Watkins Glen High School - Senecan Oracle Yearbook (Watkins Glen, NY)

Text from Pages 1 - 84 of the 1901 volume:

WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL. ‘Ulniversitp of the State of flew H orh. WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL. THE ORACLE. Published by..... W. 11. S. Congress, Successor to Alpha Debating Society. WATKINS, N. Y., 1901. PRESS OF THE WATKINS REVIEW. TO SAMUEL SELLEN JOHNSON, PRINCIPAL OF WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL. THE ORACLE. 1901 ORACLE STAFF. Editor-in-Chief: Seth W. Wkbb. Assistant Editors: J. Cameron Argetsinger, Percy W. White, James A. Hope, William T. Taylor, Robinson V. Frost, Chester A. Hawes. Fred. Sanford. John E. Hendy. 3 COMMITTEES. ENTERTAINMENTS: William Taylor, Chairman; Frost, Hendy. White, Sanford. Hope. BIDS: Frost, Chairman; Argetsinger, Hope. ADVERTISEMENTS: Argetsinger, Chairman; Hendy, White. PRINTING: Hope, Chairman; Webb, Argetsinger, Taylor. Frost. ARTISTS: James A. Hope, H. E. Bradley. 4 THE ORACLE. EDITORIALS. WHEN The Oracle of Watkins High School made its first appearance a year ago it was received with an enthusiasm which clearly showed that its editors had not done their work in vain. They perhaps had a more difficult task to perform than we who have the work in charge this year, for then tlie path of The Oracle lay through unknown waters abounding with dangerous rocks and shoals. Fortunately, for the sake of American literature, however, she was brought through safe and sound, although it may have been stern foremost. Still we do not wish to convey to our readers the idea that we have taken our ease, simply because we have said our task is not as difficult as it might have been, for we have not, but by unity we have made the work much lighter, and by brain combination we have improved the general quality and attractiveness of the work. No one, more clearly than we, can imagine the hugeness of our task or perceive the difficulties with which our path is beset. But as the time draws near for The Oracle to appear before the public there is a feeling among us that, although we have not reached our goal, perfection. we have made such an improvement over the preceding Oracle that we feel justified in saying that if the future editors of The Oracle are able to make as great an advance over their predecessors, Watkins High School will claim the honor of having made the giants of the editorial sanctum of the 20th century. R. V. F., ’01. 'F in the days of ancient Greece the people believed in the foretelling of events. Accordingly many temples were founded for that purpose, which were dedicated to some god. These temples were called Oracles, for the priesthood attached to them were believed to receive their revelations from the gods. The most famous of them was the Delphian Oracle of Apollo, whose priests were able to make revelations so that they might be interpreted in any manner. Now, in the days of the twentieth century, in the United States of America, there is only one—The Oracle of the Watkins High School. Although its priests do not get their revelations from the gods, they are able to after-tell events with great skill, and their sanctum sanctorum is so jealously guarded that like the ancient shrines it means death to any mortal who dares to cross its threshold. It. V. F., '01. ORACLE STAFF. THE ORACLE. 5 The editors wish to express their gratitude to all those who have so kindly assisted in the publication of this booklet ; to the editors of the village papers, who so willingly published notices and reports of our proceedings ; to the business men who so generously patronized our advertising section ; to the students for their interest in the enterprise ; and to our friends for their assistance and patronage. We especially wish to thank the students who entered into the prize story competition, and Mr. Bradley, who graciously consented to execute a pen sketch for us; we also wish to thank the Alpha Sigma Phi for their promised assistance of a miscellaneous character. R. V. F., ’01. We (Hope) that if the (White) (Frost) t (Hawes) it (Will Wait) until the spider can finish his (Webb) and (Get-a-Singer) to pay his (Taylor Bill.) S. W. W., ’02. BOARD OF EDUCATION. OFFICERS: (). P. Huri ...............................................President S. S. Johnson..................................................Clerk E. A. Gillett..............................................Treasurer G. A. RiNGKR ..............................................Collector MEMBERS: o. P. Hurd....... M. M. Cass, Jr... Henry Shulman.... W. H. Wait....... George 1). Norman. John Haughey..... Charles A. Cole.... First Elected. ..........1898 .1889 1892 .1886 .1900 1900 WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY, 1900-1901. Samuel S. Johnson....................................Principal George L. Buck, A. B............................Vice-Principal Carolyn B. Gaylord, A. B.........................Preceptress Julia M. Hawes................................................ Katherine Brown............................................... 6 THE ORACLE. THE FACULTY. PROF. JOHNSON. FOR many years previous to the year 1874 the Watkins Academy and Union School had been in a dilapidated condition, indeed. Frequent changes in the principalship had had their ruinous effects, and certainly no teacher was ever confronted by a more difficult position than was Prof. S. S. Johnson in the fall of that year when he accepted the principalship and set to work with his great energy and ability to repair what others’ mismanagement had destroyed, and to raise the school to an honorable rank among the schools of the state. He at once re-organized and graded the entire school, and its rapid and steady improvement from its former position to the highest rank among the schools of its class in the state is as good proof as any one can need that he has thrown his entire energies against the difficulties of his position, with an honest determination which we wish more of our public officers would imitate. After obtaining his academic education at Starkey Seminary, Eddy-town. he climbed still higher among the intricacies of mental training by independent study, arid undoubtedly the knowledge thus acquired has been of great aid to him in his life work. He organized a graduating course in 1883, and the first class graduated in the .June of that year. Every year since a class has gone from tin school, and one and all attribute their success to his efficient instruction. and say that the high-minded, noble sentiments which his example and teachings inspired were of as great value as the study itself. F. E. I). S., ’02. PROF. HUCK. Professor George L. Buck came to the Watkins High School from Sugar Hill Jan. 1, 1901, to succeed Prof. Chapman, who had resigned. Prof. Buck was at the time teaching the Sugar Hill school, but resigned the position in order to accept the vice-principalship here. Prof. Buck graduated from this school only seven years ago. receiving the highest honor in his class. After graduating here he spent one year in teaching, two years at preparatory school, and three and one-fourth years at Colgate University, completing the four years’ course there three-quarters of a year before his class. He will go back to Colgate and graduate with his class in June, when he will again carry off hi gh honors. Prof. Buck evidently believes in the Latin phrase, “ Labor omnia vincit,” for he puts his whole soul into his work. He has a way of carrying on a recitation, and of explaining a point, that inspires the class and makes plain to the dullest pupil. All his classes testify to his success as a teacher in their examinations, where they seldom fail to pass. THE ORACLE. Although Prof. Buck has not been here a great length of time, yet the students have all learned to like him and his methods, and the editors of Thk Oracle wish him a successful and prosperous future. J. C. A., ’01. MISS GAY LORD. Miss Carolyn Gaylord is our first preceptress. She succeeded Miss Caroline Wilson at the beginning of the fall term, in 1899, to this high and lofty position, which she occupies with charming grace and becoming dignity. Miss Gaylord took her preparatory course at the Coming High School, which is second to none (save Watkins High School). From thence she went to Cornell University. Here sin graduated in the classical course in June, 1899. As for Miss Gaylord’s work at Watkins, that speaks for itself. She is a good, thorough teacher, and is held in high esteem by her scholars. In fact, all who know Miss Gaylord admire her gentle manners and graceful ways. While Miss Gaylord has been among us she has won many friends, who all wish her true success in the years to come. W. T. T., ’01. MISS HAWES. Julia M. Hawes, a resident of Oakfield, N. Y., graduated at Cary Seminary, Genesee county, in ’87, and completed a course in Buffalo Normal School in 1890. Since that time she has been employed as teacher at North Tonawanda, Batavia and Palmyra, having experience in grade, high school, with two years’ training in class work at tin latter place. Well qualified in education and possessing so much experience and tact, the training class of Watkins High School is to be congratulated upon the services of Miss Hawes. We believe it has and will give ample proof of her ability. M. J. N. MISS BROWN. Teaching at its best is a difficult occupation which throws a mountain of care and responsibility upon the teacher, but few teachers are confronted with the difficulties that the seventh grade presents. It is the stepping-stone to the academy. The students’ minds require an entire change in order to become accustomed to the radical change from the grammar to the academy; and Miss Katherine Brown has for many years successfully occupied this responsible position, and she deserves the highest praise for her perseverance and ability; and the scholars who have triumphantly merged into the academy remember her with the greatest respect. F. E. 1). S., ’02. 