Wapakoneta High School - Retrospect Yearbook (Wapakoneta, OH)

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CLASS PROPHECY O O O By BLANCH E. JACK. “Compelled to wander!” “Compelled to wander! Was ever a soul so cruelly banished? Take back that decree, oh cruel tribunal!” “Thou art banished until thou hast learned the fates of thy school- mates.” A year had passed and still I was a wanderer. Over Italy and Greece, in truth, over all southern Europe I had roamed in search of the destinies, searching ceaselessly among the old shrines, there, where the valiant ancients had received their inspirations and learned their fates. But I—Must I give up in vain? No, no, I could not go back, I had been banished. I was so weary and discouraged, almost broken hearted, the quest seemed vain : sinking to the ground I wept tears of disappointment and deep- est sorrow. Unmindful of my surroundings, when I gained courage to look up I saw a tiny thatched cottage standing near. Night coming on I coubl go no farther, I must seek shelter here. A tiny old woman welcomed me and in the sweetest and lowest voice said: “I am so glad you came, I was grow- ing weary waiting for you.” Her voice soothed me but I could not but wonder at her words. “You wonder at my words but I know all your troubles and I, and I only can aid you. But now, you must forget all until the morrow, and re- member, your trials are all over. I have been waiting long years for you. I could hardly believe the words I heard, so long and tedious had been the year 1 had wandered. I must realize my hopes before I could believe. I doubted, and the dark night coming in through the little window almost put out the faint flame of hope, but early, very early the little woman came and in the silvery voice said, “Come, this is the last day of your exile. The Sibyl has been waiting long for vou; she has already learned that you have come and she will gladly end thy pilgrimage.” It seemed only a few minutes until a dark cave was reached, shaded by lofty trees. “The shrine of my dreams!” I cried, then the horror of it all came in swift reaction. “Must I go in there?” I shuddered. “Yes,” the little woman replied, “and take head now lest at the very last moment you fail. The Sibyl has arranged nineteen oak leaves in the cave, each bearing the fate of an individual. Watch, when you open the heavy inner door lest a draught enter and and disturb the leaves; they will never be placed again. Blessings on you, now, go.” Trembling with fear and apprehension I pushed open the ponderous door with the smallest possible opening and entered. The Sibyl was not there; I began to breathe free again. Over a rock in the farthest corner shone a bright light, the source was unknown, and there placed in order lay the nineteen leaves. My hands trem- bled so that I could hardly grasp the veined leaves and sinking down beside the rock I raised one to the light. “Stay!” a voice thrilling me with an awful fear came. Horrified I turn- ed in the direction of the voice, possibly I had only imagined the voice, and again I raised the leaf. And again came the sepulchral voice. “Oh, touch not the leaves or your plan must fail: attempt not to read the leaves now. Only on your class-day will it be possible for the destinies of your classmates to be interpreted; only then will you be able to read their

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mischief, and they then immediately set to work with a zeal unequaled. Their conduct became perfect, they soon developed into a model class, an example to others, the shining star of the W. H. S. But time flew rapidly by, and lo! they were Sophomores no longer. “Juniors! Juniors they really were, and they soon began to realize to what great heights they had been raised. Praise was showered upon them by all. Never in the history of the Wapakoneta High School was there such a wonderful class. Each member tried with all his might to make the third year of his High School life a grand success, and truly it was. Their Junior reception was one of the greatest social events of the season and all who were guests will never forget how royally they were entertained. Day by day their knowledge increased, step by step they were striving to reach the much longed for goal, the Senior class. And they had not long to wait for such rapid progress was made, that soon all tasks were completed. Who does not re- member how eagerly those promotion cards were grasped on which was writ- ten in large letters, ‘Senior.’ Yes at last they had attained the highest honor that can fall to any student, they were Seniors. “Now class meetings became their hobby, every day it became neces- sary to discuss some all important subject, every day brought some new question to be decided until finally the supply was exhausted and class meet- ings ceased to be held. Such a Senior class! Never was there a greater! Their dignified mien, their great talents and serious manner have won the admiration and respect of all. They are the first class that dared to break old established customs, and decide to appear on graduation night in caps and gowns. They are one of the largest classes that ever graduated from the W. H. S. They were the first Senior class to honor the Blume High School Building with their presence. Who has ever had such a record as that? The Senior class is composed of nineteen members. Pauline Nichols and Myrtle Bowsher are two modest little lassies whose sweet smiles and winning ways have won them a place in the hearts of all. Mayme Buchanan and Alma Ramge will forever be remembered as kind hearted and gentle and two more lovable girls never lived. Edith Hick a tall graceful blonde is the class poet, her masterpiece will appear in the Senior Retrospect. Blanche Jack whose dreamy blue eyes see far into the future has been declared the class prophet and as such foretells many wonderful things. Nettie Taylor’s talents lie in the realms of elocution and she has made the class famous by her wonderful productions. Anna Wiss and Lutie Butcher have gained world wide fame on account of their beautiful singing. Edwin Timmermeister, the president of the class, is a rather talkative laddie and has achieved great success in entertaining the scholars, when teach- ers have left the room. Leslie Nichols, a tall manly chap, has completed the High School course in three years, truly the class of ’08 should be proud of him. Eugene Stinebaugh, Wilson Kellar and Harry Dobie are boys that mind their own business and three more studious fellows never lived. Fred Wentz and Walter Anderson are small but mighty. They never disappoint their teachers, for every day their lessons are perfect. Reuben Wisencr and Urfe White are famous basket ball players and through their efforts the W. H. S. team has always proved victorious.” Then Old Father Time looked up. “This ends the history of your class, but let me reveal to you one thing before the book of years vanishes forever from your sight. Never was there recorded the history of a greater class; never before has this book contained the tale of such wonderful accomplish- ments. What is in store for you 1 know not, but surely the world will be kind io the members ot the class of nineteen hundred and eight.”

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fates. Bear the leaves with you and on May 26, 1908, there announce thy success.” Ihen all was silent, the spirit Sibyl had left, and dreamingly I gathered the leaves in their order and left the cave. fn a short time I would be home again. Home 1 never did it sound more pleasant to my ear. But would I reach it before the destined day? I must 1 Not a moment was lost that would bring me nearer home. Nearer and nearer came the day and nearer, nearer—home 1 And now one day was lacking—and now I was home with the prophetic leaves jealously stored away and now came the very moment for the interpretation of the leaves. In tiny letters traced in most delicate script: o o o “Wherever woman's rights are trampled on She shall stand their champion.” NETTIE TAYLOR. o o o “She, the gentle, the excellent shall enwrap A tall and sturdy Sidney chap.” EDITH HICK. o o o “His great and only work shall be Farming scientifically.” EUGENE STEINBAUGH. o o o “She, a host of urchins shall teach But never beyond the single life shall reach.” IDA BROWN. o o o “He, too, a teacher’s right shall win But vainly wishing something might have been.” WILSON KELLAR. o o o “In a far off heathen clime Laboring shall be called sublime.” ALMA RAMGE. o o o “He the art of drawing yet shall learn Tutored by a handsome teacher stern.” EDWIN TIMMERMEISTER. o o o “She the artist of the class shall be Excelling in portraying hair—curly.” ANNA WISS. o o o “They in modern debate shall stand As examples for the land.” URFE WHITE—LESLIE NICHOLS, o o o “Oh the wiles and praise of men so hollow She with vigor through life shall follow.” LUTIE BUTCHER. o o o “On love his theme shall be Treating its technicality.” REUBEN WISENER. o o o “Oh, blind and weak ones who could not see That the world should hear from her in the vast futurity.” PAULINE NICHOLS.