Paris High School - Arena Yearbook (Paris, IL)

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THE ARENA-Page 30 theater. We saw Feme Goble in a charming matinee, entitled, “My Hero, Jean.” Raymond Gillis became a stock broker in the cattle exchange. I had certainly enjoyed seeing my old classmates, who had grown so fa- mous and I was proud to think that I had belonged to the class of 1913. GOLDIA ROACH ’13—Prophet. History of the Class of '13 UPON the thirtieth of May, nineteen hundred and nine, there sailed away from the harbor of Eighth Gradism, a ship from whose top mast flew a purple and white pennant, bearing the emblem “1913.” Leaning over the railing could be seen some eighty children, who were tearfully waving farewells to their unfortunate friends and companions, who were left to remain behind to pursue the joys of the eighth grade, for yet another year. The voyage lasted for about three months and during this time the voy- agers discussed, with a great deal of speculation, their reception into that classic hall of fame, otherwise known as The Paris High School. Dire and dreadful tales had reached their ears of the misfortunes of former Freshman classes and they, with much apprehension, anticipated a similar fate. At length the long looked for day arrived, and on the morning of the second of September, nineteen hundred and nine, the travelers disembarked before the portals of this institution. Much to their surprise, they found wait- ing to receive them, a large crowd, composed of the Faculty and the students of the High School. The spokesman, withdrawing himself from the group and approaching, thus addressed himself to the arrivals, “Hail! incoming class of 1913, we, of the student body cordially welcome you among us. The fame and report of your abilities has long since reached our ears and thus we honor you with welcome.” The Freshman class took up her duties earnestly and in a short time it became manifest that her abilities had not been over-estimated. She, led on by the helping hands of painstaking teachers, struggled bravely through the mysteries of Latin, the mazes of Algebra and the exciting events of “The Last of the Mohicans.” During the second year of our school life, our powers resolved themselves in several directions. We contributed our share of voices to the Semi-Chorus, Glee Club and members of the Cadet Company; we demonstrated our strength in the field of oratory and basket-ball. Although many of our number were dropped by the wayside in the on- ward rush of events, several new arrivals joined our ranks in the Junior year and added to our achievements. Not only did we contribute our share to the social activities of the school, but we became so well known on the basket-ball floor and in the athletic field, that when a contestant achieved glory it was un- necessary to ask who he was; he was a Junior, of course! Finally, in the autumn of 1912, we reached that dignified position, that dizzy height up to which all of the other classes look with such awe and rever-

