Blair Academy - Acta Yearbook (Blairstown, NJ)

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CA 352151 will ann zx 'Glu-2-tztment S M Gigonciat E, the enlightened class of 1924, being at the time in fairly sound mind and moderate understanding and meditating on .our vast resources, do, accordingly, make, declare, depute, assign, and etceteras this to be our last will and testament. . And to such estate as it hath pleased Fate to intrust us with, we dispose of the same as follows, viz: ' ITEM ' . . TO Doctor Sharpe and the Faculty we leave whatever- satisfaction may be had from the knowledge that we have learned a l1ttle in spite of ourselves. ITEM , TO the Class of 1925 we bequeath the conventional Key of Knowl- edge, hoping that our masterful administration will not entirely eclipse whatever immature efforts they may put forth. ITEM . , TO the good townspeople who have borne us with such patience and long suffering we extend our heartiest thanks and the hope that they may not find succeeding classes too inadequate. ITEM In order that none may be barred from our munificent generosity, we do further bequeath: f TO the entire student body, Walt Lovatt's -ever-present smile, and everything else you can think of. TO Joel Orem, John Borden's razzing abilities. Not that he needs them. TBRADSUAW TO Titlngm, Red lJUl'5lfllih big llt'I1l'l. TO Donnel, so1nebody's-Wai1ybody's--W'-last naine. TO t Dave Richardson, all the reticence in the Fluff 1 TO whom it may concern, joe ltloaglanfl. ju-1 the : TO Schafer, Carhart's leather lungs. TO Brute Hadley, McNamara's complete library l,.i fort and Earl Leiderman. TO Foulk, the phenomenal good fortune of Cubbisf table and elsewhere. TO Epps-Clhfe were about to leave a nicknazne. but thought we realize that the word Epps needs no assistance., TO Jacob Maben, all those traits which his classmates so lovable: the winning personality of Mary Smith. TO the kitchen force, a new set of coffee grounds. i reasons. TO Forbes, .. s... ...... .................. ......-...... ........... . ..,. We do hereby Constitute this to be our Last XYill and it and do accordingly appoint as our most complimented lixectyti ...at favorite of our many days, Gus. who has so long and so faithiullg seffcec us with that most delightful of all beverages-beer. XYE do s hand and seal in witness thereof. June ll, Anno Domini, 192-l riziaizrtfatintt nf Cbiff Q9ratinn BYRON GEORGE RoMERo OR many years it has been the custom of the various graduating classes of Blair to present to their school some gift as a humble token of their love and respect and of their gratitude for the many gifts which Blair has for so long given them, and so we, the class of 1924, feel proud in being able to follow this aged custom by present- ing to our Alma Mater this our gift. In presenting this gift, however, it is not our desire to create the impression that we believe ourselves to be repaying Blair in some degree, for we have long and well assured ourselves that by no material object nor by mere words, however sincere, could we hope to attain this end. This act of ours has another significance. We leave this gift behind us not as a symbol of our gratitude but as a symbol of a pledge, for we feel thlalt tlhere is yet a way in which we may in all justice fully repay our sc oo . Throughout the years that now lie before us there will surely come to us many of those opportunities in which we may put into practee INC many ideal theories that we have been taught at Blair. From our classer- from our athletics, from our different experiences of good fellewslilp- and in fact from all the various phases of Blair Life we have aceziltefl .many good traits and have learned to appreciate many more. lf it is then our sincere wish, as it is now, to thank Blair as she slionid bv thanked we can accomplish this end by putting to the best possible ad- vantage the many blessings that she has so bounteously showered 1111011 us. If we hold ourselves high to the standards of Blair and hy' UUY deeds make ourselves worthy of her ideals. then and not till then will we have righteously repaid Blair. ' And so in conclusion may we repeat that we present this gift 11-if W the sense of a repayment but as an emblem of our pledge to sonic dll? fulfill our obligation to our Alma Mater. I 'fa 1. .dim day, out that iff, where lu on occurrence, 'li e bell rr proved all intel sely inn Aniong other iings. i wishing to thi' 4 oi size thoughts. l sf n rou-ed least, look inte ieent. UT z SOI began tallii g about rn seeined to drn away. l nnagine hat l fu- T awoke 111 he: ' station lg l about to speal on tne ex' and when l ai were-fl. l 1' who wished in to a-'lyfse bath-tubs. l licked and was to catch he six-ten had dinner