Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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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.

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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.

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14 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR parson fllborill’s Hccibent 3Bv Catherine )E. Giles, ’t6 B IN', is it possible you’ve not been told? Perhaps they don’t know- exact lv how bad he has been hurt.” “W ho?” demanded Mrs. Brown, as site deposited the carefully meas- ured salt into a bowl of sugar. W ho has been hurl? Surely not Parson Morill! Boy! Can’t you speak?” ()h. yes!” answered Stephen, but I don’t know how much die parson's been hurt. Might have broke his neck or------” Begin at the beginning and tell me how it hap- pened.” demanded Mrs. Brown, sinking into the nearest chair. Well, you see.” deliberately began Stephen,“as I was passing Parson Morill’s stony pasture. I saw him picking cherries, way up in the tree. Just as I was going to salute him, down lie came, head over heels, and landed on those awful rocks. Then Mrs. Morill came running out a’nd sat down be- side him, and—but Mrs. Brown, haven’t any of the neighbors heard?” Xo. indeed! replied Mrs. Brown.“I am always first to hear of a death, a wedding, or a christen- ing. Then forgetting both salt and sugar, she put on her bonnet, and started to tell Mrs. Jones the awful news. 'I'lie rumor spread from one to another, and soon quite a crowd had gathered at the Centre. Tiie men came in from the fields and found cold, or unprepared suppers, deserted houses, burned pots. and. a little later, their wives. They soon learned that poor Parson AI orill was killed by a fall from the cherry tree. A little later a crowd of supperless deacons set out to comfort the be- reaved Mrs. Morill. When they had covered most of their three-mile tramp from the Centre, and could sec the white fence around the late parson’s house, they stopped to decide who should be spokesman for the evening. While they were trying to decide whether Dea- con Jones or Deacon Brown could best fill the position, a familiar carriage, drawn by a sedate iiorsc. slowly drew around the bend of the road. The deacons all started, looked at one another, and solemnly declared: There’s no such things as ghosts.” Meanwhile the carriage drew nearer and nearer, and at last stopped before the fright- ened deacons. The parson, for the occupant of the carriage was none other than he, called each one by name, was surprised, but pleased to meet them all to- gether. and before the deacons could find their tongues, inquired the cause of their meeting. After a painful silence Deacon Brown found his voice, cleared his throat and said: We came here tonight. We came to—we wished to find out how much you had been injured by your fall this afternoon. I need not say that we are both pleased and surprised to find your injuries so slight, to find---” My fall this afternoon? Why brethren. I have had no tall! interrupted the mystified parson, gazing in bewilderment at the deacons, who in turn gazed helplessly at one another. Then they all crowded into the parson’s carriage and drove to the Centre. The women were still discussing the “sad end- ing of Parson Morill,” when they arrived at the Centre. There in the midst of his flock the par- son declared the rumor false. “Although. he continued. 1 cannot deny that I gathered most of my cherries this afternoon, but I did neither slip nor fall. I cannot possibly see-----’’ but here he was interrupted by the women, who had caught sight of Stephen Brooks. Mrs. Brow’ll declared that he and he alone was to blame for all the commotion at Dover Hills Centre. Deacon Little collared the culprit and dragged him before the parson. This!” lie began, shaking Stephen, “This is the cause of all this fuss. Young man. do you know that you have this day either intentionally or un- intentionally told a falsehood, that has caused more confusion than a fire? That has caused many of us to be supperless at this hour of the night? Young Stephen, shaking the hand from his collar, indignantly replied: 1 told no falsehood, Deacon Little, either intentionally or otherwise. As 1 came by Parson MoriU’s this afternoon, I saw him up in the cherry tree. I saw’ him come down the ladder, and land on the rocks. I didn’t know how much he was hurt, or if he was hurt at all.” But you told me.” declared Mrs. Brown, “that he came down head over heels. That is quite true. replied the lad. Of course lie came down head over heels. 1 low would you have had him come down, walking on his hands? When he landed. Mrs. Morill came out and sat down beside him. and helped him measure the cherries. I am sure that I have stated all facts correctly, have 1 not. Parson Morill?” “My bov.” replied the parson, in his most severe tone, but his eyes were twinkling, “any- thing told to deceive is a lie. and if you are ever tempted to twist the truth again, remember the supperless deacons of Dover II ills and refrain.”