Varina High School - Varinian Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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A If jd iigtttltl .f..'56 ef9?i. 59'af 6 .. . fi-WQSYHW ti aft W'53'z2'itw - .. , mis-.Iegif'Hvm,zvaxe2.Q-'fi pqx.Js5r.'f55vltS.sgQ1Q5.,4 , . recognized her as Thelma Perkins. I detached myself from the group and walked up the flower bordered path to the beautiful little house. She recognized me imme- diately and gave me a hearty welcome. I had hardly been seated before she Fired at me a bevy of questions concerning our classmates. The only one I could tell her about was Josiah, but we had a very nice talk about other things. In leaving I asked her, Are you happy, Thelma ? VV hy ask me that ?l', she replied, you know I am. My sister-in-law says happiness shines all over my face. It does, I replied and, by the way, how is Elizabeth and what is she doing ? Oh, she is living here with us. She is working in the bank in town and is engaged to the banker's son. We are all wishing for a wedding but they are biding their time, Thelma sighed. I left her happily smiling and hastened back to the aeroplane. We had no more break-downs and reached New York in the early evening. One of my fellow travelers, Elsie by name, and I had become very well acquainted. so we went to a hotel together. As Elsie was a gay young creature always wanting to be on the go, nothing would do but she must go to the ball in the hotel that night. I was too tired to dance but accompanied her to the ballroom. She was soon whisked away from me, so I retired to a secluded corner and watched the dancers. As my eye wandered over the colorful scene, I was attracted by a group of gentle- men who had gathered around an attractive young lady dressed entirely in black. When Elsie and her partner returned to me I inquired as to who the young lady could be. Why she is a widow, the gentleman told me, young, gay, and wealthy. She married an old millionaire. He died and she got his fortune. She was a Miss Elliott, I believe, and I hear her familiar friends call her Martha Lee. I was astounded. Of all odd happenings this was the limit. To my regret I got no chance to speak to her that night, but I made a firm resolution to look her up later on. The very next day I had the good luck to meet her, I am on my way to my lawyer's office, she said, Come on and go with me. And that's how I saw Herbert. We were ushered into a private office and were confronted by our dignified classmate, Herbert Baughan, a lawyer. He was well suited for the position and was already very popular as an executor of wills. He was married and he and his wife spent much of their time in society. Herbert had developed a craze for golf as was shown by the fact that he was practicing a shot as we walked in. VVe talked of old times until lunch hour and then went our separate ways. That afternoon the plane left New York and we continued our flying journey. From New York we sailed due west to Pittsburgh, taking about three hours. VVe were walking briskly to a hotel when, upon turning a corner, we bumped suddenly into Gertrude Drinker. Why, Gert, I exclaimed, Is it really you ? Why, Connie, she answered, What are you doing here? Come in here, I said, motioning to a small tea room, and let's talk. And thatis what we did. For. two hours we chatted and I learned that Gertrude was an instructor in 4-H club work. I am due at the broadcasting studio right this minute to give a talk on Home Improvements, she said. So we partedg she to her work, Elsie and I to a hotel. The next day, when we reached the aviation Held, I was delighted to find there a new passenger, no other than Julia Wagner, who was having a vacation and was -'FM 24

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kv, -W . .nf ,:ll .. Z I IL 9:2 ,nh faF'?l fw7 '- is fffwf FQ!-Liv 0 ,A Fei WI-L95 545. .gh x I .Mig-Img' nag may lj glqgxafjlfv fgiwiigusi,-3,lQs.,, . Senior Class Prophecy v...4 '0 W C' T was June, 1935. I was very much excited this Sunday morning ' v as I arose, for the one thrill of my life was to begin that day. I ? -, L was to have my first ride in an aeroplane and a long one at that. X So, hurrying thru a light breakfast, I hastened to the aviation field - and there met my fellow travelers. However, we were not destined to a very smooth yourney, for we had hardly been flying four hours when something went wrong with the engine and we were forced to land in a large field. The pilot informed us that the repair work would take a couple of hours so we separated and started searching for amusement. In my wandering I came upon a large hill on the top of which was situated a massive-looking house surrounded by a beautiful flower garden. I was thirsty, so climbing to the front stoop, I rang the door bell. In answer there appeared a neat, pleasant-looking woman whom I took to be the house- keeper. She asked me to step inside until she could get me a drink. While waiting I noticed the expensive but neat furnishings and wondered who the person could be who owned this lovely home. When the woman returned I put my wonder into words. This, she said, is the home of Mr. Josiah Fussell. Josiah Fussell, I exclaimed, and then told her of my acquaintance with him. Come