Piedmont High School - Tris Yearbook (Piedmont, WV)

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Tlirfsi R99-gg ing of by-gone days, but not with sadness. A pile of songs on the piano with her name as composer gave me the key to her evident success. Even as I looked, a richly dressed lady entered upon the arm of a. handsome es- cort. As they floated away on the wings of a delightful waltz I recognized the lady as Louise Dixon. I asked a man standing near who her escort was and to my surprise I learned that it was Dick Butler, her sweetheart of high school days. The dance had been given in honor of their engagement. Next I saw a huge banking establishment. Wondering whom I should find here that I had ever known at Piedmont High School I gazed very close- ly into the caldron. As the steam passed away I saw a row of doors lead- ing to private offices. On the most elaborate of all I read, Paul Thomas, chief accountant. The next scene was a large five and ten cent store. While looking around in amazement I heard someone ask, Something for you ? I turn- ed and saw my old friend, Thelma Coddington. Before I had time to speak to my old classmate the scene changed and I seemed to see a beautiful church. I looked about the audience wondering which of my old friends was to be found here. The preacher announced the first hymn and I looked up with astonishment for I had recognized the voice as that of Robert Wright- son. Little did I dream that Robert would follow in the footsteps of his father. The picture faded and the hag dropped in some more powder warning me that this would be the last scene. I beheld a school room crowded with unruly pupils, forty or more, who were evidently bent on mischief. At the desk sat the teacher who seemed to be taking it easy and not in the least disturbed by the confusion. On looking more closely I recognized her as no other than my dear classmate, Bessie Weaver. As this picture faded I ran home so agitated that I both laughed and cried as I thought over the fate of the class of 1927. WINNIE BUTLER '27 The Ilaiking Qlluh About a month after school had begun, at the suggestion of Mr. Rhodes, a hiking club was formed. At the first meeting, which was held during October, the following officers were elected: Robert Wrightson, pres- identg Louise Dixon, vice president, and Elizabeth Wrightson, secretary. It was decided that we should take a hike down the Keyser road the next Friday if the weather permitted. It happened that Friday was a delight- ful day, so after school was over we all fthat is, about half of the high schoolj set out, accompanied by Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Knode. Since we went under the name of the Hiking Club, everybody agreed that lifts would not be accepted, but before we had gone very far, who should appear upon the sce ne but a few boys riding in a truck. The other boys got in and rode down to Keyser, so that the girls were left to complete the hike. When we had gone a little more than half way to Keyser we decided to turn back as it was getting rather late. We reached home safely without any ill efects Page sixty-six

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lg..-1,41 ' g .nl F.,-M-. rm Ghz iBrnpbecp nt the Qlilass of 1927 One day it occurred to me that I should like to know what had become of the members of the class of 1927 of old P. H. S.. and what fates they were meeting on the rough, cold path of life. Impulsively I snatched my hat and coat and climbed to a hidden cave among the hills. Sitting near the opening was a weird and frightful crea- ture. She was gazing earnestly into the depth of a huge caldron, the con- tents of which bubbled and seethed over the fire. I crept through the un- derbush and soon stood by her side. I had been there a long while before she raised her head, which was covered with tangled wisps of coarse, gray hair. Her piercing eyes seemed to read my innermost thoughts as she ask- ed, Well, what brings you here? I timidly begged her to read to me the fortunes of my beloved class- mates in the magic liquid before her. With a leering grin she poured a dark powder into the caldron. The liquid sputtered and foamed up over the edge of the vessel. She stirred slowly as she chanted in an undertone and made grotesque gestures with her skinny hands. She peered into the liquid a moment, then motioned me to her side and told me to look. What should I see but a large hospital room? There were many nurses at the bedside of their patients. I heard a door open and turn- ed to see who had entered. To my astonishment Ruth Schoppert walked in the room. Inquiring a little, I learned that my old classmate was the head nurse at the hospital. How glad I was to learn that Ruth's dreams had at last come true. Again the old woman stirred the liquid and it foamed and bubbled. A new scene appeared. It Was a crowded city thoroughfare in front of a magnificent theatre building. It was late at night and many people were leaving the building. On the billboard by the door I read, Lola Hardegen, the public's favorite, in 'When John Comes Back. ' Before I could moralize on the tricks of fate, or even read the name of the city, the picture slowly changed, and I was looking on a beautiful country home. On the lawn several people were grouped around two per- sons. As I looked at the center of attraction I was surprised to see Thelma Schoppert and Edward Baldwin beaming upon the guests. In my school days little did I dream that Thelma and Edward would ever care so much for one another. My heart thrilled with tenderness as I thought of Beatrice Anderson and wondered what had happened to her in those long years. Before the question had fairly entered my mind, the scene changed and there-sat Be- atrice looking at a package of age-worn love letters from her old classmate, Eldred Green. The liquid then became much agitated and I could see a grand ball room with a lot of merry dancers. I observed Laura Belle Dawson standing alone near the piano. She seemed to be absorbed in watching two young lovers as they stood half hidden beyond a group of palms. She seemed to be think- Page sixty-five

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fs.-.ii Tlfrfss from the trip, except maybe a little stiffness. Everybody agreed the hike was a huge success. On account of the weather and basket ball practice, other hikes have had to be postponed. However, this spring, when there aren't so many things to interfere, we hope to have many good times . 1 jfinal literary Qlnntest On April 30, 1926, the Piedmont High School auditorium was filled to its capacity. Once more the crowd had gathered to see whether the York- ists or the Lancastrians were to be the victors of the final contest. The program was as follows: The debate: Resolved-That There Should Be a Secretary of Education in the President's Cabinet was upheld on the af- firmative side by the Yorkists, Horace Richards and Roberta Morrison, while Paul Thomas and Annie Butler, Lancastrians, argued the negative side of the question. A pleasing dialogue was then given by the Cherry brothers. Heavy readings, The Wheels of Time by Sue Fredlock, a York- ist, and Tom O' the Gleam by Enid Ours, a Lancastrian, followed. A delightful piano duet was rendered by Vivian Baldwin and Eula Freeman. Light readings were then given, A Study of Hats on Bargain Monday by Lorna Cole, a Yorkist, and The Ransom of Red Chief by Thelma Cod- dington, a Lancastrian. This was followed by an interesting school paper read by Catherine Crawford, Yorkist. The decision was as follows: debate, negativeg heavy reading, Sue Fredlock, light reading, Lorna Cole. This made the decision two to one in favor of the Yorkists. Euniur 19mm The juniors entertained the seniors and the faculty with a supper at the Old Homestead Hotel at Burlington, West Virginia, on May 21, 1926. Everyone started out from Piedmont in cars. Then upon reaching the hotel some of the people immediately began to torture the piano and the victrola. Soon a chicken supper, which everyone enjoyed, was served. Af- ter supper some of the children enjoyed themselves by making noise with cazoos and similar instruments, while others played with balloons. Louise Dixon gave an exhibition of the Charleston. Then Mr. Rhodes held his own by showing the audience some absolutely new steps of the Charles- ton. About a quarter of eleven each person found his car and started home. All the people present at this event declared that never before had they had a more enjoyable time. Page sixty-seven