Texas Military Institute - Crusader Blue Bonnet Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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 THE BLUE BOAIAIET the respect of the entire class. He was evidently explaining a math problem which stretched all the way across the board, and by his air of self confidence, it was plainly discernible that he was a mathematical wizard. At that moment, as he turned his head completely around 1 got a full view of his face, 1 recognized Peter Walker, our beloved captain, who was responsible for more than one boy passing algebra and geometry as a result of his unselfish and able coaching back in the Academy many years before. Just then, however, my attention was attracted to the class, and to my horror, I discovered that they were all colored. Yes. it was true: it was Prairie View, the largest negro college in the south, and Phil was head of the mathematics department. I had often believed that he would have made a good math teacher, but I hardly thought he would pick out such a field for his work. We did not tarry here, though: the scene in the crystal shifted to a wild desert country in a foreign land—yes, it was the Sahara Desert. There was a huge ranch house surrounded by all kinds of barns and outhouses, and numerous burly negro cowboys were to be seen aimlessly wandering about in all directions. Inside of the house sat my old roommate. John Keeran. in conference with a French cattle-baron. Strange as it may seem, my mind formed an exact impression, as it were, of the words they were speaking, so that I became aware of the subject of their conversation at once. The Frenchman was saying: “I am indeed glad that you are doing so well with our cattle, and want to assure you that iust as soon as I get back to France, I will personally attend to the shipment of your order of fifty thousand of my improved French Brahmas.'' Just then a man in golf nickers and a sport shirt walked in. “Mr. Morveaux, meet Russell Kirkland, my foreman. I instantly recognized that childish and effiminate look of our former golf champion back at the Academy, for indeed it was he. “Besides running my ranch, he is doing great work here, which he considers merely as pastime.” proudly continued Keeran. patting him on the back. “He is teaching the natives how to play ice-hockey and golf, and has made such great progress with them that they have already formed several leagues in both sports. “I have just come from Hulbert's oil well.” said Kirkland, very gracefully changing the subject, “and he says that he is down eighty thousand feet now and expects to bring in a gusher any minute that will make us all rich.” Who should enter at that moment but Bob Hulbert himself. “I've just brought it in men.” he shouted. “A hundred thousand barreler that's flowing up like an artesian well. I can shoot craps the rest of my life now.” Once more the scene in the crystal changed, this time to the main street of a small country town. I recognized it at once as Schulenberg. In front of a little two-by-four wooden shack was a red sign on which was painted: Gus Russek and Son, Incorporated. Bankers.” Inside of this rather unimposing building were to be seen the usual furnishings of a country bank. At the teller's window was a man in his early thirties, rather handsome in spite of his pale and dissipated looking face. A well-dressed, good-looking woman entered, followed by four decidedly country-fied looking children ranging between the ages of four and ten. “It’s almost time for dinner. Victor,” the woman was saying. “Alright, Cora, dear,” said Victor. “Just as soon as I can call Captain Friedrich of the Rangers over here to watch the bank while I’m gone. There have been so many murders and hold-ups around here recently till I’m just almost afraid to stir without Page Twenty-nine

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SA M AAITQAJIQ ACADE Class Prophesy By Albert Searcy While on my way down to my law office one brisk September morning in 1940, I ran across an old acquaintance of mine. He was very perceptibly excited and I soon understood the reason. 1 have just had my fortune told.” he explained to me. “and I tell you the fellow is wonderful: it is positively uncanny the things he told me. He must certainly have some supernatural power.” My curiosity being aroused at once. 1 led him on in the discussion. And who is he?” I asked. A fellow by the name of Spinks. Came here a short time ago and he rooms right around the corner. You have plenty of time, why don't you go in there with me? I forgot to ask him one or two little things that I would like to find out. He is just a young fellow and has quite a charming personality and I know you will like him.” As I had never had my fortune told and it was still early, I consented to go back to the crystal gazer with him. We entered his luxuriously furnished apartment and were immediately shown into the seers presence. Imagine my surprise upon encountering none other than Earl Pressley Spinks, my old classmate. I could never forget that round, full face, so beaming with good nature which was such a characteristic of him in our former school days. We recognized each other simultaneously and I rushed forward to