8 THE ORACLE, PROF. CHAPMAN, A. B., Pd. I). Professor George W. Chapman came to Watkins High School in September, 1899, from Union Hill, Monroe county, N. Y. He was viceprincipal of this school, and held that position until Jan. 1, 1901. Prof. Chapman is a graduate of Rochester University and the Albany Normal College, he having gained high honors at both institutions. His special branch of work is Ancient History and Languages and also Mathematics. While at college, in addition to his regular school work, Prof. Chapman read, by himself, two years of Greek, and later went on with the subject in class. This is an instance of the zeal and energy he put into all of his work. While teaching here he always had the next day’s lesson, in every class, thoroughly prepared beforehand and an outline for the term's work in each subject made out. The great interest that Professor Chapman took in his subjects, and his instructive way of conducting a recitation, interested every pupil and largely helped in attaining the high standings that his classes always did. He also took great interest in music, being leader of the High School Glee Club and a member of the Methodist church choir. While here Prof. Chapman made many friends, both in and out of school, who will always remember him, his industrious habits and many pleasing qualities. It was on account of the poor condition of his health that we were obliged to part with him as a teacher, the misfortune of which is only offset by the very fortunate circumstance of Prof. Buck’s being ready to take the place left vacant by his resignation. All the school rejoices with the editors of Thk Oracle in the fact that Prof. Chapman’s health is returning, and all join in the wish that he may continue to improve. J. C. A., ’01. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ...OF THE... WATKINS ACADEMY AND HIGH SCHOOL. OFFICERS: Matthew W. Bennett, ’98...........................Vice-President Herbert A. Morgan, ’87...............................Toastmaster MEMBERS: Mary M. Freer, ’83 (Mrs. Charles Searles), Cripple Creek. Col. Gertrude M. Martin, ’84 (Mrs. C. McCarthy), Batavia. Lulie O. Martin, ’84 (Mrs. Loel Smith), Watkins. Sara H. Wilmot, ’84, Watkins. S. Helen Cass, ’84 (Mrs. Milo Shepard), Watkins. Nellie J. Hennessy, ’85, Watkins. Julia T. Donovan, ’85. Watkins. FACULTY: Miss Gaylord. Miss Brown, Prof. Johnson. Mr. Bi ck, Miss Hawks. THE ORACLE, 9 Aleora S. Crane, ’86 (Mrs. Lathrop), state Washington. Bessie B. Johnson, ’86 (Mrs. I). G. Thompson), Trinidad. Col. Lola B. Thomas, ’86 (Mrs. Thomas), Elmira. Kathei ine Whippy, ’86. Watkins. Mary A. Donovan, ’86, “ Julia A. Roe, '86 (Mrs. Lansing Davis), Gautemala City, C. A. Adella Dodson, ’87 (Mrs. Latimer), Watkins. Sarah Smith, ’87, New York city. Helena H. Haight, ’87, Watkins. Catharine Phinney, ’87 (Mrs. Mott Taylor), Watkins. Herbert A. Morgan, ’87, Auburn. Edward A. Thompson, ’87, Elmira. Daniel S. Tuttle, ’88, Watkins. Edward J. McCaul, '88, “ Daniel Van Duzer, ’88, Idaho. Robert L. Pellet, ’88. Watkins. Anna K. Donovan, ’88 (Mrs. John Sullivan), Watkins. Mary N. Fitzgerald, '88, Watkins. Ella P. Beckwith, ’88, Edith C. Johnson, ’88 (Mrs. Jule Stein), New York city. Emma J. Batty, ’88, State Normal College, Terre Haute, Ind. Katherine Maloney, ’89, Watkins. Lusena A. Smith, ’89 (Mrs. Howard Peck), Watkins. William W. Smith, ’89. Watkins. Helen E. Freer, ’90 (Mrs. N. C. Crofut), Watkins. Jane H. Hill, ’90 (Mrs. Oliver M. Palmer), New York. Sarah C. Pope, ’90 (Mrs. A. C. McLachlin), Jamaica. L. I. Lena S. Vanderlip, ’90, South Bethlehem, Pa. Carrie M. Hawes, ’91 (Mrs. H. (). Bennett), Penn Yan. Mariana McCaul, ’91, Watkins. George R. Smith, ’91, Rurdett. Daisy C. Vanderlip, ’91, Watkins. Delia Crum, ’92 (Mrs.--Brown), Long Branch, N. J. Lida M. Haring, ’92 (Mrs. W. Hibernian), Reading Center, N. Y. Frances G. Shulenburg, ’92 (Mrs. Charles Rogers), Watkins. Margaret Pellet. ’92 (Mrs. Ross Nichols), Jessie C. Haring, ’98, Rose Rooney, ’98, George L. Buck. ’94, Fannie B. Budd, ’94 (Mrs. Ira Cole), Elizabeth L. Russell, '94 (Cornell), Allie M. Shewman, ’94, Elmira. Anna H. Ely, '94 (Mrs. Huston), Hector. Alexander G. Frost, ’95, Chicago. Schuyler R. Moore, ’95, Cortland Normal College. Glenn H. Frost, ’95, Washington, 1). C. William Pellet. ’95, Watkins. Minnie M. Gardner. ’95, Burdett. IO THE ORACLE. Jennie B. Hurd, ’95, Watkins. Helen M. Johnson, ’95, “ Helen Norton, ’95 (Albany Normal), “ Jessie Norton, ’95, Albany. Elizabeth H. Oliver, ’95, Watkins. Esther Wait, '95, “ Louise S. Gillett, ’95, Athens, Pa. Harry C. Buck, ’96 (Colgate University), Sugar Hill. Anna M. Cullen, ’96, Watkins. Anna B. Fitzgerald, ’96, “ May C. Scobey, ’96 (Mrs. Frank Frost), Watkins. Caroline S. Barnes, ’96, “ E. Louise Weller, ’97, “ Laura G. Weller, ’97 (Syracuse University), “ Ada L. Woodward, ’97, “ Jennie M. Haring, ’98, Matthew W. Bennett, ’98 (Hobart College), “ Frances M. Considine, ’98, Helen G. Edgett, ’98, Nellie L. Frost, '98, Lelia M. Forbes, ’98, “ Nellie C. Fitzgerald, ’98 (Geneseo Normal), “ Agnes P. Kennedy, ’98, “ Jennie E. Mosher, ’98, “ Elizabeth Spencer, ’98, Reading Center. Lois Spencer, ’98, Grace L. White, ’98, Watkins.. Edwin V. Baker, ’99 (Hobart College), “ Nellie J. Berry, ’99, Ellen P. Cogswell, ’99 (Geneseo Normal), “ Helen B. Hope, ’99, Helen E. Haas, ’99, Schuyler Paterson, ’99, Burdett. George M. Velie, ’99, Elmira. Helen G. White, ’99, Watkins. Frances K. Witt, ’99, Coopers. Arthur K. Bennett, ’00 (University Michigan), Watkins. Elizabeth Brown, ’00 (Albany Normal), Hector. Chester R. Brown, ’00, Burdett. Louise Cullen, ’(X), Watkins. Bessie Haughey, ’00, “ John S. Hurd, ’00, Grace Howard, ’00, Reading. Frederick A. Johnson, ’00, New York city. Nettie Matthews, ’00, Reading. Ruth Pangborne, ’00, Townsend. J. Cameron Argetsinger, ’01, Burdett. Harvey E. Bradley, ’01. Watkins. THE ORACLE ir Mary B. Bradley, ’01, Watkins. Frederick B. Bond, ’01, Bennettsburg. Charles H. Erway, '01, Hector. Harry L. Fink, ’01, Burdett. Robinson V. Frost, ’01, Watkins. Helen M. Hurd, ’01, James A. Hope, ’01, Ella M. Smith, ’01, Townsend. William T. Taylor, '01. Watkins. Deceased. STUDENTS OF WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL, 1900-1901. Senior Argetsinger, J. Cameron, Burdett Bond, Frederick B., Bennettsburg Bradley, Harvey E., Watkins Bradley, Mary B., “ Erway, Charles H., Hector Fink, Harry L., Burdett Junior Barnes, Florence S., Watkins Buck, Myra A., Sugar Hill Hendy, John E., Watkins Hawes, Edna E., “ Lewis, Mary E., Millport Norman, George H., Watkins Second Abrams, Leroy E., Irelandville Bradley, Ella F., Watkins Coon, Geo. S., Jr., Watkins Cullen, Helen L., “ Graham, Willard, Reading Gaining, Nina A., Moreland Griffin, Nellie L., Watkins Guthrie, Ethel L., “ Howell, Charles M., Hector Huston, John A., “ Matthews, Nellie, Reading Center First Abbey, H. Nancy, Watkins Baldwin, Genevieve, “ Beardsley, Lena K., Catharine Burt, Bertha J., Watkins Considine, James B., “ Cole, Bertha M., Curry, Lena M., Curry, Josie M., “ Class, 1901. Frost, Robinson V., Watkins Hope, James A., Hurd, Helen M., “ Smith, Ella M., Townsend Taylor, William T„ Watkins Class, 1902. Rooney, Mariana F.. Watkins Sherman, Frederick E., “ Starkey, George C., Wait, Robert I)., White, Percy W.. Webb, Seth W., Sugar Hill Year, 1903. Palmer, (’ora B., Watkins Sanford, Pearl V., Moreland Scobey, Marguerite N., Watkins Tolbert, Myrtle, Wait, William B., Wait, Ray F., Wait, Lula, White, Horace R., Yaw, Grace, Hector Curry, Anna L., Watkins Frost, Legrand W., Montour Falls Year, 1904. Lee, Helen M., Watkins Linzey, Maud T.. Lattin, Albert C., Mumford, Maurice, Mead, Clarence N., Reading Center Orr, Francis J., Rock Stream Patchen. L. William, Watkins Prosper, Otto, 12 THE ORACLE Casterline, Edith M.. Watkins Dudley, Fred W., “ Giles, Albert W., “ Griffin, Maurice L., “ Hicks, Emma C., Reading Center Harvey, Fred, Watkins Ha wes, Chester A., Watkins Hendrickson, Anson F., “ Richardson, Gertrude M., Watkins Sanford, Fred W., Moreland Schulenburg, Florence E., Watkins Taylor, Robert F., Tolbert, Lelia V., “ Van Loon, Vesta L., Burdett Thayer. Maude, Moreland Weed, Mary, Watkins Preparatory, 1905. Abbey, Samuel H„ Burdett Brown, Fred W„ North Hector Beers, Floyd J., Watkins Brewin, Sadie B., “ Campbell, Catharine, “ Carpenter, Grace, “ Coleman, Beatrice S., “ Clark, Alice L., “ Clark, Francis L., “ Donovan, Mathew, Townsend Downes, Susan H., Watkins Erway, Helen A., Hector Ely, Mariam, “ Gregory, Mabelle. Watkins Hamilton, Elizabeth H., “ Hanley, Jessie E., Hector Harrington, Eleanor M., Watkins Hathaway, Anna E., “ Hendrickson, Pearl R., “ Heckman, Edith M., Sugar Hill James, Edna, Watkins Kent, Julian, Reading Love, Marie A., Dix Miller, Bessie, Reading Center Perry, Maude E. Watkins Peck, Larena J., “ Roby, Maude L., “ Sanford, Bertha, “ Smith, Rilla, Townsend Sterling, Lucy M., Watkins Swick, Annie A., Reynoldsville Starkweather, Jennie, Watkins Tolbert, Mary A., “ Thompson, Bertha, “ Walsh, Edward L., “ Williams, Harry E., “ Weed, Emma, “ Tucker, Olla E., “ Wasson, Emma L., Sugar Hill Wasson, Carrie A., Townsend Donovan, Mary J., Townsend Haugliey, Elizabeth, Watkins Lewis, Mary, Millport Maurer, Frances J., Beaver Dams Smith, Ethel J., Reading Center Smith, Ella M., Townsend Velie, Edna G., Logan Training Class. Erway, Lelia M., Hector Harvey, Grace. Cayutaville Howard, Grace, Reading Van Loon, Edna M., Watkins MacCauley, Julia M., Millport Harvey, Florence E., Alpine Farr, Maude B„ “ Senior Class. OFFICERS: Mary B. Bradley, President. J. Cameron Aroetsinger, Seeretar William T. Taylor, Vice-President. Harvey E. Bradley, Treasurer. MEMBERS: J. Cameron Argetsinger, Frederick B. Bond, Mary B. Bradley, Harvey E. Bradley, Charles H. Erway, Harry L. Fink. Colors—Old Gold and Dark Green. Motto—Non Finis, sed Initium. Flower—Yellow Rose. Tree—Cut-Leaf Birch. Robinson V. Frost, Helen M. Hurd, James A. Hope, Ella M. Smith, William T. Taylor. THE ORACLE. 