Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

Page 8 text:

THE S. H. S. AUTHENTIC So Viola had found her life work in the home town. The only persons, however, who seemed to be enjoying themselves were two sprightly old ladies who were holding an animated conversation with Arad. These two seemed to be younger than the rest and retained enough of their youthful ap- pearances so that I was able to recognize in them two of my former classmates — Teresa Callahan and Mabel Hines. What a happy trio in the Old Ladies’ Home — Viola, Teresa, Mabel. 7. The fire dying down I threw on a stick of wood which quickly burned and snapped in a very lively manner. This I thought must preface an interest- ing scene, and so it proved. The scene showed a vast crowd wending its way to a big amphitheatre. There must be some unusual attraction. A large bill-board announced that “Kid McCormack”, Stoneham’s pride, would battle with John Jackson for the world’s championship. Martin Harry Mc- Cormack is the only man in the class of 1912 with a world-wide reputation. 8. When the fire flashed up again I saw the picture of a court room, with the court in session. By the drawn face of the prisoner I judged it was a case of life or death. A lawyer was so eloquently pleading with the jury that I could see tears on the faces of the jurors. After being charged by the judge they retired but immediately returned bring- in a verdict which showed that the lawyer was suc- cessful. From the shower of congratulations I judged this must be a lawyer of considerable fame. Strange to say this scene brought vividly to mind the mock trial of the Webster Debating Society in 1912 and pondering upon that I knew that this must be Paul Keenan. Court being adjourned he passed out making his way to a confectionery store. From the store he passed along the street, finally entering a commodious but somewhat old-fashioned house. He was met at the door by a lady to whom he handed the box of confectionery. Who could be the consort of this distinguished man? The box of sweets gave the clue. It must be Doris Duplin, who, I remember, was always interested in Sweets. 9. The scene changed to the polo grounds in New York City. The Red Sox were playing the deciding game with the Giants for the world’s championship. From the score board I saw that it was the ninth inning — tie score and the Red Sox at the bat with two out. A large, earnest looking player took his place at the plate and hit the first ball pitched into the centre field bleachers for a home run. The game was soon over and that hit had won the world’s championship. This picture faded into an- other showing a small railroad station in a country village. Upon the arrival of a train a man alighted to receive a most enthusiastic reception from the villagers. He seemed to be the ball player of the other picture. He made his way to an auto in which sat an elderly lady. As they drove off some- thing in the lady’s manner attracted my attention. I knew this must be Ruth Blodgett for no one could have so closely impersonated her. But who could be the man ? My thoughts wandered for, then I remembered Wesley Thompson and his batting on the High School team. This must be Wesley and although I knew that the Red Sox had a player by the name of Thompson, I had never connected the two together. He must be returning to his farm at the close of the baseball season. 10. The fire having died down I watched the embers and saw there a picture of a large summer hotel. It was the dinner hour and the guests were flocking to the dining-room. Upon a raised plat- form was an orchestra of three pieces. There were two ladies and a gentleman. The gentleman, who led the orchestra, I immediately recognized as Victor Barwood. I probably should not have given the ladies further thought had I not been struck by the incessant grinning of one of them who played a violin. This reminded me so much of my class- mate, Ella Nutting, that I felt sure it must be she. The other lady, who played a cornet, was very stout and I could see nothing familiar about her. I should have passed her by, had not my tiny friend again come to my aid and reminded me that this was Inez Kinsley. 11. The picture now changed to a large city church. It was apparently Sunday morning. The church was filled to overflowing and I knew that some eminent divine would preach. The preacher was a large, athletic man who seemed to present his ideas in such a way that he won many converts. Suddenly my eye caught a bulletin in one corner and I read the preacher’s name. Could it be pos- sible? Rev. Rayford Anderson Mann, D. D., Ph.D. Subject : “ The Kicks of Life and How to Buck It.” 12. The fire had now died almost out and I saw a very dim picture of what seemed to be a chicken farm. The picture was so dim that I could not distinguish the characters, to say nothing of the chickens, and I would have passed it by, had not my tiny friend informed me that this was the abode of two of my classmates, Doris Dowdell and Frank Mitton, who had formed a double partnership ; of matrimony and chicken farming. 13. At this point I again replenished the fire and it burned up in a way— shooting out so many sparks, that I was reminded of the days we, in class.

Page 7 text:

