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

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Because it gives me a pain all over. Itls like looking into the past. Laugh as much as you please, that does me good. Accordingly I laughed uproariously, and the figure, brighten? ing up, said, Well, I'll answer your questions 72020 if you wish. Proceed, please, said I, impatiently. He again studied the lire closely for a moment, I watching him. Presently he pointed to the bright, liickering flame. I glanced toward it and saw in it one of the streets in the lower part of the city. I-Iurrying along this street were two silent figures, whose manly forms I recognized as Bob White and Billy Irwin. Bob, who carried a small package under his arm, seemed to be leading the way, while Billy tried to keep pace with him. I followed them and soon heard the sound of music. Bob and Billy evidently heard it too, for they quickened their already rapid gait, and soon turned into a small by-street. I almost lost sight of them so quickly did they dart into a little side door, al- though it wasn't Sunday. I wondered how Bob knew just where that door was, but we won't dwell on that. The scene that now met their gaze was one which -they seemed to be used to, for while Bob quietly untied his bundle Billy began to secure the door. Then Bob began to hand around the contents of the package. I got hold of one of these slips of paper and was astounded to find that it was a imcl. This was very startling- Bob White and a tract so knit together. It seems that Bob had tired of stage life and had turned into the more lucrative business of Prohibitionist. I-Ie had found an admirable accomplice in Billy Irwin, and together they led many campaigns against the saloons. Between times they spent in giving out tracts on such subjects as The Evils of Strong Drink. After handing out his tracts Bob stood up on a chair, and it became painfully evident that he was going to speak. Immedi- ately there was a general movement toward the door, but Billy Irwin had it perfectly secured, so Bob had them at his mercy. But just as he was beginning to speak the scene changed, and I was debarred from hearing his remarks, for which I was duly thankful. - The flame died down, and the picture was lost, but in its place 108

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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

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I saw one which promised to be interesting. It was in another part of our city-one .of the principal thoroughfares. Many things were quite changed, but as I passed up the street I was attracted by seeing quite a large crowd gathered around the win- dow ofa cigar store. My curiosity naturally helped me to work my way to the front of the crowd. At last I got a view. When lo ! ffor the fellow was lying downj and behold! there was Red- rose Billie, or alias Buckie Lawrence. There he was, reclining in the Window and puffing away at a cigarette. This poor Cliappie had been engaged in several sporting businesses, and as I after- ward saw one of his cash accounts I do not think that he was very successful? I soon learned that his father had protested against his going into this business for fear it would compromise the family name, but Buck's love for those little cigarettes had captured him. It made me think of the morning Buck came to school and told us that they had had a Y, M. C. A. at his home the night before, that his father had been the lecturer, that he had been the audience, and that his father had given a Plain Talk to Young Men. U But here he was perched in a window, advertising a certain brand of cigarette. Alongside of him, sitting in the same win- dow, were Fred Koch, Cornell and I-Iults. These fellows were advertising a sure mustache sprouterf, They had long held it a secret while at school, but now had agreed to set it forth, and let the public reap some of the benefits which they were enjoy- ing, and which were so readily acquired. The secret which they now no longer held as such was this : Take apiece of salt pork and rub it on your upper lip before retiring. By morning your it LAWRENCE'S CASH AccoUNT, Dr. Cr. Started biz with ........ 4 cts Paid to undertaker for repairs . . . 514 Performed at funeral ....... S24 ' Insured wood-shed . ...... I7 cts Lent face for traveling purposes , 81700 Insured bloodvshed . ...... I8 cts Slugged. by electric current, dam- 3 hired -girls on acct., a year . . . I7 cts ages .......... 162 cts. 4 mock orange pies at ..... I5 cts Stopped biz by death. Uones' Pie Foundryj- Paid farmer for raising whiskers, on acct ............. 7 cts By gum fPd.j ......... 8 cts General expenses . . . S25 General Harrison . . 517 109