South Side High School - Optimist Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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CLASS PICTURES.

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W[ THE OPTIMIST An Unwilling Heroine By Alfred Zusi. YOU really ought to drop him,” said Alice. “Everyone but yourself knows he is not your friend.” “But Gil is a good friend,” protested Jim. “I’ve known him for two years.” “He doesn’t show it,” replied Alice. “He has worked against you in both the class elec- tions and the football team.” “Oh, that was fair rivalry.” “It was decidedly unfair on his part,” re- turned the young lady. ‘‘He used every means possible to defeat you. I don’t think you should associate with him. He’s a sneak.” “Well, I guess I’m old enough to pick my own friends,” retorted Jim, who was rather touchy on this point, because it had been brought up before. “Alright,” snapped Alice, “choose for your- self.” And with a hurried “Goodnight,” she ran up the steps and into the house. Jim Clarke gazed after her resentfully. The quarrel had originated over Gilbert Van Duyne, who was declared by many of Jim’s acquaintances to be injuring Jim as much as possible under the guise of friendship. In his loyalty Jim defended Gil, and still believed him a firm friend. And now he had quarreled with Alice and the next day she would leave for a tour of the Southwest by automobile, ac- companied by her father! Suddenly he made his way back to the col- lege, from which he was to graduate in a few days. After graduation Jim returned to his home in New York where he prepared for a visit at the home of Jack Chase, a college chum of his, who lived on a large farm in southern Kansas. About a week after his graduation, he was safely ensconsed in the home of his friend. A few days passed pleasantly in hunting and fishing, for the farm was situated in a rather undeveloped region, and natural condi- tions prevailed. Frequently on these trips they came upon actors of a moving-picture company, which was established for the time in the nearest town and was operating in that section. One afternoon the two chums were return- ing from a fishing trip to a pond in the neigh- borhood. They had taken a path thru the woods that led to the road from the pond, and were just about to emerge from the woods when they saw a strange drama being enacted before them. An automobile stood by the side of the road, and bound to its side were a man and a young lady of about twenty. A cloth gag had been placed in the mouth of each, and they were unable to utter a sound. A masked ruffian with a heavy beard was busily engaged in searching the baggage, which had been lashed to the side of the car, and was ex- tracting the valuable articles. Jim sprang forward impulsively, but Jack, looking around, had observed a camera click- ing merrily in the hands of the operator. Be- fore Jack could call out, Jim had reached the car, and taking the masked one by surprise, had borne him to the ground. Jack could not help but smile. Here was his friend rescuing the heroine of a movie “thriller.” The humor of the situation strik- ing him, he hung back to watch the struggle, which was progressing favorably for the sup- posed defender of the law, as he was a power- ful athlete. But now a new figure appeared upon the scene. Deserting his camera, the oper- ator rushed to the fray, and dealt Jim a heavy blow with a short club he had picked up. The tide of battle turned under this onslaught, and Jim was being roughly handled, when Jack, roused to action by the uncalled-for assault on the part of the camera man, effectively brought into play the heavy butt of his steel fishing rod. The two strangers were unpleasantly surprised by this new element in the contest, and took flight, seeking refuge in the woods. Alice Payne and her father, for these were Continued on Page 82. 15

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 Senior Editor, Alfred Zusi. With the rapid approach of the time of our departure, our thoughts turn back to the past, and with mingled emotions we reflect upon our four years at South Side. The dominant note of this meditation is a feeling of intense satis- faction, of triumph that we have successfully completed the prescribed course. Opposed to this, a wave of deep regret sweeps over us as we recall the happiness and the enjoyable friendships resulting from our school tics; associations which are now, for the most part, recollections of the past. We are proud to be graduates of South Side; proud to have been trained in an institution which has gained such an enviable record in the few short years of its existence, and we will strive our utmost to promote and strengthen this reputation in the minds of those with whom we come in contact in later life. The value of our instruction at South Side is immeasurable. We have acquired a firm foundation upon which to build our lives, and any future success that we may achieve may justly be ascribed to this training, for “a good start is half the battle won.” At this turning point in our career of edu- cation, it is indeed fitting that we express, if words can express, our gratitude toward those who were in a large measure responsible for our success. To Dr. Kennedy and to the en- tire faculty we extend our most sincere thanks for their aid in overcoming the obstacles en- countered in our school course. We feel in- capable of an adequate manifestation of our gratitude to our class advisor, Dr. Austin, who piloted the Class of January, '20, thru its trials and reverses to the safe haven of gradua- tion. We respect him as a teacher, and love him as a friend and companion. Under his firm guidance and supported by his sound ad- vice, victory was assured, and to him, there- fore, our issue of the school paper is dedicated. To the school in general we arc grateful for its whole hearted support and encourage- ment of all our activities. Our best wishes are extended to the future classes of South Side, and for the success of their representing organ, “The Optimist.” 17