Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

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THE GREEN AND W H I T E 13 “Call the police if you like. I say once and for all that I will not return the furs.” she said as hotly as lie. “Come now. hand over those furs. We are attracting attention. Don’t make a scene on the train with everyone watching us.” “Did I not say 1 would not return these furs? Does that not answer you? I am not afraid of you or anyone else. You had better be careful what you do. It may cause you trouble.” Just then the train rolled into the station. He sprang at her and pulled the furs, but she was as quick as he. She had hold of one end and he the other. She gave one jerk. The lining ripped and a piece of blue paper fell out. Mr. Meade turned white, then red. He didn’t know what to do. He turned to run. but the young fellow who had been following them sprang upon him and handcuffed him. Then the girl opened her coat and showed him a Secret Service badge. Mr. Meade knew his game was up. The piece of paper was a very important message in regard to the movement of troopships from Halifax to Europe. He had planned to wire this information to Germany. FRANCES B. HILL. 21. IN IMITATION OF A SPECTATOR PAPER SLANG. Slang is defined in the dictionary as “low, vulgar, unmeaning language.” But is it always unmeaning? We often hear people say that a book is “dry.” Docs this not convey as much meaning as if they said: “That book is uninteresting, does not relate many exciting events, and has not those qualities which hold the attention of the reader and keep him in suspense.” On the other hand, slang often is unmeaning. Recently I passed a group of youngsters who were standing on a street corner. These are some of the fragments of the conversation which reached my ears: “Gee. that was a corking show.” “I’ll say so.” “Aw. how d’ya git dat way?” This, certainly, was meaningless to me, and it was indeed vulgar and low. It at once classed these boys as ignorant, unintelligent creatures. Do we always place in this class people who occasionally use a slang expression ? Do we feel any aversion towards the girl who describes her dress as a “peach.” and do we hold her in less consideration than we would if she would say: “I have absolutely no fault to find with my new dress. It is made in the latest fashion, and I consider it extremely becoming to me”? However, we do consider vulgar and low the girls who use such expressions in their daily discourse, as “Gee; but that’s swell.” “That hat’s a pippin.” “See ya some more.” To be sure, the introduction of a slang phrase in the conversation of people whom we are accustomed to hear talk in the best English, sometimes causes a pang of disappointment. For instance, a short time ago, I heard two women discussing a friend. Recently, one of them who had had some quarrel with the person in question. and after relating the reason for the disagreement, ended with : “And now, when she passes me on the street, she ‘cuts me dead.’ ” Somehow or other, this remark seemed discordant with the rest ol her conversation. and I thought to myself: “How easy it would have been for her to say. “and now. when she passes me on the street, she does not recognize me,” or “she does not speak to me.” These, and many other instances that could be mentioned, convince us that the slang question can be looked at from many different angles. We all know that several slang expressions have recently been accepted as good English, and doubtless we have heard many well-educated people, teachers, speakers, etc., use slang which has not been accepted as good English. They do this when such an expression conveys their meaning more clearly and impresses their hearers more strongly than would a well-constructed and grammatically correct English sentence. I do not want my readers to infer from what I have said that I approve of the excessive use of slang. There is nothing I dislike more: but. as stated in the first of my paper. I do not consider slang always low. vulgar or unmeaning. MARGUERITE MURPHY, ’20. NEW YORK IN THE YEAR 2000 The New York of 2000 is a very different place from the New York of 1920-1940. Yes. those fifty-odd years have seen a great change come over the largest city of great and beautiful America. The main things which have reversed everything in that time are the great uprising of the Bolsheviki. the revolt of the working people and the famous league of nations, which developed into a real international brotherhood. Let us look at this New York of 2000. Just how is it different here and everywhere in the United States from what it was fifty and one hundred years ago? Why is it all so quiet and beautiful? Look at the spot here luxurious Fifth Avenue once was, look at the down-town section where the old-time skyscrapers rose in the years long past and forgotten. Where art all those great buildings, where are the noisy manufacturers and where arc the numerous railways—suburban, electric, elevated and all? They are not here. No. these things have passed for all time from the sight and thoughts of the people of 2000. They look back with pity upon their ancestor of the 19th and 20th centuries. Those men—who thought nothing was greater than money and power: who longed always for something bigger and more magnificent or luxurious—are. to these modern people, like a lower class of beings. However, they cannot be scorned or ignored, those people of the past, for it was by their efforts alone that the people of the present are able to understand and enjoy those things which are really worth while. But we must, to fully realize the great change of years, look about the wonderful

