Elizabeth City High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Elizabeth City, NC)

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SIINUYIFILIIQGIHITT o CLASS PROPHECY CContinuedj cony scene, and the ardent Romeo beneath the roses is KIelvin Cartwright. A tall, statuesque blonde ap- pears at the windowg but no, it isn't who we thought it would be. The lletropolitan Opera has bowed to a new star, a lusty baritone-Julian Bray in the celebrated role of Faust . The theatres where Ted Lewis and Benny Goodman chased away your blues are different places now. The competition of Jeanne Armstrong became so strong that Benny packed up his tooter and left. And Edwin Aydlett plays his sax in top hat and tails in the spotlight that Ted Lewis vacated. Helen Klorgan had her dayg so did Klartha Raye. Now in a happy combination of the two, is IXIayo Burgess, making a hit with Bobby Foreman's latest song success, Oh, YVhy Do They All Love IXIe So ? The picture faded and another bubbled into its place, a familiar one this time-Elizabeth Cityl The town is celebrating the election of a new mayor-Francis Griffin, nattily dressed as ever. One of the city's leading citizens, VVilliam L. Spence, U. S. Senator from North Carolina, is presenting him with the key to the city. The stately pastor of the First Baptist Church, Rev. Robert Andrews, is nearby. Hilda Perry, the first woman chief of police in town, is maintaining order as the people press forward to see the mayor. The schoolhouse looks the same as every but since Mr. Bundy left there is a well worn path beside the shrubbery where hlr. Aydlett goes back and forth to school. Tsk! Tskl Tskl Two members of the class of '38 have returned to their dear alma mater to teach-YVilma VVilliams, instructress of English, and R. L. VVhaley, professor of math, physics, algebra, geometry, and what-have- you fwhatta manll VVilliam Bell is now printing the school paper, and Inez Tillett has taken her place behind the desk in the office. Other familiar places come into viewg quite a number of the class have remained in their home town. Phil Bauer has followed in his father's footsteps, and has become an excellent watchmaker. Annie Davis is teaching Sunday School, and lending her splendid alto voice to the choir. Raymond Horse Henderson is tending cows, still manager of the City Dairy. Carlton Perry has built himself a candy factory, and for the first time in his life has all the candy he wants. Carlton Thornton is running the Pepsi-Cola plant. Thomas Sawyer is engineer of Elizabeth City's new streamline train. And that man who is so earnestly praising the new 1948 Dodge to his prospective customer is none other than VVillis IVright, jr. And now a tender scene meets my eye-a balmy Spring day on Main Street and those proud mothers displaying their pretty babies used to be Hlarjorie Hardison, Elizabeth Hughes, lXIarjorie Voeth, and Francis Pat Newbern. lVVonder why Pat's baby is eating peanuts????J Ruby Pritchard and Norma Klorris are still getting automobile license numbers. They have nine hun- dred and ninety-eight now-only three more and they will see their future husbands-maybe. The city of VVashington appeared next. Two men seemed to be in conference, and as the picture be- came clearer I saw it was Raleigh Griffin and Lester Knight-G-Klen. They were planning the capture of two fugitives from justice: Fletcher Bailey, Public Pest Number One, and Robert Stevens, who failed to pay his income tax. Elizabeth Byerly, famous woman detective, was busy looking for clues as to their where- abouts. The next scene was the Navy on parade, and in the ranks of those white uniformed officers appeared the faces of lylurphy Phelps and Bascom Sawyer. The Navy Band has turned out in full regalia, with Bobby Munden beating the bass drum. On the sidelines I recognized Mrs.-ah-Elizabeth Barnes, her face wreathed in admiring smiles. Hmmmm--VVho's she proud of? I wonder... The Navy Air Corps has claimed two of the class of '38g john Frisby and jonathan Spruill. Their uniforms are very becoming too. Then-Hollywood! The first thing I saw was a sign- Brothers Bros. Moving Picture Company. The Brothers were none other than lklargaret and Edward. And at last! After ten long, weary years of research they have finally found a Scarlett O'Hara. Gone with the VVind is really under production, and Scarlett?-our own Florence IVoodley. Rhett Butler is familiar, too. -lack Jarvis' popularity as a matinee idol won him the coveted role. The scene changes to another studiog a picture is in production here, too. Ray and Roy VVest, still exactly alike, have the leading roles in the picture, entitled Mike and Ike. Kladelyn Spruill is taking the character part of their mother, having just finished the leading role in INIother lNIachree. On the same set I saw two familiar figures in the backgroundg Nlarjorie Upton, double for Shirley Temple, and Elizabeth Copeland, stand in for Zasu Pitts. Swiftly the setting changed to New York again, and I recognized quite a number of faces as scene after scene flowed before my eyes. Billie Seymour is society editor for the New York Timesg Lillie lklae Russell and Marjorie Turner fstill inseparablej are running a fashionable dress shop on Fifth Avenue. Hugh Marr fOh, if lNIiss Gordon could see him nowlj is a capitalist. His income mounts yearly, and the poor workers in his factories suffer greatly by this iron-hearted man's unscruplousness. Esther Rhodes has come into her own as a famous novelistg critics everywhere are acclaiming her latest

