Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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so THE DEBATER take the stand. This room is partitioned off into several smaller rooms. In one of these rooms are several bath tubs. The v alls of the main room are lined with mirrors. Before these are several bar- ber chairs with an electric light over each. A number of clothes brushes hang behind the doors. These conveniences are for pris- oners only. Along the walls of the prison are large book-cases filled with fine books for the prisoners to read. They also have a piano, and concerts are given on special occasions. Although our visit to Charles Street Jail was interesting, we were glad to return to the sunshine again, and to reflect that we were not to remain there permanently. ETHELIND BROWN ' 18. RUSSIAN FOLKLORE Story told me by my Russian grandmother IhERE once lived a very wealthy widower, who owned a large clothing factoi-y. Every year, as provisions became dear, he used to raise his employees ' wages, fearing that they might steal if he did not do so. Soon he became seriously ill. He called his only son, Joseph, to him, and said, When I die, do just as I have done: give the workmen higher wages each year. Take good care of yourself. Two hours each day you must study; two hours go through the factory to see that everything is well; two hours you must take for outdoor exer- cise; and the rest of the time employ ad- vantageously. Joseph, after the bereavement, carried out his father ' s orders for a number of years. Some boys who lived nearby, no- ticed his fine behaviour, and wondered why he did not indulge in such pleasures as they did, so they resolved to persuade him to ac- cept their invitation to the theatre. But Joseph, remembering his father ' s last words, at first refused; but soon he was convinced, and his first evening at the thea- tre was much enjoyed. He began to make it a habit to come home at one or two o ' clock in the morning. A servant, who had worked for Joseph ' s father, noticed how the boy had changed, and asked what was the matter with him, and where he went. The boy became very angry and said he went where he pleased. The servant, on going home, told his wife about it, but she only said, Well, never mind. He pays you for working for him. Don ' t meddle with his affairs. That night, as Joseph slept, he dreamed that he was riding in his carriage, when he came to a wide river. He called to a man who was on the opposite side, and asked what that side was called. The answer was Heaven. Joseph was then rowed across the river, and was fascinated with the beautiful sights which he saw there. There were many fine buildings, beautiful gardens, and paved streets. He approached a large hotel, and entered. A woman neared him, and asked what he would like to eat, stating that she had just roasted a chicken in butter. He or- dered her to bring it to him, and as he be- gan to eat, a stranger came to him and said, Do not eat this; for it is not allowed. Joseph answered, I am very hungry; I must eat it. Well, someone here would like to see you in a hurry. Come with me, said the stranger. Joseph was taken by the arm and led to a court where lawyers were asking a man what he had accomplished on earth. He said he was very poor, and had done noth- ing good nor bad. So he was acquitted. Next Joseph was asked what he did on earth. He told how he had not executed his father ' s wish by staying out late nights and neglecting his studies. Suddenly some- one struck the table with a hammer, and Joseph awoke, but was unable to get up. To his great surprise, he found himself lame. This was God ' s punishment to him for not obeying his father. SARAH BURWEN ' 18.

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THE DEBATER 29 School Life : — Your literary depart- ment has been much improved since the first number we received from you, and the Personals are also good. Blue and White : — You certainly have a fine paper with a lot of jokes. A few more cuts at the head of the departments would be an improvement. Gazette : — We are always delighted to receive your paper because it has so many fine articles and jokes. Pinkerton Critic : — What a novel way of treating the Alumni column. Recorder : — Your method of handling the Exchange department is certainly orig- inal. Reflector : — Your paper could be im- proved by placing the Literary department before all others except possibly the edito- rials. Blue and White : — We enjoy your paper very much as the Literary department is especially fine. Student ' s Pen : — Your paper would be about complete if there were a few more cuts. Oriole : — We took it as a mistake when you attributed The Debater to Albany, N. Y., or was it correct? You have a fine paper for the price. Palmetto and Pine : — What ' s the idea of having Casey at the Bat in your paper? That ' s pretty old. Otherwise your Literary department is well developed, but the editorials could be improved. Clarion : — We welcome this paper every week, and, although small, it seems to contain about everything that makes up a school paper. Hi Reflector : — This is in the form of a newspaper and is exceeding interesting although we doubt if they have a proof- reader. LOUISE SHELDON ' 16. wooden THE CHARLES STREET JAIL ROBABLY many people have never had the privilege of visiting the Charles Street Jail. On Charles Street, Boston,Mas- sachusetts, is a large, high, red fence. When one has passed through a gate in the fence, he must enter the main oflice. Before the guard admitted us we had to tell our names and what guard we wished to see. Then he took us through the main office to the opposite side of the room where there is a flight of steps. Descending these steps, we beheld a large, green lawn dotted with flower gar- dens of different shapes and sizes. There are a number of benches here where the prisoners may sit for a time, every pleas- ant day. Crossing the red gravel path, we ascended another flight of steps and were met at the door by an officer who led us to our guard. At last we were in prison, and our guard took us to the main hall where pris- oners are first brought. Directly in front of us, on the tile floor, were a row of chairs. Over these, on the white brick walls, are painted in black letters, these words, South Wing. Look- ing to the left we saw East Wing, and to the right, West Wing. In the northwest corner is a large desk where several guards were seated. On the northeast is a very large weighing and measuring machine; for prisoners on entering are immediately weighed and measured and their names tak- en for identification purposes. Our guard then took us down a flight of iron stairs, past several large furnaces, to the kitchen. Here are a dozen fireless cook- ers, one for meats, another for potatoes, and others for other foods. Everything is cooked in its own cooker. We passed through the bread rooms; first, the mixing room; then the baking rooms; and lastly, the slicing and packing room. Further on is the dish-washing room. In every room the prisoners are kept at work. The food of the prisoners is good. In the morning they have coffee, toast, and cereal. At noon they have tea, meat and vegetables; supper consists of cocoa, bread, and hash made from what is left from dinner. Tin dishes and epoons are used. Opposite the kitchen is a large room where the prisoners are taken before they

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THE DEBATER 31 RAISING FLOWERS FOR PROFIT |LTH0UGH few boys and girls will find it possible to give enough time and care to flowers, or to raise them in large enough quan- tities to make their garden very profitable, yet, with diligence, pains, and some business ability it is possible to make considerable pocket money from a small flower garden. The cultivation of flowers for the market is somewhat different from that required where flowers are merely raised for home use or ornamental purposes; and the varie- ties raised should only be those which have a ready sale, are in demand in your neigh- borhood and which can be produced easily and cheaply. A large proportion of the flowers used for cut flowers, bouquets, table decorations, funerals, etc., are of the general green- house varieties, and without a good green- house only a limited number of flowers and plants can be raised which are salable at a profit. The particular kinds which bring the best prices with the smallest outlay of time and money vary accordingly to the locality, the season, and the prevailing style. Such species as English violets, roses, lilies, smilax, holly, gladioli, pansies, glox- inias, carnations, and others may be raised fairly easily under cold-frames, in hotbeds, or indoors, and are usually in demand; while potted plants raised from seed for indoor growing, sprouted or flowering- potted bulbs, and window-boxes ready filled may generally be sold at a good price if the plants are grown from seed, and well- established in the pots. Such home-grown things are far prefer- able to greenhouse plants for cultivation in ordinary dwellings, for they are thorough- ly acclimated and accustomed to home con- ditions, and if you can convince your pro- spective customers of this fact, you will have no trouble in disposing of your stock. TIMOTHY COLLINS ' 18. THE VOLUNTEER All glory to the Volunteer With heart and ready hand. Who fights with all his might For home and native land. Mother, sister, sweetheart. Their love is on his mind, And may it ever help him, ][ The thought of those behind. And in the trenches as he stands Awaiting the enemy ' s guns, May it ever give him courage — The thought of those loving ones. Now you whose hearts are breaking. Whose friends have joined the throng, Come, dry your tears! Forget your fears! And cheerily join my song. All glory to the Volunteer As to the war he goes. He ' s left behind his friends so dear, To fight his country ' s foes. ALICE CALDWELL ' 19. We sorely need a new High School (As all of us do know) But everyone ignores us No matter how we blow. The building now is used From eight o ' clock ' till five. And talk about a busy place — It ' s just one big bee-hive. Our class rooms are so crowded, And pupils, all, are hurried, We have a double session Which makes the teachers flurried. But let us keep right at this. And in ten years, I surmise. The progressive people in our town Might give us a surprise ! ROGER CLEMONS ' 17. Freshman: — Do you take German? Senior, witheringly: — No, Freshie, I ' m neutral,