Books are, perhaps, the things that can always please us, -- of which we never seem to tire. Of course, we often wish school books had never been written but where would we be if there were no school books?

We have the advantage of being able to get books at very low prices. In the days when books were first invented, they were so expensive that only the wealthiest could afford them. The writing by hand was barbarous and took so long that it was necessary to charge large sums. But at the present time, with thousands of books being published a day, everyone can afford them.

When one thinks of reading a book it is usually a novel because all other books are generally considered "dry". But a great many books on travel and exploration, biographies, and poetry are just as interesting as some novels and much more educational.

If one becomes accustomed to reading the better type of books, the others seem trivial and of no value.

Of course, a person would not want to read serious things all the time; a good, interesting novel is one of the best ways to spend an evening.

Many complain that they never have a chance and that bad luck always comes to them. However, luck is something acquired by one's own efforts, not a boon granted by some supernatural power to a chosen few. If you are going to have good luck you have to make it for yourself. Abraham Lincoln didn't have a chance so he made one for himself. Perhaps he did have good luck, but it was because of his own efforts. Consider any self-made man and you will find that this it true. If you intend to succeed you must use your own powers. Do not wait for a chance but go ahead and make one for yourself.

The man leaned back in the over-stuffed chair and yawning sleepily, stretched his limbs. He thought himself satisfied. He got up when he wanted to. He ate when he wanted to. He did what he wanted to. In other words, he had wealth. He had a fine residence to live in, a high-powered car to ride in, many servants at his beck and call, everywhere to go and all the time in which to get there.

The man reached out and picked up the morning paper, glanced over the headlines and dropped it at his feet disgustedly. There was nothing there to interest him. A maid brought him a steaming breakfast. He was not interested. He ate listlessly. It was always the same -- nothing new. He ate a bit and soon the maid came and removed the tray. The man lit an expensive cigar. Drew a few puffs and then discarded it to the ash-tray. He was tired of that kind.

He tried the newspaper again but found nothing to interest him. Again he threw it aside. He planned what he would do that afternoon. There was the theatre, the polo games, the club -- he was tired of them all. He would remain at home. Already he felt his sick headache coming on. He was too fatigued to go anywhere -- to do anything. He would stay where he was. He would read and smoke. A few minutes later the maid came in and found the unhappy man stretched out in the big chair -- asleep.

Not far away on the same day there was another man. He was working in a ditch on the outskirts of the city. For many hours he had swung that heavy pickaxe. The burning sun beat down upon his broad back. He straightened and then mopped a dirty sleeve across his sweaty brow. He was poor. You could see with one glance that he was very poor. His rags spelt only poverty. But beneath the rags was a strong young body, rolling muscles swelled beneath his shirt. He was capable of doing much heavy work. And still further beneath those rags was the kindest and bravest heart that ever beat.

A whistle blew for noon. The man dropped his pickaxe and went for his dinner. He was tired but very happy. After dinner he would go back to work again. It was always the same. It was tiresome, but he liked it. He thanked God that he was able and willing to do it. Which man are you?

The Senior Class is now busy rehearsing a comedy drama entitled "It Happened in June". The drama produces more laughs in one evening than one can find in months.

The cast consists of:

Betty Branson, pretty young owner of the Shady Grove Store, Mary Hadley; Susie Crundel, Betty's best friend and nearest neighbor, Alice White; Nell Crundel, Susie's sixteen year-old sister, Phyllis White; Mollie Jessop, cook for the Bransons, Evelyn Brown; Evalina Scroggs, homeliest girl in the village, Edith Raymond; Charles Atkins, a young visitor in Shady Grove, Glendon Young; Randy Stewart, his friend, who sells insurance, Edmund Langley; Jim Prichett, a village character with nothing to do in particular, Thomas Lewis; Jarvis Sneed, the meanest man in the county and president of the Shady Grove Bank, Fred Allen.

This is a Royalty drama and one of the best obtainable. The play will be given on April 13, 1928.

There was a food sale, by the senior Class on March 30, 1928. The committee in charge were Edith Raymond and Helen Lamprey.

On Tuesday, the twelfth, the Senior Class served lunches at the Town Meeting. The proceeds of this sale were turned over to the treasurer to add to the fund for the vacation trip.

"Oh! how I hate to get up in the morning", W. Toppan; "Dizzy Fingers", H. Lamprey; "I never see Maggie alone", T. Lewis; "Don't steal my Daddie's medal", R. Munsey; "She was just a sailor's sweetheart", A. Beckman; "In my gondola"; W. Purington; "The little black mustache", E. Langley; "Too many parties and too many pals", E. Whenal; "Clap your hands, here comes Charlie", D. Stevens; "I didn't raise my Ford to be a Jitney", F. Allen; "Napoleons Last Charge", N. Sprague; "I'll take you home again Kathleen", K. Langley; "Little old Ford traveled right along", R. Scales; "Just like a butterfly", L. Walker; "Baby feet go pitter patter 'crost my floor, W. Ring; "Horses!", H. Batchelder.

Preparing Fundamental English
"Arnold, what is a sentence?"
Arnold: "I guess it is a term in prison, isn't it?"

As you all know the Seniors took a trip to Niagara Falls April, 1928, and I, of course, was one of them. I can remember the good time we had and hope I always shall. Let me see, that was five years ago this April.

