McAdory High School - Yellow Jacket Yearbook (McCalla, AL)

Page 27 text:

THE YELLOW JACKET Prophecy 'Hie Min had cast its final beams over the earth, and a deep silent hush stole over all. as darkness began to envelope every living creature. It was just a few minutes, until the crisis in my life was to occur. The next few hours, meant everything in the world to me. success and honor or the alternative, failure and disgrace. I was staging my latest production. “Madam Butterfly, as I was now a star in the theatrical world. Only ten brief minutes and I was to meet triumph or disaster, when my maid thrust into my hands a letter hearing a foreign postmark. Eager to know the contents. I hastily opened it, and lo. to my great surprise and unutterable joy, who should tt ! e from, but my dear friend and former teacher. Mr. Taylor. He congratulated me upon winning a place in the theaterical world and sincerely hoped that my every effort would be a brilliant success. He regretted very much that he could not be present, but promised to call on me within a short time. In this letter, (which was very lengthy.) was news of my classmates, the dear old class of '24. First, was news of one of my old pals, Rachel Pace, she now occupied the pinnacle of fame in the musical world, having made her dehut at the Metropolitan Opera House. She had sung before some of the mo t notable personages of the world, among which were, the King and Queen of England, and the President of the U. S. There next came news of one of my college friends, one of the dearest in the Class of 24. Marguerite Tvsinger. She was now occupying the Chair of Mathematics at Maryville College. Since her entrance into that noble institution, much good and splendid influence had been felt. But the most thrilling incident was that of another of the Class of 24. was also occupying an honorable position as Dean of the College. It was none other than Eugene Reeder. I read the fact that he. (Mr. Taylor) wouldn’t he surprised to hear at any time soon, of a prominent marriage. Here Imping them all the happiness in the world I learned that one of the sweetest in our Class. Margaret Weed, was now the happy and contented wife of one of the State’s most prominent bankers, Elbert McClinton, who is making a wonderful success in the business world, and who is now living in as luxurious home as could be desired. I always knew that Margaret would make a splendid wife for Elbert, for they were quiet and demure. 1 read on, and discovered that Hugh Hickman was one of Alabama’s most prominent lawyers. He was deeply interested in the latest divorce case. The divorce case was that of another of the Class of ’24, Utla Higginbotham. She had had two husbands and desired a new one. She could not he satisfied keeping house and so had secured a position in Selma’s leading hank, and that was the reason her name was in the Courts. Then came news of one of the quietest of our class, Sallic Smith. She too was a teacher, the English Instructor in the Jefferson County High School. She was much beloved by her pupils and others, for her kind, loving disposition. Turnty Threc

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THE YELLOW JACKET If von can wait and not he tired by waiting, ( r being lied about don't deal in lies. Or being hated, don’t give away to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor too wise; I f you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim. If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools. Or watch the things you gave your life to. broken: And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools; If you can walk with crowds and keep your virtue. Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you. If all men count with you but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run. Yours, is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—what is more, you’ll l e a man. And—what is more, you’ll be a man. my son! Raciiei. Pace. Twenty Two

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TIJE YELLOW JACKET Nell f.etson. the quiet, sweet, lovable girl of the Class of ’24. was now back at old M. II. S.. as the Music teacher. She had just returned from the Xew York Conservatory of Music, where she had taken quite an extensive course in music. I learned that Pauline Riley was in dear old Xew York, without my knowledge. I decided that I would go and visit her in the near future. She was a society favorite and preparations were going on for a ball to be given in her honor. Henry Green was one of Xmerica’s foremost statesmen. He was before the Senate, trying to pass a bill, forcing men to wear lace or ruffles on their trousers, and it looked as if he would l»e successful, for he was very eloquent and forceful. Willie Mae Vaught was the chief executive of a large Western firm. I was not greatly surprised, for I knew that site could easily command others. Annie Abernathy and Tressie Mahan were such good chums all through high school days, that I was not greatly surprised to learn that they were still working together, and had made themselves famous along the millinery line. They were now the proprietors of a large millinery shop in Paris. Mr. Taylor said that he had been asked just a short time ago. to act as a judge in a beauty contest at Atlantic City, but he had been forced to decline, because his business then demanded his strict attention. The most beautiful girl was to be crowned “Misf America and who should have been the successful contestant among fifty others, out of our dear classmates, but Lillie Roy! Jessie Roy was now a famous movie actress. Her name was always blazened from the silver screen and large crowds docked to see her act. Lillian Smith was soon to he a prominent society matron. Her romance was the culmination of a brief career as a teacher. She was soon to be a member of one of the South's most prominent families. W hen we used to tease Thelma Orr and say that she was preparing to marry, she only laughed at us. Xow I know tint she was not joking, for she is indeed an old maid. She has charge of a Business Girls Home in Atlanta, where no married women are allowed. Aaron was always good in school, but we thought that he would probably be a bootlegger. In the letter. I discovered he was now a noted preacher. He was making a tour of the country, by conducting revivals, multitudes were thronging t bear him. Ethel had long since finished her college education and now was a Home Economics teacher in McAdory College. I ast. but not least, there were tidings of our friend and classmate. Mvles Hassell. He was now the football coach at Auburn. L’nder his expert training, his team had won every game they had played and were Champions of the South. I had to rapidly finish reading the letter, as it was a matter of a few minutes until 1 should make my appearance. When the summons came. I was ready and with the reminder of the success which my classmates had met with. I went forth ujMm the stage and performed to the l est of my ability. The applause was deatening, so I knew that fame at last was mine. I shall ever feel indebted to Mr. I aylor for his letter, for it was the inspiration whereby I met with success. Bertha Goodwin. Twenty Tour