Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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53 THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR about. Seeing who it was, most of them went back to their woTk, but one especial gossip ventured to spread the news: “I wonder what Dinah has gone to town again fo’ I ’spose she’s been on buyin' some moh new togs”. ‘She’s gettin’ entirely too scruraptous foh dis yer town.’ So saying she re- tired to her home. In due time Dinah and her husband arrived home with the new purchase. The dress was a sight to behold, being a flashy, prom- inent figured, red calico. Neverthe- less it suited Mrs. Black, and she de- clared to her husband that she and no one else was the one to be suited. The eventful day arrived at last, and Dinah donned her new costume, and accompanied by Moses started for the meeting house. She certainly caused a sensation at her arrival, and also during the whole service. For after- ward, the parson declared that they were more interested in her new hat and dress, than in his sermon. The hat which Dinah wore must be de- scribed in order to show how ridicu- lous she really looked. It was a large, flappy strawhat, adorned with huge red roses, with a touch of yellow to bring out the beauty of her complex- ion, as Dinah said. On account of the flappy brim, her face was almost en- tirely hidden from view, but wisps of her wavy hair could be seen peep- ing out. After showing off the hat. as she expressed it, they started for home. When they came within about a mile from their destination it began to sprinkle, and finally increased un- til there was a regular downpour. Din- ah began to weep, saying her new hat would be ruined. Moses whipped the old mule, but he did not have any in- clination to hurry. As a last resort, Dinah placed the hat under the seat, but nevertheless the rain reached it, and by the time they reached home it was utterly ruined. Yes, said Moses, I believe de Lord done punished you by 8poilin’ your hat ’cause you done be too proud.” “Oh gone on you good for nthin’ niggeh, yu done be just as proud of me as I wuz,” but down in her heart she knew he was right. P. H. S. IN THE YEAR 2,000 A. D. (By Marie Newman, T5.) It is the morning of April 1st, 2,000 at the model highschool in Paxton, Illinois, United States of America. Small children are standing about in groups on the sod in front of the building. They are talking of various frivolous things, socialism, politics, economics and the like. Under his or her arm, each one carries a number of books, worn and thumbed from studious labor. A gong sounds. Talking stops immediately and each one steps out of the way of a neigh- bor who wishes to pass, then walks sedately up the broad stairs to the as- sembly. Quickly and quietly the wraps are hung up, and, in an incred- ibly short time, every one is settled in his seat and at work. The assembly is a large room with many plate glass windows, neatly- hung with old-rose lace curtains. The walls ar’ frescoed in delicate shades of tan and brown: and, here and there are hung etchings, masterpieces or some famous artists of the early part of the twentieth century. In the front is a wide platform extending the width of the room. On this are desks of dark, rich oak. seasoned by great age. On a table in front of the plat- form are many old manuscripts from which these model pupils glean unli- mited knowledge. Then behind the desks is a piano of ancient model, on which the young ladies render classi- cal old concerts and sonatas with the.

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTRO trying to hunt any more then. Again the question arose. Should he o home? No, he was not a coward, but s i I he didn’t just feel like facing his p-rents or the poor woman who had sent him. He knew what the loss would be to her. A faint hope flashed through his mind. Possibly, in the growing dusk he had failed to see the money, and if he were to look early in the morning he might find it. So he decided to search for an empty box or barrel to sleep in, and to re- new his search at the first signs of light in the morning. After a time, he found a place to sleep and settled himself for the night. Although he was warmly clad the piercing wind chilled him thoroughly. This, added to the thoughts of a warm supper at home and the warm blankets on his own bed. rendered him very uncom- fo-table. In spite of his efTorts to re- strain them, the tears forced them- selves into his eyes, and the harder he tried to forget his warm home and his father and mother, the faster the tears came. Finally, he resigned himself to that babyish art, crying, and cried himself to sleep. He did not awake until he heard the strange noises of traffic. He had intended to be awake before daylight, and. judging by the number of people about, it must be quite late. He stood ttp.and tried to straighten out his wrinkled clothing. He felt rather weak, and