Charlotte High School - Witan Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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company with Mary, around a large table— A VOICE—“Miss Castle is Chairman of tlu Board of Arbitration, in which all European quarrels are settled.' As the scene faded, Florence whis- pered, “Sagie. all except Mary were men. Do you suppose she hates them all. as much as ever? Before I could answer, another scene appeared quickly, then others in rapid succession: In the pulpit of the Cathedral of York. England, stood John Karl preaching— and still following his youthful practice of not using notes. Next, a court room in Paris with Nor- man Coons just finishing a case in a suit for divorce for two rich Americans. The rest of the scenes were in sur- roundings more familiar: An extensive green house on Ridge Road, with Carlton Richens bending over a large, red rose, above which hung the sign, the “Fadeless Opal Rose” Then, a large study in an apartment in New York with Florence Drews leaning comfortably back in her chair evidently dictating to her secretary, Dorothy Howe— VOICE—“Florence Drews is the great- est novelist of the day. So that week Florence had had in New York had been spent in looking for a studio! Now we knew! The scene then shifted to the stage of the Eastman Theatre with Erma Shaw, the greatest ballet-dancer of the day, the sole entertainer of the evening. Joe told us afterwards that Erma was making her first American appearance in five years. Evidently her fame has become interna- tional. I stared excitedly. Congress in action! What boy had reached that goal? Ruth Rickman stepped forward with a paper in her hand. In large letters on the top were the words. “APPROPRIATIONS FOR BEAUTIFYING THE BANKS OF THE GENESEE. At last Miss Abbott was to have her desire fulfilled. Then a short, light-haired man wilii the stern features of Don Landon, board- ing a steamer of the White Star Line. I obtained a glance at his passport. It was for Russia. Why was he going there? I learned that later in the evening. An artist’s studio in New York was the greatest surprise to me for there stood Astrid Anderson modeling a statue, while Opal Travis posed as “Innocence.” The last picture of the series showed Romeo and Juliet being played at the Lyceum Theatre. The role of Juliet was taken by Edith Soucie while Ernest Doty starred as Romeo. No longer need Char- lotte High lament over a lame Romeo! All faded and the great magician stepped forward. “I have given all the time to this I may but I will answer questions in the anteroom at the close of the performance. Meeting Joe afterward and hunger- ing for more news we asked question after question. “Why was Don going to Russia?” “His love of argument has caused him some trouble. He's on his way to Russia to help establish a new government. Of

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Anno Domini 1934 How hard lo teach when one’s mind is far from the unruly pupils! Would the day never end? Ten years ago to-day I was graduated from dear old Charlotte High, hoping to return there some day to teach. But alas! Here I am in a western city with only one life-long friend. Flor- ence rlidge. head nurse of the city hos- pital. near me. The school day finally ended. Then at my hoarding house— Telephone. Miss Sage.” It was Florence Arlidge. all excited about a great magician who was to give a performance at the city hall that eve- ning— “And Sagie—he is one of our school friends!” “Who?” “Joseph Pickens, and they say he's got the Thurston of our school days heat a mile. We decided to go. Perhaps we would learn something of our old friends. At least, we would see Joe. Although we arrived early, hoping to see this man of extraordinary ability and talent before the performance, crowds even then were filing in. so we took front seal-. Perhaps we might obtain a glance of recognition from this notable person- age. Amidst loud clapping in walked Mr. Pickens, not the Joseph Pickens of our days, hut a tall thin man wearing a long black wig curled in judicial style. Florence nudged me, and like the Florence of old days giggled, “lie's look- ing at us. Indeed, he was smiling directly at us and speaking. “My friends, there are two here to- night whose interest is not particularly in my work or in me hut in the fate of the January 1921 graduation class of the Charlotte High School of Rochester, New York. For their interest and your amuse- ment I shall present as many of the mem- bers of this class as time permits, each engaged in the work to which lu has been called. After taking a large opera hat and making certain passes over it. he set it on the lloor. Out stepped Mary Castle, almost un- changed from school days except for a more dignified carriage. She sealed her- self in a large chair. The stage changed into a most magnificent room. I recalled a picture of the Conference Chamber of the Hague. That was it. A number of men appeared in the room, from where I do not know, and seated themselves in amore nm school LIBRARY 4115 LAKE AVE. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

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r course if he has to obey it. he won't stay there long.” “Tell us about all the rest of the crowd.” “Well. Helen Bacon is chief buyer for Wanamaker’s in New York. She is at present in Paris buying the summer goods.” “Milton Punnett is the greatest maga- zine illustrator we have in the United States. He can be as slow at his work now as he wants to. for he knows his services are indispensable.” “And Miriam Cleary?” Florence asked. “Well, Miriam has taken to doing mis- sionary work. Her love for gum has led to a spreading of it among the cannibals of the South Sea Islands.” “Not a real missionary!” we gasped. “Well, chief saleswoman for the Beechnut Chewing Gum Company.'’ ----------------—--------------------------- “Where’s Howard?” “Oh, I mustn't forget Howard Justice. Why, he's the most popular coach Harv- ard has ever had. Last year, during the football season, they lost but one game. I guess that speaks for itself.” “And Wilbur Wignall?” “He's head of the Efficiency Depart- ment of Kodak Park. The spare moments sjmmiI there during the summer vacations gave him the opportunity of learning just what improvements were needed.” “Don't forget John Burns.” “Oh. no danger. John opposed Gil- berta Westfall in the election for mayor of Rochester. As Gil berta won on the platform of the Blue Sunday Laws, John turned his attention to educating the peo- ple through the movies. His series of pictures entitled, “HOW THE COMMER- a L COI RSK H S HELPED ME” has made his name famous.” Joe had to take the midnight flyer for Denver, so our visit was necessarily cut short. “Well, apparently,” remarked Flor- ence as she left me at my door, “each member of the class has been living up to our motto, “Labor Omnia Vincit.' Rutii Sack. Class Prophet. 25