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

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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'.

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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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6 THE GREEN AND GOLD we must. His is the hand which feeds us. Cowering at his feet, we tremblingly carry out his orders, else we starve. Money! Does anyone fail to recognize and follow him? He daz- zles and delights us and makes us do disagreeable tasks to gain his favor. He lures and gleams beyond our blind and grasping reach. Finally when we have gained him, we find he is dissipated and shallow, and he and life bore and disillusion us. Beating time with his feet, snapping his fingers and keeping time in every limb, Jazz draws us, and absurdly we do exactly as he does. We zestfully and willingly fall prey to his magic. With him comes his best girl, Dance. Twirling on her toes, swaying her body, and stretching her hands to us, she whirls us into her madcap train. At night her charm is strongest, and we cannot help but follow one so beautiful, graceful, and invigorating. Picnic leverybody knows himj is a Puck, a mischievous merry fellow, who trips us and pricks us with thorns, puts grasshoppers, spiders and ants into our food, tips cups out of our hands, and burns our unwary fingers. We swear at and curse him, and then run after him, begging him to come back to us, for he is lovable in spite of his pranks. Movies' face is handsome, and finely chiseled and molded. His hair ripples in perfect curls upon his handsome head. Our submis- sion is completeg he allures us and amuses himself by watching our rapt and whole-hearted expression of devout worship. He drops favors into our hands, and we, ever-reaching, ask for more, and smiling amusedly he gives us more. Cigarette, festooned in smoke and hung with garlands of green tobacco leaves, is one of our most popular idols. His worshippers originally were mostly those of the male sex, but now, females as well eagerly seek him. The price we pay for his favor is jumping nerves, weak hearts, diseased lungs, and often he draws us into the ground itself if his grasp upon us is strong enough. Joy Ride is a reckless, happy boy. I-Ie fleetly runs to Death and Destruction, his boon companions, and we follow, trusting in his guidance. and unaware that his laughter is mockery and his goal our ruin. There is Leisure, a queer person, but lovable and dependable if we try to understand her. Most of us hate her and make every excuse we can to avoid her inevitable presence. But, she is always with us, and try to escape her as we may, it is of no avail. If we accept and treat her rightly, she is one of the best of our idols. T11 is .yearbook was digiftcd by uolzzzzfeers fr Ol?