Germantown Academy - Ye Primer Yearbook (Fort Washington, PA)

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PR OPHECY VVhile wandering among the lodges in a village of the Ojibway Indians one day last summer, my attention was attracted by a curiously carved totem pole which stood in front of one ofthe most disreputable of the wigwams. I became interested in trying to decipher the meaning of the strange carvings and was trying to follow the adventures of an Ojibway warrior as shown on the pole, when I was startled to hear a voice call from the lodge door: Oh, white man, why do you seek to learn of the deeds of Nietawa, who is deadg come rather and learn the future of your own tribe, who still live. I turned quickly and saw a toothless old squaw stand- ing in the doorwayg she beckoned me to follow and disappeared within. My curiosity was awakened by her words, so entering the wig- wam I took my place on a pile of skins which she pointed out and looked about me. In the middle of the Hoor stood a large stone kettle, ornamented with strange figures and inscrip- tions, in which a thick mixture of herbs was slowly simmering. To this dish the squaw turned her attention, and crooning and mut- tering to herself, she slowly stirred its con- tents and added fresh ingredients. At last a thick blue smoke began to pour up, a feeling of extreme weariness overpowered me, and perhaps I became unconscious. As if from a great distance came the voice of the hag: Oh, white man, prepare to witness many strange and awful sights, for now shall the future of your tribe be revealed. At once there appeared before me an office in a great city, a lawyer's ofhce, judging by the books piled high on the shelves. But who is this stately looking man with his hair faintly tinged with grey, who stares at the ceil- ing with such a discouraged air? I asked. Then the ground shook violently, and there came a voice from the smoke, saying: Know

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this for your former classmate, Brown, C011- demned to be a lawyer and to wait many long years for clients. The vision vanished, and in its place there came into view a long, dusty road, such as one may see in the rural districts of Pennsyl' vania. In the distance appeared the forms of two men of a type commonly called Wfeary XVillies. They wandered aimlessly along un- til they came to a soft, grassy spot under the shade of a maple tree. By this time I had recognized my friends, Wfatson and Shoema- ker, and so was not surprised to see them sink down in restful sleep upon the grass. Now the scenes followed each other in swift succession. First there appeared two large electric signs hanging in front of a spa- cious office building. On one in letters of a moderate hue were the words: EARL C. COOKMAN Divorce Lawyer. Theuother sign, in bright letters of many colors. gave to the world the following: HGEMMI 8: COLEMAN Matrimonial Agency. All patrons given the personal attention of the proprietors. Searcely had I recovered from my amaze- ment when there Hashed before my eyes a platform decorated with red, white and blue bunting, and crowded with gentlemen, who seemed to be listening intently to one who was addressing the crowd gathered ,in front of the stand. I looked again at the speaker, and was astonished to recognize my classmate, Mechling. But what is the cause of his awful rage? I wondered, for his collar was dangling from his neck and one coat sleeve was 'torn from his shoulder. His eyes were lifted to heaven as if calling on the gods to send a thunderbolt and destroy an object which he was indicating by a gesture. I followed his motion with my glance and saw several large transparencies being carried past by a proces- sion. One of these read: