Wells High School - Crimson and Gray Yearbook (Southbridge, MA)

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THE CRIMSON AND GRAY country life in the diversity of its various occupations of pleasure. The woods possess an additional charm in the odor proceeding from the wild grapes hanging m dark clus- ters from overhanging limbs or along stone- walls. Though we miss the chestnut, the walnut and hazelnut yield abundance of fruit, and hunting and angling are at the height of their popularity. Winter is not all slush, wind, storm and cold. There is the bracing air, the skating, skiing, snow-shoeing, sleighing and coasting ; besides hunting and that most exciting of all sports, fishing through the ice. We hear every year of many who go abroad in search of historical ground. Yet, I dare say that few of them have ever visited the Indian landmark, Steerage Rock, Indian Rendezvous, Hatchet Pond, Dennison Rock, and other points of interest. But after see- ing or enjoying these things is it not a pleas- ure to retain some slight souvenir such as a photograph? The pleasures of the camera are not realized until one has experienced them. The expectancy, failures, successes, are all keenly interesting. In a sense, and by some people, this might be called a dead town, but is there not a vast deal that many of us have never given a trial which might make us more contented with our lot? For my part, give me Southbridge and its pleasures. H. Hebert, ' 27. A MONTH AT CAMP DEVENS The Citizens ' Military Training Camps certainly are a great thing for boys. The life there is quite strenuous, but having regu- lar work, play and sleep makes it seem easier, and as long as a thing seems easy it is much easier than it might be if one felt differently about it. The first day we arrived we had a strict physical examination. The officers in charge assigned us to our companies, and we were taken to that, company ' s barracks by a guide. We were told which cots were to be ours. The next morning, before six, one of the sergeants came in and woke us up. About the first thing we did was to go to breakfast. The food they gave us didn ' t seem very ap- petizing, after what we ate at home. Before the first week was over, nearly everyone was glad to get almost anything to eat that was set before him. After breakfast we went back to our bar- racks and were set to work making our beds and sweeping around them. Next we lined up and were measured to see what size clothes we were to wear. When we dressed in those clothes it seemed strange, but after wearing them a month we hated to give them up for our civilian clothes. The third day we received our rifles and belts, and were instructed in the rudiments of our training. The sergeants showed us how to handle a rifle, and how to do different squad maneuvers. After we started the regular routine we had a small bottle of ice cold milk every morning at about ten o ' clock. After dinner we had athletics. There was boxing for those who wanted it, and also baseball. For the rest there were all sorts of sports you can think of. Some days we went swimming. There were handball, push- ball, and soccer, and a lot more games which everyone could play. One of the things which we liked best was the recreation hall. There were many tables and chairs where we could sit down and write letters. This room usually was crowded with fellows writing letters or talking with other fellows. There was a small building with one side open, where we had open air shows. Every night some company would have its stunt night. The most talented fellows would per- form before a large crowd. Just opposite the stage there was quite a steep hillside which served very well for a grandstand. The third week we were instructed more about our rifles, and the different positions which were used in shooting. After this in- struction we went out on the range, which was about three miles from the barracks. Some of us were put down in the trench to care for the targets. The targets were about six feet square. After each time the target was hit, we had to pull it down, put a paper sticker over the bullet hole and hold up a certain colored disc so that the one fir- ing could tell what he scored. Then we had to push up the target again, which slid up and down on two greased poles. After we finished our work in the trench we were sent up to do our part of the firing. The work as a whole was rather hard, and many fellows were always grumbling, but I think most of them will admit that it was a well spent month, and most of them that are able, will go next year. Edwin Chamberlain, ' 27.