an retired ea Suddenly l w s awake-ne lights went ol, the resu Al'.verreatly Flashlight. Ha it when l was rendered iii l seemed o be tlloatii on a roller Cog ster, but l : opening my t 'es. that l desire to desc nd, to whit and when l sz .y that the for niy safe uiding. I from the avia ion lielfl, E that it was lf tsburgh. wi attracted my attention xx Hood, Tolle and NYilliai advertising a sale ot lint Not being in frested. as l Backward Cl ldren. l wa lront of St warts Spag hetti being it-lled on spi. glanced arou d and saw l how he was z id he told n' added that was in b artificial flow rs. but the 1 on, however. and heard 2: sight struck ny eyes. D advocating tlm election of The platforn he said. wa I heard 1 shout and at the curb. The door Ht me and intrtgluced me to Upon being tyited to ride drive he to'l nie of se' were rmmiiig Z1 poolroom back-scuttle, tnd Granville 10 the gtglryitg ll2lllYCS of ment, Louis Wolie down a Q

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we 1 Xl? NX l llx, Xi i uw XR - -rv. 3. lx .K . , 2,4- K- - sift s. Q, . . Qzwly, ' Mizffv 241239593 - Cigizturig nf the Gllaiai:-i nf 1924 XVILFRED B. TALMAN CLASS whose records and whose achievements shall live for- ever in the annals of Blair, a class whose memory cherishes the thought of happy days spent upon her beautiful campus: a class whose time has come to say goodbye to the encircling hills, azure skies and stately halls of Alma Mater-the Class of l924. Four or five fleeting years have made many changes in our ranks. Members have dropped out and others have been added until our present roll contains the largest number of graduates in Blair's history. A little more than a year ago, on June 4, 1923. the Junior class met for the purpose of organization, and the history of the Class of 1924 began. Odicers were elected, plans were made, and the class received the Senior privileges from the Class of 1923, who stood then, as we stand now, at the gateway of the world. with their school days stretching out in endless vistas of memory behind them. September came. new members were added to the roll, and the Class of 1924 held the time-honored position and privileges of Seniors. Meet- ings were held immediately, rings were selected and ordered, and the class settled down, with the rest of the school, to hard study in the some- what humble atmosphere of Recitation Hall, used for class-rooms since the burning of Clinton Hall in December, 1922. The Acta Board, the group of students who attend to the publica- tion of the annual year book, was appointed after the Christmas holi- days, and at once commenced to compile the volume which preserves the records and achievements of our class. The reconstruction of Clinton Hall having been completed, we moved in during the early part of March with a prayer of thankfulness that these ivy-covered walls, through which so many generations of Blair have passed, were restored to their former beauty. Not just the same, perhaps, to those who had spent many years at Blair, but beautiful never- theless, and a permanent monument to Alma Mater. Some time later, shortly after the Spring Vacation, it was decided to wear a distinguishing uniform consisting of sailor trousers, blue shirts, and white caps and ties. At this time, also, the Senior gift to the school was decided upon by the class. Un the evening of ,Tune the ninth the annual Senior Prom was held in the gymnasium, attended by a large crowd. All who patronized the informal affair enjoyed themselves immensely, entertained by the dancing, the music furnished by the Blair Orchestra, and the refreshments. The Senior Banquet, that sad yet joyful occasion of bidding one another farewell at the end of a year replete with happiness, was held on June the third. The heart of every Senior seemed full, at this time, with a sense of overwhelming sadness that made him think how, in years to come, he would remember this scene with tears in his eyes. Music and food, toasts passed back and forth, and general good-fellow- ship helped to dispel the melancholy of the affair and all entered into the spirit of the last gathering with happiness. Tomorrow Blair shall know us as students no more. Tomorrow we enter upon our new privileges as alumni, joining the ever-increasing tide of those whom Blair has endowed with knowledge and wisdom for three- score and sixteen years. And it is then that we shall look upon these gray, ivied walls, these arched skies, in a new light. In days to come we shall remember these ever in our dreams. And as our lives continue. approaching nearer and nearer to the sunset, we shall keep the old Blair memories, and, in thought if not always in deed, come back and spend the days in the same old way.

