West Rutland High School - Green and Gold Yearbook (West Rutland, VT)

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4 THE GREEN AND GOLD -9- iterary -Q- A GLORIOUS FAILURE The man, dressed in dark clothes and wearing a slouch hat, was hardly distinguishable in the gloom. He was, indeed, a suspicious looking cha1'acte1' as he slunk along the drive leading up to the magnifi- cent home among the trees, dim in the gathering gloom. Carefully, he opened a French window and groped his way in. He paused. listened, and then furtively flashed a light around the richly fur- nished room. In one corner stood a carved cabinet, the receptacle of many valuables treasured by the family that dwelt in this grand old mansion. In another minute the burglar was at his work. Suddenly, mys- teriously, noiselessly, a door behind him opened. The man stopped and turned. Behold! a sleepy child of about ten years stood in the entrance. Threateningly the man took a step forward, saying at the same time, What d'ye think yah doing? Get to bed and stay there. Not a peep outa yah. The boy hesitated. Finally he gasped, Oh, Sir, you shou1dn't do that. I don't care about the stuff, because I never have a chance to touch, but it isn't yours, you know. Besides, if you were caught. The law-breaker, a little surprised and angry, stared at the youngster. The man was la weak character, and the child's fine eyes seemed to burn him with their scorn. Then he turned and slowly, like an old man, left the Way he had COITIE. Slinking Joe, as he was called, never attempted robbing again. Instead he became one of the best friends of the little boy who had shown him the right. He had not gained a fortune of ill-gotten riches, but something far more precious, his own self-respect, and a resolve to lead an honest life. -Charity Mead, '29. AMERICAN GODS We of the United States do not believe in the worship of gods. If we consider idols or gods at all, we feel a vague sort of pity for the This .x'cc1i'fvoof: uns cIig'1'f1'30d fix' l'OfZIlIfCUI'8f1'O 77

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THE fIHI'TE','V ANI! GOLD 3 dreariness nor the uncertainty which causes us to think, but an awe of that future whose mysteries are yet to be solved, coupled with pangs of regret at leaving our Alma Mater. Here we have studied and worked together. We have come to know each other, both in the class room and on the athletic field, in school and out. We have become friends, some mor closely than others, of course, but cer- tainly there is a common bond uniting us all. We shall realize this bond with the greatest of seriousness when we meet, some of us for the last time, perhaps, on graduation eve. -Howard Potter, '28. md Hi.s!oi'ic'c1l Suriv!-v and the Hzzflcmd Fur Lfl7I'ClI'xX',

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THE HHEl':'iN' ANI! HULL! 5 people who worship themg but it does not occur to us that we also worship gods, even if we do not burn incense to them and lay sacri- fices at their altars. The chief of these is the great god Pleasure. Not only in our own country, but in all countries, by all nations, races, and nation- alities is he worshipped and adored. After him come the other gods, but he is the Supreme Being, the Father and Founder of them all. First let us consider Sport. 1-Ie-is a laughing, curly-headed, big- chested fellow, whom we would all love to join even if we cannot. He is a companion and persistent friend to us rather than an idol. Col- leges, schools, boys, girls, men, and women all flock to his call, leav- ing other things to be done as best they may. Consider the huge crowds which gather at prize fights, golf tournaments, baseball and football games, and know that Sport is irresistible. Shaking dice in one hand with a glass of beer in the other, and propping his feet against the table, Betting holds his court. We pur- sue him even without knowing it. He draws all types of people. There is hardly any man who does not worship him, even while Bet- ting shocks him. Now comes Fashion with highly rouged cheeks, dangling ear- rings, and painted mouth. She is a flirt, always changing, and vary- ing as the winds, but ever drawing and fascinating, overcoming scruples and lack of means. We worship her in spring, summer, winter, and autumn. Her voice is never still, and tantalizing, she compels us to go on and on, never leaving us but always leading, and laughing at us as we stumble after her. The god Everybody does it is responsible for a great deal. He is a nagging sort of god, persistent, and never still. He urges people to read the current books and papers. We get the magazines, pictures, radios, automobiles, because he decrees. His sister, That just isn't done, is what in these modern times we would call an old cat. Her eyes watch us continually, and she picks flaws in everything. She causes much trouble in the world as she often antagonizes people to such an extent that they do just as she tells them not to do. If We disobey her she ruins us, and if we obey her we are unhappy. Business comes puffing importantly to the fore. His chest is swelled with importance. He is constantly chewing a cigar, and a diamond stud glitters in his tie. We may think he is not a true child of Pleasureg however, some worship him because they love him. There are the money-makers, who are his satellites. The greater majority of us are his slaves and servantsg we bow to him because nd Historical Society and f!2cR111!c11zdFrcc LI'l7i'ClI'xl'.