Prattsburgh Central High School - Franklinite Yearbook (Prattsburgh, NY)

Page 11 text:

FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAI Senior Class Tor Row. Arthur Paddock, Howzlrd L21 Grange, Profbssor Todd, Willliam Pratt. Lowm: Row. Elma Cincebau, Bessie Bloomer, Ruth Cawzlrd.

Page 10 text:

8 FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL PROPHECY OF THE SENIOR CLASS. HAROLD COOK-1918. I was a Sophomore when the Senior class of' 1916 graduated. llhey were as queer a. lot of people as I have ever met. All but one were wild acting. She was as quiet as the rest were wild. She would sit in school with her fingers in her ears, studying, while the rest giggled. How they ever got through is a mystery to me. One day, about ten years after I had graduated, I was riding along a country road when I had a blow-out. Not far from the place of my disaster was a farmhouse, and, a.s I did not have a jack in my car, I went to the house to ask for one. I heard some- one at the barn, so I went there first. Walking in, I yelled hello to the farmer. He looked up at me from his work and I recognized Arthur Paddock, who had been the president of the Senior class of 1916. His overalls were tucked into the tops of' his boots and he had a ragged straw hat on his head. I-Ie wias as surprised as I. Af'- ter wle had shaken hands, he said th!a.t he would like to have me see his wife. As we neared the house I heard ai woman singing, Just a Song at Twilight. That voice sounded iaimiliar. VVIIPH we went into the house, there was Bessie Bloomer, another mem- ber of the class of' 19164. They invited me to stay all night, and I accepted the invitation with pleasure. It was Sunday morning when I started on my way again. When I arrived at the next towln the church bells were ringing, so I decided to go to church. I walked in and sait down, not noticing the preacher. Wlhen I did finally look at him, my mouth 'dropped wide open, for there in the conventional clerical coat and white col-- lar sat IVilliam Pratt, looking as saintly a.s anyone could. He did not see me until he rose to give out the number of' the hymn. He looked at me a moment as if he could not believe his eyes. He gave out the number, and coming down from the pulpit, asked me to wait after church as he wished to visit with me. He then de- livered his sermon with that wonderful grace and elegance of language which were characteristic of' him in his scliool days, when his English teacher told him that his reading sounded like a trot- ting horse. After church w-e went over to his home and had a long visit about the old days in school. As I was getting ready to go I asked him if he knew what had become of the other three of his class. He told me tl1a.t Rnlth Ca- ward had sailed to China as a missioniasryg that Elma Cincebau had gone to Hot Springs Sanatarium as a nurse, that when How- ard LaGrange heard this he had suddenly become a confirmed in- valid and insisted on going to Hot Springs for his health. I got into my car and rode away, wondering how VVilliam Pratt had ever calmed down enough to become a minister.

Page 12 text:

10 FRANKLIN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL EDITH MO0RE'S ESSAY. ALICE PHILLIPS-1919. It was the rule in the Clinton Academy that the teacher should select as essayists for Commencement Day, the six girls who had had the highest standings during the year, Edith Moore and Cecilia Cole had been close friends through- out the whole year, but while Edith was studious and thoughtful, Cecilia was quick and sprightly by nalture, but not so fond of studying. When the list was read, telling wh-o was to be honored by appearing on the platform, E-dith's name was read, but Ce- cilia's was not. As soon as possible Edith sought her friend and tried to comfort her. There surely must be some mistake, Ce- ciliaf' she said, For your marks have been nearly as good as mine all the year. But Cecilia was not to be comforted and dur- ing the weeks before the commencement she became more and more envious of her friend. At last the all-important dzay arrived, and the girls, clad in their white dresses, wlere seated on the Platform. Ekilith Moore in her turn stepped gracefully to the front ofthe stage and read in clear, distinct tones her well-written article. All the audience seemed surprised and pleased that so young at girl could have written so well, and applauded her generously. During the silence that followed the applause, Cecilia Cole suddenly arose and said, Llad,ies and gentlemen, you are very justly pleased with the essay to which you have just listened, but I have a book at home that contains every word of it. Edith was so stunned that she was speechless and it remained for Mr. Lawson, the principal, to speak. Wl1en the exercises are completed, Miss Cole shall explain to us the meaning of her ex- traordinary chargef' The exercises went off quickly, the very' air seeming to be charged with a dread of coming events and Miss Cole's explanation. The exercises being closed, Mr. Lawson rose to his feet and said, '4Now, we will hear from you, Miss Cole. Cecelia's time ha.d come, for her purpose 'had been carried out, that of causing her friend extreme suffering, even for a. short time. She was now ready for the climax of her revenge, so she rose and politely said, Mr. Lawson, my source of information was VVebster's Dic- tionary! Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy. 1 -Emerson.