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f s . NMUHQ - mining -1 t'-'ml st-null itt lvl!! -T .tm-:lit that st-rvcfl ri our comC 'tflkii' thc . t LIg1x5g5v 32. -Asliip. .nit guired lf it 15 Jr- -uld IPC qlrlt' Zlfl' ,Nl upon .I lux Uur N x All we 1 UX1 tit not lil .1 -me 11115 Glitters lprnialqeng LAURENCE M. CARI-IART S had been my custom, I met my appointments. This happened to be a class. I came in the door and took my seat. It was a hot day, one that brought on Spring Fever. My thoughts were any- where but on my lessons, which may not have been a strange occurrence. The bell rang and the class began. As usual, the topic proved so intensely interesting that my thoughts soon began to wander. Among other things, I thought of my chances to graduate. But not wishing to think of such pessimistic things, I turned to more pleasant thoughts., I soon roused myself, however, because I knew that I must, at least, look intelligent, or make a good attempt at it, anyhow. The profes- sor began talking about radio, but I only caught a few words. The voice seemed to drift away. ' I imagine that I must have fallen asleep with my radio on, because I awoke to hear station B. V. D. announce that the Rev. E. Simons was about to speak on the evils of anagrams. Suddenly my telephone rang and when I answered, I found it to be my business partner in California who .wished me to advise him on the shipment of a dozen papier mache bath-tubs. I packed and was soon at the Pennsylvania Station, where I was to catch the six-ten for Chicago. Soon the train started and I had dinner and retired early, conLinuing a habit I had formed at Blair. Suddenly I was awakened by a grinding of the brakes. Then all the lights went out, the result of a crash. But I remembered I had my liverready Flashlight, Hawkshaw-Model, and I was about to reach for it when I was rendered insensible by a blow on the head. I seemed to be fioating through the air. At first, I thought I was on a roller coaster, but I soon discovered my illusion when I found, upon opening my eyes, that I was in an airplane. I voiced my immediate desire to descend, to which the pilot immediately complied. VVe landed and when I saw that the pilot was George Smith, I was doubly thankful for my safe landing. I paid him and walked down the street leading from the aviation field. As there were so many Cigar Stores I surmised that it was Pittsburgh, which proved to be correct. The first thing that attracted my attention was a huge building, which was the firm of Hood, Tolles and VVilliams, outfitters for the college man. They were advertising a sale of linoleum rompers for Carnegie Tech Freshmen. Not being interested, as I had graduated from the Illinois Institute for Backward Children, I walked on until I saw several men standing in front of Stewart's Spaghetti Emporium. Wfhile watching the spag- hetti being rolled on spools, I detected the odor of a foul cigar. I glanced around and saw L. E. Brown. After my hrst shock I inquired how he was and he told me that he had fiunked out of Muhlenberg. He added that he was in business with Clement making rag dolls and artificial flowers, but the public did not appreciate their worth. I moved on, however, and heard a familiar voice on a side street. A 'peculiar sight struck my eyes. Dummy Romero was standing on ga soap box, advocating the election of the Hon. Carlton R. McNamara for president. The platform, he said, was free beer and no schools. I heard a shout and I perceived a large Hudson Two pulling up at the curb. The door flew open and Voight stepped out. He greeted me and introduced me to Mrs. Voight and the sixteen little Voights. Upon being invited to ride with him I jumped into the car. During the drive he told me of several old Blair men. Rinehart and Abbott were running a poolroom, Coddington