Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR 8i Hrounfc tbc Campfire [Continued from page 7-».] agination. But now that they had all heard them at the same time, they were afraid to remain in the house. Mrs. Clarkson was especially averse to re- maining in the house, even for that night. So they agreed to dress themselves and hitch no the horse and drive over to the Wilkins' home- stead. and there seek shelter. They did this, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins gladly put them up for the night. “The next day when they drove back to collect such furniture and live-stock as they possessed, thev were thunder-struck to find that during the night the whole place had burned to the ground with the exception of the wing which contained James’s room. When his talc, which Fatty had composed under the spur of the necessity of proving his story-tell- ing powers, was finished he looked around to see what was keeping his two companions so quiet. They were fast asleep! Well, if that isn’t a pretty way to treat a fel- low? he muttered as he slipped off his shoes and rolled himself up in a blanket. But in a minute he was sleeping as soundly as they. H Ibelping Ibant» By? jflDarion HE shores of the lake were crowded with people. Laughing groups were standing about discussing the coming race. At intervals a boat, filled with young people, would push out from the shore for a sail around the lake. A young girl hastened up to one of the merry parties and called out, Oh. Tom! you don’t sup- pose anything will happen to Dot, do you? She has gone out for a sail. There she goes now.’’ The two watched the girl in the little boat until she was concealed by a bend in the lake before Tom answered: “Oh, I guess she’ll be all right. She is used to a boat, isn’t she, Madge?” “Yes,” answered Madge rather absently, and she soon for- got her anxiety for Dot in her contemplation of a young man stretched out on a bench some yards distant. He was tall and lank, and was dressed in a light summer suit, tennis shoes, and a straw hat, which at that moment was drawn down over his eyes. Who is that fellow over there?” said Madge in- dicating him by a nod of her head. “Oh. that’s Jim Fairbanks,” answered Tom. I wonder what he’s doing around here. He doesn't know much. His father told him he would disin- herit him if he didn’t go to Harvard and behave like a gentleman, and what did he do but go off to some school of mines out V est somewhere. He’s no more fitted for mining than nothing at all. Look at those hands, will you? lie’ll have to wear gloves when he gets to mining if he wants to keep them like that,” he finished with a laugh. Madge glanced at the young man’s hands. Truly they were very delicately made and at pres- ent were very white. “Hello, old man, don’t you want to keep score?” called one of the crew that was to race, to Jim. “Aw. I can’t.” answered Jim, “it's too hot.” “Won’t he make a nice fellow in a mine?” whis- pered Tom to Madge. “I guess they’ll have to regulate the temperature before they get him into one. Don’t you think we had better go up on the grand-stand? Almost everybody seems to be go- tfav?, X., ’OS ing that way. Where’s Dot? I thought you said she was coming right back.” “Why so I thought,” said Madge, “but T guess she’ll find us all right when she does come.” This was the last race of the season, and it was to decide the championship. The Lawrcnccvillc and Cranlcy crews had, raced several times before, and the score was practically the same. The crews were evenly matched, and each seemed to hope confidently for victory. All were in their places, and at a word from tile starter they began rowing swiftly across the lake. The course lay straight in front of them—a good mile to the opposite shore. The one who arrived at the starting point first was the winner of the day. The opposite shore was reached with no mishap with Lawrenccville a little ahead. The boats turned and started back over the same course. Cranlev was gaining inch by inch until it was al- most abreast of the Lawrenccville crew. Cries of “Cranlev! Cranlev!” “Lawrenccville! Lawrcnce- ville!” filled the air while the crews pulled steadily on. Oh. Tom, look! oh, look!” screamed Madge. The crews were three-fourths of the distance across the lake with Cranlev a little in advance. Suddenly around the bend a small sail-boat with only a young girl in it had sailed directly across the race course. It was Dot. The crews were but a few feet away and with their backs turned to the girl were rowing for dear life toward her. The ter- rified girl grasped the oars, and tried to row out of the way, but too late, and in another minute the Cranlcy boat pushed bv to victory, but the little sail-boat lay bottom side up floating in the water. “Save her. Tom,” shouted Madge, frantically, to the youth who stood beside her. inert and appar- ent I v helpless. But fortunately help was at hand. Jim Fair- banks from his lazy posture on the bench perceived the danger, and jumping into a boat lie rowed swiftly toward the frightened girl. The water was not deep, but here the bed of the lake was a mass [Continued on page $8.]

