The
AMERICAN
Page 3
POPULARITY AND ITS PRICE
ARROWS JrÆhthe LONG BOW
(F rom
the
Q uiver
of
D onald G rant M itchell )
Between tears and smiles the year, like the child,
struggles into the warmth of life.
:,iw—
>•
The rain of winter is cold, and it comes in bitter
scuds that blind you; but the rain of April steals upon
you coyly, half reluctantly—yet lovingly—like the
steps of a bride to the altar.
a—» - —
>-
The birds sing in the spring—just as children prat
tle; the brooks run full—like the overflow of young
hearts; the showers drop easily—as young tears flow;
and the whole sky is as capricious as the mind of a
boy.
»»Ba»
>•
■
A home! It is the bright, blessed, adorable phan
tom which sits highest on the sunny horizon that gird-
est life! When shall it be reached? When shall it
cease to be a glittering day-dream, and become fully
and fairly yours?
The old chroniclers made the year begin in the sea
son of frosts; and they have launched upon us the
current of the months, from the snowy banks of Jan
uary. I love better to count time from spring to
spring; it seems to me far more cheerful to reckon the
year by blossoms than by blight.
Your dreams of reputation, your swift determination,
your impulsive pride, your deep-uttered vows to win
a name, have all sobered into affection—have all blend*
ed into that glow of feeling which finds its center,
and hope, and joy in Home. From my soul I pity
him whose soul does not leap at the mere utterance of
that name.
____
It is a strange force of the mind and of fancy that
can set the objects which are closest to the heart far
down the lapse of time. Even now, as the fire fades
slightly, and sinks slowly towards the bar, which is
the dial of my hours, I seem to see that image of love
which has played about the fire-glow of my grate—
years hence. Trials have tried it; afflictions have
weighed upon it; danger has scarred it; and death is
coming near to subdue it; but still it is the same. It
still covers the same warm, trustful, religious heart.
ESCORTS
Suu., Dec. 21—McBride
Winona
Hawley
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Mr. Larsen
Miss Nye
Mr. Downie
Mrs. Downie
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Mr. Kirk
Mrs. Kirk
The great majority of the human family desire to be
popular personally. There is no harm in such a desire,
in fact, there is in most cases much to commend in
the person who wishes to stand well with his fellows.
But so great is the desire of many for cheap popularity
that they resort to various tricks and schemes to attract
popular attention. Indue time their “horse play”
seems to get them what they are after and thev are
happy. Nobody has yet discovered just how cheap
is cheap popularity. Those whose good opinion is
worth having turn instinctively from the cute and
over-clever seeker of notoriety.
The uncontrollable desire to be popular often
makes cowards of people, as they hesitate to stand
forth and champion a cause, even if it be right, for
fear they will lose their popularity with a given class.
Such people play both ends, or sides, of the game
and undertake to create the impression that they are
for everybody. In the end they are certain to lose
out and instead of basking in public approval they
find themselves discredited. The greatest and most
lasting popularity is gained by living a level-headed
life, one full of manly and womanly qualities—and
then there is evidences of popularity on all sides.
The seeker for cheap popularity fears aligning him
self with what may prove the losing side of any mat
ter, argument or stiuggle, and we are reminded of
Aesop’s fable of “The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat:”
“The birds waged war with the beasts, and each
party were by turns the conquerors. A bat, fearing the
uncertain issues of the fight, always betook himself
to that side which was strongest. When peace was
proclaimed, his deceitful conduct was apparent to both
of the combatants, and he was driven forth from the
light of day, and henceforth concealed himself in dark
hiding-places, flying always alone and at night.”
The above fable reminds us a little of some of our
Indian Legends in character.
SENIOR ROT ATERS
The Senior Rotaters will hold their last meeting be
fore the New Year in the Business English class room
on December 17, at seven-thirty in the evening. Fac
ulty members who have consented to meet with the
club on this date are, Misses Bissell and Roddy, and
Mr. Downie and Father Ildefonse. After the program
there will be a short social period in celebration of
the coming Christmas season. The program reads:
Address....................................... President Johnson
Religion and Business - - - - Father Ildefonse
The Duties of a Registrar - - Miss Lucetta Bissell
Rotater Sextette.................................Christmas Carols
Mabel Halsey, Serena Twiggs, Grace Marshall,
James Scott, Roland Booth, Ira Booth
The Secretary ------ Miss Marie Roddy
Christmas Reading...................................... Ida Pelican
The Business of Coaching - Mr. Reginald Downie
Typewriting Contest......................... Girls vs. Boys
Thelma Norman, Mabel Halsey, Serena Twiggs,
Frank Archambault, Robert Archambault,
Herman Goudy