Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

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'A' LAUREL ir Tribune. During World War I he served for a time as Assistant Secretary of War under Newton D. Baker, a responsible position for a man of thirty years. Later he became secretary of an organization which was preparing data for the Peace Conference. This was an excel- lent opportunity for a literary man particularly interested in political affairs. Later still, he served on the American Peace Commission. Since 1913 he has published many books on world politics and I believe he is considered as one of the best in his field. Perhaps his most widely read book before U. S. Foreign Policy was a Preface to Morals, published in 1929. And now he adds another triumph to a long list of successful books, the difbcult, but never- theless convincing, U. S. Foreign Policy. In these days we are making up our minds in matters which will determine whether there is to be peace or war for posterity. Mr. Lipp- mann brings forth a worth-while solution to the problem of a suitable key to future peace. This book represents the convictions of many men all over the worldg' this was exemplified at the recent meetings of Messrs. Churchill, Roose- velt and Stalin at Teheran and of Churchill, Roosevelt and Chaing at Cairo, where they agreed on terms basically corresponding to the views expressed by Mr. Lippmann, primarily foreign alliances. The book begins with a frank and personal statement by Mr. Lippmann giving his idea and a most worthwhile definition of foreign com- mitments which adds greatly to the book's val- uable store of information. He points out that the United States has for nearly a hundred years held vast commitments, extending over a large portion of the world surface, and that we have made these commitments without the adequate military force or alliance with nations of com- mon interest and strength to support them. Next he brings forth the example to show us that our founding fathers were not the least bit adverse to forming foreign alliances, and that through alliances with the French we secured our independence from England. He points out that since the time of the Monroe Doctrine f 18231 we have had no foreign policy, conse- quently no foreign alliances. There has been since the early 1900's a need of definite policy and alliance ffor since that time England has 24 ceased to be mistress of the seasj whose joint support, through common interests, would help guarantee our vast commitments. Every nation should, as Mr. Lippmann says, have a policy whereby its alliances balance its commitments. If it does not, the nation is pointed toward serious difficulties. The concluding part of the book pertains to foundations of future peace and the countries which shall play the major roles in future events and their positions in regard to the rest of the world. Preserving the peace is the loom- ing problem of the future, already statesmen and diplomats prepare the foundations. To one who wishes to hold an intelligent view and knowledge of the coming peace, I sincerely recommend this book. Few people would be in a position to criticize this book and I feel greatly inadequate to raise my voice, even if I had any different opinion from Mr. Lippmann. His forceful style, col- ored by an excellent and choice vocabulary, makes him an interesting writer. His thorough knowledge of his subject is apparent through- out the bookg his sentences are factual and sometimes difficult to understand. He is an authority-a man whose ideas and writings will undoubtedly play a definite role in the future peace and rehabilitation. Iames Whitcomb '45 SOPHIE HALENCZIK, AMERICAN By Rose C. Feld OPI-IIE HALENCZIK is a little Czech lady who hires out in the various homes of her community to do the weekly house clean- ing. She takes part in all the war-time activity which now takes place in the little Connecticut town. All her time is given to growing a vic- tory garden, selling war bonds, taking in refu- gees, helping to catch a saboteur, and lecturing a Son of the American Revolution on Democ- racy. Besides all this she has time for a war- time romance herself, but decides to end it by staying friends because he is so different from Stefan fthe deceased husbandj. She has three daughters and one son. Frankie goes into the Army and overseas into active duty. Sophie is very sorry for Frankie's faults but still says he's her favorite child. ,When

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'A' LAUREL 'A' and her kittens crawl from the hay loft for their dish of warm milk. Twilight. Work's all done, and a busy day is at its end. As the farmer passes from the barn up to the house, he pauses a moment to look up into the dusk. He smiles when he hears the croaking of the frogs, striking up their serenade from swamp and bog. The farmer continues to the house, finds his slippers and the Ierrey Bulletin, and sits by the fireplace for an evening rest. Then dawn creeps through the hours. Stars fade, the cattle stir, and dew settles upon the meadow grass. The farmer starts his busy day at daybreak when other worlds are still asleep. How near is this to monotony? And the song goes on and on, imploring me to pause and listen to its strange, harmonious melody. Listen to it I will, for it is my world and my life. Rachel Luce '46 COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSE I-IE other day when I was out walking I visited the school of my former days. That day I was feeling very thankful for the American way of life, so I thought of how I had enjoyed those days. This schoolhouse is not the original, for that was taken down when the road was moved Fifty years ago. This McCrillis Corner Schoolhouse is a white structure, its foundation is made of the bricks of the other. There are broad steps with railings on each side leading up to the only entrance, with a door similar to that of an old inn. The yard surrounding it contains a few pines, alders in the back, and three swings and a teeter in front. fAll are worn and need repair., In the days when I went there, there were two ledges. Two wonderful ledges that shared many fond hopes. While playing on them my grand- mother, mother, and finally myself, each in turn, built castles in the air. Later, when the road was moved again, these ledges were blasted and now the road runs where they were. The schoolhouse stands in one of the four cor- ners on a little knoll. On the other two sides a board fence separates it from the pasture be- side it. I went inside and remembered the desks where I used to sit. fThere are 24 desks., There was the old, huge round stove which serves as a furnace. There, the piano, the book- case, the primary's little chairs and table, and the three blackboards f two of which are not in very good conditionj. I sat in the back seat where I had when I was in the eighth grade and looked outside. I saw cows grazing in the pasture beside the school. There, many times, in the winter, I had slid down the hill, hauled my sled back, then re- peated the procedure many times till the bell rang. Then, what a scramble! Over that board fence, everyone rushed at once. Then I went across the road where I used to skate. There was no rink but once in a while, when the weather was right, ice would form. As I started to go home, I turned for one last look. The peacefulness of the atmosphere swept over me. Then and there, I thanked God for this and every little white or red school- house, that fine old emblem of The American Way of Life. Eleanor Hammond '44 .9nReuiew- U. S. FOREIGN POLICY VValter Lippman ANY critics are of the opinion that Wal- ter Lippmann's outstanding brilliancy is exemplified by his awakening book, U. S. Foreign Policy. This book reveals an author of keen intellect, well versed in world affairs and politics, who is beginning to shatter the illusions held by the American people for more than forty years. Mr. Lippmann was born in New York City in 1889, educated in private schools in New Yorkg he graduated from Harvard in 1910. His first book, Preface to Politics, was pub- lished when the author was twenty-three years old. Already he had begun his long and suc- cessful literary career. Mr. Lippmann has spent many years in newspaper work, at one time he was associate editor of Everybody's, a picture magazine. Since 1913 he has been employed as a special writer to the New York Herald