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8o THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR What headaches those girls must have over a lan- guage in which they must begin at the wrong end of the book, read from top to bottom and from left to right! This new method of training is making independent, self-reliant women, and yet it has its disadvantages. When a conservative man and a “new” woman marry, they often have a sorry task in compromising their ideas. Speaking of marrying,—their method of selection is a little peculiar. A girl takes no thought of this hcrseli. and her intercourse with young men is free and disinterested, although they marry at an early age—about sixteen years When a young man de- cides to marry, he seeks out some married gentle- man friend of his. who then makes a canvass of his young lady acquaintances to find some one suitable for his friend. His idea of beauty is different from ours. He will look about for a lady with a pale- face. slanting eyes, straight hair, rosy lips, and an elongated face. A girl is allowed her choice pro- vided she is not too particular. A no more cordial feeling than simple toleration is expected before marriage, although they often become very dear to each other later in life. Having decided, we will say. upon () Kiku (Miss Chrysanthemum), he goes to her parents and lays his case before them. Should they approve of his friend as a suitor, a party is arranged at the home of some mutual friend, where the young people arc introduced. Should the young people find no fault with each other, the betrothal is entered into and preparations made for the wedding. All the arrangements arc made by the go-betweens, who are responsible for the success of the wedding and are concerned in the divorce, should that prove necessary. The ceremony is merely the formal drinking of sake (the native wine distilled from rice), and has no l eligious significance. After the ceremony there is a grand feast, and the name of the bride is trans - ferred from her father's family to that of her hus- band. It seems too bad that a Japanese girl has to give up her pretty name for one that does not seem nearly so appropriate to us. Their names arc typical of their natures, for these charming girl. have such maiden names as Miss Springtime. Miss Sunshine. Miss Chrysanthemum, or Miss Cherry- blossom. Hut our girl is married now. She does not set up housekeeping,” but goes to live with her husband’s people. These she must now obey and reverence as she has always her own people. She is supposed to have more love for her husband’s people than for her own ; in fact, a Japa- nese woman’s life is summed up in the three obed- iences, obedience to father and mother, obedience to husband, and after his death, obedience to an older son. A bride takes to her husband’s home dresses enough to last a lifetime (for the style never changes in Japan ). She also furnishes the furni- ture: i bureau, a low desk or table for writing, a work-box, two lacquer trays, and the furnishings even to chop sticks, and two complete sets of bed- ding. These are the bride’s personal property. A wife is her husband’s servant, and looks after his every want. She is devoted to her children, and makes many sacrifices for them. (She even gives up her seat in a street car to children.) The Japa- nese think a great deal of their ancestors, and the child inherits the rank of his father. Now marriage is the only outlook ahead for women in Japan. As new ways of self-support present themselves, a woman may look forward to making single life tolerable by her own labor. At present there is not much for her to do but teach school. But for all the results are not all that could be wished, the outlook is bright, and we must bear in mind the vast difference in the two systems and customs which we arc trying to harmonize. “It is not possible to understand the condition of women without some consideration of the effect that Chris- tian thought and Christian lives have had on the thought and lives of the modern Japanese women.” tlbe Convict [Continued from page 7S.) barrel was lying the rigid body of the warden. He had freed his hands and. honest Catholic that he was, he could not die without the performance of some holy rite, however slight, so he had torn open the clothing about his neck and chest, reveal- ing a gold cross hung there, which by its very pres- ence liad undoubtedly given him courage in his dying moments, for his hands were folded peace- fully beneath the cross, and his face, although bear- ing unmistakable marks of suffering, bore also to Rat’s questioning gaze glorious signs of peace and love. When Rat turned away he was a different man. In one precious moment the wretch had learned more than any preacher could have taught him in a year. In that one supreme moment lie realized that for once he had not accomplished his desired ends. He had caused all this suffering but not with the hoped-for result. He saw that the re- venge that turned the other cheek after all sur- passed the revenge that hit back. He learned, too, that there was another thing that he had reckoned without; he learned that there is a love that suf- feretli long. He realized that if anyone possessed this love he could not be revenged although he be killed. The warden’s loving face was the ever- lasting proof of this. Oh. to get, to retain, to be filled with such love! “If I could only get it! Oh. love! Oh. love! save me.” So prayed Erastus Rawley. ' ' There is to-dav in Glasgow a powerful preacher —a man of little education, but of wonderful power in saving men from lives of sin—the Reverend Erastus Rawley.

