Westbrook High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Westbrook, ME)

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Westbrook High School - V- 1: '3 to all and wished to have everyone clearly under- stand that he stood for the right in any case, whether it meant war, disunion, or peace. Cer- tainly he could not have held the responsible posi- tion that he did hold, had he not been morally straight. Third, Lincoln was religiously inclined. When- ever he was in any great trouble or wished to accomplish something, Lincoln always asked help from his Maker, and trusted Him to guide him thru the task. Daily, Lincoln prayed and, in truth, prayer was part of his daily routine. As he never had been brought up in a neighborhood where religion was respected to any extent, it is remarkable that he should be so inclined. He strove to obey the Ten Commandments and suc- ceeded most admirably. Certainly this great man honored his parents, which -is obeying one of the greatest Commandments of all. He also made a practice of observing the Golden Rule which is a great stepping-stone toward right living. Lin- coln served God by governing His people and by setting an example worth while for anyone to follow. Then fourth, this man was socially popular. It is true that because of his uncouthness, Lin- coln was not entertained to the extent that he might have been, if he had been more neat in his manner of dress. But a great many people disre- garded that fact and looked upon him with great admiration and respect. Whenever Lincoln gave a speech, the audience was held spell-bound. He was brief in his expressions, but his eyes flashed with the fire of his profound thoughts. He never presented an unsightly figure as a speaker by a slothful appearance. He did not try to attract attention by making superfluous talk, and thus he easily gained his point in almost every case. He was loved by his fellow countrymen. He was not of the nature to enjoy the extreme forms of social life, and therefore gracefully declined many invitations which he received to attend social functions. He w-as truly a man of men, and a friend to all, but his sympathy rested chiefly with the common people, and at the same time he kept his standing among the higher class of people. Thus Lincoln can rightly be credited w-ith being popular socially. After living such a clean, honorable life, it seemed tragic that this great emancipator, this great leader of men during the Civil War, should have to give up his life merely because a fanatic lost his head over sectional spirit and determined to revenge the cause of the disunion, and did so by robbing this republic of its greatest leader. This sudden and ,unexpected termination of Lincoln's career gave a sort of consecration to his character and time has not lessened the affec- tionate regard which the citizens of our republic hold for him. He was truly a martyr to his country's liberties. FRANCES RICHARDSON. OUR FLAG Our Hag means to us all that it meant to our fathers in the Revolutionary Warg it means all that the Declaration of Independence meantg it means all that the Constitution of our people, organizing for justice, for liberty, and for happi- ness meant. Our flag carries American history, American feelings and American ideas. It has gathered and stored this supreme idea,--divine right of liberty for man. Every color means liberty, every thread means libertyg every form of star and beam or stripe means liberty: not law- lessness, not license. but organized, institutional liberty, liberty through law, and laws for liberty. Our flag is not a painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the Constitution and the government. It is the free people who stand for the government of the Constitution. BEATRICE RENY. MAKE READY Some days are cheery, some are dreary, But each has a task for you. So just smile, and be worth while During High School days so few. It's in the schools you get your tools, With which through life to work. Make the best of every test Ne'er allow yourself to shirk. Fight the tight with all your might, Don't stop for doubts or fears. A habit formed, it will belong To you all through the years.