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, SIINUYIFILIIGG-lHl1f CLASS PROPHECY The muddy yellow Waters of Soochow Creek were jammed with traffic-small sampans and junks that jostled and bumped each other as they swarmed about, too crowded together to make any headway at all. I stood on the little concrete bridge over the creek and watched the scene, fascinated. How much I had read of this, seen pictures of it, heard about it, even dreamed of some day seeing for myself the mysterious Land of Confucius. I never expected to ever visit China, yet here I was-actually in Shanghai, a veritable part of that teeming mass of humanity which is the Chinese race. Bly presence in the Far East was not one of necessityw-merely of curiosity, and a desire to become closer acquainted with the mysteries of the Orient. I had not been altogether disappointedg for although Shanghai is much like any large western city in construction, there is an undefinable air of mysticism about it, that gives one a queer, exciting thrill of anticipation. The Chinese will tell you that it is the spirits of their honorable ancestors , but whatever it is, it has a strange allure that you will never forget. You feel that at any moment you may come face to face with the mysterious, the unknown. Such was the feeling I had, as I left the bridge and climbed into a ricksha. The boy started off at a lively pace, and as I bounced over the cobblestones, I wondered if I would actually see anything of the mystic side of China during my sojourn there. VVe approached the Bubbling IVellg and for some reason, as I saw it, the words of a poem I had read long ago came to my mind, Oh dark and fllfffllj .vtezu from Irlelf, Ewr--nzystvrious, ewr-flowing Bubblirzg IVFII, If thou roufdst Sf7l'Ilf', 1L'llIlf could thou IFN? I called to the boy to stop. I had a queer notion that this antiquated cistern of black water could tell things. It must have been that the mystic breath of the old city, which I had felt so strongly, had taken pos- session of my reason. At that instant I did not doubt but that it was possible for supernatural things to happen in the Domain of the Buddhas. I walked over and gazed into the inky contents of the well. The bright Eastern sunlight made spark- ling patterns on the bubbly surface, I watched, fascinated, totally oblivious of the busy thoroughfare all around me. How long I stood thus I do not know. The enticing swells of the pool made myriads of whirls that became a part of my inner mind as I watched, set my brain to whirling like the water. Gradually, the patterns on the surface took shape and formed pictures of the turbulent panorama of my thoughts. I found myself thinking of people I had known, old friends and acquaintances. Distorted likenesses of their faces appeared to me in the water. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder-I looked up quickly, half expecting to see Buddha himself. A wrinkled old Chinaman stood beside me. His small, birdlike eyes were half-hidden in the saffron folds of his skin, and on his head was a black skull cap. He regarded my startled gaze with a gentle twinkle in his eyes. You seek message in Blubbling VVell? he asked, in a quaint voice that sounded exactly as if it belonged in the cool, dim shadows of a sacred temple. An excited shiver passed over me. VVhy, yes, I managed to say. I was wondering about my friends -what theyire doing now. The old man looked troubled. You lost-from friends? No, nof' I assured him. I mean my friends back home-in America. I havenit seen them for a long timed, VVell will tell you, said this old sage, nodding his head. 'fBlubbling IVell have much power. Here. He reached into the folds of his long garment and brought forth a queer looking pebble. Is heart of long dead ancestorf' he explained. Drop into VVell. He handed me the stone. I was a bit reluctant to handle the heart of this venerable Chinaman's predecessor, but nevertheless I accepted it and dropped it swiftly into the bubbling water. Now, concentlatef' said he. XVill leave lNIelican to musingsf' And before I could say anything, he shuffled off down the street. The queer well blubbledg a little faster than before, it seemed to me. I concentrated, as the old man had directed, and a whole picture formed in the swirling water. It was a brightly-lighted cabaret, and Thomas Nlarkham stood at the microphone as master of ceremonies. Gug Lombardo is leading the orches- tra, and among the players are two true Uvermans, Ida and Bobby. Quite a list of celebrities are there, too, enjoying the music-lNIarion Cooke Foreman, famous tragedienneg Harry Kramer, noted explorer, who has just discovered a new country south of the Anarctic Circle, IXIiriam VVhite, the famous artist, and lllartha Ann Scott, cooking expert for Good Housekeeping llagazine. The picture changes, theatres on Broadway appear. VVell, what's this- Tobacco Road still going strong? Yes, and Kathleen Shannonhouse has the leading role. Another theatre is staging a beautiful bal-

