Commerce High School - Commerce Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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£f)ougf)ts from £mers(on AFTER reading Emerson’s Self-Reliance, while one may not agree with him in every particular, yet he cannot help becoming imbued with his thoughts.. Emerson clearly shows that man too often has a weak character. He is afraid to exercise his own individuality by giving expression to his own thoughts and opinions, but he “appropriates” those of some individual who had brains enough to have some of his own. Thus, a man shrouds his personality in a cloak of others’ opinions; one cannot penetrate it and know the real man. He who upholds another’s opinion because he is too weak to express his own and stick to it, becomes a man whose very words and actions are not only partly false, but in fact, entirely so. “His every truth is not quite true, for somewhere in the foundation of this truth lies falsehood; and how can we know where to draw the line? His truth is so interwoven with falsehood that we cannot believe one word without at the same moment doubting it. So destructive is this attitude that the man becomes blindly submissive, not to his own will, but to the will of others. Furthermore, this policy stamps its trademark on his face and on his actions, and bowing his head in unwilling submission, he acknowledges himself the slave of his thought usurpers But, on the contrary, if he adheres to his own honest opinion, he strengthens and re-enforces his character. His personality then shines out clearly among the masses, and points to a man whose head is filled with brains instead of with sawdust. A man’s character, viewed from one angle or from another, still shows the same picture. His actions, disconnected and meaningless though they may seem from a narrow view, are, nevertheless, as the path of the great Mississippi—turning slightly here and there in its course, but still holding true to the main direction which leads onward to the sea. Therefore, if we express our own honest convictions of today, regardless of tomorrow or of yesterday, we shall find that unconsciously, they will blend together, and tend toward the same end. But man finds this difficult; he is afraid of being inconsistent. But, since one's honest thought is the result of “boiled down” conviction, is this inconsistency possible? Today's conviction cannot be a stranger to yesterday’s, for born of the same reasoning power the two will naturally blend together. But, somehow, man cannot get this into his head; he cannot dismiss from the present, thoughts of the future or of the past: they creep into it continually and close his eyes to the splendid opportunities which lie at his feet. Emerson’s advice is: Look not forward nor backward, but live and act in the present. If you live in the present now, you will do so in the future. 110 LILLIAN ZAK, 1911.

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Later, whenever any of Mabel Griggs’ classmates showed surprise at the changed relations between herself and her now devoted friend, Lucy Barrows, Mabel would laugh happily, shake her finger at them warningly, and say, “Don’t ask questions. This is an official friendship and brooks no interference.” The other girls, therefore, never learned exactly what took place in Doctor Thompson’s private office, but Lucy often averred to Mabel that there occurred what was the greatest surgical operation in the world—the removal of “a guilty conscience.” SARAH YOELSON, 1912. Jfcntfjcrtop HOW empty the very name sounds! It conveys an idea of vacancy, frailty and irresponsibility. Yet it furnishes a singularly fitting epithet for some people—indeed, for a great many. These people confront us with their perpetual smile, fine raiment, fluent and eloquent vocabulary and affected grace. Yet are these things an index to a noble character? Is there a mind of intelligence and sincerity in that bedecked head—does that smile convey aught of sympathy and good-will—is the heart beneath that splendid garment beating with love for his fellow-man? True, they make their way in the world and very often with more than ordinary success. An opportune smile, a word at the correct point in the conversation, a nod, a flourish, and their object is attained. But they are not always successful. By their contact with other men—truer, better men—they suddenly become conscious of their own deceptions. The personality of the sincere man casts off and reflects back the sham of Feathertop who sees himself and knows himself to be a conceited, deceiving piece of humanity. He confesses to himself his deception and his utter worthlessness; sometimes begins anew and atones in a measure, but more often he goes to his death unrespected, despondent and unnoticed. On the other hand, many of them continue to delude us, gain their quests and are looked upon by the world at large as respectable, able personages. Are you a Feathertop? 109 FLORA PUTNAM. 1911.

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Jfor tlje $onor of tfje jfecfjool TOM WHITE was just fourteen years old when he entered High School. He was naturally a bright young fellow, and the boys took very kindly to him. He was so friendly and so helpful. Whenever any of the boys wanted assistance in their work at home, such as cleaning up the yard, raking the leaves, or cutting the grass, they knew they could always depend upon Tom to help them. Thus in turn the boys were only too glad to return the favor when he had any extras to do and needed assistance. In this way he made many friends in his first year at High School. Tom’s mother and father, as you may know, were very proud of him, and as he was their only son they intended to send him through High School. Tom’s father was Secretary of a small Iron Manufacturing Company, and when Tom finished school he intended to secure a position in his father’s employment. Tom went in for athletics in his second year at school and although young, as he was very strong and rugged and of a determined nature, he landed a position as end on the second team in football. He played so splendidly in this capacity, that the boys elected him captain of the first team for the coming season. The football season being now over, Tom went in for basketball and played center, holding this position throughout the season. Next when the baseball season was on hand, Tom also played that game holding a position as pitcher. Thus he made a fine reputation in athletics throughout his second year. His father was so well pleased that he promised him a dollar for every winning game in which he played, during the coming season. The school vacation was new here, and Tom and a few of his boy friends went camping. These fellows were the very best type of Young America, for they knew when to work and they knew when to play, and that is why they succeeded so well. After camping for about two months, all wished that school would commence again, so that they could look upon the faces of their friends once more. Tom was now sixteen years old, and just full of fun. He was glad to go back to school for his third year and chuckled to himself when he thought of all the dollars his father would have to give him, for he intended to win every game in which he played. Because he had been elected captain of the football team he had about thirty young fellows to try out for the first team. After fully two weeks of rough “workouts,” he picked out the fellows he thought showed up well in practice, and later on as you may see, it was shown that he certainly had used good judgment. This football team went through the season, winning every game that they played and without being scored upon. After having beaten every High School in their own town, they defeated several out of town High School teams, and won the Senate Championship. Many of the boys were chosen on the All-Star-Scholastic Eleven, among them Tom White. ill