Plymouth High School - Pilgrim Yearbook (Plymouth, MA)

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THE PILGRIM 13 THESE LANDLUBBERS My friend looked at me dubious- ly and then turned to survey the canoe which was drawn up on the beach. You're sure you can paddle that thing? she asked. You can't have had much experience if you bought it only three days ago. Sure, I know all about canoes, I lied cheerfully. All you have to do is sit still and nothing can pos- sibly happen. Still looking rather doubtful, Ethel stepped into the canoe and sat down at one end. I pushed the Kemah oif the sand and gracefully jumped in. That is, I intended to be graceful but somehow or other the Kemah must have moved, for I didn't land in the middle, and she began to rock. Ethel turned pale and grabbed the sides of the canoe, but I calmly picked myself up and acted as if it were a common occurrence. I paddled towards the island which was about a mile away. It was a wonderful afternoon, the sun was shining and the water was just like glass. There were quite a few pleasure parties on the lake and soon a motor boat came near. 'Someone shouted and waved, and I raised the paddle in the air to return the salute. I was perfectly safe, I had mere- ly stood up to see who was shout- ing, but Ethel gasped, Oh, do be careful l and made a grab for me. That rocked the canoe and I sud- denly sat down. By this time I was disgusted with Ethel. Twice she had nearly turned us over by her foolish ac- tions. However, I woulcln't be the one to spoil the picnic so I paddled on. Suddenly I had to sneeze and I pulled my handkerchief from my pocket. Out came my pocketbook along with it and flew into the wa- ter. Although I leaned over the side and tried to get it before it sank, my efforts were in vain. I looked at Ethel and her face was a greenish color. How thoughtless I had been! Of course, she wasn't used to the water and I had kept her there in the hot sun for over an hour. I always admit my mistakes, though, so I immediately took her back to shore. Well, don't you believe now that I can paddle a canoe? I asked, as we were walking up to the hotel. We've been out for nearly two ljuurs, and we didn't have an acci- dent. Ethel gave a little shudder. I guess she must have caught cold. Oh, er yes, she stammered, I enjoyed it very much. When will you come out again, -tomorrow? I asked. She hesi- tated. I'm sorry, I have to go back to town for a few days, she said. I'll come with you some other time. Ethel's a funny girl. She's not very enthusiastic about boating. She'd never get into a boat if it weren't for my generosity. '25 .........li..- ARE SALESMEN BORN OR MADE . Persevere! If at first you don't succeed, try try again. You have been at it now since eight this morning. What is the matter with you, anyway? Now when you go into this house, make up your mind not to leave until you have sold to your prospect. With this advice from his boss, Jim Cobb, a new salesman on the job, entered the door of his prospective customer. Good morning, madam, said Jim. Nice weather we're hav- ing.

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12 THE PILGRIM afternoon when the Bixbys came. Well, we did get here anyway! they chorused gleefully. Yes, I see, murmured Mrs. Clayton. Then you - didn't write ? Why, no. We weren't to, if we could come, you know. Yes- er -I mean no, stam- mered the hostess. After the hastily prepared meal was over, Mr. Clayton and his eld- er son and daughter met in a se- cluded corner of the library. Now whose letter do you sup- pose it was? began Jimmy. Mine, groaned the father. I know it's mine-and it means hun- dreds of dollars to me. Why father! exclaimed the other two in unison. Yes, it does. Dennison was go- ing to drop me a line here if cer- tain things happened. And if they have happened, and I don't sell my Marconi before to-morrow noon, i1,'ll mean-well, there'll be the dickens to pay. On the other hand, if those things havenit happened, and I do sell - it'll be worse. Both Ethel and Jimmy assured him it must have been the letter and went off, feeling easier in their minds. On Thursday morning, the maid brought in the mail and left it at her master's plate. One for you, Julia, he began, and-by Jove, here's Dennison's letter, he finished joyfully. Twenty minutes later, with head erect and shoulders back, he could be seen hurrying down the street. Behind him, on the porch steps, were a young man and a young girl looking at each other in blank dis- may. . You said you were expecting a letter, didn't you? began Ethel hopefully. Well, so were you, weren't you ? Yes, but-- Well, don't you think it's yours? - It might be, but- You said you thought it was yours, the first thing. Yes, I know, but,-well, per- haps it is. ' Of course it is, asserted James as he ran down the steps, leaving Ethel looking after him in vague wonder. That noon the mail brought three letters, all of which Ethel pocketed. I know which one I'll read first, she said as she hurried to her room. That night Jimmy refused to come to dinner, saying he did not feel well. Yet, later that evening, after a sharp peal of the door bell and a knock at his door, he left the house, and one who saw him then would not say he looked like a sick man. a The next morning Ethel rushed headlong into the dining-room. Oh, Jimmy! she cried. It was your letter the dog hadg here it is! But it wasn't, replied the young man. I got it last night- special delivery. Yes, it is. Teddy found it in a hole under the barn. See! Well, it is for me, muttered Jimmy as he saw his own name among the marks left by the dirty paws and sharp teeth. Humph! he ejaculated as he looked at the paper which the envelope had con- tained. What is it? asked the rest of the family. It's an advertising letter from the Reynolds' kennels. Do you think we-er-need another dog? F. OTTEN '25

