Johnson St Paris High School - Parisian Yearbook (Saint Paris, OH)

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Class Prophecy ’21 HEN asked to write a prophecy of this illustrious class of ’21 my heart failed me for I was at a loss to know how to begin. No dream or idle imaginings would satisfy—I must find something authentic, some real knowledge of the future. Having read Mr. Thomas A. Edison’s article in a recent magazine about-the apparatus he is perfecting whereby he may communicate with the spirit-world, and knowing of course of the phonograph, the incandescent light, the megaphone, the alkaline storage battery, the kinetoscope, kinetograph, kinetophone, etc., that he has successfully given to the public. I knew if he could do all of these wonderful things, he was the one to help me. So I made an appointment with him and was received very cordially and he listened most atten- tively while I related my story. With a quiet smile he told me he was already working on the very instrument that would tell me everything and if I would stay and assist him he would try it out. He had told no one of his intentions and was very anxious to keep it quiet until he could see how mu:h of a success this last invention might prove to be. Of course I was overjoyed at the thought of wit- nessing the experiment and having the utmost confidence in this wonderful man I was sure of suc- cess. I asked him first what would be the fate of my friend Oneita Rudasill twenty years from now. He went on to explain that there was nothing occult, mysterious, or weird (such as are employed by so called mediums) about this instrument but purely scientific methods were employed. By the use of electric currents applied on this super-delicate instrument a moving picture or panorama of events would be portrayed on a miniature screen only visible with the aid of powerful lenses. He manipulated this most delicate instrument a few moments and then we waited—-with nerves tense and scarcely breathing for the space of ten seconds, when we could finally distinguish a move- ment on the screen. With the glasses we could plainly see Babe, explaining the merits of a certain book to a lady and realized that her most ardent desire had been fulfilled and that she was a librarian and a most competent one she would make because she is quite an adept at book reports and nothing pleases her better than to spend all her spare time curled up in her own particular comfortable chair with the latest book. Of course Edison was quite happy at the success of this newe't invention and it is to him we owe the thanks for this glimpse of the future of class ’21. Jeannette who had always vowed to marry rich had become the wife of the famous Mr. Rocke- bilt, the peppermint chew candy man. Unexcelled in oratorical ability Ted has always been conspicuous at literary programs by his ab- sence. No one will ever forget his ready smile and peach complexion. So it is with surprise we learn he is traveling on the Chautauqua circuit lecturing on “If not, Why Not’’ at the rate of six thousand words a minute and some of the words are pretty big ones too. How mistaken we always were in Clarence, we never knew he had the sterling qualities of such a rich man, for we find he has become a famous fancy dancer in the Musicale Comedy “Hurry up Hattie” and is drawing down a salary equal to that of Charlie Chaplin. Lucy who was never very robust in health which deprived her of an advanced education is now well and strong and happily married, living in the old home place and attending strictly to her own business. She has all the modern conveniences, paved streets and a street car line which the young folks in the neighborhood take to S. P. H. S. instead of the bumpy, rickety wagon Lucy rode in in her school days. When Ruth left school, she took a business course at Moore’s Business College in Urbana and became such a competent stenographer that she advanced rapidly and is now social secretary to the President’s wife. Bob Taylor, the famous yell leader for S. P. H. S., who directed the organized cheering through- out the year’s basket ball activities in such a satisfactory manner, by his gracefulness, his nimbleness and the strength of his lungs has become the best auctioneer in the state of Ohio. 25

