South Whitley High School - Reflector Yearbook (South Whitley, IN)

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e«t . CLASS PROPHECY .3t . e .vs One cold drizzly day in Novembei- as I was sitting alone, discouraged with all my surroundings, I was guilty of idly dreaming things uncommon to human life. I longed for something different, I knew not what, neither did I care, so long as it meant a change. While 1 was thus thinking I heard strange voices, which were those of the three Fates: Atropas, Lachesis and Clatho. They sat near Pluto ' s throne, the younger spinning the thread of life, in which the bright and dark lines were intermingled. The second twisted it; and under her fingors it was now strong, now weak : Twist ye, twine ye ! even so. Mingle shades of joy and woe, Hope, and fear, and peace and strife. In this thread of human life. — Scott. The third sister armed with a huge pair of shears re- morsefully cut short the thread of life, — an intimation that another soul would ere long find its way down into the dark kingdom of Hades. After Ustening to the twice repeated words, 1 started up, but could not move, for they said, You Jiave been guiltv of the worst crime on earth, that of idly di ' eaming and not being satisfied with y(ju work in life. Your punishment will be that you are to come to the under world and take the place of the thread cutter. My first thought was to rebel, but the idea had no sooner entered my mind, than 1 was snatched from my chair and was soon in the dark dismal place, being taught my future occupa- tion. After I had been here several months, and had my work thoroughly learned, 1 came across a bright thread which seemed finer than the previous ones, and after close ob- servation I saw, through the dim light, that it was one of my former ciassmates. This inspired me to wind it care- fully and notice every inch, that I might know exactly what my friend was d(jing. It was Wesley Graham, now president of the United States. The union was in its golden age, when every one was happy. I could hardly determine the length of that thread but was finally forced to clip it, leaving the president tfi enjoy an honored old age. P or some days aftei- this I worked with strained efforts, for I longed to see the sunlight and hear the sound of earthly voices. Uut tuere was nothing like rest for me,

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which our clown, Verii Gingher, starred as the character, Lem Pillsbury, who was continually testing the new patent medicines, trying to cure an imaginary illness. Then there was the Japanese Drill, in which the girls dressed in flowered kimonos with their wide flowing sashes and chrysanthemums, looking so like our oriental neighbors, that they were almost unrecognized. At last the fall of nineteen hundred eleven dawned, and we found ourselves bearing the dignified name of Seniors. But we had lost from our ranks Lizzie Smith. Just after Christmas, Clifford Marye entered our class, and Lizzie Smith returned, increasing our class to the number of ten. Our cla.ss was re-organized during this year; the officers being Briant Edwards, president; Wesley Graham, treas- urer and Lulu Howenstein, secretary. The Merchant of Venice was staged before Christmas with great success. Oh, the busy days of our senior year, there being so much to be done ere we finish our course. Soon we will be scattered far and wide but as we turn the leaves of our annual our thoughts will travel back to the dear S. W. H. S. as it was when we were schoolmates with no care or sorrow other than our own enjoyment and pleasure. Long and prosperous be the lives of the class of nineteen hundred and twelve. May it be an honor to the dear old S. W. H. S. and the navy blue and white is my wish. Farewell dear senior year farewell. Farewell to those to whom you are dear, Farewell again I repeat. For alas you do seem sweet. And Oh! how I love that name, That started us on to fame. And as days and years roll by. And we have gained a place In the wide world ' s eye. We may look back o ' er life And remember the ending of our strife, Farewell, Oh! Senior year, Farewell!

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as Pluto was near watching and strictly enforcing all his rules and regulations. But, as week after week went by I was more enthusiastic and noticed the threads more closely. It was then that I saw a long thread more in the form of a chain, than of single twisted fibers. Its peculiar weave attracted my attention and I longed to know its history, but with the cruel eyes watching me I began to think it was impossible, but at that instant one of the links caught in a rough place on the wheel, and, notwithstand- ing the searching glances I learned the history of that soul while loosening it. It proved to be my old friend Vern Gingher. The links signified a change of scene, which seemed in this case to be a life, first here and then there. He was a foreign missionary, who travelled from place to place preaching the gospel to all nations, and converting many souls. But, here 1 had taken ' the last link from the projection and was forced to pass on to the next, which was a bright golden cord that was easily read. It was another of my classmates. Fern Miller, who was preparing a debate on the subject Resolve that the United States should recognize Germany as a republic. S he had hitched her wagon to a star, and met with victory in the end. From this time on, for months and even years I heard nothing of my former friends. I was also very tired of the dreary task, that of measuring the life of others, but happened to think of the old saying, ' After rain comes sunshine, and my hopes brightened, but here I had a large stout cord in my shears that I could not cut. Its peculiar appearance, and tough flexible texture attracted my attention. The king I noticed was nodding and there- fore I made a great effort to trace its source, which led me to the icy regions of the far north. I could see a man warmly dressed in fur, who seemed exceedingly happy about some new discovery. It was Arthur Hardie who had just found the North Pole, and was standing on the exact spot contemplating his reception, as he came back with the important news. Oh! how I longed to witness the excitement, but here Pluto, awoke and I resumed my task. The following day I noticed two threads together which proved to be Lizzie Havens and Leona McConnell, who were completing their senior year at the Great German College. After the commencement of 1912 they had con- tinued school life and were received into the world ' s best institution. They had not allowed their advanced career to elevate them; but were still common and friendly to all. Here Pluto tapped me on the head and said, Hasten on there are many others. As the night drew on which was scarcely darker than the day, I longed for sleep, but there was a thread in my fingers that gleamed and sparkled in the darkness. It seemed jeweled with bright gems through which I could see the name. Lulu Howenstine, plainly written. She had become heir to a large amount of money and was spend- ing her life in doing good for others. She made clothes