Belmont High School - Blueprint Yearbook (Belmont, MA)

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1923 THE CHAMELEON 1923 iCitetarg Suating Sooka Spring had arrived and I made up my mind to accomplish the task I had deferred so religiously in the past few weeks — that of dusting and ar- ranging my embryo library. It is a job I have attacked in the past with the greatest enthusiasm ; indeed, my cup of satisfaction is filled copiously if I am abandoned to the companionship of my books. They appeal to me as friends, almost, indeed, in the manner of human beings. This reaction is not traceable to any feelings ordinarily associated with that species of literary grubber known as the book-worm; but because they are simple friends, as ready as any human being to cheer and comfort and yet, if necessary, to preach and act in an advisory capacity. However, this is digressing from my topic. Have you ever commenced with the most praiseworthy zeal and en- thusiasm to clear out some di’awers or a desk, which you know should have been done at some leisure moment? A writing desk, a chest of drawers or a shelf of books are crowded with intimate personalities that attract and hold a person. The numberless old letters, photographs, cards, pictures and clippings brought to light in cleaning the desk, are fascinating. They encourage musing and reveries of bygone incidents. A single picture will conjure up elusive remembrances, starting a train of thought which soon drifts to channels of pleasant reminiscences. In launching my attack on the bookshelves, I find myself confronted by the same difficulty. The volumes refuse to respond and participate in the mad desire for sanitation that pervades the mortal breast when it is the season for bursting buds and scarlet robins. Fate has something in store for the foolish person who vainly imagines he can clean up a shelf of books. If he picks up a Scott, he is bound to open it at the page where Torquilstone is being stormed or Isaac is about to be roasted alive by the insatiable Front-de-Boeuf. Do you mean to tell me it is chance when upon casually opening a volume you discover the irascible Nicholas administering a sound thrashing to Squeers ; or, still further, you find Huck Finn all alone in a cabin with his father demented with drink? No, sir, there is a spe- cial Providence ordained to watch over poor defenceless books and protect them from the inane attacks of sanitation experts. Laurence Wray. tElic Balue uf IJuetrg Poetry is the expression of the soul; the manifestation of a higher plane of human sympathy and understanding. Without poetry the love- liest and most beautiful form of expression of the emotions and thoughts of men would have ceased to exist. Poetry consists of more than facts and fancies ; it leads one to understand the beautiful more clearly and to ap- preciate it more fully. Its infiuence on human character is to soften and leaven it, and make us more susceptible to the beauty all around us. Therefore, the value of poetry should not be underestimated. A love for poetry is a manifestation of our love for the God-given beauty of our life and this world, which we should nourish, cultivate, and cherish, — it is but our just duty to the Giver. Anna Strong. [27j

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1923 THE CHAMELEON 1923 jE ttorial ahr 1923 (!Il]ameUou This year our changeable Chameleon proudly displays a green coat. Altered though he may be in appearance, we believe you will find him the same interesting chap. On his second birthday the scaly little fellow wad- dles about with the air of a veteran. Well he may, for he is serving a happy purpose. He is the perpetuator of the spirit of the class of 1923. While he exists, the memory of B. H. S. will always be bright. The little lizard has more than one reason for his cheerful aspect, however, the other being his long list of friends. His green skin covers the names of a host of generous advertisers — waiting for you to recipro- cate their generosity. L A Jllca for iHorr Jealous Blork bg Unbcrdassincn As a member of the Senior Class, I have frequently seen both Juniors and Seniors deeply concerned because of the amount of work they are com- pelled to finish prior to their graduation. Some of them, indeed, finally fail through their inability to complete the prescribed four years’ course. The outstanding fault of the majority of students is lack of proper con- centration and endeavor in their initial high school years. In the first two years, a pupil is inclined to think that he has plenty of time; but he wakes up in his Junior year and discovers that he can’t catch up. Those who work in a series of brilliant spurts are rarely the students with the best record at graduation. The boy or girl who commences in the first year and proceeds in a methodical manner with steady application is the person that is successful at the culmination of his school career. If the Freshmen would but comprehend the value of doing a little more than is apparently necessary, they would not only pave the way for a more cer- tain and enriched seniority but they would also derive more practical value from their high school course. L. W. at|C SJcucfitH nf iJJibc Scabiug As it is a well known and accepted fact that reading broadens the mind, we shall not stop here to eulogize upon the benefits to be derived therefrom. It seems somewhat of a pity, though, that the majority of high school graduates are unaware of the existence of some of the finer writers of the English language. Apart from the regular routine of study which the English course offers, the high school pupil, as a rule, does not begin to realize the immense scope at his command, in the works of the world’s foremost literary artists. It will be appreciated that men who have studied and observed human nature in all its vicissitudes; economic conditions in the various countries; and can describe in glowing terms the physical characteristics of every corner of the globe, must have something of value to impart to the student, whose experience and influence have probably never extended beyond his own birthplace. Do not neglect your reading while your time is your own. It is diffi- cult to realize at present the value you will attach to it in the future when the experience and knowledge gained from literature will assist you in the solutions of many of your problems, and provide you with a culture which can be obtained from no other source. L. W. [26]

