Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 18 text:

12 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR tEbe Efeen of tbe pacific By? IDa Chapman, ’15 B S 1' people agree that by far the most beautiful of the Pacific islands are the Hawaiian group, also known as the Sandwich islands, about 2,000 miles from San Francisco. They were discovered by that world-re- nowned navigator. Captain Cook. Originally inhabited by cannibals, “Sandwich ’ is a rather suggestive name. The group, being situated within the limit of the trade winds, has one of the most equable and healthy climates in the world, and is one of the few tropical places where the devastating work of the hurricane is practically unknown. These islands are now an- nexed to the United States, but about two or three years ago, the last native queen was buried. I will tell you a few of the most interesting facts about Honolulu. It is the most important town, and is situated on the island Oahu. On approaching it. after having gone through the Kaiwci channel with the Leper island Molo- kai on the left, you see land of a distinctly cone- like shane. which, as the ship nears, formulates itself into Diamond Head on the right, with that famous extinct volcano, the Punch Bowl. in the background. On your left is Pearl Harbor, which, when finished, will be the strongest fortified naval station in the Pacific. The entrance to the harbor is rendered rather perilous by a large coral reef which opens up as one rounds Diamond Head, and at low water, under the old native rule, the com- mon prisoners may be seen working there. Go- ing up the harbor to the wharf, the usual crowd of natives, wearing leis. (wreaths of brightly colored flowers) around their necks, wait to wel- come the strangers. I he points of interest are many, but I can de- scribe only a few. A very pretty and interesting drive is out to the Punch Bowl, along a straight, wide road, with tall palm trees on either side, and fine private residences surrounded by semi-trop- ical gardens, to within a few hundred feet of the toj) of this volcano. Formerly the tourist could walk to the top and look down into the crater, now the United States has made a fort of it. On the way back, stop at Waikiki for afternoon tea on the balcony of the hotel of that name, which overlooks the beach. There one may sit and watch the natives riding their surf boats, one of their greatest amusments. and they practically live in the water all day. Another place of in- terest is the museum. There, nearly everybody goes to see the great decapod, which was washed upon the beach after a heavy gale. It is so im- mense that its body covers the whole roof, and its leg';, with their treacherous claws, like those of the tiger, hang 1 »wn the walls to the floor. The old queen's palace, like barracks, and the govern- ment house, within a few blocks of each other, are all points of interest. I he Hawaiians themselves are the laziest race in the world, and are called the “Lotus-Eaters.” Ihe lotus leat is their emblem. Their favorite amusements are surf-riding, as I have mentioned, and spearing salmon by moonlight. If you happen to know- one of the natives, you will most likely be asked to a feast, which is a treat no one should miss. Wearing leis, you sit on the ground, around a pot, which contains “pig and poi.” Poi is a native vegetable. This is eaten with the fingers, and for a favored guest the host will wind around his fingers what he con- siders a dainty morsel, and pass it. Of course it would be an insult to refuse. At the finish the Kanaka girls dance die Hula-hula or muscle dance. Having seen the most interesting places of this beautiful town, so with the leis still around your neck and the “AlohaV of the natives ringing in vour ears vou sail out of the harbor. “Mbat’s tn a Nickname” [Continued from page 10] “Well, she is niv future bride!! he explained, at which Ethel was so glad that she kissed her brother and nearly smothered Doris with kisses. The letters which Ethel had written Frank had been returned with the words “Moved awav” writ- ten -»11 the envelope. The same thing happened to Frank. After this was explained to Chester the latter said: “Come on in and tell father. He is in his den.” Thus it happened that after that time Doris never again nicknamed any of her acquaintances.

Page 17 text:

