Mason High School - Anchora Yearbook (Mason, MI)

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PROPHECY ' The summer of 1920 found me in the far west, on a journey to Pike's Peak. It was 6:30 in the evening and just as the red sun was sinking down behind the mountains, the brisk mountain breezes were fanning my cheek, and as I was being pulled up through the air on the cable car Incline, I hardly knew whether I was in this world or not. In just sixteen minutes I was lifted one-half mile in the air to the top of the mountains. just as I was leaving the car, whom should I recognize but Florence Taylor, a former classmate of mine. E. B.-Florence Taylor! Well, who would ever thought of our meet- ing up here in the mountains, after a separation of ten years? F. T.-No one but an up-to-date prophet. I suppose you are going up to the Peak? E. B.-Yes. F. T.-Good for you. Come on and we will hire our burros for the rest of the journey. CWalk away arm in arm.J Well, how are you? and what are you doing? E. B.-I have been caring for an aunt of mine for several years, and thought I would take this trip for a little rest. What work have you taken u ? F. TI?-Oh! I am only a science teacher over here in one of the Arizona high schools. By this time we had found the guide and hired our burros for the remainder of the trip, but here was another surprise awaiting us, for whom should our guide prove to be, but Nelson Huntley, another M. H. S. product. About seven o'clock a party of twelve of us, after being carefully wrapped in our slickers and blankets, started in single file on our burros, the guide riding last, hollering and urging the mules up the steep moun- tain path. Part way up we were to rest until three o'clock in the morning, then go on to the Peak and be there for the sunrise. Each burro was named, Florence Taylor's was Fleet Foot, the guide's Light- ning and mine jumbo. We were not more than half way up to the camp, when a heavy rain set in, but our slickers and blankets kept us dry, although it was so dark we could not see the burro ahead of us, and added to this was the fact that we were following a single trail on the mountain side with yawning precipices on one side and towering rocks above. A single misstep of the burro and all would be over. All this would have been sufficient cause to make us feel There's no place like home, had it not been for the witty remarks of the members of the crowd and the sweet melody of Nelson's voice as he called out, Get up here and lashed the old cowhide around the burros' legs, making it crack and snap. All this, the rain, the pitch darkness, the slow moving burro and the narrow mountain trail, made us more than glad when, at about eleven o'clock, we reached camp. We first put our burros in the corral, then walked over to the camp, a tent 12x16 feet, with a six-foot bunk along one side and end, the coverings of which we suppose were once white. We crowded into this tent, taking off our rain clothes and climb- ing up to the bunks, where we waited for our coffee, for one of the inducements held forth had been hot coffee at the camp. Our guide, good faithful Huntley, gathered together wet wood, and breaking up some pine boxes, part of the camp furniture, succeeded in getting a fire, and the large coffee pot set on the coals. We then opened

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attempt at it. How often did the teacher remind us to be industrious, and many more times did she speak of our conduct, for she wished us to be prepared for entering the high school next year. And in 1906 we were Freshmen. At Erst there were twenty-tive of us and it was at that time that three of the most prominent members of the class of 1910 joined our ranks to march with us through those four awful years to come. For, Ethel had obtained all the knowledge which the country school could offer and had decided to come to the city to polish her education, and, Florence, since her parents had taken up their place of residence on a farm near Mason, had thought it best to become a Freshman with the rest of us, and John, or Toad, as he is generally called, joined the Freshies at that time. We all remember how dithcult it was to endure the remarks of the Sophs. and Seniors, for they seemed always to be giggling or talking behind their books about the green Freshies. Oh! Would we ever become Seniors! Many times did we wander about the halls, having lost our way to class. But, we had someone to sympathize with us through all of these trou- bles, for Miss Corbett had come to our aid, that she might assist us during her high school career. For this was her first year as principal in the M. H. S., and she has been a most faithful ally to us during these four years. The Freshman play, Uncle Rube, will ever be remem- bered in the history of the school, and it was during this year that it became a successf?j But time passed quickly on, the duties of Freshmen came to an end, vacation passed, and each one was anticipating the time when we would be Sophs. At last, the Seniors could no longer make sport of us and it was our turn to call the Freshies green. Of course, we did not seize the opportunity, for did we not remember the motto, Do unto others as you would they should do unto you? During this year there were many parties, sleigh rides and class scraps. Several members of our class held prominent positions in the different societies, and school life was at its best, for we had begun to feel less timid than during the terrible Freshman year. During this year Ernest joined our class and he has proved to be a loyal and helpful member. Geometry was also introduced at this time and many were the hours spent in pouring over its pages. The junior year opened with Mr. Tiedgen as superintendent. At last we were juniors and more industrious than ever. But many good times were enjoyed along with our work, and we were more than glad to have Orla join our class in this year, for he has proved to be one of the leading members. Time passed quickly, and the most notable event which occurred was the junior and Senior reception. This was a grand success and all looked forward to the time when we would be Seniors that we might be entertained. We did not have long to wait, however, for the next school year found us occupying the honored seats of the Seniors. Now, everyone considered us as their model, and we were warned not to chew gum or have any free lunches during school hours, as the Freshmen might see us. But, regardless of this, our Senior year was one of jollity, as there was something doing all the time, unmindful of lessons and exams. Lillian and Lennagene helped to make this year a success as they were accustomed to the ways of Seniors. The new society, or the High School Union, was organized during this year. Various events occurred, but at last commencement time approached and we received our diplomas, which had been well earned. Now, each one is pondering over the future, wondering what Fate has in store for him. FLORENCE M. JEWETT.

