Williams High School - Messalonskee Ripple Yearbook (Oakland, ME)

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24 THE MESSALONSKEE RIPPLE The moving picture, especially, can be a powerful influence for good or evil. It is estimated that a hundred million people at- tend moving picture theatres each week. Many of these are young persons whose tastes are unformed and who are especially sensitive to the harmful influences of infe- rior offerings. Much of the juvenile crime some years ago was traceable to the wrong type of moving pictures. The marked decrease in the length of the working day has notably increased the amount of leisure in our modern world. Formerly leisure was the prerogative of the few. Now it is available for large numbers of our people. The increase in leisure time is important because it affords an opportunity to secure release from the stresses and strains of our highly industrialized, competitive society. Increased leisure provides an opportunity to engage in recreational activities which give a new meaning to life. However, far too many people do not know how to use their leisure to the best advantage. To many, leisure means idleness, and idleness may lead to demoralization. Therefore leisure is a challenge to our democracy. The value of leisure to democracy in the future will depend upon the uses which are made of it today. MIRI.4M Tomx The Blind Can See There was a terrible crash, like a thunder storm, stars filled Dale's head, his whole body pained. Would it never stop? Then silence. Now one could hear the clang of a hurrying ambulance. After what seemed centuries to the on-lookers, they could see hurrying white clad figures. Then the slam- ming of a door, and once again the clang of a hurrying ambulance. To those on-lookers another victim, whose fault was it, how did it happen, would he die? Those were the questions left in their minds. But one would get quite another picture if they were to follow the ambulance, as it hurried the ten miles to the local hospital. A young man of probably twenty-three, with dark curly hair, lay on a white stretch- er, a deep gash over one eye, a face as pale as death itself. He lay still never uttering a sound. As the doctors sat there they all wondered if he would live. At last they were entering the hospital driveway. He was hurried to surgery. Finally, his head and eyes bandaged, he was taken to his per- manent room, where he was to stay. During the day the hospital staff learned from one source or another that the young man was Dale Sawyer, one of the most promising young lawyers in their commu- nity. He was a bachelor, and owned his own home where he lived with a friend who acted as companion. PF S 111 Pk The members of the staff dreaded the day when this sunny, lovable, young man must leave. To the tired nurses he was as good as sleep, to the discouraged a comfort. Even when he himself was in pain he always had a word of cheer for someone else. The day had arrived, the bandages were removed. The doctors' faces had shown worry and now relief. Will some one please turn on the lights. I'd like to see, said Dale. The expression of relief changed from the doctors' faces. They looked from one to the other, they had failed, Dale would never see again. Back in his own home, with his faithful friend, Dale found his way around to some extent, but life was not worth living. His beloved law books were on the 'shelf where they must stay for always. His office had been rented to some other lawyer. He had nothing left but memories.

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THE MESSALONSKEE Rl PPLIE 23 Crime alone costs more a year than it does to run our government for the same length of time. This amount exceeds greatly the cost of public education in the United States. The cost of crime is measured not alone in terms of money, but also in terms of wasted lives, broken homes, and increased human misery. Today many organizations are formed for the purpose of occupying young men and women so that they will help to better our democracy. A very good example of this is the Boys' and Girls' Scouts of America. Young people occupied in great organiza- tions such as these are not very likely to find time to get into difficulties which cost our government money. Among the numerous ways that both young and old can spend their leisure is arts. Men have always spent much of their time creating beautiful things and beautiful experiences. Increasingly our people are turning in their leisure to various forms of arts and crafts. Thousands of people, who have played a musical instrument in their spare time, have made good use of their knowledge and now are earning large sums of money each week. Another form of spending your leisure is being interested in some hobby. Throughout the United States millions are pursuing hobbies. Stamp collecting is probably the favorite. Thousands collect old coins, rare books, prints and other things of value. Gar- dening and the raising of dogs and birds are popular hobbies. Any of the arts, persistently followed for fun, may be considered a hobby. Young and old, rich and poor, are num- bered among hobbiests. Hobby clubs are now very common. The hobbiest never lacks for something to do. One of the greatest form of leisure is sports. Active participation in sports is one of the best forms of recreation. High schools and colleges, which not long ago were con- tent to have a small number of highly trained athletes, now seek to have all their students participate. Athletics have become a highly organized form of modern amusement. Professional baseball attracts enormous crowds and col- lege football teams play before large throngs. During the 1920's the million dollar gate in professional boxing made its appear- ance, and today, millions witness boxing exhibitions every year. Despite the charge that many people limit their recreation to those in which they can be spectators, there is evidence that in- creasing numbers are participating actively in golf, tennis, swimming, hunting, fishing, music, and dramatics. school programs and equipment Modern reflect the new interest in recreation. Pupils today are offered unusual opportunities to engage in athletics and in worthwhile rec- reational activities. The athletic program in our schools has been attacked by some critics on the ground that they are over-empha- sized. While this may be true in some schools and colleges, and while over-emphasis does create a danger, nevertheless there are many advantages to be gained from participation in athletics. Active participation in sports builds up the body, and, if properly directed, builds character as well. It promotes sports- manship and develops such qualities as alertness, self-control, co-operation and courage. Unfortunately, not all schools are equipped to afford training for leisure-time activities. Furthermore, many educators are not yet fully convinced that the school is the proper place for teaching the future citizens how to enjoy leisure that will someday be his. Today travel is another way of spending leisure time. Every year millions visit our beautiful national parks. The automobile has enabled thousands to take advantage of recreational facilities, 'such as parks, play- grounds, camp sites, and bathing beaches. Motion pictures and radio have helped thousands to occupy their leisure time. The benefits of these two great inventions will be in direct proportion to the quality of en- tertaiment which they offer.

