Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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TIIK SOMERVILLE RADIATOR 9 tictli century. Around the walls were paintings of noted Virginians. e passed on to the architecture and machin- ery building, where we saw the latest model of a locomotive engine, with its cars. There was a section of the East river tunnel, also a section of the East Poston tunnel. The Waltham Watch Company have on exhibition a watch as large as a barrel. '1 he mineral building is divided into two sections, one containing minerals and the other containing the exhibition of the cattle industry. Gold, silver, and all known minerals are displayed. The differ- ent states are sending on their mineral products. Alaska has a particularly large exhibition. In the second section there are many small stockyards. Gentlemen stand there to explain the different ways of branding and caring for cattle. As we entered the agricultural building, one of the young ladies in our party, seeing what she sup- posed to be imitation apples, said she would like a real apple. As we reached the apple display, the gentlemen in charge asked if we would like some. On learning that they were real, everyone said: “Yes.” They were a little soft, but of good flavor, and it was a unanimous vote of thanks which the gentleman received for his kindness. Corn was displayed from a very pretty booth made of ears of corn, with the stalks woven between in places. This build- ing contained the prettiest display of all {possibly it was because there was something to eat at nearly every booth). At the extreme end of the fair we saw a small building with a large horn or megaphone on the top. Through this a man announced that the building on which he stood did more towards educating the peoples than .all the schools. It was a home of the Filipinos, Japanese, Amazons, and Indians. These buildings constitute about all at present completed. When fully in order, it will be with- out doubt a magnificent exposition. We were somewhat divided in returning; some went by the early boat, and some by the eight o'clock. As for myself, I went with a few on the steamer to Newport News, and took the car to Point Comfort. We had ridden so long that a walk was proposed by one. We walked abut fif- teen minutes, and took the car for home. The conductor told us we had walked through Blood- field, so called because of the murders committed there about thirty years ago. The next day we visited Hampden Institute, a school for boys and girls of the colored race. The boys take the wood-turning and all the branches in manly work, the girls sewing, cooking, and a study of current events. We also visited the Soldiers’ Home. The grounds surrounding it are very beautiful. Just beyond we saw acres of graves. The stones looked beautiful in rows like an orchard whose trees are laid out in straight lines. In the afternoon we were taken on board the English cruiser Good Hope,” and shown all over this boat. We all agreed that it was a very nice boat, but not as good as some of our own. That night we stayed on the steamer “Point Comfort” for Washington. As the water was calm, we had a very enjoyable trip. At 0.45 we passed Mt. Vernon, and arrived in Washington at about eight o’clock. We had breakfast at our hotel, and then started for the Capitol. We were shown some court rooms, and climbed to the dome. As this was called the whispering room, one of our party went around to the other side and whispered. We heard her. but not distinctly. She said it would never do to have our rooms in the school like that. Another interesting place visited was the Mint, where we saw paper money printed. We were told that each bill was printed three times and counted fifty-six times. We next visited the Treasury building. This building contains a reserve fund of about fifteen millions in small coins, about eight millions in gold, and $300,000 in pennies. Hc: c they grind up old bills and sell the ashes for $40 a ton. In the White House we entered the room in which Alice Roosevelt was made Mrs. Longworth. In this room are three chandeliers, which each con- tain (5,300 pieces of glass, and a piano valued at $ -22,500, presented by Steinway Company. We saw the pictures of several of the Presidents’ wives. Some of the party went up in the Washington monument, from the top of which the view is mag- nificent. Most of the marble of the monument was donated by some of the states and higher lodges of this country. At night we visited the Congress Library. As you enter, on the left and right are corridors; in front is the Congressional Library. It is a beautiful sight at night when lighted by electricity. On the left corridor are manuscripts and two relief maps of Washington, one as it is. and the other as it will be; on the right are the reading rooms. The trip to Mt. Vernon pleased all, as a sight of Washington’s home always does. We started for Philadelphia at eight o’clock. We reached there at about ten o’clock, after trav- eling at times as fast as a mile in forty-eight sec- onds. We were taken through the Mint in this city, and also visited Wanamaker’s great depart- ment store. Both interested us greatly. We dined at the Windsor Hotel, and after a walk around the city, took our train for New York, our sightseeing finished, and only the short steamer journey remaining of our delightful vacation tour.

