The Belles of Saint Mart’s
- ^ The BELLES '''
OF SAINT MART’S
Published every two weeks by the student body of Saint
Mary’s School
Editor
. . . Beppy Hunter
Exchange Editor
. . . . Erwin Gant
Business Manager
. . Miss Kate Spruill
Faculty Adviser
STAFF
Virginia Allison
Helen Kendrick
Theresa Anderson
Mary Kistler
Sue Berry
Martha Lewis
Julia Booker
Trick Martin
Betty Brandt
Mary Lily Moore
Mary W. Douthat
Lucy Pittenoer
Page Batman
Aylett Putney
Mary Gault
Mallie Ramsey
Vivian Gillespie
Ernestine Rich
Katherine Hardison
Dorothy See
Merrie Haynes
Hallie Townes
Althea Hooff
Virginia Trotter
Member Nortli Carolina Collegiate Press Association
SAINT MARY’S AT CHRISTMAS
If one would imagine herself transported ten years
into the future reminiscing over the events of the past,
among her schoolday experiences which would stand
out most vividly in her mind would be Christmas
at Saint Mary’s. Those here years ago and those here
now will agree that not excepting the excitement of
matriculation and even the impressiveness of gradua
tion, they remember most particularly those last few
days in December when the Christmas spirit reigned at
Saint Mary’s.
“The March of the "Wise Men” on the last Sunday
night, the Christmas dinner, the wonderful pageant, and
last of all the seniors carolling early Saturday morning
are the experiences which every girl treasures in her
sehoolday memories, and which in later years lead many
back to Saint Mary’s at Christmas time. Perhaps the
thought of going home tends to create the atmosphere
of excitement, but the school itself creates a certain
joyfulness that prevails everywhere. Every student is
truly sorry when the celebrations, whether spiritual or
festive, are over, and those who return to Saint Mary’s
the next year come with the anticipation of Christmas
week utmost in their minds.
When, in those wee small hours of the morning,
everyone sets out homeward, and when on Christmas
Eve she experiences with her friends or family the feel
ing that only Christmas can give, may she thank God,
not only for her home and the joy of being there, but
for the privilege of experiencing Saint Mary’s at
Christmas.
DECLARATION OE INDEPENDENCE
There is no happiness quite so universally complete
as going home, nothing quite like it. There is no joy
as great as returning to a friendly “home” town, to the
house, the room, the Mother and Dad, all the folks
which are home.
Since there is so little time during vacation and so
much- to do, the prodigal daughter should make it her
responsibility to help make the Christmas holidays as
gay and as happy a time as possible. After a day or
two at home it will be easy enough to slip into the old
I'outine and the slovenly habit of depending on every
member of the household when vve have to be ready
for the tea dance at the club by five o’clock.
This would be a splendid time to resolve to stop
making the family’s life a hectic one while there with
them; in other words, to declare and prove independ
ence. The loving daughter has been away at college
for almost one . . . two years (with apologies). Besides
book “lamin’,” we hope she has learned also the virtue
of being independent, one capable of taking care of
herself not only when it is time to be ready for a tea
dance, but also in all duties that should be her own.
Vacation—going home! They can both be nigh a
hundred times sweeter because the daughter has grown
up. She is no longer a child but an adult, free, inde
pendent, capable, and dependable. You will be so proud
of you, but the family, they are the ones you are really
going to impress!
“SANTA IS SUCH A BUSY MAN ...”
A little boy woke up and slipped quietly out of his
shabby bed. It was Christmas morning, but he knew
that it would be merely an ordinary day. His mother
the night before had explained, “Santa is such a busy
man, children, that he might not have time to visit
everybody.” Remembering this, he crept sadly into the
other room and was quietly putting a few pieces of wood
in the stove when he saw it there on the hearth, the
big red top he wanted and beside it some toys for his
brothers and sisters. Other children might have scorned
such a meager gift, but to Bobby it meant that there
was a Santa Claus; that he had not forgotten them; and
that Christmas was a “special day.” It was only a few
seconds before the whole family was aroused to share
his happiness.
Some thoughtful person, instead of throwing away
these toys or leaving them idle on a dusty shelf, had
given them to a family whose whole happiness depended
on the kindness of others. Saint Mary’s students will
have a particularly good opportunity to round up old
clothes that they discover as they pack for vacation.
They may also contribute to the happiness of many
little boys and girls. Tonight after the party leave the
toys ill boxes for that purpose in the gymnasium and
thwart the fears of those children who might otherwise
on Christmas morning have to be consoled with “Santa
is such a busy man . . .”
DO NOT BE IGNORANT
The average student at Saint Mary’s has a fairly
thorough knowledge of the events, theories, and opin
ions of the past and even of fairly recent years, as
recorded in her history, economics, and English books.
She can discuss fairly intelligently the Renaissance or
the laissez fairs policy; she is familiar with the life and
views of Shakespeare; and knows the fundamental de
sires of man. Yet the same girl who can answer these
questions is often at an utter loss when asked to discuss
the war in Spain, Roosevelt’s economic policy, or
Stalin’s point of view. She, w'ho comes to school to
acquire knowledge, in devoting herself conscientiously to
one phase, neglects entirely the other.
“But we never have any time” is the usual answer
when one is questioned about this neglect. Yet five
minutes spent each day over the local newspapers or
a half an hour a week with the New York Times would
at least keep a student’s mind from being a perfect
blank concerning current events.
“I’m just not interested in current events” is another