Parsons High School - Norseman Yearbook (Parsons, KS)

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ing. A young farmer coming from the fields, where he had been working, was met by the woman who had been ringing the bell. As they walked to the house together, Don recognized the couple to be John Old and Marie Ketchum. The farm house faded and the road in front of it was brought to view. Here there was a poor excuse for an automobile. In it were two fair ladies, while underneath it was a man. Both girls were impatient to get to the circus, and called to the man to hurry. Don knew the voices. One belonged to Anna Colean, the other to Mary Evans. Finally, the manrdeclared that his car did not feel like running so they would have to let it rest a bit. Something back in his head, called memory, reminded Don that the athletic figure 'belonged to Carl Harsh- field. The three disappeared into the farm house and Don knew there would be great rejoicing when they found John and Marie. Now there was a cabaret in the fire-place. Two persons were so extremely interested in each other that they seemd utterly oblivious to the crowd of fashionable people who filled the cabaret. One was a pretty young waitress and the.other, a fat and jolly waiter. Watching these two, Don saw that they managed to go to the kitchen for supplies at the same time, and discovered that they were his classmates, Francis Zingraff and Paul Stewart. After they had gone, Don observed the graceful cabaret dancers. He was astonished to find that he knew five of them: Grace Pell, Gladys Canfield, Wilda Arnett, Lola Moore, and Estella Barnes. When the prima donna, Song-Bird Soprano, was announced, silence fell upon the crowd. People forgot to eat while listening to her sing, and so bewitched was Don by her wonderful Voice, that he believed the singer to be an angel. But as he gazed, her features gradually took on an earthly look and he recognized Cleo Shreck. When she finished, Don found himself encoring her with the rest and the apparition was gone. Don was surprised to find the next scene was the office of a news- paper editor, whom he recognized as Buford Daigh, lazily smoking a cigar. Well, he certainly was not rushed! A young lady, her arms filled with manuscript, appeared in the door-way and Buford was aroused from his reverie. As she explained about her writings, he actually be- came interested enough to tell her to leave them until the next day, and perhaps he would have time to look at them. As the girl withdrew, Don knew her to be Helen Leonard. f'Tuesday an editor! Good-night! Don could scarcely believe his senses. His attention was again drawn to the fire-place where a Deaf and Dumb Home had appeared. On the lawn several children were being taught the sign language. The teacher, a quiet and lovable person, was making a game out of the lesson and the children were enjoying it very much. Surely, Don had seen the teacher before, but perhaps not in the same role. Why, of course, it was Gladys Corbett. This scene faded into the gymnasium of the Home. Several girls in gym were drilling for the May festival, under the direction of an energetic and attractive young teacher. Don was astonished to discover that she was no other than Gertrude Briggs. Immediately there appeared in the fire-place the heart of the African 25

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For various reasons, this committee is composed of three different, capa- ble, and trustworthy women: Misses Louise Flynn, Ruth Kutz, and Auby Heinbaugh. One of my official duties is to appoint the general of the army. After due consideration and considerable thought, I have appointed John Kerr. The general arose and made a profound bow. The president con- tinued: We are fortunate in securing Millard Workman, Ph. D., as our new minister to China. It might be of interest to know that his main reason for accepting is an ambition formed in childhood to eat rice with chop-sticks, somewhere in China. Gee! But Robert's right there with the authority, Don chuckled, Remembered his old classmates, too. Perhaps he would appoint me a Right Honorable Citizen of the United States if I asked him to. I wonder -- But there was no time for wondering, as the fire-place was now a hot and dusty circus ground, filled with a moving throng of people. The most popular side-show seemed to be the Phenomenal Female, Quera Quinta, the shortest and fattest creatu1'e in the world! Special furni- ture manufactured for her! In a flash the inside of the tent appeared and Don found Quera Quinta to be Catharine Wirt. This scene faded into the animal tent where there was a big sign before a small and decidedly meek-looking elephant, reading thus: Danger! Do not touch, feed, or otherwise disturb this animal! Its very breath is deadly poison! Nearby a man was calling through a megaphone: Attention! Watch Mazie Marvel, the only person living who has fed this elephant! While Don was identifying the caller, Lewis Campbell, by his resonant voice, a young girl in a snake-skin garb, ran up to the elephant and fed it a whole sack of peanuts. This daring girl was Nellie Ross. The main feature of the circus was its Jazz Band. It was composed entire- ly of women. When Don recognized the drummer, Nellie Lietzke, he was surprised. When he saw Ida Freshman with a cornet and Clare Pile holding a clarinet, he was still more surprised, but when he beheld Mabel Piatt behind the big bass horn, he was dumb-founded. The trombone player-why, it was Jennie Thompson!-stepped forward and directed the band, playing all the while. Such music! No words can describe it. Don was grateful when the band vanished and sincerely hoped that the next scene would be without music. The fire-place now contained an aviation field on the Western plains and an aeroplane circled above and then glided to the ground. A young aviator alighted amidst the cheers of the spectators, and walked proudly to the band-stand for his medal. Clt seems that he had accomplished a marvelous flightj. A young woman, the president of the Aviation Club for Prairie People, presented the medal to Mr. Nimon Slane. Nimon blushed and murmured, Thank you, Anna. Don looked at the president more closely. Sure enough, it was Anna Johnson! At this moment another aeroplane landed and a girl jumped out. She had won the ladies' prize, and as she ran to get her medal, Don recognized Mary Anderson. Next, there appeared a farm place, where the dinner bell was ring- 24

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jungle in which four persons were holding a consultation. All seemed strangely familiar to Don, and on looking more closely he was able to identify the man, evidently a missionary judging from his angelic face and the book under his arm, as Lawrence McDonald, and his wife, feign- ing bravery, as Phyllis Vance. The young woman in hunter's garb with a huge musket on her shoulder, Don knew was Helen Burt. The identity of the remaining person puzzled him. Her beauty was that of Cleo- patra, her curls could be compared on.ly with Mary Pickford's, her enor- mous ear-rings suggested a gypsy, while her stately bearing reminded one of a queen. Completely baffled, Don was grateful to have his mind set at ease by hearing the huntress exclaim, Why, Marie Bero, you can help us by charming the natives. They will all think you are a goddess or something, and consequently will be our friends, and good- ness sakesl we need them. . With this scene the glow died out, and Don recalled all he had just seen. The whole class of '18, he mused. Each one seemed to be doing the thing I least expected he would do. However, I suppose that was the work of that precious Magic Mundo, said Don with his characteris- tic ironical smile. TUNE: Down Where the Swanee River Flows QI want to be thereb Now that the Seniors soon will leave you little Freshmen, There's no use cryin' when we're gone We've got to leave you g See the Juniors sit around and not make any fuss, We know that's a good sign that they surely envy us, Just see our dear old teachers, 0 goody, goody, goody-such sad creatures They know that we'll not be returning, Our happy school-days, come back no more, Their hearts are sore, That's why we're going out in the world to stay, Every night we'll have the evenings our own way, Good-bye High School we leave you now. TUNE: I Called You My Sweetheart. Good-bye High School 'Tis time now we leave you, We hate to bid you adieu, All through our lives, Where'er we wander, Our thoughts will-drift back to you: Now that we leave you and say our good-bye, Here's hoping you prosper as our hearts give a sigh, Each of us wish You will live always, To be our own dear High School. 26