Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

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2 YHE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL Pennell Institute should have a debat- ing team. During the last quarter cen- tury the art of public speaking has fallen into disuse. In the past, weekly declamations were required of the stu- dents of Pennell. In some respects this method of speaking was practical; in others it was not. The chief argument against it is that it was exceedingly painful for those taking part. At the present time humanity and the Soph- omore class would be greatly benefited if this system were to be employed as a means of curbing unruly freshmen. Waving disposed of the ‘‘freshies’’, how about the remaining classes? A clear understanding of English grammar is necessary to the average student. De- bating brings into play those points of grammar which are emphasized in the English classes. It also gives the school much publicity which it would not receive otherwise. Another advantage is the financial side. The profits real- ized from the debates could be used for many improvements which are needed at the present time. est argument in Perhaps the great- favor of a debating team is its benefit to the future citizen. Arguments presented in a logical way train a person to think for himself and not be swayed by the empty enthusiasm of the mob. Ameriea’s future citizens must have logieal minds and clear heads if they are to decide wisely on the great issues which will confront them. Such minds enabled our leaders of the past to lay the foundations of a mighty republic, and such minds will enable our leaders of the future to make America the friend of right and the enemy of wrong. I have given you several reasons why Pennell Institute should have a debat- ing team. Let’s get together and work hard, and may success reward our efforts. W.S. C., ’29

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THE PENNELL WHIRLPOOL LITERARY ° “THE PLOT THAT FAILED’’ Paul Vernon, a world renowned sci- entist, Was sitting before the fire place in his New York Mansion in a thought- ful) mood. His seeretary who had served him five vears was leaving the next day and he had engaged a new one who was arriving at seven that night. In his profession, a dependable secretary was an important item, and he dreaded the thoughts of a new assistant. As he gazed into the fire, his thoughts wandered back to days gone by and he remarked with a start, ‘‘Why, it was just twenty years ago tonight!’’ He raised his eyes and looked thoughtfully at a large painting of a beautiful young matron and a sunny haired child. “ Poor Maria,’? he sighed. At this moment the door opened and a large grey haired woman entered. She was Julia Chamard, the scientist’s sister. As she seated herself by the window, Mr. Vernon turned to her and said, ‘ Julia, did you realize that it was just twenty years ago tonight that we were in that ship wreck ?”’ ‘‘No, Paul, I had not given it a thought,’’ she responded, with a voice full of annoyance. “Tf only the child eould have been saved, I might not have been so lonely m my old age. T suppose it was the wil] of God,’’ and he again gazed into the burning embers. Julia quietly left the room and closed the door. In the hallway she met her son, Jack, the heir to the Vernon mill- ions, a happy go lueky youth of twenty- five, who spent his leisure moments thinking of new ways to spend ‘““nele’s’’ money. ‘ Paul has had another spell tonight; my conscience troubles me when he appears that way. I wonder what really did become of Virginia after I left her?”’ “Oh, the deuce with Virginia! Where would we come in if she had been saved? There’s no danger of her appearing, so forget it,’’ interrupted Jack, ‘‘Well, I ’m off. I'll be in about midnight. Good night,’’ and, with a slam of the door, he was gone. With a sigh Julia slowly mounted the stairs. When she was in the seclusion

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THE THEN AND NOW In the beginning of all things God ereated man in his image and gave him dominion over the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea. Man was lonely and desired a eom- panion. To satisfy this longing God ere- ated a woman. All went well until Eve was seized by an aeute attack of curios- ity, a disease prevalent among all mem- bers of her sex. After their expulsion from Iden, Adam asserted his authority and became master of his family. TLuelk- ily for him Ive had never seen a movie or a washing machine and had never heard of the installment plan. If she had, the history of the world would be slightly different. Man remained leader through the ages and woman followed in his footsteps. Women continued in this state until the early part of the twentieth century, when her sex began a determined effort to break down the barriers of tradition and establish themselves on an equal footing with men. At first they were not successful. Then the boll weevil attacked the cotton fields of the south. Serious measures require serious rem- edies, so the American woman volun- teered to sacrifice several inches of the voluminous draperies which covered her person. Thus the freedom of women begins. It was about this time, I believe, that some patriotie Jap invented silk stockings. This simple invention made Japan one of the most powerful of the world nations. As woman gained physical freedom, she argued with irre- sistible logic that she should have mental freedom also. Man had no seruples against physieal freedom, so as an exper- PENNELL WIHTRLPOOL 5 iment he yielded to her demands and wave her the vote. Their next move was to bring about the subjection of man. First they passed the 18th amendment, then the direet primary law, and as a crowning blow they decided against the League of Nations. We can handle our domestie affairs without arbitration,’’ said they. A woman would be lost without the pleasure of a family quarrel or the latest scandal about her neighbors. Year by year they grew stronger. Drunk with power and the praise of reformed reformers, they elected two governors. A writer once said, ‘ The best laid plan will fail.’’ They forget that 99% of the fair sex worship that little green god ealled jealousy. Before the war Amer- ica did not have enough government. To-day we have too much. Oh! for the days gone by when men were men and women were women. To whom it may coneern: If there are any who wish revenge, the author has left for parts unknown. Some say he was crossed in love, others say he owed the Senior class for candy. SLIM’S DOG One fine afternoon a tall clean-cut looking man followed by a huge collie rode into the little western town of Lost River. Ile rode to the Post Office, dis- mounted, left the dog to watch his horse, strode past the small group of loafers to the window, and asked for Frank Pearson’s mail. The sheriff, who was one of the loafers, eyed the dog suspic- iously. The morning before there had