Central High School - Almanac Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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1 happen to-day or within three days. That depends upon the moon. The moon!', exclaimed Frank. Yes, the moon, said she. Great events are always achieved by the course of the moon. Now, she went on, some- thing trifling will be in this parcel, but it will be of great value to the owner. Do you, therefore, return it when you iind it. Your future depends upon this incident. If you do not follow out my warning your life will be lacking in some respects. But do as I say, and you will have a few diiiiculties to conquer, and the rest will be smooth sailing. However, she said, as she gazed intently at two lines on his hand, there is an indication here you must observe. It is a young lady who owns this parcel. She knows you, and she will ask you to call. Do not, for although you might desire to do so, it is not best. Do not go to her home for two weeks, and by that time the moon will be propitiousf' After receiving several directions he went out to his friend, who was impatiently awaiting his appearance. Well, what did the old hag have to say, or was she a young one? asked George, as they emerged from the tent. You are right, she was a hag, said Frank, andkhe laugh- ingly related the conversation to his friend. They, had walked a block by this time, and Eve minutes later Frank Forster had entirely dismissed from his mind the warnings of the Egyptian. But the Fates were not to be thwarted in this manner, as we pres- ently shall see. Such a day as our two friends had! They occasionally met a person they knew and were greeted eifusively. With untiring effort they went throughthe State structures. Finally they entered a building devoted to the interests of the Toledo High School. Here the classes of '99, IQOO, etc., had displayed their lit- erary talent. In glass cases the senior rhetoricals repose. It is a privilege to read them. It is said that this is one of the best paying buildings at the Exposition. It costs ten cents to be enabled to peruse these valuable manuscripts. Every day, artists of every description are seen eagerly

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No effective description could be given of the grandeur of the State exhibits. The Midway was there-ah yes! and it oH'ered the usual attractions. Let us enter a little tent in the Midway. Instantly one sees by the Oriental effect that this is a fortune teller's booth. Beaded trinkets of every description meet the eye. At one end of the room is an alcove fitted up with rich rugs and curtains. Over the entrance is a sign with this inscription : ANYTHING YOU WISH TO KNOW. ENQUIRE WITHIN. FIFTY CENTS. Two chairs were in this little room. One of them is occu- pied by an old woman. She is certainly an Egyptian, for her hair is coarse and black and she has an angular igure. Her shoulders are stooped, and around them a plaid shawl is wrapped. Her face is brown and pinched and wears an expression of pas- sionate bitteruess. In her claw-like hands she is twisting several strings of beads. While she is thus engaged some persons enter the tent. Where have we seen them before? Ah, it is George Bryce and Frank Forster again! Why are they here? Probably 'to learn their future. They have been to such places before, and the information received always varied. But our friends take a certain pleasure in the weird advice. But Bryce does not feel inclined to-day to trust his future to such hands, and Forster enters the alcove alone. Now, he has seen Gypsies before, but as he gazes upon this one, he confesses to himself that he has never seen one so awe-inspiring. He walked up quickly and took his seat. Young man, said she, you have just taken a journey. Perhaps you will take another if you follow my directions. When will that be? said Frank, smiling. That I can not tell. It depends upon yourself. Listen, you cme here by chance, you think. No, it was Fate. In this city a parcel will be lost. You are destined to find it. This may

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gathering the remarkable knowledge which is displayed within these pages. The glass case containing the productions of the class of 1900 has become cracked because of the-immense crowds who eagerly gaze within. What a shame it is! Some one has thoughtfully placed a sign near : Ulfeep .off the Glass. Here our friends Forster and Bryce stopped. They did not pay the required ten cents to read them again. Most of them still lingered in their memory. Here in the center was An Ideal Commencement, by Clara Daugherty. Ah, there is Oscar Schreiberis Pitfalls of Nations! It is well known that Presi- dent McKinley hearing of this famous production through his political friends, upon entering this building called for the ex- tract and read it through. Who would have dreamed of such a thing? Chinese Gordon, ,by Robert Richardson, next meets their gaze. What a world of memories that oration recalls ! Whence Descended Man, by Eva Ienney, and Orsalina Schmeltz's Marie Antoinette, are placed side by side. By their works shall ye know them. Anglo-Saxon Supremacy, by Louis Englander, and the Fall of Fort Sumter, by David Eppstein, seenrto ring with applause even yet. In another apartment are the RETINAS, the High School Annual, the CENTURION, and other published works. They all proclaim to the world the wonderful ability in literary eiforts of the Toledo High School. 4 As it was growing late, George and Frank proceeded onward. But they were much fatigued and decided to set out for home. Thus ended their first day at the Exposition. CHAPTER III. Toledo, as we have seen, has grown much more beautiful in the last three years. Not only in that portion where the Cen- tennial is held, but also in many other parts. She had always had a decided liking for parks, and now Ottawa, Walbridge, Riverside and Lake Erie parks became pleasant retreats for enthusiastic visitors. She had improved in other respects. Her street commissioners had done their duty well' and now she had the handsomest boulevards in the state of Ohio. And the bridge