Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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Paxton High School Reflector 19 THE BLACK CAT BONE Among toe old negroes that live in the Brazos bottoms in Texas, there is a superstitious belief about the magic qualities of a bone that forms some part of the anatomy of a black cat. The power of this bone is supposedly s.ich that anyone who is lucky enough to possess it may become entirely invisible by the simple act of putting the bone in his mouth. One evening, I dropped in at the cabin of Old .Joe. 1 had hardly seated myself when the old man remarked that some one was stealing chickens from him and that no matter how close he watched the coop, they continued tc disappear. Knowing his superstitious nature, I remarked that a black cat had crossed my path that evening, and asked him if any ill omen might be seen in this. Old Joe became excited. “Lawsay boy, some low-down trifflin’ nigguh, what am too lazy to work am done got one o’ dent black cat bones an' am a usin’ it to steal ma' chickens wif.” 'But Joe,” I said, What can an old at’s bone have to do with it?” Do wif it?” he cried. “W’y he done put de bone in his mouf an’ s:eal ma chickens right from unduh ma nose, caize I can't see him.” “Well, well,” I said. Sit down and tell me about it. How do you get this bone? Perhaps we can find that cat I saw this evening and get a bone for ourselves.” The old negro seated himself and 1 obtained the following account as to how this magic bone might be obtained. “Fust,” began Old Joe. “You must fin' a black cat that has no sign of a white hair on ‘is whole body.” The importance of no white hair was duliy impressed upon me. ‘Den yu’ mus’ set de pot a ’oilin' and bile dat cat until de meal done drap from off ‘is bones. Den yo’ mus’ take de bones an' yo’ mover’s lookin’ glass an' go to a spring whar de water runs cool an’ pure an wash dem bones careful-like one by one. As yo’ washes 'em yo' mus’ put each one in yo’ mouf an den look in de lockin' glass an see kin’ yo’ see yo’se'f. When yo’ can no' see yo’se’f in de glass, yo' knows you has got it sonny, yo' she' has got it.”—By Guy Gee—Eng. III. WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF: — Nobel didn’t “Mary?” Vernon would laugh “Moore?” Maurine wasn’t “Ernst?” Clarence wouldn’t be a “Kollman?” l eila didn’t have a “Kaar?” Mae didn’t like a “Fox?” Anita went to “Ludlow?” Pote didn't advertise with “Bills?” “Lizzie” didn't “Wascher” face? Florence and Marie didn't like a “Kat” Everett wasn’t “Given” something?”

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Name Alias Pr.r.cipal Amusement Favorite Haunt Decree of Fate 1. Lorene Hanson “Rente Motoring With Edith M’ll'ner 2. Lester .Johnson “Lai Arguing politics The Tribune Lawyer 2. Mary Fox “Billy” Trying to talk Church Elocutionist 4. Glenn Sallee “Slee Singing Champaign Under laker r. Helen Swanson “Htinio” Binding On Lie L. E. W. ' ; hccl Ma’am G. Edgar Peterson “Skeef Writing notes West Pells Si. Car iconist 7. Florence Hodam “Flo Wiiting letters Chanute Field I xuteaant’s wife 8. Clarence Kollinan “Kolly Playing the piano Archer’s Store Bachelor 9. Leila Karr Peggy’’ J. lirtii.g Main Street Actress 10. Charles Ernst “Charlie” Managing B. B. team Feminine Society Professor 11. Edith Chrisman “Ede” Typewriting Typewriting room Private secretary 12. Ervin Swanson “Erhy” Studying (?) “M ussy’s” Running a jitney 12. Hazel Morgan “Par Woi rying Who knows (?) House wife 1 I. Erie Hutchison “Hutch Chemistry Panielscn’s siorc Orator 15. Marie Bennett “Ree” 1 Having dates With “Kat Movie star 10 Guy Gee “Gee Studying Wiih “Kenney” Mechanical engineer 17. Theresa White “Treet” Getting fussed Chicago Pclico mistress 18. Mauritz Anderson “Man” Sputtering So. Washington St. I readier 19. Bessie Brown “Bess” Being quiet Near Rankin Farmer’s wife 20. Noble Johnson “Fat” Star-gazing Lund 1 erg’s Gentleman of leisure 2b Mabel Farrell “Mabe” Latin IV At home Missionary 22. Mahlon Kenney “Kenney” Elec'ricity I akoratory Inventor 12. Mary Webber “Mary” Trying to recite Tnterrrban Fancing mistress 24. Mae Tibby “.Mae” Watching brother Down on the farm Bachelor maid

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20 Paxton High School Reflector BRIEF BUT INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT SOME OF OUR FORM. ER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS Miss Swank, our former Commercial and Domestic Art teacher, is at the present time in an Indianapolis High School teaching Shorthand and Typewriting. She was last in our presence during cur Freshman year. Miss Frances Hanson, who was with us from 191G to 1918 is now teach-ins Mathematics in on? of the high schools of Cleveland. Ohio. She started teaching last fall in Danville, Illinois, but on account of illness was forced to give up her work there after the holidays. She remained home for a while 'i l then went to Cleveland. She likes teaching there very much. Homer E. Chenoweth, a favorite among all who knew him, was our Science teacher from 1915 to 1917. He was greatly interested in Athletics and did some fin? coaching for the different teams. It was during the next year, while teaching in the Drummer Township High School, that Mr. Chenoweth tried to enter the Aviation Servi e of U. S. by examination and enlistment, 1 of he was rejected. Later, he was called before the Local Exemption Board of Faxton. but didn’t go into the service until the school term was over. ( heney put a good one over oil his many Paxton friends by being married for some time before any of us knew it. Not long after his marriage, he was called into active service and is now in Camp Hospital III in France doing kook-work and does not know when iie will return. His present address is: 10(5 Sanitary Train, 123 Field S. Camp Hospital III. Solennes, S. A. R. P. H. E. Miss Dunham was our Music instructor during our Sophomore and Jun. ior years. She displayed her ability in training the Glee Club Girls and in the Operetta, “Snow White. She is now teaching Music and Drawing in Anacortez High School, Washington. Mr. Conrad Berg, our former Principal and teacher of History, is now' in Nantes, France, in the 2C5 M. P. Co. While at Fort Sheridan he received a Commission as Second Lieutenant. He has since keen advanced to the rank of hirst Lieutenant. He is now a permanent officer over there.” Recently word was received from him to the effect that he had been tendered some special work in tlie Army of Occupation that would keep him abroad some time. Everyone was very much grieved to hear of the death of Mrs. Walter Nelson, formerly Miss V. McClure. She taught foreign languages in our High School from 191G to 1918. and scon after her last term she was married to Mr. W. R. Nelson, of Paxton. Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Nelson made their home here until the latter part of September, when Mr. Nelson w as called into army service. Mrs. Nelson went to Washington, D. C., where she took up Red Cross work. It was at this time that the influenza was raging over the country and she took the dreaded disease which proved fatal to her. Miss Mildred Felmley, who had charge of the English classes of P. H. S. when we were Freshmen, is now teaching in Highland Park. Everyone remembers Miss Felmley because of the interesting English work we had with her and because of the “boost” she gave our Literary entertainments.