Oakland Technical High School - Talisman Yearbook (Oakland, CA)

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Class Prophecy ONDER sun was just sinking behind the distant line of tree-crowned mountains, sending its last golden beams over the forest-clad slopes and grassy carpeted meadows of the valley, as I slowly wandered up the path toward the hotel. It was the spring of 1925 and I was on my vaca- » tion at Quincy in Plumas County. I was at home with = 4] nature, filled with the joy of that great outdoors and in- spired possibly by a full basket of trout. As I walked along, I mused to myself, “Ten years since the great Exposition at San Francisco; yes, and ten years since the Class of December, 715, was graduated from Technical High.” Thinking in such a strain, I neared the hotel, when I noticed a tall lean figure as brown as an Indian approaching me, carrying a transit on his shoulder. “Allen Ashley,” I exclaimed as soon as I recognized him. “How is my old school friend? I have just been thinking of the Class of December, 715; what a coincidence!” We then shook hands for several minutes. Allen immediately invited me to converse with him about our high school days and our classmates, and as I was only too willing, it was not long before we were sitting on the veranda of the hotel talking of our distant fellow graduates. “T see, Allen, that you are surveying,” I said inquiringly. “Yes,” he answered, “I am superintending the geological survey for the government and find the work most enjoyable and interesting. In fact, I chose such a profession partly because of the outdoor life.” “Well, I have chosen an opposite career. I am indoors most of the time and although your occupation is more healthful than mine, I take great interest in my work. Since I was graduated from the California College of Pharmacy, I have been doing considerable microscopical and research work. What are Herbert Ferguson and Earl Girvin doing now?” “The last time I saw Ferguson he was preparing for a vigorous cam- paign for state senator and I understand he is expected to win the election. Earl Girvin is still practicing law in Los Angeles and is gaining a fine reputation through his work against the trusts and corporations.” “It seems strange,” I returned, “how soon the class has drifted apart. Clarence Hammell is the owner of a wheat field in Canada, and Gladys Odell is doing social work in the East. Many of the class, however, are still in Oakland. Fred Peterson is an expert draftsman in the employ of the United Iron Works now, and Wilfred Randall owns a large whol esale grocery store in town.” . “Norman Croudace is also around the old home town and just as pleasant and comical as ever,” Ashley remarked. “About a month ago, I went down to San Francisco and the train was five hours behind time. Just as I was boarding the ferry after the train pulled in, I heard a famil-

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iar voice from the pilot house yell, ‘Say, Conductor, you'll get so far be- hind before long that you'll be on time the next day.’ Looking up I saw Norman Croudace, ferry captain, smilingly regarding the effect of his speech.” “Well,” I observed as I smiled at the story of the irrepressible one, “there are others who are far from Oakland. Irene White is in New York in a large tailoring house as chief designer, and Mildred Merritt is some- where in the Middle West, the wife of a prosperous rancher.” “And,” supplemented Ashley, “Lora Swank is also in New York teach- ing music. She has just returned from studying in Europe, and is sus- taining her reputation as a fine scholar. When speaking of the East,” he further added, “we must not forget Paul Codington who is playing such a fine game of ball at third base for the Red Sox. His hitting and fielding are the talk of the hour among the Boston fans and they expect him to be the sensation of the league this season.” “In getting back to California,” said I, “I will say that James Govan has won that suit over oil rights against the Standard Oil Company in this state, and his hard work is being rewarded by a generous profit from his oil fields and refinery.” “Speaking of the Standard Oil reminds me,” said Ashley, “that Helen Junor is employed by that Company as a stenographer in their main California office, and I might add also that Mildred Abbott and Agnes Dunning are teaching at Technical High, the school from which they were graduated.” “Is that so?” I asked, “several other members are employed in various commercial capacities. Bethia Fulton and Arthur Johnson are both work- ing as bookkeepers, one for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and the other for the Ford Motor Company. I occasionally meet them, as they still reside in Oakland.” “Ts Anna Street still in Oakland?” asked Ashley. “Why, no,” I replied, “she married a wealthy young physician, and is now living in Chicago and taking a prominent part in the social activities of that city.” “By the way,” said Ashley, “I met Albin Johnson on the train some time ago, and enjoyed a short talk with him. He spoke to me of several 715 people. You know he owns garages and supply stations in several interior towns with headquarters at Sacramento. He said that Arline Stuart is successfully working as a stenographer in the offices of a promi- nent Los Angeles lawyer and it is rumored that she is about to be married; while Frances Bartle is employed in a similar capacity by the Western Pacific Railway in San Francisco. He spoke also of enjoying a pleasant visit to the large cannery of Reed and Vander Peer near Fresno while he was in that town last summer, and said that they are building up a repu- tation for honest goods at fair prices.” “And,”—I started to speak when, as the hotel clock struck nine, Ashley made a frantic grab for his belongings and exclaimed, “T’ll have to move to catch that night train for the city. Hurry up with the rest of our friends.” ?