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12 THE GREEN AND WHITE days. 1 had a good time. To-day 1 heard a rumor that we are going to France. July 2. We are not going on a hike to-day as the captain is sick. July 3. All the hoys have been storing up fireworks. I haven’t any money, so I will have to borrow my fireworks. July 4. 1 guess I have all the bad luck in this world. To-day I am assigned to do “Kitchen Police” and to-night J have to be on guard in a vacant lot. July 5. Last night 1 was on guard for about ten minutes when a friend of mine came along. He said that if 1 wanted, he would go on guard if I wished to go to the village for half an hour. When I came back and had been on guard for about ten minutes, the captain came up and said that 1 need not guard any longer. I went back to the village for three hours. July 6. I had a fight with the corporal of the tenth squad and have been reduced to the ranks. July 9. I got square with the corporal of the tenth squad. I went to the village and bought some molasses candy. 1 heated the candy and I put it in his bed. I haven’t been found out yet. July 10. Yesterday I received a box of cigarettes from home. The ONE I got was very good. July 12. Fifteen of our boys have been sent over to France. July 13. Yesterday while we were all standing in line and nearly dying with heat the captain dared to propose that wc form a baseball team. July 14. I am in the guard house for not saluting the captain. July 15. This morning I wrote a poem and took it to the editor of the camp paper. He read it through, put it in the wastepaper basket and pointed to the door. Some people don’t know what real art is. July 10. I asked the captain if he thought 1 would be able to go “over t he re” in time for this new drive. He said it would be a wonder if I got over at all. July 18. Yesterday I received a box from home. When I opened it I found that my mother had sent me a muffler and a pair of woolen socks. I wonder if she knew where I was when she sent them. July 19. I can’t write a diary any more. I am going to France. ON THE WAY July 19. 1. Private Tom Black, in a company of some three hundred fellows, am on my way to France. July 20. The ship’s cook must put lead in the food and it makes me kind of sick. Of course I am not sea-sick. July 21. 1 guess I am sea-sick. 1 have been on a ferryboat twice, so it is a wonder I am sick. I wonder if the captain will put back for me till I get well. July 23. I am all over my sea-sickness. I’m some sailor, hey! We have been issued “tin hats.” Mine made me have a headache the first day. Wc have drill every day (I mean lifeboat drill). July 24. Saw a submarine to-day. The fellows think I’m afraid, but it was only a headache that made me faint. I am not scared of ten submarines. July 25. Still sailing. No excitement. July 28. Landed in France. People were all glad to see us. One man must have been blind because he thought we were girls and kissed us. Just learned that kissing is a French custom. Wish I lived in France. July 29. In Camp—I’ve forgotten how to spell it. but it’s a French camp, anyway. July 30. Just pushed a corporal into a pool of water, so I suppose I am in for it. I didn’t know it was a corporal or I would have held him under the water longer. Aug. 1. In guard house. Aug. 8. Been in the guard house for seven days and this morning a man let me out by mistake. Aug. 9. Drilling nearly all day. Aug. 10. Had a great time last night, went to a party. Aug. 11. Hear we are going in the trenches soon, hope so. Aug. 20. Going in trenches to-morrow, can’t write any more for awhile, Sept. 2. Wounded. In “Blighty.” WALTER WENNERSTRAND. ’21. BEATEN AT THEIR OWN GAME It was during the war that Mr. Meade, a wealthy man of about 30 years, dark and ratber tall, dressed in a light gray suit, gray cap and low brown shoes, had been spending a few weeks in Canada on important business. He had bought a number of articles—among them a costly set of furs for his wife, whom lie had left with relatives in Detroit, and whom he was to join there. He would have to pjiy a large duty on the furs and he was trying to think of a plan to avoid the duty. As he was boarding the train for the line, he spied a pretty girl of about 25 years, and he decided to ask her if she would like to wear the furs. She readily consented. They had a very pleasant chat while on the journey. When the customs officer made his examination he. of course, thought the furs belonged to their wearer, so asked no duty for them. As they boarded the train for Detroit Mr. Meade noticed that a man of about the same age as the girl seemed to be interested in them. He sat a few seats in behind them and on the opposite side. The girl. Miss Cameron (for that was her name), noticed that Mr. Meade seemed to be disturbed by the other’s presence. As they neared the Detroit station. Mr. Meade said, “May I have my furs now?” “Your furs?” she said, seeming surprised by his question. “I thought you gave them to me. Didn’t you?” “Of course not. I only let you wear them so 1 would not have to carry them. I desire that you give them to me.” he answered. “I will not. You told me to wear them and I intend to do so.” “You will oblige me by returning my furs, madam.” “I will return nothing, sir. You gave me the furs to wear and am I not doing as I was told? The furs are mine and I intend to keep them.” “I intend for you to return them,” he replied. “I will not,” she flared up. “I will call the police if you do not give them to me.” he said hotly.

