Covington High School - Lest We Forget Yearbook (Covington, KY)

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Yes, I consider it a very prosperous town. Perhaps we could prevad upon you to speak to the pupds dns nmwning. It has been some time since we had a talk. Oh, Mr. Rodman, I didn't think of that. I haven't a speech preparedln Couldn't you tell them how the town has improved since you saw it last? Talk a little while, at leastg please, Miss Bates P Mr. Rodman asked. XVe-I-LU she answwred. HI think I shaH. hiy greatest Iieasure E tahdng to young peopkin The school had assendned in the study roonm In a few moments, the principal ushered Miss Bates into the room. All the pupils were greatly pleased by the thought of having a talk. Pupils, said Mr. Rodman, we have with us this morning hiss Bates of YVemovergin her chddhood she amended school in our town, but, until to-day, she has not seen it for some time. I have persuaded her to talk to you this morning. Enthusiastic applause resounded through the room, as the tall lady rose. The girls fell in love with her at once: Miss Bates was undeniably pretty. Her hair, tinged with gray. was parted smoothly away from her low forehead, her large gray eyes were beaming as she began to address the pupils. She spoke of the town as it had been in the years when she had xnsned it and then began to chscuss the school she had attended. The teacher was so cross, and we-well, we disliked her exceedingly. One time, I remember, she tried to make a class memorize the 'Vision of Sir Launfal' in one night, as a punish- ment for one boy's misdemeanors. Of course, we know how different are the rules to-day: the punishments are much more sensible: We seldom hear of a whole class being punished because one member is unruly. Miss Bates spoke until the first period was over. Then, with a pretty apology to the principal, she sat down amid the hearty applause of all, especially the juniors. You should have been at school, Miss Elliott, said Mr. Rodman next morning, as he excused Nethla's absence of the previous day: HNVe had an excehent speedlf Yes, so I hear, answered the girl. C657

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'fNeth, you old duck, I knew you'd do it! cried Betty, Nethla's bosom friend. 'Rah, 'rah, 'rah for Neth -- this from Madge. I can see us memorizing the 'Vision of Sir Launfal, in a single night! said Polly, gleefully and ironically. Takes girls like Neth to think out such things, said Rosalie, with decision. The girls are ahead of the boys, as usual. Bob, I want you to go down to Aunt Sylvia's with me to- night, said Nethla to her brother at dinner. I will explain, and then you'll be glad to go - as Bob attempted to decline. Miss Carpenter, your dear friend - Bob made a wry face, ordered the whole class to memorize, to-night, the whole of the 'Vision of Sir Launfal,'-because one boy talked in class. Now, of course, we car1't do it, and, what's more, We don't intend to try. So we decided on a plan to get ahead of Madam C. I'l1 reveal it to you after we've accomplished our purpose. VVell, I'll go with you, then. Auntielll help you, if anybody can. I'd do 'most anything to assist in a trick on Miss Carpenter. I don't forget how she treated me when I was a kid in high school. Nethla ignored his lofty termg she needed his aid in getting to Aunt Sylvia's and back. The principal of the high school sat in his office. He was not very busy. and soon pushed aside the few papers on the desk. I wish some college professor would deign to give us a talk, he mused. I know the pupils would enjoy it. We haven't had one this year. just then a tall figure appeared in the door. The principal rose to greet the caller. I am from the Westover Co-educational College, said the lady, handing him her card. I was going through the town, and, finding that I would have to wait several hours for a train, I resolved to visit your school. VVhat a nice building it is! Yes, Miss Bates, he answered. We are very proud of our school. It was erected only ten years ago, so we have every advantage and convenience. The whole town is pleasant, said Miss Bates. When I was quite small, I used to visit here. I attended a small private school here for one year. The place has changed much since then. C647

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Miss Carpenter did not mention the Vision of Sir Launfaln again, and no one but the Juniors and Aunt Sylvia Qan elocution teacher, by the Way, who possessed wigs and many other articles of make-up j ever knew of the trick they had played on their English teacher. BERNICE W, EGELSTON, '1o. COMEDY OF ERRORS. He was one of those long, sad-faced persons who never seem to be able to resist the opportunity for a little reform work. He came into a crowded car one day, and took a seat beside an inoffensive-looking individual, smoking a big, black cigar and reading a newspaper. He at once began to worry the reader with qiiestions. ,A S'iq?lifhe began, did you vote for Bryan the last time he ran FW The reader looked up and grunted an unencouraging UNO. Sir,,' he began again, will you allow your son to smoke cigarettes when he is grown ? I'd never given it a thought, returned the reader. He gasped. And, he continued, faintly, 'lwill you permit him to taste an intoxicant ? Again the reader said he had never thought of it. ' Oh, panted the sad-eyed man, can such people exist? To tl1ink - Look here, you mean well, no doubt, but lct me tell you that l've been a confirmed bachelor for the last forty years, and know nothing of children. Then the sad eyes of the sad-faced man became bright, here was a man, a bachelor, who actually confessed he knew nothing of children. He at once began a second series of questions. CLARICE MCELROY, ,IO. C667