Paris High School - Arena Yearbook (Paris, IL)

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of the Orphans' Home. The stricken maiden tried to look “Sic est vita. Parilee’s fate was not quite so gloomy. She was told that she would raise chickens on the BrinkerhotT farm. Louis, pleased by this prophecy, then approached the Sybil and learned that he would marry and eat fried chicken ever after. Nora Ware learned to her surprise that she would fill the position of cashier at Fisher's five and ten cent store. When Faye Scott with tottering gait and eyes wide with fright took her stand before the Sibyl, we listened in hushed silence, for we believed that some day Faye would have her name written in the hall of fame. Therefore , it was with Jittle surprise that we heard these words. You will be a traveller of note and an expert mountain-climer. Your books of travel will excel the Chronicles of Gulliver, himself. After Faye had joined us and we had cautioned her against vanity. Dena approached the Sibyl and was told that she would instruct the Vermillion children in 'readin,' writin,’ and 'rithmetic' taught to the tune of a hickory-stick. Then Orion Jones with his bland smile of confidence prepared to hear the best. “Now. don’t give me taffy,” he said vith a wink to the Sibyl. The Sibyl frowned and began her prophecy with a solemn voice, Yours will be no easy life, young man. You will be known as a “quack-doctor” and you will lx reduced to tacking a sign on your office-door with the inscription. 'The smallest fevers will be thankfully received’. It is needless to say that Orion had last his joyous smile by this time and was now a sadder and wiser boy. Although Orion’s fate was sad. Gertrude Reed, who was waiting her turn, hoped for better things. Nor was she disappointed. The Sibyl told her that she would become a chorus-girl, but when the ‘Price grew too dear, she would give up her profession and bestow her heart and hand upon an American ‘Earl’. Clara Ring did not seem to be especially everjoyed to learn that she would be a teacher in the winter and a milliner during the summer months, although the Sibyl prophesied that her shop would be patronized by all the Aristocracy of Edgar county. Then Fred Howard and Ray Hippie, two members of the class who were destined to become famous, sauntered past us with tilted noses and heads held high. Fred had oeen informed by the Sibyl that he would Ik the proprietor of the country store at Edgar, so he was trying to appear high and mighty. But Ray had more reason to be conceited, for the Sibyl had just proclaimed that he would discover some new laws of magnetism and a new unit of magnetic force, named “Hipplestat” in honor of him. Then Rocsoe Long and Earl Price, the society-leaders of the class, decided it was growing late, so they strolled up to the Sibyl who prophesied that they would own a dance-hall in partnership and when Elbert, the dancing-master did not pay his rent, they would try their luck on the huckster-wagon. Next came Ethel Davis and Carl McKinney, the latter walking on stilts. They learned to their mutual joy that they would shine in the field of journalism. Ethel, being the most serious-minded of the two, would occupy the editor’s chair and

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to the Sibyl, who informed him that he would instruct the next generation in the art of dancing. Elbert received her words with a look of mild surprise in his heavenly blue eyes. Unlike Elbert. Ira Allen, who always had an exalted opinion of his abilities, was not in the least surprised when the Sibyl said to him. You will gain fame and renown as an architect. You will adorn the White House with artistic lightning-rods and Independence Hall will be remodeled by you in a way that would cause William Penn to turn in his grave if he could look down from Heaven and see what was being done on this terrestrial ball. You will also ‘Winn’ fame as a ‘Fisher man.” After Ira had come back to be congratulated. Rose and Ruth Beall, each clinging fast to the protecting hand of Beulah McClain, tremulously crept up to the Sybil, who de- lighted them with the words, “I see before you success as teachers. The school which you will establish will have the highest standing of any American school for young ladies.” The Bealls, as much pleased as Punch, scurried away and the Sibyl, seeing the fair McClain still standing there with an expectant smile on her cherubic countenance, disclosed her future. Miss McClain learned that she would lx? Miss Boyd’s assistant at the library and that eventually she would rise to the position of State Librarian. Then Helen Baber, our leading lady and the star of the Senior class, fearlessly approached the grim prophetess, whose eyes lighted up with interest and approval when she beheld that calm intellectual brow. Then with animation she disclosed the bright future of the listening damsel. “Dear lady, as I look into the future. I am amazed at the talents which will win fame and glory for you. Not only will you de- light the world with classical literature produced by your pen. but as an actress you will gain a world-wide reputation. After hearing this happy prophecy, Silas Moffett thought that some of his lofty ambitions might be realized some day. so he dragged his chum. Roy Bandy, lx?fore the cauldron and listened with a sheepish grin when the Sibyl informed them that they would acquire an enormous fortuns as matrimonial agents. 'I hen Martha Ewing and Helen Green resolved to hear the worst and were somewhat reassured to learn that they would become country school-teachers and give box-suppers every Friday night. Seeing that Martha was a little dissatis- fied. the Sybil looked further into the future and said compas- sionately, Poor child. I per.ei e signs of insanity in your hilarious behavior. Kankaxee must inevitably receive you as a boarder.” Martha began to weep copiously but was somewhat comforted when Hazel Gordon promised to visit her often and to send carnations to cheer her lonely days. Then Hazel saw the wasted hand of the Sibyl beckoning her. so she advanced with a courageous tread. The Prophetess leaned forward and said, in a confidential tone. My dear, his initials are ‘W. B.’ and you will rule him with a rod of iron.” Then Ella Graham who was extremely anxious to know the initials of her affinity, resolved to try her luck. But she was destined to be disappointed for the Sibyl announced in a sepulchral voice that Miss Graham would preside as matron

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Carl would act as errand boy from which position he would rise to that of Cartoonist for the Chicago Record Herald. Marie Wood learned that she would teach German in Grandview High School and Mary Lodge, who had vain hopes of being a Latin teacher, was disappointed when the Sibyl said she would stay home, wash the family dishes, hem the family tea-towels, and trim the family hats. Jean Brown showed that she was highly pleased when the Sibyl said wearily (for she was nearly exausted), “You will marry and live happily ever after.” But Myrle Rahel had the crowning triumph when the Sibyl said with a far-away look in her melancholy eyes, You will study music in Berlin and the world will recognize you as a second Patti. Your voice will charm multitudes and your fame shall never die.” Stanley Wallage had his hopes strengthened when the Sibyl assured him that he would be a senator and that he would have the floor most of the time. Walter Bond, our sanctified president, tried to be joyful when the Sibyl .--aid witii an approving giance at hjs earnest countenance. “The ministry will receive you with open arms.” Roy Hording and Robert Scott were delighted to know that tney would be neighbors in the sunny Southland. Robert as a real estate agent would sell countless acres of the Miss- issippi River to the verdant Northerners and the illustrious Horning would lx? engaged in the noble art of protecting his water-melons from the ravages of the darkies. Last, but not least. Waldo Sudduth took his stand before the Sibyl and was relieved to hear that he would sink to the position of “living skeleton at Barnum and Bailey’s. And now as twilight gathered, we departed with differ- ent sensations of triumph, discouragement, disgust, hope and despair. Those, to whom the Sibyl had told a happy future, were exulting over their less fortunate companions and openly expressed their sincere belief in the Sibyl’s words, while those unhappy creatures, whose ambitions would never lx realized were vowing to overcome fate.