Conshohocken High School - Echo Yearbook (Conshohocken, PA)

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nation we got together ami worked like mad. Xml now when ImsinesK starts to hoom. what happens? We get drafted. Oh. boo hooP I he threesome walked away as full of joy as a funeral procession, and just as tearful. As this group departed another terrible trio confronted me. All decked out in dungarees, flannel shirts, and high shoes it was simple to recognize our three class carpenters: Teddy Uba, Thomas Coyne, and Richard I ha. As they signed their respective papers I asked. Well, did you three really get together? Teddy spoke: We sure did and our business is just perfect. Tom does all the necessary driving. Richard takes care of all the business ami I get off easy; I do all the work. Yep, there’s nothing hut a one-for-aLI and all-for-one policy in our business. Corporal, move those fellows faster! ordered the desk sergeant. And I did for a while, until I was mobbed by th« Ambitious Agitators of the Class of ’42. l or this group IIahky Ct hi seemed to do all the talking. Hello. Harry. I greeted him. Don't tell me you fellows are all together. We sure are. We've heen together since we finished school. said Harry. Doing what? I asked. We're in tin boxing game. Meet the gang. Joe Andraka. trainer: Francis Alfonse. handler: Armond Ciccotti, publicity manager: Joe Elmo. manager; and I'm the boxer. As Harry called their names they bowed, but Slugger had to be different. I le curtsied. Corporal, move them along. There’s still a bunch outside. This was the desk sergeant again. Just at this moment I was startled by a crashing door. To my amazement the open doorway revealed a crowd of eager young ladies (?). They charged for my desk like a herd of buffaloes. There was an awful moh of them, hut amongst others I noticed Marie K asopsky, Stella Koronmewtcz, Hetty Ootavals. Olivia Lewis. Hu line Hil icki. Catherine Taa arogoski, and Clara Wienczek. Clara pleaded above the noise. We want our husbands back. You can’t draft them: they’re married to us, and we won't be without them just liecause you want them in the Army. I hadn't a chance to s| eak localise the noise had brought the Military Police to the scene and all those lovely little ladies were hurried out quite unceremoniously, with instructions to send appeals to their local Draft Hoard Offices. They made quite a mess of the room, but the recruiting went on as if nothing had happened. The next one up was a short, blond fellow. I well remembered Calain Hot R-GEALLT. Hello there, Cal in. What can I do for a on? I asked. I would like to know where to offer my services as an aeronautical engineer. he said. You go up to the fourth floor and look for a door with ’Specialists Recruiting Officer' on it. Co in there. By the way. Calvin, you’d be surprised at all the recruits that have been here today. Most of them are from our class. They must all he signing up. I heard him sa . Did oti know that that handsome. blond brute, Joe Szti binski. joined the Marines and is well on his way to an officer's ranking? Cood for him, I commented. Well, thanks for the information. See you again soon, he said as he left. So long, and good luck. I thought to myself as lie went out. retracing his steps. The next customer was a stout fellow. His name—of course I recall it—Robert Smith. Hello, Robert. Still driving around in that car of yours?' I asked. Oh. heavenly days, why did you have to mention driving to me? Now my day is ruined, he said with a deep frown. Why, what's wrong. Hob? I asked. Well, three years hack I had a brain storm and I contacted Emilia Hello and

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CLASS PROPHECY IT DOESN’T seem like five years since graduation night for the Class of 42 at C. II. S.. but I guess time does fly when you’re in the service of the t. S. Army. Yes. five long years have lapsed since we stood on the stage in the auditorium with our heads high and our chests out. accepting our diplomas from lr. Landis. Since then things have hap| ened pretty fast and at present I’m sitting behind a desk here at the Customs House in Philadelphia registering draftees and enlistees from Conshohocken for the army. In just a few minutes the doors will open and 1 11 he quite busy signing up the new recruits. I just wonder, as I sit here, what all my classmates are doing for a living. Well, the doors have just ofiened and here comes the stampede of boys, full of pep and enthusiasm. Name? I asked the first enthusiastic lad. without lifting my eyes. Carl Hylinski. Why, Minnie, you old son of a horse-slioe! W here have you been all my life— well, for the past four and a half ears anyhow y” Oh, after graduation I went to night school and liecame a machinist and I held down a nice position at Bendix until I was called. Come on. move along there! yelled the desk sergeant. Sec you when I’m through. Min.’ I assured him. Sure thing. he said as he vanished into the examination room. Next, a dignified looking gentleman stepped up and the strijws on my sleeves turned upside-down when I saw behind that false front my long lost pal. ALBERT t Cl STIVE. Well, I asked, going to a ball? No. ’ answered Albert, I must dress this way. Yes? W by?” I questioned. You’ve heard of the Augustine Venetian Cafe. You know, the place with its famous Spaghetti Ballroom ami the beautiful Carlican Roof. ’ he answered. Sav, I know the place. I’ve never been there, though too ritzy for me, I said. Don’t tell me you’re the doorman! I'll tell you a secret, lie said, leaning over to whisper into my ear. l own the place. And another thing—you’ve heard of the great Italian chef. Alhertino Augustino? That’s me. Well dog my cats!’ was my expression of emotion. Again the desk sergeant yelled to move on. ith sheets of music sticking out of ever pocket, up stepped a youngster who looked like a refugee from Tin Pan Alley. Before I had time to ask any questions, he spoke. Name. Anthony Pagliaro; former occupation. hand leader The Pagan Pegs’ currently featured at the Augustine Venetian Cafe; Jeanne Bkrgey. vocalist; and if vou have any business with me you’ll have to see my business manager. Kazzmer Stans. Hello. Nin,’ I greeted him now for this was the first chance I had. I didn’t know the Class of ’42 would mono|H lize the recruiting office today, I said to him. Oh, you know that class; here today gone tomorrow. Here are my pa| ers. 1 11 leave you before that desk sergeant splits his bronchial tubes.” he said and went. This time it was a threesome that stepjied up to my desk. These fellows I recognized immediately. Jamzelli! Wisnieski! Wosczyna! I greeted them in a joyous tone. How can you look so happy when this world is so cruel? questioned Emil. What’s wrong, fellows? I asked, and Dominic answered me. The army broke up the best little butcher business you ever saw. You see. after grad- 4