THE S. H. S. AUTHENTIC 1. The stock exchange was just closing and the members were passing out upon their various ways, some in automobiles, some in carriages and some walking. The last to leave was a small, active gentleman who took his departure in a large auto, and, unlike most of the members, drove it himself. The picture slowly changed to a quiet, city street, one side lined with spacious residences and facing a large park on the other side. Truly a locality of wealth and refinement. An auto came up the street and, stopping in front of one of the houses, permitted a gentleman to alight. He ascended the steps of the house and just before entering, pauses and turns about to gaze over the park. At this point two small children rush out of the house to embrace their father, followed by a somewhat elderly lady who affectionately greets her husband. As they stand there I recognize in him the man who left the stock exchange a short while before. There seemed to be something familiar about this small but important looking individual. Certainly this could be no other than Nelson Dempsey, and I now recall reading in the paper but a short time before of the fabulous wealth of ex-Mayor Dempsey of San Francisco, but had never dreamed that “Demp”’ was playing the business game as success- fully as he used to play around second base in the old High School days. But who could be the com- panion of this successful man? I should never have guessed if she had not turned and embraced him in the same old way, without doubt it is— or was— Marion Bean. 2. The flame died down, only to rise again, this time showing a vast assembly. On the platform a very stout woman was apparently engaged in a fiery harangue. From her threatening attitude and gestures and the uneasy manner in which the few men present viewed her success in convincing the women in the audience, I surmised this must be a suffragette. Who could this militant suffragette be? Surely none of the demure maidens of 1912. A large banner was unfurled bearing the inscrip- tion:— VOTE FOR WOMEN DOWN WITH CITY GOVERNMENT. DOWN WITH GRAFT. VOTE FOR OUR LEADER HELEN ROSSON BOYCE FOR MAYOR. Could this stout suffragette leader be the slight, quiet, unassuming Helen Boyce of my school days ? 3. The flame again almost died out but immedi- ately flashed up again showing this same gathering in marching order. Rank upon rank of suffragettes led by Miss Boyce. A slight inoffensive looking man tagged along behind at the head of the band beating upon a large base drum upon which was painted in large letters, COGAN’S MILITANT SUFFRAGETTE BAND. and I realized that Helen had won over at least one member of our class to the suffragette cause. 4. The next picture showed a crowded city theatre. The size and expectant attitude of the audience indicated some unusual attraction. As I watched the bulletin change, what was my over- whelming surprise to read Signora Estherino Patcho and her troupe of trained pigs would next appear. It was hard to recognize the dashing person who appeared on the stage as my prim classmate and the change was made more apparent by the rapidity and vim with which she put her troupe through their performance. 5. All at once the fire seemed to burn unusu- ally bright and I was at a loss to account for it because the picture showed a cemetery. This shortly explained itself when my attention was at- tracted by a sign which read, MAE BUTLER successor to JOSEPH BUTLER, COAL AND WOOD)., All coal guaranteed undpp, the Purp Food and Drug Act of 1912. So Mae was carrying on her father’s coal business but not without help for, strange to say, one of the most prominent objects in the yard was a lawn mower (Longmore) which showed evidence of long and faithful wear. 6. The neif.t picture showed another familiar scene. I easily recognized the large, old mansion on Main street, which I passed every day on my way to school. This looked just as natural as ever even to Arad working about the lawns. I wondered what connection Arad could have with our class. Upon leaning forward in my chair to get a closer view I discovered a number of elderly ladies on the piazza. One of these in particular seemed to be the person in authority. After several minutes of study I was still at a loss to explain this picture when my tiny friend of the wand came to the rescue by announc- ing that this was the Stoneham Old Ladies’ Home, a model institution which had been successfully managed for many years by Miss Viola Smardon.

Page 9 text:

THE S. H. S. AUTHENTIC were experimenting with wireless telegraphy. The picture this time showed a small room all around the walls and floor of which were scattered me- chanical devices of every kind. Seated at a wire- less instrument was a small man with a long, old- fashioned beard, experimenting with the instru- ment. Every now and then, he would jump from his seat and answer the call of a very stout old lady who seemed to be his wife. It was plainly evident that he was “ henpecked.” Who could this be ? From the general appearance of the man and the multitude of the mechanical devices scattered around the room, it needed but a moment’s thought to know that this was Stuart Ward. His wife was so entirely beyond my thoughts that I forgot her and should have entirely passed her by, had not my tiny friend again furnished the key to the situation by reminding me that this was Doris Waitt. So Doris was an inventor’s wife. 14. By this time the fire had again died down and I thought I must have seen all of my old class- mates. In going over the list of them in my mind I found three missing, Gertrude Reynolds, Mary Fallon and Laura Baldwin. Just at this point a very dim picture showed itself. It was a school- room, teachers and scholars busy with the work of the day. This, I thought, answers for them. Laura, Gertrude and Mary are school teachers. I looked for a long while into the fire hoping to see a picture that would show me some of my teachers of the old days and was about to stir up the fire when— crash— I awakened to find that my book had dropped from my lap to the floor. Then it was all a dream. Dropping off to sleep with the book in hand, in my dreams I had seen my class- mates in the many and varied walks of life and the tiny lady who introduced the pictures was but the fancy of a dream. Clifford Elliot Patten. Class Notes 1912 The class banquet held at the Parker House was a most enjoyable event. The evening was spent with games and music. Does the president like frozen pudding? He does ! ! Were there four rows of ferns or five, Patten ? Some of the suggested subjects for English com- position : “ My Bad Manners.” “ Watching the Children Play.” “ Getting up in the Morning.” French translation— They galloped still for about two hours. Mr. O. “Miss Blodgett, take a back seat and let Barwood alone.” Poor Victor ! It took some argument to get Clifford into the class picture but he could’nt help being bashful. Miss McP. What do they put glue on matches for? Barwood (thoughtfully). To make them stick. Bright idea, Victor ! Chemistry class wants Keenan to explain what a drinking pipe is and furthermore how it makes lead sulphate. 1913 Mr. O. believes that 2nd English should seek em- ployment as dressmakers and foundrymen to in- crease their mental abilities. Up to date readings from Silas Marner Free- man— “In the period of his conversation (conver- sion) he had dreamed that he saw the words, “ calling and election sure.” Miss C.-“and there’s nobody remembers what we remember if it isn’t the cows ” (crows). Some of the experiments performed by young Edisons in physics laboratory are original to say the least. 1914 Miss Sweetland in French— “The giant parted.” Miss M. to Mr. G-gg. Miss M. “ Mr. G-gg, that will do.” Mr. G. “Do what ? Mr. Hamill : “He beat the air with two of his arms.” Miss Cogan : “ What did he do with his others ?” Carleton usually has some light refreshments in his desk, but one day when he went to get them he found them missing. Perhaps Marion or Ruth could tell you where they went to, Carleton. 1915 Miss S., picking two long hairs off George’s shoulder, “ Guess this is why you don’t have your algebra done on Mondays, George. “ Cronin, how many examples did you have right ?” “ Er— three. “ How many did you try ? “Er— two.”