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

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THE 1919 SENIOR ANNUAL THE PROPHECY OF THE CLASS OF 1919 Nineteen hundred and twenty-nine had rolled around and the old June moon stopped in his course to peer into the window of a sumptuously furnished apartment in New York. Here a prima donna of world-wide fame was reclin- ing on her divan watching the moonbeams dance with the shadows on the wall. The telehone rang impatiently. It was the usual end of her musings. It was probably the manager of the theater with some trivial question or a newspaper reporter wanting to know the date of her last appearance. With a sigh she rose, drew the curtains, shutting out the moon's bright rays, and turned on the light. This is Countess Aresa, greeted the actress, lifting up the receiver. Well, Priscilla! I knew it was you! exclaimed a deep voice at the other end of the wire. May I come up and see you? Why-er-yes. Who is it? stammered the Countess, a bit overcome with surprise. Ha-ha! Your voice sounded so natural I half forgot we hadn't seen each other in ten years, and l supposed you would know 1 why, l'm Lynn Kelley of Class ' I9 -- remember? Rememberl l should say I do! Sure, come right up.. Be careful when you land, there are two other triplanes on the roof. Good-bye. And Countess Aresa, otherwise known as Priscilla Beach, hung up the receiver. Five minutes later there was a knock at the ceiling and the classmate of former days descended to the room. The greetings over, there was a silence in which each marveled at the change which ten years had made in the other. The airman was the first to break the spell. He glanced around the room, his gaze resting on a picture of a general in full uniform. Why, that face looks so familiar to me - and yet I am not acquainted with any generals. Ohl That is Gen. Elden Shue, who has made a shining record with the army of occupation. l met him in Paris and he gave me his picture, answered the Countess. ln Paris? Yes. Come and sit down. It was in France that I made up my mind to try the stage. I had always had a desire to and encouraged by some success there I determined to continue for a while over here. I sailed immediately after leaving college and made the trip in thirty-live minutes in Vincent Raffauf's famous seaplane 'The E.thyl'l Hynes and l-Iertel were the pilots and they changed their course only to escape colliding with a reckless star rover, 'The Allison,' which was carrying Karllotta Heyne home from her honeymoon. Upon my arrival I summoned a limousine to take me to my destination, and it was my surprise to find the driver to be my old classmate, Lura Kirk. She informed me that the proprietor of the hotel to which I was going was Marjorie Dunning, and that Odelia Plunkett was her assistant. She after- wards mentioned that Mabel Quackenbush was clerk. I soon decided that the hotel must be run on the American plan. 29

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THE 1919 SENIOR ANNUAL ln memory of the former students of R. F. A. who were fighting in France that we at home might enjoy the blessings of peace, we, as juniors of the Academy, decided not to have a Junior Prom, but rather to increase our purchases of W. S. S., again giving what little aid we could to our country in her need. As a result our class became a contributor of the largest amount. During the recent W. S. S. drive we, as Seniors, again came out in the lead, being the first l 00 per cent class in the school. Upon the last day of school, I9 l 8, the Seniors saw fit to dedicate to us, as the most fitting class in school, their right to occupy the most distinguished and coveted seats of the school. We had long looked forward to our last year with hopes and aims high, and felt that the honor they bestowed upon us was well merited. Little did we anticipate that our entrance upon our fourth year would be a sad one. The first day of school was given over to a memorial service for our respected and beloved former principal, Mr. l-larris, whose splendid life had so suddenly been terminated. A former professor of the school, Mr. Campbell, came to assume the duties of principalship. After a short period of unrest we were able to settle down to work under the new regime. Our Senior year can well be called a year of perfection. The associations formed all during our high school career were further developed and unified. Believing strongly in the policy that organization is the keynote to success, the Seniors worked hard to put through the constitution of the Rome Stu- dents' Association. One of our members was elected to act as president of the association. Four other members of our class were representatives upon the Advisory Board. ln the Slingerland contest we were ably represented, and one member brought back to us laurels of which we are proud. ln athletics our class has always shone and we have been able to claim allegiance with several of the most noted stars of football and baseball teams. Our high school career has not wholly been taken up with laborious duties, for we gave the Senior sleighride and dance at Westernville, enjoyed the Junior Prom at Easter-time, and are eagerly looking forward to our class banquet and dance. And with the closing of Commencement Week comes also the closing of our high school career. We all look back upon our four years with utmost pleasure and feel that they fbrrn an epoch in our lives never to be forgotten. But before we start out upon the diverging paths of life we are gladly stopping a moment to bid each other farewell and to sing songs of praise to R. F. A. . M.L.H.,'I9.. 28

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THE 1919 SENIOR ANNUAL My first night was a bit lonesome, as I was not accustomed to traveling alone, but my troubles vanished in the morning. Imagine my surprise to find myself seated at the same table with 'Larry' Gaheen. I-le was waiting for the session of the League to open 1 he being the U. S. representative - so we had plenty of time together. Our chief attraction was 'Ed Wolff's Beauty Chorusf It certainly did credit to its manager. Arlinda Ingalls was his leading lady at the time and Genevieve Parks, an expert tight-rope walker and juggler. Speaking of the theatrical profession, have you noticed how rapidly Vera Inman has been coming to the front for some time. Perhaps you didn't know about it, however, as her name has now changed to Strettonf' Well, she could always sing, and it was because of her that our Glee Club at R. F. A. was such a success. Was it under E.d's management that you played? Yes, for a short time, but after my marriage to Count Aresa I went to Mrs. l've been following out the route prescribed of astronomy, but a grand opera star is good enough for me. Got any of the new Slippety-Slop-Slide music? Oh, yes, here is one of the latest ones out, 'Mildred Dear, You Know I Love You,' by Lincoln Evans. Do you want to hear it? H 'Line' has made a great hit as a song writer. Sure, go ahead. I suppose Mildred plays the songs he writes? inquired the visitor. She was always pretty good at the piano. Well, responded the Countess, going to the piano, I hardly agree with you. At present she is playing the organ at the church where 'Joe' Ruby preaches. 'Joe' has pretty progressive ideas, but I guess he hasn't introduced dance music into the pulpit yet. What's happened to Josephine -- er - I mean Joe's sister? Oh, Genevieve? Let me see - Oh, yes, Elden told me, she is in France with him doing Red Cross work in his army. Inspired to rashness by the irresistible strain of Lincoln's melody, the airman extracted a cigarette from a hollow in the heel of his shoe. The soothing aroma of cigarette smoke lured both into a blissful reverie. Ten dollars' fine and thirty days' imprisonment! The words thundered forth accompanied by a crashing of glass and the firing of a revolver. An oflicer of the law had caught them with the goods. The stub of the cigarette disappeared into the mouth of the offender, and the two guilty ones moved about restlessly. The grim officer entered the window and produced a pair of handcuffs. The culprits, terror-stricken, faced him with downcast eyes. Kelley, as I'm alive! said the officer. Well, what d'ya know about it if it isn't my old pal Claude Bell! Say, Claude, old top, let me off and I will give you a cigarette. The great detective gazed upon his victim thoughtfully and responded, Kelley, you know the penalty if I am caught letting you escape, but I will take the chance for old times' sake. ExceIlentl I-Iave a seat Claude and help us pass the evening, invited the Countess. 1. 30