Banning High School - San Gorgonian Yearbook (Banning, CA)

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Esther Franklin was next to step out from among her classmates. She stood trembling before the gypsy, but was quite happy when she heard the following ‘‘You will go to college and after completing your course you will teach young people, but for a short time only. Somebody you have already met will take you away from your work. Yes, take you away. Then your time will be spent on a ranch with your faithful companion. You will always be happy.”’ To Cora Cusick came these words: ‘‘You will continue school—yes, I see a school in Santa Barbara. You will learn domestic science and then teach. You will be a very good teacher. But you will want a change. Yes, you will buy a nice little home, where you will live, with a garden, chickens, cat and parrot. You'll be very kind and watchful over your pets and will live a very happy life, always doing all you can to help others. No, you will not marry.”’ Last to come forward was Beulah Eli. The gypsy hesi- tated thoughtfully for a moment and then said, ‘‘You will be a great singer. Your hand is adapted for playing. You will study in France and be a great opera singer. I see large stages and many theaters.’’ As the last stepped back into the merry group of school- mates, the gypsy rose, made some motions which no one understood and saying, ‘‘Farewell,’’ vanished. fe eo Ten years had passed. In the fall of 1925 I was in Cali- fornia, where my large business interests had called me. [t was my first visit to the state in eight years as previ- cusly my annual business trips had taken me to other sections. I decided to look up some of my old friends, especially the graduates of the Banning High School in 1915. But this was not necessary as I heard from all of them without much trouble. One day as I was leaving my hotel a large auto drove cp and a portly looking gentleman stepped out. You can gh

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Class Prophecy T was immediately after the commencement exercises— if before the Senior Class of 1915 had left the dear old Banning High School, before they had said farewell to their happy school life and had stepped across the thres- hold into the world, that the class was gathered in one room of the building, enjoying their last feed. Suddenly the door opened and a queer old woman entered. Mere words could never picture her appearance and its effect upon the assembled class. Her face was haggard and worn and she was dressed in a bright red and green cos- tume, which greatly emphasized her wild appearance. Her little bead-like eyes glittered in a strange manner. For several minutes after her entrance, silence reigned. 3ut the gypsy, for such she proved to be, broke the still- ness by saying that she desired to foretell the future of each member of our class. Thinking that it would be great fun, we consented. William Mackey, as the only Senior boy, was the first to approach and find out what the future had in store for him. As the gypsy took his hand, she deliberated for a time and finally said, ‘‘These lines are very badly intermingled. At present your future occupation is not certain. You will try something ah! is it—yes, racing, but some ac- cident will cause you to change. Then you will become a doctor. You will ever be successful in this occupation. But you will be—ah! There is no need to blush, for you will always be a bachelor. Yes, but bachelors are always happy they say. So never mind.’’ The girls then insisted that as president of the class Julia Jennings must precede them in making inquiry con- cerning a future career. And this is what she heard. “You will go to another state to live. But you will be a great business woman and will travel much through- out the country. Wide will be your expcriences.”’ pty les

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fancy my surprise when I recognized him as my old schoolmate, William Mackey. I was very glad to learn that he was successful as a doctor in one of our largest cities. That evening I met him again and our conversa- tion drifted back to our old school days and particularly to our classmates of 1915. Through him I learned that Cora Cusick was then happy in her little home near Banning. Yes, she had gone to Santa Barbara, where she studied domestic sci- ence and had taught five years. But she decided to re- turn to Banning, the scene of many of her happy tri- umphs, and settle down. To my great sorrow he could tell me nothing concern- ing the other two members of our class. But the next morning I left for Los Angeles and while there I heard a great deal about Beulah Eli, who was to sing at the Orpheum that night. All agreed that she was the star of American opera. After completing my business I had a few days left and I decided to visit one of my old chums who was then living at Riverside. One evening after my arrival she ask- ed me to accompany her on a drive to a friend’s home, where she was invited to spend the evening. I consented, and was very glad afterwards that I had done so. Reach- ing her home after an hour’s drive, we were greeted by a young woman whom my friend addressed as Esther. I at once recognized her as Esther Franklin, who had graduated with me. We went into the house where I met her husband, a dark, handsome looking man. They owned a large ranch and were very happy. This was the last one of my classmates and I departed for home the next day, glad that I found out about all of our class, and that the old gypsy’s prophecy had come true. do de, “alos |