Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

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4 THE 5. H. 5. AUTHENTIC Freshman year with unusually good preparation. We began our freshman year under the very able instruction of Miss Trowbridge, a very wide awake and exacting teacher. Now Mr. McLaugh- lin came to school one morning without his les- sons, at least that is our private opinion, for just before an algebra recitation lie went soundly to sleep. The class was called but no Mr. McLaugh- lin went with it. What awakened him, and a surprised boy lie was, I leave to your imagination. As a freshman class we were of course sub- jected as usual to hazing. The sophomores, or rather that part known as the “Wire Gang, thinking one of our smaller boys altogether too fresh, captured him one recess and tried the egg cure on him, but sad to say, without doing him much permanent good. Poor Dodie seemed to get it from almost everyone, during his freshman year. Our first social at Mr. Padgett’s, on Chestnut street, will never be forgotten. The “Wire Gang” came down in force, bent on trouble. One of our young ladies, when almost within the door, was politely relieved of a nice large cake made especi- ally for the occasion. This cake was much appre- ciated by the heavy eaters in the “Wire Gang.” At the same time, one of our young men, anxious to defend the girls, shot an arrow gun out of a window. The Sophs vowed vengeance and unfor- tunately for poor Dan, later succeeded in getting it. We also held socials at Mr. Poor’s and at Miss Payson’s. At the latter place, Dan of the arrow gun, was seized by the irate Sophs and dumped into a nearby brook, much to the detriment of his clothes and temper. We broke the record for socials during this, our freshman year. The summer vacation passed quickly and we entered upon our sophomore year. We began the study of French under Miss Buzzed, and it imme- diately became one of our favorite studies. That excellent instructor had a way of making it extremely delightful to us. About this time there was a threatened division in our class, over the choice of the class colors and pin. The girls wanted one thing and the boys another. The matter was finally settled by a com- promise, the boys choosing the colors, Yale blue and white, and the girls the pin, the Fleur de lis. We were very glad to welcome Mr. Merryfield to our class at this time. He became one of our best members. We however, lost Padgett and Mr. Knapp, both good members, so the balance was on the debit side. We had taken our share of hazing during our freshman year, so we thought we would do a little on our own account. Accordingly, the night of the first freshman social, at Miss Hoffer’s, the gang went down to make trouble. Soon after we arrived, however, a large party of outsiders put in an appearance. Of course we were blamed for the fracas which took place, and the next morning the edict came forth, “No more hazing.” That settled hazing, as such, in the Stoneham High School. We were represented on the ’04 base ball team by Mr. McHale and Mr. Brown. In the great ball game with Wakefield that year, it was Brownie ' s hit which won the game. Perhaps there wasn’t something doing that night! At the beginning of our Junior year we were very sorry to learn of Miss Bingham’s resignation. She had been one of the best teachers we ever had. Miss Miner also resigned, Miss Turner and Miss Sherman coming to take their places. Mr. Sherman became a member of our class at this time, but we lost quite a number of boys, Mr Mann, Mr. Houston and Mr. Poor joined the ranks of the enemy, and graduated in the three years’ course with the class of ’05. We took up the study of geology. Mr. Emer- son made it an extremely interesting study. Many enjoyable trips were made to surrounding towns. The one to the Winchester sandbank is especially remembered because of its perilous but fascinating jumping off place. Astronomy in time took the place of geology, and we learned how to determine the latitude and longitude of a place, also the different constella- tions in the sky. While examining Jupiter s moons one night, Mr. William McHale’s head came within range of the telescope. Mr. Emerson who was looking through the telescope at the time exclaimed, “Willie, your head is in the way, and I can’t see a thing in it either.” In this fall term of our Junior year, Miss Vin- ton held a barn party. It has become famous in our minds. The other classes came up and lie- sieged us. Some windows were broken, croquet Dalis flew through the air. It was a miniature attack on Fort Sumpter over again. Well, they had their fun, but as the old adage says, “Those who dance must pay the fiddler,” and the besiegers had to fish down deep in their pockets to pay for their fun. Dodie, hearing a rumor that they had come after him in particular, was scared most to death. The girls surrounded him, went out the back way through an apple orchard, and escorted him to a safe distance from the fray, from whence he safely ran home. He doesn’t seem very grateful