13 THE SENIOR CLASS. PERMIT me to introduce to you, through the medium of this small paper, the Senior Class of 1901. This class is the star class, the first class of the Twentieth Century. Although in all former classes the girls, by reason of their number, have been able to decide all important questions, the boys this year being more than twice as many have settled all weighty class questions. Another fact: the highest honors in this year of great events are carried off by the young men—another wonder in history. Now this is not because the young ladies are degenerating. Not at all. It is because the young men of the coming century see how much in their lives depends upon the training and education which they receive in the High Schools. So they are waking up, as it were, to their advantages and striving to do their best while they have opportunities. Now, there is J. Cameron Argetsinger, an industrious, studious scholar, who has come to Watkins High School from Burdett. We predict that in after life he will be a shining politician because he always has the last word if possible. Then there is William Taylor. He is a fairly good student, but it has been said of him that if it had ever been an effort for him to learn he never would have been able to have graduated. It is also said that a love for music will spoil an otherwise fairly good Taylor; but this remains to be verified in the future. Harry Fink, another one of our members, came from Burdett. He is a good, diligent student and has a very business-like appearance. It has been predicted that in the future he will be drawing checks on the bank account of the very rich father of his very pretty wife-to-be. Fred Bond hails from Bennettsburg, Fred is a very bashful, retiring sort of a fellow. He very much delights in science, and especially loves “carving.” We predict for him a future as a surgeon. James A. Hope, as his name implies, is one of the most hopeful members of our class. He also delights in science, especially electricity. Jim modestly says lie would be satisfied with a position as electrical engineer. Harvey E. Bradley is a diligent member of our class. Harvey is a good-natured fellow, full of fun, and the most comical person you ever saw. He is great at imitating anyone. Harvey has applied to the La Porte Opera Company for a position, and expects to fill the next vacancy. Robinson V. Frost is a most quiet young fellow. He is very studious and gets along finely in his classes. Rob has quite a talent for drawing, and we would not be surprised if he should be an engraver. Mary L. Bradley is a most industrious and studious young lady. Miss Mary is quite a Twentieth Century girl and has advanced ideas on the superior business qualities of young ladies. Undoubtedly you will 14 THE ORACLE. in the near future see Mary as the head of a prosperous hanking establishment. Miss Helen Hurd is another of our young lady members. Helen is quite a society girl. Always look for Helen five minutes after the last hell has rung, because she has always been tardy save twice. Once hci clock was ten minutes fast, and the other time she was anxious to know whether or not she passed in her French examination. Miss Ella Smith is one of our studious young ladies. Besides her High School work she has taken up a training class course. We pie-dict success for her in the work which she has chosen, and we feel assured that she will be a thorough teacher. Charles H. Erwav. who is at present teaching a school near North Hector, makes the eleventh member of the senior class, lie having but lately decided to join the class. Mr. Erwav attended school here two years ago, and graduated from the training class. Since then he has been teaching. Erwav is a far-famed story teller, his numerous witty stories being a delight to all who hear them. Charles was always a very good and industrious student, and his efforts always had a true result. From these two prominent characteristics of his youth we feel safe in predicting that he will in future write a story to excel “ David Haruni and that will give Mark Twain’s “ Innocents Abroad' a lively brush. And now as we have tried to express in our motto, “ Non finis, sed initium ” (Not the end, but the beginning), when we go forward in the broader paths of life we will strive to make each one with whom we come in contact happier for having met us. and so our mission on earth will not be without some good to mankind. M • T. 1.. 1. THE JUNIOR BOAST. FOR nearly forty years Watkins High School has been climbing the pinnacle of fame. But in the year 1902 it will reach the apex, for then the Juniors will become Seniors, and Bob Wait and John Bendy will graduate. Ever since the members of this Junior class com menced attending the High School, about seven years in some cases, an observer could pick them out of any class which they attended, lot -l.e always occupy prominent positions, being at the head or foot of the class. No half-way material in this class. In this particular (ieorge Starkey is a good example, he always being head and shoulders above the rest of the class. Although the girls are slightly in the minority they make up m quality what they lack in quantity, and we dare predict that among THE ORACLE. 15 their numbers will be the President and Valedictorian, because some of them have been in Junior classes before and know how to pull the ropes. Hut the boys do not care if the girls will let them take care of the money. Even the Professor seems inspired in the cause of the Juniors, he going so far as to persuade members of tin Senior class to drop out and join the Juniors and by that means help swell the tide of honorary members of that body. Its members hold important positions in nearly all the branches of High School work, they being represented in the football and track team, glee club and orchestra, the W. H. S. congress and printing committee. the Edusa and Putina, and last but not least the mysterious Alpha Sigma Phi has members in the Junior class. In fact, we will say in closing that never before has Watkins High School beheld such a class. We say this not only because of the bright and shining lights of which it boasts but also because of the tired students which it has swept forward upon its crest. S. W. W., ’02. THE JUNIORS FROM A SENIOR POINT OF VIEW. WE give tin Juniors considerable credit for being where they are. We also understand how elated they must feel for being there, for we had exactly the same sensations just one year ago. They feel that without them the school would be a complete failure (and perhaps it would, for it would have been last year). Yes, the Juniors are a very capable class, but they must not try the patience of the Seniors, for we can stand just so much, and then—that's enough. For instance, it wouldn’t pay for any Junior to try to be a Senior — this year. They undoubtedly think that if they were with us we would be a much better class. Now this is wrong. Right the contrary; much against our inclinations we have so far furnished them two members, and note the decided improvement of their class. It was even noted by the Lick Observatory: “Two more stars missing in the universe,” and later; “ Two more stars around the Little Bear.” And now for a little advice to that body: Pay due respect to your Seniors, and always be ready to fulfill their least or greatest wish. He very careful and follow in their shining footsteps, and you cannot fail to succeed. Take their advice in all matters, and you will be happy. Hut fail to do any of these things, and 1 shudder to think of your horrible fate in this cruel world ! J. C. A., ‘01. 