Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Prophecy of The Class of 1919 BY JOSEPHINE FRAZIER JOHNSON It was the glorious month of May and it was, moreover, the clay of days—the tenth anniversary of my graduation from Howard Academy. Naturally the vivid memories of that day filled my heart with an unbridled yearning to know what my classmates of 1010 were doing. Lulled by the rhythmic splash-;ng of the waves on the far stretching beach of California, I fell ad reaming and clear visions appeared before me. A sprightly little figure stood at my side holding a golden necklace in her hand. •’Wear this, lady,” she said, “and your slightest wish will be realized.” “I wish. I said, ‘‘to see my old class-mates.” Immediately I found myself in Chicago. The day seemed hot. so 1 entered an attractive looking drug store to get a cool drink. My delight was great when 1 learned that this drug store was owned by Willie Greene and Harry Lofton. They persuaded me to go with them that night to a formal reception given at the home of Judge and Mrs. Clifford Clarke in honor of British Ambassador, Mr. Z. Alexander Looby. The next day while hurrying to the station I saw an immense crowd congregated in a park; all were looking intently upward. I stopped my chauffeur and asked him to find out the cause of the excitement. We learned that the famous scientist, Professor Oswell Combs, was demonstrating his latest invention. This was a pair of wings which upon being attached to the shoulders, enabled one to flv as a bird. I liked this quick method of travelling and so purchased a pair to complete my trip. After attaching my new acquisition to my shoulders, I pushed the selfstarting button and just as if I had been a piece of paper being blown by the wind, I skimmed thru the air and landed in New York on the sill of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Sonic one rushed to the window and pulled me in. It was my old friend Bea Clarke. She told me she was Mrs. Eldon Marksman and her husband was the president of a large real estate company in New York. Messrs Giekie Smith. Anthony Featherstone and Cyril Spence were lawyers retained by the great firm. Just at that time a pleasant faced little woman came in leading a curly headed little girl. The big brown eyes of th» 31

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Ian. the contrary minded Clifford Clark, the brilliant and invincible Z. A. Looby and the slow but sure Geikie Smith. We now stand on threshold of a higher education. We have encountered many hardships, but our Academy training has made us tenacious in purpose as, Trojan Aneas when he arrived at Cumae soliciting the entrance to the lower world. Our slogan is “Alot finished, just br( uH.” GIRI S BASKET BALL TEAM

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child looked strangely familiar and the second glance at the mother told me that those were the eyes of my pretty classmate. Marion Barnett. Then the tongues of friendship loosened. Marion began telling me of the important things she knew that had happened among our classmates since we left school. She had married Edward Simmons who was now the editor of the leading daily paper in New Jersey. She invited me to go with her to a matinee to see the star actresses, Vivian Mason and Anita Taylor, play in Ruth Butler’s latest drama. “Truth.” 1 gladly accepted Marion’s invitation. Between acts she told me that Mozella had married Thomas Stevens and left that afternoon for Paris where she would join in. After the play, we hurried back to the hotel where 1 had left my wings. 1 bade them all a hasty good bye as I wished to reach Philadelphia before dark. I stopped there at the V. V. C. A. of which Emily McPherson was the matron. That evening we went to a lecture given by Sadie Mallory, the subject of the lecture being. “My latest trip thru Africa.” At the lecture. Rev. David Moss gave a ten minutes talk on the “Call to the Ministry.” The next day 1 reached West Virginia. As I was sadly in need of a pair of new shoes, 1 entered a fashionable shoe store. While examining a pair, I saw that the label on the inside gave the name of the establishment as “Anderson and Carter.” Later I learned that these were my two classmates and that they were two of the wealthiest business men in the city. I went next to a millinery store. There I found Irene Patton buying a very fine hat. She told me she had married Lester 'Jrr. Mr. On . Thomas Sweeney and Joseph Williams were the owners of the leading bank of Charleston. Irene invited me to go with her in her limousine that afternoon to Esther Gundy’s piano recital. A diamond flashed on the third finger of Esther's left hand as they ran skillfully over the keys. At the end of the recital, as I was congratulating Esther on her wonderful playing. I laid my hand on the ring and looked into her face inquiringly. She hesitated a moment, looked at the ring and murmured softly, “You know him. It is Luther—Luther White.” Remembering that Dorothea Jones used to live at Lynchburg, 1 decided to visit her. 1 consulted a city directory for her address but could not find it. 32