Clearwater High School - Aqua Clara Yearbook (Clearwater, FL)

Page 29 text:

there was no joy in Cleveland, for Fussell, the star right fielder of Ne York, had knocked the cover off the ball. We next visited a famous art studio, where row after row of draw- ings and paintings were disclosed to our view. I wondered what a gallery of this kind would have to do with any of niv C. H. S. class- mates, and then the mystery was solved. I heard someone next to me say: “See, there is the drawing that won the first prize, done by the most famous artist in America. Her name was Bishop before she was married.” It was indeed a wonderful piece of art, and I was very proud to think that “Dot,” as she was known by her classmates, had won first prize. I next heard a feminine voice setting forth her idea of a certain bill which was before the Senate. On looking up I was forced to suppress a yell of delight when I saw standing before me addressing that great assemblage of men and women, none other than Eleanor Gage, and doing it just as if she was talking to the Senior class back in the old days. Eleanor always was interested in politics, and so I knew that bill would become a law. Why was everything so still in this building? I soon discovered the reason for it. We were entering a hospital ward. Walking down between the rows of beds on which lay those who were suffering from some disease or waiting to undergo an operation, or perhaps getting over the effects of one who should I see but Margaret Jacobs, whom I later discovered w s t e head nurse, and why, there were Louise Sweat and Marv PLmb. her very efficient assistants. Passing on through the ward, we entered the spacious operating room, where everything seemed very still and death-like. We heard an assistant to the head surgeon, who was bending over the patient on the operating table, say that there was one chance in a thousand for the man to live. “Tf it is possible,” he said, “Doctor Morton will save his life; he has done some wonderful things, you know.” We tip-toed out, not wanting to disturb them, but T heard later that Doc. Morton did pull him through, and T was proud of my old chum and classmate. It seemed next as if we were in a great department store where one could hear the rustle of skirts and the constant chatter of clerks and customers. Over in one corner a short, rather heavy-set man was talk- ing to several of the clerks as if he was manager of the establishment, probably giving them orders for the day’s work. He suddenly turned awav from the counter and walked toward us, and I was indeed glad to see Homer Rigsby. In another part of the store I found Mervvn Crowe and Gladys Kirk in charge of the millinery department of this great es- tablishment. I was indeed glad to know that they held such fine posi- tions. knowing that they were very capable back in High School days. The next scene before us was a famous tea-room, not far from one of our biggest cities, and outside, painted artistically, were these words: “The S Curve Tea-Room.” On entering I was very glad to see Cecile Warren and Mamie Ella in charge. It seemed Cecile had married a certain Junior boy she used to like pretty well, and they had

Page 28 text:

coming nearer and nearer to us all the time. I heard a chuckle at my side and a command to open my eyes. We were seated in an immense opera house. Thousands of people on all sides of us were held spell- bound by the wonderful strains of a famous violinist. When the artist had finished her recital the thousands of hearers who had a moment before been silent suddenly showered the artist with flowers and en- cored her. Not until she bowed and smiled did I recognize Mildred Hayes. I knew she would become a great violinist some time, because when in high school she played well in the orchestra and was faithful in practice. Again the scene shifted and the Prince and I found ourselves seated in an immense assemblage. Tt seemed a great political rally was being held and that the governor of Florida was to be the next speaker on the program. The man now speaking on the stage was evidently the chair- man of the meeting, and he finished his talk by announcing the next speaker as the governor. The hearers broke into cheer after cheer for the latter personage, and in the midst of their demonstration a tall, handsome and dignified-looking personage whom T had not noticed be- fore rose and with a smile started his speech. T thought I was familiar with that statelv bearing, but when he smiled I was sure of it; it was Newton, of course, and to think that he was the head of the entire state of Florida. I heard someone next to me remark: “Isn’t he a handsome man. but bow could lie help but be with such a fine wife.” I felt like agreeing with her on the handsome part, but it was the first I had heard of his being married. When T again shifted my gaze to the stage what was mv surprise to see Dorothy Lee seated next to the chairman as the guest of honor. She indeed looked the part of a governor’s wife, and showed the pride she felt for her famous husband. The next scene was lai d in Iowa, where nestled a very pretty cottage and farm. My guide and I admired the well-kept fence rows, the pretty fields and the home surrounded by immense oaks. On entering the front gate what was my surprise to see Sydney and Mildred sitting on the front steps chatting as they had done in the high school days, but probably about plans for their farm and the edu- cation of their children, who were at that moment playing hide-and-go- seek. rather than of old school days. We next found ourselves in an immense ball park. It was the de- ciding game of the World’s series, plaved between New York and Cleveland. Looking at the score board I discovered it to be the last of the ninth inning with the score a tie. two outs on the New Yorkers, who were then to bat. and with one strike on the batter. From the distance at which we were sitting from home plate I could not get a good look at the batter until he turned to flash his smile at the fans, and then, of all things, it was Goette Fussell. a big-leaguer, and it was up to him Ooette Fussell. the one-time catcher of Clearwater’s PTigh School — to hit that Dill and run. His grin of determination assured the fans of the fact. He fouled the second ball that came over, and then the pitcher, with one ball to throw to keep the score, threw a curve right across the plate. Somewhere a band is playing and somewhere hearts are gay, but Twenty-six

Page 30 text:

made their money and settled down on this place. They had gotten tired of the monotonous farm life and had started the tea-room. They m rw had taken Mamie Ella into partnership with them, and I was glad to know they were making good. We were again in a famous opera house. ’Mid hand-clapping and much applause the curtain rose for the encore of a well known pianist. The great house was suddenly hushed by the entrance of the artist, whom I at once recognized as Marjorie Cordier, our pianist of High School days. She played to the hearts of her audience ; starting like a gentle brook the music swelled into a stream and finally a torrent of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring notes I believe I have ever heard. When she had finished her recital she received the applause of every hearer, and a call of “Encore !” rang throughout the house. However, the next number on the program was placed before us and as the curtain rose it disclosed the dazzling brilliance of the season’s most brilliant prima donna. That wonderful voice rose full and strong until it filled the whole room with its clearness, then slowly it grew softer and softer until it reminded me of a quiet breeze. When the last note had died away the great opera house broke into cheer after cheer for the great singer, and not until she stepped gracefully up to the front of the stage to receive the floral tributes and make her bow could I seem to realize fully that this great prima donna was Stanley. We were watching the construction of a great subway in the down- town section of New York. It had been in the papers for weeks, I heard a man next to us say, and the work was under the very competent control of Consulting Engineer W. A. Smith. I knew at once this must be my old chum and classmate, Wayne Smith, and was glad his dream of becoming a great engineer some day had come true. I heard the strains of a near-by orchestra, and being curious to know what was happening, I entered the room, a dancing studio, and there in all his dignity and tallness was Tom Branning, instructing his class in the latest steps, and teaching some would-be waltzers how to get the right swing. I had no trouble recognizing him, as he looked the same as in High School days. % The next one of the class to come before me was Ruth Jett, who held a position as head stenographer in a law office not far from the central part of a large American metropolis. On entering the office we could tell it was her bv her quick way and bearing, also that ever-present smile. We were away up on the Blue Ridge mountains, far from the noise of the citv. and had been noticing signs reading toward a famous sani- tarium. On arriving here to stay and look over the place, I read this over the entrance: “Mountain Breeze Sanitarium, Davis Graham, Managers.” Of course I knew at once it must be Annie and Zelwyn, and knew that thev would become famous. We had traveled many miles and were now down out of the moun- tains speeding across the desert to the more fertile ranges beyond, where we found an immense ranch consisting of rolling acres of fertile m rw mm®- Twenty-eight m