Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

Page 30 text:

28 THE LAUREL Johnny, come back here. VVhere do you think you're going? This from the father. johnny in a very dejected manner returns reluctantly to his seat. Leaving right in the midst of my little speech, the father sputters. What kind of courtesy do you call that? That brings up another matter I must speak to you about. I noticed when I visited your school yesterday that one boy, Cuvier Colburn, the second, I think, jumped out of his seat and started to leave, just because the pass- ing bell had rung, and the teacher was still talking. I hope you don't do that, Johnny. Even if the bell has rung you should wait to be dismissed by whoever is conducting the class and not rush out of the classroom just because you hear the welcome buzz. As the father stops to relight his pipe which had gone out during the last splurge, Johnny nods knowingly. What do you suppose he can mean by that smirk on his otherwise placid features? The father, look- ing up suddenly, catches Johnny in the midst of a very vigorous nod. Under his father's stern glance, johnny's eyes fall to the floor and a deep flush creeps up the back of his neck. Tell me, why is it that whenever any- one's back is turned the tendency is always to do something one shouldn't? I remem- ber one group in my school days--let's see, there were Gerald Little-field, Annie Voter, Mary Magoni, and Virginia Trum- bull--who, whenever they thought the teachers weren't looking, carried on very entertaining conversations. I recall too that Agnes Metcalf was very fond of chewing gum. Whenever someone felt the need of exercising his jaws, Agnes could be trusted to produce the necessary implements. I hope you are always right out, at least, in the things you do. I well remember the uncanny ability one of my English teachers, Mrs. Bryant, had of detecting those who boasted of having learned the gum-chew- ing art. So I was told, the roguish son re- plies. Tony's father told me about the time when you were caught- 'That's enoughf, the father hurriedly interrupts. We'll say no more about it. After a moment's silence during which johnny tidgets uneasily in his chair, the father asks, How does it happen that you and Dean got the same marks on your writ- ten work for yesterday's English? Now, don't ask how I found out. I supposed you were above cribbing. I don't mean cribbing only during tests, but on all written work that you have to do. No one is hurt but yourself, and you should realize that by now. t'I'll bet you got Mother to help you whenever you had a tough assignment like that one, the son replies to that argument. Johnny, we'll leave your mother out of this, says the father, growing a little hot about the collar. Suddenly johnny sits up in his chair as a sharp, piercing whistle is heard in the dooryard. He looks apprehensively at his father for a moment, and then his face lights up as an idea comes to his mind. Father, he says, didn't you tell me to always be punctual in keeping appoint- ments? Why, yes, of course, the unsuspecting dad replies. Well, Johnny says with a crafty gleam in his eye, I made a date with Dick to- night for 7:30, and it's 7:29 now. All right. You may go, the father re- plies, smiling at the manner in which his advice is being used by his son. I At this point we depart hastily, but silently, from the Greene mansion. If we were to ask the philosophical father for some specific advice for the different classes, we might expect something like this: I should advise each freshman to be as much of an all-round person as his in- dividual talents will allow. Excellent chances are given to both boys and girls to test their ability in the fields of music,

Page 29 text:

THE LAUREL 27 The value of our present-day navy must not be underestimated. It is one of the best insurances against war that we can possibly have. China is a good example of what happens when your coasts are unprotected. In spite of the League of Nations and va- rious other organizations for peace japan, the country with one of the five largest navies in the world, has made great inroads on her territory. We must not allow our shores to become unprotected as are China's. As we look back over the years that are past and see the improvements that have been accomplished, may we pause for a moment and think of what our navy means to usp and may we endeavor to carry on the work of our forefathers to the extension and perpetuation of this great national heri- tage - our navy. Richard Morton '36, TY ADDRESS T0 UNDERGRADUATES NDERGRADUATES: I am going to ask you to do a little eavesdropping tonight. We are going to drop in at the residence of the Greene fam- ily and pay them a visit. As we enter un- noticed, the family is seated at the supper table. The father is speaking: 'K Well, Johnny, I am told that you were late to your appointment again today. That makes the second time this week. Aw, gee whiz, Dad, I was so interested in watching the work of that construction crew that's building the new post office I forgot all about it until about five or ten minutes too late. I know, johnny, but itis not the cour- teous thing to do to keep anyone waiting or not to show up at all when you've made an appointment. I do hope you're not so tardy in keep- ing your appointments with the teachers, the conscientious mother says with a sigh. At this point the father settles back in his chair, lights his pipe, which had cer- tainly not grown mellow with age, and says, While we are on this subject of courtesy, I think there are some other things you should be advised about, johnny. Now, when I was a boy- Here Johnny looks furtively about for some means of escape, for evidently he had had previous experience with his father's childhood. When I was a boy, the father con- tinues, unabashed by -Iohnny's evident lack of interest, I can well remember the in- convenience we were caused by those pesky swinging doors. It became quite a custom for some boy, particularly Claude Webber and Glendon Rowe, to suddenly land quite unnecessarilyj decide to leave at the same moment someone else was entering from the outside. The two would meet at those doors. The designing villian would swing his door just hard enough to hit the unfor- tunate victim on the knee or some other tender spot. I well remember many bruises I received in this manner. He takes a few puffs on his pipe, and looks significantly at Johnny, who squirms uneasily in his chair. Then he continues, The lack of proper respect for others who were going through the corridors was also very noticeable. It was very hard to re- frain from jostling your nearest neighbor, and so causing a general shoving and push- ing all along the line. I recall one group of boys composed of Sonny McLeary, Red Sawyer, Deane Beedy, and Duane Hardy who were very fond of playing tag. In order to keep from being caught, they would dash blindly up the corridors bumping into every person or thing in their way. Imagine their chagrin and embarrassment when rounding a corner to suddenly and unex- pectedly come face to face with the principal or one of the teachers. Time and time again I've seen a collision avoided only by a very precarious margin. Always remem- ber, Johnny, to be considerate of others in the hallsg I used to be. johnny, what are you smiling about? Er-er-nothing, johnny stammers in reply, rising as if to leave the room.

Page 31 text:

THE LAUREL 29 debating, art, dramatics, and sports. One should choose carefully his outside activities and work for a well-balanced school course. I would speak to the sophomores about their relationship with the freshmen. I don't want you to get the idea that I am opposed to hazing. I still recall very vivid- ly the initiations that took place when I was a boy and I still have a paddle that has graced the seat of many unfortunate fresh- men's pants. When you are picking sub- jects for your hazing activities, why not pick on the local boys whom you all know rather than on those who are strangers. It is very hard for them to become acquainted, and it would be much to your credit to help them make acquaintances rather than give them a poor impression of the school and students. Hazing should bet done under supervision, so that it will not be carried too far. To the juniors I would bring a word of caution about becoming too cocky. You should remember that there is always some- thing new to be learned, that is if you go to the right place to use the words of a favorite radio comedian. ' And so we come to the end of the help- ful advice given by the genial Mr. Greene. If your slumbers are slightly disturbed dur- ing the night, I imagine that humble voice has accomplished its purpose. Charles Chapman '36. ADDRESS OF WELCOME-CLASS DAY ARENTS, teachers and friends of the class of 1936: We welcome you to our Class Day exercises. We want you to enjoy with us this day which is the begin- ning of the ceremonies we have been an- ticipating these four eventful years. On this occasion we have a mingled feeling of happiness and sadnessg joy, for the suc- cessful culmination of our twelve years of education-sadness, for the realization that this is one of the last meetings which we shall have as a unit. So we gather here in all seriousness, mixed with a bit of humor and good fellow- ship, to pay homage to you who have helped us through our school years. Had it not been for your unfailing interest in us, we might never be privileged to stand before you today with our work in high school completed. In our school activities we have shown our individual characteristics to one an- other. Some of our peculiarities and in- terests will, no doubt, be presented through means of the humorous portions of the fol- lowing program. Probably fond mothers and dads, doting aunts and uncles, and ad- miring friends will be rather surprised at some of the revelations, but remember it's all in fun. So on with the fun! ' Robert Tyler '36. 'rar N CLASS HISTORY-CLASS OF 1936 HERE I've studied all that history, and all that I have left are the last two questions at the end of the chapter. Think I'll leave them until later. Oh, well, I'll just glance at them. 23. What is history? I looked that up a few days ago. The definition I found was History is a record of events including all human activities. It also gave a good quotation History has triumphed over time. Eternity only tri- umphs over it. 24. Name three modern historians. Well, there are J. H. Robinson, H. G. Wells and David Muzzy. H Speaking of historians, I ought to get my Class History written. Guess I'll run over the four years and jot down ideas as I go along. I think I can find my data from my diary and my mem box. fLooking through diaryj Must have entered around the first of September in '32-oh yes, right here Sep- tember 12th. Started high school-our class biggest yet to enter. A