Enfield High School - Echo Yearbook (Enfield, CT)

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14 THE ENFIELD ECHO us—never a look ahead, never a look behind. When we finally ar- rived safely on the ground, we decided that “terra firma” was the best for us. On a quiet, sunny morning during history recitation, Webster suddenly crashed to earth, taking part of the wall with him; by his sudden collapse, fortunately no greater catastrophe resulted than the breaking of a desk. Some people on being informed that the dignified gentleman had retained his upright position for fifteen long years, maintain that Ruth Spellman must have winked slyly in his direction. However that may be, he certainly fell hard. Soon we are to leave Old Enfield. Our happy days here will be a thing of the past, but ever on through life we will hold to her memory so true. By inspiration of God this document has been approved by the most royal counsellors of the most ancient and majestic Mount En- field, and by divine Providence, will be concealed under her most worthy towers. PROPHECY OF THE CLASS OF 1924 By Theodore Bridge, Frank Toon, Ruth Spellman, and May Hird FOREWORD Through the efforts of Frank L. Toon, an inventor, a machine is devised which conveys Ruth Spellman, May Hird, Theodore Bridge and himself to the planet of Mars where they are received cordially. Through the use of a super-telescope arc which reflects what it sees in a mirror, they are able to see their classmates of 1924 at their various occupations in the year 1934. Bridge—I wouldn’t have believed that you could do it, Mr. Toon. Toon—Do what? Bridge—Why, bring us way up here, up or down or whatever you wish to call it. Anyway, I wouldn’t have believed that you could get us here on Mars and still have us live through it. Hird—I think it is simply wonderful, don’t you, Ruth? Spellman—My, yes! Doesn’t it seem strange to be on Mars though? I feel as if I didn’t weigh anything. Toon—You don’t weigh nearly as much as you would back home. You see Mars is so much smaller than the earth that the force of gravitation is necessarily less. If you weighed yourself here you would probably weigh about seventy-five pounds. Bridge—I noticed that, too. And did you notice the way we were received? The Martians acted just as though they expected us. I do wish we could communicate in English with them. I think that they must have seen us coming with some super-telescope or something. Why, they had this apartment all ready for us.

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THE ENFIELD ECHO 13 endeavoring to penetrate the many mysteries. At the time of our entrance we had the distinction of being the largest class, number- ing 124. This year brought back to our school our respected principal, Mr. Parkman. In the latter part of October we elected the follow- ing officers, president—David Luke; vice-president—Grace Sullivan; secretary and treasurer—Eileen O’Connor. At the end of the Christmas term Miss Johnson left and was succeeded by Miss Gay. Beatrice Slater and Helen McCann joined us at this time. A fitting close to our freshman year was our trip by special trolley to the triangular track meet at South Manchester. In our sophomore year both the president and secretary left school, and Ross Terwilliger and Ruth Spellman were chosen to fill the vacancies. Later in this year Mr. Bowman resigned as super- intendent of schools, and we tendered him a farewell reception. Mr. Handy, the present superintendent has always taken an interest in the class and we have done our best to cooperate with him. We felt justly proud when “It Pays to Advertise” was presented for Evelyn Dineen hypnotized the audience with her terpsichorean art. We were fortunate in having Catherine Hawkes enter our class now. When our third year began, the class voted to retain the same officers. This was the year that produced our class actor Ted Bridge, who portrayed so well the role of “grandpa” in “Only 38.” At last came the event to which we had looked forward so long, namely, our Junior Prom. Proms to be, proms before, But never like twenty-four. In connection with our “prom” arrangements, we chose as our class colors, orchid and white. A little later the “Echo” staff was announced, and all but one member were juniors. At graduation, June 27, 1923, our class was awarded the prize for excellence in gymnastics. At our first meeting as dignified seniors, we ruled out the mo- tion to elect new officers. Rudolph Ulrich joined us on the opening day of school, and May Witt entered our class about six weeks later. In October we held a highly successful masquerade. First prize was given to the members who portrayed “The Three Musketeers.” Shortly after this event, Paul Plourd moved to Springfield. Our Senior Prom in December was a success both socially and finan- cially. When Bernice Burbank and Hazel Desso left us, the enroll- ment of the class was diminished. On February 15 many of our classmates distinguished themselves in “Fanny and the Servant Problem.” As former classes had done, we journeyed to Hartford, visiting the capitol, the library, and the Weaver High School. The most exciting event of the day was our trip up to the dome of the capitol. Words fail me in describing that. Perils to the right of us, perils to the left of us, shrieks in front of us, groans in back of

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THE ENFIELD ECHO 15 Say Ruth, listen to me—doesn’t that sound like old times? I wonder how everybody is back home? (Ruth is gazing at mirror in center of table.) What are you looking at? Spellman—Why that looks like a picture of Main Street in Thompsonville. Bridge—Didn’t I tell you that is reflected from one of those telescopes about which I was talking? That’s the Bigelow Hartford Company that you are looking at now. How much bigger it is than it was in 1924. But what is that larger building? What is that sign in front of it? I can just make it out. Norman Bartley, Inc., Manufacturers of the famous silent chewing gum, invented by William Callahan. Thompsonville surely has grown since I saw it last. Whoever it is who is operating this telescope is taking us up Pearl Street. Would you look at those skyscrapers and at that sign in front of that office building! J. FRANCIS BROWNE, ATTORNEY AT LAW. I’ve heard of him. I heard that he talked for four consecu- tive hours on one case which he won. Goodness, he must have changed some since he left school. According to that sign across the street, Mr. Frederick Broege has become a doctor. Now we have the Thompsonville Times Building. Why, that paper is edited by our old friend, Leon Bordua. Can you see that bundle of newspapers on the sidewalk? I can make out the head- lines. MR. CHESTER COOMBS WINS ELECTION TO THE U. S. SENATE FROM THIS STATE. I came across a Latin grammar last week which was written by Esther Beman. Remem- ber Esther? She was always steeped in Latin. Speaking of books and classmates, I read a novel by Beatrice Burbank recently; it was good, too. “THE RAVAGES OF LOVE” was the name of it. By the looks of things there is a new theater on Pleasant Street, and there is a picture of Mildred Barton on the advertising sign. She is a famous screen star now, you know. And there is another sign which says, “SEE ROSE CUSICK NEXT WEEK THURSDAY.” One of the most famous comedians now living. Rose always was very comical. Hird—Here we are at the corner of Pleasant and Main, only now we see a beautiful new hotel in place of that wooden affair that used to be there. It is evidently owned by the Corbin twins. You might know they would be partners. They never lost sight of each other in the old days. We are out in the residential section now. There is the resi- dence of Mr. Frank Connor. I hear that he has become a famous chemist, and there is the Crombie College, founded by Anna Crom- bie, of which I understand she is dean. Well, I guess the pupils have a good time, anyway.