St Marys Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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To Buy 01' Not To Bug THERE IS NOTHING quite like a television set! It is one of the few things which gives both trouble and pleasure. Take our set for instance, that is, you could have taken it until a few days ago. It had become the source of nightly entertainment for our family. Then something happened, something which shattered our whole evening routine and which left a lasting impres- sion on me. Because of use, rather than old age, this mixture of mineral and vegetable broke down completely. We had trouble many times before with the contraption-and I say contraption in the true sense of the word-but, this was by far the worst. It was so badly damaged that it was foolish to have it repaired since it would be more economical to buy a new set. Not that it would cost less, but the price for the necessary parts would be almost the price of the set itself. It is so much trouble to keep a television set, I told myself, that it would be a good idea if we didn't buy a new one. ' I imagined I was but echoing the thought of If is dlfficulf fo make . . . THE FIRST FAINT rays of warm sun were beginning to mellow the cool, crisp air of an autumn day-the dawn of Navy Day, 1948. The friendly waters about Pier 48, Brooklyn Dock, seemed to whisper All's well. The local band, dressed in the city colors, was proudly pre- paring to welcome the troopship, U.S.S. Nep- tune, as she came into port, her sides bulging with human cargo. The waves gently caressed the hull with a fond welcome and the ship rapidly eased into place as if to murmur Home Sweet Home. , Among the first to leave ship was a young naval ofiicer, Richard Carr. He sprang down the gangplank and made his way into the loud but very happy crowd and into the arms of his family. fAll the pent-up emotions of those who now saw the answer to four years of constant prayer and waiting were let loose.j The next few weeks brought a big change from navy blue and gold + T1-IEiu5sA SMITH, '54 the whole family, but finally my father brought up the subject of getting a new set. Immediately I spoke up, Remember all the trouble we had with the last one? We don't want that to happen again. Do we? Everyone agreed for a time, then some began to weaken, pointing out that it was a good thing to have and very enjoyable entertainment. I am still holding my ground though, with an opposition so reasonable and determined, that I am fully convinced that I will finally sway the combined opinions of the entire family at the next conference on the subject. Now, as I confi- dently relax in Dad's favorite easy chair, my thoughts turn to my arguments which I plan to open by saying-But wait, who's calling me? Theresa, why are you sitting there dreaming? Don't you hear the doorbell ringing? Is it the man delivering our new television set? Yes, it is, mother. I reply weakly as my hand falls limply on the doorknob. Tim cllolcls JOAN DONNELLY, '53 to white tie and tails as Dick was wined and dined, in a manner befitting the conquering hero. In the days and weeks that followed, Dick received many letters from his shipmates who joy- fully wrote of their newly-launched careers. Dick realized that he, too, must make some definite plans for the future. On December 8th, his twenty-first birthday, Dick announced his choice of a life partner. He had known her all his life, yet those many nights on ship, when he was so homesick and longing to see someone from home, were signs that made him realize how comforting the thought of her could be and how much he needed and depended upon her. His family and friends were delighted with his choice and the date was set for Feb- ruary 2nd. Every moment was spent in busy preparation of flowers, invitations, and the music arrangement.

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But the thing that stands out most in my mem- anyone mentions the Amish or Lancaster County, ory is the old brown mill, and nowadays when my mind always reverts to that scene. MISTAKEN IDENTITY HELENE WALKED SLOWLY up the narrow gravel path toward Saint Rita's High on that fateful day upon which, she felt, her next four years depended. She was to be a Freshman and Helene hoped that she would make a good impres- sion on her classmates when she met them for the first time. Helene, a very pretty girl with a rosy com- plexion topped off by golden hair, had but one defect--a slight scar over her right eyebrow. A slight shyness did not prevent her from getting along well with everybody. Helene had many friends back in St. Louis from which she had moved two weeks ago. These, however, did not ease the loneliness she felt in this strange new city. As she drew nearer to the gray stone building, she could hear the chatting and laughing of the girls who were gathered in groups on the campus. Hi, my name's Carrie. What's yours? She turned around and saw a girl of her own age with curly black hair and twinkling brown eyes, smiling at her. I'm Helene Morris. Are you a freshman, too? she asked. That's right, and we might as well get acquainted now, answered Carrie. I don't remember you from grammar school. No, l just moved here from St. Louis two weeks ago. Well, in that case, how about letting me show you the sights this week? said Carrie. Carrie introduced Helene to some of her friends 'and by the end of the week she was popular among all of the girls except one, julia Gordon. Julia jealously thought that Helene Morris was much too pretty and popular and intended to do something about it. For two weeks everything was wonderful