Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

Page 17 text:

Just A Glance. T. L. PETERSEN, ’15. The last warning whistle had sounded, friends bade friends a tearful farewell, the gang-plank was drawn up, and the steamer, Marguerite, which had been repaired and in use the last ten years, slowly plowed its way out of the harbor, and the greatest ambition of my life was slowly being fulfilled. I was taking a long wished-for journey. I was leaving Momence, after long, monotonous years spent there since graduation, and was crossing the Kankakee to attend a house-party given by Margaret Nel¬ son to all her old classmates, at Sandbur Cottage, in the sandridges near Hopkins Park. As we sailed across the blue expanse of water, Momence, the place where the old Class of ’15 had passed so many delightful hours, slowly faded from yiew. The towers of the old school house, whose ancient halls still echoed with the sounds of “lofty cheer,” disappeared, and I turned with almost a sigh of regret to enter my stateroom when I was startled by hearing one of the sailors rush toward me with outstretched hand. “Why, hello, Pete! Where in the world did you come from? How did you leave things in your part of Mo¬ mence?” Well, you can imagine my surprise when I saw it was —Edgar Jensen. Of course we had a good many things to talk over, not having met for several years, for he lived more in the business district and I in one of the suburbs of Momence. He was now working his passage over on the Marguerite during his vacation from his duties as chef at Theodore’s restaurant, where his hamburgers were the delight of all the patrons. He was also on his way to the house-party. “And did you know Aimee was on board, also?” he asked. “No, indeed! Is she?” I cried incredulously. “What has she been doing all these years?” “Why, you kno-w she is one of the head waitresses,” (I later learned that she was the only waitress,) “at our res¬ taurant. But here she is, and can tell you all about her¬ self.” Sure enough, here came Aimee, and she was ac¬ companied by Ruth Boswell, who was parlor maid of the ship’s chief saloon. “Welcome to our pleasant city,” they shouted, as they caught sight of me. “And are there any more of us on board?” they inquired later when greetings were a thing of the past. “I’m sure I don’t know,” said Edgar, “we might travel over the boat and see. “I saw Phillip in the bank yester¬ day; he is cashier at Heartbreaker’s, you know, and he said he was going to Sandbur Cottage today, but I don’t know whether on this boat or not. But let me introduce you to our captain.” He led us to the cabin where he introduced us to the first woman to become the captain of a ship. It was Lucy Brown! For she was ‘captain of the Marguerite that sails

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Robert M. Dennis Geo. B. Ferree Fred H. Evans J. Monroe Hayden Edgar Jensen Robert M. Dennis: Treasurer Senior class, 15; member Zetalethean society. Geo. B. Ferree: Graduated from Junior class at Grant Park, 14; member Basket Ball team, ’ 1 4-’ 1 5. Fred H. Evans: Graduated from Junior class. Grant Park H. S., ’14. J. Monroe Hayden: Graduated from Junior class. Grant Park H. S., 14. Edgar Jensen: Vice-President Class of 15; mem¬ ber of orchestra, ’13-14; member of Track Team, 1 4- I 5 ; manager Basket Ball team ’15. Charles A. Stevens: Treasurer Sophomore class ’13; president Junior class ’14; president Athletic As¬ sociation ’14; Captain Basket Ball team ’14; treasurer Lecture Course ’14; president Senior class ’15; presi¬ dent Athletic Association ’15.

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I—I the Kankakee.’ It never rains but it pours. Traveling with her as companion was Viola Evans. Later, Lucy conducted us personally about the boat. Upon entering the kitchen, Ruth suddenly exclaimed, “Why, isn’t that Clay H. there, washing dishes?’’ Sure enough, it was. Another was added to our ranks, be¬ cause our lady captain at once excused him from his du¬ ties, so that he might have the pleasure of being together. When we went to the lower deck we came upon a famil¬ iar figure, yet disguised by the clothing worn. He was an immigrant of the lowest type, and proved to be Charles Steevens. As it began to grow late, we all retired to our state¬ rooms to dress for dinner. At the table we were served by Fred Evans and by Hazel McConnell, who always as¬ pired to be one of New York’s .“400.’’ That dinner re¬ sembled some of our receptions at High school in Philo hall. There was no restraint, and joy was unconfined. That evening for our edification, an entertainment was given. Among the numbers were the Gertrude Hoffman Glide, resurrected by society, and Fairy Dances. They were given by Margaret Greenawalt, who bids fair to ri¬ val even Madam Pavlowa. Another number was a short comedy, “Something Must have Happened to Ole.” The leading lady in this was Gertrude Smith. This did not surprise me much, as, you remember she was always par¬ tial even to the title; in fact, it was her favorite byword. I learned later from the girls that this was not her usual occupation, for she was the superintendent of a manufac¬ turing plant, which produced one of the most convenient defensive weapons ever made. They have proven a boon to mankind, owing both to their efficiency and ease with which they may be handled. After these numbers, mov¬ ing pictures were the treat. In these appeared our old friend, “The Queen of the Movies,”—Lora Simonds. The next day we landed at the South Side Harbor where we disembarked and took airships for Sandbur Cottage. Among the passengers was Robert Dennis, whom we had not seen, because he, being a modern Croesus, necessita¬ ted his having a body-guard and remaining in seclusion. Arriving at our destination, we were met by our host¬ ess, together with Elva DuBridge and Pauline Nichols, who were assisting in the receiving line, having arrived some time before. Elva had proven more fortunate than the rest of us mortals, as she was the only one who had met the idol of her dreams. Pauline needs no word here to depict her career; everyone remembers what a hit she made last year in vaudeville at Exline, as chorus girl. That evening a grand ball was given at which all the class was present. Among the orchestra were two old friends, Monroe Hayden, playing the hand organ, and George Ferree, the mouth harp. At luncheon, after the last course had been removed, toasts naturally followed, the last of which was given by Hilton Nichols, who by the way, had won fame by going about the country selling patent medicine. He always as¬ pired to be a State Senator, but alas— dis aliter visum! After giving one of his delightful talks, he finished by saying: “So here’s to the class which has brought glory and fame to the Momence High School—the Class of ’15.