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

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THE OPTIMIST W| A Tale By Jeanette Gold fine That was home—a dirty, smelly hole—a rut, where sunlight knew no welcome, where dark- ness reigned supreme, where deeds were done under the sheltering wings of night, where in- genious plots were designed, where brains were busy—always scheming, plotting to withhold at any cost that tiny, precious something—lifel Vet. what was that life?—risks, escapes, sharp spying eyes, paralyzing fears, deaths, sorrows, short eager breaths of gladness, for these were creatures hated, scorned, hunted by the warmed, bright world. Here, as in all places, was the eternal mother, and again that mother-love which considers not at all self, but burns in an unquenchable (lame of tender anxiety for helpless young ones. When little egoists know only that they must cat, mothers know only that they must seek. Thus, in profound blackness, while the good world slumbered peacefully, one of these hunted un- happy creatures ran forth, driven on by the power of her love. Kyes, so black, so weary; ever watched lest upright men appear, knowing well their utter mercilessness. A quick run! Stop! The sound of footsteps! No! What nonsense! Hungry mouths were waiting! A faint whimper reached her ears and she darted forth with new resolve and newly gathered strength. Onward, onward, ever onward she rushed, but barren and futile was her search—not one morsel was in sight! The thought came steadily in a regular lieating-beating “They arc young. They arc helpless. They arc hungry! Blacker grew the night and heavier grew her heart. What was she to do now? She cast half-mad, furtive glances about her. Love, hate, love, hate—the alternating emotions ruled her. There, there in that home slept untroubled, at ease, on soft downy pillows, one of those good men, those men of renown, of wealth, of pres- tige. There, children knew no want and mothers suffered not the sight of babies’ hunger. She shivered, she waited; then she made her mad way into the house. There, by the side of a bed, she watched a soft, warm little body, a sleeping, tired, little boy. Gently, gently up and down rose and fell the chest of the child, his rounded check flushed with slumber. With sudden vi- ciousness, she bit into the plump little leg over- hanging the crib. His baby cries awoke the household, but she waS gone. Swift and agile was her flight. Running, running, ever running— suddenly she stopped! There—food! Her little ones will be fed. Quiveringly she snatched the piece and—snap! Well, at last they succeeded, those men from above. They got her this time. She struggled—she pulled—she pushed! The frenzy and fear of her littles ones’ welfare gave her a supreme bravery. With unlielicvablc force she tugged and pulled herself away, dragging her severed limb behind. Tightly she held on to that remnant of food and pulled her weakened body along the door. Soon, soon will the hungry mouths be fed. With this thought she still crept along, leaving a trail of blood behind. Faint and fainter she became—but her mother’s heart would not give in. Sapped of all strength at last, she fell into the hole of a home. The tiny ones quickly devoured the bit of nourishment. But the conscientious men had done their work, and well, and the brave little mother at last fell, her limb torn and bloody, her body tortured, but her soul appeased. At that moment, in the great house of upright men, a little baby boy gave a last tortured whim- per. This—another strange talc in a world of mice and men. Twenty Yeara After This Number With Apologies to R. Southey By Helen Grecnblat It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar’s work was done, And he lwsidc the trolley tracks Was tuning in for fun. And by him playing at casino His little grandchild. VVilhclmino. She saw her brother Peterkin Roll something large and round. Which he beside his trolley tracks In playing there had found, He came to ask what he had found. That was so large and smooth and round. “O that,” said Kaspar with a sigh. “ Tis some South Sider’s skull; The Seniors murdered The Optimist staff In a slaughter terrible. But what they fought each other for Was in the Senior Optimist—May, 1924. 22

