Yeshiva University High School For Boys - Elchanite Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 28 text:

THE ELCHANITE Freed stood alone with the note in his hand. His mouth opened and then closed suddenly with much vigor, as a wire on a mouse trap. He threw the note in the corner and determinedly continued to dress for supper. When he had finished he stood erect and bold. He left his room and strolled toward the dining-hall. The way was dark but he was never gripped by any fear. ln the dining-hall people were beginning to eat. They bent over their soup, that rolled to the edges of the plate as water in a bath-tub. People were dancing, contorting their bodies, and some stepped in perfunctory man- ner. The band burst forth with heavy notes and then slowed down to a mild rhythm, in which Katz, the band leader, rolled a harmonica between his lips. il-le did it all rather lustfully, with all the eagerness and craftsmanship of a Negro eating watermelonl ln a corner peoples tood about a table. Arms were about arms and body leaned upon body, heads were bent forward, stretched as heads of chickens, popped up from an egg shell. All peered at two bold and stern figures who were playing chess, with red faces and ruffled eye-brows. The tenseness was great, and only the band music could be heard disturbingly above all. Freed flocked to the gathering and inquired the reason of the crowd. A bearded man with a bright purple suit blurted forth: Oh, there are two chess players here, Cohen and Leeman, who are going to play in the masters' tournament at New York. They have been playing chess in this corner for four hours. They had previously been in the center of the room but they had to be moved into this corner to allow place for the diners. They have not yet displayed any emotion at their present disposition. My name is Professor Bernstein and l am a scientist, but never have l seen human beings so engrossed in a single action. l am afraid that this playing will somehow affect their minds, leading to a mental relapse and incomplete functioning of the brains. But with these fellows displaying such vigor and energy at this game, l doubt whether a storm could uproot them from their seats. Freed smiled. Professor Bernstein smiled. Both looked on the game as Well as possible. The game was disturbingly slow, in fact, it began to ruffle Freed's hair. He left the crowd and went to a table. He sat down and put his hand in his pocket to get a cigarette. He felt a piece of paper and pulled it out. It was yellow and had the same handwriting as the paper he found in his room. lt also read: Do not attempt to interview F Mayor Polikoff. H.l.E.P. The whole incident was beginning to prove troubling. What did H.l.E.P. mean and why shouldn't he talk with Mayor Polikoff? Who was passing these notes to him? He turned about and looked at the faces of the people near him. He recognized the retired banker, Zelikow, who was backing the cam- paign of Mayor Polikoff. He saw Mr. Ehrenthal, eminent radical lecturer, shaking his hands and slapping his table with his palms. He appeared to be talking rather heatedly. Freed rose slowly and neared Ehrenthal's table. He heard a deep voice emitting blatant accusations. This Senator Lipschitzf' Ehrenthal croaked forth, is nothing but a quasi- liberal and a perjurer of the American people. He is but a malicious dinasaur in a dog's skin. His H.l.E.P. program . . 26'

Page 27 text:

