Lane Technical High School - Lane Tech Prep Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Page 14 The Lane Tech Annual for June, 1935 As if the regular bothersome school work was not enough, they also had to have several encounters with Kurt Otto, a member of their division room. Otto was a bully of huge proportions. He was con- tinually picking on the smaller boys of his class, he would think nothing of giving any of them a push down the stairs if they happened to be in front of him. When reprimanded for his actions by a teacher the bully would offer a series of well-plann- ed alibis and excuses. Both, Eric and Bill were a- mong his 'victims'. One day while working in the wood-shop, which, incidently was Harris's favorite subject, they notic- ed that Otto worked at the next bench- He better not try any of his funny stuff around here today. l'm just in the mood to hit someone over the head with this two-by-fourf' Don't get excited, Bill, he hasn't tried anything yet. You would do better if you would watch what you are doing. That piece of wood is getting mighty small. You know what the instructor told us. He said to shut off the band saw when we are not using it. f'Oh, all right, wait a minute. Keep your shirt on. I'm not finished yetf' While the pals were engaged in their conversation Otto left his bench to get some varnish. He was It was a large woodshop just passing Billy when ..... 'fHey, Bill, look out! In another instant Harris was sprawled all over the floor, downed by a football tackle. 'fWhat is the idea?,' he shouted. Now it was Eric's turn to speak although his talk was very shaky. Phew! Boy, was that close! What do you mean close? Otto, the clumsy ox, had somehow got his feet entangled in yours as he passed. Didnit you feel yourself falling toward that saw?l' Gee, that's right. Thanks a lot, fellerf' 'fOh, itjs okay. Funny that the big guy didn't even stop. He just ran by. It was all his fault, toof, HWhere did I put that chunk of wood, Eric? I'll fix him! f'Wait a second, Hercules. What you are about to do is the easiest way to get yourself into the disci- pline room. You would probably get about two weeks. You'd better forget it for a while. General Science was interesting The incident passed, but it was not soon for- gotten by either of the two. The freshmen consid- ered Otto as their worst enemy. To them, he was a discourteous, fresh, unkind bully. He proved him- self the most unpopular fellow in the division. Dis- cipline did not hinder or stop him from engaging in his favorite pastime, that of pestering the smaller members of his division group. No one liked him. His teachers took a dislike to his unfair methods of twhat he calledl fun. just before the Christmas vacation even Otto was momentarily forgotten. It had been a hard long grind for the two new boys. They awaited the brief rest with an eagerness that could not be overlooked. A week before Christmas the high school presented a scene of hustling boys bringing canned goods and food products to their respective division rooms. To Harris it was all a mystery- He sought out Johnson to get all of the 'dope'. Eric somehow al- ways managed to get f1rst hand information on all school happenings. UAH right, Billy, I'll explain it to you. It seems that Lane follows a very old custom. That of help- ing out the less fortunate students. The school has done it for many years. Every division room vol- unteers to fill a basket or two of food. Each boy donates what he can. The perishable food products are bought with money which is also supplied by the students and teachers. Only Lane students re- ceive the help. Still other boys give the use of their automobiles to deliver the baskets. In this Way the entire student body helps to make it a merry Chris- tmas for all. If you want, you can bring your dad's car. What do you say, Bill? We need someone to deliver the baskets in our division. Will you do it? Sure, I think it can be arranged. Dad will bring the car over for us?

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The Lane Tech Annual for June, 1935 Page 15 That's fine, go and tell the division teacher about it. So it was agreed upon that Harris and Johnson were to deliver the baskets. This was to be done the last day before the vacation. It finally arrived, with it also arrived Sidney Epstein. Due to the fact that he could not get a car for his division, he asked if he might use Billyys. Harris consented. 'tNow remember, Epstein, the division is going to be extended today so that we can get the baskets packed. Right after division we leave. Say. . .are you listening to me? ffCertainly, we get the division packed and then leave the car in the basket. Isn't that right?'l No, you big dummox. Listen, if you are not there on time you're going to carry your basket on the street carl' That left Sid where he stood. I A visit to their own power plant While the food was being packed in their room the freshmen were discussing their new found friend. 'tllid you hear what that guy told me, Eric? Leave the car in the basket--humph. I wonder how he ever got to first grade. 'tHe probably stayed in there for eight years and then he outgrew the rest of the kids. Naturally, they would have to give him something for his achievement. Having an unused diploma on hand they decided to give it to him. And so to high school comes Einstein's, I mean, Epstein's protege. Welle-the baskets are ready. Grab the meat and let's go. As they approached Bill's car they saw something they could hardly believe. Epstein stood near the car and he was on time! Well, well, so you're all ready to go? 'fYes siree, but before we leave, I want to tell you of my new idea. Look here, why do we have to come back today? Why can't we tell our teachers that we got a flat tire on our way back. Boy, you certainly are original. just about every other student who is acting as chauffeur today has the same idea. Something new did you say? I can see how well you like school? Then Eric cut in,- I bet the only reason why he comes to school is so that he can look forward to the approaching hol- idaysf' The two weeks of Christmas vacation passed as if they were minutes. At least it seemed that way to the school-worn freshmen. New Years passed and the end of the first semester was coming to an end, with much work to be done. Epstein's ignorance was further demonstrated when he bumped into Eric and Bill in the corridor with a sad but true story. Listen, he said, have you fellows bought any of the study hall cards yet?', Study hall cards, you didn't fall for that one loo?,' 'fNo. I only paid five cents apiece for them. Now I can go to study whenever I have a study period. Without them I could not stay in the room. You better get your cards as soon as you can. Come on, I'll show you where to get them. But you have to go to study anyway, you fool. As for the cards, you get those from your division teacher. How many did you buy? Three, but I also bought some of these special pink cards. I can use them for a lunch ticket- That is what the fellers told me. Let me see those cards, Eric interrupted, 'KI might have known it! Discipline cards! And he buys them. Good night. I give up. Are you sure they didn't try to sell you a locker? ffNo, I'm afraid not, at least no one has asked me vet. There is an old saying which says:- Ignorance is blissff Epstein must have had a great many cup- fulls of happiness. If he had not been forewarned by his two friends, some fun loving senior would have sold him Seward Park or a part interest in the They saw many kinds of woodshop projects basketball team. Sid, it seemed, was not cut out for an educational high school career. He had a hard time of fcatching on' to the primary principles