Kouts High School - Kostang Yearbook (Kouts, IN)

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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-

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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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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL 21 matics, had published an Algebra and Geometry, so bad the great pleas- ure of teaching bis own text-books. He was at that time working on a treatise on Trigonometry which he hoped to publish soon. Fearing that I, who had done nothing but hoard money, was unworthy to ad- dress this man who had put bis time to such good use, I left Boston without acquainting Professor Handley of my presence there. Within a short time 1 arrived in Chicago which I had last visited on a flying business trip. Feeling travel-stained and in need of atten- tion as to my personal appearance I entered a tonsorial parlor. After the “knight of the razor” hail done bis work I seated myself at a small table to have inv hands attended. A lady who appeared not more than twenty-eight years of age, wearing an immense amount of jewelry and indulging in the pleasant exercise of chewing gum, presided at this table. She was very skillful at her work, and 1 could scarcely conceal my admiration for her deft movements. In a chance glance which hap- pened to light upon the numerous pins, lockets, etc., which the lady wore, I happened to notice an inconspicuous little silver pin bearing the inscription “K. H. S. ’ll.” 1 scanned her face more closely trying to place this youthful looking person in the members of that class who must now be matrons or spinsters of questionable age. My sister’s youth)ill appearance 1 bad easily ascribed to the trick of her profession, but the lady before me was a puzzle. 1 detected that she was also trying to scrutinize my features. Almost simultaneously we recognized each other. Lucie Biggart was now a “beauty doctor”; had been for years and her youthful appearance and beauty was due to her own arts. )t course our conversation turned to the old days at the K. H. S. and we exchanged hits of news concerning our class. 1 told her of having seen Arthur, Charles, Fannie, Martha and Eunice in the East and Lucie in- formed me that Otto HotTerth, our orator of whom we were so proud, was one of the most famous lawyers in the middle-west; bad graduated from a law school after leaving the K. II. S. and step by step lie had worked himself up to bis present position. I inquired for our old friend, Levi Ktibbe. and learned that he bad for years studied voice culture un- der the best masters at home and abroad and at the present time was singing Grand Opera in a large opera house in Chicago. Grace Gay, the youngest member of the class, had devoted her life to the study of music and was at that time giving piano lessons and teaching elocution in a university in Berlin. Though impatient to set foot in my home town I was siezed with a sudden whim and decided to ride out to Malden on the C. R. M. Alighting from the train there on a bright, sunshiny morning, I was astonished at the appearance of the once shabby little town. Xew buildings bad been erected, among which a prosperous looking High