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THE CRIMSON AND GRAY we never think about the wonderful advan- tages of these instruments of communication until some accident happens which delays service for a short length of time. The cost of receiving news is an important topic because it is the only excuse we have for ignorance as far as current topics are concerned. But after analyzing the costs of these methods of receiving news, we find that there is one means of gaining desired news which is not too expensive for the poor nor too cheap for the wealthy. The old, middle- aged, and even the young can afford to buy a newspaper. In fact statistics show that the newspaper has a universal circulatio n. But today the news is not received in the same manner as in the early days. In- stead of eager expectation we greet the ar- rival of the newspaper with bored interest and as far as the average person is con- cerned, the paper contains only three things of importance. These are: first, the head- lines which are usually about some great murder case or some great divorce trial ; sec- ond, is the local news; and third, the comic features. After this reading is completed the paper is thrown aside and the following day the same process is repeated. The es- sential and the real important things are omitted for news that really does not mean anything to the reader, if he really analyzes what he has read. At present the newspapers are supplying their readers with the stories that the read- ers desire. Look about you, ask your news- dealer what newspaper gives the largest and longest story concerning some scandal, or the newspaper that has the greatest amount of comic features. If a scientist and a movie actor die the same day, the movie actor is given yards upon yards of eulogy and his life history, while the scientist who had accomplished something for mankind is casually mentioned, and when this was brought to the attention of the editor of one of the papers his answer was, The death of this actor had personal appeal to the people. The people are not demanding the right kind of news and by their limited reading of the newspapers are not taking advantage of their opportunities. In fact, political and eco- nomic topics are not read or discussed, and some people do not even know the leaders who are at the helm of our nation. This con- dition really exists and is a thorn in our side, for today our political ideas are formed by what we read and many citizens vote not by a formed opinion, but the verbal opinion of someone else. M. Rosenthal, ' 27. ROUND ABOUT SOUTHBRIDGE One of the most common phrases to be heard in Southbridge is, What a slow, dull place. Now, friends, we wonder when hearing this expression, if it might not be prompted by the speaker ' s inability to ap- preciate the beauties and activities of our little Spec Town. We readily admit the absence of the widely varied artificial forms of amusement to be found in the city, but are there no other pleasure producing ma- terials at our disposal i No one who con- siders the might of the Creator, who has used the camera, or who is sensible of the beautiful in nature, can refuse an affirmative reply. It is the beauty of nature which we w ould expect in a country town like our own and it is this which we find. Let us start with the spring. Who will deny that there is a certain pleasure and satisfaction to be derived from a stroll in the open country. As the lingering snow gradually disappears and the occasional balmy day gladdens all hearts after the drear of winter. I assure you it is pleasant to rustle among the dry leaves for sweet- scented blossoms or to climb the steep hill- sides in search of the same concealed beau- ties. But if this amusement is not alluring to some, there is the woodland brook just freed from the bondage of winter with its shy, spotted inhabitants lurking in its shady pools and overhanging banks. Here any of the masculine gender may find contentment, in company with a rod and line. The catch may not be exceptionally large , yet the fresh air, exercise and increased appetite are not to be underestimated. Even a quiet jaunt on Sunday to the sum- mit of one of our surrounding peaks will be found very conducive to happiness. From Hatchet Hill, which lies to the south of the town, you may view a beautiful panorama of typical New England territory. Even the Second Reservoir furnishes a cool and de- lightful spot for a summer outing. Fall eclipses all other seasons, (it being of especial appropriateness at present) , of

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THE CRIMSON AND GRAY A TRIP TO A MUSEUM This summer I spent a month in New York. I think it ' s safe to say that nowhere can one visit so many places of interest as in this famous city. However, this time, I can only mention the museum that I saw. The museum is called The Museum of Natural History. The building itself is immense, and it con- tains so many articles of interest, all in their natural form, that people who should know, claim it would take several months to see everything in it, and to know something about each thing. By the way, I didn ' t stay several months, only one brief afternoon, and being a person of only moderate mental power, I couldn ' t grasp so much material and consequently my mind was in a daze. How many of you know that stars are only rocks? I admit I didn ' t know. The first room I entered, contained black rocks of different shapes and sizes. Upon reading the sign I learned that these were parts of stars that had fallen from the heavens. Some of these huge rocks weighed several tons ! From this room we wandered into a place that gave me a funny feeling down my spine. This was a huge chamber . filled with tall poles carved with the awfullest looking faces and figures. These were the Totem Poles we have all heard so much about, and read about in Indian stories. There were also, all sorts of queer Indian relics and some of the most hideous masks I ' ve ever had the rather doubtful pleasure of seeing. But the thing I thought was most wonder- ful in this room was a large glass case in which were several figures. These figures were life-size, and they were so life-like I thought they ' d actually speak to me. The figures were all occupied with a task. Some of the women were sewing, one of the women was pounding corn into meal, one of the men was carving. I gazed quite fascinated, and it was with some difficulty that I was made to realize time was short and there were many other things to see. A museum is really quite a spooky place. The next room was full of human skulls and skeletons, all grinning at me. I really didn ' t care about going any further, but again my cousin persuaded me to go in and investi- gate. Here, too, I will mention only one incident that particularly impressed me. This was a study of evolution. Figures ar- ranged from monkeys to human beings, showing the marked resemblance. I never felt as much of a monkey as when gazing at this spectacle ! I visited the room where all the precious stones were kept. They are a really beauti- ful collection and the colors of some of these gems fit the adjective, gorgeous. I think the guard ' regarded me with marked suspicion. I never suspected I looked like such a des- perate character. I saw butterflies, birds, beasts of every species, even rats and even skeletons of pre- historic animals. Oh, it seems as if I could go on for ages, but really the pen is too in- adequate to describe all the things unless one is especially gifted. All I can say is that if you are ever in New York, be sure to visit the museum and see for yourself. P. Krasnov, ' 28.