Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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24 THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR (Ditr (Cnnumuimurut (Oratnr Dr. .Unlitt UJrrrtttr Driitrr The Class of 1909 are specially well pleased with the selection of Dr. Driver by the Board of Education for their commencement orator. Dr. Driver has appeared before Paxton audiences several times in the past in connection with our lecture courses, and his return is always welcome. His theme for commencement occasions this year is “Young America, and His Mission . Those who have heretofore heard him can easily imagine what an inspiring address will be delivered on this appropriate and suggestive theme. It is said of Dr. Driver that “He is one of the extremely rare paradoxes: A public man who dislikes publicity,” but the following epitome of his life history, interests, taste, and character has been obtained from one who knows him. “ A man yet under 50, born at Mt. Vernon, 111.; educated in Boston; widely-traveled; an omnivorous reader; a prodigious student; like all people possessing the artistic temperament, a man of moods and tenses; fiaming-tongued when speech is required, but usually silent; witty, humorous, companionable when finally reached, but naturally a recluse, subject (we suspect) to seasons of profound melancholy and loving the northern light and solitude of his study with its books and pictures and their treasures; a musician of international repute yet rarely touching an instrument; distinguished as a clergyman and platform -orator; in religion, broadly orthodox; in politics, a Roosevelt democrat. “His semi-invalid wife is his sweetheart, Mr. Opie Read, the famous novelist and dramatist, is his next-door neighbor and chum, and he has friends and acquaintances in many parts of the world. “He has written some successful books, composed some popular music, and acquired some valuable Chicago real estate. “He has given largely of his earnings to charity, was for years the honorary president of The American Home-Finding Association, and is especially interested in boys and young men.” The message of such a man, to a commencement audience, and to a graduating class will be of more than passing interest.

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 23 Now one morning about four years after John had graduated, Willie got into a little row with the foreman and was sent to the Superintendent’s office. He scraped his s»hoe3. took off his hat. assumed a very humble air and respectfully sidled into the office. He stood with his hat in his hand for about ten minutes while the superintendent’s pen scratched, and then gathering courage he addressed the writer. The superintendent looked up. Willie was staggered; there sat John. He put on his hat and shamefacedly walked out. Now my friend, you may not be one of these, but I want to tell you that you’re liable to be and you’ll find that it’s harder to talk to a hard-hearted boss than it is to a sympathetic good-hearted teacher every time. So just remember this. Tobacco may be all right for a disinfectant, but it’s mighty poor for a steady diet Schlitz may be the beer that made Milwaukee famous, but it won’t make you just the same. Again, its a w'hole lot easier to solve arithmetic with your head than it is to break rocks with your fists; and finally, your teachers and your books are the best friends you’ve got, outside your father and your mother, and they always want you to go to school. How about it? Can you controvert this? OBSERVE Tradition has it that “all Seniors shall occupy back seats.” But Mr. Rainum has it A B C D E F G, and you come just where the initial letter of your family name happens to jibe with the alphabet. Observe; This school is a democracy, consequently we are all (democrats?) Observe again: There are five pedagogues who are dumped into one ivasket and called “the faculty” for short, likewise every one who is caught whispering is always “talking to himself?” therefore there are about one hundred-forty monologues. There is a faculty board, also there is a faculty strap, both are synonomous. You come up before one and come down before the other. Like all “elevators” this one comes down faster than it goes up. Observe again; There are three feet in a yard. Freshmen then will answer this question. How many feet are there in a school yard? No, don’t go ask the janitor how many trips he makes when he cuts the lawn, and then try to figure it out. The answer is this: there are as many feet as a Freshman could count if he counted the feet of everybody who comes to school.

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 2 5 CHARLES A. LANGWORTHY As noted elsewhere in this issue of the Reflector, Prof. Langworthy, who has been principal of our high school during the past year, will return to Michigan, his home state, at the close of school. It is his purpose there to engage, next year, in teaching the more advanced courses of College English. Prof. Langworthy is a literary scholar of unusual talent and attainments; and in his class work in the Paxton high school, he has shown himself to be an instructor of rare ability. There can be no doubt that Mr. Langworthy will achieve notable success in some department of original literary work. During the past year. Reflector readers have been favored by a number of short articles from his gifted pen. The one in this issue entitled, “Your Vacation will be read and re-read many times by those students who love ‘brooks and books’; who see the unity of literature and life, the harmony of nature and universal law—indeed by all who have heard Wordsworth’s inspiring call, “Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.” “Your Vacation” is a literary gem. Its message shines forth as clear, as pure, as beautiful as a crystal in the glow of a noon-day sunbeam; and its verbal expression has the charm of music and rythm—the melodies of a heart that throbs in sympathetic unison with the pulsings of Nature in the Universe of Life and Love and Light. Thanks for this message; and, “may the choicest spirts of the world’s wisest and best, ever stoop from the bending heavens to bless and inspire O. .T. BAINUM.