for Helene. But, one day when she came to school, she was ignored by most of her newly-made friends. Although she hadn't seen Carrie yet that day, she knew that when she did, Carrie, at least, wouldn't ignore her. A few days later she saw her in the corridor. Carrie asked Helene to meet her outside at three o'clock. CLAIRE KNAPP, '5 3 To Helene the hands of the clock seemed to take a Century to travel around. Finally, the bell rang, and at three o'clock she stood waiting for Carrie at the bottom of the steps. I've come to explain, Helene, said Carrie. You mean about everyone's ignoring me? asked Helene. At that Carrie thrust her hand into her pocket and pulled out a clipping from a newspaper. julia Gordon brought this in and showed it to a few of the girls. I took it from her before she could show it to anyone else but, 1 supose, news travels. It didn't bother the girls but when their mothers heard it they told them to stay away from you. We didn't believe it was your father, but then you must admit it seems strange, since you moved here from St. Louis with your mother. You can see that all evidence points to him and, well, here, read this, said Carrie. Helene took the clipping and read: Henry Morris Found Guilty of the Murder- of john Partley. She didn't wait to read the rest but immediately invited Carrie to dinner. The invitation puzzled Carrie, nevertheless, she accepted it. When dinner was over, Helene took Carrie up to her room. She opened a drawer, took out a box and looked through the many papers that were in it. Finally, she picked out one and handed it to Carrie. This was also a news clipping but it was ten years old. After reading it, Carrie dropped the clipping and, as she threw her arms about Helene, a tear trickled down her cheek. Can you ever forgive us, Helene Of course, I can, said Helene, and as she said it her eyes fell on the piece of paper and the well-known words glared up at her. an Henry Morris was fatally burned yesterday while saving his four-year-old daughter, Helene, from a raging fre in their laome. Helene escaped wills minor burn: and a :harp cut over ber right eye.

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Finally, the day of the ceremony arrived. Standing in the vestry, Dick could see the altar beckoning with white flowers. Slowly he approached it and took his place. Raising his eyes he saw her, dressed in white, delicately beautiful. She gazed into his loving eyes and Dick felt unbelievably happy. At that moment any doubt was swept from his mind. He knew that his choice was the best. The organ and choir united in the strains of Ave Maria and Our Blessed Lady from her throne seemed to smile sweetly at her young seminarian kneeling reverently at her feet. Vicar of Christ BAGGAGE STORED BELOW, last minute remembrances, the usual tearful goodbyes and off we sailed on an unforgettable trip to Europe. Our luxury liner docked at Naples where our party of six ventured into the fabulous Holy City to visit the many beautiful churches and scenic places. We made the famous pilgrimage twice, witnessed the canonization of a Spanish saint and were present for a public audience. But even though we were stirred by these spectacles, deep in our hearts we anxiously awaited that special invitation to a private audience with our Holy Father. I had endlessly planned what I was going to say and how I would compose myself. But all my practice at poise seemed in vain, since it was only two days before we were to leave Rome and still no invitation had arrived. Then that bright Friday morning there stood the messenger at our door. Our faces lit up like candles. The following day we arose bright and early, eager to start. After breakfast, we dressed for the spirit- ual occasion. Mother and Mrs. Gibbons wore long, black dresses with a black veil covering their heads while Dad wore the regular black dress suit. Since I was younger, I had to wear a white dress and white veil. On our way to St. Peter's Basilica, I nervously JEANINE PASQUARIELLO, '52 rehearsed my lines as if I were about to play the most important role in my life. We were well examined and checked by several guards and then we entered one of the buildings of the Vatican. After fearfully mounting the glorious, white marble staircase, we were ushered through a series of beautifully decorated rooms and requested to remain in the last. After waiting several minutes, which seemed like hours, the people began to whisper, He's coming, the Pope is coming! Suddenly His Holiness, noted for his quickness, came rushing through the doorway. Pius XII was dressed as usual, in a white robe and skull cap and slippers of red velvet, a glorious sight to behold. He began to talk to the pilgrims and finally came to me. My mind went blank, my tongue refused to move, I couldn't remember anything I had prepared and I was petrified. After I had kissed his ring, he began to speak to me in that gentle, peaceful voice. My tongue remained adamant, so my mother kindly offered a few words for me. I didn't realize what had happened until it was over and too late to do anything, for our Holy Father went as quickly as he had come. Nevertheless, the meeting of this magnetic servant of God will ever stand out as the most unforgettable experience of my life. .Sbncn 'Monks dwarf! The .fun doem't make the world .vo bright, . Nor ihe moon doe.: it Jhed lovely light, Since you're away, The dayr are longer: the nights are blue. Our hearlr are heavy, our joker are few. Since you're away. God harlen you home, for .rufely He knows, We mix: you much, as our lonelinefr xhawx, Sinre you're away. joan Smith, '51