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, SlD'4ll9'll'lLll4I5lHl1f CLASS PROPHECY tContinuedi book, Aching Hearts. Likewise lladeline VVhite's poetry has received great applause. Carol Vanture has become a surrealist artistg her paintings are hailed as the most surrealistic since the advent of surrealism. Shelton Ganderson has opened up a dancing studio, and is teaching New York some of his fantastic steps. He still thinks he is all three of the Ritz Brothers. At Kladison Square Garden, crowds are flocking every night to see the VVorld's Biggest Rodeo Show. Lights flash, and into the arena dashes a white horse with a jeweled bridle. On his back is a slender figure --Annie VVilder, grown Wilder with the years, and now champion equestrienne of America. Handsome cowboys follow her, among them are George Folsom, joe Seymour, Norman Right, Billy Tillett and Jesse john hforris, dashing men of the 1'ange. The crowds cheer them as the picture fades from sight. The next scene was rather depressing-a courtroom. Bill Parker, that great heart-breaker, was on trial. He is being sued for alimony by a chorus girl in the Zeigfeld Follies. Zelma Kirby, a noted woman lawyer, is prosecuting attorneyg and Leroy Copeland, whose booming voice may be heard in the far corners of the TOOIN, is counsel for the defense. The next case called was that of Bessie Newby vs. Carl Overman. Bliss Newby, the wealthy widow of a late oil magnate, is suing Mr. Overman, America's second Edgar A. Guest, for breach of promise. He has engaged for his defense Kliss Nell Luton, who has also attained prominence in the field of law. Before I could discover the outcome of these trials the picture had bubbled away. A fashionable summer resort was the next thing I saw in this remarkable well. A great many people were gathered there. I noticed two tired business girls, Elaine Ganderson and Elsie Sanders, relaxing after a long hard grind at their typewriters. A commotion on the front steps turned out to be Audrey lNIeads, beauty contest winner, fighting off a mob of reporters and admiring males. She finally gave an interview to a slender young lady named Klargaret Hanna, who has become one of the world's foremost newspaper correspondents. hlary VVhitehill came strolling by, and on her arm was oh, such a handsome man! In fact, he was an All-American fullback, the ideal of IXIary's dreams. And back to another depressing scene, this time a great hospital. Superintendent of Nurses Klarjorie Caddy has turned quietly into a room. The patient is Harold hlidgette, who is recuperating after his ter- rific wrestling match for the National Championship. Harold won the title and also a few sprains and bruises. In another room was Thomas Commander, siX day bicycle rider, resting up. Juil Simmons is also in the hospital, suffering from acute indigestion after Winning 21 pie-eating contest. The next picture showed a huge circus tent. I had difficulty in finding any familiar faces among the thousands of people there, but finally under a huge Hindu turban, I spied Fred fjeanie Boyl Upton, posing as gi snake Chai-mer, A blare of miigiq shqwed Bt-die Palmer, in an attractive costume, whirling a baton and leading the parade, A third familiar faee appeared when the horses pranced into the ring, and I recognized Ruth VVilliams, as the bare-back rider. The next setting was very queer at first-a XVPA Supervisor's office. Then I saw the man behind the desk was Creeper Crank. He has organized a project to finish putting the arms on Venus de Nlilo-a long neglected affair, so Creeper thinks. He is dictating 2 letter to l1iS Secretary. Th-alia Tarkington. The scene vanished and another appeared. It was 21 meeting of the Camden VVomen's Club. The president, Ruth Kight, was introducing to the club memlJe1'S 21 former neighbor-Clay Ferebee, who has made quite a niche for himself in the agricultural world- His C'XPCl'lmCfltS have been So Successful that he has been hailed as a second Luther Burbank. tHe gave 3 blood tl'21I1SfllSi0Il to Celety and got fhllbafb-I Among the club members who are warmly greeting their old friend are Doris Turner, Dorothy Mae Wil- liams and Beatrice Voliva. I next saw a great airliner sailing through the clouds. The air hostesses are Helen Cutrell, Evie Hop- kins, Nellie lklae Lane and Juanita Perry. Among the IH21I1Y P2lSSeI1gCl'S WHS ,llllia DiX0I1i Secretary to the President, going to Hollywood on her vacation. Raymond Sawyer and Henry Crank are co-pilots. The pictures were growing fainter now, and I had to look hard to see the next one. It was somewhere in the interior of China. The young woman who was so earnestly talking to a group of Chinese girls was Gladys Brickhouse, missionary to China. The picture bubbled away, and no more came. The black water had taken on an almost opaque appear- ance. I glanced up and saw it was growing dark. Deciding that I had better return to the hotel, I looked again into the mysterious well. It was just a well-nothing more. I began to wonder just what sort of hallucination I had had, surely I had not really seen all those things in the water! And thatold China- man and his ancestor's heart-that must have been just a part of it too. I climbed into a ricksha, still wondering about my curious experience. I could hardly believe it. I still don't believe it. IXIAISIE XVALDORF, Prophet.