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'A' LAUREL ir Sophie was asked if she liked the idea of Frank- ie's going into the Army she replied, In the old country I hate soldiers, but here it differ- ent. Look what they do for me and my family -let us live here with no fuss. So it is right Frankie should be a soldier. Sophie's three daughters are Mary, Irene and Annie, she also has a granddaughter, Doloras, who looks exactly like her mother, Mary. Irene is married and she too, has a daughter. Annie wishes to be a career woman, but changes her mind when Sophie says, No woman should not marry. Other characters are brought into the story: Mrs. Sudder, who is chairman of the various war committees: Sophie's so-called Greenhorn cousins who come to live with her from the old country, Irene's husband Georgeg the saboteur Karl: and Sophie's war-time Romeo, Earnest there is Margie, Frankie's l-Iopkins. Also wife, but not through marriage. This girl Margie, plays an important part in Sophie's life, but Sophie finds a way in the end. I think Sophie is my favorite character-and reader's favorite. She is the would be every ideal American. Being foreign born she de- lights in all the opportunities of this new coun- try. Sophie is a good worker and becomes the ideal of her community, willing and always on the job no matter if it be war work or work for her daily bread. Some persons are made for drama and Sophie I-Ialenczik is one of them. She would always keep her listener in suspense until questions and coaxing were applied. Mrs. Halenczik proves her patriotism in the big event of the season-Victory Gardens! A prize was given to the person growing the larg- est garden and harvesting'and canning the most produce. Sophie grew and canned the most, but when the judge named her prize winner she refused the prize. Everyone was dumbfounded because each had tried hard for the prize. Sophie's only explanation was, When it's all the time it isn't extra. When people say my garden wonderful, I keep telling them it ain't no different from last year. They say I just modest and it nice. They say I should get the prize. Crazy, no? Mrs. I-Ialenczik is a true example of Americanism. She should be the ideal of all of us. 25 My comment would be that this is the best book I have read in quite a long time. It is short and easy reading. The author writes this book in diary form somewhat. Each Friday Sophie worked at the author's house so the author usually relates the events between the Fridays, in conversational style plentifully spiced with the humorous happenings of Sophie Hal- enczik. I recommend this book to all ages. It is up-to-date, truthful, and entertaining. Though a small book it is most appealing. Gloria lalbert '44 MY BROTHER IAKE fAn appreciationl I-IIS is a short story of a young boy in the Ozark Mountains who carried on the farm as his brother lake would have. It.is a sad, pathetic story of a boy's courage and faith and teaching. Upon hearing lake was injured, the young boy traveled alone to the coast where lake was stationed in a hospital. lake dies and his inde- pendent little brother takes him back to the farm to be buried on a hill nearby. While he is on the train, a young man strikes up a conversation with him. During the con- versation the boy learns that the man is a gam- bler and is going to set his stakes in a nearby town. ' . lake's brother talks of freedom and his love for America where everybody is free. The fel- low is ashamed and quite phazed at the wisdom of the boy's words. I-Ie offers to help with the burial and finally makes it clear that lake should have a real burial-minister and all. ' He' helps the boy harness up the horse and cart to h-aul the casket up' the hill- because some- thing such as kindness and patriotism has come over him. s ' I 'When he leaves lake's little brother to carry on alone, he carries on his work - new work - in an Airplane Factory, doing his duty and evi- dently liking it, realizing that if a boy as young as lake's brother can carry on a farm independ- ently, he too can at least do war work and not kick. A ' Although this story is pathetic, sad and touching, it brings out what the' people of Amer- ica are really made of-that it is not just- land,