Vergennes Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Vergennes, VT)

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BLUE AND WHITE 15 never heard of it. If you act up. they say, ‘That's no way to be. What’s your philosophy ?’ ” “Terms like that are used in different ways. I think it’s all bosh or else a snappy comeback for something they can’t explain themselves.” Michel was vague and rather cautious. “Well.”—a short pause— “Dad, what is a philosophy of life?” “I haven’t the faintest idea,” said Michel flippantly. “But, I am serious.” “Unfortunately, you are. Forget it.” But. after a moment Michel sobered off and turned sharpely around. “Sit down, young man, and tell me what's the row between you and the dictioanry. I might get the general idea.” “Well, it all started over at school, you know. They said we ought to have a philocophy or think about getting one on the double. Think seriously, they said. What are we here for and so on? It seems a bit far fetched.” People can't be perfectly happy. Something’s always happening. They said Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote Summa Thologica but I don't get the connection. There’s something wrong, you know.” Michel didn’t enjoy that morning walk thsi time. He felt like shaking Mittens for being so happy. And when Mr. Morris said good morning he merely growled at the sidewalk. Matters rapidly went from bad to worse. Not only did Mittens get into a fight with the barber’s moth eaten terrier; he lost the fight as well! Gentle natured as he was, Michel felt mortified at this failing in his pet. To be licked by that bony terrier was too much for Michel, who had harbored a groudge at the barber and his dog ever since the barber had cut his hair too high on the left side. Furthermore, losing Mittens in a reviving door made the poor man doubt the vaunted intelligence of dogs. It as a truly bad dav for Michel and Mittens. So when eccentric Mrs. Hutchins who carried an umbrella for no reason in particular, poked his hat off, Michel indignantly headed for home. I say the man and his dog headed that way. They didn’t get there in any way so’s you'd notice it. For Michel’s troubles with his growing boy and dog were far from over. Mittens almost drowned himself in half an inch of water; Michel himself lost both rubbers; next they met the bouncing dowager who had formerly owned Mittens. She thought he looked poor and told Michel that the poor dog was thoroughly soaked, although Michel himself had realized that sad fact for some time now. Soon an escaped tricycle collided with Michel. Recovering from that. Michel and Mittens decided that they really had to follow the fire truck, especially since the rain was letting up. Thus, it was some time before the pair got home. Dinner as over; Mittens was curled up at his feet; Michel yawned as he watched the cigar fumes swirl toward the ceiling. Suddenly the portieres were rudely shoved aside and his son dashd in to collapse on the nearest ottoman. “Dad,” he began, “It’s bothering me. you know. There's something wrong like I said yesterday.” “Now, son, listen. Don’t get heated up about this philosophy stuff. They ask you your philosophy out of the blue and you don’t fall. You’ve got one but just don’t realize it. The way you have been trained to live, completes your philosophy. You don’t have to read Cannon law to get it, nor will you get it from snappy cracks unless you know what’s back of them. It’s simply that you’re here to serve God in this world and be happy with Him in the next. Unless you realize this, all the philosophy in the world will be no good because you have missed the nucleus and are just swimming in the froth. Now I’d stop worrying about Here the boy interrupted with—“But it—”

