Ottumwa High School - Argus Yearbook (Ottumwa, IA)

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and to fall from the trees, that members of the Class were all gathered to- gether again to choose one who should preside over all deliberations of that great body for the year which lay before them. 3. And it so happened that the war-like son Ralph of the family Coen was chosen with due solemnity for this arduous labor. 4. Through all the weeks of the Fall and Winter did each one apply himself with more vigor and determination to his several studies than in the year which had gone before. 5. But alas, as the New Year one thousand nine hundred and one did draw near, were the frivolous minds of these youths and maidens athirst for some amusement wherewith to enliven the tedium of their school work. 6. After much deliberate consultation was it agreed that they should all assemble at the home of Ruth, surnamed Work, on the last night of the year one thousand nine hundred that they might watch the old year depart. 7. And it came to pass at this party not one of the large number of most wise teachers did appear to subdue the uproarious mirth of these un- ruly beings by their dignified countenances. 8. And sorry were those young people who did appear, for when they did taste of the cake which was provided did they feel their mouths burn and smart with the pepper thereof. 9. And they had much sport in the playing of diverse games which the noble youths had secured. 10. But woe be unto these same youths and maidens! And woe be unto the neighboring peoples, for they did wake them with their shouts and clamor. 11. And they were sore afraid to return to their several homes for ala?! e’er they set forth, the first day of the new year had come. 12. And behold! again, when Spring was come, and it was nearing the time when all should separate for the summer season, they did hold another class party at the home of a fair young maiden known as Myra Griswold. 13. And lo! many youths, some from the number of Preps, some from the number of Middlers.and alas! some from the Seniors came around to the place where they were gathered. 14. And it happened that many of the maidens of the class were friendly to certain youths of this boisterous band. 15. And they did hand out to them much of those things which were made to eat so that the class were obliged to eat less. 16. Each and every one of the class was sent to his home with a little booklet, which was of pink an I gray, and was entitled “Discarded,” in which was contained the story of the class half-told. 17. Thus with giyety and mirth was ended the second year of High School work. Gertrudk Lynch. —26—

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HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1903. CHAPTER I. 1. And it was deemed in one of the pow-wows of the tribe that the do- ings of the most illustrious class of nineteen hundred and three be set down on paper. 2. So in the month called January of the year one thousand eight hun- dred nine and ninety, a small part of our band appeared at the Adams school and were received with many sneers and marks of disdain, and under the careful guidance of the wise and learned Miss Griffiths and Mr. Ichabod Andrews, they began their course of learning. 3. I11 the month of September it was whispered abroad that a great and beautiful hunting land had been prepared for our tribe, and that a mighty chief called Pierce had come to command our allegiance. 4. And so, lured by much premiseof fine things, the renowned classof nineteen hundred and three appeared at this Institution of beaming. 5- And the class did choose one Allen to lead them, whoTiad a'g eat task to hold the class to the great duties of life, for rumors of preparation fjr greit feasting and drinking were going abroad, and sundry boys did ob- tain new clothes. 6. For the maiden named Foster had bidden us to come and make merry. And the tribe assembled and feasted till far into the night, and were much amused by the dirges extracted from the instrument of music by Hallie. 7. But such things had to pass away,and the Class,continuing on their way did lose their great leader, and a ruddy-haired youth named Jordan was chosen to succeed him. and under his wise direction we did reach the end of our first year’s journey. Ralph Coen. chapter II. 1. Now in the second year of their sojourn in the Temple of Learning they were called Juniors by all their brethren. It came to pass about the time the leaves did begin to turn brown —25—

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CHAPTRR III. 1. And behold it came to pass that in the ninth month of the year one thousand nine hundred and one, the tribe gathered themselves together and chose a maiden from the House of Foster to lead them in their pursuit of knowledge. 2. And lo! the labor of that year was exceeding great and heavy, and the tribe grew weary by the way. 3. The youths and maidens both grew exceeding thin and their counte- nances became long and sad. 4. For that band, the followers of Peirce, were without mercy toward them and their backs were bent beneath their burden. 5. And behold the labor of that year was so exceeding great, that not until the third month of the year nineteen hundred and two did the tribe gather themselves together to make merry. 6. To the House of Griswold which is on a mighty hill did they go for this purpose. 7. And great was the rejoicing therein, for they did display bountifully both of things to eat and to drink. 8. And now did they begin to prepare to bid their brothers and sisters of the tribe of nineteen hundred and two farewell. 9. And for this they were exceeding sad, for great was their love for these departing ones. 10. And so, in the sixth month, the tribe of nineteen hundred and three did send and bid the tribe of nineteen hundred and two to come unto a great feast at the House of McNett. 11. And there was there a ereat rejoicing because of the beauty of the place and the richness of the food. 12. And also lamentations because of their great love for their de- parting comrades. 13. And for this feast did the tribe have an exceeding great bill to pay. r4. On the nineteenth day of the sixth month did they all gather and with songs and speeches of great length bade their l eloved friends of nineteen hundred and two farewell, and they went on their way. 15. And on the twentieth d.»v did the tribe of nineteen hundred and three finish their labors for the year which is calle I Middler and with songs and rejoicing they left the Hall of Learning and went away exceeding proud ) ecause they w'ere then Seniors. Ku.kn M. Foster. chapter IV. 1. And behold it came to pass in the ninth mouth of the year one thousand nine hundred and twro, being the fourth year of the reign of ICugene of the House of Peirce, the tribe gathered themselves together on the Hill of Learning after long sojourns in far countries. “27“