Ashtabula High School - Dart Yearbook (Ashtabula, OH)

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THE DART TRUE PATRIOTISM GEORGE SHIYA, 17 American Consulate, Buenos Ayres, Argentina. April 18. '17- Dr. James I). Madison. President University of America, Boston, Mass. My dear Doctor: Inasmuch as your recommendations with reference to the selection of competent scholars for government service have been of invaluable aid to us, I take the liberty of calling upon you for another favor. To be brief, we are at present in urgent need of an efficient young man, with some training in consular work to act as private secretary. It will be unnecessary for me to go into further detail as regards other qualifications the applicant must have, for they are undoubtedly only too familiar to you. However, I wish to state, that in view of the present crisis which confronts the nation, it will be of the utmost importance that the person in question be a true patriot; one whose patriotism is unquestionable and above reproach. Incidentally, the position, besides paying a comfortable salary, leads to a consulship. Confiding in your ability to select such a scholar, and greatly appreciating any effort you may make in the matter, I remain Yours sincerely, R. C. Benton, American Consul at Buenos Ayres. So read the letter in the hands of Dr. Madison, who now leaned back from his desk, turned in his swivel chair, and looked out at the campus of the renowned University of America. There during the recess hour hundreds of stalwart young men in the prime of manhood, moved to and fro, while as many others stood about in groups, discussing various topics, ranging from college activities to the latest development in the war situation. Suddenly, the doctor’s grim countenance lighted up, and, mopping his brow as if he had found a solution to the question before him, he laid the letter aside and proceeded to peruse the mail remaining before him- “So you believe, Dick, there is no possibility of immediate peace?” “It is my personal opinion, of course, but you see, Phyl, the Germans may be under the impression that we have already given the allies material aid, and not until they feel that our entrance into the war has gravely changed the situation will they yield.” “But it is distressing to think of the number of lives it may cost us to bring this terrible war to an end, Dick.” “Yes, that is to be deplored, Phyl, but when one reflects upon the outcome of the struggle, I mean the probable elimination of monarchies, and the establishment of democracy in those countries, where the lives of millions of people are made miserable by the oppressive rule of a few tryants, one can not help but believe that the cause is a most worthy one, and that lives given up in such a cause are certainly not lost in vain.” “Dad holds the same opinion on the question as you do, Dick. He appears 25

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THE DART erator at Washington, is in daily communication with Clarence Miner, minister to Lapland, and Charles Farrow, minister to England, about his disappearance. Charles is also in communication with Arthur Tkach, secretary to the Russian president. They rather expect to find Varckette in Russia or Siberia.” “She also said that Victor Visconty bad perfected his passenger cable line to Italy, and that Theodore Warren was in New York lecturing on ‘Reform’ and ‘Clean National Politics.’ ” “I had not seen Florence Taylor for years. She is Court stenographer at Mercer, Pennsylvania.” ‘‘Abigail Wescott has a game-bird farm at Conneaut Lake. She says it is very interesting work. I thought Hazel Seymour seemed very much devoted to her bass soloist husband. She is manager for his company you know.” ‘‘Isn’t it fine that Eva Reebel and Harold Scoville give one evening’s receipts every week to German-Am-erican war orphans? My! Can’t they sing? They are a team in evening entertainments.” ‘‘Pauline Lishner and Rebecca Levin are very successful in their girls’ school in New York. They seemed glad to see Ashtabula again.” ‘‘Clarence Maynard said he was just back from Australia. He has finished his explorations, but is going back to take up a ranch. Arthur Louis and William Mantell are going also as they have purchased a sheep ranch there. Beryl McBride and Mary McDaniels go by the same boat. They are to be missionaries to the natives of the interior. Someone said Charles Sanborn had resigned his management of the National Base Ball league and was going to Australia, too.” “Rudolf Siegfried is still making violins and ukeleles, and sometimes condescends to teach the buyers of his instruments to play them.” “Walter Stewart hasn’t changed a bit, even if he is the youngest bishop of the Methodist church and called ‘The Silver-Tongued Bishop.’ ” “Morris Campbell and Forest Kit-son were certainly kept busy showing off their new gyroscopic car line to West Ashtabula. You knew they are to extend it to the Harbor next year.” Doesn’t it seem funny to think of Francis Dickson as rector of St. James church in Cleveland, and Louise Krause and Esther Lang as settlement workers in his parish?” “And did you know that Lawrence Russell was going back to Germany as chief civil engineer to the new President? and that Arlene Henry was going to Germany, also?” “Bane Fassula, though a graduate of Yale, has accepted a position as Professor of Modern Languages. He seemed glad to be here again ” “And can you imagine anything funnier than our faces when we saw Ralph Heil, grown so stout, 240 pounds they say. And a family of beautiful daughters! Neil Knowlton could have found some pretty good famous subjects for hs cartoons in the “Independent’ right here at our reunion, couldn’t he?” “Paul Hogan, barber to the President of the United States, and Thomas Kane, his secretary, came through from Washington in one day in an aeroplane. How would you like the trip?” “No, thanks, but speaking of trips, Lloyd Woodworth got stalled with his auto the other night. Ran out of gasoline. He just took a bottle of pop and a bottle of ten cent perfume which he (Continued to Page 31) 24

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THE DART to be somewhat worried, since Congress declared war, and he has been attending various patriotic meetings for the last few evenings. Blit, to change the subject, 1 want to congratulate you on your success in the intercollegiate oratory contest.” “Merci. merci. ma’mselle.” It was one of our friend’s traits to use French when embarrassed. “Furthermore,” continued Phyl. “I have learned that several members of the faculty commented very favorably on your speech. Dr- Madison himself remarked that the university had much reason to be proud of you.” And indeed it had. for Dick Prescott was a self made man. He had just completed the high school commercial course when his father died, leaving him and his widowed mother but a meager income. But this unfortunate event did not deter Dick from carrying out his plans of attending a university. He decided to work his way thru as a stenographer and in this way he had been successful. Although not possessed of a striking personality, he had a genial disposition, a frank countenance, and, all in all. was a youth pleasant to behold. Among the many friends Dick had made during his four years at the university, Professor Shoultz, head of the business administration department, was the man to whom he felt most deeply indebted- This worthy gentleman had taken an interest in the boy since his arrival at the school, and by securing employment for him during his leisure time, had enabled the lad to carry on his work without interruption. In the meantime, Dick had met and had become acquainted with Phyllis Shoultz, the professor’s only daughter, one of the most popular girls at the university. A warm friendship had grown up between the two. It was while they were on one of their customary afternoon promenades, that the above conversation took place. After various other topics of mutual interest had been discussed, the pair arrived at the Shoultz home, whereupon Dick took his leave, and walked back toward the school grounds. It was nearly dark as he crossed the campus, intent on repairing to the dining hall. At this moment he saw Dr. Madison coming toward him. “Just a moment, Mr. Prescott,” the Doctor said, “can you spare time to do an errand for me?” “Certainly, sir. What can I do?” was the rejoinder. “I left a small, gray-covered pamphlet with Mr. Shoultz which I shall have occasion to use this evening at Glenville where I am to lecture. Most likely it is in his desk to which you may have access by these keys. Now if you can reach me at the house with the book, before six o’clock. I’ll be greatly indebted to you, Mr. Prescott ” “I'll do it. sir. You can depend upon me.” “Thank you, my boy,” and with that Doctor Madison turned and walked briskly away, while Dick hurriedly made for the main hall. On reaching Professor Shoultz’ room, he turned on the lights, succeeded in opening the desk, found the pamphlet and was about to close the drawer, when a peculiar sight greeted his eyes. There, uncovered by the book, lay three or four small hand drawn maps, neatly dotted and labelled in German characters and word signs. On closer scrutiny, Dick discovered the maps to be nothing less than drawings of Boston Harbor, and the dots and peculiarly shaped lines served evidently to represent the exact location of mines and nets disseminated about the port. 26