clasp his hand. After much questioning to find out each other s respective conditions, etc., all of which I could see was plainly boring to my friend. I said: I came to get my forutne told, old fellow: my friend here tells me that you are simply wonderful.” It really is a shame.'' he replied, a broad smile beaming on his face, “that we can t believe all we hear. 1 have been studying and investigating this enchanting subject ever since my graduation from the Academy in 1926. but I am by no means proficient in it—yet. However, if you will allow me. I will be only too glad to do it. and after I am through. I'm going to show you something.” And indeed he did. After telling me some really very remarkable things about both my past and future, he said: No doubt you have wondered what ever became of all of our classmates in that famous class of 26. I know I have, and my curiosity has often got the better of me, and I have watched them for hours at a time through that very same crystal in which you have just seen your life. However, it has been some three or four years since I have glimpsed them, and if you are willing. I vote that we look at them all right now.” By this time I was all excitement and thoughts of my office and everything else had completely slipped my mind, so I readily consented. We immediately directed our attention to the crystal ball again, and in a flash there appeared before my startled eyes a classroom full of eager students with their eyes earnestly fixed upon the instructor, who. by his erect, military bearing commanded Ptiqc I Wcnty-cight

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SA N AAITOAIIO ACADE him around. He's one man I certainly do admire—just doesn't seem to be afraid of anything that walks, creeps, or flies, and they certainly must know his reputation because they sure don't fool with him around here. Ah. here he is now.” A tall man with a rather slouchy bearing entered at that moment. There was a steely glint in his eye which instantly showed that he was a man to be feared. It was Gordon Friedrich, our former adjutant. Come right in. Captain, exclaimed Russek. I was just fixing to call you up to get you to watch the bank for me while 1 go to dinner.” Surest thing you know.” said Friedrich warmly. I just arrested a fanatic named Kerr who is a master chemist and physicist, and has for many years been trying to manufacture synthetic dynamite. He succeeded in doing so only this morning and was on his way over to your bank to try out his expreiment when I caught him. He threatened me with some of the stuff, but I managed to get it away from him. and he is safely lodged in jail now for the rest of his life. It's John Kerr, the same fellow who was our classmate back at the Academy fifteen years ago. I hated to take such severe measures with him but I had to.” I always did think that no good would ever come out of his taking physics at the Academy.” said Vic sorrowfully, leaving the bank together with his wife and children. “Well. I'll see you after dinner. Captain.” The scene this time in the crystal was that of a street battle in New York City. 1 he chief participants in the conflict were Russians—on one side were the Nihilists and on the other were the Bolshevists. In the very center of the strife were two figures familiar to me. engaged in mortal combat. They were evidently the leaders of the respective sides. One was Bobby Jarratt, head of the Bolshevists, who seemed to have the advantage of numbers, and the other was Sutie Wells, leader of the Nihilists, who made up in zeal and ferocity what they lacked in numbers. You will contaminate America with your accursed Nihilism!” said Bobby fiercely. Yes. before you pollute its soil with Bolshevism!” exclaimed Sutie. no less ferociously. Just then, however, the battle was interrupted by the advent of the police, and both of them were taken to jail together with their respective sides, without ever deciding whether Bolshevism or Nihilism should be imposed upon America. Following their unpleasant scene, we were shown a large theater full of people in one of our large cities. It was the Majestic. Off to one side of the stage was a sign: Appelt and Cronin—Stunts and Snappy Chatter.” Upon the stage proper was a man doing all kinds of stunts on a bicycle and playing a Jew’s harp at the same time. It was Cronin, our former Academy sheik. It was evident that he was still at his old game because every move he made, every one of his little mannerisms plainly showed that he was trying to make a hit with the fair sex. When his act was through, a man whom I immediately recognized as Oscar Appelt came out on the stage dressed in the height of fashion. He did a few juggling stunts, and by his enticing smile and droll voice immediately won the audience over to him. Especially was the female part of the audience attracted to him by his subconscious look, and after Cronin and he had indulged in a little chatter, they were all at his feet. When they finally finished their act. the audience literally brought the house down with applause, and even I, looking on in the crystal, was forced to admire their art and skill. The next scene was indeed sad to behold. It was the office of the warden of Page Thirty