6 THE ORACLE. THE JUNIORS’ ANSWER TO THE SENIORS. WE. the humble Juniors, do hereby write this simple epistle hoping that it will find favor in the eyes of our most high and noble Seniors. By seniors we refer not to our elders but to those people who intend to make a great spread over themselves next June. Yes. they have set a very high mark on the ladder of fame—one which we Juniors can never expect to attain, notwithstanding the fact that their Valedictorian has a standing of only eightv-eight per cent, while we have several over ninety. But how can we expect to rival a class whose high degree of moral intelligence is represented by their class colors. The colors over which this wonderful Senior class spent two hours a day for three weeks, and and at last chose the expressive colors of green and white, the white of which probably stands for innocence. Green and innocent ! Verily it is a high mark which they have set for our tottering footsteps. But these stars of the universe got togther one night and found that they had left an important factor out of their colors. So to avoid having three colors in their pin they changed the white to yellow (old gold, I believe, they call it). Now the reason for this addition is obvious. They knew that their intelligence was catching, so fearing that we .Juniors would catch the disease they hung out the yellow flag. In other words, they quarantined the class, and now their class pin will have a green center and yellow borders, so that none of the green can escape. Bright idea, isn’t it'! We will say in closing that we will always respect our Seniors, if we have no reason to do otherwise, but in return we expect that whatever surplus material they may have they will kindly lower themselves so much as to wrap it about our shoulders and thus help us respectful Juniors to follow in the footsteps which they have made in the upper world. S- W. W., 02. A WISH. 1 want to he a lobster. And with the lobsters stand. And then I’d like to be a supe (soup), Or else be cooked and canned. By a Junior, 1902. (Overheard by a Senior.) Tort.-vn I THE ORACLE. 17 SOPHOMORE BOAST. THE Juniors boast that the summit of Watkins High School will be reached next year when their class graduate; but in the opinion of our class they lack one step at least of reaching that lofty place. The class of 1908 confidently expect to have the honor of taking that step. The Juniors of last year congratulated themselves that the boys of their class outnumbered the girls, while the Sophomores are equally proud that they have a class containing more girls than boys. There must be something very attractive about the class of 1903, for even (Coon) has so far forgotten himself as to join our ranks. Perhaps it is because (White) is numbered in our list. While we (Wait) for the time to come for us to graduate, we expect in some way to verify our boast. If you will observe closely you will notice that nearly one-lialf of the class are country students. When they looked about for some class which they would honor with their membership they decided that the class of 19(13 was the best one. Although none of them are wonderful students, yet they all succeed in the end. As the class of 1903 bids you farewell and enters into the tide of public approval or disapproval (we trust it will not be the latter), may they experience the best of luck, and be as happy as they were in their school days at Watkins. E. F. B., ’03. N. M., ’03. W. H. S. CONGRESS. ON September H, 1900. a notice was read from the rostrum of the chapel of Watkins High School, calling for a meeting of students interested in organizing a new society. Out of one hundred and ten High School students only eleven young men responded to the call. This was very discouraging to the promoters of the new organization, who wished to found a society which should take the place of the Alpha of a year ago. and besides meet many other demands. But the eleven were Yankees in spirit, and like our forefathers of lTTa and 1TT9 they did their duty and more. Out of this small but determined band grew the mighty and powerful Watkins High School Congress! At this meeting a committee was appointed, which at once drew up a very satisfactory constitution, which was adopted without any change. From that moment our Congress has grown wonderfully, until at present it has thirty-six members, all enterprising young men of our school. Although the young ladies were cordially invited to enjoy the 18 THE ORACLE. right of suffrage, which was cheerfully extended to them, there seemed to he no Susan B. Anthonvs among them, and to our extreme sorrow none accepted. The W. H. S. Congress differs in many ways from the Alpha Debating Society, which was so successful. The object of the Congress, as stated in the preamble to the constitution, is as follows: “ T ) improve its members in composition and debate, and to instruct them in the great issues of the day. with a view to their becoming more useful and intelligent American citizens .” The Congress is divided into two bodies—the Senate and House of Representatives—who sit and debate as one body, but vote as two. The Speaker presides over both bodies. To the President, who is the Principal of the School, every bill is referred, and must meet his approval before becoming a law. The other officers are: Clerk. Sergeant at-Arms, Treasurer and two Tellers. Each member of Congress represents a different state. All bills are introduced into Congress the same as in the United States Congress, and are acted upon afterward in the same way. Thus it is seen that the members are instructed in the workings of that all important body, the United States Congress; and in after years if they carry out their welLstarted education, will be fitted in every way to be members of that dignified and responsible public machine. J. C. A., 1901. OFFICERS: Harvey E. Bradley, Speaker. Skth W. Wkbb, Speaker Pro Tern. Robinson V. Frost. Clerk. Percy W. White, Sergeant at-Arms. MEM BERS: SENATORS: Fred B. Bond, William Taylor, Harvey E. Bradley. James Considine, John A. Huston, John E. Bendy, J. Cameron Argetsinger. RE 1‘ RESKNTATI V ES : Ray Wait, Robinson V. Frost. George (A Starkey. Mathew Donovan. Maurice Mumford. Chester Hawes, Albert W. (Tiles. Maurice Griffin, James A. Hope, Fred Sanford, Percy W. White, LeGrand Frost, Fred W. Dudley, Anson Hendrickson. William B. Wait. Robert Taylor. Samuel Abbey, Fred Harvey, Frederick E. D. Sherman. TIIR ORACLE. W. H. S. FOOTBALL TEAM. OF games we played four. And you can see by the score That, tho’ o’er one we feel sore. O'er the rest we can roar. 'F TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS. At center Wait’s a wonder, And I’d rather go to-thunder Than to he in his opponent’s frame When Bob gets started.in a football game. Dave Cowing played left guard. And if his opponent came within a yard Dave was sure to push him back So quick that all his bones would crack. At right guard Bradley’s smile Was sure his opponent to beguile. When Jay did make a leap He landed tlie quarter-back in a heap Everts played tackle to a letter. And by the stain upon his sweater You’d know that Owen went in for gore. And if he was checked he was ready for more. At right tackle Ellis stood like a rock, And the opponents’ rushes he would block; But at (teneva he broke his head. And would never play again, he said. Webb played out there on the end. And when the ball near him they'd send Seth would run and take a jump And land his opponent with a bump. At right end Abbey took the cake. And the defeat at the foot of the lake Was due to the illness of Sam. Who was injured in a football jam. Norman played at quarter back, And if in his playing you find a lack. Friend (teorge was not to blame. And the ball got there just the same. At full-back Johnson was a brick. And when the football he would kick. Fred would put it so near out of sight That his opponents tumbled in a fright. 20 THE ORACLE. Lyman Spencer played at half, And at his opponents he would lau h. For he knew that he could score If they had numbered two dozen more. The other half was played by Hill, And. altho’ he got many a spill. Doc kept up his end of the pine, And if we were beaten he was not to blame. Center, R. D. Wait; Right Guard, Jay Bradley; Left Guard, Lawrence Cowing; Right Tackle, Charles Ellis; Left Tackle, Owen Everts; Right End. Sam Abbey; Left End. Seth Webb; Quarter Back. George H. Norman; Right Half, Frank Hill; Left Half, Lyman Spencer: Full Back, Fred Johnson. Subs.; G. Johnson. Harrington, Drake. Fitzgerald, A. F. Haughey. GAMES PLAYED. Game. Where Pi.ayeh. Score W. H. S. W. H. S. vs. Starkey, Watkins, 11—0 W. H. S. vs. E. F. A., “ 6—5 W. H. S. vs. C. H. S., “ 38—0 W. H. S. vs. G. H. S., Geneva, 6—26 W. H. S. score, 56. Score against. 31. Horseheads. Penn Van and Cook Academy were challenged, but refused to play. S. W. W.. ’02. W. H. S. TRACK TEAM. FOR the first time in the history of the school a track team was organized in the spring of 1900, and training began for meets with various schools. The first officers were: Christopher Grant. President; F. A. Johnson. Secretary; H. E. Bradley, Treasurer; and H. F. Lem beck. Captain. Challenges were sent to various schools, but it was impossible to arrange meets with more than two. Cook Academy and Starkey Seminary agreed to join in a meet against Watkins High School. The meet was arranged for May 25, 1900. Training now began in earnest, and the team worked hard to get themselves in condition. Almost every night THE ORACLE. 