South High School - Tiger Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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 I draw the wizard’s circle upon the sands, blue flames. I describe an inner circle, and green flames come responsive to my words of magic. I touch the common center of both with my wand and red flames, like adders’ tongues, leap from the earth. Over these flames 1 place my caldron filled with the blood of a new-killed doe and as it boils, I watch the blood red mist as it rises to meet the Spirits of the air. I chant my conjurations, and while 1 speak, the ruddy fumes take human forms, out of the fathomless future. After Four and Twenty Years ENTER old South High for the express purpose of attending a reunion of the class of January 190.....what? Alas, twas never known! The reunion was held in C. Room. For memories seemed to hover within the postals of those four walls,—memories of heated discussion, fiery tirades, and excited waving of arms. Upon entering, the first spectacle which presented itself to my eye was a brilliant, green plaid suit, and a more brilliant tie, above which I finally beheld a ruddy countenance, “Lester Williams !” I exclaimed. It was indeed he, and as he advanced to shake hands with me, he fell into a two-step and waltz combined, which new dance he was trying to install into Minneapolis society, he said. He conducted one in a courtly manner, tho’ still pirouetting, about the room, recalling to my mind others of my old class. Mounted on a table was a haggard individual holding forth in technical terms, for the edification of many men, who listened with rapt attention. Something familiar about him struck me, and then I knew him to be Alex. Lagaard, the great wizard of the twentiety century. We passed from this group to another one composed of two men and two women. The men were strangers to me, and I was wondering what brought them to our reunion when I suddenly recognized Irene Kennedy and Hazel Carlson in the two women. We chatted a moment. They introduced me to their husbands, and informed me that they were about to remove to their summer home at the North Pole Summer Resort. 1 asked them by what means Page twenty-nine

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we can spend one brief period there each day with Miss Watts who reads to us those delightful tales written by a man named Chaucer. Some in our class study Chemistry but the majority take Botany, its not so dangerous. Shortly after we became B Seniors, a meeting was held at which the following officers were elected: President, Earl Haver-stock; Vice-President, Cecil Smith; Secretary, Mildred Ozias; Treasurer, Walter Nelson ; Sergeant-at-arms, Bessie Delvin. It will be but one short term more that we can remain in the halls of literature to enjoy the privileges of Seniors so we have determined to make the most of our time, do no more than we really have to. We feel sorry that in so short a time we must leave behind our fellow-students; the teachers, with whom we have spent so much time trying to prepare ourselves for life so that we might go on our way rejoicing, and our esteemed Principal, Mr. Ozias, who has so kindly advised us in times of gloom and doubt and encouraged us in our work. We, the Class of January, 1909, of South High School, wish to thank the ”An Seniors for permitting us to use this much of the space in their annual, for it is more than we expected. EARL HAWTHORNE HAVERSTOCK President January Class, 909 A ROUNDLET Our Freshman year was crammed with study; Our Sophomore year was filled with fun; Our Junior year was steeped in worry; Our Senior year ah, well!—it's done! M. C. O. Page twenty-eight

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of travel they meant to go, and Hazel (who was now Mrs. Algermon Montmorency) said, by the North Pole Air Line, which, by-the-way, was built by one of our classmates. Do you remember Alferd Anderson } Here he comes, now. I followed her glance and saw Mr. Anderson approaching, in the very pink of fashion, and at his side was a little woman who looked very much like Belle Fitzsimmons. Scarcely had 1 glanced at him when a thundering voice proclaimed that Earl Haverstock would honor us with a selection from Mid Summer Night’s Dream. This was not to be lightly regarded, for Mr. Haverstock had won world-wide fame playing a Shakespearean role, and I had heard how he starred, in turn, Mable Colburn and Bessie Delvin (or Mdlle. Elizabeth Delvin, as she calls herself on the stage) and discarded them both for Florence McCall, who was quite a Scream” in New York last season. She, by-the-way, was absent on a little tour of the Western Hemisphere in her new air-ship, and sent a little message of regrets to the class, which Mr. Haverstock read. After this was over, several people gathered in the rear of the room, and 1 drew near to discover the attraction. Imagine my amazement at finding a foreign-looking personage seated on the floor, surrounded by trained monkeys! The gentleman held a paper bag, from which he drew out huge ham sandwiches and proceeded to regale the animals. I was at a loss to guess the name of this one of my classmates, until Mr. Williams informed me that it was Wesley Pierson, the famous monkey trainer, who had won applause from the crowned heads of Europe. While gazing with rapt attention at the antics of the monkeys, some one called my name and warmly shook my hand. I reluctantly raised my eyes, and recognized Herr Musicmeister Walter Nelson. He had allowed his hair to grow quite long, and it hung in picturesque waves on his shoulder. Altogether, he looked the part. I considered his friendliness quite a condescension, and was beaming with happy content, when a woman rushed up to us, seized his arm, and while gazing at me like an angry tigress, said, Walter! 1 never dreamed you would neglect me so! And Walter was led away. I enquired of Mr. Williams as to the woman’s identity, but all he knew was that she was Walter’s wife, and her first name Ruth, Page thirty