran. Never judge a book by its cover. Did this young lady, beside whom I was seated, choose me because I was a brand new book? I mused over this for a few moments, meantime watching intently her curious expression : then 1 cried out to myself: Ah, 1 am realizing all too soon that my true worth in this world will never be appreciated. Oh, ’Monsieur Beaucaire.’ if you were only here to help me in this trial !” My medi- tations were rudely interrupted by the sudden stop- ping of the carriage. A few moments later I found myself on the shelf of a small bookcase in this young lady’s room, but on discovering that 1 had been placed between two books whom 1 would not condescend to notice, 1 burst into bitter type tears. Just think of it! I. When 'Knighthood Was in Flower,” associated with two such childish and puerile books as Emmy Lou and Little Women!” To add to mv grief. I overhead Miss Violet (for such was her name) tell her mother that Emily had informed her that a new book was at the library, and just for fun sire had brought it home. That night 1 wept and wept for Monsieur Beau- caire. and I believe my sobs fairly shook the room. How it all comes back to me! Hark! What is this disturbance at my side? 1 glance in that di- rection. and there perceive emerging from the pages of the book the winsome Emmy Lou,” followed by her nintimate” friend Hattie, and from the other side come forth the Little Women, Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth. Among the many different characters constantly appearing on the scene, who is this one whom I recognize? Ah, it is dear, awk- ward Peggy. Who are these boys? Oh. they are Myra Kelley’s little tatterdemalions; conspicuous among them is The Monitor of the Goldfish.” It must be a festival of some sort. They are growing so noisy, they are almost boisterous. I fear that Monsieur Beaucaire” would not like to have me in such company. I fear that he would term them rough and tumble.” The sound of carriage wheels is heard approach- ing through the still street, and as it reaches the joyous throng they disperse as quickly as they gathered, and as Miss Violet enters the room—ail is silent. Siowlv the truth dawns upon me. As a result of my excitement. 1 am quite sure that mV tempera- ture was 103. and that I felt very much in need of a few drops of essence of print. On the following day. after not having even looked at one of my pages, Miss Violet took me down from the bookcase, with the remark, You are a bother.” 1 ignored the insult, but replied in book language which cannot be interpreted by human beings. What 1 thought was a flower is only a weed and is worthless.” She then drove me back to the library. When I reached my home I poured out my tale of woe to Monsieur Beaucaire.” and his soft, soothing words comforted me beyond description, making me view my trying misfortune in a different light: although my feelings were dreadfully hurt, from my heart-to-heart talk with “Monsieur.” I be- came a firm believer that the progress of mankind is onward and upward. Zbc Hnswers of tbc Sagacious Saoe A sagacious sage once journeyed unto the Del- phic Oracle. The traveler journeyed afoot, accord- ing to the screed of the Greek,” although the wearied pilgrim reasserted indignantly that he had traveled a good many feet. Turning his left side to the leeward, the sage ap- proached the enigmatic oracle and boldly spake:— Oh, mysterious mister, I would like to be ad- mitted to your rank.” Nay. nay.” grumbled the oracle. Why may I not join your august ranks?” Mortal, thou art two months late. It is now October. But. Sir Oracle. I traveled here from afar with- out a guide. The unused wisdom of many lands is mine. Prithee, admit me.” Sir Oracle pondered for a season, then un- graciously consented. And so the Sagacious Sage humbly begs a trial before the jury of scholars. The department will be an endeavor on the part of the sage to answer all questions put to him. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. To Miss A. B. T.: I suppose the elevated road might be termed a put-up job. To Lilac Held: Yes, the Siamese twins arc brothers. To Freshman Mother: Your pseudonym is rather vague, but 1 believe I grasp your meaning. Yes. I do think that your boy would derive exercise from football as it is played to-day. I also think that ii the doctor ordered your pug dog to get exercise, he could get a little bv being given candy to make him wag Ins tail real hard. To Tcssie: The symptoms you describe are not those of love, but indigestion. Remember this is not a forlorn lover column. The Senior thinks that to marry in haste will be to repent at leisure. He may find after the knot is tied, that he will have no leisure in which to do any repenting. The price of coal is soaring, but it is nothing in comparison with the soreness of the public. CUISINE QUIZZES. Open-face oysters are again in vogue. Baked macaroni tied in true love knot pretzels obviates the indispensability of the finger bowl and the bit of lemon that is usually handed you. Choice cup cakes may be made from Dresden china.