Weymouth High School - Campus / Reflector Yearbook (Weymouth, MA)

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life of two men. Gamely the bluejacket, who had shed his clothing in the teeth of a blizzard, battled through the icy water towards the ex- hausted officer. As we watched our mate, we leaned dangerously over the side to note his progress. Other times, we had to strain our necks to gaze at the top of a green avalanche of water, where he still battled the elements. Finally he reached our navigation officer, and we heaved on the line to pull them aboard. There was great danger that they would be crushed between the hull of the ship and the sea, but Uncle Sam ' s Sea Fighters were trained to over- come this difficulty. The rescued and his res- cuer were hauled safely aboard the ship. We immediately returned to our work and professional grumbling. On giving some time to meditation over my grievances, I decided not to desert after all. Wasn ' t I supposed to be a sailor? And wasn ' t this a real sailor ' s holiday? It ' s not such a bad outfit, and a great life, if you like it. Xke New Year Virginia Pray 35 As the old year rolled down in the west, So came the new beaming over the crest. Far down below on the shivering plain, Stood an old man stooping over his cane, Wondering when his road should give way, And let another step into his day. All his life he had pondered in vain, In search of a treasure he could never obtain, Unless he could walk, and in some age be free To gallop about in a young merry spree. He was robbed of his childhood when just a boy. But should he have given up and looked not for joy? Yes, he had given up much to his pain, And crawled to his perch far out in the plain, Where no one could find him and pry in his past, Whence he might have found shelter up to the last. But now he is old and so all alone, When he might have been famous and sat on a throne ; But that one disappointment made him give up, And never again could he build or retouch. Wky Ckristmas D onald Foskett 35 The human race has always had certain char- acteristics by which it may be identified and set aside from other creations of God. The race, as a whole, will probably continue to possess them as long as it exists, regardless of mental and physical improvements by which it may become more efficient. One of the chief results of this fault or asset, whichever it may be, is the forget- fulness of, and, oftentimes, utter disregard of, the meaning of Christmas. Christmas is undoubtedly the most universally observed holiday of the year. Countries the world over, although they may not observe other holidays in common, certainly celebrate Christ- mas as one large community. This day, then, is recognized from the point of view of the world as a whole, as the most important day of the year, even though each individual country may have its own significant holidays. It would seem that people ought to realize the great significance of this day. On the contrary, many people do not recognize this significance, nor do they feel obliged or thankful to anyone or anything on this day. To them it means merely the ex- changing of gifts and the enjoyment of a day free from work and care. To me these things make up a part of the Christmas celebration, but, when one considers carefully, they make up only a minor part. The real celebration is in giving thanks to God, and in feeling joyous for the birth of Christ. These two things really are the basic principles of all Christmas activities, in spite of the fact that many other things take one ' s attention on that day. If a person is to really enjoy Christmas and celebrate it in the proper spirit, he must cease to be forgetful of its meaning. If he celebrates it in the right way, it is safe to say that he will discover a new-found joy in being grateful to God and in being more charitable to his fellow men. Witk Apolo eies to M.ilton Haste thee, Nymph, and bring with thee Yankee jazz, and Yankee glee, Gibes and gags and Yankee slang, Negro mirth that cheers the gang; Fetch the journals where buffoons Are cavorting in cartoons. Come and trip it as we go, Driving home the German foe. REFLECTOR ...4...

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liferarp AS eaman s Ck ristmas Roy Xenny 35 December the twenty-fifth. Christmas. Red lights, green lights. Turkey, candy, cider, stuffed stockings, fireplaces, Santa ' s presents, merry-making. These thoughts raced madly through my whirling brain, as I renewed my savage grip on the lifeling aboard the trim little Naval Destroyer, 17. S. S. MacFarland. A white capped, seething mountain of green smashed down on the little thin plates of the gallant old Mickey, and her tiny, elastic, tough, still sides trembled and shivered like the bones of an old skeleton that had been roughly thrown into the corner. The hideous green avalanche poured over the deck, soaking me to the bone. I bit my lip till I tasted blood, as the life-line cut into my cold, salt-water-soaked hands, and old man Neptune ' s glorious sea tried hard to pull me over the side a nd down to Davy Jones ' locker. I finally won that struggle, but did not feel fit for another. Under special orders we had suddenly been detailed to join the Scouting Fleet at Panama. We had been docked in our home port, and I had been looking forward to a pleasant Christ- mas furlough. Now here I was, terribly sea- sick, grimly hanging on to a stanchion con- nected to a lurching steel tub, over one hundred miles out at sea, with two theatre tickets in my pocket, besides a full month ' s pay. What a way to spend Christmas. I definitely decided to de- sert the next time we hit port. The Mickey ' s lissome hull slipped dizzily down the side of a breaker into a cavernous hol- low. With a sickening roll, which only a destroyer could perform, she started up the in- cline of the next vertical volcanic-like breaker with her scuppers under. High above the decks, and too sea-sick to be of any use, the lookout desperately clung to his little crow ' s-nest, as the long tapering mast swung back and forth against the bleak grey sky like the pendulum of a mammoth grandfather ' s clock. A howling gale whipped the snowflakes into a biting blizzard. Far below decks, sweating and swearing, the engineers tried vainly to keep their balance. It would be very unpleasant to trip and fall into those churning pistons. A shrieking wind, a resounding crash, and our wireless was ren- dered useless. A gigantic comber tore away our forward port lifeboat. All the gobs were busily engaged, trying to do their work. A tired overworked naviga- tion officer decided to go to the galley for a cup of hot coffee. He stepped out of the cabin to the bridge and glanced aloft at the ice-coated rigging. Warily he started down the ladder that was coated with frozen salt-water spray, and which led to the deck. Another drunken lurch on the part of the Destroyer 237, and the officer slipped, fell, rolled across the tilted deck, and was washed overboard. Luckily, as he had been working in the cabin, he had not been wear- ing heavy oilskins. The cry of Man overboard ! was raised, and the deck force ran to their life-saving stations. The ship ' s headway was immediately checked, and oil was poured over the side to smooth the choppy seas. The air, trapped in the officer ' s clothes, bouyed him up for an instant. During this instant, a life-preserver was hurled to him. He could now last a little while longer. The sea was too rough to even think of lowering a boat. A quick-thinking sailor grabbed up a coil of rope, tied a bowline around his body, and thrust the other end into my hands. While the little ship was on the crest of an Atlantic roller, he dived over the side. Other seamen rushed to help me guide the line that depended on the

