Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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THE SENIOR ANNUAL. 27 she talked my attention was attracted by numerous medals, which she wore. I learned that them because of afterwards she had re- valuable discoveries in the scientific world. ceived her In the course of our conversation I inquired about our other classmates and we immediately resolved to send out telegrams to each of them. I first thought of Mildred Brainerd, the maid with the pleasant chatter and the mirthful Jaugh. I spelled out her name on the key board of the telegraph; for a few moments all was quiet, then I heard a gentle humming sound which told me that I was in communication with my old friend. I asked her what she was doing and she told me that she was training a class of small boys—all minister's sons. I could scarcely un- derstand her quiet and subdued manner. Poor girl, she had probably had a hard struggle, for minister's sons are pro- verbially difficult to manage. I next thought of our demure little friend Beatrix Neiss. I had to wait some time before I received any answer to my call for her. and I knew a. man was at the other end At last I heard a loud buzzing of the instrument. He told me that Miss Neiss was at that time sitting for a famous artist’s Madonna. Then | inquired for Bertha Widmann. I last saw her just before she sailed for Germany. For some reason she did not seem inclined at first to tell me about herself. Finally she was -per- suaded to do so, and hesitatingly spelled out the words which told me that she sang in the emperor's choir, and had that day, as a mark of royal favor, been permitted to christen one of his row- boats. By this time I thought I ought to ask for one of our most distinguished men, our president, Mr. Harold Ward- well. I knew he would be very busy, so I waited patiently until he answered my message. I could tell by the vigor- ous response of the instrument that he had become a second Horace Greeley, even before he told me that he was the manager of a large newspaper trust. He also confided in me that his eve- nings were spent in training boys for the athletic field. As soon as I was through with Mr. Wardwell I called for Evelyn Knapp. I found her in Oneida teaching school. She told me how. near she came to liv- ing in Buffalo; when she was on the train one day the conductor tried to make her a Buffalo, but as she did not have eleven cents he put her off at Oneida. I now thought of Cora Pitcher’s sister, who was to be found at the Hoity-Toity theater. The play was in full swing and of course I could not talk with Jen- | nie, but the manager told me what I | wished to He said that on account of her youth and beauty it had been hard to procure a license for her, but that she was one of the most taking know. | youngsters that had ever been brought before the American public. She was then playing “Dolly Dutton’ in the strong military drama “In the Valley of the Mohawk.” I asked the man if he would read me the cast and when he did so, he led off with the name of Jennie Senn as the star. I was greatly surprised. She was the pride of the soldiers, and it | seemed to me the name of the man who played the part of her soldier hero sounded familiar. I did not think I would hear any more familiar names, but when he mentioned Eva Carpenter as a chorus girl I was ready for almost

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26 THE SENIOR ANNUAL. The officers of the class are: Presi- dent, Harold Wardwell; Vice-president, Miss J. Miss Evelyn Knapp; Treasurer, John Mildred Brainerd; Secretary, Thomas Jones. President’s Address. Kind Friends: The Class of 1902 ex- tends to you a most cordial welcome to their class day exercises. We sincerely hope that this evening spent with us will be one of unbounded pleasure to you and one to which we can look back With pride. We now appreciate the sacrifice of time and energy which has been made by the faculty in order to further our best interests. From our first year the teachers have kindly assisted, advised and encouraged us. Patiently and faith- fully they have led us along the diffi- cult path of learning. pointments and discouragements they have cheered and helped us and now that we are about to depart from them, we feel more than ever their great in- fluence over us. We do not forget that you, our school- mates, have also helped to make life pleasant. How we would like to stay Through disap- with you, but the time has come for us to bid an eternal farewell to our dear old school. the Class of room which we have so learned to love. Tonight, for the last time, 1902 is assembled in this We leave the pleasant associations with the last four years to enter upon the life. We shall never forget, however, the memories of active duties of our happy school days. For each of us some work awaits the doing; some niche remains to be filled. Let it duties be our endeavor to perform our faithfully. Our lives will be better for the effort, and even though we may be unsuccessful, nobler and the consciousness of having done our best will be its own reward. May we all have many kindly thoughts of Alma Mater back to the days spent in her tender and may we look care as the most happy of our lives. Once more teachers, alumni, fellow students and friends, we extend to you a cordial greeting. HAROLD WARDWELL. Class Prophecy. On a recent visit to Philadelphia I discovered some interesting facts. One day I went down town to send a wire- reached the central office, a very large room where many peopie at their desks seemed exceed- ingly busy. less telegram. I As soon as one of the girls was at liberty I stepped up to send my message and discovered myself face to face with our classmate, Cora Pitcher. I was very glad to see Cora, who took me into her private office. She told me that her scientific work in the Rome High School had been of the greatest benefit to her. She was the head ope- ratorin that large establishment. While

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28 anything. I did not understand him at first—he meant that she had been in the chorus the year before, but had then risen to one of the principal parts as the welcoming hostess and profes- When he read John name as the heavy sional chaperone. Thomas Jones’ villain, and said he could be used for a soul stirring baritone as well, it con- firmed all the good things said in re- gard to the brilliant future of the class of 1902. The manager, who was giving me all this information said that in the fall a new actor, Mr. Harry Cov- entry, was to appear in a French play. The manager then ended by saying that the leader of the orchestra, who had composed the play, was Edward White. I knew that since the time our class had disbanded Mr. White had com- posed many operas, but that he had written a class drama was a piece of startling information. I next telegraphed to Lillian O’Brien. In the course of our conversation I learned that she had married, and was disciplining a man to recognize woman's rights and wrongs. I now tried to get Mabel Silvernail. While I was waiting to hear from her I picked up a catalogue which lay ona table, on the cover of which in large letters 1 read, Wellsmith School, Miss Lela Lobdell, preceptress. She adver- tised that the young ladies graduated from her seminary would be of the blase, innocent or musculine type, each style particularly attractive to the oppo- site sex. Elocution and kindred subjects were taught by Miss Christine Ellis, one of the best instructors in the country, who had received all of her training from Cornell University. | marching nail as follows: | ment for Mellin’s Food. THE SENIOR ANNUAL. At last divine Cecilia came, the mod- ern one, Louise Thomas. I inter- rupted her while she was practicing her own wedding march. They say that she plays so wonderfully on the organ that she hypnotizes every one within She told me that at that mo- ment she had a half a dozen people the though the happiest moment of their lives had There silence and I knew Louise had finished, range. up aisle, looking s come. was a long as she never was inclined to talk more than necessary. When I called for Mary some one asked me who I was, where I was and what it was all about. When I had answered her questions Mary told me that she was Librarian in the Con- gressional Library in Washington. I was more than plgased to find the members of our class so high upon the ladder of fame. I had left the most powerful member until now, when I began talking with She had become enor- Huggins Grace Powers. mously wealthy, having early invested all she had in Wells. She did not mention the kind, probably coal or gas, —anyway, “All’s well that ends Wells.” When I had finished with Grace I received a message from Mabel Silver- “Sorry to have missed your call this morning. Automobile stuck in the mud, overloaded with groceries. Am a traveling advertise- Mable Silver- nail.” I had no sooner read this communica- tion than another was handed me. | “Thought I felt Rome atmosphere last night about 11 o’clock. Of course, I was in the subway so could not tell. Fine campaign on hand. People said I was a howling success last week in my