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8 THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR H Crip to Jamestown THatbaiUel HMtcbell, ’I0 IIE last whistle had blown, and we were off upon a trip which promised to please all. As we passed out of sight of the friends and rela- tives who were waving their handker- chiefs to us, a gloomy sensation threatened us because of having to leave them be- hind, but the next moment we were all talking and joking about what we expected was before us. Our boat was a large one of about 22,000-ton weight. It was as homelike as a boat could be. Our staterooms opened out upon the upper deck, and were very neat and comfortable. The social hall was in the middle of the boat, with the dining- hall directly beneath it. The officers were quite so- ciable. especially the captain. Ilis quarters were directly over the steering room. Our trip from Boston to Norfolk was very pleasant to all except- ing those who were seasick and tired. The fog blew in while we were off Highland Light, and completely enveloped us till we emerged from it into the Chesapeake bay. At about eight o'clock we were landed at the wharf in Norfolk. After checking our baggage, we came on deck to sec the boat unloaded. There were about forty negroes on the wharf waiting for work. As we stood there, a man on the deck tossed a penny to one of the negroes. It seemed as though a football game was just starting a scrimmage; every negro made a rush for the penny. More pennies were thrown to them to sec them fight for money. This was kept up till the portholes were opened, and then they commenced their work as though nothing had happened. They all sang as they worked, and very few sang the same song. We watched them work for a while, and then decided to look over as much of Norfolk as we could before our boat left for Point Comfort. As our time was limited, we were unable to see any of the residential section. We saw a number of churches and noted buildings. We took the boat for Point Comfort at a wharf just beyond the one at which we landed. As we passed out of the harbor, we counted twenty-six American warships on the inside, and four English, with two French and one Argentina battleships, outside. There were about ten torpedo boat de- stroyers lying farther back to escort the battle- ships from the entrance of the bay to their places. Beyond the fleet was a boat built like the Monitor in every way. This boat interested many in our party. It was hard for them to realize that a small boat like that could do so much destruction. After a sail of about fifty minutes, we landed at Point Comfort. The wharf was completely cov- ered with negroes, all asking to carry our grips. As our baggage was checked, we proceeded to walk to our hotel. We found it very warm walk- ing. but cool inside the hotel. After a change in attire, we walked around the fort and other points of interest. The entire point was under military jurisdiction, with guards posted along the coast atid main roads. A guard told me that there were many plain-clothes detectives in the vicinity guard- ing government property. The houses are very much alike, being all made of brick. We noticed in numbering a double house they numbered them 10-N or 10-S, meaning north and south. The second day in Point Comfort we went through the fort. The entrance was a large stone portal, with a bridge, which crosses the moat, lead- ing to it. Inside the fort we saw on our left a large building, the soldiers’ quarters. In front of us was a large parade ground, which also served for a baseball diamond. On our right were the officers' homes. By crossing the parade ground, we saw the ammunition stores and some large cannon. Just beyond were the ramparts, which extended one mile to the left and about 500 yards to the right. The open bay is just beyond. We passed along the walks in front of the officers’ quarters. Everything was in perfect order, the gardens all in bloom, and the trees as green as they arc in our state in June. After lunch we took the steamboat for the Ex- position. On entering the enclosure, we were quite surprised at the condition of the grounds, and greatly surprised to find only twelve buildings com- pleted. The buildings were not all even occupied, but a few were nearly full and ready for opening. The government building was the first completed building we visited. As we entered, we saw a large model of the landing of John Smith. John Smith was in a boat with his sailors, the Indians were standing around holding out gold and silver and fruit to the sailors. The figures were made of some composition painted. They wore the clothes of Smith’s time; the Indians were clothed as Indians in those days. There were other models repre- senting the different types, from the Dutch, Span- ish. or English planter to the statesman of 18S0. The Virginian building was quite artistically ar- ranged with exhibitions of the different products and manufactures. There was also a display of the arms of the United States, from the flint-lock musket of 1775 to the repeating rifle of the twen-

