Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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10 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR “To The Swift . . By Richard J. Walsh, 1923 T was the eve of the big Thanks- giving Day game. In all parts of of the great city were the hilari- ous supporters of the rival col- leges, Trenton and Rathtun, which, on the morrow, would fight for what practically was the championship of the United States, for they had smothered all their other rivals, each in its own way, Trenton with its widely-known steam roller “system’' and a wealth of material from which to choose, Rath- tun, mainly through the efforts of Bob Spence, its captain, and the grit and ability of the small squad representing the little, unheard of col- lege. Rathtun had not been able to afford a coach, but the team’s victories were being at- tended with financial success and the Athletic Association was considering . . . “There’s Sam Alton,” said the hotel clerk, who was condescending to talk with Spence, whom everyone else was seeking in order that they might off-handedly remark to their friends later: ‘Oh, yes, I was talking to Bob be- fore the game’; the clerk who had—by his own affirmation, at least,—talked with many Presi- dents of the United States, was too lofty to seek this vulgar honor, hence the condescen- sion, continuing with his conversation. “He was the All-American quarterback who made such a name for himself at Princeton. He’s had a hard time, sick for months, lost his job, and gradually lost his grip, till now,—well, he does what odd jobs he can. He’s bringing up a small brother, too. In spite of all his troubles he’s still interested in football. He always comes in to see the visiting teams. I suppose it brings back the days when he used to arrive with his team for the big game. Whenever he can scrape together the price he goes to the games. This year, I guess, he hasn’t enough to celebrate the day by eating, much less buying a ticket.” Now Bob Spence was naturally kind-hearted, so, when he looked at the man designated, the first thing he noticed was that the former player was clothed rather lightly for such a chilly evening. Bob also had that valuable ad- junct to a kind heart—tact. It is not surpris- ing, then, that he drifted casually over to Alton, introduced himself, and drew that pleas- antly-surprised individual into a discussion of football. During the conversation, in which the two men became quite friendly, Mr. Alton amazed Bob hy his wonderful knowledge of the game, which showed his football brain to be as great and active as ever. Bob Spence was a great quarterback because he knew how to use his brain as well as his body. After he had received some remarkably sound advice from the once famous, but now forgotten, quarterback, this brain of his went rapidly into action. Before he bade Alton good night he invited him to see the morrow’s game on the sidelines with the Rathtun team, and to give them such a talk before the game as he had just heard. Spence recognized gen- ius when he saw it. Sam Alton jumped at the chance to mix once more in the football atmos- phere. Before Bob went to bed he sent a tele- gram . . . “Boys, first of all, be game! Trenton out- weighs you. You’ve got to fight from whistle to whistle in order to have a chance, not to mention victory. And Captain Spence, watch your team. If a man is injured or tired re- place him, no matter who he is. Remember, a good, fresh man always outplays an injured or tired one. Your only hope is speed, so when a man begins to slow down the team send him out. As both captain and acting coach you have a tremendous responsibility on your shoulders. Your school trusts you to prove worthy of it. Show it that it’s right!” No one would have recognized the speaker as the inconspicuous, humble Mr. Alton of yes- terday. Once more he was the “great Sam Alton,” tense and excited with that thrilling uncertainty which pervades every locker room before an important game. The great game began. The harder and more spirited playing of the light Rathtun team was manifest from the outset, but even that, while smothering the Trenton advance, availed for naught when it came to carrying the ball. Bob Spence ran his team like the ex- pert he was, selecting plays carefully, and sub- stituting players when he thought it neces- sary. Early in the third quarter he began to feel a pain in his leg, which slowed his playing until he found it hard to keep pace with the other fleet backs. “I ought to go out, I suppose,” he argued to himself, “but this is my last game, it’s my last chance in college.” (Continued on Page 12.)

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR 9 elstoke, that I prize higher than the shallow, hypocritical friendships of society, and the empty honors of being a society doctor. Of course if I felt that I would be more useful in a city I should go there immediately, for a man’s abode should be in that place where the call of duty is the strongest; however, I am firmly convinced that this is my post of duty, so here I shall remain. Many of the men are rough and uneducated and like all human beings have their faults, but at heart they are as fine a class of men as one might wish to meet. I am indeed well satisfied with my lot.” Just then the warning cry of “B-o-o-o-o-rd” rang out, so with a hasty handshake and a parting shot of, “You’ll see your mistake yet, Grant,” the men parted; Davison boarded the moving train and was soon whirled out of sight. Two years later we again see Anthony Davi- son, this time aboard a great trans-Atlantic liner bound for New York. He sits at a table in the smoking room with a few friends at a card game in which he has been steadily win- ning, for great stacks of chips lie piled in front of him. His cold, expressionless face betrays no emotion, and yet, to a keen observer, there might appear an underlying air of suppressed satisfaction and triumph. In the deep com- fortably upholstered chairs around them other men are calmly enjoying their evening smoke and all is quiet save for the steady throbbing of the ship’s engines. A breeze entering the open windows dispels the heat of a hot August evening, and the atmosphere seems to fairly radiate with luxurious comfort and security. But suddenly the evening stillness is broken by a muffled crash followed by a vibrating jar; a moment later the throbing pulsations of the engines cease. Yet there is now no alarm, for after a momentary expression of inquiry, the men proceed with their game and all remains quiet. But soon hurried footsteps are heard outside, excited exclamations and deep-voiced commands are heard; a moment later the in- candescent lights wavered and went out, leav- ing the room in darkness. In hurried con- fusion all the men struggle to gain the deck. Davison, once outside, saw that the deck