Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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POURQUOI? Retold from an old Russian legend ELL, Mike, what it is that you want to know?” “Itz dis a way Mister Smith, ya kno’ das I’ma woiken harda to meka de livin’ and yet da clurka. Mister Williams, woika lesa harda dan me an he getza mucha mor’ monies. I vana kno’ how isa dat be.” “That’s true,” said Mr. Smith, “but if you do not see why it is so, I want you to come down to the office tomorrow morning and I will try to show you why.” “Alla rite,” said Mike, “Ise come mover termorrow morin.” “Good night, Mike.” “Sa long, Mister Smith.” A liitle information regarding the characters is due the reader. Mr. Smith was head of one of the lumber camps in Fall River City, Canada. He was a sociable fellow after working hours. During working hours he was very strict with men for he made them earn their wages. Mike Hogan, for that is Mike’s full name, was a common lumber jack in the camp. He had been working for a living ever since he could remember; his future held the same in store, for how would you expect an uneducated person to have any other future? Mike Hogan had recently thought of the question which we find him asking Mr. Smith. The next morning Mike Hogan came to the office of Mr. Smith who told Mike to sit down and wait as he had some important letters to write. Williams was also there. He was writing letters and puffing furiously on a big Havana cigar. Mike envied him greatly, and for that matter what hard working man wouldn’t like to change his posi- tion with Williams? “Say Williams,” said Smith as he put the letters away, I want you to go over to the camp and see what the men are doing.” After Williams left Smith turned to Mike and said, “Won’t you do an errand for me?” Vy satinly,” replied Mike, “vat is it?” “Come over here to the window. Do you see that group of trucks in the distance?” said Smith. eleven

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So it is that when one studies just a little bit of art one begins to realize that it is not a far off subject; rather, it can be brought right home to us. It introduces itself into our own personal possessions, invades our houses and yards, and greets us where we walk if we who have eyes but to see and understand. ISABELL BUCKWELL, Class of 1921. ¥ ¥ Inquiries into the Nature of an Optimist What is an optimist? Many people have an idea that they can answer that question, and yet very few answers agree. Usually our conception of an optimist is the one, seen every day, who says, “Oh, forget it, it’s all right,” or “Don’t worry, cheer up,” or “Remember, the worst is yet to come,” or some other worn-out expression of ag- gravating age; but is that conception correct? Is an optimist one who comforts by comparing the present seemingly bad conditions with the worst troubles that might be, who inspires a feeble feeling of encour- agement by cracking some aged joke, or who consoles you with the thought that you may be luckier “next time?” Far from it. Webster states, as his definition of an optimist, “One who believes that all things are for the good,” and this is a true thought, which, if carried con- tinually, will soon have its effect. By this line of thought, one will continually expand, be strengthened, and will learn to grow and profit by failures. Instead of thinking, “I can’t,” he will consider, “Why”— will try to figure out the causes of the failures, and will finally come to see that it is his own fault, his negligence, his inefficiency, or his inability. He will not wish, or hope, that “next time” he may do better, but by finding out the cause of the mistakes, will remedy them and thus strengthen himself mentally and physically. He will not go to his work with the disheartening thought, “I can’t,” but with the never- defeated feeling, the confidence and trust, that “It rests with me; I can try and shall succeed.” He who has faith in himself, and his methods, but has not over confidence; that man who strives honestly and gains a little each day; who profits by mistakes and knows it; who looks ahead, at brighter conditions; and never dwells in the depths of despair; he is the successful man; he is an Optimist. H. C. B„ ’23. ten

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“I dose,” Mike answered. “Go over there and find out why the trucks are stopping there.” Mike returned after ten minutes absence and informed Mr. Smith that the trucks and men intend to camp there for the night. “Where are they going to?” asked Smith. “I don’t know.” “Go and find out.” Mike returned after acquiring his information. “They is goin’ ta Belvil,” he told Smith. “Where are they coming from?” “I didna ask ’em.” “Go again and find out.” “They came from de Caskaven Camp,” said Mike on returning the third time. “What have they in the trucks?” questioned Smith again. “I’l ga end eskem,” was the enlightment Mr. Smith received. And so Mike went back and forth asking one question per trip. After having made about ten trips Mr. Smith asked him to sit down for a moment. Shortly afterwards Williams returned and reported to his superior. “Now Williams,” said Smith, “do you see that group of trucks in the distance? Well, I want you to go over there and find out what they are doing there.” Mike Hogan sat there wondering why Smith was sending Williams to find out something which he had already learned for Mr. Smith. Hogan said nothing but waited for Williams’ report. The door opened a short time afterwards and Williams appeared. “Well, what did you find out?” asked Smith. “The trucks out there,” began Mr. Williams, “are camping there for the night. They are going to Belvil from the Caskavan camps. On the trucks they have some electric motors which save much time in cutting wood.” And so Williams kept on until he had informed Smith of all the information he had received. “All right, you may go,” said Smith to Williams after he had stopped talking. “Now Mike, you have seen and heard everything that was going on in the office until now. Am I right?” twelve