Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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Senior Prophecy 5 -pWAS on a cold day in the month of February — that final extra day of that month, which, ■ ■ giving them incomparable opportunities for initiative, made old maids happy thruout the memorable year. 1908, because exactly divisibleby 4 (no ciphers being necessary in this case) — when the writer, the duly recognized prophet of the Naughty-eights, reclining in his cosy-corner in the palace which has been the dedicated dwelling-place of several former prophets, allowing his imagination to play upon spirits, wise and otherwise, finally entered into that mes- meric state fittingly designated as clairvoyance. He imagined himself sitting among the chiefs of the divinities, with their subordinates, in the rear of a great oracle which rivaled that of Apollo at Delphi as well as that of Diana at Ephesus in magnificance and splendor. In one of the inner recesses of this temple (oracle) was a large vault containing thousands, yes, tens of thousands, of scrolls, whereon the private scribes during all ages had written the predicted destinies of men. Looking at the indices of the different apartments of the vault 1 was suddenly startled to see one headed: Class of nineteen-eight. of Susquehanna University in the Year of Our lord nineteen-thirty. ••Divination Fee— Paid. Introducing myself as a member of that class, in my eagerness 1 asked for permission to read the contents of the scroll contained in that apartment, whereupon one of the scribes referred me to one of the principal diviners. He demanded my name and after I had told him all about my past career he said that in order to supply the ripe wants of my curiosity he would break a custom, provided that I would pay a nominal fee. Not hesitating for a single moment I readily paid the fee. whereupon he told me to place both hands upon a large metallic table which was near by and which had been covered by an asbestos casket. Immediately I felt myself trans- formed and, if not transmigrated, transported to the year nineteen hundred and thirty, A. D. Being in a state of complete mesmerism, which was as changeable as are the phases of the dif- ferent satellites throughout the entire solar system, I first of all imagined that 1 was walking down the street of one of our medium sized American cities when finally my eyes beheld the following notice on a large bay window: Studio of free-hand drawing and pyrography. all Kinds of artistic Painting in Water Colors, etc. SCHOCH CO. Glancing for a few moments at some of the beautiful designs in the window, my attention was suddenly arrested by a young lady passing by on the inside. Her face seemed familiar to me and so I ventured in to satisfy my curiosity, and there, seated by a large table, whom should 1 find but the personage that I at once identified as my former classmate. She was engaged in finishing a large portrait and did not recognize me until her hubby. who was watching the 25

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Senior Class History ' ■pHE writing of the history of a Senior Class often proves to be a laborious task. Especially is this true when that work is assigned to one who was not con- tinuously connected with the class during the four successive school years. Writing from the standpoint of a member of the class, words of commenda- tion or of criticism are equally out of place. It is the humble lot of the writer to present briefly such information and words of encouragement as will probably prove to be of interest to the general reader as well as an incentive to noble deeds and lofty aspirations to every member of his class. Since a Senior Class history is a record of the events that take place during a college course, let us then for a few moments indulge in retrospection. In the Fall of 1904, nearly a score of young men and young women entered the Fresh- man Class of Susquehanna University. Every one of them had bright anticipa- tions of the future. These anticipations they have realized in proportion as they have made use of the opportunities that were presented to them. The year rap- idly passed by without any incident destined to mar the fair record of the class. During the Sophomore and Junior years, some members of the preceding year were missing but others filled their places with equal credit. Silently and yet with absolute certainty the year 1908 has arrived. Now for the fourth and last time, the class of fourteen members will make its appearance in The Eanthorn. After years of varied experiences, pleasant and otherwise, its members draw near to the end of their college course. Undoubtedly during these years, many obstacles and many discouragements were encountered, yet by the earnest and sincere efforts of every one, the class is rapidly approaching its much-coveted goal. During the last year, there were many pleasant associations and recollections that shall ever remind the class of the delightful days spent at Susquehanna. No more will the class wander about the hills of the surrounding country, or along the banks of the historical river from which the institution