Commerce High School - Commerce Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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DAYS AT COMMERCE. TIME: Five years from now. Place: Living room of my home. The folks have gone away and taken the children with them. Not wishing to go with them or to the club, I have remained at home. I am sitting in an armchair before the blazing fireplace, thinking of those dear old days back at Commerce High. While gazing into the fire, I suddenly realize that it is dissolving into a familiar scene. The blazing logs have given way to a row of chairs. In front of the center chair is a large writing ‘desk. I begin to hear unusual sounds and raise my head to gaze about me. Instead of being in an armchair, I am back at my seat in room twenty. Above the constant roar of street cars rushing by, the rustling of papers, and the few sly whispers, can be heard the bass voice of the teacher in charge. Suddenly there is perfect quiet, even the street cars have ceased their noisy grind, every pupil is studying. Surprised, I look up, to see that Mr. Weimer is walking through the room. He has no more than left when, as if by magic, the sounds begin again, and the few mischievous whisperers, always found in every class, are instantly at their old tricks. At one side of me, Billy Ililberer is telling String Russon about the new signals. On the other side Kipfstuhl is borrowing a knife from Jimmy Donnelly. In front of me, Hy Greenburg is giving Joe Smolik some candy, while behind me two small girls, flatlets, are telling each other about the new dress each is going to have for Easter. At the same time, John Norris, Harry Thomas and Walter Isaacs are deep in a variety of amusements. Who would ever dream of these boys as wasting time during study hour? The confusion gradually dies down, and my eyes seem to be growing dimmer. I close them, only to have them fly wide open at the sound of a clear, sharp voice. I am no longer in room twenty, but in room fourteen, and taking dictation from Mr. Harrison. He dictates a letter and calls upon me to read it back. I manage to decipher several lines, but suddenly come upon a word that I cannot remember. I hesitate, but only for a moment, as a whisper from somebody behind me recalls the word to my mind. The hesitation has gone by unnoticed, and I am given one hundred per cent for the recitation. It was welcome then, but I deeply regret it now. All grows dark before me once more. Scene after scene flashes before my eyes,- only to disappear at an anxious moment. First I am in room one. Mr. Hoover is reading John Graham’s letters to the Salesmanship Class. Then I see Mr. Ditmer giving the Bookkeeping Class some rapid calculation. Now I am in Mr. Gordon’s room, reading the story of ray trip to the steel mills. Then in Mr. Gehring’s German Class, and last but not least, in Miss Amidon’s English Class. These thoughts all come and go before I have a chance to check them in their rapid flight. Suddenly I hear the dismissal bell ring and jump, only to find that it is the front door bell being rung by my people who have returned from the play. I get up and open the door. It is done automatically, as T am still in a stupefied condition. 59

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“THE BRIDGE.”—A PARODY. I stood on the bridge in the morning, As the clocks were striking the hour, And I thought of the terrible warnings, I’d received from those in power. And, like the waters rushing, Among the great stone piers. A flood of thoughts came o’er me, That filled my heart with fears. How often, oh! how often, I had watched that bridge swing wide. And had wished that the draw could not keep me, From reaching the other side. But I sat in the car and waited, Until the boat had passed, And the car rolled o’er the viaduct, And school was reached at last. But now those fears arc forgotten, They lie buried in the sea, And only the tardiness of others. Throws its shadow over me. Yet, whenever I cross the river, On its bridge with great stone piers, With the clang of the bell on the viaduct, Comes the thought of other years. And forever, and forever. As long as the river flows. As long as the viaduct opens, As long as the signal blows. The time—8:30—in the morning— And the tardy bell, shall appear, As the symbol of order in school days, And its wavering image here. ELMA MANTEY, 1913. 58

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After the people go to bed, I sit down iu the chair and with my head resting on my hands try to recall the different things 1 have just seen. My life seems like a dream. My entire high school career seems to have lasted but one day. Yesterday I was at school living a care-free life aud having good times; today I am out in the trying business world. No school boy can have the least conception of the phases of this life until he gets out into the business world. •‘The way of the transgressor is hard, and no one learns it quicker than the new arrival into the great systems of business enterprises of today. In order to relieve the dull monotony of business life, 1 go to a play or other form of amusement. But all diversions lose their fascination in time. Everything palls. All hut the recollection of my school days. That will remain a happiness imprinted in my memory as long as memory lasts. We eannot help admiring the never-failing patience of the teachers, together with their unflinching desire to compel us, even against our will, to learn somethng which will benefit us only. Our teachers knew what we needed to help us in business, but no one knows better than we. what a hard time they had convincing us. All will realize these things some day, and I can say for the rest of my class, as well as myself, that no matter where we are. or what, conditions may be, whether we are working hard at our daily toils or singing Love’s Sweet Songs, we shall always regard our teachers and schoolmates as our dearest and truest friends, and will forever cherish those good old days at Commerce High. HARRY KATZ. ’13 THE FACULTY. NAMES NOTED FOB— Mr. Weimer............................................. His ever helping hand Mr. Warfield....................................................His Eastern accent Mr. Weber................................................................. Blushes Mr. Harsh ........................................... Ilis pleasant disposition Mr. Ditmer .................................................... His fine humor Mr. McMyler...................................... Ilis remarkable vocabulary Mr. Harrison .......................................... His unfailing patience Mr. Gehring .................................................... !Iis Spanish Mr. Hoover ........................................................... Versatility Mr. Curry...................................................... His long stories Mr. Gordon .......................................... His ‘‘little brown book Mr. Heald .............................................. His dramatic ability Mr. Johnston ............................................ Attention to business Mr. Evans ................................................... Modesty (??????) Mr. Dutton... .Ilis ability to differentiate between practically and theoretically Mr. Creig .......................................................... His keen look Mr. Manville ....................... His graceful movement. (In the gymn) Miss Amidon ............................................... Keeping things going 60