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THE MESSALONSKEE RIPPLE 25 Because of this reaction, he was irritable: no longer did people call because of the way they were greeted. He felt like a show piece which everyone felt they must see. He hated pity, and he knew they must pity him. But one friend did not fail him. Jim, his faithful companion, still stayed, hoping that he, in some way, might again make Dale the loving friend he had once been. What kind of a day is it? asked Dale. It's lovely, the sun is shining the skies are blue. The flowers .... But Dale was no longer listening, he was thinking of the day he had gone for that last fateful ride. It was a day such as Jim was describing, the sun shone like a big bowl of gold, the sky had dressed in her prettiest blue, trimmed with fiuify white clouds, just for him. The flowers . . . oh yes, there were flowers, scads of them, all colors and descriptions. Slowly his mind came back .... The daffodils are up now you know, Jim went on, but some how he knew Dale was not listening to him, Do you think you can picture it? Yes, oh yes, very well, replied Dale, please leave me alone for a little while. As Jim left the room, he suddenly thought of a plan, it might work. Little Amy Miller next door was also blind. She was always very cheerful and loveable, if Dale could see how cheerful she was. Well it wouldn't do any harm to try. Dale laid his hand caressingly on the thick impressive looking law books. This was his only life, he had nothing to live for now that it was gone. Why must a person go on living when there was nothing left for them ? He heard the door open. Jim must have stepped out for a moment. His thought returned to his law, then again the sound of a door interrupted. Jim placed his hand over Amy's lips to silence her, as they tiptoed down the hall to Dale's study. When they reached the door Amy lifted her chubby arms and softly opened the door, then stepped inside. As the door closed Jim whispered a silent prayer, if Amy failed this was the end, but she wouldn't, she couldn't. I really want to be alone, Jim. I'm not Jim, said Amy in a small fright- ened voice. Why have you come here? You're Amy Miller, the little blind girl, aren't you? asked Dale. Pm not blind, Mr. Sawyer, why you should know that. If you're lonely why don't you play with me. I'll play I'm a Princess just like the ones in my story book mother reads. If you want to you can be my Prince Charming, explained Amy. Back and forth, back and forth, what was going on, why hadn't Amy come out, what was happening. Sweat was pouring from Jim's forehead, his hands were clasped behind his back. Then after what seemed years, the door slowly opened and from in- side Jim could hear laughter, and through the door came Cinderella and her Prince Charming, laughing and smiling together. Amy now pays a regular visit to the Saw- yer garden. Dale is once more the old friend Jim knew. Most remarkable of all, Dale last week, with his friend's help, and his wide knowledge of law, won a case in court for an old client, who had faith in him. But regardless of his business Prince Charming can always find time to visit with Cinderella. Dale cannot see how he could have been unhappy with so much to be thankful for, and no matter how blind he may be, he can see. Lucius McIN'rYnE, '4-1