Plymouth High School - Pilgrim Yearbook (Plymouth, MA)

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THE PILGRIM 1 PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY Firs! Row, Lydia E. Judd. Elizabeth C. lfelly, Barbara M. Coombs. Secretary to the Prilieipal, Margaret Kennefick, Helen M. Johnson, Miriam A. Raymond, Katherine J. Lang, E. Doris Carey, Second Row, Helen C. Johnson, Jeannette C. Jacques. Louise B. Humphrey, Mary E. Hayes, Charlotte C. Brown, Kathleen McNerney, Nellie J. Locklin, Helen Swift, Amy M. Rafter, Margie E. XVilher Third Row, Edwin B. Young, Arthur G. Pyle, John H. Smith, Charles I. llagnall, Ricllard Smiley, Edgar J. Mongan, Frank E. Fash, VVayne M. Shipman STAFF OF THE I'ILGHIM First How, Alba Martinelli, Lucy Holmes, Stephen Cappannari, Audrey Dutton, Second Row, Marjorie Cantoni, .lean YVhiting, Dorothy Perkins. Iiatharine Laliey, lflelvn lirt-wer Barbara Mellor, Marion Metlinnisg Third Row, Francis Scheid, VVillian1 Pearson, Deane lic-ytes. NY2ll'l'l'll Strong, lSradl'ord Marlin. Charles Cooper, NVZl1'1'l'I1 liradford

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22 THE PILGRIM PROSPICE A new kind of book was pres-ented to me recently by the publishers. It is called Understanding America . This book, which is a collection of essays dealing with various phases of Amer- ican life, is intended to give the reader information whereby he may become ac- quainted with the many aspects of American civilization. I am impressed with its significance, designed, as it is, to help young people visualize many of the problems which must be solved if they are to make satisfactory progress to- ward the development of that type of society which is not only desirable but also possible in a democracy. To under- stand America and its ideals seems to me the crying need of the times. Every thoughtful person, young or old, must be aware that our civilization is con- temporary, ever-changing, and is lead- ing us on with a force and sweep, the ul- timate goal of which is not yet in sight. Therefore, it becomes our duty as well as opportunity to prepare ourselves for useful citizenship to the best of our ability and go forward with our minds open to truth, new or old, whenever or wherever it may be presented to us. Why is this necessary? Because democ- racy is a matter of growth and has not yet reached maturity. Dr. Arthur E. Morgan, pr-esident of Antioch College, states that Democracy is not just a form of government, but a complex social achievement . By that he means that all should share in the wealth and opportunity which society creates, each to the extent which will promote the greatest total welfare. That is a splendid ideal, isn't it? Yet too many Americans have failed to appre- ciate it and have sought to escape from the common lot to a privileged status. This is contrary to the purpose of de- mocracy and has given rise to a spirit of acquisitiveness, false standards of estimating individual worth, and over- emphasis on material wealth. True de- mocracy is possible only with the de- velopment of high individual character and finds its expression only as individ- uals identify their own welfare with that of men in general . If we believe that this is true, then it seems to me that our first duty to democracy is to understand it. We should develop out- looks and appreciations such that, if likewise developed byothers, thoroughly democratic forms of government, busi- ness, and social relationships would be encouraged and eventually established. It is entirely likely that during the years immediately before us as much thought and effort will be given to improving the conception and functions of ademocratic society as have been devoted to the mastery of the physical world during the last two centuries. In all this you are to have an important share. I, there- fore, urge you to assume your responsi- bilities as citizens of a great country with intelligence and diligence. May you get a conception of America not only as it is, but as it ought to be-a nation in which every worthy individual can be guaranteed an honest and comfortable living, a nation in which much more national wealth shall be used to support education, build health and recreation centers instead of 335,000,000 battle- ships, a nation in which crime with its enormous cost is suppressed almost to the vanishing point, in which graft and dishonest practices in business and government shall be eliminated, a nation in which the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution become the guiding motive of conduct in all polit- ical, -ecoinomic, and social life. Such a Utopia will probably not be fully real- ized in our day and generation, but we can help create it by seeing it even afar off and doing our part in contributing to its fulfillment. WAYNE M. SHIPMAN Principal LIFE'S CREED We go out of the early morning Into the noon of life, Success is fair compensation For those who endure the strife. Life itself is a battle That is fought to the bitter end, And they who obey the laws of God Their happy way will wend. Let us remember the rights of others, Let us take all that life will giveg May we give back the best that is in us, And a happy life we shall live. JAMES BOYLE '35

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f Mgm--A-iw, gg ,THE PILGRIM -- L--V ' W it ig L,,S,LLulm- WHERE PATIENCE IS PARAMOUN T FOR three generations our old general store, about a mile from the town and one of New England's passing in- stitutions, has dispensed its general merchandise and Yankee notions to many and widely different types of cus- tomers. In its shabby, dlisordierly in- terior, amid a confusing array of all kinds of provisions and articles, can be found every-thing from baked beans to caviar, and from needles to mowing ma- chinesg while through its ancient door have passed inhabitants of the back woods and those of Park Avenue. It was one of this latter type whose impressive limousine glided silently to a stop before our door late one October afternoon. Assisted gently by her chauffeur, a ponderous dowager labori- ously extricated herself from the luxur- ious interior, and proceeded slowly into the store, her fat, bejewelled fingers fumbling in her bag for a list. Have you the sugar I te-lephoned for? she demanded in a high, authori- tative voice. Yes, my father smiled, we had to send to Boston for it, but- All right, broke in Mrs. Frederick Long Hamilton, Sr., sharply, how much is it . The pound box is seven cents, he replied. Seven cents! shrilled the outraged one raising an indignant lorgnette. Mercy! I can purchase perfectly good sugar at the Super Sanitary Service System for five and one half cents. Yes, but Pierce's is better quality, and has to be- Very well, I shall take it since my sister will use nothing else, she said resignedly, as though performing some noble service. I shall now look at your tea biscuits. We have these kinds in bulk, said my father, indicating a rack of large, glass-covered boxes, which Mrs. Hamil- ton surveyed through the lorgnette as if they were garbage. And the assorted ones in packages, he contin- ued, taking one from the she-lf. The lady seemed slightly more inter- ested, turning the package over and eyeing the label suspiciously. He tore of the cellophane wrapper, andi, open- ing the box, extended it to her. Gingerly she tasted one, but placed it on the count-er shaking her head, Too sweet . Four other kinds were opened which were either too salty, too rich, too chocolate, and always too expensive. Perhaps Mr. Bailey across the street- began my father. Never mind, coldly. The Super- Sanitary Service System will have what I want. Sevente-en of the thirty-one brands of coffee were scrutinized and discussd. This one would not keep you awake at night, this one was dated, that one was advertised on the radio, this one va- cuum-packedi. The final decision was the standard brand sold by the chain store. At the end of thirty minutes, the counter was heaped high with various provisions. Mrs. Hamilton brought the lorgnette into play once more and scanned her list. I believe that will be all, she said. Now let me see. What have I bought? The sugar, said my father. Seven centsf' Well, she said regretfully, drawing out a leather check book, I had in- tended to buy all my goods here so I brought no money with me. And she proceeded to make out a check to herself for ten dollars. Will you cash this, please? she demanded, handing it to him. Puzzled, he opened the cash register and pawed about for small bills. Oh,-and you may deliver the sugar, she added. We're still at the summer place in Manomet, you know. Yes, he knew.-It was five miles down there. Profit on sugar one and one half cents: cost of gasoline-oh, well-. He handed her the money. Thank you. They accept only cash at the Super-Sanitary Service System, you know. CHARLES Coornn '35