Kouts High School - Kostang Yearbook (Kouts, IN)

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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

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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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20 HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL do so, so lett tin theatre, determined to write home at my first leisure and once more get in touch with affairs in my native town. I slowly made my way hack to my apartments which I had recently taken in one of the smart hotels, stopping to look into shop windows and to admire the display, and reflect—as had become a fixed habit witli me—on the amount of money spent annually in New York City tor clothes. Deep in thought I walked from the show window of a large establishment to the entrance and thence into the building without realizing that I had done so. Suddenly looking up I saw slowly gliding hack and forth before a large mirror a tall, dignified, auburn-haired lady dressed in black velvet. Evidently her aim in life was to show off to the customers the great advantage of wearing hlack velvet, and she took immense satisfaction in tin three-yard train which gracefully swept over tin floor behind her as she walked along. Looking closely at her I recognized Fannie Hannon, another of the class of ’ll. I'pon recog- nizing her I started forward not knowing that it was against the rules of the establishment to speak to the models, but a busy floor-walker soon informed me of my mistake and 1 once more found myself on the crowded street, wondering about the coincidences of the day. Having seen my sister made me resolve to leave the East and travel toward my old home, accordingly I planned on a route that would take me to several of our important cities that I had long wanted to see. Hence, a few days later I found myself traversing the streets of Boston. Upon consulting my traveling guide 1 found among the points of interest mentioned, several schools famed for their splendid system and results. This brought to my mind my own school days, and I re- solved to visit at least one of the institutions mentioned, before leaving Boston. So the following day I entered one which had received partic- ular praise. Stepping into one of the rooms where were seated thirty children ranging in age from ten to twelve years, I became deeply in- terested in the work and upon hearing the pupils address their teacher as Miss Nichols, 1 went forward in the room, half expecting to meet an old friend, for my experiences in New York had taught me not to be surprised at unexpected meeting, and sure enough the dignified, be- spectacled instructor before me was none other than Eunice. She in- formed me that after graduating with the class of ’ll, she had com- pleted a course at our State Normal, began teaching in the country schools of Indiana and had gradually moved eastward until taking up her present position in this Boston school. In the course of our conversation she happened to mention Professor Handley. Upon inquiring if it were possible she could mean our old classmate “('has.” she informed me that it was indeed he. It seems he taught in the same building with herself—was professor of mathe-