Tarboro High School - Tar Bo Rah Yearbook (Tarboro, NC)

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Senior Class History Years and years ago, in a secluded spot in Edgecombe, a great scientist dis- covered a very peculiar breed of bacteria (homo sapiens bacillus). There were only a few of these bacteria, but they exhibited such extraordinary properties that the scientist decided to give them his personal care and attention. Under his wise provisions the few developed into strong and virile colonies. They were, in those days, housed in a large wooden structure; but they were not destined to remain so secluded. They multiplied so rapidly that at the end of six years, it became necessary to transfer them. The scientist said, I have seen the mighty ant feed his louse, I have seen the ferocious mosquito suck the blood from the veins of weakly human beings, but never have I seen such growth as this. They can no longer be held within these narrow walls. They must have a home more suitable to their natural ca- pabilities. So a better and greater home was erected, and the many little ba- cilli were transferred to it. At the end of two years it was the whim of the supporters of the scientist that these bacilli should undergo a rigid test to prove that they were strong, yet gentle; cultured and refined, yet sensible; cultivated, yet able to endure the hard- ships of severe conditions and altogether fitted to enter into newer and broader fields of endeavor. Although this test was most severe and minute, every colony passed with high credit. However, the colonies were not as yet sufficiently cultivated to do their best work. Before the scientist would consent to let them be taken from his care they must pass through four years of severe study and inspection. The scientist alone could not care for these species. He must have some one who would take an interest in them and who had been especially trained for this service. He had waited seven long years for the right one to appear, one upon whom he could place this mighty privilege. He must have some one who would sacrifice everything for them, one who would give up the pleasures of life just to be with these bacteria and give them some litt le aid. At this point in their history the great master found the one for whom he had been waiting so long. I can see her now in my mind ' s eye — tall and dark complexioned, with stern, gray eyes, a sharp chin, and a Grecian nose. Her distinguishing feature, however, was those magnetic eyes. Many are the times I have seen a bacillus turn to a spirillum under her withering gaze. Part of her work, aside from caring for the needs of the bacilli, was the keeping of the records of their growth and develop- ment. This afforded her much pleasure, as one could see by the gleam from those magnetic eyes. Promptness in completing them and promptness in having them returned after inspection, was her infallible rule. 24

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HAYWOOD MAURICE TAYLOR Age 18 Height 5 ' U% Weight 115 Editor-in-Chief The Tar-bo-rah ' 16; Presi- dent Senior Class; Chief Marshal County Com- mencement ' 15; Treasurer Tennis Club ' 16; Athletic Association; High School Literary So- ciety; Dramatics ' 15, ' 16. Dooley is a worthy nickname. Wasn ' t Mr. Dooley a philosopher? He had schemes to run everything from a lawn-mower to the uni- verse. Haywood is a man of varied accomplish- ments — photographer, chemist, pianist, and would-be ladiesman, withal. Who would think it? — once he said he was going to be a ball player! Beyond the Alps lies Italy. BRUCE FOUNTAIN Age 18 Height 5 ' 9M Weight 153 Arbor Day Representative ' 16; Treasurer Athletic Association; High School Literary So- ciety. We realize it was our loss when Bruce left us. He has shown that he had the interest of the class at heart. It is rumored, though, that the girls thought he might have used his Ford to better advantage while he was among us. The best-looking man in the class, quiet, gentle- manly, and polite, he deserves the title of The Pride of Leggets. If he will, he will, and you can depend on ' t; If he won ' t, he won ' t, and there ' s an end on ' t. 23

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But the signs are that with the evolution of these bacteria the scientist will lose his faithful helper. I draw this conclusion from the observation of certain things such as: rides to Rocky Mount, Sunday afternoon strolls, American Beauty roses, etc. But I wander. I am an historian, not a prophet; so I must return to the recounting of the incidents in the lives of our homo sapiens bacilli. I will now attempt to trace the colonies through their succeeding four years of pleasures, trials and tribulations. During these four years they were, as I have said, constantly under the care of trained persons who were to see that all conditions were made as nearly perfect as possible for their natural growth and development. Every month they were tested and biennially they were examined thoroughly; so their lives became a series of examinations. Through this process a gradual weeding of the less desirable species was car- ried out, until, by the end of the third year, nineteen superb genera were sepa- rated, specimens whom the scientist thought that he could, after one more search- ing test, pass on to humanity. This last year was to be the most pleasant of their career, yet one in which much hard work had to be done. It was during this eventful last year that the scientist noted the alarming symptoms of a terrible disease in one of the bacteria. These symptoms observed were eruptions about the ends of several branches growing near the top of the filament. The eruptions somewhat resembled Pear Blight. The ravages of this malignant disease could not be stopped except by strong and expensive drugs, such drugs as green soap and sulphur. Although the disease was very contagious only this one bacillus was affected. It was a touching sight to see the joy with which the affected one was welcomed back by his fellow members after his recovery. But enough of diseases, — let us turn to happier occurrences. I have heard it said that there is nothing more interesting to those animals called Human Beings than to observe the eccentricities and individual charac- teristics of their fellow-men. So why would not an account of the striking char- acteristics of these nineteen species of homo sapiens bacilli be interesting to them, — individualities that could be seen even by the most casual observer? For instance, one species grew to a surprising length, but was very slender and had a peculiar growth near the top which resembled a rose thorn. Another was tall but very fleshy, and frequently changed from white to red and back again. Two other species exhibited these same changes of color. Several species strong, healthy-looking and virile, had enlarged growths around the base which, reminded one of Charley Chaplin ' s feet, while others had large growths, on the top which reminded one of billiard balls (ivory domes). It was in the fourth year that the scientist became very much interested in one of his most desirable species. It was healthy-looking and of sufficient length, but it did not have breadth. He tried many different methods to make the bacillus grow in the desired direction, but without avail. He even transferred the bacillus to a raw egg culture medium. Even this infallible flesh-giver failed. The climax in the history of the bacilli was to be reached at the 25