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I2 The Blue f-r VVhite LD.k.-Jenin THE CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN Abraham Lincoln, the great American states- man, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, Feb- ruary 12, 1809. During his early life he l'ived in a mere log cabin, and during those tedious years he endured many hardships. He was forced to bearso much sorrow that his countenance marked his suffering. His kindly face was rarely illuminated by a smile, altho he saw humor in others and tried to be humorous himself, in order to make others happy. Nevertheless, while his heart was weighed down by heavy burdens, his brave spirit never so much as showed a sign of weakening. This was chiefly because he stood for the Right, and trusted in God for help to guide him in accom- plishing any great mission. Rising as he did, from most unfavorable envi- ronments, during the critical period of his l'ife, into a higher life, and proving himself to be the possessor of the purest character and the noblest and most self-sacrificing nature of any statesman that ever lived, it cannot be denied that Lincoln was surely a miracle. He was shrewd and pene- trative in his judgment of men and he possessed a power to govern which far surpassed any other president. Lincoln's life was certainly well balanced. He was physically strong, morally straight, reli- giously inclined, and socially popular. It might be well to enumerate a few instances to prove that this fourfold plan was his standard for living. First, Lincoln must have been physically strong because he endured hard labor which was a neces- sity during his young life. While at work he exercised all the muscles of his body and he did not indulge in any bad habits which would tend to weaken his constitution. Lincoln had no time to spend in sports because he was eager to develop along business lines, therefore business and law kept him from participating much in recreation. He was not what one would term as athletic in stature, for he was not well proportioned. He was extremely tall and very thin, but aside from these last few facts, Lincoln certainly com- plied with the necessary qualities which a person who is physically strong must possess. Second. Lincoln was without a question, morally straight. He w-as persevering to secure all the education that he possibly could obtain thru his own study. Altho his education was abbreviated somewhat, it was not too apparent when he expressed himself publicly in political affairs. Lincoln entertained only clean thoughts and he always practiced the principle that hon- esty is the best policy. In all matters his sound judgment ruled and people always respected him in any meeting which he attended. Lincoln stood for fair play and wished to have justice shown to everyone. In regard to the government of our country Lincoln wished to have the prin- ciples of the constitution correctly carried out. When he took his oath of office as President, he pledged himself to do all within his power to do right by everyone. He took his stand as a friend

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The Blue fr White So be true to the White and Blue Each day that passes by. . That future success, you'll proudly confess' You owe Dear Westbrook High. ELSIE S. GoonwrN, ' A WASTED LOVE I dreamed one night, I was seeing On the waters silvery blue, A maiden sailing downstream In a pure snow-white canoe. There sat her lover by her side Who played upon a lyre, And sang love songs, in those soft tones All maidens must admire. Yet sat the maid so very mute VVhen his few songs were o'er, And bade that he would paddle back To the green and moonlit shore. They traveled thru the current strong, But never he seemed troubled, Until she chanced to glance at him, And then her laughter bubbled. I saw his love change into hate While gazing at her glee, Said he, your scorn, I might have borne Had you not laughed at me. Then straight into the current Rushed the little birch canoe, And straightway down the rapids Until its sides smashed thru. I saw the maiden's blank despair As a last long breath was drawn: And her lover sank beside her, His eyes alight with scorn. ELIZABETH SHAW, '27. A STUDENTS HARDSHIP I think sometimes that school Is surely quite the bunk, With such a lot to do No wonder people Hunk. Why, not more than a week ago, I studied hard one night. I hoped that when a question came I'd answer prompt and right. But there I sat all thru that class And wrung my arm most loose. Then, I said, I give it up, Oh, dear me, what's the use? And so the next night I went out, And felt so nice and free, But do you know, that the next day The teacher called and called on me. And there I sat as dumb as clay, While all at me were gazing. The way I studied late that night Was surely most amazing. ELIZABETH SHAW '27, ! TRADITIONS That seemingly harmless combination of ten of the alphabet's twenty-six words, never fails to strike a responsive chord in the heart of every student and graduate. For it represents an un- calculated amount of good, hard, honest work, that is fine enough to be handed down as an example by word of mouth and printed record to the undergraduate. In the minds of many, this is one of the most potent factors of which a school may boast, and a means of creating a sort of atmosphere that either charms or repulses. And we believe that Westbrook High is the bearer of many traditions of the charming variety, the sort that mingles well with the venerable ivy that encloses the old fortress of learning. In the following we will attempt to point out a few of them and advance a few new points. Our teams have literally showered us with vast quantities of clean cut victories that are marked by many valuable cups. For instance, former giants of the gridiron have passed the pigskin over and thru and under ancient enemiesg clear- headed basketeers have found the basket again and againg former baseball stars have whacked the ball high above the heads of dumbfounded outfielders, thru innocent windows, to an ultimate victory. On the other hand if you prefer, our actors and actresses, with all the skill of trained and ex- perienced veterans, have left a name for them- selves in the minds of appreciative audiences Cor if not there, then cut neatly on the backstage of Westbrook's only Opera Housel. And last but not leastg many students have pulled down large and juicy A's with pluses care- fully tacked on. Of course good studentry is the