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our lunch baskets and with coffee boiling hot, partook of our mountain side banquet, at the hour of midnight, listening to the beating rain and talking over old times. The first thing that come to our minds was the whereabouts of the class of 1910. Florence Taylor promptly produced a Detroit News, and with the light of the candle we were able to make out some of the news. F. T.-Listen Ethel! Miss Lillian Coe will sing at the cathedral this evening, she is one of the most talented vocalists the world has ever known, every evening an enraptured congregation listens to the beauti- ful melodies she sends forth. E. B.- Isn't that fine, I wonder if she would sing Adam for her old classmates if she should meet us all again. F. T .-QReadsj The Philleo Gilleo Club gave the first number on the lecture course at the opera house last evening, the company is composed of six young ladies and Mr. Gillett, the leader, there was a large num- ber in attendance and the club has been highly praised. N. H.-I wonder if that is Orla and Helen, sure enough, there are their pictures. E. B.-Awfully distinguished looking, are they not? N. H.-This reminds me I received a letter from Walter Dolbee today, and he is getting along finely, he owns a 120-acre farm east of Mason, with fine buildirgs and all the latest improvements. He also spoke of john Shaffer fformerly known as Toadj as being chief of police over at Holt and still a great lover of Pussies. QAll laugh.J F. T.-just last week I had the pleasure of attending a play over in Arizona, in which Ivah Godfrey was leading lady, she is called the star of the troop, and rightly called too, I talked with her a few minutes after the play and she told me she had engagements for every night until Feb. 25th. E. B.-I fear Ivah is working too hard, but how often I yearn to hear her good, old, hearty laugh once more. N. H.-Do either of you girls know where Smithy is? E. B.-Yes, I do, I saw him just last week, he is at Seattle, Wash., he conducts an art studio in that place and seems to be coining money. F. T.-There are some others of whom we have not mentioned, who are they? N. H.-Florence Jewett is one, and Oh! yes, Lennagene Bordner, too. F. T.-They say Florence has a Jewell for a husband and conducts a hennery way down on the farm. E. B.--I always predicted a rosy future for Florence. N. H.-I used to receive a letter from Lennagene occasionally, and in her last letter she said she was head nurse in one of the hospitals of New York, but I guess she can't write to me any more. E. B.-Why not? N. H.-Because she is married now. , Girls-Bright boy. F. T.-Hasn't this been delightful talking over old times up here in the mountains? , E. B. and N. H.-It certainly has. N. H.-It is growing light and we must hasten on our journey. He hurried us into our saddles, and tried to hurry the burros on their way through the rocks, along torturous, narrow, precipitous paths, toward the top of the Peak, to see the sunrise, but we were unable to make the top. Nevertheless we were far above timber line and the clouds of the valley, as the sun shone clear and bright upon the vast sea of heaving, rolling clouds beneath our feet and turned it all to one vast mass of golden cloud. It was beautiful, a sight never to be forgotten,