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14 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL GETTING TO THE POINT By Frances Casey Michel looked every inch the slightly old maidish and well to do widower walking quickly through the hall. And behind him, the rich portieres fell behind his retreating figure; the gloom he left behind him harbored a defiant son. There he stood, in the square carpeted hallway, with one hand on the door watching in turn, the portieres on the left, the door before him and lastly. he switched his gaze to the stairs which wound dimly toward the upper rooms of the great house. His frown deepened. At length he glanced out the door behind him. where it seemed to be raining harder than when he came in. His momentary indecision vanished at the sound of footsteps behind the heavy portieres, for only one person stepped like that. Michel's son ran lightly up the stairs. “Why is it that he should make such a fuss over a little matter like that?” “The kid is making fuss for two reasons. First because it isn’t a little matter to him. Second, because he doesn't understand it” “Really, John, he shouldn’t be expected to understand such a thing at his age. He shouldn’t even think about such a thing as a philosophy.” “All my sons understood it when they were much younger than your precious William.” “Hum. Even you get roused, John. Why must a man your age snap me up at the mere mention of the subject?” “Well, Michel, you are excited yourself or you wouldn’t bring the matter up tonight.” “Sir! I will not have my son come home from school and ask me my philosophy. We ever imagined such a thing?” Michel’s guest did not answer but went on buttoning his coat. “It’s all poppycock! If he would learn the third grade number chart, it would be more profitable than to waste —completely waste—his time arguing Michel’s son rushed through the velvet portieres in an obviously pugnacious mood. In reply to Michel’s good-natured, “How much money did it take to get you through life today?” he growled, “It’s changed over from money matters to success.” “Now really.” “Why did they pop it so suddenly? I over his philosophy. “I suppose so. Good night.” He was gone then, and the portieres were falling back at Michel’s feet. Michel enjoyed his walk this morning more than usual. The mud he had stepped in didn’t seem to matter. He forgot that he objected to girls running on the street and actually hoped the one in red would reach the corner first because she was the smallest. He even caught himself laughing at the strains of “Pistol Packin’ Mama” which bel-ligerantly followed him down the street. Mittens, his hairy cocker-spaniel, was altogether too frisky for a sedate animal eight years old and misnamed “Mittens” by a bouncing dowager who loved all animals at a distance of ten feet. Michel had always disliked the name, mostly because he disliked the former owner. Yet when he looked at the fuzzy paws pattering pell-mell over the pavement, he decided the bouncing dowagr hadn’t been so far off after all. He really liked that dog. He remembered how bad he had felt the day a professional dog breeder said Mittens resembled a bow-legged bush. Later on, yesterdays rain came calling again in great, splashing drops. To be caught in the downpour worried Michel for Mittens always hated to get wet. Something must be done. Animals did catch pneumonia. So, much as he hated crowded busses. Michel waited at the stop determined to get home as soon as possible. But the bus was late and (when it did come) far too full to suit the fastidious Michel. That is how it happened that Mittens and Michel walked solemnly home in the rain.

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16 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL I don’t mean that. I was just planning to go to the dance tonight.” The movie was spoiled for Michel. It seems there was a cocker spaniel in it who got licked by a bull dog. True it wasn't the barber’s terrier but when Michel went to a show for relaxation, he didn't want it to be quite so true to life. This thought came to him between fits of sneezing, caused by an overdose of perfume from someone in the back row. Michel was annoyed. Still it wasn’t much to get fussed over and he thoroughly enjoyed the walk home. Mcihel trudged up the walk whistling; let himself in the side door, hurried across the hall and snapped on the light. And of course, he promptly fell upstairs and broke his ankle. Twenty minutes later, as Dr. Alberts left the room to call for help in setting Michel's ankle, the boy poked bis head timidly around the draperies. “Nice fix you’re it.” His father said nothing. The ankle hurt plenty. “How is your philosophy standing up? Is life still sweet?” Even as he almost doubted it, Michel, for the first time realized the full truth of that philosophy. SELF RATING SCALE 1. Do you refrain from grumbling about things which you cannot change? 2. Are you unhappy when your friends have better things than you? 3. Are you a good listener when others are talking? 4. Do you remember to thank others for favors and courtesies? 5. Do you interrupt people who are talking without asking their pardon ? 6. Do you refrain from laughing and talking loudly in public? 7. Do you perform your duties in school and at home without being re- minded ? 8. Do you put things back in their proper place after you use them? 9. Do you hand in your school work when it is due? 10. Do you do more than is required of you at home and school? 11. Do you remember to control your temper and not “fly off the handle” when things go wrong at home and in school ? 12. Is your conversation free from gossip ? 13. Do you ask and grant favors in a pleasing manner? 14. Do you wipe your nose on your sleeve ? 15. Do you keep from meddling in other people’s affairs? 16. Do you tend to exaggerate? 17. Do you refrain from making unkind remarks to teachers. 18. Do you think for yourself and not let others unduly influence you? 19. Do you refrain from using personal belongings of others without asking permission? 20. Do you tell your parents about where you are going and have been? Be careful in judging yourself. KEEP ON WITH WAR BONDS ★