Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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rriie Acorn VOL. V MAY 19 J 3 No. 8 % ART OF CONVERSATION. The art cf conversing correctly ancl pleasingly should he the aim of every person. What is more delightful ar.1 entertaining than an intelligent conversation carried on by people who have cultivated and developed their manner cf speech, it is true that seme have a more natural ability for speaking or carrying on a conversation than others hut nevertheless one may improve, and develope his speech to a remarkable extent. And he will also find that it will have a broadening effect upon the mind, as the result of coming into contact with more intelligent people. The truth of our statements should always be born in mind. People are often mislead, and made to believe things, or take for granted statements which they have heard other people mention and which are untrue, it would elliminate a great den! of unnecessary trouble, if one, in conversing regarding other people, on simple hearsay would investigate and find cut the truth of the matter before relating it to any one else. V.'e have possibly noticed during a con- versation people who insist on expounding all they know upon the subject whether it is desirable or not to the remainder of the party. This is one of the faults one must remedy if one desires to converse with people. One should learn to mention a thing without giving a lengthy discourse on it. unless it is desirable to your friends, or circumstances are such that you must discuss thoroughly. One can easily detect whether the interest in you is high enough to warrant your going Into any length on your subject. Also many people know very little about a subject, but nevertheless are able to converse a great deal about uninteresting matter which has no bearing upon the subject just for the sake of having something to say in the matter. These are the tendencies of a bore, ana if one is affected, it is very disagre-able to anyone in connection with them. Our conversation should consist of a variety cf subjects, so arranged that argument, tales and reason receive their due attention, but never allow them to grow uninteresting and tiresome to your

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Table of Contents LITERARY DEPARTMENT— Pago The Art of Conversation........................... 5 A Dream for Popularity............................ a The American Boy’s Opportunities ................. s EDITORIALS— A Closing Word.................................... X Bethel’s Future................................... 9 The True Optimist................................. 9 New Staff--...................................... 10 CLASS PROPHECY...................................... 11 CLASS HISTORY........................................ 13 GRADUATING CLASS OF 913 ....................1........ 14 CLASS OF 1913. Poem..... .......................... 15 SOCIETY NOTES— A. B. A........................................... S. P. B................... .......................18 Alpha Beta Literary Society ............t 19 ACORN STAFF........................................20-21 PERSONALS ........................................ 22 SWEDISH DEPARTMENT-------- For en in gen Svea............................... 24 Ett forsummat Tillfa.ll© Aterlost ............... 25 ALUMNI NOTES........................................ 26 ATHLETIC ............................................ 28 WIT AND HUMOR........................................ 29 RELIGIOUS NOTES.................................... 32 EXCHANGES ........................................... 33 LIST OF ADVERTISERS...................................

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u THE ACORN friends. In asking questions during a conversation, one should endeavor to ask such questions as would be of interest to your friend. Everybody is familiar with the fact that if a person is skilled or familiar with certain subjects he is desirous ot telling abcut it. Therefore our questioning should tend towards that ena. The value of being qualified to enter in discourse is great. One comes into contact with educated people, who have a broader and higher view of life, ana consequently take the sane broader view of life. A person who is able to converse intelligently and entertainingly is held high in- the estimation of his friends. Also a man or woman will find when they are able to converse with people intelligently that their happiness is far greater because of this simple accomplishment. Rueben Allen—'I A DREAM FOR POPULARITY. Mr. Low came home from work later than usual. He hurriedly sprang up the stairs and closed the door behind hlmselt with a bang. After hanging up his coa: and hat he seated himself in a chair at the window and drew out from his pocket the evening paper. He seemed ill at ease and after a few moments he threw the paper aside in disgust and stared out or the window. The draperies of the door from which he recently entered were drawn aside and there stood a pleasing, motherly looking woman, who at once would he taken for Mrs. Low. She stood there motionless tor some time and seemed to he admiring the scene before her. Presently she walked over to the window greeted him and told him to come for supper. Around the table sat three children, Roy, a youth of twelve, and two girls, Lillian and Iris. Lillian was much the same nature as her mother while iris was rather proud and haughty. She was more graceful and in the eyes of many the more beautiful. The silence at the table at last was broken by the voice of Iris. “Father did you have any luck today? Did he not say he would raise your salary?” She received no answer but the expression on his face told the story. Oh, what will become of us?” she said. Mrs. Low looked reprovingly up at Iris but said nothing. When the supper was finished the children went to an entertainment while Mr. Low went to the club. When Mrs. Low was left alone she took up her work-basket and seated herself in a rocker and began to sew. She seemed very much troubled. It is certain that the behavior of iris and the husbands gloominess caused her much unhappiness. Presently Mr.' Low came home; the children being still out, he drew up a chair to her and said. Gertrude, every- thing has gone wrong for me. I have always had good plans for the future. 1 never dreamt of living such a common place life as this. I spoke to the Manager today about raiding my salary. He merely answered, When our men deserve more, they receive more.’ It was no use to argue.” Here the conversation was interrupted by the voices of the children who had returned home. Ray and Lillian were in perfect delight over the entertainment but Iris was not. She come up to her mother arid said. “Elvina Peters was dressed just beautifully tonight. I suppose that is why she is so popular. I've worn this gown until its almost ancient and t might as well stay at home hereafter ror all that I am noticed”, and without waiting for an answer she marched haughtily frem the room. Poor child”, exclaimed the father. I