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Our Campus To that person with the rake and seeds, who holds the future of our campus in his hands, I dedicate this rhyme, may it at the same time be an incentive and guide to him. Of Elysian fields we often hear, Of Alpine valleys held so dear, Of Scottish heathlands gray and drear, And Canadian woodlands much too sere, But none are so rare, None can compare With our campus. There when are gone bleak Winter’s snows. And Summer’s verdant mantle grows, Of ragweeds in such well spaced rows, The morning-glory trailing goes In festooned glory To tell the story When by chance you there trespass, Here and there a blade of grass campus. Will peep out at you as you pass, From behind some rocky mass. And you will start to see It’s shy timidity On our campus. There the students love to stroll, There the children’s marbles roll, And many a sight so very droll, Funny to all but the blind eyed mole Greets your sight Each morning bright, On There with friends a joy to know, Our Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow, campus. Midst much of pleasure, no more of woe, Our carefree life did lightly flow, Across that work of Nature’s art, Soon to be dear to every heart, Across our campus. Oh may it ever be my lot, To visit often that dear spot, And see these pleasures never bought. With you, my friends, may I not Stroll once more As in days of yore Across our 24 campus.

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We all knew that Nell’s intelligence and striking personality would win fame for her, but we hardly expected her to be quite so noted as she really is. On leaving High School, she took a college course and then she was the only successful one out of three hundred and twenty-five applicants to he Mary Pickford’s understudy at her studio in California. After all these wonderful pictures had been portrayed on the miniature screen there was quite a change in the weather conditions, the atmosphere was not charged with a sufficient amount of elec- tricity which interrupted our experiments for that day, but Edison insisted on me coming back and seemed quite anxious to continue the following day,—weather permitting. The next morning dawned bright and clear and I knew we would be able to proceed with this most interesting task of penetrating the future. Sure enough the instrument worked perfectly and picture after picture passed before our fascinated eyes. It seems as though Pauline Huffman being always musically inclined had the wonderful oppor- tunity of traveling abroad with her brother and studying music under the great artists. She is now quite famous and a second Galli Curci. Records of her singing voice are sold as soon as man- ufactured. Elma, who always captivated all hearts by her music, finally won the heart of the great Prince Gustave of Sweden, and presides over his castle in a most queenly manner. Still, as of old, she is the Belle of the Ball and a society leader. Klappy seems to have had his plans for the future sidetracked, for instead of being a journalist as he had hoped, he found upon getting his degree from college that lofty ideals had been awakened and felt it his life work to give himself as a missionary to Africa. We remember as president of our Literary Society what a good speker he was, and know he cannot help but accomplish great things in his chosen field. Clifford has become quite a celebrated author. We know of his book entitled “My years in Basket Ball, which was very interesting, written from the author’s own experience. It should be read by all Freshmen who have aspirations along that line. Tt is well known the kind of basket ball he played and he seemed to improve with every game. Ethel, who was always talking about the rights of women, studied law, was admitted to the bar and practised quite successfully for several years. She is now running for Congress and we hope it is a victory for her as it will mean another feather in the cap of Klass ’21. Kathleen, who was always such a student, graduated from Ohio Wesleyan with honors, although missing none of the fun for she seemed to be one of the few who could have a good time yet not at the detriment of her studies. At this time we find her assistant superintendent of S. P. H. S. Mem- ories of her school days were so precious that she could not overcome the desire to go back and teach the younger generation true manhood and womanhood. It was Viola who with her kind sympathetic manner, who was always thoughtful of others and al- ways spreading cheer and sunshine, determined to be a nurse. She studied at Massachusetts General Hospital at Boston and won a prize scholarship which entitled her to a course in one of the biggest medical institutions in France. Lucille Hill (nee Jenkins), is the only one in class ’21 who did not graduate under her maiden name, but we were mighty glad to have her finish with us, even though she did prefer the society of a member of class ’20. The pictures on the screen still revealed a state of true love and happiness. The fates have been kinder to Boots than to any of the class, as he is the only one who needs never plan for tomorrow. A perfect stranger entering the place of business where “Boots” was employed after leaving school, look an especial fancy to his dark eyes and raven locks and made him heir to his vast fortune. Boots has become a great philanthropist giving freely of his abundant wealth to charity. This wonderful apparatus of Mr. Edison's will no doubt' soon be given to the public and every one interested may satisfy their curiosity in regard to the future, and here is a vote of thanks for the part he has played in the prophecy of Klass ’21. 26