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10 THE SOMERVILLE RADIATOR Soliciting advertisements By? 3uUa jfreefcman, X., ’OS. T p y 71 H, dear! It’s all very nice to be an ZOVik editor, I suppose, but 1 simply cannot solicit ‘ads’ of people I do not know. At any rate, I shall not go alone. If I only dared to resign; still, mother would feel very badly, so that is out of the question.” Thus Helen Ilowes soliloquized after she had been given a list of places to go to in order to obtain advertisements for the Jabber- wock, her school paper. As misery loves company, she felt a little relieved (although it was rather mean) that three other girls had the same un- pleasant task before them; one of them. Marian Howard in ordinary life, was now the chief of the business committee, and had given her a list of six places which must be visited that same afternoon. These places were Metcalf’s drug store, a sewing machine company, a shoe shop, a furniture store, a fruit store, and a laundry. The places were all widely scattered; all of them, however, except one, which was quite a distance out in West Roxburv, were in Boston. By great good luck. Helen persuaded a class- mate, Isabelle Worcester, to go with her. Marian had already given her some blank receipts, an old copy of the Jabbcrwock, some good advice, and the different prices. Therefore when the 2 o’clock bell for dismissal rang, she and Isabelle raced to the dressing room, put on their wraps, and hurried off. As Metcalf’s was the first place on their way down, they went there. Timidly and blushing furi- ously, Helen stated her errand to the clerk. He was very pleasant to her, but he told her that tne advertising manager did not have his quarters in this store and that if she wanted to see him she would have to go to the one on Trcmont street, near Houghton’s. Poor Helen felt greatly disap- pointed. The first venture had been a failure, and it’s hard if anything goes wrong at the outset. But was it really a failure? Wasn’t there a wee chance left that she might succeed at the other store? So, with raised hopes, they set off again. The next place on their way down was the shoe store. It was the Krcak Shoe Shop on West street. The girls stopped before the building to gather the last remnants of their courage before entering. Finally, going in. they were asked by a nice old gentleman what they wished. Helen showed him his “ad” in the paper, and asked him if lie wished to renew it. Following her chief's advice, she as- sured him that all the girls would patronize him, and after he made sure that no other shoe firm had an ad in it he gave her a ten-dollar one. Then, in a very businesslike manner, she gave him a re- ceipt, although she could hardly keep from shout- ing for joy. When they came out they saw Marian, and told her the good news, and when the former said she had been to three nlaccs and had not been able to get a single ad” Helen executed a war dance on the spot. Feeling greatly pleased with herself and the whole world, she and Isabelle pursued their way to the machine store. 'I hey found it had its quarters in a very pretty little room, which had tables and chairs strewn everywhere. They sat down near one of the tables, and a man came over to ask them what they wanted. Again Helen had to do the talking. He was a young fellow, and he seemed most stupid. '1 he firm’s ad” in the paper had to be shown him about twenty times, and he could not remember the cost of it for two seconds. At length he said that he was not the manager, but if the girls would leave a copy of the paper he would try his best to get the ad” for them. But they had only one copy of the paper, which no doubt would be needed at the other stores. Finally a compromise was effected: they were to send a copy of the paper that night, and if they would call the next afternoon he would tell them whether or not the manager could advertise in the paper. Isabelle then proposed that they go down to the furniture store, and on the way back they could stop at Metcalf’s downtown store. So they went to the furniture store, which was ’way down on North Washington street, near Adams square. But the people there were very busy, and after a brief inter- view asked the girls to come the next day at about o’clock. Luck now seemed to be against them, for they were disappointed at Metcalf’s again. The manager was not in. l ie was there on certain days only, and the poor girls were told that if they would come on Thursday he would be very happy indeed to see them. There was only one town place left now, and these forlorn maids tried to find it. Then truly were they lost in Boston’s maze of streets. Have you ever been to Commerce street? If you have, you will appreciate the woes before these brave, but ignorant, girls. They asked policemen how to get there, and finally, after a dozen had been asked, they found the place. It is very far away, near the wharves. Well, after they had finally found the place, which is in a most disreputable part of the city, they were told that the owner was