Last night I had rather a strange dream about another trip there. It seemed to be thirty years after our graduation but I was young. I took the entire trip by boat, a rather strange looking object. Before I got on the boat people had told me that I was taking a chance as it was piloted by a man who was fond of playing pranks on his passengers. The third day of my trip I got a chance to talk with the captain. His complexion was medium, with eyes that were brown and hair that was once brown, but now they were beginning to fade as generally happens with age. He seemed strangely familiar and yet I couldn't place him. He was very talkative and I had a pleasant hour with him, but still he did not tell me his name. I finally gathered my courage, and he said his name was Commodore Langley who had retired from the navy and piloted this boat as a pastime. "Could it be," I said to myself, "that boy that used to be in my class years ago?" I thought I would ask one more question before I made my decision so I said, "Is it true that you like to play pranks on your passengers?" He flashed me a boyish grin, and then I decided it was Edmund who was asked one day in school, "Why he didn't stop his boyish tricks, and he replied, "Because it costs too much to grow up." Yes, it was the Edmund of old, with presumably the same idea.

After arriving in Niagara Falls, I hired a special taxi for permanent use while I visited the city. Who do you suppose the chauffeur was? Well, It was Clifton Seavey! One day as we were sight-seeing, the car broke down. The chauffeur took it to a nearby garage to have it repaired. I did not intend to go into the garage but as my chauffeur misunderstood, he drove me in. I was provoked because I did not want to be near the horrid greasy repair men. However, I found they were not as horrid as I imagined and one appeared very gentlemanly. I remembered having seen him before somewhere, but couldn't think who he could be. He finally handed me an itemized bill for the work and when I paid it, he wrote, "Paid, Glen Young." But poor Glen! He was covered with grease and he had a serious look on his face. Upon asking the reason for the change, he said he had a family of three to support, and he found he couldn't snap erasers around anymore, as he had done in the good old school days of H. A.

I am afraid I have gone too much in detail, but I simply must tell you briefly who else I saw. I had seen advertised a great deal a new picture called "Sweet Agnes", the star player. "Miss Gwendolyn Thames". It sounded interesting so that night I went to see, and, -- well, you can't imagine who the star really was! It was Helen -- Helen Lamprey, don't you remember? They got the title because every time something exciting happened, Helen would cry out, "Sweet Agnes!"

The next part of my story is sad to me because I met with an accident. I was unconscious, for I don't know how long. Finally as the black specks began to flicker away a face assumed shape. A kind, gentle, and sympathetic face, crowned with snow white hair. For days I laid in the hospital but each day I was cheered at the sight of the nurse I have partly described above. She told me all her past history, even to the days when she attended Hampton Academy and was then known as "Eve" Brown. She said she was happy but she very seldom laughed 'till the tears came to her eyes!

After leaving the hospital, I was so delighted to be free again, that I urged my chauffeur to go with considerable speed. We were held up by a very stout man with blue eyes and set lips. I was horrified, and didn't know which way to turn, but the officer recognized me and asked me if I didn't remember Fred Allen! Did I remember him? Well, I should say I did; but I couldn't understand how he had grown so portly. He told me to report to the judge. You can see he didn't favor me any. I did as I was told but came out all right, as Judge Scales couldn't very well fine one of his old school mates!

The next day I went to visit the Falls. I was in perfect solitude, and as I watched them, the foam and spray made vivid pictures, while the rumble and roar began to say to me:

And you know that last was such a surprise, that I woke up and jumped right out of bed. But still I think it was a wonderful quaint dream, don't you?

Members of Hampton Academy:

During these lovely spring days, my thoughts have wandered back to the happy days which I spent in Hampton Academy. At times I wish I might go back, but then, again, I realize that, after all, we have to live each day for itself, and go continually forward.

It was a "happy" day for me when I decided to go to college, and I would urge everyone of you to go who possibly can. It puts you on your feet -- it makes you realize the responsibility of making good in the world rests on your own shoulder, and not on kind-hearted teachers and friends. Going to college has made me appreciate a good high school education. The better equipped a person is to enter college, the better he can adapt himself to new ways and subjects.

Besides "book" education, there is "social" education, if it can be called such, that is never found elsewhere. Natures directly contrary to your own are met with. Entirely new view points are introduced, and your whole character is broadened, and repays a thousand-fold for the effort you have to put forth in going to college.
[By MARJORIE V. WOOD '27]

The first debate in the preliminaries was against Portsmouth, January 24. Both Hampton teams won unanimously. The second was with Dover High, February 10. The affirmative won 3-0 but the negative lost 2-1. With Rochester High, February 16, the negative won unanimously. Because of illness, Rochester negative had to forfeit the debate.

There was also a practice debate with Sanborn Seminary in which the affirmative was defeated.

Having received 16 points out of a possible 18, Hampton Academy went to Durham, March 16, to take part in the semi-finals. The affirmative debated Whitefield High School and was defeated 2-1. The negative debated Laconia and was also defeated 3-0.

Laconia and Sanborn Seminary entered the finals in the evening in which Laconia was the victor.

That husbands sell for 30c a bunch, and chickens for 25c a piece?

That Walter Perkins, engrossed in his debating cards, upon approaching the water pond in the Academy yard, walked right through it, then shook the water off and kept right on studying?

That Glen has taken to "red", of late. Is it "turkey" red Glen?

That one of the Seniors is occupying a front seat?

Glen Young, describing the assasination of President Garfield: "He was shot in the station. He was also shot in the spring."

Mrs. Jones: "Why was Franklin a vegeterian?" Tommy Lewis: "Because he didn't want to be cruel to animals."