East Tennessee State University - Buccaneer Yearbook (Johnson City, TN)

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30 THE CHALK LINE June 6, 1930

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29 June 6, 1930 THE CHALK LINE seen her in anything but the simplest of frocks. Had a rich uncle died? She gloried in their ill concealed amazement. Ex¬ citement only made her the prettier. At last people had began to take notice of her. She was seated next to the History teacher. He had been kind to her ever since she entered school. She had always talked freely with him, because he seemed to understand everything. He didn’t talk much tonight but Alice was content just to know that an understand¬ ing person was so near. So far as she was concerned, the dinner was a big success. She had been admired by both men and wom¬ en. She felt as if she had been especially admired by one member of the party. She went to her room still reveling in thoughts of her success. She didn’t want to go to bed. She talked with the other girls, walked from room to room admir¬ ing herself in every mirror. At last she pulled off the dress, handling it with the greatest care. She looked it over carefully to see that no spot marred its beauty and then folded it away in its box. She and Peggy lay in bed and talked for hours about the dinner. “Alice, Mr. Campbell did not take his eyes off you during the entire dinner,” remarked Peggy. Alice was glad the sheltering darkness hid her tell tale blush. “He has been nice to me ever since I entered school,” was the innocent reply. If it were possible, Friday was more beautiful than Thursday. Alice awoke early. She was going home. She would repay her mother for the beautiful dress. A light tap sounded on her door. “The President wishes to see Miss Burke imme¬ diately after breakfast,” came the voice of the Matron. Alice’s air castles tumbled in a heap. What could the President want with her? She ate her breakfast me¬ chanically. Her feet dragged as she went to the presi¬ dent’s office. “Good morning, Miss Burke,” the President greeted her cheerfully. “Good morning, Dr. Hunley.” “Miss Burke, I’ve been observing you for a long time. You have been faithful in your studies. Where are you planning to teach this fall?” “I haven’t a school yet, Dr. Hunley.” “Our English teacher in the training school has just told me that she was planning to marry after sum¬ mer school closes. You have been recommended to take her place.” Well, why not? It would be an honor to hold such a position, and too, she would be near Mr. Campbell. Thelma Wells. MIS-PLACED ADULATION The trait that the majority of mankind manifests most, is the tendency to over-emphasize the ideas hand¬ ed down to us. We are slaves of tradition and are ruled by our mores, and we never stop to think whether they are true or false. Because a once-leisured class used Latin, it is plac¬ ed in the Schools as a major subject, not because it is a semi-valuable asset to anyone, but because Latin once denoted the nobility. We wade through Euclidean Geometry, “I’ll say we do!”, but why? Not because it is true, for it is a limiting case and can exist only in the absence of matter, energy, and motion, so why is it studied? Does it develop abstract thought? I doubt it. Does one solve problems by it? Certainly not! We study it, because the early scholastic schools associated Geometry with Greek, and consequently Aristotle. Many schools in England have ceased teaching Euclidean Geometry and teach Mathematical Analysis instead— using Algebra and Analytic Geometry altogether. We rave over the grandeur and glories of Rome. What did Rome contribute to civilization? Of course she contributed Mob-rule, cruelty, organized slaughter, and empiricism. But you say Law. There are only two major countries in the world using the Roman Code as their basis of jurisprudence—France and Japan, al¬ though Louisiana claims that distinction also. Certainly not science, art, or religion, so why do we admire Rome ? Merely because she built up a powerful Empire by agressive, military tactics, that was overthrown by the Barbarians. Barbarians you say! Well, few History teachers tell their pupils that these self-same Barbarians had a high degree of culture. Ask your teacher where the P. R. principle of government originated, the right to vote, and the fundamental basis of our government? She would answer in the Althing, the democratic king¬ doms of the Northern Jarls. Certainly not Ethics and Morals, because the Rome you admire had Ethics and Morals that are easily associated with decadent societies today. Also the Church of Rome was the guiding fac¬ tor in the Middle Ages whose center was at Rome, and which gave that city a prestige that comparative records do not substantiate. In High School I once told a teacher of English that the age of Shakespeare was passing and that in a few years that it would neither be taught nor admired as much as formerly. I barely escaped with my life, figuratively speaking. A few years later several promi¬ nent English teachers in a large College admitted the same thing and gave proof to prove their points. Do you love your Shakespeare because you were told to or because you really like his writings? We certainly do not get Religion from the Occi¬ dent—so why disparage the Orient? It is interesting to realize that every major Religion in the world today was developed in the Orient. A certain Oriental states¬ man has recently stated that the West has taken over all of the cults and religions of the East, and the East has had Western Civilization, science, and materialism graft¬ ed upon it; and it looks as if, not so far in the future, the East will have to recivilize the West. A thought there! Are we to let the past destroy the future? Why not analyze your pet mores, adulations, superstitutions, and traditions and see why you believe and act as you do? You Might Be Surprised! —T. S. G.

