Kouts High School - Kostang Yearbook (Kouts, IN)

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18 HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL ■i ■■ ■—mi ■■ - ‘Hi’ . PROPHECY OF CLASS OF ’ll. R having completed my course at the K. H. S. 1 found self in possession of such a fund of practical knowledge general information, which, together with the ambitions t my worthy teachers had instilled in me, tended to make me a very capable person in the business world, which 1 en tered. In fact I became a veritable get-rich-quick man, and at the age of forty-five I found myself in that class of men who make successful speculations on Wall Street and then retire from business; not caring to delve further in risky speculations there, but who resolve to spend the remainder of their days globe trotting, spending their money in the way in which they expect to receive most enjoyment. First 1 resolved to become thoroughly acquainted with New York City, which hitherto I had seen only from the viewpoint of a busy spec- ulator in stocks and bonds. After having clothed myself in a manner fitting my station, having dined at the Waldorf, and feeling altogether satisfied with myself and

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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL 17 If ours is knowledge of the laws, We’ll cast no eyes on prospects drear From which no human wisdom draws, But always waits ’till they are near. To live without the constant love, Will wisdom be to grieve; And to consider self above, May be the hope that will deceive. Not few there are on earth like this, That seek so long but all in vain, The gems they’ve passed of greatest bliss, In daily, busy, strife for gain. May each sad face loom up and cheer! Speak not alone of days gone by, But greet us with a tale that’s dear, And of the morrow’s lacking sigh. Then let us all hold on to youth. And gather flowers while we may; The time is fleeting, grasp the truth, For we’re not coming hack this way. OTTO A. HOFFERTH, ’ll.

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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL 19 the world, I strolled down Fifth avenue. It was a beautiful afternoon— crowds of well-dressed people thronged the fashionable quarters of the down-town districts. 1 carefully scanned each face as 1 passed, hop- ing to meet among those hundreds, some familiar countenance, when finally my scrutiny was satisfied, and in the figure of one of the gen- tlemen coming toward me I recognized an old schoolfellow, one of the class of ’ll. lie was dressed in the height of fashion, wore a monocle, was dangling in one hand a gold-headed walking stick and in the other car- ried a bouquet; to his right wrist was fastened a silver chain at the other end of which trotted a white curly dog. 1 stared at him in open- mouthed admiration, but lacked the courage to attract his attention to such an insignificant creature as I suddenly realized myself to he. Thus, Arthur Anderson, my one-time pal and classmate, passed on and was lost in the crowd. I stood for a few minutes looking after him as he greeted and was greeted hv all the fair representatives of New York’s most exclusive circle, and in my deep reflections on the sad changes wrought by time I was rudely brought to the realization of where 1 was by the pressure of the throng about me. I wondered where next to turn my steps, and decided that some light amusement would suit me best. Following this inclination, 1 strolled into one of New York’s most fashionable theatres. The programme for the afternoon was the usual mixed hill to be found in nearly all vaudeville houses—there were the usual “funny” men—the acrobats—the French Prof, and his dogs, etc. They were all given their proper share of applause, hut the audience seemed to wait impatiently for the last number on the programme. I glanced at the printed slip handed me by the usher on my entrance, but the name “Marytheaeon Joyneanse” meant nothing to me. When it came time for this number the crowded theatre was hushed in an ex- pectant silence, which burst into loud applause as a little blonde fairy made her appearance on the stage. She was the most active, most skillful dancer it had ever been my lot to see. With airy grace she captivated her audience and kept them spellbound by her fairy-like movements about the stage. 1 gazed and gazed at her, trying to account to myself for feeling so familiar toward this little dancer, who must surely be a stranger to me. But after closely studying her features I recognized in this little blonde my sister, Marytha, who graduated with me from the K. H. S. in the class of ’ll. During my busy career on the Stock Exchange 1 had almost completely severed home ties, which ac- counted for my ignorance of my sister’s whereabouts. After the per- formance had closed I tried to speak to her, but found it impossible to