Brattleboro Union High School - Colonel Yearbook (Brattleboro, VT)

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2 THE ORCHESTRA CAST AND CHORUS OF THE MIKADO'

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his apparatus properly in preparing to give a lecture, and so a very valuable dis- cussion was lost, for, by the time the trouble was discovered, Howard, having actually forgotten what, he was talking a'bout, was unable to repeat the lecture. It seems also that Pauline Searles is the med- ical supervisor of all the High Schools of Vermont. It is said that she has been. very successful in this line of work. Not all of our classmates have chosen such serious occupations. Miriam Nichols and Gladys Chapin own a well equipped beauty parlor in Boston. I have heard many wome11 say they would not think of patronizing any other shop. Among their regular patrons is Ethel Irish, a well known leader in social and literary circles, whose novels are read with pleasure by literary men and women. I found Philip Wheeler at Rhona Pat- terson's comfortable hotel in the Green Mountains. Philip was taking a well earned rest before setting out on an ex- pedition to explore the Amazon Basin. As Philip was enjoying a siesta there one af- ternoon, Frank Shumway rode up on a pony. He was just as fond of ponies in his High School days as he is now, only fewer people knew it then. Frank im- mediately began to talk about the advan- tages of corporation bonds over govern- ment bonds, as a means of investment. Philip was inclined to disagree, but Frank quickly overcame all his arguments. I left them there, in characteristic positionsg Philip, doubting, and Frank, arguing. In Springfield I saw Alice Alexander, the owner of a large dressmaking estab- lishment, listening carefully to the advice of an efficiency expert, whom I recognized at Leora Barker. Soon each recognized the other, and the efficiency plans were promptly forgotten, while the two sat down to exchange information about their old classmates in B. H. S. I learned from them that Helen VVoodworth is a mission- ary to Brazil, and is succeeding wonderful- ly in teaching the little Brazilians to wear flannel petticoats and to say Thank you. Harry Anderson'is manager of a large manufacturing concern in Boston, and has recently hired Margaret Frost for his pri- vate secretary. ' Harry is well known in business circles, and I understand is likely to be elected president of the new Manu- facturers' League, which has just been founded. Alice also said that Luella Smith owns a garage in Putney, and is astonish- ing the Putney-ites considerably by her up-to-date methods of running it. just then Elizabeth Underwood came in and interrupted this talk by trying to in- terest Alice in taking outa policy in the Stockwell Insurance Company. This com- pany is owned by Mildred Stockwell, but because she is so bashful, she sends Eliza- beth around to do the talking. The tal I then saw a restaurant with a large sign, Winchester's Cafe, and upon look- ing inside I found our friend Robert the proprietor and Marion Phelps a very able assistant. The rooms were attractive and the food delicious and generously served. I think that Robert will soon have to en- large his rooms to accommodate his in- creasing number of patrons. Then I wandered into a lawyer's oHice, where I saw Fred Robbins seated at a large desk, with neat piles of papers spread over the top. The room gave a very busi- ness-like impression, but when I glanced at the book upon which he was intent, I saw that it was the latest detective story. Apparently his clients were not troubling him much just then. Later I was Hitting about aimlessly, no- ticing that human nature had not changed much in any way, when suddenly I met Frank O'Brien for the first time since we began our lives as shades. He had just come through Brattleboro, and as he had seen many of our classmates, I have asked him to tell about them. 44IVIARION E. LAUGHTON. CLASS PROPHECY PART 2 going through New Hamp- across someone who looked familiar. On looking again I saw that it was no other Once while shire I came than our classmate, Cedric was not surprised to find that he was selling a new kind of gasoline gauge for Fords, which enables one to tell when his gas runs low by a quick glance at the dashboard. It seems that he has practised salesmanship since his high school days at which time he got his start selling motor oil. During my wanderings through New Hampshire I happened to visit a rural school and great was my astonishment at finding the teacher to be Marcella Rolin. On coming towards Brattleboro I no- ticed that on either side of the Putney Road there were high fences which en- closed a fine estate. I wondered to whom this land belonged but found my clue in a sign posted near a driveway. It read as follows: Private Way. No Trespassing. Alton Farrington. Then I remembered he had invented the famous flying automo- bile which would go either on land or in the air. He had made his fortune on this invention and had settled down not far from Putney, his old home