Theodore Roosevelt High School - Saga Yearbook (Bronx, NY)

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Wm tm .l A A: the ship as if it were a cork. The ocean continually washed the deck. Huge cracks appeared in the hulk. At nine the captain commanded all to the 'life-boats. The ship had to be abandoned. The sea had proved itself too power- ful an adversary. Ten found the lifeboats, perilously riding the waves. The lowering had been accomplished without much difficulty. Five of the crew were in each boat. The wireless operator had sig- nalled for help and already three steamers were rapidly approaching. At two A.M. the first steamer hove into sight. lt was a mat- ter of a few minutes before all the people were picked up. The captain sent them to the dining room in order to check the list. At the first count it was discovered that all were present or accounted for but one. A second re-check revealed that a cer- tain Iohn, last name illegible, was missing. HERMAN RosEN Y A W N I N G A yawn is something likely to occur to anybody, and like a concussion of the brain or a broken garter strap, it is usual for it to happen at the most inopportune moments. The proper control of a yawn is therefore a matter deserving some attention. In the privacy of the home, the worst hazard of yawning is the possible dislocation of the jaw, but at a social function it may prove more disastrous. Every effort, therefore, should be made to reduce the possibilities of a yawn to the minimum. If it is not more than a young and little yawn, it may sometimes be checked by the gritting of the teeth, and while holding the breath, counting slowly up to ten. If it turns out to be a big yawn, this process may prove dis- astrous. The yawn thwarted in its natural behavior will trickle out through the eyes, nose and roots of the hair and the yawner will break out into a cold perspiration which will betray him at once to every experienced eye. Maybe it is best to let the yawn take its natural course and cover it up as best may be. This may be done by placing one or more hands before the yawn as gracefully as possible. If both hands are occupied, as in dealing cards, the situation becomes more difficult. Possibly the best thing to do is to turn the yawn into a loud and hearty laugh. Amid the questioning glances that follow this hilarious out- burst, it is considered good taste to think up an adequate reason for this unexpected merriment. This may prove difficult but not quite so difficult as to explain a plain, unvarnished yawn to a suspicious group of friends or relatives. RALPH SCOPPA 1 9

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fi.. - . 1' -fd-5-2-sw, , 1 --- A .ntl-JfL:EE:2:24:L- 4 ,- gal XS N.-, vvdefaafgfli I ijwtsgzgw -e2--1Qs::- ,,,, f- 's I 1-.rug-., - wiarstlrw yd! 3 '3--.5--1 -.' I e:-tnyg -j W:-,lvl - .t h ,-G --1. 4. Y, - ': 'Q ..E,yv,.. E A gm! xl 'gig : 3: mqMu H I Am f U.lQn it ,.,1u rt, I 5 mu, . :a,n'.-:.-,Qt E in A u.l:lll 1 fgw I-4- rg .- ll . X-Z! . M7525 2 Z i'i '::'ff'IIgQ' ' ' ' 5 - i-- --..:.s, ' VAL I do not deal in costumes, he said. I deal only in dis- guises. I was, for the moment, unable to grasp the point of differ- ence, but I asked to be shown Whatever he had. What would you wish to be? he inquired, wiping his spec- tacles Carefully and banishing them to his dark pocket. I don't know. What have you to offer? Welll, he paused and looked around, I can disguise you as a merchant, a doctor, a teacher, a policeman, or-an actorwor as almost anyone you wish to be, he concluded. By this time my curiosity was thoroughly aroused and I wanted a demonstration of his ability. I think I'd like to be an actor, I said. He frowned. That is rather difficult and I don't like to do it. Wouldn't you rather be a policeman? But I was determined. Well, he said reluctantly, lf you insist. I assured him I did, and he set to work. First, he said, you must get into the proper mood. You should read books on the Theatre. I have some here. I-Ie pulled a few books out of a drawer. Among them I could see a biography of Sarah Bernhardt and a copy of Nove Divadlof' It is very important, he went on, to believe you are an actor, to think and live as an actor. If you really want to con- vince yourself you should make the rounds of the theatrical agents each morning. You should drink beer at the Theatre Gardens and discuss with a patronizing air the performance of the star of the National Theatre and how much better you would do it if you had the part. You should stand in the rain, waiting on the bare possibility that you may be able to pur- chase a ticket in the third balcony to see him perform. Ah, he sighed and blew his nose savagely. Is that all there is to the disguise? I ventured to ask after he had mastered his sudden and surprising emotion. I-Ie pulled himself up. No. After you are in the right rnood, you will go to the shop of Pau Hlovek, the tailor, and get the right clothes. All actors used to gather in his shop and gossip and- he paused. Then in a firmer voice he concluded, Then I guarantee that you and all the others will think that you have always been an actor. He seemed to fall into a reverie and I did not disturb him. I took this opportunity to look around. There was not much to see. A heterogeneous collection of furniture was scattered about the small room. On a rack by the window were a number of mustaches. They, in common with the whole shop, had a de- jected appearance. The place and its proprietor seemed to me to be fantastic, unworldly. I wondered what had given him the idea for the business. What could I Smetana have once been? Surely he had not always been hidden away in this shop. I gazed idly at a few photographs upon the wall, photo- 14

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STUDYING THE STUDY HALL The Fourth of Iuly comes once a year. Everyone awaits its arrival with great enthusiasm and noise-making devices. To live through one day out of three hundred and sixty-five days of nerve-shattering noise, is a blessing. To live through two hun- dred days is absolute murder. I clearly remember my first visit to Theodore Roosevelt's study hall. Being under the impression that silence is essential in study, I entered noiselessly on tip-toes. By the whispering and noises that met my ears, I judged that this place was different from what it was said to be. I was in the act of occupying a seat, when suddenly the blast of a police whistle nearly burst my eardrums. I whirled around, expecting to see an officer of the law performing his duty, but lo and behold, the sight I per- ceived was one I shall never forget. Standing in the center of the aisle, her arms waving in such a manner that would make a band leader envious, she stood tall and defiant, shouting for silence. After a few attempts, she finally succeeded, and re- turned to her chair. The performance over, I opened a book intent on studying. I had hardly begun when a wave of music filled the hall. An instructor was giving some pupils lessons on how to play the organ. No sooner had the organ lessons ended, than a few amateur actors began to rehearse a play on the stage, I carrie to the conclusion that the only person who could succeed in studying in this hall must be absolutely deaf. The actors were in quite bacchantic mood when the period ended. Before taking my departure, I questioned a student if these incidents happened daily. He replied that this was the cus- tomary routine of the study hall, and aside from police whistles, shouting, organ playing, rehearsals, and various other elements, the auditorium was considered a very appropriate place in which to spend periods for close study. IosEPHNoTo HOPE AND FAITH Hope is young, True and steady Everlasting and beautiful Constant and comforting. Wondrous and mysterious Hope and faith, Alive and fiery Viffl-165 two, Vivid and fearless. Sweet and sometimes sad Faith is soft, Proud and dear, Unchangeable and endless That stays with lass and lad. Humble and unhesitating SYLVIA MOSKGWITZ Z0