South Pasadena High School - Copa de Oro Yearbook (South Pasadena, CA)

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IN COVENTRY AND OUT BARRETT KIESLING, ’13 “Say, fellows, I move we send Leslie Carter to Coventry. A boy that has no more sand and grit than he has should be ostracized for life.” “You bet. A fellow that wlil stand by and let his chum drown ought to be hooted out of school.” These indignant statements arose from a group of boys on the cam- pus at Horrowell “prep” school one beautiful afternoon in spring. It was the outcome of one of those regrettable incidents that mar school life for many boys. Leslie Carter, the best swimmer in school, had lost his nerve at a critical moment while swimming with his chum who, being struck with cramps, was unable to hold himself above the water. Leslie, for some unaccountable physical reason, was unable to make a move to help his school friend. His schoolmates, quick to judge right and wrong, took the stand that he had a “yellow streak” and they unanimously sen- tenced him to “Coventry.” Coventry is the name given by school boys to the practice of absolute ostracism of any boy committing an unfair or dishonorable act. It is the worst possible thing that could happen to a boy, for, while under the sentence of “Coventry,” he is shunned by his fellows like a pariah. A boy walked rapidly down the path from the Academy, carrying several books under his arm. A small school cap was perched upon his mop of curly brown hair. A well-developed figure and a strong face formed an exceedingly pleasing combination. His face, however, was clouded and, as he met the group, he bent his eyes to the ground and passed without a word. Immediately after his passing, the group fell into a buzz of recrimi- nation and indignant talk. The ringing of the bell for recitations, how- ever, drove all other thoughts from their minds for the time being. Leslie Carter, pursuing a moody and lonely way to his room, felt blue and down in the mouth. Unavoidably meeting with some of his former closest friends, he received stony looks and averted faces in reply to a friendly “Good morning.” Such things are not especially favorable for a light and happy frame of mind and we cannot blame him for feeling extremely unhappy. Reaching his room, he ran into his roommate coming out with a load of clothes, books and small pieces of furniture. “Why, Harry,” he cried, “surely you aren’t thinking of moving? Surely you don’t think I would have let him drown if I had been able in any way to save him? Have I ever been a coward on the football field or the track? Did you ever know me to flinch in athletics? T can’t explain how: adh “That’s enough; that is all I want to know,” coldly replied his former friend and confidant. “Your lack of an explanation for your conduct has branded you as a despicable coward. Tonight you will be in ‘Covent ry’, which will not lift until you leave school. Kindly let me pass.”

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SOPHOMORES