21 they could be found at the track, running, riding, jumping, putting the shot and throwing the hammer. When the day of the meet arrived Watkins was confident of success. Cook was on hand, but where were the people from Starkey? They failed to appear. The winning school was to receive a lettered silk banner. After the first event had been run off, the ball throw, and been won easily by G. H. Norman, W. H. S., we were sure of success. Lem-beck showed up finely in the runs, shot put and broad jump. Grant took the long runs with ease, and Starkey won the high kick in a walkaway. Drake, through some mistake, lost first in one-half mile bicycle race, but made Abbey, of Cook, look sick in the one mile. When the meet was over Watkins had won by the grand score of 53 points to Cook 37. But, although we won the banner, where is it ? It has not been seen since the day of the meet. But we can see it in our minds hanging in the room of one of our team, who swears up and down he has not seen it. Owing to the loss of much good material, W. H. S. has no track team this year. J k- H., 02. THE GLEE CLUB. LAST year for the first time Watkins High School organized a Glee Club, and although it was the first attempt it was a decided success. Under the leadership of Prof. G. W. Chapman the 1900 Glee Club made great progress. When re-organized in 1901 it was ready to take up the work where it had been dropped, and is now making rapid progress under the leadership of H. E. Bradley', The set time for practice is on Tuesday afternoons at four o’clock in the High School chapel. J. A. H., ’01. MEMBERS, 1900: Leader, Prof. G. W. Chapman; First Tenor, Harvey E. Bradley, John S. Hurd; Second Tenor, Win. T. Taylor, Geo. H. Norman; First Bass, James A. Hope, Charles L. Over peck; Second Bass. Fred. A. Johnson, Geo. S. Coon. MEMBERS, 1901: Leader, H. E. Bradley; First Tenor. Harvey E. Bradley, Win. T. Taylor; t Second Tenor, Harry E. Williams. Geo. H. Norman, Robt. I). Wait: First Bass, James A. Hope: Second Bass. George S. Coon, Seth W. Webb. 22 THE ORACLE. WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA. OFFICERS: Chester R. Brown, Leader. Harvey E. Bradley, Treasurer. Fred. B. Bond, Secretary. MEMBERS: Chester R. Brown, 1st Violin; Harvey E. Bradley, Cello; Fred. Bond, Bb Clarionet; Percy W. White, Slide Trombone; James A. Hope. 2d Violin; L. Wm. Patchen, Bb Cornet: Ella F. Bradley, Piano; Harry E. Williams, Tap Drummer The Orchestra meets for practice every Tuesday evening at the High School building. Under the efficient leadership of Chester Brown the Orchestra is fast becoming an organization that some day hopes to rival Strauss or Sousa. It is expected that the Orchestra will appear at the graduation exercises next June. P. W. W.. ’02. Xp By Thunder—You help her over this fence. Little Freddie—What! Why, I’d have to touch her. EDUSA ET POTINA. Colors—Blood red and death white. Badge—Skull and cross bones. THIS secret society for young men was founded in the fall of 1898 by F. A. Johnson, F. H. Hill. A. F. Haughey and F. Bond. Its purpose was to organize a society in which the young men of the school might enjoy themselves (if they outlived the initiation). An initiation being established, George Norman and Frank Pellet were the first ones to join the society. When they had come through alive the lodge steadily increased in membership, till now there are about twenty five members. At first only High School students were eligible for membership, but for the last two years any one sixteen years of age has been eligible. Meetings are held every time there is any one to join. X? OFFICERS: 4 A. F. Haughey. High Chief. F. Bond, Chief Executor. Harry Williams, Assistant Executor R. I). Wait. Clerk. THE ORACLE. 23 MEM HERS: Sam Abbey, Watkins; Harvey E. Bradley, “ Fred B. Bond, Arthur K. Bennett, Ann Arbor, M'h; George S. Coon, Watkins; Jas. I1. Drake, Frank H. Hill. New York city; James A. Hope, Watkins; A. F. Haughey, John 8. Hurd, John E. Hendy, Charles H. Irish, Watkins; Fred A. Johnson, New York city; (). T. King, Watkins; A. C. King, “ Albert C. Lattin, Elmira, N. Y.; M. L. Probasco, Watkins; Frank Pellet, “ Geo. H. Norman, Lyman Spencer, Philadelphia, Pa.; Geo. C. Starkey, Watkins; Robt. D. Wait, Williams, Watkins. J. E. H., 02. Harry E. Starkey (in congress)—W-wh-what is this? A m-mob or-r w-w-wh-what'! THE ALPHA SIGMA PHI. Formed May 14, 1900. SURELY W. H. S. is progressing! Within a few years its ambitious and industrious glee club has been organized; the muscular and brawny members of the track team have won for the school honors galore, as have also the members of the Edusa and Potina by their distinguished behavior. We might suggest that the fame of this is caused not only like that of the glee club by the powerful voices of those afflicted by its attentions, but also like that of the track team and athletic association by the muscle of those afflicting. Perhaps the greatest proof of the High School's advancement is the formation of its newest society, the Alpha Sigma Phi. Although the growth of this club has been hindered and its members oppressed by other societies, presumably jealous of it. still it has flourished like the green bay tree, and is at present one of the most active societies in the school. It was originally formed for a purpose of which we are ignorant, the members declining to give any information on that point, declaring it to be one of the most profound secrets of the society. They state most positively. however, that they did not form it for the sole purpose of initiating new members into its mysteries, but had a worthier and more beneficial object in view. However, all initiations which have been given have been most successful, in spite of the Pinkerton Juniors, who possess an alarming tendency to occupy places generally considered to be below the level of the ordinary seeker of information. 24 THE ORACLE A spark of fun, a grain of wisdom, an ounce of attraction, a dash of shrewdness, a suggestion of beauty, a pinch of pugnacity—and behold the Alpha Sigma Phi! All hail! Variety, ’01, ’02, ’08, 04. MEMBERS: Helen M. Hurd. President; Myrtle E. Tolbert, Treasurer; Edna E. Hawes, Secretary; Carolyn B. Gaylord, O. 1. ().; Helen G. White, C. P. M. N.; Florences. Barnes, S. 1). (). S WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE great and glorious society commonly known as the society of “ Mules,” and now claimed by its members to be the “Alpha Sigma Phi,” was organized last spring, and now the question is, what does the name A. S. S. (the name under which the society was organized and received its full membership) signify. The girls of the society (six in number) claim that the fellows, especially those belonging to the society ot '■ Ed lisa and Potina, are greatly worried because six girls can (?) keep a secret. Can any one imagine what the letters A. S. S. signify? How can this mystery be solved ? If the girls have not told any of the secrets or the name (which seems to be the only secret), how can this name be discovered'! In answering this I will say that this society was organized about the time that a book (also reproduced on the stage) was being severely criticised, therefore I would suggest that tin name of this book occurs in the name—A. S. S. On being questioned the members said that it was not “A Secret Society;” also that secret was not one of the words; furthermore they said that “Anti-Study Society” was the nearest we had guessed. It will now be noticed that society occurs in each case, also that Anti is substituted for A. Study is out of the question, as the members are known to be good students; indeed, one of their number is one of our High School teachers. Now, can it be possible that any one has not been able to guess the name? If not, I will answer for the benefit of all who have not solved the mystery that the name is the “ Anti Sapho Society.” J. A. H.. ’01. ALIMJA SIGMA 1 111 THE ORACLE. 25 “ PINKERTON DETECTIVES.” THE Pinkerton detectives, I believe, have the honor of being the best of detectives, and when they give anything to the public it may be taken for granted as true. Therefore, as the members of the “ Anti-Sapho Society” call us Pinkerton detectives, the above is certainly true. E. kt P. (Forever). CHARACTER SKETCH (OF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOUSE.) THE material for this sketch has been collected by the editors of this little book by means of a deep and careful study of our subject, and we will vouch for any assertions- which appear in the following lines. Some of our young ladies are known to be very fond of a coat sleeve, especially if there is an arm in it. while others will quake and tremble at the very image of a dummy in front of a clothing store. There are girls in our school who are very ingenious at inventing schemes to avoid studying, some of them even going so far as to sit on their books for two hours at a time so that they might tell their teacher that they had spent two hours on their lessons. There are really none in our school that could pose as a Venus, but to judge from the interest taken in them by this side of the house, there must be at least thirty who could cast that ancient and famous lady into the deepest shade of hades. The girls ot the High School have the same failings that all females have, i. e.. dress and jewelry. Sometimes one would think lie was attending a Chinese variety show, because of the brilliant and variagated colors, and at other times one is reminded of the old nursery rhyme— Ride a cock-horse To Banbury Cross To see a fine lady Upon a white horse. Rings on her fingers, Bells on her toes. She shall have music Wherever she goes, because of the jingle and rattle of the girls’ bracelets. As a rule their dispositions are very amiable, but beware you don't rub their fur the wrong way, for some of them have a reputation for using their tongues, and they might be sharp. But, after all the faults the boys can find about them, we will all give three cheers and a tiger for the Watkins High School girls. Editors. 