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82 THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR QaGaCIOU p AOE 11E long, entwining whiskers which meet your gaze at the head of this monthly dirge have been the occa- MJ!£ sion of considerable comment and ar- ' ■ -1 gument. ()ne gentle reader, observ- ing the wonderful loop-thc-loop ef- fect caused by an artistic breeze, asks if we can reallv look like that and live. Look at the feline monstrosity in our head piece and contemplate that far-off gaze of wondering as- tonishment. He also has whiskers, but they are not nice and long like Mr. Sage’s. If that frail lit- tle margin gives way it will precipitate a catastro- phe. for pussy will scatter all these type. Pretty soon she will reach out with her paws and play with grandpa’s whiskers. Will the Sage pause to consider? No, he will be angry, and kitty will lose her nine lives. We arc well acquainted with the artist who com- mitted this design. He borrowed two dollars from us a year ago, and when we dun him for it he savs that he would rather owe it to us than cheat us out of it. No. he is not an interior decorator even though he decorates the interior of the Radiator. Tie is a good fellow and can draw more than his breath. The best thing we ever saw him draw was his salary. The other morning we found on our thirty-dol- lar roll-top desk what was labeled “a poem” with a note requesting us to please give it an airing in our column. It is with much trepidation that we dare publish this poem, for it runs along like a horse with the spring halt. Notice: We arc not respon- sible for its effect upon our readers. ---o---- j£le w on a Mosquito Whither from the jungle wide. Like the surging, beating tide. Heartless, friendless, and forlorn. Can vou tell whv von were born' He «lid fiddle on a housetop. You do gambol on the trectop, He locked down with fiendish glee, While you descendcth like a flea. Stop this wild, fantastic revel, For I’ll tell you, on the level, We’ll not stand your shafts of venom, As in history did old Menem. You must find some other frolic. You’re the precursor of the colic. And with you I’ll now confide. We will skin you for vour hide. When the moon’s effulgent rays Make the nights look like the days. Keep from the light that shines in the sky, For that’s the time that vou shall die. A-Mcn. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. the Dear Mr. Sage: Could you tell me what is capital of the Jewish nation? Money. My dear Sagacious Friend: I have been reading my Greek history and was much interested to know that Demosthenes became an orator bv going to the seashore and filling his mouth with pebbles and then trying to make himself heard above the roaring billows. Would you advise me to do the same, for I also aspire to be an orator? A. F. E. If you try it take out your false teeth first. If you have sound teeth now you will be interviewing a dentist soon after you have done the pebble trick. Don’t be an orator, 1 e an auctioneer. There is more money in it. REFLECTIONS OF THE SAGE. When the nights grow warm and hot. You seek out the nice cool spot Where we go to get respite, But you are right there with your bite. Have you any sense of shame. Or have any cause to blame? If so. toll it like a hero, And not stab back like Emperor Nero. Tn the procession of life, don’t be in the shoe- maker’s division—the last. It is easier to borrow trouble than a dollar. Fools are foolish because they can't fool the fool- ish. while the wise are otherwise. We condole with the unfortunate gentleman who took paris green to kill the potato bug which he had swallowed.