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Wh o is Xkis Santa CI aus; B. Donley 37 Good night, Mr. Baldwin , Janis said as she was leaving the office. Merry Christmas! Same to you, Janis, came the gruff voice. As Janis entered the outside world, she pulled her trim fur collar up around her because snow and wind were blowing from all directions. Silently and downcast with tear-dimmed eyes, she walked briskly toward her apartment. As she walked she was in very deep thought. Why had she refused Curt ' s proposal of marriage? Why, oh, why, had she sent him away angry especially on Christmas eve? Should she call him up and apologize? No, she had never apologized to a man, and she would not begin now. That was definitely out. She would just wait until he came to her again, if he ever would. Abruptly, her thoughts changed. Upon en- tering the apartment house, she heard Joan and Tommy, the two small children who lived down- stairs, crying and pleading with their mother. This added more to Janis ' s troubles, for she loved Joan and Tommy. She and Curt had taken them for many bus rides and walks through the park. The children, spying Janis in the hall, came up to her crying, Jannie, please, oh, please Jan- nie, will you take us down to the park to the Christmas tree tonight? Mamma said she was busy and could not take us. Please Jannie. Janis, having nothing else to do, decided at once to fill their wishes. She told them that she would take them. Happily they kissed Janis, and ran into their room. When the clock struck seven, Janis went down stairs, and much to her surprise she found Joan and Tommy waiting for her. Seeing her approaching they said, Jannie, you are so nice and we are so happy. Are you happy too, Jannie? Janis with a forced smile, and false voice re- plied, Of course I am. Everyone should be happy at Christmas time. As they neared the park, they saw the gleam- ing lights of the huge Christmas tree, and heard the children ' s laughter. When they reached the hundreds of children and the tree, Joan and Tommy saw Santa Claus. Oooh, Joan! said Tommy, there is Santa Claus. I wonder if he has anything for us. May we go and see Jannie? Of course, she said, as she watched them go. Joan and Tommy approached Santa Claus. Have you anything for us? they asked meek- ly. Santa gazed at them, recognizing the two small children. He chuckled as he handed them two stockings full of fruit, and two candy canes. ' 1 hen remembering Janis, they asked if there might be anything for her. Santa Claus paused at the mention of Janis Stafford ' s name. Then with a smile he replied : Of course, but you must do as I tell you. Wait until i finish giving these presents out, take me to Miss Stafford, and I will give her her present then. The children agreed, and ran back to Janis with out-stretched hands, showing her what they had just received. Presently Santa Claus joined them. Hello my little friends, he said. Jam ' s, hearing this voice, stood in amazement. Santa continued, These children asked me if I had anything for you and I certainly have. He took a small plush case out of his pocket, and handed it to her. Janis opened it, and there was a diamond sparkling as much as Janis ' s eyes were at the moment. Santa threw down his pack, and seized Janis in his arms. Joan and Tommy looked at each other in amazement. All they heard was Janis saying Curt . Finally Joan looked at Tommy and said, Why is she calling him Curt? Doesn ' t she know that he is Santa Claus? Christmas 5tocLmgs They hang by the fireplace, Some long and some short, Waiting for Santa to dance and cavort Into the chimney above. One is of white, one is of blue, And a tiny brown one, So cunning and new — All waiting gifts from above. Down through the chimney he comes with a bang, Landing beneath those wee stockings that hang On the fireplace above. In baby ' s there goes a bonnet of blue, And here is a doll for small sister Sue. A kite for Johnny ; a bat for Lou. And thus you see Christmas as all children do. Betie Young ' 33 REFLECTOR ...5...