26 THE ORACLE. IMPORTANT EVENTS OF SCHOOL YEAR 1900-01. Skpt. 10.— School commenced, and Starkey entered the Geometry class. Friend A rget singer comes out in short pants and long hair. Skpt. 10, 1900, Junk 20, 1901 (inclusive).—Somebody stole Argetsing-er’s dinner. Skpt. 11.—Mr. Starkey graduated from Geometry at head of his class. Skpt. 12.—Football team organized. Geo. Norman appointed money holder. Norman realized $20 out of football. Oct. 3.—Mathew Donovan explained his other method. Oct. 11.—Edna Hawes went to betting early in the season. She lost $.10 and got discouraged. Nov. 0.—By Thunder discovered that the piano was not in tune. Nov. 10.—Anson Hendrickson caught six flies. Nov. 13.—Hawes and Mumford disagree with Chapman, who believed that if you spare the rod you spoil the child. Nov. 31.—John Hendy rented his collar to a circus. I)kc. 12.—Fred Sherman discovered a new method of doing algebra. Dec. 16.—Coon forgot to smoke. Jan. 2.—Bob Wait is heard to remark that the early bird catches the worm. Jan. 20.—Dudley swore off smoking—for one minute. Jan. 21.—Fred Sherman broke his hip. Same date.—Fred Sherman swore. .Tan. 22.—Mary Bradley, who believes that the third time conquers, tried Geometry. Jan. 26.—The orchestra rendered a selection. According to Webster “ render means to get the fat out of. Jan. 31.—Sam Abbey won five pennies. Feb. 5.—Bessie Hamilton was at school the whole afternoon and was only called down eleven times. Feb. 6.—The algebra class had to stay until six o’clock. Feb. 12.—Considine froze his ears while skating last night. For some reason his arms and fingers are not affected. Feb. 13.—Emma Hicks gave lessons in skating last night. March 3.—Ray Wait had ’em pinched. March 4.—Bob Wait went to French class to-day, looking as though he were starting to battle. March 6.—Camie copied Billy’s Cicero. March 7.—Billy copied Camie’s Virgil and Cicero. March 10.—Freddie Sherman received a note from one of the girls. He answered it immediately, then swore he didn’t do it. March 11.—Percy White developed a remarkable tendency to watch for the Black Diamond. March 12.—Kate Campbell quiet for ten minutes. Sherman, timekeeper. THE ORACLE. 27 March 20.—Have we a new boy, or has Argetsinger had a hair cut ? April 1.—Hope got a picture from Ithaca. Result, abundant smiles all day. April 7.—Robbie Frost played steam engine all day. April 15.—Webb and Frost had help in the library. They copied (??) manuscript from 7 to 11 p. m. April 15.—White and Sherman stood on the corner of Tenth and Decatur for about one and a half hours waiting for help mentioned in above, but were locked out after all. (But watched operations through the key hole.) April 21.—Starkey went to the postoffice to see if his picture had come. April 23.—Nine girls came in their Sunday-best. They were going to have their pictures taken. April 24.—Myra Buck has time to go to weddings. April 25.—The training class girls, although under very strict rules, get out in the hall once in awhile to wave at the delivery boys going past the window. April 25.—Willie Taylor wants to see some tights. April 26.—Hope and Frost go up in the country after flowers, and meet the botany class. April 27.—Mary Bradley is fond of study and music. “ Gabriel, blow your horn.” April 29.—B. B. went to Rochester to visit among her numerous friends. April 30.—Le Grand Frost organized a baseball team, electing himself captain. Whole Year.—The H’s have the (G)o. Hendv and Hope are Ailing Hurd’s place during his absence. May 1.—Taylor had his Virgil lesson. May 1.—Sam Abbey: “Gee, (Jamie’s cake is good!” May 2.—For eleventh time this week ten boys visited the Review office to find out when The Oracle would be ready. May 2.—Harry Fink’s second day at school. Now is quarreling with third-girl-catch. M ay 3.—Boys organize a second botany class. They go no farther than Sixth street after flowers. May 3.—Cameron didn’t get out of Cicero, after all. May 3.—The (Bee Club rendered (?) an Arbor Day selection. May 6.—Starkey lost his mind and wandered all over girl’s side of building to find his first year Latin book. He found it in his coat pocket. May 6.—Bill Taylor skipped school and went out with the botany class. May 7.—Grace Smith went riding with “Peck’s Bad Boy.” May 7.—Hope’s dad and the two Prof’s said he might drop Latin. He dropped it. May 7.—Fink hasn’t forgotten how to bend glass. 28 THE ORACLE, May 8.—Helen Hurd went fishing to get some fish brains to help her on her essay. May 8.—Fred Sherman forgot his necktie this morning. May 8.—Webb told a new (?) story. May 8.—Order 14665. All the girls must come up and go down stairs at south end of building. Prof. J. May 8.—Hendy bought two tickets for Passion Play, but used only one. Wonder why? May 9.—Romeo Taylor: “ I told ’em not to fight on the school grounds.” May 9.—Mariana Rooney skipped second French, but the teacher didn’t miss her. May 12.—Maude Perry didn’t look over her right shoulder for a full 7i minutes. May 14.—Bob Wait closed his ledger for September, 1900. May 15.—Nellie sat on one side of the waste-basket, Seth sat on the other. “ S. C. I).” Seth changed places with the basket. May 16.—Mariana Rooney learned her French during Geometry class. All of May.—Sam Abbey was taking orders for his latest book: “ Instructions on Crap Playing.” May 23.—Horace White ate 15 eggs. Horace is in the incubator business now. LITERARY. IN order to stimulate a greater interest in literature and perhaps draw out a latent literary genius in our school, the editors of The Oracle decided to offer a prize for an original story written by a student of this school. Several students entered in the contest, and the manuscripts submitted were of exceptional merit. The judges had considerable difficulty in awarding the prize, but after due consideration they came to the following decision: First Prize, Myra A. Buck. Honorable Mention, Seth W. Webb. Marguerite Seobev, Frederick HJ. 1). Sherman, Maud Linzey. a visit to the oracles. AS a young man was passing along a broad road, shaded on either side by lofty trees, he beheld a strange yet beautiful abode, almost hidden beneath the running vines, standing a little way back from the beaten path. He had never been conscious of such a grand old place, and wonder at once took possession of him. The house was built EDUSA ET POTINA THE ORACLE. 29 in tlie center of a large plot of ground. In front many trees were artistically arranged, and a wide gravel walk, with a fountain on each side, led from the main road to the large marble steps of the mansion. From the central walk two others branched. One led to a conservatory, which was filled with the rarest of flowers, the other to a lake that nestled peacefully in the midst of surrounding pines. Everywhere was evidence of care and order, still no signs of life could be seen. Wearied by tin1 journey he opened the large gates and walked boldly up tin path. When he reached the steps his courage nearly deserted him, but failure was a word unknown to this ambitious youth. He rang the bell repeatedly, but when he received no response he felt sure no one was about, and turned and followed the most pleasant path until he reached the little lake, where he threw himself down in a shady nook and was soon fast asleep. How long he slept he knew not, when he was suddenly awakened by voices of elderly ladies near by. One of them seemed to have more to say than the others. The sleeper soon discovered they were talking about him. He knew it was not honorable for him to lie still and listen, but his desire to learn what they were saying overcame his conscience, consequently he feigned sleep. “ I tell you it's the editor-in-chief of the 1901 Oracle,” the old lady who seemed to be leader was saying, “and I would like to know why he is here in our grove.” “ Mercy, sister, just look, he has actually gotten three stones out of their places; and O, see, there are at least a dozen grass blades broken off. 1 don’t see what those Watkins folks want to come here for, anyway.” “ Hut, sister, interposed another old lady, “ he is not from Watkins, he is from ----.” “I don’t care where he is from. He is the first person who ever stepped inside these gates. 1 don’t see how he got through, but now he has done so there will be plenty of others to follow. Shakes alive, if we should let everyone who wishes to come here, nice, neat grounds we would have, wouldn’t we V “ Sister,” said a third old lady, “don’t you think you are a little too harsh on him ? 1 s’pose the poor fellow is tired to death trying to get things to put in that book of his. Just see what a worn expression he has on his face,” and she tiptoed softly over to the slumbering editor. “ Now, sisters, one and all. she said, turning towards them as she spoke, and throwing out her arms in a dramatic manner, “I propose to awaken this young man and tell him what we know. All in favor of doing so please make manifest their desire.” Everyone seemed to think with their sister except the one who had first spoken and another old lady who had thus far remained silent. Arising slowly she said: “ I do not think the plan a good one. We would get no pay for telling our knowledge, probably no thanks, but what is still more than that, we don t want everyone to know about us. I say most emphatically no, do not do so. Waken him if you must and tell him to leave; but for pity’s sake wait until I get out of the way, for 1 am sure that my two front curls are a trifle twisted and there is a wrinkle in one of the ruffles of my cap. I think you would all look a little better if you would tidy up a trifle before rousing him. Those Watkins chaps are awfully nice, you know. tup: oracle. 