town. Brattleboro hasn't changed much except for some fine buildings that had been erect- ed. Among other new constructions is Emerson. I a fine concrete bridge over the Connecti- cut River. I found it was one of the great engineering feats of William Moreton. His is the only bridge over the Connecticut 15 in Brattleboro that had not been washed away. Among other innovations in Brattleboro is a squad of motor cops, who regulate the busy trahfic. I was once regarding one of these guardians of the way, when she took off her goggles, thus giving me the chance to recognize Dot Miller. I learned that she was the first and most daring lady motorcycle cop in Brattleboro. Mildred Miller is running a Ford jit- ney between VVest Brattleboro and Brat- tleboro for the benefit of high school pupils. Having a pull with the traffic cops, she is allowed to go as fast as possible and gets all the students to school in' time for at- tendance. One new variety of amusement is the wireless concerts given by Winnifred Meade. She has built a chain of receiving stations across the United States and has become very wealthy by charging admission to the music coming out of the air. It seems that Katherine Lillis was at that time touring the country for the Anti- Tobacco League. B. H. S. now has a girls' football team which upheld the reputation of the school, under the training of Coach Mildred Greenwood. Lynn Thayer has settled down to a stu- dious bachelor's life in West Brattleboro and had written a book on the Evolution of Man. He had agents on the road selling this book, his chief salesman being Howard Underwood. Eddie Lindsey is running a traveling show known as the Frolicsome Follies. It seems he began work as a comedian for a stock company, but when he realized his abilities he immediately started in business for himself. His chief actor, aside from himself is Francis Harwood, and his leading ladies are Olive Capron and Viola Brayman, Olive Capron has been pur- suing this line ever since high school days while Viola has only recently found out that she had a talent for this work. Onei evening while in New York I dropped into a theatre to hear a fine or- chestra which could be heard clear to the street, Greatly to my surprise I beheld Harriet Murrah leading the musicians with as much pep as she had in former days. By overbearing some conversation I learned that she had got her first start at home on the ukelele, an instrument which she played for her own amusement during high school days. Through constant prac- tice she has become the leader of one of New York's greatest orchestras. One of her players, whom having one heard no one can ever forget, is Lyman Adams, the saxophonist. He was just as funny as ever and could play even better than in former years. I Richard Gale is a missionary to the

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Fijis where he is now teaching the natives the value of education. John Perkins is a member of Congress and has lately been debating strongly on the negative side of the question of wheth- er women should be admitted to the pres- ident's cabinet. ' A Florence Clark has for a number of years been conducting a series of girls' camps in the United States, on much the same plan as the old Green Mountain Camp. Her chief associate is Mary Butterfield who is employed for the purpose of im- personating historical characters for the campers in order that they may better appreciate the value of history. Mabel Tombs, Nina Wood, and Marion Davenport are attendants on Fairs and other holiday celebrations, Mabel running a Whip, Nina managing a ferris wheel, and Marion conducting a merry-go-round. They seemed to be doing a fine business when I saw them, drawing the crowds as liowers draw bees. It has been certainly aggravating in my wanderings over the world to see and hear my classmates without being able to talk over old times with them. But now, having seen or heard of them all, I will travel on through Europe and Asia, wishing the best of luck still to everyone in the class of '22. -FRANK O'BR1EN. GILIMPSES OF OLD BRATTLE- BOROUGH Clvy Orationj People will not look forward to poster- ity who never look backward to their an- cestors. Thus Edmund Burke speaks of cherishing a love for the past. In pursu- ing our many school activities we are in- clined to forget about the factors that have made possible our schools and homes. We must occasionally pause and think of the struggles of the town forefathers. It is particularly appropriate that we in Brat- tleboro should do this, for Brattleboro is indeed rich in associations and traditions. Many kinds of historical records illumi- nate the past for us. It is not only through historical facts, but through glimpses of the social life of the community, of the schools, of the cemeteries, and of the var- ious literary and artistic associations that we may reanimate the past life of a town. A glance at the social life of Brattleboro reveals many facts of interest. The first settlers were primarily home-makers with little time for the amenities of life, later