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14 THE PILGRIM Yes, considering that it has rained for four days without much of a stop between times. Jim was quite upset by this re- ply. Why hadn't he remembered that the weather had not been good? But nothing daunted he went on with his sales-talk. I am here this morning mad- am, to sell you some Royal Baking Powder. That did sound rather awkward, Jim thought, but he re- membered What his boss had said. I don't use that brand, and I don't think I care to, was the sharp retort. But surely you might give it a trial. No, young man, you can't sell me any of your old baking pow- der. I'm perfectly satisfied at the present time with the kind I'm using. But I'll tell you, if I Wanted to try a different kind, I wouldn't try Royal. This aroused Jim's anger, but he saw before him the words, AL- WAYS BE POLITEJ' Madam, I'm sorry you feel thus about our product, but Royal Bak- ing Powder has been in use for twenty-five years now, and its good reputation will always last. Your neighbor, Mrs. Brown, uses it, and would have given me an order, but she is already stocked up with Royal Baking Powder. Huh, she uses it, you say? Well, I always did wonder how she made such lovely cakes and biscuits. It must be the baking powder. Here was a hope, and Jim 'grasped it. Yes, our product does wonders. It is used by all the leading bak- eries, and a woman of your ability should be able to turn out marvel- ous creations with it. A little ilattery, Jim decided, might help. Just let me show you the help ful cook book that is given to you free with your pound can of baking powder. Not that I doubt your knowledge of cooking, or think that you need a cook book, but there are many new and tasty dishes described in it, which might, appeal to you. . No, I never use a cook book but some of these new-fangled things in these pictures do look good.. John always did like a change in his food. Yes, I'm sure your husband would approve of your purchase. Oh, yes, and we also are giving a cake-turner and a cross Word puz- zle with every can you buy. A cross word puzzle, did you say? My, but I'm just crazy about them! And you give one free with every can of baking powder ? 6'Yes, and they're good ones. Does your husband care for cross' word puzzles too? If .so why not buy two cans and then he can have a puzzle as well. What a clever idea! I'll take- three cans and get a puzzle for my daughter, too. After the conclusion of the sale,. Jim. walked out to his boss with a light heart. His greeting was, Well, boss, I was just beginning to think that salesmen had to be born, but I've changed my mind - they can be made. L. SMITH '25 A FRUITE UL TALE Once upon a time a young lady' and a young man were sitting be- side a small river on the beautiful continent of Atlantis which conti-- nent, it is claimed, lay in the At-- lantic, and of which Cuba is now' the only remaining part. Strangely enough they were- sitting on opposite sides of the stream, quarreling in a foreign- tongue. Ban 1 I she shrieked, Ukopdof- fylala!l which means, Ban, all right for you! Veeka, Anna, he answered equally loud, Hsuppytumta rum-