right into the library, Madam, I know he will be glad to see you, and she led the way. As I entered the spacious book-lined room, a dark man of medium height rose to greet me. For half an hour we had a very interesting conversation and then I had to leave in order to be at the plane in time, but I had learned that Josiah was a country gentleman, single, well-to-do and happy. I-Ie owned a large estate and was the master of many servants. He was still an active sport and had organized an athletic league in the nearby village. I reached the plane and we started on our journey again, but as luck would have it, we hadn't gone more than twenty-five miles when we were again forced to land, this time just outside of a small village. The pilot informed us as before, so a crowd of us wandered into the settlement. It consisted of three streets, each a mile long, including the suburbs, however, it had all the modern conveniences of large cities and the people were very up-to-date. XVe wandered up the main street. the center of the three, and noticed the church, theater, department store, millinery store and other places which are usually to be seen. We came into the suburbs and were confronted by lovely homes, one of which especially attracted my attention. It was small but pretty and cozy looking, surrounded by flowers and a spacious lawn. On the porch sat a little lady reading. I gave her a hasty glance then turned away, but something prompted me to look again. She was looking at us, and I -as-ei 23 were

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r ' 5-!. 0 ,. ' sa 9 .ff sxgkfgi jg' 0-sg: W. .. .gf o. 1N3fA'4?2khiie. iff .vu rv EM f -A Q' ang R-L ...wmv :QM -J I -.. wal, ww.. V rr-frkhyfhqa' 'mat-5-TQ 'Il' 't 'gn NMI., vw I ,BMHIQ6-2 Y-N,Z's1Tayz-1 Pqgsqfjffdfixtls FAQIUBAJ. . . taking an air trip to Cincinnati, Ohio. Wfe had a heavenly two and a half hours, at the end of which time I knew Julia was the head nurse in some hospital. Strange to say she was not married, but from the color of her face when I asked her, I knew that was soon to be. Landing in Cincinnati, we parted, and as Elsie was here to stav and was in a hurry to get settled down, we hastened in search of an apartment. By chance we found a suitable one without much trouble and were directed to the office of an interior decorator. VVho should it be but Eula Davis? I was getting used to surprises but this one affected me. She was overjoyed to see me but she still had that proud, reserved, yet pleasant way about her. Her neat, artistic tastes had made for her a thriving business of decorating other people's homes, and although she had numerous chances she cared not to decorate one for a husband and her own comfort. That was just like Eula, a man-hater. NVe secured her services and all went to lunch together. Early the next morning Elsie accompanied me to the field, however, I boarded the plane for Tennessee alone. Nothing exciting happened on this journey, so as I had a good book I Hnished reading it just as we landed in Knoxville. I went to the hotel and as I was weary, I retired to my bed directly after dinner. It must have been about ll :30 P. M. that I was awakened by shouts and screams and smoke. Panic stricken I jumped out of bed and hastened to the hall door. It was Hung open just as I reached it and I knew no more until I looked around in astonishment and saw- seated beside me a very dignihed young lady. Her dignity did not hide the kind anxious look on her face as she asked me how I felt. For answer I rubbed the bruise on my head and asked, VV here am I and who are you F Your hotel caught on fire last night. In the rush you were knocked unconscious and brought to my home because the nearest hospital was filled. I am Mrs. Sigmund, the lady told me. Sigmund, Sigmund, that name sounded familiar. Oh, yes. Do you know Robert Sigmund ? I asked. I guess I know him as well as anybody, she said, I 'am his wife. It took me several days to recuperate and by that time the plane had left. I didn't mind because Mrs. Sigmund was an entertaining talker, especially concerning Robert's work. He was a scientist and inventor and at the time was in Washington trying to obtain a patent for a glass stove lid, thru which you could see whether or not the fire was burning without lifting the lid. Having recovered from my accident, I took a train for Palm Beach, Fla.. as the doctor had recommended me to do. Adventure must have followed me con- tinually on this tour. VVhile walking along a lonely part of the beach one afternoon I was shocked to see the body of a man lying just at the edge of the water. I dragged him out as far as my strength would let me and then hastened back to get help from somebody. I grabbed the hand of the lirst man I came to and urged him to follow me quickly. VVe reached the prostrate body and my companion imme- diately started working on him. It was while watching these operations that I noticed for the first time whom I had gotten, no other than Eugene McAnally. Luckily he was a doctor and soon had the drowning man breathing again. Wie got him to' the hotel and under medical care. That night I met Eugene and his bride as they were starting for the beach to enjoy the moon, a honeymoon for them. 25 is-sr