3° With this she gathered up her skirts and left. The other old lady arose again, saying: “What sister has said is true, and I think with her. i too must leave you.” When these two who had seemed so hostile to the intruder had gone, he thought it best for him to leave also. Picking up his hat and making a most polite bow, he said: “I beg pardon, ladies. I had no idea of trespassing on your grounds, but 1 was very tired and thought 1 would harm no one if 1 lay here and rested for a little while. 1 ought not to have done so, but everything looked so cool and restful that 1 yielded to the temptation. I hope 1 have caused you no annoyance.” The two sisters who had left watched the young editor rise and heard him make his apologies. They were somewhat sorry they had judged him so harshly, for they thought lie acted so genteelly. “ Indeed,” they said, stepping forward, regardless of the twisted curls and wrinkled ruffles, “ you have caused us no annoyance whatever. Lie still and rest, or, if you would prefer, come into the house.” “ You seem to know who i am,” said the visitor, “ but to whom am I indebted for this hospitality?” The old women chuckled to themselves for a moment, then the bravest one said: “ We didn’t intend to tell you who we are but I guess we can trust you with a secret. We’re the Oracles of Watkins High School. I see you look a little surprised but it is true all the same. We re the numbers that ought to have been published years ago. We know a lot about things and will tell you if you will promise to keep the secret. We don’t want to be bothered every year by people who want to find out things. Now another secret,” and the old ladies’ voices fell to a whisper, “ we know everything and if you will but come into the house we can tell you anything you want to know.” The editor followed the “Oracles” to their rooms but we have not thus far been able to learn what they told him, but if you will look closely over the pages of this book you will undoubtedly find the sayings of these wise women. Although many have searched for the path that leads to the “Oracles’ ” home, their efforts have all been fruitless. The secret has been well kept. Whatever hidden mystery this little book shall reveal ; whatever muse its publication shall arouse ; whatever reverie it shall awaken, turning the anxious thoughts of busy life back to school days free from care, for these you will ever stand indebted to that unpenned visit to the Oracles. M. A. B.. ’02. 3 WHO IS IT? In the beautiful village of Watkins, situated at the head of Seneca Lake, there lived a cabinet maker by the name of Sterling. Mr. Ster ling was blessed with an only son Frank, and it is of him that this story deals. THE ORACLE. 3i Frank grew up under the watchful eye of his parents, and at an early age showed a superiority over his companions in both brain and muscle. In fact, his professor often remarked that Frank was almost too ambitious and that if a little of his surplus energy was scattered over the school it would be better for both him and his companions. Hut Frank had one weak point, it was the girls, and worse yet. a particular girl. Luckily for Frank the girl, whom we will call Carry Cramer for sake of secrecy, was sensible and prevailed upon her admirer to curb his passion and wait until he should become of age. Frank, when he heard her last decision, applied himself once more to study and would have graduated in the remarkably short period of three years if it had not been for an unexpected accident. Early in the fall a society called the Watkins High School Congress had been formed by the boys of the school. The congress was conducted under the same rules and regulations as the national congress and held a meeting once in two weeks. In this society our friend at once took a prominent part and won applause from the galleries byhisquick wit and ready tongue at nearly every speech. One night in February when returning from congress with a party of admirers, Frank slipped upon a hit of icy pavement and fell heavily, striking his hip upon a projection of the sidewalk. As he did not rise, his comrades ran to the nearest police call and summoned an ambulance. The call was immediately answered and the still insensible lad was carried to his home where he was attended by the best doctors in the village. They made a close examination and reported that besides a broken hip he had sustained serious internal injuries. For weeks he hovered between life and death, but at last the balance turned and his life was saved. During his convalescent hours a new idea had entered his head and he now proceeded to put it into execution. His idea was to become a telegraph operator, so he bought wires and instruments with the Postal telegraph system. In this new undertaking he soon became quite expert, in fact he got so he could take ten words a minute if the words were not too long. Frank now had a private wire erected between his house and the home of his old lady love, and they spent many happy hours conversing with each other. Hut one morning Frank went down town and found that their conversation of the previous evening had been overheard and he was the laughing stock of the town. The next night it was the same, but upon the third night our friend decided that it should last no longer. So he dressed himself as a common laborer and started out to follow up his line, but he had not gone far before he discovered the cause of the exposures. Wires had been fastened to his line and thus his messages had been interrupted. He followed up the new lead and after a short walk came to a low building on the outskirts of the village. Into this building the wires passed. Frank examined the house closely and seeing no light he opened the door and stepped within. Hut no sooner had he crossed the threshold than he was seized from behind and bound and gagged before he could use his hands or make any outcry. Bright lights now flashed upon the walls and upon looking around he found that he was in the hands of the dreaded Ed usas. 32 THE ORACLE. The Edusa and Potina was a society organized by a few young fellows of the town, and they had succeeded by fair means or foul in gaining quite a large membership. But as the lodge grew larger the members grew bolder and it was their delight to catch young innocents and pass them through an initiation compared with which West Point hazing with its tobasco sauce was mere baby play. This society had often before this tried to get young Sterling in their grasp, but each time he had eluded them and slipped away, but now they had him fast and they decided that no time was to be lost. So each Edusa produced a paddle about the size of the one used in the Fifth grade at school and formed a ring about their victim. Some one now struck up a tune on a hand organ and the Edusas marched around Frank, each keeping time with his paddle on the part of his anatomy that came the handiest. But after playing several cake walks, clog dances and other pieces of like natm e tlie player decided that it was time he had some fun. He stopped playing and asked some one else to take his place, but no one would do it. So the sport stopped until they could think of something better. At last they formed a ring on the floor about ten feet in diameter and brought a set of boxing gloves out of another room. One pair of these they tied upon Frank’s hands and the other pair was fastened upon tin hands of an Edusa who had in previous initiations pounded his opponents around the floor in a manner delightful to his fellow members. But Frank knew something about boxing, and among other things In knew that a good hard swing in the kidneys would do more towards putting a man out than any number of punches on the eyesor nose. So when the bout opened Frank kept sending right and left swings to the kidneys until his opponent was very weak. The Edusas did not notice this because our friend had left his face somewhat unguarded and his opponent had graded him with two black eyes and a bloody nose. But these did not bother Frank and at the right moment he let out a blow that staggered his opponent and he escaped during the excitement. This victory over the Edusas soon gave Frank such a great name that when he applied to the Northern Central for a job as operator they took him in and he soon had a large office in New York. Frank kept steadily at work in his office until he was twenty-one years of age when he married his early choice and settled down to a quiet life. But telegraphy was not his only business. He bought a small farm over in Jersey and stocked it with bees, and every Sunday he used to visit his farm with his family to watch the busy insects; and some way they seemed to remind him of his former home in dear old Watkins. S. W. W.,’02. CHAPEL INCIDENTALS. MANY things may be learned by observation, as a proof (if which wre offer the following, with this explanation: We sat in our indi- vidual seats in chapel one forenoon, and having nothing else in particular to do spent our surplus time in gazing around the room, not- THE ORACLE. 