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'fogfl THE OPTIMI ST find a way out and they would be happy. Happiness came to her but not for Ion . The following day as she sat making her bridal jacket she was interrupted by the sneering voice of Lee Lung. “Ah hah. my pretty flower, you prepare your- self. You arc the Betrothed of Hai I«ee? No, no. not yet.—not while I. I.ce Lung, live will you become the wife of Hai Lee. You forget the debt of your father. If he does not pay, you be- come my wife. Ming Sing said not a word, but sewed on. with fingers num and cold, with pain in her 21 heart. Hop Sing entered the room A gleam of hate entered his eyes, it was but for an instant. He too hated Lee Lung but he could do noth- ing. Ixrc Lung had him in his power. The two men passed into the next room. Still Ming Sing sat. She prayed that her father would have the money to pay; but it seemed from their voices as the sounds came from the next room that she would be sacrificed. “Hai Lee,” she cried to herself, “the Gods arc against us. Lee Lung and Hop Sing reentered the room where Ming Sing had been sewing Remember Hop Sing, if you pay not your debt—I shall hold you to your bargain. With these words Lee Lung left the house. Ming Sing. her father said, worry not. dear child. I shall find a way. Hai Lee is worth many times Lee Lung. Lee Lung is a thief, a murderer—and some day he shall get what he deserves. Little knew Ming Sing how soon Lee Lung would get what he deserved. That same evening, one that was never for- gotten. Hai Lee and Ming Sing sat on the dimly lighted balcony. With many tears she told Hai Lee what had happened during the day. Cour- age my beloved. he said, do not despair. The light from the corner street lamp flickered for an instant. The great Lee Lung, hated by all Chinatown for his evil ways, passed by the lamp, paused for a moment and looked up at the house of Hop Sing. A shadow quickly came out of a house, and a shot rang out—another, like a word of death. Lee Lung staggered, clutched his jacket and then fell to the pavement beyond all mortal help. Ming Sing uttered no word, but moved closer to Hai Lee. Both had seen alt—yet who had committed this, was the question. The police came and carried the dead body of Lee Lung away. His death war- not mourned by anyone for I-ce Lung had no friends. Who was guilty? No one knew. The people eared not to know who had dealt this blow, for China- town was rid of its meanest man. one who had been cruel to all and who had cared only to benefit himself. The great day arrived and all were gay. Ming Sing, loved by all, was to marry Hai Lee. What happiness there was! The whole town came to the wedding. It was a gay one. yet the two lov- ers thought of the horrible scene that they had witnessed. One evening as Ming Sing sat beside her (Commut'd on Page 79)

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THE Q P T I M I S T Seymour A. Kmmrrcuck In graduation issues of High School maga- zines, the editorial generally tells about the feel- ings of the departing class. In fact, this proce- dure is so prevalent that the exact emotions and feelings of joy and sorrow are familiar to every reader in the minutest detail. Hence there is no need for me to repeat these same ideas and thoughts. Very soon after graduation most of us will go into an entirely different sphere of life. Some will continue in higher schools and the rest will undoubtedly go into business. No matter what you do or where you go after graduation you will be judged by the same standard. No mat- ter where and how you start, this standard will never vary. And upon the result of this con- sideration. will rest your success in life. In considering the qualities of a man, the first questions that arise in a person’s mind arc: How does he carry himself toward other men ? Will he use his acquaintances as stepping stones to pecuniary success or will he be a true friend? Is he a male or is he a MAN? It is very obvious that when such questions can be satisfactorily answered about a person, no obstacles or impediments such as racial differ- ences. lack of exceptional ability etc., can stand in the way of his success. Do not think, how- ever, that success means great riches. A multi- tude of friends and a clear conscience super- abundantly supplant any deficiency or absence of money. This idea is not modern, for Solomon in all his glory knew that. “Clean hands and a pure heart Arc more to be desired than gold: Yea. than much fine gold.” With a clear conscience money is easily earned but never can a man gain the real friendship of his neighbors if he is sullied by dishonesty. And after all, a man’s success lies first in him- self. and second, in his friends. He must have certain qualities to entitle him to a successful career. Then his friends will help bring these qualities to the view of the world. He may be called a self-made or a college-made man. but any one, who knows the fundamentals of a successful life, knows he is a friend-made man. Sincerity will make and hold friends. Hypocrisy will lose them. But do not think that honesty and sincerity alone will make friends. A man’s own character makes them. He must have certain requisites which make up his character. He must not take advantage of his opponent's weaknesses. He must not make excuses for his. He must not be a prig or a snob or a cad. He must fight cour- ageously and openly. Fie must have honor. He must be a MAN and that in itself is success. IN MEMORY OF ROLAND C. HALLGRING ABRAHAM MANKOFSKY Oct. 9, 1907—Nov. 24, 1923 April 8, 1907—Sept. 10, 1923 23