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THE ARENA-Page 29 Brains Ileustis, who was a “man about town,” especially noted for his fond- ness of Freshmen Girls. We left the vaudeville and went down the street, where we were greeted by the sign: “Paris’ Best Photographer—Kay Morton—Jay’s Old Stand.” “Who is that red nosed, bald headed, portly gentleman standing over there talking to that bum looking hunch of fellows ?” I asked. “Why, that’s Asa Lee Myers, Democratic candidate for Governor.” “I thot he was a Doctor!” “Well, he tried to be but he got so sporty in school, the faculty kicked him out. The issue of the election is very doubtful because he spends so much time in Terre Haute he does not have time to stump speak,” answered my friend. “Evidently, he has not changed much.” “Just grown worse is all. There comes one of his best friends, Walter Kisser. lie is supposed to be a minis- ter, but lie’s sure some sport, best pool player in town.” Then my guide said “Here comes Paris’ most distinguished citizen, Hon. Shelby Ogden. He’s Speaker of a Republican House of Representatives and is quite popular, lie has the door most of the time.” “Where’s his best friend ?” “Kay Antrim ? Oh, lie’s commander-in-chief of the Turkish army and is quite a reformer. Yes, and Landis McCord is a Prof, at West Point and is quite stunning look- ing in uniform. He makes great hits at the West Point Hops.” Going on down the street, we met Callie Hunter, who had married a banker. She told us her best friend, Belle Dustheimer, was quite busy in Vermilion, as a “shepherdess.” He always was a frisky little “Lamb.” She told us Dorothy Hodge and Virginia Huston were principals of a most ex elusive girls’ school, where Miss Hodge taught modesty and Miss Huston, man ners. “Who are that nurse and man coming down the street?” Callie inform- ed us that it was Ethel Stuart, who had been nursing “Giminer” thru a most violent spell of heart trouble, but that thru her kind efforts he had al- most recovered. Just then “Chick” Moody went by in a big “Mercedes Six” and we were told that he was the best chauffeur in town, but that he never drove thru a cemetery. We asked about a restaurant, and Callie told us that Grace Thomason had charge of the P. II. S. Cafe, and that she was famed for her good eats. We saw Russell Bennett as a living model in the window of a big depart- ment store, demonstrating a new brand of collars and ties. “He always was a good clothes rack,” my companion remarked. Athalinda Morris and hus- band, a prosperous farmer, passed by as we were standing there. Dorothy Black found fame on the Chautauqua platform, while Pearl Banner, we learned, was married and living in St. Louis. We next came by the school house about 3:55 P. M. We asked some of the students who was the fashionably gowned lady descending the steps. “That’s Miss Olive Brengle, the English teacher.” We heard another group say, “I just hate the old cat. Isn’t old lady Roach cross ?” So our friend Goldia was a Latin teacher? “Well,” said my friend, “we’ve seen everybody in Paris.” So we enter- ed the aeroplane and sailed up to Champaign, where we found Morris Arthur gravely lecturing on science. “Wonder if ‘Johnny” ever agrees with anybody else ?” Next we went to Cincinnati, where we stopped to attend the Klum

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85' THE ARENA-Page 31 ence: Seniorism! Our ranks are sadly thinned but still we are almost forty strong. We have accomplished many things this year and we hope to accomp- lish many more. Chief among them is the publication of this Annual, which has been compiled with a great deal of thought and care and which we hope will meet the favor of the Faculty and students alike. We cannot say that we have been perfect for we have made many mistakes. But as we leave these dear old halls to take our places in the world, we earnestly desire that the Faculty and students will forget our errors and remember only our good deeds; think of us as a class which has always striven for the best interests of the school, and has ever endeavored to conduct itself in such a way that it might be taken as a fitting example by the lower classmen of Paris High School. LULA EERNE GOBLE ’13—Historian. A Recollection of High School Days SENIOR CLASS PRIZE STORY ASTOI T well-dressed man of middle age threw himself leisurely into his favorite massive Turkish rocker and drew it up before the fire-place. Without, it was snowing and the wind whistled at intervals around the corners of his house, but the warm glow from the embers of the grate lighted up the library with a cheerful atmosphere. Today, he had been taken in as a half partner of the large department store in which he had worked since his graduation from high school. That was over twenty years ago. He lighted his meerschaum pipe and through the ascending wreathes of smoke the scenes from high school days began to re-appear. As a freshman, from a small village near-by, “Smiley,” as he was famil- iarly known, because of his cheery smile, was an object of ridicule to his upper- classmates. How the Seniors who sat next to him teased and pestered him! Hardly a day passed but some prank or other was pulled off at his expense. But despite these nine months of initiation into high schoolism “Smiley” had won dozens of friends and companions. It was his Sophomore year, however, that loomed up as the real beginning of his career, for during this term the incidents began to occur in quick suc- cession. It was then also that “Smiley” had his first “case.” Early after school started, he was attracted by a pair of large grey eyes and two purple hair ribbons located in front of his seat in the assembly. For a long time he admired his queen in silence and watched her every movement. At length he summoned up enough courage and secured a “date” with her for the big basketball game of the season. How “Smiley,” through the exhibition of unusual athletic ability, had made the team and that night he played as never before. Cheered on by hun- dreds of loyal rooters and encouraged especially bv those watchful eyes of Bess, lie held his opponent scoreless throughout the game. The season closed and “Smiley” got his insignia. When basketball was over, he went out for the track team witli equal success. Everywhere he was hailed as a star. Medal after medal, he won and many a trophy cup, too. Yes, there they were upon