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June 6, 1930 THE CHALK LINE 31 JOKES Barry: “I can’t get my closet door shut.” Snodgrass: ‘‘Take your shoes out.” As on her rudy, quivering lips He gently pressed a kiss. Said he, “I’ve sipped from many a cup, But never a mug like this. Jimmie H.: “Was I drunk last night?” Ross W.: Were you? You took your hat and went around taking up a collection for the Dead Sea 7 Mary Louise: “Ouch, I bumped my crazy bone.” Jo Miller : “Oh,, well comb your hair right; and the bump won’t show.” Thelma: “Did you ever see a real hot necking party?” Ruby: “Why of course not.” Thelma : “Well; take a good look at me.” Helen: “Mother; how do you like your ‘permanent wave?’.” Mrs. Hodges: “I don’t know; I’ll ask my ‘lawyer’.” Senior: “By-the-way; Frosh; what’s the difference between a freshman and the president of the United States?” Freshman: “I don’t know.” Senior: “Why; you conceited little jackass; don’t you know the difference between you and the presi¬ dent?” Esther (trying to get cap on her head) : “I believe my cap’s too small.” Helen: “Why, your head hasn’t swelled that much in the last few days; has it?” Mr. Carson: “Hey; don’t shoot. Your gun isn’t loaded.” Mr. Bible: “Can’t help that—the bird won’t wait.” McNabb: “What makes you think you can borrow $100 without giving security?” Harville: “If I wasn’t honest I wouldn’t need to borrow $100. Evelyn: “How would you like to have my nice slen¬ der figure?” Cordell: “In my arms?” Girl: “I want you to remember my name is June; not April.” Bralley: “Well; you’ll always be April to me; you’re not so hot!” THE LETTER “E” “Some humane philosopher has decided that the little letter “e” is the most sadly unfortunate letter in the English alphabet; because it is always out of cash, and in hell all the time. A great deal of credit and honor is due; however; in that it is never in war and jail, but always in peace and good-fellowship. Moreover; we are deeply indebted to this little letter; since it is the be¬ ginning of existence, the commencement of ease and the end of trouble. Without it; there would be no meat, no life, no heaven, and no eternity. It is the center of honesty; and although it stars off in error, it ends by making love perfect.” SHOULD MARRIED WOMEN TEACH? The question; “Should married women teach?”; has often been challenged. The answer often comes back; Why not? Do we not always believe in having the best for everything? Then; we must admit that the majority of married women are superior teachers. It has also been noted that a teacher; who is a mother; is of in¬ creased understanding; and has a greater sympathy for children. The teacher must have a love and understand¬ ing of youth; and married women are superior in this respect. They are more tolerant; and have the welfare of children closer at heart. Teaching is a fine art, and if a person has pre¬ pared himself or herself for that art; then; why take away the privilege of exercising the art which lie or she has attained? Artists are not made in a day or a year; but are made by years of grueling experience and pro¬ fessional training. When anyone’s heart is in the field of teaching; or in any other profession for that matter; it is almost certain that such a person will fail if placed in another line of work. If we become a failure in teaching; then wherein are we to benefit society? There has been as many failures; in proportion; among single women as there has among married women; perhaps more. There is one opposition that is often brought up; and that iS; that married teachers will crowd out the single teacher who must in some way earn her living. While this may to a certain extent be true; we should not permit it to bias us against the real talent of mar¬ ried women. After several investigations; the principals of vari¬ ous schools have made this remark: “If it is not a hus¬ band calling; it is a prospective husband” or “She is teaching for her trousseau.” The intelligent married woman has a duty to per¬ form to society; as well as in the home. And anything that will aid in the advancement of society should not be suppressed. How much surplus energy and talent has been wasted in past years by women who had some¬ one take all responsibility from them. There is a major question that obscures all others. It is not; “Who shall teach?”; but “Who is fit to teach; and who is best qualified.” To be qualified; means more than professional training. You must have that “something” which makes you want to live in your work. It must be in the heart as well as in the mind. Do you have it? Teachers are above the average; and remain¬ ing single; deprives the race of an incalculable; better- than-the-average people. Since teaching is an art; and we cannot select enough of the needed talent from the single group of women, let us employ a group which will enable us to have the best selection possible, whether it be a group of singles, married maids, or mothers. —E. C. C. IT IS YOUR DUTY To Patronize the People Who patronize us. Trade with them first.