Philadelphia Manual Training School - US Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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I-Ie accordingly withdrew, andI locked the door. Then I pro- ceeded to pour out a glass of the best we had in the house, and settled down in my chair, cocked my feet on the fender, pulled out a cigarette that Buckie Lawrence had given me, lighted it, and, while I puffed away, again tried to think of the future, of '89 But I got things all mixed up. I had Shortie Rice as a barber, Dick Scott as an undertaker and Bayha as a humorist of great renown. just then, as I was in the process of draining my second glass to the bottom, I happened to raise my eyes and saw for the Hrst time, and with unbounded astonish- ment, that I was not alone. , No, I was not, for on the other side of the fireplace there sat, withiarms calmly folded, a comfortable looking old hgure with a serious, yet not unkind and unpleasant face. I-Iis whole ap- pearance was one of good feeling, and, although he was evidently deep in thought, I saw I had an agreeable figure before me. He wore a style of dress that I had never seen before. It surely did not resemble any garment worn by the ancient Greeks or Romans, neither did it look like the garb of the lVIiddleAges, and, of course, it did not appear like anything of to-day. Surely, thought I, this man has never lived on this earth, judging from his gown, but he must belong to some future period. I took all this in at a glance, and then cried I-Ialloo l and stamped my foot to attract attention. I-Ialloolu replied he, moving his eyes from the fire, which he had been watching, and casting them toward me. - What now? said Ig how did you get here P ' Through the door, said the stranger. What are you ? I next asked. A man, replied the figure. I don't believe it, said I. Disbelieve it then, replied he. ' I almost gave up my thoughts of his being agreeable by the quick, short answers I received, but just here his constant smile broadened. - I will, I made answer in a short quick way, for I didn't altogether fancy his coming in to disturb my private meditations, and then sit there and grin at me. But again I glanced toward we '

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PROPHECY. CLARENCE S. MCINTIRE. E had to bring in a chart that day for Dr. Thorpe and some problems for Professor Henderson. Well, I had my chart done, but left it home by accident, really didn't mean to forget it. This forgetfulness fired me down stairs to front room, and there I received a lecture which, although it was very instructive, I did not enjoy as much as many others I've heard. When We got to. Professor I-Ienderson's recitation room I found that my problems were all wrong 5 this was nothing new for me. So I received a just reward in the Way of a large, a verylarge WD for that day's Work in his department at least. I was gradually getting a little toward the wrong side of my equilibrium by these sad events, when what should I encounter but another interview in the office for sing-language and sky-larkingu during recess. Thus you see that I had just cause to be slightly off by the time school was dismissed, and I walked home through the rain, for nature had let a copious rainfall all day on the streets of Philadelphia, while my mis- demeanors had also caused a copious flow of lecturing. But when I got home I tried to banish the thoughts of day and think of school on its bright side-I tried to think of the future of '89 But it wa1'n't no use, for I was too dejected in spirit to entertain such brilliant thoughts. Then I betook my- self to my study where all seemed cheerful, the fireplace Was bright, and a most comfortable chair was before it. I rang for the butler. I-Ie soon appeared, and I informed him that I felt awful downhearted and guessed he'd better sneak a bottle of Apollinaris out of the cellar and bring it up, This he did, and then said, Anything else, sah ?,' , The room, replied I. ' 105

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him, and his whole manner seemed so good-natured and jolly that I cleared away the cloud. I took another glass and a puff of the I-Iavanna de Cabbage, and then waited for him to speak, for I saw he was only waiting for an opportunity. There-'s no coming over you, he at last said, lim not a man. I Wl1at in the deuce are you then P queried I. A Genius. You don't look much like one, I returned, laughing. 'I am the Genius of Future and Fortune, said the figure. Now you know me. I was quite joyful on hearing this, and he, observing my evi- dent satisfaction, turned around and settled down for a good long chat. I began to think of all Ihad to ask-of the whole future career of '89, but I calmly said, You are, are you P I Yes, and I know just what you'll ask, so wait a moment and I'll answer your questions. I waited, meantime he sat reflect- ing. But by-and-by I said, for I couldn't wait longer, Now areyou ready for me P i' Not quite, said the apparition, I must think a little Hrstf' So knitting his brows again, but not losing his smile, we sat for some time longer in silence. Presently I said, Do you drink P 'I' Nine times out of ten, but only moderately. Never go it strong, eh? No, said he, that breeds discontent and ill feeling. q I helped him to a glassful, which he sat sipping, and then after another pause of considerable length I got my courage up and put the question to him- Can you tell me the future of 'SQP 'l Upon hearing this he seemed to awake as from a dream, and then he broke into a chuckle of an unusually mirthful type. Yes, yes, he said, I know '89's future, and will be glad to tell it to you. Then he teasingly added, But I guess you had better wait a while, until some other time, hadn't you P At this I sighed. I say! expostulated the figure, looking very much scared, don't do that again. , IfVhy not? demanded I. A 107