had beaten Weissinuller in the back-scuttle, and Granville-Smith was shipping a thousand finger bowls to the starving natives of Madagascar. Then to increase my astonish- ment, Louis broke down and confessed that he had been elected Mayor. That was too much. I reeled and caught a support as I felt myself fainting. Wlieii I opened my eyes I was embracing a hydrant on the lower East Side of New York City. I straightened up rather unsteadily and I bumped into Pierson, who was an admiral in the Mexican Navy. He was buying a bushel of clams from a street vender, whom I recognized as Paxson. Bert offered me a few, but not being in the mood, I refused his offer and went into a tube entrance. After changing at Grand Cen- tral, I took the shuttle to Times Square. As I came out on Broadway, I saw two sandwich men, Troutman and Tomes, who were advertising VVheatley's Combined Shaving Soap and Rubber Cement. It was supposed to dissolve the beard, a razor being unnecessary. I turned down Broadway and saw a billboard announcing the opening of a new musical comedy hit, Mabel's Mattressfl featuring 'fRudy Cubbison and Grove. Not being at all thrilled, I sauntered along, looking at the latest novelties in Parson and Ogilvie's 5 and 10. and saw a novel arrangement called Armstrong's Non-Losable Key Ringf' I purchased one from Talman and was turning to go, when I saw 5'Ham Avery. He said that he and Martin were posing for Cream of Wheat advertisements. Feeling the call of the wild, I went into Hadley and Hammerton's Hash-house, where I gave my order to Griffing. He brought me a platter of hash and a quart of Fortified Howdy. By accident I spilled a drop and I saw, to my amazement, that it burned a hole in the asbestos rug. I hurriedly inhaled the hash and departed. Once again I was on the Broad VVhite NVay. I noticed a man catch- ing white hot rivets in his teeth, as they were thrown from the forge. The man proved to be quite adept at the art, but he soon missed one. which dropped into his shirt front. However, he was not at all flustered and he plucked the rivet from his chest, which was still fairly warm. A woman screamed, and the fellow turned to see who it was. Then I saw that it was an old acquaintance, Tarby. As I was about to speak to him, someone stepped on my foot. I turned around to slap the offender down, when I saw that it was Curran, dressed in the latest collegiate fashion. He told me of a fight at the Madison Square Garden. between the Jersey Bullf, the champion, and the Hollow Venus,' and he invited me to go. The prominent New York and Philadelphia clubman, Johnny Borden, who made his money in the roller skate business, was staging the battle for the benefit of the starving politicians. I accepted Perky's invitation, so we taxied down to the Garden. Our seats were on the ring- side, so we were able to see all .that went ou. We werehardly seated when we saw Al Caesar, who was conducting a fresh air drive for the Chorus Girls, take a seat in the row behind us. Then the referee. Benn Sears, called for the fighters. The dressing room door opened and the Hollow Venus, whom I identified as Mary Smith emerged, followed by his seconds, DeWiiiter and Eberstaller. A few minutes later the Jersey Bull came out of the door followed by his seconds VValt Lovatt and Red Pursell. Wheii the fighters were introduced I recog- nized the Jersey Bull as none other than ,Toe ' Hoagland. The champ got a good hand from the cheap seats and then submitted to a vigorous rub-down from his seconds. Then the ball rang and the crowd began to cheer. I got up and yelled for the Hollow Venus. Suddenly some- body hit me on the back. I jumped with surprise and turned. around to see who it was. I found myself gazing into the benevolent face of my professor who volunteered the information that the class was over. I