Hartford Public High School - Classbook Yearbook (Hartford, CT)

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276 THE CHRONICLE parents are so busy that we can hardly keep track of them or they of us. Everywhere one hears that word, Busyf' VVhat is it that makes us all so busy? Perhaps we are trying to help those in need, and find twice as many as we can take care of. Perhaps we are working every minute to relieve poor Europe in her hour of trouble. But if these are the reasons: if men are hurrying be- cause so much good needs to be done, why are they so restless? NVhy do they not feel that their lives are counting in the world? No, I am afraid that people are so busy because they are always trying to find excitement. They can't stand the thought of a moment without some diversion. That accounts for such a craze for auction, for instance. XVhy, some people boast that they would rather play auction than do anything else in the world, and I really think they would. Then this passion for diversion is constantly calling for some- thing new, and so we have daily the latest hit in popular songs, the latest thing in dress, the last word in hats or shoes. Really, it is dreadful when you stop to think of it, and it is up to us to alter things, it is up to us to slow down and change the trend of the times. If we don't, things will steadily grow worse, and we shall be so bored when we get too old to tear around and are compelled to sit still, that we shall have to learn to dance in wheel chairs or do something just as absurd. VVhen we realize how feverishly restless the world is, does not the contented heart seem like an oasis in a desert? Contentment is what people lack. Contentment is what We must try to cultivate. That word means so much, and it is often scorned because it is not understood. Contentment, in its finest sense, is never a synonym for indifference and laziness, for lack of ambition and all those things which we naturally want to avoid. Contentment is an element of characterg it is a peace and joy which, once obtained, never leave us. If people would only seek after contentment half as hard as they seek after the latest amusement, they would be much happier. But where can one find contentment? If it is an element of character, one must find it in himself. That necessitates knowing one's self. Most of us do not stop to get acquainted with ourselves, but we must if our hearts are to be contented. VVe must spend a little time alone every day, away from the rush of life and the press of duties and pleasures, learning who we really are. And Nature is the best one to teach us that and many other wonderful things, if we will only get in

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THE CHRONICLE 275 test of history, such as Washington and Lincoln. It may seem trite and old-fashioned to be advised to follow the leadership of these national and international heroes. But the very fact that they and their deeds are still held up to us as patterns, and have lost no whit of their glory and luster, should give us an additional incentive, should provide us with another spur to lead lives of honor. If every one of us helps by his example, to raise the ideals of the nation, and to implant in the people a greater love of honor, he will be assisting in great measure to keep our country from the horrors of such a war as is in progress on the other side of the Atlantic. For government but reflects the attitude and character of the people governed. It follows then that violation of treaties and agreements is possible only when the populace favors such measures. But a people truly upright could not sanction the breaking of the national word and the shedding of innocent blood. ' Therefore, my friends, I exhort each and every one of you to resolve right now to perform or sanction no action which does not accord with what your conscience tells you tends to raise the standard of American honor. And I urge you, fellow classmates and graduates of 1915, to bear in mind that you are graduates of this school, and that the school demands and expects that you hesitate long before you sully her proud name. And remember too, before all else, that you are Americans, and that America stands now and has always stood for all that is right and honorable. W. IRVING LEAHY. - I ESSAY THE CONTENTED HEART 66 'Mi absolutely worn out! I never was so rushed in all my life! Oh, I'd have given anything if I could have stayed at home and slept all the morning! How often we have heard those words, have spoken them ourselves, as the days of this Senior year have flown past! There has been something doing every minute, not always something important, but just the thousand and one little things that keep us so busy. And other people are just as badly off. Our friends don't write because they are too busy. Our

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THE CHRONICLE 277 touch with her. Jean Stratton Porter says, Nature can be trusted to work her own miracle in the heart of any man whose daily task keeps him alone among her sights, sounds and silencesf' Even if our daily task does not do that, if we are alone with Nature some time each week, she will work her miracle just the same, she will show us something grander than the excitement of full minutes and crowded days, something much more thrilling than a tense drama, for she will show us how to live. The majestic trees braving every storm, the flowers and plants slowly growing more beautiful day by day, will teach us her peace and contentment, will ,help us to be brave and patient, thoughtful, cheerful, and unhurried. Then we, too, shall begin to grow, we shall begin to find our- selves, and, learning how to live, we shall understand life better. VVe shall be better able to recognize what things are essential and what are really ,of small consequenceg and having once learned that, noth- ing can leave us destitute. If we have ourselves as companions, Na- ture as our friend, and high ideals to stand by us, we need fear nothing. NVe can be calm and steady in the face of any danger, and our friends will learn to depend on us and come to us for comfort and encourage- ment. For any one who really has a contented heart, who is always the same strong, dependable person, is a constant inspiration to his friends. just to be near him gives them some of his own hope and courage. I All that I have been trying to say is beautifully expressed in part of VVilliam Henry Channing's My Symphony, which well might be called The Contented Heart : To think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds 4' bl' 4' with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. ALICE W. BARsToW. HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1915 HEN the Red Cross appealed for packages to be sent to the soldiers in the trenches and field-hospitals, we sent a number of old Chronicles and Owl Annuals. We were very much surprised to hear recently from a wounded Englishman, thanking us