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

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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.

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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! ”

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DEEDS AND MISDEEDS —21 If Mary Jane could quit giggling. How Helena would look with straight hair. How Wilma can be so smart. How Fat Keis would look if he were skinny. We should like to know how Isabel McGill can still retain fat and not eat. How Margarite would look if she were fat. If Mr. B. w. ' ll read Julius Ceaser in every 8 A class he teaches. If Miss Coffee will always have suckers in her 8 A grammar classes. If Mrs. Lower will always be tak¬ ing names for whispering. If Mrs. S. will ever get married. If Mr. Kennedy will always make you stand in the corner when you talk. If Harriet W. could get a calling down without “sassing” the teacher. If Vaughn H. could quit playing in classes. If Florence A. could control her temper. If Marie C. could live w ' t liout chew¬ ing gum. If Iris Acker could sneeze without making a noise. If Harry B. could get grammar. If Chalmer W. could stand to be laughed at. If Robert Butcher could be late some day. —Mary Jane Devor. - o- George Roop—“Dear me! I don’t know what to do with my week-end.” Ivan Reynolds—“Hang your hat on it.” Mr. Thomas—“Hear you got a new car. Does she rattle?” Mr. Brown—“I’ll say she rattles— sounds like a skeleton having a chill on a tine roof.” JUST FOR FUN One morning when the 8 B’s (now 8 A’s) were having an assembly per¬ iod, Miss Coffee called a number of us for a private conference in the recept ' on room. We answered the summons somewhat doggedly as we thought we were in for a “serious talk.” Our fears were without founda¬ tion however, and we were greatly relieved when we were informed that the honor of presenting the eighth grade play was to be ours. But our elation was short-lived for she also told us very emphatically that with the honor came much re¬ sponsibility and much hard work. That last word “work” was the cause of several immediate resignations. The reasons for resigning, while not always weighty, were accepted, as no one was wanted who would not will¬ ingly put forth the extra effort neces¬ sary. Corrine Reynolds was plan¬ ning to leave school at the close of the semester. Tommy Haubold’s days were too short and his duties too numerous. Melvena Smitley was afraid to go home in the dark. James Kocher said it would take him two hours to learn a line and as he was so young to be worked to death, he was also excused. Frederick Schaf¬ er’s after sch ool job demanded his presence at four o’clock. Substitutes were easily secured and the follow¬ ing cast presented the play: Herman Lankenau, Mearle Chr ' sman, Anna E. Winnes, Betty Macklin, Marie Crider, and Harriet Wallace. These six were enthusiastic and faithful through¬ out the trying period of rehearsal and their attitude was a source of much satisfaction to their directors so they told us. When the eventful night came we were all more frightened than we cared to admit. Harr ' et’s knees trembled and her ghastly look was