New Athens High School - Vespa Yearbook (New Athens, IL)

Page 29 text:

The N. A. After bidding Helen “good-bye” I returned to my friends, the Captain and his wife, and announced that I was ready to go home. Much to my surprise I learned that trains were quite a thing of the past and that everyone travelled by planes which were run on a schedule. The next morning I departed in a plane and without mishap reached St. Louis where it was necessary to wait until the next morning for a plane to New Athens. Not knowing how to while the time which was laying rather heavily on my hands I decided to go to the Schubert-Rialto which was staging a Shakespearian play Macbeth. As soon as the character, Macbeth, made his appearance I recognized him at once as Albert Wilson who had received his first experience in dramatics at the N.A.C.H.S. His interpretation was excellent and I could see by the actions of the audience that he was famous. I was anxious to speak to him, for he was one of my class-mates but upon inquiring after the performance, I was informed that on no condition whatsoever would I be able to see him. For so many women who were enamored with him were constantly trying to see him that he absolutely refused to allow any of the feminine sex in his quarters. Finding my efforts useless I wandered about gazing in the windows which displayed many strange styles to me. It was still early in the afternoon, and not knowing what else to do, I walked into a beautiful church which was having services. The minister was preaching a beautiful, eloquent sermon. His gestures and voice at once identified him for me. He was Irvin Nuernberger, an old classmate who I had never dreamed would ever turn to a profession like that. After leaving the church, I went to an hotel and, after obtaining a room and making myself comfortable, sat down to read an evening paper. The first thing I noticed was a large picture of a fairly young man wearing glasses. Reading the title of the picture I learned that the man was Mr. Walter Sauerwein, a great chewing-gum manufacturer. His life story was told and it was said he claimed the success due to his indulging in gum chewing during school life. He explained that due to the number of times he was requested to dispense with his gum during English class in his Senior year he had found a method of making a species of gum which one could enjoy in a short time; so that by the time the teachers became aware of your masticating you were quite ready to throw it away. After laying aside my paper I went down to the dining room for dinner. At the table next to mine a rather tall and exceedingly thin young man was waiting for his meal to be served. He was gazing at his finger nails, which were highly polished and filed, in a way which caused me to think of a member of the class of '29. Who could be so proud of his nails but our old friend Lloyd Weible? As he looked up he caught my glance and recognizing me he came over to my table. During the course of the meal I learned that Lloyd was now a successful real estate man and that he still lived in New Athens and was happily married. Upon arriving in my home town the next morning I walked down Van Buren Street. There I saw a large parade coming toward me. The center of attraction was a large limousine in which a rather small young man was standing, a silk hat in his hand, bowing to people on every side. I asked a bystander who the man was and received the reply that he was Mr. E. E. Woodward, the new mayor. Sixteen

Page 31 text:

The N. A. a|G ,S5 I walked on inquiring about my dear old friend, Ethel Reuss, and finally found her happily married. She and her husband were conducting a Tea Room and were very successful. I spent the night with Ethel. The next morning I volunteered to go to the postoffice to mail a package for her. Upon arriving there I found our diminutive class mate, Forest Briel to be the Postmaster. While I was in the Post Office an attractive young lady entered and mailed a letter. I asked Forest who she was and much to my surprise he informed me that it was Ada Hessick, another class mate, and that she was now a successful business woman and was the owner of a very progressive local millinery shop. That afternoon Ethel and I went to a local theatre to hear Roman Weber who was a former class mate and now a famous musician. He was making a tour of the United States and was giving a free concert in his old home town. Such are the fortunes which I, in the moments of enlightment find for my class mates. Although these predictions may not all come true, I am positive the members of the Class of ’29 will be equally successful in any other enterprise which they may attempt. Rosella Ruhl. Seventeen