on, by 1803, when the village of Brattle- boro contained but ten houses, a literary society was formed. At the meetings mem- bers contributed original prose and poetry, though a few were admitted, as the records say, some for their fortune, some for their beauty, and some for other entertain- ing qualities. illibe tal CLASS SONG. CTune: Ah S0 Pure from Martha D Happy are we, singing joyously, Memories sweet, joys complete fill our hearts today. Parting time is here, friendships ever dear In our thoughts with lingering fondness stay. But our world lies ahead and the pathway we must tread As reluctant we stand gazing toward the unknown land. Crowded there in despair, vainly groping for the light, Burdened souls seek the goals we have dreamed in days so bright, In days so bright. Happy are we, singing joyouslyg Memories sweet, joys complete hearts today. Parting time is here, friendships ever dear In our thoughts will fondly stay. - Forth we go now ever striving Ever working comradely. iWe shall learn the joy of service Live and love to make men free. Ah, clearly now our way we see. Happy are we, singing joyously, Memories sweet, joys complete fill our hearts today. Parting time is here. Banish doubt and fear. Ah, clear before us lies our way. HELEN A. WooDwoRTH. From 1845 until l870, when the famous water-cures were located here, the Golden Age of Brattlebords social life came into being. The water-cures were conducted by two German doctors, Dr. Wesselhoeft and Dr. Grau-men of great culture, who hadbbeen educated at German universities of note. It is not difficult to picture in our imaginations what a day at the water- cure might have been. The patient's rou- tine began at four o'clock in the morning, when he was awakened for the water-cure treatment. This consisted first of wrap- ping the patient in heavy woolen blankets until he perspired freely, then of an immer- sion into a cold bath. The day was spent largely out of doors, drinking the sparkling spring water, walking, and driving. The patients may have walked along Whetstone Brook where, at that time, there were no buildings to mar its beauty, he may have read in one of the quiet summer-houses that bordered the Aqueduct Path running along the bank below Western Avenue, or mayhap he drove to the Bliss Farm, where trout dinners were served. There were also longer trips, climbs up Wantastiquet and neighboring hills. General I. W. Phelps, who achieved fame in the Mexi- can War, describes one of these trips in a queer little verse commencing, 17 as Four happy souls set out at three, To climb the stceps of Vtfickopee, The sun was bright, the day was fair, And so were all the ladies there! The day often ended with a Hydropathic Ball, to which people came from many miles around. The brilliantly lighted halls echoed with mirth and festivity. There were ladies in their many-colored hoop skirts, which bobbed up and down, the men in their tight-fitting vests and swallow tail coats, and the fiddlers playing their merriest tunes, while the company danced the Sir Roger de Coverly or the Polonaise. ' The most cultured society gathered at Brattleboro. Among the names which still remain famous are those of Julia Ward Howe, Henry W. Longfellow and his brother Samuelg Doctor Kane, the Arctic rer, for whom the Kane Pine is named, Fanny Fern, who wrote for New York papers for many years, James Rus- sell Lowell, Helen Hunt Jackson, William Dean Howells, and Generals McClellan and Sherman. . K The Civil War, together with the decline in popularity of the water-cure treatment, brought the Water-Cure to a close. This period in our history has had untold influence upon the town. In the association with men and women of the world Brat- tleboro absorbed the atmosphere of their ideas and culture. Brattleboro advanced educationally as well as socially, and soon after the Civil VVar became the seat of two first class schools, Burnside Military Academy for boys, and Glenwood Ladies' Seminary. The latter was located in West Brattleboro where the present school building is. The building as it stands was the Glenwood chapel, while on either side were dormito- ries-East and West Halls, around the love- ly old fashioned garden a deep hedge 'shel- tered the ladies from all intruders. Among the list of studies are several names un- familiar to Brattleboro High School stu- dents, for example, logic, mental philoso- phy, and moral science. There was a de- lightful feeling of intimacy within the classesg atgtheir weekly meetings, the stu- dents read together Dickens, Scott, or an- other author of note. One also learns much about old Brattle- boro from- reading the epitaphs in our grave-yards, notably on Meeting House Hill. We come to see what virtues men of an older day venerated and the qualities held in esteem as comely and of good re- port: 1 Calm were her passions, constant was her mind To her neighbors friendly, to her con- sort kind. It is amusing, too, to note the sort of anti- climax at the end! Another such epitaph appears on the gravestone of Iohn Arms, one of the first settlers of the town: