Central School - Deeds and Misdeeds Yearbook (Decatur, IN)

Page 21 text:

DEEDS AND MISDEEDS —19 GHOSTS OF THE PAST Sitting in his office, hero ' cally try¬ ing to copy grades on the report cards that were due the next day, Mr. Brown finally succumbed to the demands of tired nature and fell asleep. He himself, admits that there is something somewhat spooky about the big building when deserted, especially as the hour approaches midnight. So it was with no little alarm that he was aroused by the sound of strange vo ces evidently in¬ dulging in a heated argument. Upon investigating he found that the old desks were in a reminiscent mood and the following conversation took place: Said one, “At what a pace we live. Speed seems to be the slogan of the hour. I do declare that I can feel the varnish on my face crack from the expansion caused by new ideas thrust upon me by Robert Butcher.” “I know mine was blistered today listening to the advanced theories of Betty Mackl ' n,” chimed a second dask. “When you are as old as I,” sagely remarked another, “you will have no varnish to be concerned about and you will find it a great comfort. Neith¬ er will you be abused by having names carved upon you for all the present generation needs to do is to trace the father’s name which he so deftly carved when a boy. “Listen,” commanded another, “I have seen all kinds of girls. I have been the repository of their treasures these many years. Their chews of gum parked along my framework are black with age. They have giggled and whispered behind the protect ' ng shelter of my desk top and have shed a few tears or made a few snoots at the teacher to relieve their feelings.” ‘‘And, as for styles,” added another feelingly, “I’ve seen ’em through slicked-backed hair terminating in a Psyche knot to the balloon-eared type inflated with rats and finally the shorn lamb of the present day. I’ve weath¬ ered the leg ’o mutton sleeve, wasp waist, trailing skirts and bustles. I have heard the same old cry concern¬ ing a decadent nation as each wave of fashion has engulfed them. I ex¬ pect to hear it again when this frenzy for wading costumes has abated and another style has come to shock the eager public.” Then the sad faced desk out in the hall-way (the seat reserved for social outcasts) contributed its quota: “A bobbed haired girl confided to anoth¬ er in my presence that some boy was a dear but as he had only one suit of clothes and could not dance she would have to discourage his atten¬ tions.” “Terrible,” chorused all the desks. This outburst thoroughly awakened Mr. Brown and, as he hurriedly made his way toward the assembly to learn the cause of the confusion, the speeking of his new shoes betrayed h ' s coming, and the desks, like their daily occupants, sank into respectful silence. -o- “Any abnormal children in your classes?” asked the inspector. “Yes,” repl’ed the school ma’am sadly, “two of them have good man¬ ners.” Mrs. L,ower—“And now, Paul, how many poles are there?” Paul McGill—“They is seventeen lives next door to us.” “What made your teacher so angry?” asked Johnnie’s father. “Oh,” said Johnnie, ”we was talk¬ ing about trees, and I asked her if she had ever seen a pink palm. She said ‘No,” and I showed her my palm! ”

Page 20 text:

