St Josephs Collegiate Institute - Star Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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THE STAR Seeing a garage sign down the street, I walked down to inquire after the hire of a cab. Seeing nobody ibut a mechanic around, I went over to dig him from under the car he was working on. Hearing me approach, he squirmed from under the car. He was a smutty, greasy, sleepy-looking individual whom I immediately recognized as Neil Maher. Getting a car for double the regular hire, I drove around the city. On my way back to Neil's garage, I noticed a sign, Fred Kilroy's Beauty Parlor . I stopped the car and entered and there was Freddy directing a comely girl how to arch eyebrows. Fred said Washington was a wonderful business town and that he had the Senatorial trade. Fred was the same handsome devil he had always been and had changed but little. On returning home from Washington, I was given my vacation which I determined to spend at an aunt's in Milwaukee. When I entered the station at Milwaukee, I noticed a sign Howard- Dolan, Information on Anything . I stepped over to see if this was the Howy of my acquaintance, and sure enough it was that same wise, owlish- looking mug that presented itself to me. He told me several of the other fellows were in Milwaukee. And on asking how come he had settled down here, he said, that the soda water was the best in the country . I stopped up to see Maurice Furlong who was the local radio an- nouncer. When I asked how he had come to get that job he said it was the only one he could find that didn't interfere with his sleep. I went to the Zoo to see Kerin Lyons, as Howy had told me he was working there. Lyons was putting on a wrestling act with the white mice when I entered. He told me his success as a wild animal trainer was due to the fact that he stuck to his bicycle pants . Hearing from Lyons that Lester Brass had an office in the basement of Shyster Building, I took a hop down there. There was Lester Brass's name in red chalk on' an office door. I noticed beneath his name the legend Attorney at Law or What Have you . Entering I was face to face with a grave looking fellow who was Less and none other. It was hard to convince Less that I was an old school chum of his and not a prospective client. When I inquired after the success of his profession, he hands me , that the only case he had since he opened shop turned out, when tested, to b.e wood alcohol and he couldn't find the fellow who sold it to him. I was informed by Less that Joe Chute was running a dance hall. That night I dropped in and there was Joe surrounded by his wife and child. Thi ty eight

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THE STAR On the corner of Eagle and Main, I stopped before a huge new theatre that was announcing its opening with a special bill . At that moment- a heavy hand descended on my back. Turning around I saw a portly man facing me. I was at a loss to place him, when he said, I know where you can get some real soda water, pal , and I knew in an instant it was Hank Guarino. He said that he had just completed the show, and that I must come in with him and meet some of the old fellows who were on the bill . The picture was named The Answer to an Old Maid's Prayer and Jim Privitera was starring as the answer. The head-liner was a comic song and dance act by Kenmore Ready. After the show Hank took me back stage to meet Jim and Kenmore. The next day I got a business call to New York. While buying my ticket I saw a man tossed out of the President's office. Going over to help the poor fellow up, I was confronted by a husky individual, whom I recog- nized as Pussy Griffin. Thinking he was the President of the railroad I asked him how he felt. He informed me that I had made a slight error and that he was only the President's bouncer. When I arrived in New York I went immediately to the bank that I had business with. As I entered, whom should I see but John Sebert, seated at the Treasureris desk. He said that his experience as Treasurer of our class had got him the position. As I didn't have to be back to work the next day, I thought I would take in a night club, that evening. Hear- ing from Sebert that Mat Mathias was running the highest class place in town, I thought I would stop in there. It was a beautifully de-corated building on the corner of Mott and Park Row. I went into the manager's office, and, sure enough, there was Mat with his gruff air and all. We had hardly sat down when a bevy of Broadway beauties entered surround- ing a skinny long-nosed individual with a sour look who, for all the world, reminded me of somebody I had known in school. When I asked Mat who that was he replied, Why that's Charley Schnitter . When I returned to work I found I would have to go up to Boston next day. Having finished my transactions there I thought I would have a look at Boston's famous library. While browsing around whom should I run into but Bill Lee. He told me he was the library's official book- worm . Bill asked me if I had seen Will Gardiner yet. Noi I replied. Is Will in Boston ? Yes, it's too bad about Will, he said. He seemed like one of the best fellows in the class. When I aske-d Bill what the matter was with Will, he said, Oh, he's gone to the dogs entirely. He's hanging around bad joints all the time. Noi Not Will Gardiner, I said. Yes, sir! says Bill, You just go to this address and see for your- self. When I entered the door, there was Will. When I asked him how the plumbing business was, he said, It's great! Leaving Boston that night, I arrived in Washington early next morning. On my way out of the station, I saw Sarkis Anthony, who was running a banana stand in the station. ll ty seuo

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THE STAR Leaving Milwaukee the next day for home, I began thinking of the achievements of the fellows. Well as I look over the class in my mind's eye, I am not so surprised at the positions that the fellows occupy today. Anybody could have seen that most of the fellows found jobs suited to their inclinations. With the exception of Bill Gardiner and Sarkis Anthony of whom I really expected more, I can't say that I feel any of the fellows have come below my expectations. As I was thus contemplating the fate of my old pals, the train brought up with a jerk and looking out I saw I was back in the old home town again. F. C. 0'CONNOR, '27 ST. JOSEPH'S 1900-1915 Thirty 1