bears her name. Others will ramble about and gaze upon these familiar scenes. Many of the class have taken an active part in athletics during their entire college course. These have brought great honors to their classmates and to the several athletic boards. Society and class work have likewise not been neglected, and it is earnestly hoped that in years to come, each one will do credit to himself and to his Alma Mater, in whatever calling or profession in life that he may choose to follow. Commencement is almost here. In a short time each one will be ushered out into an active and busy world, to bear life ' s burdens and responsibilities. Fond Alma Mater, Farewell. May all make good use of the training and instruction received at thy hands as they launch their frail barks upon the uncertain sea of life. That the entire class in years to come will prove to be loyal sons and daughters of Susquehanna is the humble prayer of the historian. 24

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smoke curl from his meerschaum, exclaimed, By Jabbers! is this you? 1 could no longer doubt, for who should it have been but Freddie and the charming Mary Edna. No time having been allotted me other than for a formal introduction 1 was immediately snatched into an abyss of the unknown. Passing over hills and thru vales I finally came to a small hamlet, which was hermetically enclosed by hemlock and underbrush on each side. Here 1 encountered what seemed to me an old philosopher, with two-foot beard, followed by about two dozen young men from the different sections of the hamlet, all listening attentively to the stories of nature as he was expounding them. He wore no coat and when I politely inquired for his name they told me that originally it was Reed, but because of the most characteristic trend of his nature, aitho counteracted somewhat by the most conspicuous part of his apparel, he now bore the name Soc, in honor of the great philosopher of the Greeks. Without time for further inquiry 1 was spontaneously transferred to the county seat of one of the counties of our western states. Accompanying a number of young men on an automobile tour around the town we passed a large, delicately adorned, modernized mansion. Here, one of the company exclaimed, is where the county superintendent of public instruction resides. One of them wishing to see the professor concerning matters relating to his own interest, we turned back. 1 found the mansion was occupied by one whom 1 had known during my school days. It was Dunkie Be Gorie, seated in his study with wife and five children. But ere I had time to speak 1 lost my foothold and away 1 flew, I know not how. Mv next pause was beyond the wide, wide seas, over in the land of the moslems, when my heart ached because 1 felt so lonely. Soon, however, I heard a voice which sounded famil- iar, and looking back my heart overflowed with joy when 1 beheld my old friend. J. D., earnestly engaged in spreading the gospel tidings to the heathen. Nor was he alone in his work, but he had taken unto himself a loving wife, who was a co-laborer with him. There, in that lonely land, he was striving, with a heart sincere, to satiate the constant appeals of the directing power within him. An instant, and I was walking up the streets of London, when 1 encountered an unusually agitated crowd in the square. 1 soon discovered that it was an open air revival service. I tar- ried for some time. On a large veranda of a building, on the opposite corner, was an orchestra. After the rendition of several artistic selections by the orchestra, the speaker of the evening was introduced, after which 1 beheld a young man of tine physique, tho greatly Mollified, stepping upon the platform, and, lo and behold! it was Shikey who revealed the Spotts of the world. But in a flash I was transferred to the opposite section of the metropolis. I stopped at a large hotel and after eating my dinner some of the guests invited me to accompany them to the matinee. I heartily accepted the invitation. After a succession of events on the stage I was startled to see the form of one who possessed all the idiosyncrasies of another of my former classmates In a moment another made his appearance, which was none the less startling, and looking at a programme, which was handed me, 1 saw the names: Profs. Geo. Birchfield Mac Piter and Jno. Jeremiah Houtz in their wonderful feats of magic, including necromancy and incantation. 1 now felt the need of a tonic to ease the aching pains within, for my nerves were all but unstrung by this time. 1 was again tossed across the heinous deep and landed in one of the west- ern cities of the bad lands of the Dakotas. I lay down in my private apartment of the hotel to take a nap but was suddenly aroused by a great commotion on the street. 1 went to the win- dow, when I beheld a man, with neatly trimmed beard, make the following announcement in sonorous tones: The Great Wonder of the World — Hypnotist. Somnambulist. Fakir, Bluffer and Snake Charmer. Could this be deception? No, for in a moment I perceived it was my old friend, Robert App. Content with my exalted position above the rest I patiently awaited 26