wondered why. Then he remembered the facts of the preced- ng night, and at the thought of hav- ing had no supper, be became very hungry. But he must hunt for the money so that he might get home. He staggered forward and sank down on the snow. A policeman came up, and after restoring him to consciousness asked him where he lived. The boy began crying again and managed to J2 tell the officer his address. Then he lost consciousness again. Charles opened his eyes in his own room at home. His father and mother and the doctor were bending over him. He had been trying to tell, in an unconscious state his story. Now he managed to tell it, and the parents at last found out the reason for his absence. When he was strong enough he and his father w'ent in search of it aga.n. He picked up his cap, and out of it fell the lost money. He had put It into his cap instead of his pocket. THE FATE OF AN EASTER BONNET. (By Orpba Jessie, T5.) The general topic of conversation, in a certain colored settlement, was Dinah Black’s new Easter Bonnet.The gossips soon spread the news far and wide, and lastly it reached no other person than Dinah herself. Of course she was very proud, and said to Mos- es, her husband, “Well, eben if I do be a washerwoman. I guess dat 'hat will make dose cullud belles mighty jealous,’ and Dinah chuckled at- the sensation she thought would occur, on her arrival at the meeting house. As Moses said, Dinah seemed to be living in the future, for she could hardly wait until the eventful Easter day, when she should come forth in her new creation. One day, about a week before Easter, Mrs. Black de- cided she needed a new dress to cor- respond with her hat. So Moses hitch- ed old Sam, the mule, to the wagon, and off the two started for a nearby town, where Dinah had formerly purchased her new hat. As the wheels of the wagon rattled along the unpav- ed street, the neighbors came to their windows to see what the noise was

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTRO 54 greatest efficiency. The desks, in which the pupils keep their books and monogrammed pencil tablets, are of the same solid oak as the teachers’, only perhaps a trifle darker on ac- count of their additional age. On closer observation one notices on the front wall, above the piano, a set of marble (?) reliefs. These are the work of the world’s greatest sculp- tors, and give the studious pupils in- spiration for themes in English. BIG SALARIES. The Emperor of Austria-Hungary receives an annual salary of $4,250.- 000; the Emperor of Germany, $3,- 772,C31; the King of Italy, $3,010,00«; th? King of England $2,350,000; the King of Spain, $1,400,000; the Sultan of Turkey $4,500,000; the President of the United States, $75,000; the Presi- dent of the French Republic, $120,000 with an expense allowance of $120,- 000 more. Football Casualties. The foot ball casualties for 1912 to- taled 10 killed and about 200 serious- ly injured. In the last 12 years, 220 young men have ben killed by foot- ball. and more than 2500 injured seri- ously enough to get into the city pa- pers. “Save your pennies',’ was the ad- vice given by John D. Rockefeller to a number of school teachers to whom he gave a sleigh-ride about his estate on Christmas. The young school ma’ms were so impressed with what they saw, that one of them said; Just think, Mr. Rockefeller, you have this large estate with three houses to live in while we must content our- selves wih a small room in a flat.’’ Then the oil magnate gave the lacon- ic response, Save your pennies.” GENERAL NOTES. Verna and Howard Bratton have discontinued school here and have en- tered high school for the second se- mester at Frankfort, Ind., where their parents Intend to move in the spring. Their departure will be sincerely re- gretted as their work in school has been excellent, and their pleasing dis- positions have won them many friends. Mr. Papineau, our considerate jan- itor, is certainly original in his ideas to please. Among these ideas, may be mentioned the flooding of the school yard for a skating pond and the plac- ing of the shelf in the girls’ cloak room for convenience in holding “merry widow” hats. These kindnes- ses are surely appreciated by the stu- dents and teachers;and Mr.Papineau’s personal interest in the welfare of the school and pupils is noticed by all. A new calendar, a present to Mr. Bainum, adorns the west wall of the office. It is large enough to be seen across the room. Miss Jennie Thompson, instructor in art in the Paxton Schools, has re- sumed her work after a severe Illness of several weeks. Mr. Bainum is in receipt of a num- ber of recently published editions of the Illinois School Directory of 1912- 13. In the list of teachers from Pax- ton occur the names of “J.” A. Rogers, Alta Chepps and Jennie “Thurnson” (Drawing). These are new ones on us! An athletic benefit was held at the Crystal, Friday, Jan. 17. The pro- gram consisted of an educational film.