St Johns High School - Blue Devil Yearbook (Darlington, SC)

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SENIOR EDITION, ST. JOHN’S BULLETIN, ’23 PROPHECY OF CLASS OF 1923 One night last spring I was still worrying about that same old question of obtaining a prophecy for the Class of 1923. I had been puzzled about my class prophecy some time, for I could not imagine any possible means by which I could get a true one. Therefore. I had accomplished nothing. The clock had already struck eleven, so I thought I had better postpone my problem until the next day and go to bed. Before doing so I decided to allow myself a little recreation in which I could “listen in” over my radio. I put on the headphones and tuned in. I heard a few of the usual concerts one would hear over the radio at night. I had been listening some time when all at once the concerts seemed to die away. What could be the trouble? It was then five minutes to twelve, and I was just think- ing I would stop when I heard a faint whistle. After some diffi- culty, I tuned this down to a voice speaking. Ah, a woman’s voice! “I am the spirit of the future,” said the voice. “I know that you have been perplexed over your class prophecy, and I have taken pity on you and come to your aid. I am going to turn time for- ward fifteen years, so you may get your prophecy. It is now twelve o’clock. I will give you two hours in which to find out the future of all the members of your class, for since Fate dis- approves of my action, I can allow you only until two o’clock. Now, at that time Fate will interfere, so work hard!” I heard a low rumbling sound far away; gradually it became louder and louder. Suddenly the noise ceased and I heard a voice speaking. “This is station P. E. B., New York. We are broadcasting the evening program of the Conder Opera House. This is the largest and most famous opera house in the world, and is owned by the multimillionaire, Miss Louise Conder.” “Our next number will be a piano and violin selection by the famous Biedell Sisters. They are just back from Europe, where

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SENIOR EDITION, ST. JOHN'S BULLETIN, ’2 3 SALUTATORY WONDER if it is really necessary to try to tell you how glad we are to have you here tonight. Although we are young and inexperienced, we have already learned how inadequate words usually are when we try to express our deepest feelings. Since we cannot possibly put our thoughts into words, why should we try? And yet there is one word which we all wish to say to you, and to say in the right way—Welcome! The word that tries to assure you that you have well come; the word that was once given to her guests by a clever hostess in the following enigma: “My first I hope you are; my second I see you are; my whole I know you are.” This expresses our sentiment tonight: We hope you are WELL; we see you are COME, and we know you are WELCOME. Dear friends, to you this may be only a pleasant occasion; we shall certainly try to make it so. But after all, it is only one of many such occasions in your life. To us, it is a great event— a turning-point in our lives—an hour we shall recall with pleasure as long as memory shall last; for this closes an epoch in our indi- vidual histories. The most important period that we yet have known and the one of most value to our future—our high school career—is at an end. It also marks the beginning of a new era. Until now, we have been very closely under the guidance of parents and teachers. Henceforth, we must rely largely upon our- selves. Looking at it from this standpoint alone, it is indeed a momentous hour. But we are not daunted. The courage to do and dare is implanted in the breast of every true American, and the love of adventure springs continually in the heart of Youth. When we grow older we shall, no doubt, find much pleasure in recalling the part of life to which we are now bidding farewell. But, just now, that past is important to us only as a preparation for the real life, which begins tomorrow. We ask you then, to be glad with us tonight, to rejoice with us because we have run the course assigned us; to cheer us as we stand on tip-toe eager for the next lap of the race. VERNON ALLEN.

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SENIOR EDITION, ST. JOHN'S BULLETIN, ’2 ■? they entertained such kings as are left with their fascinating music.” “Well, well!” I thought, as I listened to the music. “How proud Mr. Gainey must be of his ex-pupils, Rose and Fannie.” Now the music has stopped and the operator is announcing the next selection. “The next number from broadcasting station P. E. B., at the Conder Opera House, New York, will be a xylo- phone selection by Monsieur Vernon Allen.” “Well,” I murmured, “I always thought Vernon Allen would turn out to be a famous musician for he always seemed to have music at his very finger-tips.” Oh, he is through playing already, and now the operator is announcing again: “The next number from station P. E. B.. at the Conder Opera House. New York, will be a vocal selection by the Monthrox Quar- tet. These world-famed singers are Miss Lurline Parrott, soprano; Miss Mary Sue Harrington, alto; Miss Nelle GPbert, tenor, and Miss Lillian Tew, bass. Their first number will be the Sextette from ‘Lucia di Lammermoor.’ ” “A sextette! Well, this is the first time I ever heard a sex- tette sung by four people, but I have only to remember how accom- plished these girls were at High School. Pm not surprised that some of them have become such experts that they are able to sing two parts at once. Yes, there is Lurline singing soprano and tenor at the same time.” At this point the static was so loud that I lest the rest of this number, but soon tuned in with a new station. “This is station K. E. P., the Curtis Allen Jewelry Shop, Pu- laski, Texas.” “Pulaski?” I mused. “Why did Curtis go away out in Texas? I remember his enerjectic High School life when he could hardly decide to which one of his numerous sweethearts he would give his class ring. I suppose they all pursued him so that he had to take refuge in the wilds of Texas. Now he has a jewelry shop and 1 reckon he can supply them all. But, the operator is announcing the next number.” “The next number on our program will be a lecture, ‘The Im- portance of Better English,’ by America’s greatest better English worker, Miss Bertha Johnson.” “Well! I’m not surprised to learn that Bertha achieved fame, as she was always ambitious and hard working. I only hope they advertise her name well on hand bills wherever she goes to speak,