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Helen Sands, our female drivers. I also got in touch with Florence Blake, my l ersoiial secretary, and Steve Peszka. my business executive. We got together to form a female automotive circus. nil know, like Lucky Teeter; only I had to he different. Ml my drivers would he women. You know what women drivers are like. Since then it’s just l een worry, worry, worry. He signed his papers ami left, his brow wrinkled in disgust. Two tall, slim gentlemen stood before me now . Through a maze of work sheets, journals. ledgers, pens, rulers, and pencils I could just scarcely make out the feaures of John Giandonato and Krwin Lew an- DOWSKI. Under their breaths I could hear them mumble. Debit sales, seventeen plus eight plus forty-two minus sixty-four equals credit purchases, nineteen plus seven plus six minus four equals three in a hole, debit, credit ...” In the midst of their mumbling they signed their papers and turned away still mumbling and deeply concentrating. Completely rigged up in a white uniform, white cap, stretcher in one hand, medical kit in the other, a Bed Cross Medical Attendant hurriedly dashed up. The familiar smile of Lot is Travagline greeted me. Lou, what are you up to now? I asked. Oh bov, do I like this. I can bandage anything from a toenail to a ten-inch gash. Man. am I happy, he cried as he headed for the examination room. As he entered. I could hear him yell, Medical Corps, here I id come: It was time for my working day to end. and as I straightened out my desk. Carl llvlinski came out of tin examination room, arm in arm with our great chef, Albertino. They asked me where I was going and I told them I had intentions of going out to get a bite to eat and then return to the baracks. Albert joyously said, That’s fine. Say, you had a mania for Zep sandwiches, didn’t you? With my brightest smile I answered. And how ! Boy, w hat I couldn't do to one of those right now. We’ll soon find out, said Albert, for I’m taking you and Carl over to my cafe, and I’m going to make you both a Zep—a yard long.” Let’s go, I cheered, and we left the Customs House on the double. Kven though it w as only three blocks aw ay Al insisted that we take a taxi. In a few shakes of a lamb’s tail we were there. It was a high-class night spot (the best in the city) and we entered very quietly. At a big table to the right I saw a noisy crowd, and inquisitively I asked AI what was going on. Oh. that’s the crowd from the Daily Squeal. That’s a newspaper that the people of Conshohocken have almost monopolized. Do you want to meet them? asked Albert. Sa isn’t that Bill Grabeck the third from the left? I asked, straining my eyes. Yes, he’s one of the best known sports reporters in town. He also does a good deal of broadcasting. Quite a personality around here. No kiddin’. Who’s that cute brunette sitting next to him? I asked again. That’s his wife. You knew that girl. She’s the one he met in his senior year at school, he answered. Oh. her! I’ll see you fellows in a few minutes. I’ve got to see Bill.” I said as I hurried away. I got to the table and Billy didn’t seem to recognize me at first, but it suddenly dawned upon him and he remembered me. Why, you young skinflint you! You might have let me know where you were. he said, smiling. Well, Bill. I lost trace of you myself. Up until a few minutes ago I hadn’t seen you for almost four years,” I said. Well, he said, I got a start when I was still in school and I kind of worked myself up. Say, you remember my wife, don’t you? he asked as he saw me stretching my neck to see her. He moved ami I said, Why, yes. How are you? I greeted.