18- DEEDS AND MISDEEDS ELLA MUTSCHLER, Geography and Hygiene. We regret very much that Miss Mutschler had to leave school on ac¬ count of ill health. We trust that at the opening of school next fall she will be with us. However, we wish to thank Mrs. Lower for filling her place. We have a very capable sub¬ stitute in the person of Mrs. Lower whom we all appreciate and wish to thank. -o—--- We think the 8 A’s will attain a fair degree of success in high school provided: Isabel McGill is allowed to have a sack of candy conveniently near at all times. You know she is trying to reduce. Robert Kiess is not obliged to hurry too much. Florence Anderson is allowed to express her opinions freely. Yauglin Hilyard is not asked to recite. James Kocher is not asked to commit anything (except pranks). The statuary is on solid founda¬ tions and the pictures are securely fastened to the wall so that Melvena Smitley may sail ahead at full speed. Herman Lankenau is not asked to use muscular movement. Tommy Haubold does not find that timidity and gentlemanly be¬ haviour are handicaps. Betty Macklin is allowed to use her Irish wit. Helena Aughenbaugh may have Wilma Chronister as private tutor. Don Koos has his bottle of milk daily. Robert Butcher is not too tim ' d to let the teachers know how bril¬ liant he really is. Mary Jane De Vor is allowed to use her dramatic art. Stanley Kenworthy is allowed to rest every other day. Paul McGill will be given credit for cartooning. Robert Scherer is allowed to spell phonetically. Ernest Uhrick doesn’t find it necessary to muss his immaculate toilet. Chalmer Werst is permitted to talk through his teeth. Margaret Farrar is graded on her low, sweet voice. Harriet Wallace is provided with sufficient excitement to make life interesting. Marie Crider is permitted to chew gum incessantly. June Miller and (23) Helen Draper can be found without the a ' d of a microscope. Harry Baumgartner may con¬ tinue to be a Doo-little. Iris Acker is never asked to think. Wilma Chronister continues to be so sociable. ■-o- When we were going through the factories last Thursday Harriet Wal¬ lace said to Miss Coffee, “I am so scared my heart is beating.” Miss Coffee—“My dear child, we hope it is,”

Page 22 text:

20 DEEDS AND MISDEEDS MR. JOHN BEERY Again we are called upon to honor the memory of one of our janitors in the person of Mr. Beery whose death occurred the latter part of April. Mr. Beery was tne assistant at our building and tne regular janitor at the old gym for many years and thus came to be known intimately by all the boys and girls who had for him the most profound respect. We shall always remember the many courtesies he extended to us during play practice, also when we held our class parties at the gym. Though not in good health he d d numberless little kindnesses for us which a less thoughtful person would have overlooked. His passing has brought sorrow not only to his immediate family to whom he was most loyal and devoted but also to the teachers and pupils of our schools, both public and paro¬ chial. -o-— BOYS’ WEEK Boys’ Week which was sponsored by the Rotary Club furnished many pleasurable events for the boys, but we doubt if any other part of the program afforded as much real en¬ joyment as the election and the hold¬ ing of office. Frederick Schafer prov¬ ed to be a live candidate. He met the voters at the polls and convinced them that he was the man for the posi- t on. The term of office was for one hour but during that hour the mayor’s office was a busy place. While the councilmen and mayor were taking care of routine business the police were out gathering in the law-break¬ ers. Even the night police, who thought he should go home to sleep during his term, was pressed into service by the chief so that no offend¬ ers might escape. The first victim was Dore Erwin who was arrested for jay-walking. He used all his legal talent to prove himself innocent but the prosecution showed that the of¬ fense had became habitual with him and he was convicted and fined. Mr. Brown was the next criminal hailed into court. He was charged with hav¬ ing run his newly acquired Ford at the rate of s ' x miles per hour. His plea was the fear of being late for school but to the boys’ minds came the recollection of the many times that their perfectly valid excuses were not considered such by their victim and well you know “revenge is sweet,” so he was given the usual dose for such high crimes. However, the firemen were given a real thrill for just as court was about to close the fire whistle blew and the meeting immediately adjourned. Everybody made a dash for the en- g ' ne house and all succeeded in board¬ ing the fire engine except Ed Musser whose corpulency prevented his keep¬ ing up with the rest of the official family. -o-— THINGS WE SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW If Melvena S. will ever weigh 100 pounds or less. If Tom H. has found that hied does not mean to hide somewhere. If Betty will ever stop laughing. If Don Koos will ever be as tall as Abe Lincoln. If James K. will ever have gray hair. If Herman has ever found out what a heifer is. If Stanley Kenworthy could possibly go to school a week without missing. If Ernest U. could cure himself of blushing. If Roger Scherer could quit talk¬ ing out of his head. If Helen D. could quit critizing June. If June could control her temper. If Paul M. could keep still in class.