St Marys Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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dwelt on the situation in which they had just been involved. Without voicing it, each one feared that disqualification in -the extempore event would ruin their school's chances for the cup. Yet, if they had it to repeat, Peg and her friends realized that their course of action would have been the same. Leaving the chapel several minutes later, the girls met the other students of St. Margaret's. Mary began to relate their story. Gee, I wouldn't have known what to do and I'm sure I'd have been scared to death! ex- claimed Joyce, breathlessly. I hope our chances won't be ruined by your disqualification, interjected Gail, realistically. We're hoping that, also, said Peg, although we will just have to leave it up to Godf' Hurrying back to the announcement room, the contingent from Saint Margaretls exchanged greetings with the other ora-tors, returning from the last scheduled event. All faces were alight with eager anticipation. Finally, after weeks of preparation, their toil was to be rewarded with success-all hoped. Silence prevailed as Dr. Hostler began to speak. We realize that this has been a long and tedious day for you competitors, and I know that you are all eagerly awaiting the name of the winner. After carefully tabulating the points, we find the winner to be Cathedral High, scoring 94 points. In second place, St. Margaret's, with 93 points, and third, St. Joachim's with 80 points. On the basis of this, the trophy will be aaa ,uma 12011 Children, be kind to your neighbors, just bid them the time of the day, A smile won't cost you a penny, But a kind word will go a long way. Be kind to the homeless, the blind and the poor, God loves them dearly, you know. just lend a hand when it's needed, You reap only what you sow. Don't let this vast world fool you, Do things for the good of your soul. The kind deeds you do in this world, Will put you on God's Honor Roll. Ann Gallagher, '56 retired to Cathedral High with our sincerest compliments. Thank you all for making this tournament at Forrest College a success. 'KI wonlt cry, thought Peg. HI won't look silly in front of all these people. After all, we're second. Despite her brave front, Peg felt weighed down by a heart of lead. The sickening reali- zation that her disqualification meant the cup, dwelt with Peg. She couldn't justify her con- science with the knowledge that an elderly woman had been aided. All that she could see was the brilliant, gleaming, gold trophy permanently placed in the hall of her arch-rivals. No words of consolation from her chums could help, it seemed. Sensing the tears beginning to well up, Peggy decided to bring her troubled mind to God. Only He could console her now. Upon reaching the chapel, she sank down in one of the pews. A sense of complete rest crept over Peg as she quietly knelt in this serene, tranquil abode. Fumbling in her purse, Peg found what she was looking for. It was the prayer that Father Cartwright had given her last week. Ah, here are -the words I want, thought Peggy. 'Q . . Help me, O Lord, to accept Thy Will. Even though what we desire may seem meet and just to our finite minds, aid us to realize Thy infinite wisdom . . f' Yes, Peg realized that inner peace and the realization that what we have done is right is far greater and more precious than a thousand trophies of pure, solid gold. p t.t. Dear Mother, my guide to Heaven be, May the light of God's love shine upon me. Show my faltering steps the way, Help me to do God's will this day. In death's last agony, Mother dear, Then, above all, oh, please, be near. That forever in Heaven I may rest, With your Son and you in eternity blest. Elizabeth Zanine, '57

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Peg learned that . . All That Glitters ls Not Gold S IT STOOD THERE, bright and re- splendent, the gleaming, gold cup was the center of the admiring group. The sun, casting its warm rays through the windows, served to emphasize the pure richness of the trophy. Suddenly, the attention of everyone was drawn to a short, stocky man, rapping on the desk for attention. ffFirst of allf' he announced, lid like to welcome, on behalf of Forrest College, -the ora- tors from four states, to the third annual speech tournament. As you all know, the prize for the school earning the greatest number of points, is the beautiful trophy before you. It has been won in the past two years by Cathedral High and, if they succeed in capturing it this year, the cup is to remain there permanently. There- fore, without further delay, I shall outline the day's events, of which there will be five: debating, public speaking, extempore speaking, discussion, and dramatic reading. Any school represented by more -than three speakers in each event will be disqualified. Also, any speaker, late for an event, is disqualified and his or her school loses any points gained in that event by any other speakers. The first event begins at 10:30 A. M. and the last one will end at 5:00 P. M. Please return to this room by 5:30 P. M. for the an- nouncement of the award. Looking around the room, the viewer is greeted with a variety of expressions on the faces of the young boys and girls seated informally about this spacious chamber. Some faces reflect appre- hensiong some, hopefulnessg others, worry, a few, eagerness, and still more, excitement. After Dr. Hostler concluded his speech, draw- ings began to determine the placement of the schools in the forthcoming events. As Peggy Livingstone turned around to speak to the other representatives of Saint Margaret's Academy, she could not overcome a feeling of excitement, mingled with apprehension, creeping up inside of her, Although Peg was an experi- enced speaker, she was always seized with a pre- tournament nervousness. Victory could mean a great deal to St. Margaret's. How happy she would be to contribute to the