Plymouth High School - Pilgrim Yearbook (Plymouth, MA)

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THE PILGRIM 25 PRINCIPAUS COLUMN S OON after I began the study of German while still a student in a preparatory school, I read a very simple story entitled Ungedank ist der Welt Lohn . The translation is, Ulngratitude is the Reward of the World . This story was composed of citations of several in- cidents, plausible enough to be credible, which tended to prove that the statement contained in the title was generally true. I was not ready at that time, neither am I ready now, to accept the declaration without reservation, for I know there are many, many people who have been sincerely grateful for help given in time of need. On the other hand, the following accounts, the truth of which I can vouch for through personal knowledge, might well have been included in the story. How would you feel if you had loaned a young man a substantial sum of money to enable him to procure a college educa- tion, only to observe that almost before he secured a position he appeared on the road with a brand new automobile and was apparently oblivious to the fact that he had any financial or moral obligation to discharge? Furthermore, how would you feel if the months and years rolled by and no attempt was made to repay th-e- loan or give any explanation as to why the loan could not be repaid? Wouldn't you be constrained to say as did the benefactor concerned in this case, I wonder if it was worth while? Again, you are in the grocery busi- ness. You have been established for a number of years, have a reputation for honest dealing, and have- served your neighbors and friends as customers. The chain stores come in and lure away their patronage. Then one of your former customers has a bit of hard luck and is temporarily unable to pay cash for his purchases. He, therefore, returns to you and asks that you extend to him the privilege of running a charge account, a request you readily grant. What hap- pens? When he regains his financial footing. your erstwhile friend again patronizes the chain stores, leaves you an indebtedness of approximately S200., and cairries his groceries home in a brand new car. Do you feel like doing it again? College men are often quite indiffer- ent to their obligations. I know that in one of our New England colleges only about one-half of the boys aided from the loan fund ever make any attempt to repay their borrowings. Thus they fail to meet their obligations squarely and prevent other needy students from getting assistance. I am compelled to believe that in- stances such as these I have related are typical and occur altogether too fre- quently. I am equally convinced that there are many other situations which offer a direct contrast to them and dis- close much happier conditions. I think there can be no question about which are the more desirable and commenda- ble. Admittedly every one works better, -with much more zest and greater sat- isfaction, if his eiorts are appreciated. A genuine Thank you is a tremendous help. But gratitude can and should ex- press itself in deeds as well as words. May I urge at this time when you are contemplating what the future may have in store for you after graduation that you include as an integral part of your philosophy of life an attitude of genuin-e appreciation? And may I urge further that you give due expression to that appreciation by fulfilling all obliga- tions and by transcending, if possible, the highest hopes of your friends, your well-wishers, or benefactors? I beseech you to do whatever you can to disprove the truth of the declaration that In- gratitude is the Reward of the World. WAYNE M. SHIPMAN Principal Who ever heard of a Cook without any meals? Who ever heard of a Harlow without any goodbye? Who ever heard of a Carbon without any monoxide? Who ever heard of a Hey without any straw? Who ever heard of a Marshall without any law ? Who ever heard of a Neal Witout any stoop? Who ever heard of a Sparr without a boot? Who ever heard of a Cartln without any window? Who ever heard of a Snow without any storm? Who ever heard of a Flagg without a pole? Who ever heard of a Wood without any trees? Who ever heard of a Schilling without any cents? Who ever heard of Holmes without any rents? Who ever he-ard of a Lima without any beans? Who ever heard of a Jessie without any J arnes?

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THE PILGRIM 27 iii ls W I-IURRAH! A HOLIDAY! AS the years roll on, our great holi- days, both national and interna- tional, are gradually losing their mean- ing. The significance of each holiday is being obscured in a morass of celebra- tion. To the schoolboy, a holiday is a glad- some event, mainly because that day is one on which he may escape from school and amuse himself as he pleases. To the worker, a holiday means a few mo- ments of surcease from toil and care. To the housewife and moth-er, alas, a holi- day is not a day of rejoicing, but of work. Usually she must prepare a hearty meal whiile attempting to sub- due exuberant childish spirits. One of the holiday attractions is the creaking festive board. Our principal holidays are almost entirely celebrated with large dinners. In fact, Thanks- giving is looked forward to mostly be- cause of the noble turkey. The custom of eating a lavish meal originated with the Pilgrims, but the thankfulness of our forefathers is forgotten when we plunge into the festivities. Christmas, originally the most solemn celebration of the Christian world, has degenerated into an orgy of gift-giving. The children of today first associate Christmas with the mythical figure of Santa Claus. The presentation of gifts has its association with the first Christ- mas, however, presents are now the major part of our greatest holiday. Somehow, in the mad rush of a depart- ment store at Christmas time, one sees only a mob of avid shoppers hastening to comiplete a disagreeable task as soon as possible. The Christmas gift should satisfy a long-felt Want and should be given selflessly. Too often, he who gives the present merely proposes to surpass the gift which he hopes to receive in return. While the store-made Christmas is very lovely, the home-made Christmas is often more satisfying. Althougwh we still sing carols and somewhat retain the spirit of good-will, the true significance of Christmas has been lost. In the hustle and bustle of the modern world, we find less and less time to devote to sentiment. Surely this day of the year should be commemorated as well as celebrated. On Easter Sunday, a day celebrated throughout the world as a holy day, thousands of Women who do not regu- larly attend church, come to services. The majority of these women come, not because they feel any speoial significance in that day, but because they want to exhibit a new spring ensemble. Chill winter winds may blow, yet only a bliz- zard can prevent the fashion parade be- fore and after services. The choir may sing with the sweetness of angels, the organ may whisper or thunder its ex- ultation, the minister may rise to the pinnacle of eloquence, but all to often Mrs. Smith is distracted by the fact that Mrs. Jones is arrayed in a hat iden- tical to th-at one which she hers-elf wears. Perhaps Memomorial Day is commem- orated with more authentic emotion than any other holiday. Yet, even on the day reserved for urs to reverence the memory of our soldiers, some thought- less individuals consider the time ap- propriate for packing a picnic basket and going for a ride. It is not necessary that one be prig- gish or unduly solemn in the celebration of holidays. However, somehow the spirit with which our forefathers in- tended the holidays to be invested, has been almost submerged by the material 6l6IT19I'1itS. PHYLLIS JOHNSON '37 A WOODLAND RETREAT 'Neath hooded trees of solemn mien, Through aisles unmarked by human tread, I passed alone. That sylvan scene Will long be one I may recall When thinking of what might have been. In calm profound the still retreat Seemed e'er to echo every step As I advanced with eager feet. I was a mere intruder there So far from noise and busy street. The inspirational appeal Of woodlands clad in wintry garb Is something one cannot but feel. The silence and the church-like air Make worldly troubles seem unreal. Thelma Bentley '37