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1923 THE CHAMELEON 1923 (DUl-iFaaljiuncb (Bariietis Don’t you think old-fashioned gardens are charming? The unassum- ing little flower friends are so much more lovable than their aristocratic companions, the hot-house flowers. The little people in the old-fashioned garden have such charming personalities that you wish to become ac- (luainted with them at once. If you have never seen an old-fashioned gar- den you are unfortunate. The best time to visit the garden is very early in the morning when the bright sun shines through the little drops of dew, making one wonder if some good fairy has not visited there in the wee small hours scattering diamonds among all the flowers. The little Morning Glory girls are always up almost as early as Old Sol himself, ready to begin their duties, one of which is to climb the rustic fence on which they make their home. Next we meet the Sweet Pea sis- ters, who live at the top of a trellis, nodding a sweet good morning to all who pass. Then we see the Pansy family always drssed in soft velvet gowns, looking so dainty one wonders if they ever do any work. Betty Marigold and Jane Poppy are found with their heads close together carry- ing on a whispered conversation. A tiny girl, always dressed in white, is Carrie Candytuft. Molly Mignonette in a gown of soft green; Nancy Nasturtium in her usual frock of orange trimmed with pale yellow, and Flora Four O’Clock are found in a sociable group. Flora is a sleepy little girl, who gets up at four o’clock, and is usually asleep by the time her neighbors are awake. Not so v.’ith Sweet-William who is a veritable Beau Brummel. He arises early and stays up late so that everyone may see his various colored costumes. In a bed of moss in one corner of the garden under a huge pine tree may be found Alice Arbutus and Jack-in-the-Pulpit, who have stolen in that they may admire their cousins. Jack looks like a bandit with his hood pulled over his face so that no one may recognize him. Then there is Polly Primrose who always brightens the atmosphere with her golden hues and although the sunflower looks down on her, little Polly quite outshines him with her daintiness. She is a friend of all the garden folk and I am sure she would be glad to introduce you to her play- mates. It is getting late so we must leave the old-fashioned garden. What does it mean to you? To me it is a secluded nook in which to think, a meeting place of whispering lovers, a mother to whom all our joys and sorrows may be intrusted. What is an old-fashioned garden? The sweet- est place of all. Edythe Lufkin. ICatin — A iCuxurii ur a ??rcc5siti|? Three classes of students endeavor to answer the question, “Why should Latin be studied by a high school student?” Of these the first have never studied the language; the second have pursued it the full four years; the third have taken a part-time course, having dropped it, perhaps, at the end of the second year. The first and second classes are prejudiced : the latter is ever pitying the unfortunate person who has not realized the value of four years’ hard study; the former does not realize its benefits. Indeed, he believes that high school is a place for intensive training along vocational lines, not a I)lace for developing mental power and individuality. However, the student who has had some Latin and who has also tried his hand at specializing is able to present the matter in the most unbiased fashion. I will endeavor to make allowance for my own prejudice and pre- sent the matter, at least in part, as a person of this class would. [28]