Butler High School - Tropaeum Yearbook (Butler, IN)

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ing and commenced to tell me her life’s history. After leaving high school she had engaged in commercial work, but she soon became dissatisfied as she long- ed to be of some benefit to the sick and afflicted, so she had launched upon a nurse’s career. She seemed especially fitted for her work and under her ex- perienced care, I was soon able to leave the hospital. After leaving the hospital, I immediately started to Butler and as I came home through Ft. Wayne 1 decided to stop in that city for a short time. As I came from the train, the first person who attracted my attention was a girl whom 1 remembered as Lelah Alwood, and by her side was a man whom 1 rec- ognized as no other than that “freshie” who had always been at her side dur- ing the last year of her career in B. II. S. 1 introduced myself to them. During a recital of my experiences since leaving high school, I soon realized that their thoughts were far from my conversation and upon asking them the cause they could no longer conceal the great secret. They told me that this was their wedding day and that as Homer had forgotten the ring, they were hurrying to make that purchase. At this disclosure I immediately decided to help cele- brate the event and at their invitation accompanied them to a large jewelry store. After the selection of the ring had been made and Lelah and Homer had left the store, I introduced myself to the proprietor whom I recignized as Hubert Doud. Hubert and I had a pleasant time talking of what had trans- pired since our departure from high school and he told me of his successful venture in the jewelers trade. I asked Hubert concerning Homer and Lelah’s delayed marriage and lie told me that Homer had been compelled to wait until he graduated from high school, and then the decision that he would first make a successful start in some business had postponed their marriage until rather late in life. As I had only intended to make a short stay in Ft. Wayne I immediately started to Butler and after a ride of about one hour, arrived in that city. I no- ticed with great satisfaction that Butler had greatly increased in size and when I inquired about the high school I learned that it had correspondingly grown since a fine new building had been erected an a large choice of courses was offered. Hearing so much concerning the school, I decided to visit my alma mater first of all. 1 found Lmma Brown as teacher of sermonizing and of its advantages, a position which 1 decided was very fitting and proper, as in high school, we, her poor fellow classmates, had more than once been swamped by her discourses and incomprehensible vocabulary. Helen Smurr was also teaching in the high school with the subjects of advanced commercial arithmetic, Latin and Greek as her work. Upon interviewing the superin- tendent of the school, I found that both Emma and Helen had given excellent satisfaction. I next visited the down town districts where a man in a lumber wagon

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“You will probably understand my hopeless outlook on life,” he continu- ed, “when T relate to you the changes which have been wrought in the lives and appearances of my associates since my departure from civilization. T do not know how I was conveyed back to the civilized world but suddenly I found myself in New York City. Being anxious to see some of the wonders of the city, I decided to go on a tour. Upon going thru one of the leading theatre districts, I was attracted by the following announcement on the advertising boards of one of the most popular theatres in the city. “The Voice Invisible!!! Carrie Vondizzimi!!!! “A lady who once having a singing voice of wonderful possibility is now without the use of this voice and also of her power of speech, due to her mod- est and silent behavior during her childhood and high school life. Mrs Vondizzimi always very proficient in pantomine will exhibit her arts along that line. Mr. Vondizzimi, her husband, considered the leanest man in the world is also a sight worth seeing.” “In some compelling way I was attracted by this advertisement and decid- ed that I would go in and see this queer performance. The performers had already commenced to demonstrate their arts when I arrived, and I soon rec- ognized them as being no other than my two old classmates Louise Willock and Ralph Campbell. Due to her enormous size. Louise was scarcely recog- nizable but due to her old time perseverance she had evidently determined to continue her pantomine entertainments even though her fabulous proportions prohibited graceful movements. But what came next was the saddest sight of all. The tears streamed from my eyes as 1 gazed upon this apparition who had once been the most robust fellow of my class in B. II. S. He had diminished in size until he was but a shadow of his former self. After the play, I had a little talk with Ralph and he told me that in the evenings he helped Louise with her work and during the day time he worked on his Fativious Fliver which he expected to demonstrate in the year of 1953. He could not tell why he had become such a dwarfish creature but he attributed it to the unkindness of nature. After this disappointing revelation I decided that I had seen enough of New York life and thought I would go back to my own home town and see what changes had been brought about there. Upon hurrying into the street and on my way to the depot I was suddenly struck by some vehicle and knew nothing more until I opened my eyes and found a lady in a nurses uniform standing over me. I recognized this lady at once as Clara Panhuysen and as soon as I gained sufficient strength I told her my name. She was very much surprised at seeing me after all the years that had elapsed since our last meet-

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drew my attention. The person was evidently a farmer and upon closer ob- servation I recognized him as Loren Jennings. He seemed to recognize me and after inquiring my name, asked me to go home and spend the evening with him. As I was very anxious to renew friendship with my old acquaintances I readily consented to his plan and we were on our way. After we had ridden about four miles, he drew rein in front of a beautiful country home which he told me belonged to him. As 1 followed Loren to the house, I noticed a lady in the yard feeding chickens, whom I judged was about fifty years of age. T asked who this lady might be and he told me that, as I would probably remem- ber, he had always considered the Violet to be the sweetest flower that grew, and at last he had found and kept this one for his own. I spent the evening with Violet and Loren and in the course of the evening their children, three in num- ber, came trooping home from school. I asked them questions concerning their teacher, whom they said was Hazel Dohner and from their praise of her merits I decided that she must have made great success in her chosen profes- sion. Feeling happy to find Violet and Loren so happily situated, the next morning I started back to the city. I decided to walk to Butler as the air was so fresh and pure I thought it would help me to regain my former good health. I had gone several miles, when I observed in the distance two farm houses, which were facing one another. As I came nearer 1 noticed two ladies stand- ing near a gate of the house on the right side of the road, conversing with one another. As I passed I heard a familiar voice and upon looking more closely at the lady who was then talking, I recognized Mildred Arford. Immediately I thought of Miriam Bryant and upon looking at the other lady I recognized Miriam. Both the ladies had very beautiful homes and seemed very happy in their home life. After having a short but pleasant visit with them I again resumed my walk to the city. I had gone perhaps a half of a mile when I came to a large garage. Thinking I needed a little rest I decided to stop here. As soon as I entered the building I noticed a man whom I supposed was the manager of the establishment. As I watched his movements I soon recognized him as Leland Alwood and upon discovering this I immediately made known my identity. He seemed very much pleased to see me and gave me a portion of his invalu- able time, in which he told me his life’s history. After leaving high school he had decided to specialize in mechanics and had become prosperous enough to own and operate this fine garage. I asked Leland concerning Gilbert Boyd and found that he was now a very successful farmer, having a fine farm with all the modern improvements. After leaving Leland I soon arrived in Butler. As the next day was Sunday I determined to go to church. As I entered the church a man was singing. I was attracted by his beautiful voice and inquiring the name of the