Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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what, to his charitable mind, is the result of longings for the departed 'fold 'un. In the home where Barkis lies dying, we find our friend supporting his sister, comforting Emily, counselling Ham. Even at the moment of starting on the sorrowful quest for his lost child, he has a thought for the loneliness of Mrs. Gummidge. Then, when he has ended his quest and is in the midst of preparations for departure, he makes careful provision for her and Ham and Peggotty. He thought of everybody's claims and strivings but his own? That it was a hardship for a man of his years to leave home and begin life anew in a wild country seems never to have entered his mind. A natural outcome of such a life for others is his modesty. If any of the family referred to his generosity, ff he struck the table a heavy blow, and swore a dreadful oath that he would be 4 gormed' if he did'n't cut and run for good if it was ever mentioned again. So on Davidis last visit to the old boat, he says, Mrs Gummidge has worked like a -I don't know what Mrs. Gummidge an't Worked like 3 but of Mr. Peggotty's Work not a word. Cheerfulness, courtesy, strength, sympathy,-such are the marked characteristics of this man. Yet, in saying this, We have spoken only of the leaves and branches of the tree. For this man's life is rooted and grounded in a love so gentle that he sympa- thizes with the suffering, even when they are disturbing his comfort, so strong that he bears heavy burdens for the sake of loved ones, and scarcely knows that they are bur- dens g so unselfish that he never broods for a moment upon his wrongs but rather strives to bless those who have wronged him. This love extends beyond the home circle. The traveller who crosses this good man's path recognizes it and is glad to journey with him 5 the little children feel it and flock about him g and afterward, when sorrow has t1'ied and strengthened it, the once abhorred outcast, Martha, finds herself enfolded with it. Here, as always, it blossoms into deeds, prompting Mr. Peggotty to take the unhappy girl with him to the new home. Surely this love H suffereth long and is kind, seeketh not her owng beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Surely We are lifted a little higher above all that is unworthy and selfish, and brought to a better un- derstanding of the perfect Love which never faileth, by companionship with this cheery, patient, sturdy fisherman, Mr. Peggotty. III H. G. '05. Seniors' Impressions of the Teachers. DR. BECKYVITH. 4' High thanks I owe thee who doth enlarge the meaning of all my thoughts. - Emerson. Miss WARREN. H O Woman, in our hours of ease, Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, VVhen pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou! W-Scott. 19 ,

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Mr. Peggotty. IPRIZE Essfnnl p The characters of Dickens are interesting, not so much for what they do, fascina- ting though that is, as for what they are. They are so human and individual that they live on in our memories long after we have forgotten their places in the story. Such a living reality is Mr. Peggotty. Awkward and at times child-like to the point of absurdity, he is yet a true nobleman. No knight of the Round Table ever better exemplified utter hardihood, utter gentleness and loving, utter faithfulness in love. A poor fisherman, our hero has little outward polish, but he has something far better, the courtesy of the heart. His home is ruled by a spirit of kindliness, and is thrown open to all corners with a cordial hospitality. Now and again, too, we catch glimpses in his character of a gentleness and delicacy of feeling worthy of the highest refinement. llear him as he speaks to Emily, on that night when the soul of Barkis is going out with the tide: ff It's such a loving 'art, he says, ff that it can't abear the sorrer of this. Its nat'ral in young folk, when they're new to these here trials, and timid, like my little bird,-it's natlralf' As we watch him stroking her delicate head, we feel that no culture could teach him to deal more tenderly and eonsiderately with her shrinking heart. Again, he feels as if l'Imily's little belongings ff was her a'most. 'fl couldn't see one of 'em rough used a purpose,- not for the whole wureld, he says. As we listen, we can but feel the chivalry, amounting almost to reverence, awakened in his great heart by her gen- tleness and beauty. Balancing and throwing into relief his gentleness a1'e a wholesome cheerfulness and a steadfast strength. llow well we know his cheery smile l llow we love to join in his hearty laugh, -- a laugh, perhaps, at his own expense, for being 4' a babby in the form of a great Sea l'orkypinel NVith what fortitude he sustains the sighs and tears of Mrs. fiummidgel llow hopefully he looks toward the future when, almost an old man, he sets out with limily for Australia! Un that last visit to England, too, burdened though he is with his darling's broken spirit, how much he finds over which to be eheerful and even merry l l'nderlying his eheerfulness is his strength. We feel it whenever we lneet him. Quietly, as if it were a little thing, he takes up the burdens laid down by his brothers. I'i-esenlly one of those whom he has befriended brings grief upon him. lle shoulders this new burden as unhesilatingly as he has the others, planning, overcoming his pro- judiees, spending ungrudgingly, yet tolling on foot through sunnner heat and winter eold that he may save what he eau for the lost one. Nor is he less noble when, suffer- ing under the insults olTered him at Sleerforth's home, he restrains the passionate words whieh lliroln through his mind. lVe must notiee here, too, the sturdy indepen- denee nilh whieh he refuses to use Sl,4FUl'fHl'l,ll.N money, even for l'lmily's rescue. llni. noble us are these trails, there is in Mr. Peggotty yet a liner, his utter self lorgetfulness in the joys and sorrows of others. lVhen Mrs. flunnnidgo casts a gloom upon his otherwise eheerful home, his only feeling is a sincere sympathy for IH

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Miss MARTIN. ff And still we gazed. and still the wonder grew That one small head could carry all she knew. - Goldsmith. Miss BECKWITH. ff I am all the sisters of my father's house, And all the brothers too. Miss BAKER. 'f So well she acted all and eve1'y part By turns-with vivacious versatility. -Byron. Miss LEAROYD. ff One who prompt at Duty's call Is free to urge her claims on all. - Whittier. Miss DEANE. A sweet and gracious voice, the index of a sweet and gracious nature. - Oorson. Miss RoGERs. . ....... H Every thought and mood Might thoroughly from thy face be understood. -Shakespeare. Mn. ARCHIBALD. H He tossed us Schumann's sparkling airsg H Q Q lr K I Q The very roof with plaudits shook. -Trowbridge. Miss DODGE. ff Great feelings hath she of her own, Which lesser souls may never know. -Lowell. Miss GOLDSMITH. 'f A cheery lip, a bonn y eye, a passing pleasing tongue. -Shakespeare. Mn. Moons. Ile is the essence that inquires. -Emerson. Mn. WHITNEY. One who suffers every day from the want of perception of beauty in people. - Ma. Armies. H The pattern of all patience. -Slmlrvsprare. Mn-in PAINIQ. ff 0 wise and upright judge, We do pray for mercy. -bhakeapearc. 20 Enwrson