Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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161 COMMENCEMENT NUMBER, 1914 Jlrnphrrti of the (Ehuu of 1U14 By Netta Rollins. “ Through the deep gulf of the chimney wide Wallows the Yule-log's roaring tide; The broad flame pennons droop and flap And belly and tug as a flag in the wind; Like a locust shrill the imprisoned sap, Hunted to death in its galleries blind; And swift little troops of silent sparks, Non• pausing, non' scattering away as in fear, Go threading the soot-forest's tangled darks Like herds of startled deer. ’Twas one night, when all had retired, that I sat before the blazing gate fire, and looking into its glowing embers, saw something that surprised me. It seemed as if each separate tongue of flame was picturing in itself the future of one of my former classmates; perhaps I should say playmates. These flames all came together in a confused mass, and it was with difficulty that I made out any of the pictures. Suddenly the idea came to me that the fairy, for one presides over every fireplace, was endeavoring to show me the whereabouts and occupations of my last year companions. 1 was about to speak and ask what it all meant, but the small person seeing my attention was attracted, stood forth and wrote in the bright flames with a black pencil, the following: “Take this or leave it, and ask no questions.” Meantime 1 was becoming more interested every minute, and was anxious for the pictures to separate, so that I could tell what it was ail about. Quicker than it takes to tell, the flames became clear and the first revelation was about to be made. Apparently my informer believed with starting with some of the celebrities of the class, for he gave me a glimpse of the every day life of Edla Johnson, the songstress of the class. It was the interior of a private car with the somewhat misleading name of “Kohl Car.” Its name did not suit its appearance, for it would have done credit to a Vanderbilt. The furnishings were exquisite and in one corner of it stood a “grand” piano. Edla’s accompanist, who resembled a certain broken-down musician who appeared in our class play, or “Nosey” I arson, was playing a lilting song for “Ed,” and she was singing as only Edla could. I believe I noticed the name of the piece, “Just A-wearyin' for You. .As she sang the last word, a handsome, dashing fellow in West Point uniform strode into the room and there was no mistaking the look of welcome he received from all present, excepting the musician. I gathered from the resulting conversation, that Edla had received an engagement with a Grand Opera company and was then on her way to join the company in New York. The following scene depicted was a court room, with its usual mob

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PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 160 Fourteenth.—To John Watson, Walter Larson bequeaths a comfortable cradle with a mosquito netting and sun-shade. “Nosey” realizes that sleep is a necessity for growing children and that a cradle would be a great luxury. Fifteenth.—Einar Lindstrom bequeaths to Laura Hammerstrand his musical abilities. Let her use them to soothe her class when they are weary with labor. Sixteenth—Austin Sandstedt bequeaths to Gladys Corbly a wagonload of chewing gum. It relieves the monotony of school to always have a supply on hand. Seventeenth.—Maud and Prudence Rotramel bequeath to Ruth and Ruby Flora their agreeability. Eighteenth.—The Senior Class bequeath to “Percy” Jackson the sum of one dollar, for the purpose of paying a heavy bet, which he owes. We also advise small Junior boys to use care in betting on dangerous subjects. Nineteenth—To Laura Strong, Marian Rideout bequeaths her giggles and incessant chattering. Twentieth.—Ernest Martinson bequeaths to Gladys Kellogg his wonderful bass voice. Ernest's voice is the admirr.tion and pride of the Senior class and the Juniors should fully appreciate this bequest. Twenty-first.—Anna Erickson bequeaths her boisterousness to Agda Anderson. Twenty-second.— Bessie Greenan bequeaths to the Juniors separately and jointly her permission to speak in the assembly at least once every period in the day. Twenty-third.—Ruth Cade bequeaths her good spelling grades to Marie Barnes. Good spelling is considered quite an achievement, as Mr. Bainum says. Twenty-fourth—To Mary Hagens, the Senior class bequeaths a half hours’ leisure each day, with the advice not to take five subjects next year. Twenty-fifth—Ethel Wright, the Senior star, bequeaths her hours of study to Ethel Kelley. It takes study and a great deal of it to attain to a great educational height, and it is the admonition of the Seniors to the Junior class to follow in their footsteps and become students of note. Twenty-sixth—The Seniors separately and jointly bequeath to the members of the Junior class their recognized class spirit. In no other class is Hie spirit so prominent and all will agree that a class without this characteristic is dead and inactive. So, in closing, the Seniors bequeath to their heirs and successors, the Juniors, their loyal class spirit along with their 1915 pennant which was so ruthlessly snatched from them in a moment when this spirit was especially predominant. Lastly—We nominate and appoint Mr. Bainum to be executor of this will, and request that he may be permitted to qualify and act as such, without bond. In witness whereof we have on this 23rd day of May, 1914, set our hands and seal. (Signed) CLASS OF 1914. Sealed, passed on and di-infprted by thp City Council.

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PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR U)2 of curious people, also the judges, lawyers and other officials. Suddenly a hush fell upon the crowd, and looking closely, 1 saw a young fellow rise and address the court. Really, I was surprised at the speech which followed. He was defending a number of people in a case brought against a crowd of young people who frequently held dances in an out of town hall. He was doing exceptionally well, and had reached the height of his oratorical ability, when the tantalizing strains of a hurdy-gurdy playing “Too Much Mustard’’ were plainly heard in the court room. A sort of a spasm seemed to cross Pinkie’s face, and he swung into the dips and glides of the beautiful tango. With a look of horror, the judge ordered the case dropped until a new lawyer was procured, and so ended Dale’s first case. The next scene was a pleasant one, for it was located on the campus of one of the large universities. It disclosed a young teacher walking towards a large building, among many which dotted the campus. As she turned toward me I immediately saw that she was none other than the “star” of our class, Ethel Wright. Cn all sides I saw students pointing to her as the smartest and fairest teacher of the university. Before I had gazed at the following picture long I was mopping my brow vigorously and buying pop recklessly, in my imagination. Comiskey’s ball park lay before me, likekwise the perspiring and gasping multitude. Of course it is natural to see such a crowd and excitement at a big game, but this was enormous. I wondered, but it was unnecessary when the the team came upon the diamond amid the ch ers of the throng. Above all I heard the name of Overstreet and “Tub.’’ Then I knew what it meant. Tub Overstreet, star pitcher for P. H. S. team was to pitch for the Cubs. Needless to say, the Cubs won. Oh, such a change, and what relief from the heat and noise of Chicago. Such cool peacefulness and tranquility and such an air of quiet dignity. In the foreground was a charming country house. But who was this sitting on the porch reading so zealously a thick, dull-loking book? Naturally, no one but Miriam Rockwell would be interested in the subject of “Rural Economics,” and good reason, too, for Emory, alias Percy Jack-son, hailed from a farm near “Piper.” Upon looking at the sign at the cross roads I read “3 miles to Piper City,’’ and I was no longer mystified. Once more I was forced to fan myself and buy soft drinks in order to keep cool, for I was seeing Ringlin Brothers’ Circus. In most cases the side shows attract the crowds almost as much at the circus proper, and that day they were no exception to the rule. The first show I visited was the tall, thin man’s tent, and I could have shouted with joy when I saw it was Yens” Martinson who was the center of attraction. Always in our German IV. class “Yens” and Bess Bear were the best of chums, and so it was now. Bess was seated in state in a nearby tent and the barker was doing his best to make her fortune. The next view was almost the most amusing I was ever permitted to see. You’ve probably read of two spinsters maintaining a cat farm, but it's not often one gets to see such a sight. I always knew there was something very human about Maud and Prudence Rotramel and when I saw