Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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28 THU HIGH SCHOOL QUIVER They could not tell the difference between having a wife and being hungry and often when our teacher asked, “Quel temps fait-ilr simply wishing to know how the weather was, a few of our numbet, after inflicting terrible scowls upon the innocent clock, finally succeeded in telling her what time it was. Geometry, too, presented its difficulties and brought home to us the fact that there are more ways than one of looking at things. Often when we had succeeded in mastering a proposition according to the position of the figures in the book, our pride suffered a severe shock next day, when we were confronted by a figure on the blackboard so terribly distorted as to be beyond our comprehension. In “Bachelor Hall,” which was presented in our second year, a leading part was taken by Hazel Bethel, a member of our class. A certain seat in the rear of Room 11 acted its part nobly for several months, but finally refused to bear any longer the burden imposed upon it by our beaming David, he of the broad smile, for whom Blackstone is responsible. The seat was promptly repaired. Before long, the Fates had unrolled ten more folds of the scroll of destiny within as many months and, realizing all the word meant, we were Sophomores no longer, for by this time, we felt free to cross the threshold of the temple sacred to Seniors, walk bravely up to Minerva and stand before her with upturned countenances, while she, from her lofty position in her temple or, as it is better known to us, the study hall, beamed down on us her approval and recognized in us her earnest disciples, seeking after wisdom. During the year that had now passed, two girls had joined our class, Alice Willey and Marjorie Child, who are still with us. Lloyd Me Fee did not enter W. H. S. with us, but, recognizing the superiority of the class of ’13, returned to school to cast in his fortunes with us. Juniors! We now began to realize our importance, if not our dignity. We had succeeded in reaching the upper floor and were so far reduced in numbers that we were easily accommodated in one room; but though our numbers were fewer, our spirits were higher. For the first few months we failed, either to set an example for the Sophomores, or to follow the example of the Seniors. However, with the thought that ere long we should be Seniors, with none to question our deeds, we soon assumed our proper place. Not soon shall the remembrance of Room 5 fade from our memory. Many a time have the railroad trains interfered, by their puffing and ringing of bells and whistling, with recitations which were being conducted in this room.

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THE HIGH SCHOOL QUIVER 27 If I had only been able to write shorthand at that time I might have helped my classmates out of their difficulty by keeping pace with her. W hen she had finished, we were supposed to know in which divisions of Latin, Algebra, etc., we belonged, but these amazing directions, together with the perfect puzzle of a program on the blackboard, might well have made us exclaim with Cicero, in our despair, “Ubinam gentium sumus?” “Where in the world are we?” Small comfort it was to us, when a Sophomore said sympathetically, “Oh, you’ll get used to it, after awhile 1” But, as “all things come to him who waits,” we waited, and soon became acquainted with High School methods and customs. We soon learned that it was necessary to make a half-dozen trips each day up and down the time-worn stairs in passing from one recitation to another. For a little while, a number of the Freshmen found difficulty in finding the right room at the right time and, while our elders were usually willing to help us, a few took a fiendish delight in sending us to the wrong room. After our first class meeting, at which officers were elected, we felt that we had taken our place as a class in Woonsocket High and began to demonstrate that, although last, we were not least, for in this, our first year, we gave to the athletic teams Hudson, Gladue, Murphy, and White, who have represented the school in different branches of athletics for four years. Frequently our heroes of the diamond and gridiron have been seen moving (with difficulty) in our midst, “wearing the wounds of battle.” In November, 1909, “The Revolving Wedge,” a Thanksgiving comedy, was presented in C. N. D. Hall by the students, and, as Freshmen, we did our share by contributing candy, which sold well. Our recitations were not all of the “grind” nature, for many a smile, which not infrequently expanded into a hearty laugh, crept in between the stately lines of Shakespeare or the thundering declamations of Demosthenes. Shakespeare, in his grave, might have strained a listening ear to learn that “the toad, though ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his hat,” as a Freshman, perfectly at ease in the bliss of his ignorance, expressed it. Father Time sped quickly on his way and, scarcely had we realized it, before the dawn of our Sophomore year had risen over the horizon of our school life. During our second year, we occupied Rooms 7 and 11, the Sophomores in Room 7 serving as a shining example to the Freshmen who could not be crowded into 9 and 10. This year introduced to many of us the intricacies of French, which were not the least of our troubles, for certain poor Sophomores were really to be pitied.

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THE HIGH SCHOOL QUIVER 29 Early in our third year the college question became important. In the interests of higher education, a number of girls journeyed to Providence to hear an address by Dean King of the Women’s College at Brown University. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The girls of our class, at this time, set a new fashion of wearing bandeaux around their hair, much to the discomfiture of our Latin teacher, who could not recognize any beauty in the style. Toward the close of our third year, a happening of no mean significance occurred, the assuming of the ownership and management of the lunch counter by James, surnamed Murphy. Who can tell what might have been the consequences had it not been for the diligent work of the hope of 1913, through whose untiring efforts such appetizing odors have penetrated every room each day. No matter how important the recitation, Murphy left the room promptly at 11 :40, “in answer to the popular cry.” The last event of importance with which we were credited as Juniors was the Commencement Ball tendered the Seniors in Harris Hall, upon the occasion of their graduation. We worked long and diligently and were well pleased with the result of our efforts. In September, 1912, a new Senior class assumed the responsibility of upholding the dignity of W. H. S. and we have long since proved that we were thoroughly capable of discharging this duty well. During its time in Woonsocket High, our class has experienced a number of changes in the teaching force. At the end of our second year, Miss Marchant and Miss Potter resigned, and a year later Mr. Holden and Mr. Merrill left us to accept new positions. At the beginning of our Senior year, we welcomed a new principal, Mr. Spratt, and a new sub-master, Mr. Keaney, both of whom came to Woonsocket from Putnam, and we are sure that, not only the pupils of the school, but the people of the city also, have come to realize their worth and efficiency. At the end of this year, Mr. Hill, principal of our commercial department, leaves us to take charge of the Woonsocket Commercial School. We regret his going, but are pleased that he remains in our city. Of the large number who entered as Freshmen, 36 of us have plodded steadily on with untiring zeal and now stand triumphantly at the longed-for goal. Not only did Connecticut give to us this year a new principal and sub-master, but also a new class member, Miss Leclaire, who has shown herself a good companion and a diligent student. Events have followed one another in quick succession, the past year. The singing lessons, held every Tuesday, were a new feature.