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14 TUB GREEN AND WHITE country. Everywhere one sees low one or two-story dwellings, beautiful examples of the high standard of architecture which has been reached, of a style fat more simple and perfect than cotdd possibly have been imagined in the years of tin-past. Around these homes, and true homes they are in the extreme sense of the word, are the gardens. These, too. are simple and artistic, no such gaudy display as often met and hurt the eye of the former artist. This is not all. however—what has taken the place of the cars and motors? There is not a machine in the city! To be sure, the children read in the books of their grandfathers about the great airplanes which in 1928. or thereabouts, carried articles of manufacture besides passengers about the different cities. States and countries, as well as from continent to continent. They also are told of the clever invention of the undersea boats, which played so important a part in the world war of 1914-1918. But. like many other things, as years went by the people had tired of those things which were so common in all parts of the world, and they began to long for something different. Something new. that was the big problem. What could it be. the highest point had been reached in the invention of machines. Each corner of the earth had been visited, and the government was nearly perfect. Styles in dress had been driven back and forth until there was no longer any pleasure either in that or in amusements. People became bored and stupid, they racked their brains—what was to be done? They fully realized that, although human ingenuity seemed to have come to a standstill. the miilenium was not reached. Now. perhaps you can see why. with a bound, everything went back to the simplest form. All the great buildings were torn down, railway tracks were ripped up and destroyed. Everyone gladly welcomed the dawn of the new era of simplicity, as it is called. The movement was really nation-wide, such a thing as had never before been known. Machines and motors of every kind were destroyed. Everything was started afresh. But don’t think for a moment that it was like the primitive life of men; it was vastly different. Everything was carefully planned and laid out. Laws regarding the height of buildings were drawn up. Individuals owned more land than before. Every home had its own gardens, stables, henneries, etc. In fact, each home was a complete establishment it' itself. The people were delighted in the change of affairs, and. within a few years everything was in perfect harmony. The people forgot all of the useless things which had before filled their minds. The beautiful and artistic surroundings had a wonderful effect upon everyone. The life became a real pleasure, not the kind that formerly was considered pleasure. It was very different from that kind which was made up of French heels, silk stockings, clothes in the latest fashion, waved hair, luxurious limousines, of moving pictures, of theatre parties and of trips to Palm Beach and California. The people began to live a life that was full of life, they ceased to spend their time in looking for outside things to amuse them, they amused themselves. It began then to be. and is still a life of perfect happiness, and love for everyone. People love nature—the birds, the trees, the flowers, the brooks and rivers. Spring means more than the putting Oil of a different sort of clothes, the end of the theatre parties, and the arrival of the Easter vacation. There is now not a child who does not grow tin to love horses and cows as well as the dogs and birds. It is a life where deep thinking counts, and. to quote an old proverb, “learning and the result of learning seem to make men fit company for themselves.” Therefore, when all people love learning, when people love perfect health and straightforwardness, when people love all other people and their religion for the happiness it gives them and others, is not the world a bit better than it was some centuries before? And has not the passing of years been of great use toward the advancement of all men? PRISCILLA A. DRURY, ’19. COLT CADETS In 1918 Col. Asa W. Hathaway was appointed by the School Committee to succeed Capt. Fred Straight, as drillmaster of the Colt Cadets. Under his supervision competitive examinations were held as a result of which the officers of the company were appointed. During 1919 the officers were advanced in rank, so that at present they are as follows: Abner H. Bailey. Captain George W. Cooke. 1st Lieutenant William I. Baker. 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose Stuart. 1st Sergeant Edward Ryan. 2nd Sergeant John Walsh, 3rd Sergeant Luciano Capone. 4th Sergeant Harry I. Molasky. 5th Sergeant Charles Chace. Color Sergeant Joseph Kelly, Color Sergeant James B. Lee. Jr.. Corporal F. Serbst, Corporal F red Palmer. Corporal Israel Makowsky, Corporal Harry I. Young. Corporal George Matheson. Corporal James Sullivan, Corporal In April a dance was held which was successful both socially and financially. At present the Cadets are drilling in preparation for the inspection which will be held on Bristol Common Tuesday. June 24th. Little deeds of kindness To teachers now and then Will often raise your standing From a zero to a ten.