Athens State College - Columns Yearbook (Athens, AL)

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Prophecy |T ' S been ten long years since I ' ve seen a single member of Class ' 13, so I ' ve invited all of them to be my guests at a house party. All these letters, which the postman has just brought me, must be from them. Some of these have such queer foreign-looking stamps. There ' s one from South America. That looks interesting, so I ' ll open it first. Rio de Janiero, Brazil Dear E.stiier. — It made me so happy to hear from you, and how glad I am that we are all going to be together again. I admit that my business here really needs my attention, but I think 1 can break away. You probably remember I am still in search of the bird known as Polly. I think the Brazilian Polly Parrots are pretty, in- deed, but still they scarcely equal the Athens variety in real charm. I am going to bring one with me, a beauty indeed. I have named it Pearle, for it is the pearl of my collection. Then, too, it has a beautiful contralto voice so like the Athens species, which I mentioned above. In addition to my work as a parrot collector, I ' ve made a special study of chills, and their cure. I think I have found the remedy. Would you like to hear it ? Quinine and salt made into a strong tea and taken before and after meals. I find it is splendid. Expect me Saturday with my polly. Lovingly, Cassie Belle Robinson. Dear me, I had no idea her zeal would carry her that far. Oh, these fascinating poUys ! I ' m sure there will be lots of fun hearing Pearle talk. Here ' s a business like letter from New York. I wonder whom it ' s from. I feel like I ' m playing some kind of puzzle game. Well, the best way to find out is to open the letter, I suppose, so — New York, N. Y. Dear Esther. — I was so glad to hear from you again, and happier still at the prospect of seeing you so soon, and being with Class ' 13. This is not a busy time with me, and I can come so conveniently. You doubtless know that I am one of the most famous composers of sentimental and ragtime songs of today. Your eyes have no doubt filled with tears over the pathetic little gem entitled, When I saw your last dressmaker ' s bill, my Angeline, It is considered the greatest song-hit since Love me and the world is mine. I ' m so glad Mattie Mae will be with us, for I ' m sure she will be able to give my songs an artistic rendering, especially some of the coming ones. Thank you again for your invitation. Sincerely, Sarah Rives. How lovely I Sarah was always so talented, and had such beautiful ideas of sentiment. I must buy that sweet song right away, for she must not know that I ' ve never heard it. I ' m getting excited ; I believe they are all coming. (29)

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Class Poem To me has been given the task of a poem, Now humbly entreating the muse, I sing of the virtues of class thirteen, This class has no fault to excuse. I sing of our ideals so high and so great, Of the heights to which we aspire. And the goal of the future, we see from afar. Which has set our young hearts afire. We have studied the works of Hallam ' s great friend. Of Browning, the Mystic and Seer. Things that were once very dim and obscure. Seem wonderfully bright now and clear. Into the broad stream of current events, We have steered our bark on our way. Class ' 13 are progressive, my friends. They appreciate wonders of today. I speak with regret of our schooldays, past, Their comradeship sweet, and their dreams. And we, though young, have discovered the truth, That life is not all that it seems. But though in the future life ' s sorrows are ours. Though none of our hopes may come true. Enshrined in our hearts Alma Mater shall stand. And we ' ll love still the gold and the blue. (28)

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What in the world : Florida, Barnum and Bailey, Winter Quarters. This is certainly a puzzle. Who of Class ' 13 could have risen to circus fame? I ' m almost afraid to open it. Barnum Bailey, Winter Quarters, Florida. Dear Esther. — It was so thoughtless of you to have your house party in the summer. That is the only time that I can ' t come. You ought to know that as The Living Skeleton in Barnum Bailey ' s circus I can ' t be away from my business in the summer. How I would like to come! Still, I suppose it ' s best that I can ' t come, for I know I would eat too much, and you know to gain as much as five pounds would be ruinous to a person of my position. One of my best tricks is to slide through an ordinary stovepipe, and you know I must be thin to do that. Give Class ' 13 my love. Sincerely, Anna Crawford. Well, I always knew Anna wasn ' t slim for nothing. But what a shame she can ' t come. Well, cheer up, we ' ll read on. New Jersey. A decided jump from Florida, and I hope the jump means an acceptance. I ' m really nervous about this one, but it can ' t be any worse than poor Anna sliding through a stovepipe ; so, be still, my beating heart — Newark, New Jersey. Dear Esther. — You have no idea how sorry I am that I can ' t come to your house party, but if you have noticed the papers lately you can understand why. There is a cup offered to the woman aviator who crosses the Atlantic in the shortest time. As I hold the championship for long distance flights it is necessary that I compete to keep my standing. You remember I always was adventurous and reckless, and aviation oflfers the best method of indulging these tendencies. If you will come to Newark I ' ll be glad to take you up a few thousand miles and let you look around. There is a certain thrill in being miles above the earth with only ocean beneath you. Please give Class ' 13 my love, and remember me in your fun. Sincerely, Bertha Sanderson. They say truth is stranger than fiction, and I believe it. Bertha, of all people, being so daring. I certainly agree with her in saying there is a thrill in being above the earth some few miles. I ' ll stick to terra firma, if you please. This letter looks artistic and stagy. It must be from some of our oratorical stars. Let ' s hope she ' s coming, whoever she is. Chicago, Illinois. Dear Esther.— Your sweet letter came most opportunely, for I was on the eve of making another engage- ment. I shall be so glad to come, for it happens that I will be in your city anyway on the date for which you in- vited us. I am known today as the successor to Julia Marlowe, and have so very many engagements that it keeps me busy. I am going to give Macbeth in your town during the week of your party, and can be with the girls most of the time. (30)