SOMERVILLK HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR i r “JLhc (Lbaoel in the flllountams” .16 ? Xois jfra. ee, '15 36 IGH in the Alps, nestling lovingly at the foot of a rugged peak, is a small village. The picturesqueness of its houses and of the dress of its people shows that it belongs to that humble but charming race, the Swiss. Hav- ing noted these things, the eye is. almost at once, attracted to a small, gray building of roughly- hewn stone. This is the chapel, St. John’s in the Wilderness,” famous because of its sweet-toned bells. Surely this is a scene well worth admiring, but what we wish is to hear the song of the chimes. It is Sunday morning. All the village lies in reverent stillness. In the very air is a touch of perfect solemnity. Then a sound, sweet and pure, softly reaches our ears. Now it is hushed: now grows clearer and clearer. The mountains rever- berate. sending back the tones again and again until they fade into the distance. Now they are playing the Doxology; and there rushes to our minds a time when we stood on tiptoes and looked wonderingly over the pew about the dimly-lighted church. The people begin to go slowly by to the chapel, with pure, holy expressions on their faces as the chimes softly play the old hymns familiar to 'I'lie echoes die away until they become like the distant humming of a bee. Now they are gone, and again that reverence fills the air. Even the wind stops stirring the trectops. We seem to be enchanted, for every nerve is strained as if we are waiting for something to happen. The birds seem to have stopped singing, waiting for their time to burst into melody. And now a sound breaks the stillness of the air. It is what we have been waiting for. A hymn, unfamiliar'yet pure and sweet, falls upon our ears. Although we cannot distinguish the words, each tone seems to have a meaning of its own. The villagers, standing with uplifted faces, seem to be pouring out praise, love, hope, and thanks in that one simple melody. Now the tones grow slower and slower, fainter and fainter, until the hymn ends in one soft chord. As the sun sinks beyond the horizon, and the shades of night begin to lower, the chimes re- sume their pealing. While the sun illuminate,s the clouds with soft shades, the bells sing their lulla- by. Now the soft colors are gone, and twilight drops in. 'flic chimes have stopped their ring- ing. All the world is at rest. Breamlno J6 ? IRutb IVX. potter, '14 Dreamily flows the rippling river, Winding away serene and blue. Singing and singing on forever One little song the whole day through. Blue is the mist that hangs so faintly Like a dim veil the fields above: Blue is the heaven, that soft and gently Looks down on us with love. Oh. that I could paint the peace unbroken. 'fell the joy of this rare blue day. Send you at least some sweet token ( f thoughts and wishes far away. Lo. at my feet blue flow’rets tender. Warm with the kiss of the noontide sun, Here, let them mirror you all the splendor Of mist and river and sky in one.

Page 19 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR 3 Cbc Smrit of tbc jfovcst HE night air was pregnant with mys- tery. A faint shower of moonbeans shimmered through the dark foliage of the forest, giving a ghost-like ap- pearance to the fitful shadows. Fol- lowing, the silvery moon-lit path beyond the dense forest to a distant clearing, a heavy sheet of diamond mist was seen rising to- ward the hills. But, what is that gleam of pure white visible in the moonlight? Perhaps, it is the trailing gown of some fairy queen! But no, now the girl moves slowly and thoughtfully down the shining path. Even a fairy would move with less com- posed grace! I'hc dampness of the mist caused her sheer white garments to cling to her lithe figure, revealing each graceful movement. -Suddenly the forest awoke: the shrill cry of a hoot owl to his mate echoed and re-echoed; then, at intervals, the low caroling of a nightingale was heard. At the same moment, the girl, too, sprang into motion. Quickly catching her scarf from her hair, she swung into a wild dance—the dance of wood- land nymphs. Every subtle movement was sym- bolic of some creature of the forest. Her voice, as she sang in time to the dancing, caught and echoed the song of the nightingale. As she ceased at last, exhausted with her efforts, a dark figure emerged from the shadow of a huge tree trunk. Approaching nearer to the girl, the man spoke: “That was excellent. Miss Mercian; I feel confident that if we can reproduce this moonlight scene, your act. will be the greatest achievement in years. By way of reply, the girl softly sighed. I pray that it mav please my audience! I've tried so hard all my life to be truly worth something—to do something worth while! And now. after years of struggle, you have succeeded. What shall we call this scene? added the practical stage manager. The Spirit of the Forest,” replied the girl, rev- erently. 1foalf va IRccIt 36$ iDaroarct SHirftee Out in the bay, there stands a rock, A rock, all brown and gray, And on it stands a beacon white. That guides the ships by day. This rock stands high, a sentinel, A few miles from the shore, And in the harbor, that it marks, A fleet did ride of yore. A licet of hardy fishermen That rivaled Gloucester's own, And by that rock sailed to the Banks, And by it sailed back home. t Tis said that sailors of that fleet When they did outward sail, Threw pennies on the rock, that they Might weather every gale. The vessels of that fleet arc gone, The sailors passed away, And in their place arc white-winged yachts That dot the deep blue bay. Now if some pleasant afternoon You happen down that way, I’ll show that very rock to you, And where the pennies lay.