was crowded and that several boats had already been swung out on the davits and were rapidly being filled and lowered away. The crowd was excited but orderly and boat after boat was ouickly loaded to capacity and successfully launched. The ship soon began to keel over to port, considerably so. In spite of all haste only four starboard boats were launched be- fore the list became so great that it was im- possible to lower boats from that side of the ship. Consequently the now thoroughly- alarmed passengers all wildly sought the port side of the vessel, where they were sternly held in check by officers with drawn revolvers. Davison stood with his back against the steel wall of the deckhouse and watched the slowly retreating boats as they moved over the moon- lit water. A sudden stark fear of death was gripping him and he was rapidly losing his nerve, for his face was deathly pale and his lips were twitching convulsively. But soon the creaking of falls was heard overhead and the trim white hull of No. 12 port boat slowly ap- peared above and stopped at the level of the deck. “Women and children first” is the com- mand and with cold drops of perspiration standing out on his forehead Davison franti- cally watches the rapid loading of the boat. In desperation he stepped quickly forward to the rail, but in an instant the ugly muzzle of a Colt automatic was staring him in the face and he was sternly ordered to stand back. “But sir, I am Anthony Davison, president of the great concern of Howland Davison, I must—” began Davison with a weak attempt at bluster. “I don’t care who you are, you must await your turn and if you don’t stay back in your place I’ll bore you through,” returned the offi- cer savagely, as he covered Davison with his gun. No. 12 was soon filled and lowered away, and was followed quickly by 11, 10 and 9, the only remaining port boats, and yet there were still hundreds of frantic passengers left aboard the sinking vessel. Davison stood near the stern of the vessel leaning against the rail, staring down into the ominous black depths of the water below. The whole course of his life seemed to pass before his mind in a picture and the haunting recollections of his greed and cruelty now con- fronted him with glaring clearness, and in his agony of mind a deep groan escaped his lips and he vainly gripped the rail with a vice-like tenacity. The vessel continued to keel over farther and farther to port, the ominous hiss of steam arose from below, a series of muffled dull reports rang out, and above prayers, curses and choking sobs were heard as the terror- stricken victims awaited the end. Finally, with a faltering quiver, followed by a mighty plunge of the doomed, the ship disappears forever be- neath the waves. (Continued on Page 13.)

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR 11 THE STUDENTS’ COUNCIL This is to serve as a statement of the aims and ideals of the Council and as a plea for “Honor and Progress.” For the benefit of first-year pupils we will give a brief summary of the Council’s organi- zation. The Students’ Council consists of the four officers of all three classes: Floor proc- tors, elected by the room proctors and serving as their head, and two members of the faculty, Mr. Mahoney and Miss Browne. The president of the Senior Class automatically becomes the president of the Council. All members- have full and equal privileges of debate and voting. The wide scope of the Council’s activities may be shown by a general resume of last year’s business. The Council adopted a plan for better filing to relieve the congestion in the corridors, conducted assemblies, assisted in campaigns, acted as a reception committee and ushers at school functions. The Council does not desire to manage the affairs or to dictate the policies of the school. In truth it possesses only the power of sug- gestion to the headmaster and influence among the students. All achievements of the Council have resulted from the co-operation of the students and the faculty. The Council aims to be the connecting link between the head- master, the faculty, and the student body. To upper classmen: You are familiar with the work that the Council has done. Help and carry through its plans in the future as loyally and well as you have done in the past. To first-year students: Become acquainted and interested in the activities of the Council. To the entire student body as a whole: Choose as your proctors, those whom you believe best fitted to carry on the work of the Council. Always regard the Council as YOUR organi- zation, formed to look after YOUR welfare and striving for the best interest of YOUR school. Receive and carry out its suggestions, knowing that they have been offered by a body com- posed of YOUR classmates, attempting to solve YOUR school problems. THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT Once again, with the opening number of the Radiator, football and other school activities are enthusiastically reviewed and planned and equally as enthusiastically read. But there is another part of the school life which pertains to the cultural side—books—which ought also to be viewed with a great deal of interest by the student body. As our school library is typical of many other libraries in the country—and we hope it is a little better than most—it is fitting here to mention the first public library in the United States. It is quite generally known that Benjamin Franklin established the first public library. The circumstances, however, are interesting, and may be found in the “Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.” Franklin belonged to a club in Philadelphia called the Junto Club in which was held many discussions under various topics. The members collected all their books in the clubroom to aid in reference work, but the books did not receive proper care and the plan was soon abandoned. However, it pro- duced an idea in Franklin’s mind, and in 1731 he began subscriptions for the first public li- brary. From this small beginning has followed the countless libraries scattered over our land, even our own much prized Somerville Public Library. Of this latter we are privileged to have a branch within our High School with a librarian who gives aid and instruction in its use. Each Sophomore English class is required to spend one period a week in the library to receive instruction from the librarian on the general use of the library. Miss Woodbury, our school librarian, is now devoting all of her time to the school, having been employed by the school department in- stead of on part time by the Public Library. Here is a list of books the librarian recom- mends:— The Honorable Peter Stirling, by Ford. The Light That Failed, Kipling. Colonel Carter of Cartersville, F. H. Smith. Monsieur Beaucaire, Tarkington. The Virginian, Wister. How many have you read? Dorothy Obear.