Grants Pass High School - Toka Yearbook (Grants Pass, OR)

Page 13 text:

THE TOKA 11 The hoBtess was very much disturbed by this unfortunate affair and during the night died of heart failure. This was the cause of the husband’s insanity. He had run away into the mountains to be away from the sneering of high society. He had lived among the hills until the day he had followed George. When he first saw him, he was as one fascinated by some peculiar power and after being restored to his former mental condition, he recognized his Bon. Upon investigation the old man’s story proved true and George took him home to live with him where he could get into the best society but not such as he had tried in his early life.

Page 12 text:

10 THE TOKA had never bothered anyone and he was not considered dangerous. Several attempts to capture him had failed, so nothing was known about him. The next morning they were waked early by the bell boy, in order that they might see the sun rise. It was a glorious sight. All the world beneath seemed to be one mass of red flame. The wind which was blowing very hard piled the clouds about like waves of fire. After breakfast they started upon their return. They had forgotten all about the “Wild Man” until they observed that they were being followed again. They called to the man and to their surprise he came toward them. He kept his eyes fastened upon George and when about six feet distant from him he ran to him and falling upon his neck, sobbed like a child. Everyone tried to comfort him, and led him back to the hotel. The train was just going to start upon its descent, and as it was now too late to walk as they had intended, they bought their tickets. To their surprise they found that they could not leave the “Wild Man” who still clung to George and insisted upon following them. Finally, when the train whistled, ready to start, he began to beg the boys to take him with them. After much persuasion they decided to grant his request for he was such a pitiful sight, and seemed to be so determined that the boys did not have the heart to refuse him. The strange man caused a great deal of excitement on the train and many questions were asked him, none of which he answered. He still clung to George, as though he were afraid he would escape. When the four reached the foot of the mountain, they went straight to a hotel where they engaged a room for the old man and sent for a doctor. When the doctor arrived he examined his patient and said that he had been through a long spell of insanity, from which lie was just recovering. After having taken a little nourishment, the old man told George his story. Twenty years before he had suddenly obtained a fortune through the sale of some rich oil lands in Ohio. He had previously been very poor and had looked forward to the time when he, his wife, and his little son might some day live in a beautiful home in the city and be considered among the “Four Hundred.” When this fortune came to him, he saw the realization of his dreams. He went at once to the city and purchased the most costly residence that could be found. After they were settled in their new home, all they lacked to complete their happiness was a place in society. In order to introduce themselves into the upper class, they arranged a very fine banquet and Invited the “Elite Society” which was the best known and had the highest standing. This society was not composed of people of common blood such as he, but of people whose grandparents had come over in the Mayflower. Nevertheless, a great crowd of them accepted the invitation in order to see who and what kind of people these new “swells” were. The host and hostess, however, were not w’ell versed in the manners of high society and in less than two hours they had. through ignorance, Insulted the whole company who left the house with threats upon their lips.

Page 14 text:

The Toka Published Monthly by Associated Students of the Grants Pass High School. Entered at the Postoffice at Gnuits Puss, Oregon, as Second Class Matter. Vol. V. Grants Pass, Oregon, November, 191 I. No. 2. THE TOKA STAFF. EDITOR LITERARY .... SOCIAL ATHLETICS .... LOCALS ALUMNI EXCHANGE .... COURT OF FOOLISHNESS . FACULTY ADVISER . . . . . . NIEL ALLEN.'12 . . . . BERNICE QUINLAN. '12 . . . . MILDRED CHURCHILL. 13 . . . . LEONARD MARTIN. '15 . . . . LAWRENCE UNDERWOOD. '14 . . . . VERNON BASLER.'ll . . . . MATTHEW RIDDLE.'13 BEATRICE WEBB. 12 . . . . CHRISTINA Mc LEAN Dusinexs Staff. BUSINESS MANAGER . . SUBSCRIPTIONS . . . . - IRVING KESTERSON. T 3 . . . . ROBERT HARRIS. 13 The young people of Grants Pass are fortunate in having such a nice and conveniently arranged high school home. The gymnasium on the basement floor is particularly well suited for parties and social gatherings that really should be a part of the experience HIGH SCHOOL PARTIES and education of young people. Already several very pleasant evenings have been spetC in this way. Doubtless there will be others as the session passes on. It is pleasing to note at these parties, so far, an entire absence of class rush spirit that has attended similar gatherings here in former years. Our young people are apparently “rising to the occasion” and are In no sense violating the privilege given them to use the building for social gatherings. It Is hoped that this spirit will continue throughout the year. These gatherings are always attended and chaperoned by high school teachers, who require that these parties shall end at 10:30 P. M. and on no condition ever later than 10:45; so every one should be at home by the seasonable hour of eleven o’clock. If on the night of one of these social gatherings, young people are later than eleven o'clock on reaching home, parents may know that it is not on account of the school party. Another wise provision made by the school authorities is never to permit these little gatherings on a so-called “school-night.” Thus lessons for the morrow do not suffer. As high school students we are to be congratulated on having such a pleasant school home.