Beloit High School - Trojan Yearbook (Beloit, KS)

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Central School E MISS VIOLA M'NUTT, IST GRADE MISS CLARA LOOMIS, 3D GRADE MISS MINNIE YOUNG, 2D GRADE MISS GRACE PETRO, 4TH GRADE of his constructive genius was destined to be the death of his soul. It may be remarked that the instrument had just been wound up before it began its per- istaltic motion down the alimentary canalg so that it was in good trim to give a selection at any moment. Ever after this fatal accident Jack Dobson was ill at ease. His diet had to be regulated and he was practically ostracized from society. He could never allow himself to become excited nor could any pressure be brought to bear upon that unfortunate region which acted as a receptacle to the music box. The least jar would set the pesky instrument in motion and cause Jack to die several cruel deaths. One night Jack took a young lady to church. They sat next to one of the old deacons. During the whole sermon Jack was very cautious in all his move- ments and managed to sit through the preaching without any serious breaks. At the end of the sermon the old deacon next to him was asked to offer prayer. He did so, and growing 'fervent in his denunciation ,of all worldly vices he brought his hand down in close proximity to Jack. The latter gave a gentle lurch, but it was, alas, violent enough to set tHe ,music box vibrating. Soon through the room was borne the muflied tones of Ta-ra-boom de ay, with variations. Jack clasped his stomach convulsively and coughed like he had the consumption. But he couldn't quiet those subterranean murmurings. Like murder, they would out. Noticing the people in all parts of the house had begun to look over in his direction and scowl, he stood the torture as long as possibleg then, not being able to endure the strain any longer, he grabbedhis hat and fied tumultuously from the scene, leaving the young lady to find her way home -as best she could. ' -- This was only one of the embarrassing situations into which Jack was forced. He went to a dinner party one day. He was one of the most jovial of the guests and had managed to bathe the little singer in his food basket with copious draughts of liquid, when, at a most inopportune moment and when everybody seemed jolliest, the slow and solemn strains of the doxology greeted the ears of the astonished guests. The sound was most melancholy and lugu- brious. Jack laughed convulsively, and clapped his hands and drank like a gourmand. But no use. The little concert inside of him quietly kept up its gentle vibrations and finally forced its possessor to make an awkward excuse

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, l INGENIOUS JACK DOBSON . A Beloit School Boyt Whose lnventive Faculty got Him into Trouble I up Some time ago there lived in Beloit a young man by the ,name of Jack Dobson. He was a very bright youngefellow and was especially apt in any- thing that pertained to machinery. To his natural ability was' added an ac- quired skill, so that he came to be almost a constructive genius., Whenever he saw a new specimen of machinery he always examined it very carefully, learning thereby its construction and mode of operation. Upon becoming con- versant with the different parts he would make a similar machine of his own in miniature and add such improvements as his fertile genius could suggest. Having- strolled into a drug store one day he saw a curious kind of a ma- hogany box sitting upon the show case. He advanced and was taking a criti- cal exterior view of the object when the druggist came up and, slapping him gently on the shoulder, said, J ack, there's something that will interest you. That's a music box, and it's one of the finest pieces of workmanship ever made. I'll just wind 'er up and let you see how she works. A few twists of a little lever, the musical cylinder was set in motion and Jack listened to some of the sweetest music he had ever heard. Where did you get it? he asked, after observing it closely for a few moments. Bought it when I was East purchasing my fall goods, replied the drug- gist. I'n'i going to rafiie it oif at a dollar a ticket. I had seventy-five tick- ets, but I've sold about two-thirds of 'em already. Wouldn't you like to take a chance? I don't think it would do any good, said Jack. I never drew any- thing in my life. Nothing like trying though. I guess you can give me a ticket. And he threw a dollar on the counter. ' Two weeks later the raffle came off and strange to relate Jack held the fortunate ticket. Now his one great wish could be gratified. Carrying the music box home he immediately set about taking it to pieces. He noted care- fully every point in the mechanism. Then he put it together again. I'll make one of my own, he said to himself, only it will be very small. - For weeks afterward he labored on his miniature music box. Nor were his labors in vain, for the outcome of his genius was a mechanical Wonder. It was only three-fourths of an inch long by a half inch in depth, and played thirteen tunes in five different languages. Jack was proud of his achievement, and did not fail to exhibit the wonder whenever the opportunity offered. It became a favorite trick of his to put the instrument in his mouth unknown to those about him and then to enjoy the looks of surprise that were depicted on the different countenances upon hearing the mysterious sounds. One day when performing his favorite trick he was thrown into a paroxysm of laughter by the grotesque antics of one of those who heard the unseen instrument. In his enjoyment of the situation he unfortunately swallowed the music box. His merriment was soon changed to fear and mortification. He tried in vain to eliminate the object of his pride'from his stomach. He used ipecac, all sorts of emetics and hyperdermic injections, butit was of no avail. The pride

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Rodgers School A MISS MINNIE SCHUNGEL, STH GRADE MISS MARY HILL, 6TH GRADE MISS GERTRUDE STRAIN, 7TH GRADE MISS EUNICE COTTON, 51'H GRADE and to retire igncminiously 'mongst the laughing and hurrahing of his com- panions. X Jack Dobson finally died of mortification and chagrin. At the funeral, when the preacher was expatiating upon the gentleness of Jack's life 'and the many christian acts he had performed, that everlasting little monitor struck up We Won't Go Home Till Morning, and concluded with Down Went McGinty. On the way to the cemetery, the mourners were entertained by a selection from Beethoven with French variations. K When the coffin was lowered into the dark grave and the sexton with his shovel had begun to verify the biblical dust to dust, there struggled up through the enveloping clay the faint tones of Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight? The selection was a medley and finallvconcluded with See That My Grave's Kept Green. Wherever Jack may have gone when he died, it is safe to say that his soul was musical. ' Our Janitors JOHN MOCKLEY J. A.'M'ELROY TT! 4 .,.4 J