THE ELCI-IANITE The Captain called to Shapiro and apologized, that he had kept him waiting. The Captain stared at the water, his eyes shining like door knobs. He turned to Shapiro and suddenly suggested: Let us have a light supper together right now. We could have an enjoyable time, really. Shapiro ac- cepted and with affable calmness he went with Captain Dorfman to the latter's cabin. They reached the cabin and entered. The Captain prepared for supper and ordered supper for both of them with a kind amount of assiduity. He went to his book-case and took out a volume of Keats' and Shelley's poetry. He read to Shapiro the poems of Keats. Shapiro listened with eagerness. Suddenly a knock on the door interrupted the Captain's flowing words. The Captain rose, and a troubled expression was on his face. He went to the door. A bespectacled man was at the door, dressed rather importantly, and with all the neatness and trim of an incense-bedecked flower in blooming session. Please tell me what you want, sir, said the Captain. I seem to have disturbed you. I am very sorry.. But you see, sir, I wish you would help me obtain an interview with Mayor Polikoff. I have found it so far very difficult to get near him. I hope you will be able to help me. I would be very grateful. Why is there such a necessity? asked the Captain. You see, I am editor of the Emporia Gazette and I arn covering this voyage. You see, then, that it is very important. The man spoke sympathetically and with all the poise of a full grown flower. What may your name be? inquired the Captain. My name is Freed, Herzl Freed of the Emporia Gazette. All right, Mr. Freed, if you will return after supper I will be glad to help you. Thank you, very much. Freed left the cabin, strutting like a major in the van of an army. He looked handsome from the rear and as straight as a telephone pole. His work as editor of the Emporia Gazette had proven rather light for him, for he was an experienced journalist and reporter. He was a happy newspaper man. The Captain returned to Shapiro, who was reading some of Keats' poetry to himself. When he saw the Captain, he beamed forth: This poetry is beauti- ful and merry. The two continued to talk of Shelley and his Adonais. They ate lightly and talked and ate lightly again. Freed returned to his cabin and prepared himself for supper. On his bureau he found a yellow piece of paper with an odd handwriting. It read: Do not attempt to interview Mayor Polikoff. I-I.I.E.P. 025

Page 29 text:

THE ELCHANITE Freed jumped suddenly at the words he heard. Senator Lipschitz and his l-l.l.E.P. must for some reason have sent him the warning notes. He was silent and did not wish to divulge the incident. He was filled with anxiety and restlessness. lt was odd that he had seen neither Senator Lipschitz nor Mayor Polikoff at the supper tables. Supper was over and people were dancing ever happily. Passengers left the dining-hall and strolled on the deck beneath the dark heavens. Freed Went out on the deck, too, and mingled with the people. He walked hurriedly to the Captains' cabin. ln the cabin he met Captain Dorfman and Shapiro. The two had finished their supper. Both rose and went with Freed onto the deck. Freed was silent. He listened to the poet's Words and erudite expressions. He saw the Captain's face glow, as the reflection of the moon in a tranquil pool. 1- -A- if The last day of the voyage came. The heavens were sunny, frolicking in pools of golden clouds. The ocean was calm and silent, silvery as silver bubbles in a champagne glass against black jade, quiet and Wordless, words that were never spoken. The people on the boat were attired gaily and color- fully. There was to be a banquet in the honor of Mayor Polikoff of Woon- socket, who was presidential candidate for 1960, against Senator Huey Lip- schitz. Into the main dining-room flocked the passengers. They occupied the tables in a hurry and the air was filled with gossip and talking. At the main table sat Mayor Polikoff surrounded by the members of his reputed brain-trust: Kreitman, master of jurisprudence: Navyasky, Gellman, Lifshitz, noted attorney: Secretary Milians, Fogel, and Burstein. His face glowed in rare merriment and he occasionally glanced askance at his brain-trust. They sat importantly, with firm mouths. All seemed to be an imposing group of wise men and philosophers. They could wield sharp tongues and brandish rareness of wit. The people began to eat and chat at every sip of soup. They talked of the impressive Polikoff and of the eccentric Lipschitz. Senator Lipschitz was sitting at a separate table at the side of the dining-room, surrounded by his body- guard Gerber and empty chairs. At Polikoff's table sat Rabbi Schonfeld, the master of ceremonies, and Zelikow, financier of Polikoff's campaign. Mayor Polikoff looked at Rabbi Schonfeld, and the latter stood and spoke forth with quality of voice: Ladies and gentlemen. We are honoring today a figure of national im- portance, a man who has proven to be the friend of the people. He has dealt with everyone with all his kindness and munificencef' With this a roar of applause went up from one side of the room which was drowned by the thunder of boos emitted from the other side. Rabbi Schonfeld smiled and continued: Indeed, l see that Mayor Polikoff is immensely popular in this gathering today. But let us all be one gay family. I am sure that there is nothing in Mayor Polikoff's qualities that would even antagonize a tender child. Again cheers burst up and boos rolled in the air. Both noises blended into one sound, and echoed forth like a fog-horn. '27