Pembroke High School - Mattakeesett Yearbook (Pembroke, MA)

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16 THE WAMPUM 'iYes,'J her mother replied, You may think it foolish g but when I dropped that knife yesterday a man did call, and the time I dropped the fork and spoon your aunt Addie and cousin Ellen came. Didn't I tell you a knife, fork and spoon meant a man, woman and child would call ?,' Dorothy sighed and reached for an- other slice of bread. -However, she drew in her hand and looked sheepish- ly at her mother. There is one sign I am rather wary of, and that is to take the last piece of bread on the plate. I would hate to have to be an old maid. Ha, ha! So you are a little foolish yourself. I ought to punish you by not giving you another slice, but I won't this timef' Dorothy laughed as she slipped on her coat. HI will wish on the first star tonight that you will keep well and happy while I am away. Good-bye, dear, here comes my carf' A E. G., 318. A DISCONTENTED WASTE BASKET The waste basket beside the desk was full. The janitor had forgotten it for three days. And still more pa- per was thrust into it. I Won't stand it, said the waste basket. Won,t stand what ? said the tele- phone, who had heard the words of the basket. I won't stand being used as a catchall every day for all who come in- to this room. The janitor persists in forgetting me, and here I am, full and even running over. Well,,' said the telephone, I wouldn't stand that myself. I know a plan for you when they bring paper and things. Do not hold them, let them out? How can IPD asked the basket. We'll get our friend the nail to catch ahold of you and tear the little straws. The nail did as it was bidden, and the fancy part of the basket was torn. Just then a man entered the room and went to the desk. As he opened it, the telephone rang, and he hurried- ly threw some paper and rubbish into the waste basket. When he returned, the paper lay on the floor. Well, I'll be hanged, came in sur- prise from the man. Well, I'll be hanged, too,', said the basket as it landed in a pile of dump an hour later. R. M. D., '19. ISN'T IT WORTH WHILE? Some people are of the opinion that a high school education is not neces- sary. They seem to think that the time spent in studying Algebra, Lat- in, Geometry, English, and other similar subjects is wasted. Such peo- ple believe that a grammar school ed- ucation is good enough. We will take an illustration of each case,-a boy having a grammar school educa- tion, and one who has received his high school diploma. The first boy leaves school at the age of Hfteen or thereabouts. Through some acquaintance he gets a position with an insurance company. He re- ceives two dollars a day, which of course is good pay for a boy of his age. The time comes, sooner or lat- er, when one of his superiors leaves- illness perhaps or another position. Our friend would like to take his place. Does he get it? No, and why not? He hasnft the training. He isn't

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THE WAMPUM 15 A STRANGE EPISODE One night, as I was walking from the depot, I thought someone was fol- lowing me. At first I paid little at- tention to this, but when I continued to hear footsteps behind me, I quick- ened my pace. The person, whoever he was, walked faster also, and I be- gan to feel quite nervous. -Coming to a fence, I vaulted it, thinking in this way to rid myself of my pursuer. However, as I looked back, a figure was vaulting over the fence, convinc- ing me that I was being followed. Now it happened that nearby was a grave- yard, and I knew that only the most desperate intentions would lead a man to follow me there in the dark. With this in mind, I entered and sat down by one of the tombs. While visions of robbers and murderers came to my mind, a man passed me, all but stum- bling over my outstretched legs. I endeavored to pull them in, but in do- ing so, made a noise which caused the man to turn and see me. I stood up, my fists clenched ready to ight. What do you want? I demanded. For heavens' sake, is this the way you go home every night ? asked the man. They told me at the depot that you lived next door to Mr. Jones, and as I was going up there I thought I might follow you. E. G. W., '18. SUPERSTITIONS Dorothy Baker was getting ready to gn to Boston on a visit. As she was rushing around the house, she bumped against a chair, and over it fell. Oh, Dorothy! You make me so nervous. The tipping over of that chair is asign of a disappointment. You had better not go to Boston, said her mother, who was a strong believer in signs. However, Dorothy was not going to have her visit spoiled by a foolish su- perstition, so she continued to get ready. See, Dotj' cried her little sister Grace. I found a pin! I will put it in my dress and have good luck before I go to bed. Run out to play. I would advise you to put that pin in the pin-cushion before it sticks into you. Thus it was that Dorothy showed her sympa- thy for superstitious. Mrs. Baker looked in at the door and remarked, While you are combing your hair, I will sweep up the kitchen, as my work is terribly behind this morning? As she picked up the broom, it slipped from her grasp, falling across the door-sill. Oh dear, we will surely have bad luck,', wailed the nervous woman. I don't see why you have any cause for such thoughts, mother. Why, daughter! Don't you see that broom lying across the threshold? It is a sign that nevecr fails. You are positively exasperating, mother, with your old signs. If you don't stop predicting bad luck, I won't catch the car, said Dorothy as she hurried back to her room to put up her hair. In about fifteen minutes Mrs. Bak- er appeared in the bedroom again, saying, Did you hear that dog whine outside the window last night? I have been so worried ever since. That is a sign of a death in the family. And I dreamed of black horses, which means the same thing. I should think a woman of your age would know better than to put so much conidence in such things. You will be a nervous wreck if the neigh- bors do not stop telling you the mean- ings of such foolishness. Is my lunch ready ?

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THE WAMPUM 17 capable of giving orders, he can- not dictate a business letter that would be an asset to the firm. His illiterate conversation is one of his greatest drawbacks, but there are others. A capable business man must have the power to see a subject from all angles. Our friend hasnit this ability. Con- centration is another trait found in every successful business man. It is developed by careful study and con- templation, but as our friend hasn't spent much time in this manner, he cannot concentrate. Consequently, We find him, at the age of twenty-tive, earning fifteen dollars a week. Bc- cause of this and the H. C. L., he leads a very unhappy life. On the other hand, the high school graduate advances in business. He is employed in a large Wholesale fruit establishment as a clerk. In this busi- ness, much of the trade is carried on with foreign companies. Therefore, French and German prove a means of advancement. He can dictate a good business letter and carry on an intelli- gent conversation because he has stud- ied English. His Algebra and Geome- try have made him very accurate, and as accuracy Hrstv is the principal business slogan, this also proves valu- able. He became more useful to his employer because he knows more, and in the course of a few years he has ad- vanced to a higher position. When his hair begins to turn gray, he has a good income, and doesn't need to worry. Having earned his position and pile, 'he spends his latter years in ease and comfort. This is no dream. Any business man will tell you that a high school education does a great deal toward preparing a person for business. Em- ployers of today respect a high school diploma. Look at the paper tonight and see for yourself how many worth while positions are offered to young men and young women. Notice also the number of these ads which re- quire that the applicant shall have a high school education. I don't mean to say that a high school education will make you rich 3 I'm not saying that everyone who goes to high school will become famous, but what I say is this: There is no successful person who did not rise by means of 'hard study and the determination to do things bet- ter than the best. If ignorance is bliss, there is no such thing as bliss in the business world. E. G. W., '18, A WATER SPOUT In the morning it came up hot, and towards noon it was nearly unbeara- ble. There most surely was going to be a storm. At the shore, where I was staying, it was always worse than anywhere else. Off in the west were huge black clouds containing wind, and some heavily laden with waters Our house was situated in a cove with long arms of land extending out into the sea at the right and left of us. The left arm was Brant Rock, the right was the Gurnet. The wind came up and swept the sea, leaving behind it a mass of Whitecaps. In a half hour's time it was raining at our house. I looked over at the Gurnet and the sun was shining. From our house one- cou-ld see the bay, and overhanging it a strange-looking cloud. I Watched it until inally it came swooping down. It looked like a huge black arm de- scending, while on one side there seemed to be a stream of water rising. On the other side it appeared to be de- scending. This arm would come