attainment of that PHYLLIS A. LI VoLsI, '55 victory! Continual preparation and practice for over two months would then be richly re- warded. The first event was debating, to be followed immediately by lunch. Next, came public speak- ing. At two o'clock, Peggy and two of her friends were crossing the campus in search of the build- ing in which the extempore speaking was to be held. After being told by a passer-by that it was a ten minute walk, Peg and her chums were alarmed to note that they had exactly fifteen minutes before the event would begin. Realizing that disqualification was the penalty for tardi- ness, the girls increased their pace to a near run. Suddenly a car, seemingly coming out of no- where, in a burst of speed, careened and swerved from its straight course and rushed straight for a panic-stricken, elderly woman, who was attempt- ing to cross the street. Before anything could be done, the car sent the woman sprawling in the street. The girls, half dazed, ran over to the vic- tim and tried to help her. The car, without the least halt, raced headlong down the street at top speed, leaving the girls numb with disbelief. Fortunately, the hit-and-run vehicle had only grazed the woman, but she was in a state of un- consciousness. With nobody nearby, they were at a loss as to what to do. Attempting bravely to regain her composure, Peg sent Mary to find a doctor or, at any rate, a person who could help them. A few minutes later, Mary returned with a doctor and the woman was quickly trans- ported to the hospital. Of course, the girls went along to the hospital in case the woman might regain consciousness while being driven. Not until after the doctor told the girls that every- thing would be all right, did they realize that they had been disqualified from the event. Look- ing at their watches, all were surprised to see that it was a little after four o'clock. Because of the kindness of the doctor who drove them back to the campus, the girls arrived at the college by a quarter to five. Peg decided that since all the other schools were participating in events at this moment, a visit to the chapel would be in order. Kneeling in prayer, each girl's thoughts

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I SHOULD HAVE REALIZED I CAN REMEMBER PLAINLY the day they moved into the big white house next door to me. And I never, until this day, realized why they left. I suppose they had a good enough reason. It was stupid of me not to notice, not to know. The Jacksons arrived shortly after 1:00 P. M. on that particular Saturday. It was one of those cold, dreary days when the biting winds would pierce one's body like a newly-sharpened knife. The furious winds, combined with the constant banging of the screens, caused a howling and screeching sound. As I sat sewing the final hem on the altar cloth, I felt that this was a sign, a warning. The neighborhood has changed quite a bit in the past years. Most of my friends have moved to the city and some of them have even passed away. No, there's not too much left for a woman who has grown old. The things that meant so much to me in my youth are now re- placed by the new and modern. We see the old movie house as an elaborate night club. Even Eddie's Candy Shop is now a famous restaurant. These young folks have really taken over the town, but I imagine they are entitled to their own life. I know none of them yet, for they have never spoken -to me. Several times, I've passed the children playing in the lot. They have fun there by themselves. I only pray that they don't grow up to be as hard and malicious as some of the parents. How cruel can they be? Do they treat others the way they treated the Jacksons? Mrs. Jackson made her acquaintance with me a short time after moving into her new home. She was a polite, well-spoken woman who, I imagine, through our conversation, was about thirty. Her husband, a laborer, worked for the railroad in the nearby town. In hopes of some- day being a physician, he would stay in town three nights a week to attend school. Those nights, when her husband would stay in town, EILEEN CLEARKIN, '55 Mrs. Jackson would sometimes visit me. We would talk about the usual -things, all the trouble moving entails and how hard it is to get settled in a new town and make friends. But Mrs. Jackson had more than just the usual troubles, she was not accepted by the community. They wanted no part of her or her family, and they showed her this in every way possible. Night after night, she would cry and tell me what they had done to her that day. Monday, it was broken windows. Tuesday, the car was spattered with paint, Wednesday, threatening 'phone calls at all hours of -the night. Every day there was something new, something more malicious and hateful. This went on for two months. They would not stop! They did not care whom they hurt. The Jacksons could not be accepted. Why? Mrs. Jackson and I helped each other in various ways. I gave her some slight consola- tion, and she, in return, gave me pleasant com- pany. I rarely had company. Once in a while an old friend would drop by, but this did not happen often. Starry, my dog, has been my steady companion for almost a year now, watch- ing constantly every step I take, each thing I touch. The mind does not work so quickly when it grows old. Each thought must be concentrated on, taken apart and placed together again. Slowly the pieces fall into place and the puzzle forms a picture. And the picture which is the Jackson's story, I shall carry to my grave. Yes, the Jacksons wanted to stay, they niade untold efforts to do so. They ignored the names people shouted at them, the stones they threw, the damage they had done. But, in order to protect their lives, they had to leave. As I said, an old woman's mind is slow. 1 have just realized something I should have reali- zed six months ago. If only I had had Starry's eyes. But how was I to know they were black, when I myself, am blind?