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THE S. H. S. AUTHENTIC 3 make lip their studies for that purpose Oue boy being down in five studies when the baseball season came, quickly made them up. Despite these favor- able cases, we honestly admit that athletics do not generally make the marks for studies any higher. The true solution would seem to consist in the establishment of a perfect understanding between the school authorities and the students, together with a sympathetic interest on the part of the prin- cipal and a strict enforcement of the rules for re- moving a player from the team when down in his studies. In this way resentfulness on the part of the speaker removed will be banished, the team will not sutler from measures too harsh and radical, and lastly tolerably good standing will be maintained in class, even bv those habitually indolent. The student must be brought to realize that the real business of school is study and he must act ac- cordingly. The majority will not make a living from Athletics, but rather by the use of the mental training so well started in school. Their duties will call for the use of the brain, which accordingly should be well stocked with knowledge. Since there are so many tilings which demand tlie time of a student, home duties, social events, school work, matters of class, school and societies, lie must think twice before entering the arena of Athletics. If he cannot do all these things he must eliminate the least important with common sense and good judgment. He must sacrifice some of his pleasures if lie puts much time on practicing. En- gaging in Athletics, far from constituting an excuse from study, should make the scholar more diligent, so as to overcome this handicap. Of course if a student does not maintain stand- ing in class, it is only justice to himself tiiat lie should be kept from playing until the work is made up. Although he may not realize it at the time and although he may feel injured it is for his own bene- fit and welfare. To give athletes a better chance to study, it has been suggested that they play but one inter- scholastic game a week. It is a good rule, but in a small school it would so break up the team as to cause the loss of important games. It would work well where there is a large supply of good players, but in a small town like ours it would be too radical a change. We play to win if win we can. To be sure the English idea of sport, to play for the fun and exer- cise there is in the game, is a good one. But we Americans are not satisfied with exercise alone. We must needs have a contest a struggle, actuated by rivalry and a determination to win. To excel is the spirit of the times on this side of the Atlantic. To summarize: Although Athletics are now an important factor in High School life, they must not so monopolize the student’s time as to leave him none for study. There is room for both if a little common sense and a pinch of the salt of good judgment is used. Athletes must use common sense, and as a general principal never place Ath- letics before school work. A good understanding must exist between pupil and principal, so that no ill feeling may exist when a player is removed from the team. Moreover, the student must aim for a happy medium in Athletics. Neither must he study and grind till the color of health has left his cheeks nor must lie so wear himself out in Athletics as to be unable to study. The student himself must solve this problem and lie can easily do it by following the sane doc- trine of the “happy mean.” William F. McHai.e. Class History N gathering these notes much diffi- culty has been experienced. Some records have been lost, some but faintly held in memory, hence some of the incidents mentioned herein do not conform exactly to the truth in all details, luit in a general sense they are accurate and reliable. We can hardly realize that our school days are over, that we shall never again assemble as a class in our dearly beloved High School. No one who lias not been through such an experience can real- ize how hard it is to break the bands forged by many years of congenial comradeship. We shall always feel that our High School course.was a vital part of our lives, and it is more than likely that in the future years we shall look back upon the time so spent as the happiest we have ever known. We entered the present High School building in the fall of 1001, with Misses Bryant and Clark for teachers. We were compelled to remain in the ninth grade three months longer than usual, on account of graduation day being transferred from March to June. Consequently we entered upon our

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THE S. H. 5. AUTHENTIC 5 to them, however, for when it is recalled to his memory, he declares it never happened. In February we began to make flowers for the graduation decorations of ’05. Many enjoyable parties were held at the different houses. A little work was always followed by refreshments and games. The control of the “Authkxtic” passed into our hands the last part of May. From a wreck we have built it up into a respectable paper. A good subscription list would relieve its managers from soliciting so many advertisements from our con- genial merchants. We were glad enough to get back to school after the summer vacation, but we found things changed. Our beloved teacher, Miss Buzzell, was not there to welcome us. We were assured that although she was not well, she would probably be with us by Thanksgiving. Later news came that she was too ill to come then and we were all very much grieved, for siie was one of our best loved teachers. She has not been able to return since, but our hearts are with her in her trouble. At last we were in those back seats in room 13. How tickled we were, to be sure, for we had always coveted those very seats. We began the study of Chemistry under Miss Turner. In class one day Miss Turner asked Dodie what made rain water soft. Dodie replied that it became soft from falling so far. One day a tre- mendous explosion startled us in the laboratory. A column of blue flame shot up the sink spout at the tables of Mi 1 . McLaughlin and Miss Davis Carbon disulphide had been poured down the sinks and in some way hot sulphur found its way there also. Naturally a loud but harmless explosion followed. ' The class held a very enjoyable Senior Party Jan. 2(5, in Red Men’s hall. It was a success soci- ally and financially. A Shirt Waist Party also was held June 8, at the same place. Both were enjoyed by all who attended. Rehearsals for the play, “Among the Breakers,” were begun in December. It was produced Feb. 23 and was in every way a success. It was again produced April 25 at the request of the Athletic association. June 11 we held our banquet at the American House. The evening was full of fun and frolic. Mr. Hoev made an excellent toastmaster. One feature of the evening was a toast to our absent friend, Miss Buzzell, to whom our hearts turn in sympathy. The Platonic friendship of Harold and Bertha has been the cause of much merriment to the rest of us. And now I think my task is finished. If there is as much development in die years to come as has taken place in the past, I predict that you will hear from some of us in the near future. Wm. B. Maims Class Prophecy the early part of the year 1933, le Acme Mercantile Company oved into their new and coin- odious building at the corner of r ashington and Winter Streets. In my boyhood days it was always my desire to enter into the mercantile business, and now, at the opening of this new building, I found myself in charge of one of its leading departments. Therefore it seemed advis- able for me to spend some time abroad visiting the chief commercial cities, that I might keep in touch with the newest and best ideas, and incident- ally fulfil a long cherished dream of a trip across the Atlantic. Having made every preparation for my depar- ture, I now stand on the deck of the steamer “Mystic” waving a fond good-bye to friends and associates. Someone placed a hand on my shoulder. Turning around I was surprised to find my old classmate, Alton Estes, captain of the ship. We had many happy visits in his cabin, and in reminiscent mood talked of school life and class- mates. I told him, on my western trips I had run across several of our schoolmates. While in Buf- falo I always call upon our old friend Harold Sher- man, now running one of the largest department stores in that city. Harold has built up an enor- mous business, giving double silver stamps with every purchase, and in the shoe department, where they sell the “Emerson” shoe, he gives “1C to 1.” It is Harold ' s greatest sorrow that he couldn’t pass for a “heathen Chinee” and be under the tuition of Miss Emerson, now a missionary in the flowery kingdom.