Scituate High School - Chimes Yearbook (Scituate, MA)

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14 ©DnDiiiiiies Before the invasion of Holland, she was very confident of Holland ' s defenses. She said that for a small country. Holland was well defended, and that thev had flooded their lands so as to make Holland harder to invade. She even made fun of Hitler and of his shouting when he was addressing an assembly. Then on May 10. 1939. war actually did come to Holland. She expressed her thoughts of war when she wrote. Oh. Barbara, there is nothing so terrible as war. On one of the first days of the invasion of Holland, her family re- ceived a telegram, that her brother had been seriously wounded. She described very vividly the automobile trip to reach him through smol- dering towns, dead bodies and fires — and then their disappointment at finding him dead — and the cross which stands over his grave with the inscription. Here lies Martin Herman Kerstolt, fell for land and queen at the age of only twenty years. She herself barely escaped death when a stray bullet flew beside her head. Now. as she says it is a little more quiet there; people have been rebuilding homes and towns, and starting over again under a new gov- ernment. Her recent letters are of course cen- sored, and they fail to arrive as regularly as before. She very cleverly avoids saying any- thing which the censors might cross out. She has mentioned Dr. Seyps-Inquart. their German chief. She has remarked that perhaps we felt things were worse than they really were, but in contrast to this she has expressed her desire to come to America. She has noted also that she wishes she could say what she thinks. I feel that her thoughts concerning her coun- try ' s defeat are typical of those of other con- quered people. Certainly people who have been used to freedom as we know it. niust find it extremely hard to suffer having this freedom removed. It is difficult for us in America to imagine losing our freedom. We should there- fore be deeply s nipathetic with these people, and work not only to secure our own liberty, but to win back freedom for all conquered people. THE WAR EFFORT: How It Affects High School Students Edward Gilchrist, ' 42 At this time in the history of our country, the war effort is paramount in the thoughts of many high school students. We want to do every- thing possible to help win the war. but we want to do it sensibly and in the right way. When Japan unleashed her treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. the whole L nited States awoke from its lethar gy with a start, realizing for the first time that war was actually upon us. Man of the senior bovs wanted to enlist in the naval or armed forces immediately in order to do the most they could for their country. After the first frenzy of war had died down, however, everyone finally real- ized that they probably would be more valuable to the war effort if they stayed in school and got their diplomas. Then they would be better equipped to become efficient soldiers and better citizens of the post-war world. The girls too were anxious to do their bit for their country, and wondered what the could do to help. Of course they couldn ' t join up and fight but they could help the boys who did do the fighting. All over the country women and girls by the thousands began knitting sweaters, caps, and other warm things and establishing community houses where the soldiers could get a bit of companionship and relaxation. Now, however, since we ' ve recovered from our first war time frenzy and are settling down to a steady effort for victory, we all must stop and think what we can do to help the war effort. There are innumerable wa)s to help, but here are a few. The boys can become assistant air- raid wardens or volunteer firemen; they can collect waste materials, a project which is both profitable and ])atriotic: and they can help dur- ing possible air raids by knowing first aid and other things that are necessary. The girls can knit for the soldiers and sailors: they can help at the L .S.O. centers and other similar jjlaces; and lhe also can learn first aid and what to do during an air raid. An(jthcr thing that both boys and girls can do. as well as evervbod) else, is to buy defense l)onds and stamps. The soldiers are helpless uidess the) ha e equipment to fight with, and the equipment is made possible b) the dollais that we invest in defense stamps and bonds. We all love our country and everything it stands for; so let us buy all the bonds and stamps we can and help in ever way possible so that our freedom will be assured for our- selves and our posterity. » Heard in Locker-room — ■ Of course I wouldn t say an thing about her unless I could sa something good. And, oh boy, is this good!

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13 LITERARY EDITORIALS WHAT COMES NEXT? Abbie Barnes, ' 42 These spring days and the many opportu- nities waiting for us in the world today find our senior class ready and anxious to graduate. In a few weeks weTl be getting our diplomas, and then our numerous abilities will be used for various serious purposes. Some of us will go out to get jobs; some will go on to higher schools and colleges to prepare for business or profes- sions; and many of the boys will be training to serve in the armed forces of the United States. No matter where we may be or what we ma) be doing, all of us will be helping to bear the burdens of our government. Whether we go on to school, get jobs, or join the service, we shall all assume more and heavier responsibilities: and as citizens of a country like ours, we shall be proud to do our very best for it. Come what may, we should all prepare our- selves for the tasks that will confront us. and make the best of the many opportunities that are given to us. It has been said that young people never realize until after they graduate how lucky the) are to be able to go to school. Perhaps some don ' t, but in such hectic times as these most of us probably do realize it. Ever since we ' ve been old enough to understand what was going on in Europe, we ' ve been told that many young ])eople our own age over there were deprived of the opp(jrtunities of getting a lib- eral education such as we may have if we want it, so that by now, we ought to fully realize the advantages of having a democratic government which is so liberal. No matter whether we are in the armed service, or whether we are a part of the national defense program, if we apply the results of our liberal education and work together, we ' ll help our country out of this tur- moil. As we come to the close of our high school years, we all have one thought and hope in our minds — that soon, very soon, peace shall pre- vail throughout all the countries of the world. INVASION AND DEFEAT Barbara Murphy, ' 42 Many of us have wondered how people feel to be suddenly overcome by a foreign nation, and how they are affected when they lose the freedom that they have been accustomed to for many years. I have corresponded for some time with a girl in Holland. She is about my age, and is as proud of Holland as we are of America. I think she is typical of many people who have put up a stubborn resistance, but have finalh had to ) ield to the enemy.

