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

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Vote the Straight Republican Ticket And Don't Forget Keeferf, Vlfhile on another there appeared: The Reform Party Says That Keefer Makes Money From City Contracts. I But They Can't Prove It. Then for the first time I realized that I had seen those forces which were to contend in the next great political reform in Philadel- phia, and I hid my face in my hands and wept at the thought of 'the awful things that would appear in the newspapers. When I raised my eyes it was to see the interior of an office having a distinct air of prosperity. The furniture was of a massive oak, and I was especially attracted by a huge chair which was placed before one of the desks. VVondering to whom such a comfort- ably fitted office could belong, I looked at the lettering on the door, and imagine my surprise when I read: CAMPBELL 8: GRUHLER Contractors and Builders. Turning back to Gruhler's desk I beheld a motto: Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For To-morrow You Diet. I-Iowever, before I had time to meditate upon this last sight, I was startled by a Hash of lightning, and a long roll of thunder vio- shore, and suddenly there appeared the like- ness of a ship trying to' weather an awful storm. At times waves seemed to break en- tirely over her, and I thought she must sink. But on the quarterdeck I observed the cap- tain bravely directing the course of the ship. And I had no more anxiety for the souls on board, for in the captain I had recognized Tissot. . At once the thunder ceased, the scene changed, and I seemed to be looking down the sandy street of one of those towns in the far Wfest which spring up here and there as

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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:

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if by magic. Tall grain elevators appeared at one end of the street, and nearby I saw a small brick building, in front of which hung a sign: OLNEY R. PAYNE Real Estate. Then around the corner in a cloud of dust came two horsemen, red-shirted cowboys they were. Their faces were tanned by exposure and they rode with a skill which showed con- stant practice. I recognized the faces of Ralston and Riley, and although Pat had grown to an immense size, the vision was so real that I was about to call to them when the Vlfestern town vanished, and in its place appeared a newspaper, much resembling the New York journal. The headlines were printed in large red type, and it had all the characteristics of a yellow journal. I looked for the name of the editor, and found printed in small type: Editor-in-Chief, Eugene R. Spaulding. Business Manager, Samuel J. Sterrett. Knowing the abilities of these gentlemen in this line at the present time, I began to read tl1e paper with great interest, and soon found some news which surprised me greatly. It was a column headed thus: Bishop Kuehnle entertains a large dinner party given by F. VValter I-Ientz, the Well-known philanthrop- ist, with the most brilliant after-din- ner speech heard in this city for many years. Among the distinguished guests were Roland Lea, the newly- appointed minister to England, and Henry Lewis, the well-known sport- ing man, who last year won the Van- derbilt Cup. In the next column I read: Jack Graham, the Athletics' star pitcher, leaves to-day to join the Chicago team. Graham was induced to leave by Manager Schaefer, of the Wincly City team, who offered him an increase in salary.