Bexley High School - Bexleo Yearbook (Bexley, OH)

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5.n.u. - THE TO R c H--A .. U About you are pictures, posters, sketches. You are busy putting the finishing touches on a beautiful girl, a magazine cover. You are happy in your work. See your leaf is covered with beautiful gay, laughing colors. This prophecy gave me happiness, too, for who would not rejoice in the good fortune of the sweet willing Eleanor and the gentle Helen. The crowd bent over eagerly. The seer was in front of Beatrice. This would be in- teresting. Filth, filth, shaky stairs, sad people, tired eyes, crowded tenements , he fairly moaned and then his face light up. A little' woman, a ray of sunshine. People crowding about. A sweet smile but a business-like manner. You shall accomplish much as God's messen- ger of mercy to Jew and Gentile alike. The tenements of many, many a dark city will learn to bless your name. How like Bee! How wonderful that her dream should be fulfilled and beyond her wildest expectations. And now what did the future hold for Elise? A stage, lights, listening crowds. Upon the stage a dark graceful woman going splendidly through the lines of a diflicult role. I see much happiness for you, fame and praise but all through hard, hard work. Things will not come to you easily, you must climb every step of the ladder of success and each step will cause you pain and ef- fort.', Oh well , I thought Nooky can work and will give everything she has. I can hardly wait to see her on the stage. But the sage was sadly shaking his head over Chester's leaf. You are lonely. I see you alone with one man servant, surrounded by luxury but without the companionship of anyone. You live by yourself in your bachelor quarters, satisfied with yourself and your lot. You do not know what you are missing for you have never loved nor ever will. But you are not the only one. Across the hall from you are two just like you except that in their solitude they live together and pursue their businesses together. They are Charles and Fred,', turning to them. I see instruments all about you. Long, odd shaped rods and thick glasses. You seem to be counting the stars of the heavens. One talks while the other writes. Many many books surround you while you work, each bearing your names. I cannot see whether you will be famous or not, but in your bachelor quarters you shall make many observations and shall quarrel much. How typical of Charlie and Freddie! They never did have much use for girls, but Chet! Imagine Chet a bachelor living alone! Strange things do happen. The seer seemed puzzled. He stopped be- fore Norma and peered long and intently at the leaf in his hand. Balls, big brown ones, small white ones, soft ones, hard ones, bats, baskets, nets, rackets. I see you at the head of big classes, you are counting, one, two, three. They bend, they sway, they jump. I see you again running about hitting the ball across the nets. There are great crowds about you cheering. Your ability in physical prowess shall get you far.', Norm always was a star athlete. Mention any game and she could play it. It seems she always will be so. The old man stooped over the remaining leaves. He picked them up. All seemed to be bound together in a sort of garland. He smiled and held them up. VVho owns these leaves shall all come to the same fate, marriage. After all, it is the best fate in store for anyone. Stand, my children, let us see who of the Class of ,26 shall enter holy wedlockf' Oh, the crowd that stood! Clyde, Cathryn, Alice, Marguerite, Esther, Jimmie, Caroline, Bob, Bill, Eppie, and many others all got up easily and stood smiling. I struggled to rise but something held me back. I kicked and squirmed but try as I would I couldn't budge. VVhat? An Piano stools in How cruel the again and tore frenzy. The next thing I knew I was shak- ing my head wildly over my Virgil book and tearing out page after page. Oh what a nightmare! Far worse than pink ele- phants or green snakes. If fatigue could make me see myself selling piano stools, or Charles and Freddie star gazing, I resolved to loaf all my life henceforth or swear off of beefsteak and lemon pie, whichever might be responsible. old maid? Never, never! Argentina and an old maid! fates could bc. I struggled at my entangling toga in a -FRANCES HOLTZMAN. Page Twenty-seven

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.y.u.15 .. .. THE TO RCH .. little black knobs and dials. I see you sit- ting at a desk. People are taking orders from you. All about you are models of radio and wireless sets. See, as I drop your leaf it gives out sparks as it hits the ground, see how it jumps and quivers! It is trying to speak of the great things you will do some da . If-Ial looked dazed and drew his queer toga about him closer. The seer passed on with another leaf in his hand. Every one feared lest he should stop before him. The seer walked on and halted before Betty! Ah, he smiles! Palm trees, a tall dark man, the sea, a beautiful southern home, children, servants all about you, black ones. But only remem- ber this. See the happiness which is yours. You have twice as much as most. See how large your leaf is. The riches of life and of plenty! Huh, I was thinking, the man is not so dumb when he picked up another leaf and started straight for me! I sank into my remarkably comfortable garment which re- sembled a sheet and longed for seven league boots. Ah this time he laughs! A dusty road, a hot day, the land called Argentina, a swartly, lazy family, a woman, you, a piano stool. Ah you have the gift of salesmanship! Many, many a piano stool shall find its way into the families of Ar- gentina through you. See your leaf is cov- ered with dust that means many a weary journey. But persevere, you shall succeed, you shall succeed. Oh why, I inwardly groaned, did I ever mention the desire I once had to sell piano stools in Argentina! The fates had taken me seriously! But I was soon for- gotten for the seer was next approaching Winifred with slow and stately tread. Papers, papers. Ah you are clever! See the leaf is covered with little sayings, verses, jokes, all in your handwriting. I hear your songs being sung, I see your poems read. Thank the fates for your talent. It lies not in every one. Not so brilliant it seemed to me for any- one that ever knew Winnie could have told him that. This time he stopped next to me. I turned my head. It was Ruth NVilkins. I see children all about you, all looking toward you and to you for knowledge. They love and respect you and you hold sway Page Twenty-sim over them by your personality and kindness. They have no fear of you but are ready to do your every bidding. There are thousands and thousands of children about you. Some day you shall be at the head of an immense school. How well that suits Ruth, I thought. I can just see her teaching, and how her pupils will love and admire her! The droning tone of the seer interrupted my thoughts. Eldridge was the unhappy victim this time. Streets, streets, busy streets. A man walking, walking, retracing his steps many many times. See, your leaf is covered with tiny footprints to and fro. You are selling something, you are explaining. You are the advertising manager of a big newspaper. Many, many disappointments are in store for you but perseverence will pull you through in the end. Some day you will be famous. Poor El! If that is true how many, many pairs of shoes he is doomed to wear out. The seer stops for no one it seems. In a twinkling of the eye he has picked up three leaves and stands before Gertrude, Eleanor Vagnier and Gladys Baughman, all huddled in a group. I hear the click, click, click of type- writers. Your leaves are grown together. You shall all pursue the same course and some day shall all work in the same oiiice, expert secretaries. You are all happy and are among the fortunate women who support themselves. You shall be dependent upon no one. Fortunate indeed! I wondered if I with my piano stools would ever be as much so! The seer picked up two leaves bound to- gether by a slim thread. With these in his hands he walked up to Eleanor Hayes and Helen Manly who happened to be sitting next to each other. For both I see paint and brushes but each shall use them differently. All about you are immense canvases on a stage. They are covered with beautiful scenes, all the fruit of your work. You shall be much in demand and your stage settings will be fa- mous over the world. Many many curtains will rise to display your talent which will be greeted with bursts of applause. You, turning to Helen, are sitting at a table.

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yr' Tivlfllf-lj-I'ifl'I, :: THE TORCH :: f.---a- lr 1 I l9s16 L ' ' '- l r 1 I Senior Class Song E Q46 , .J ,A.-YA-. .-,A--. ,.. ..-ug-ns-p.-...--...,-l- rlw ,ns une: Last Night a Nigldingale lVoke M4 'Twas then the spirit awoke me, YVhen my life was well begun. It stirred in my heart a meaning Of the truth and right I had done. I learned in its meaning so glorious That through this High School strife, And through four short years of our labor, Vl'e have built our foundation of life. And as we complete our foundation Among our friends so dear, VVe rejoice over all our successes And deeds of failure we fear. For life is a long road to travel VVith many a rut and bend, And we must he strong to resist it And hold our ideals to the end. -XVINIFRED Jouxsox.