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IS HOMEWORK A LA MODE Frances Williams, ' 43 | yrxa ||I EAT iiivenlioii. the radio. I think as |ip =4 I turn the aforemenlioned on. having |l til already sharpened my pencils and col- lecled niy books |)reparatory to doing fjm homework. I am hoping lo hear some II I music, but no luck! As the sounds grow more distinct, what do I hear but someone extolling the merits of the corn cereal. Korny. Maybe the product is corny, but it has nothing on the announcer. 1 think savagely to myself as 1 turn the dial. The sound of nuisic strikes my ear. liopefulh 1 adjust the dial lo bring the station in more clearly. This lime 1 hear Anton Dvorak ' s Hu- moresque as played by the New York Philhar- monic Orchestra, no less. Grindy I go on turning the dial. Soon I am given explicit directions as to how to get the most for my money by buying Sud-z, the new improved soap for washday. Buy some TO- DAY! In this same harsh, raspy voice I hear the usual plaintive queries: Will our friends return safely? Does Maggie Snoop find her lost lover? Listen tomorrow to ' The Life of Maggie Snoop ' and find out. With great disgust I turn the dial to yet an- other station. My ears prick u|) (figuratively, of course) as I hear Glenn Millers orchestra. Blissfully I settle back to enjoy it and start my homework I never can do anything unless I ' m listening to the radio I . Now it ' s all fixed, not so soft that I have to make an effort to listen to it nor yet so loud that I have to make an effort not to listen to it. Did you ever try to concentrate on The House of Seven Gables while listening to In the Mood ? The picture of Hepzibah and Clifford hearing such music strikes my fancy. I chuckle silently to myself, still automatically turning the pages, but. strangely enough, missing half the story. I am brought suddeidy back to my senses by a call equivalent to Come and gel it! Will I. I think, and fall half way downstairs in my frenzied attempts to get to the table. Supper over, dishes done, once again I turn m thoughts to homework. Again 1 ha e the same diflicullies wilii connnercials. Why were they ever invented? That sounds like I Love a Mystery ' — I must listen to that. Neverthe- less, 1 pick up Cicero, determined to do or die. Soon I have Jack and Doc fighting. Mithradates and Cicero all mixed up in a bear trap. So 1 leave Cicero where he is and turn again lo Jack and Doc. After they have finished their exploit; for another week. I try my luck with math. Soon the telephone rings. 1 pull busily down, oidy to have some innocent soul ask how tht- math problems are done. I chase upstairs to find my math book, tripping over everything in sight, not to mention the things out of sight. Victo- rious. I again arrive at the phone. Not having llie first idea how the problems are done, I sit down and start explaining, hoping the inspi- ration will come. As usual 1 end u|) taking th- direi lions. Math s all done. I sing trium- phantly to myself. Upstairs again 1 think. There s an essay that really should be written tonight. Il ' s two days late already: still belter late than never. I sit down, pencil poised just ready to set my inspira- tions down. There ' s just one thing wrong, — I have no inspirations. Accordingly I think. A few more days won ' t matter much. Again I turn to the wireless. Just as another commercial comes on, I fall asleep. Yes, yes! Great invention the radio. SOUNDS Maria Mansfield, ' 43 Foreword: With all due respect to Henrv David Thoreau s appreciation of homely, wood- land sounds. I give them a different interpre- tation. 1 have spent a day and a night in ap- proximately the same surroundings that he describes. » » -» Mv house was on the side of a hill, a few yards from a beautiful pond, slightly stagnant to be sure, but covered by soft, luxuriant scum and encircled by slimy logs, briers, and small holly trees. The delightful stillness was punctu- ated by the sneezes of my brother, whose ha - fever was irritated by the goldenrod, and th ' mournful but delicious sound of a dog. howling and barking at a squirrel that he had treed. Thrilled by these delightful woodland sounds. 1 wandered idly to the shores of the pond. As I looked out upon its smooth, scummy surface. 1 heard a plop, as if a wet dish rag had been thrown in a dish pan full of soapy, greasy water. It was an entrancing little turtle with orange spots on its back. Continuing along the path thai bordered the pond. I encountered one of the aforementioned little dirtv wet dogs. As much surprised as I, he scuttled off in the bushes,