33 iny: the different acts of some of the students. We had some of the very back seats, and so had unlimited chances to carry on our observations. During the first division we noted nothing extraordinary, save the almost constant swinging of the folding doors at each end of chapel. This was caused by the tardiness of a large number of students. We wondered if these same students would always be .just so late in life and living. In the second division we noted the exceeding brightness of the class on the floor. We especially noted one member of the class, who had a new method for solving an algebraic problem. We heard some one remark: “----- has a new method again to-dav.” We thought that that student would surely revise mathematics. The class in the third division consisted of only three members, consequently we had good opportunities for our observations. One member constantly had one eye on the door in the south end of chapel, and an expectant look on his face. Another member seemed deeply in thought. We were informed that he was thinking of his noon walk home, and of a certain journey. For further particulars call at our office any time between midnight and 1.30 a. m. The third member seemed unable to solve the problems of adv. arithmetic, but when he was not making the famous “ goo-goo ” eyes seemed able to solve them by algebra (?). The last division was especially conspicuous by the numerous “ wrongs” from Professor’s lips. When one member leaves the class the Professor is heard to hum a well-known rag time tune, “ An educated Coon is best of all!” The whole class seems to be one of “‘Wait,’ I’ll do it to-morrow.” About a quarter of noon the doors begin to swing once more, and by 12:05 p. m. the room is nearly empty. After a strengthening and appetizing meal of bird meat we again took up our recreation of making observations. We noticed a change of generals in command, hut found the deportment about the same. Until two o’clock we could scarcely hear more than, “ I can’t translate that,” or “ I didn’t get that far.” The rest was far too low for our auditory nerves. Our attention at this time was called to that side of the room inhabited by the girls. We observed the different sitting postures of some of them. Some were facing the Professor; some (a small sum) were facing their books; a few were facing the back of the room: and tin remainder were facing the west, where all boys dwell. We might add that the most were in this last class. A gentle murmur, similar to that of bees in a hive, arose from the young ladies’ portion of the room, and was prominent continually during the day. We noticed several mouths in operation that did not seem to emit a sound; and judging from Professor’s words there is more than one gum store in Watkins. From 2 until 2:40 p. m. there was less doing. It was during this period that one student made that famous remark, found elsewhere in The Oracle. The class in this division was exceedingly attractive and bright. All its members (excepting one) were cordially invited to remain after school. The last two classes in the afternoon did not change. We noticed this in particular about them. One seemed nearly falling from his seat, and we concluded by the care-for-nothing way in which he 34 THE ORACLE. answered that he was nearly asleep. The other member we concluded to be wideawake, from his many motions and twistings of the head. We heard him say once that a Latin verb of the third person plural, imperfect subjunctive, was objective—genitive! At the stroke of four every desk was cleared, everybody alert, and at the Professor’s taps of 1, 2, 3, everybody was in motion, the undersigned included. On the whole we were very much pleased and amused at the many things we observed, and sincerely hope that, if the unlucky reader of this has the opportunity, he will follow our example and observe for himself. We will guarantee that In will learn many things, be much amused, and perhaps he will take a lesson from the examples of others. In concluding, we will give that well-known rhyme of Robert Burns, of which we were many times reminded during the day: “ O, wad some pow’r the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us. It wad frae money a blunder frae us , and foolish notion.” J. C. A.. ’01. A TRIP TO THE ABBE- ONE afternoon late in the fall of 1900 a large number of students of the W. H. IS. determined to have a banquet. After a long discussion and a longer (Wait), it was decided to visit the famous (Abbe y) of (Kent), about ten miles south of the small village of (Star-key). They did not (Hope) from what they had (Hurd) to find any eatables there, so they went provided; and it was well they did. As the day was cool, the ground being covered with (White) (Frost), they took along 115 pounds of soft (Cole), furnished by the (Cole-man). Upon reaching their destination, and “counting noses,” they found two of the number missing. Upon inquiry it was learned that one could not come, as she had to (Tuck-her) dress, and tin other was (Patchen) stockings. But they were well provided for such emergencies. They had taken along two (Taylors) and the (Sterling) to pay the (Bill). The stock of provisions was increased by the good luck of some of the crowd. One (Cast er line) for fish, another had taken a gun along and had succeeded in shooting a nice fat (Buck), and White succeeded in catching a (Coon). The banquet, besides the fish, (Buck) and (Coon), consisted of a very fine (Curry), (Baldwin) apples and (Pecks) of “peaches. several i Beers) apiece, and other delicacies. It was not until they were ready to leave that they noticed the architecture of the (Abbe y). At the main entrance were two huge (Griffin s), one on either side, while in the carving of the archway, overhead, the foliage was entwined similar to a (Webb). The structure was of (White) marble and very beautiful, dating back to time of (Janies) 1st. In the hallway were statues of the saints, prominent among them THE ORACLE. 35 being St. (Mathew’s). They saw a holy (Palmer) walking on the (Lee), who evidently (Hath-the way) of right eousness in his heart. When they started for home it was quite late. They were very weary from tin many ups and (Downes) of the road, and not being very familiar with tin route they lost the way. They passed some dogs, which at once began to (Howell), and soon met a (H-e-andy) (Carpenter) repairing some (Barnes). He offered to show them the path, and after going through a field of rank (Weeds), they heard the (Camp-bells) ringing, and soon came out on the right path. Just before they reached Watkins they met the (Cay lord) of a neighboring castle, and were much amused as they (Hurd) him sing (“Little Annie Rooney”), between (Hic-ks). Without more mishaps or incidents they reached home; and this is the lirst written, authentic account of the delightful banquet of the gay W. H. S. students at the (Abbe y) of (Kent), ten miles south of the small village of (Starkey) in the wilderness. J. C. A. AM) W. T. T., 1901. ' P P It wasn't late, a quarter of eight. As we stood on the campus. 1 asked to be allowed to print A kiss, and a few extras. “ No, no !” she cried, in accents wild. “ You really hadn't better.” “ What’s up ?” I sighed, “ you so dewy— It must be in the weather. “ No,” said she, softly, nestling close, “ You haven't shaved—you’d better! R. 1). W., '02. Sherman—“ Good heavens. White, there’s a keyhole!” handkerchief over the Taylor, Robbie (—bracing her)—“ May I see you home?” She (frigidly)—“ No. 1 do not require your services this evening. P GRINDS. Donovan—Awkward, embarrassed, still without skill Of moving gracefully or standing still. Ha wes—He that loves a rosy cheek and a coral lip admires. Hendrickson—With noble head and lofty brow. And looks a statesman, he, But when, alas! he ope s his mouth. No more a statesman he. 36 THE ORACLE. Norman—Stop, now, George, or I shall go right home. Stop, now, do you hear? Mumford—The pollywog died a-laughing to see him wag his jaw. Wait, Ray—A close mouth catches no flies. Considine—A horn writer. What a splendid ear for carrying the pen! Taylor, Win.—His tongue offers a practical solution to the problem of perpetual motion. Bond—A hair on the lip is worth two on tin brush. (Twenty-one on one side, twenty-two on the other.) Williams—Ah! that’s a fat goose. Frost, L. W.—Pretty, hut not old enough to go with the girls. Bradley, H. E.— Born merely for the purpose of digestion. White, P. W.—He knocked ’em off. he sawed ’em off, he chopped ’em off, he chawed ’em off, hut still his wishes grew. Hope—A crib is an abomination unto the Lord, hut an ever-present help in time of trouble. Starkey—Perhaps I am a man, perhaps 1 am a hero, hut God help me if I am an ass. Argetsinger—Some love two, some love three. But 1 love one, and that is me. Johnson—Eccles., 8. Webb—Stop it! Please stop it, Seth! Frost, R. V.—The umbrella was small, the girl was big. And 1 was strictly “on the pig.” Barnes—Though she is little she is fierce. Buck—A sweet, angelic slip of a thing. Matthews—She is little, but () my! Overpeck—Not very bright, hut yet has a good understanding. Hurd—Would 1 were a little fatter. Wasson—A lady—young, tall, beautiful, strange and sad. Campbell—Such a funny mouth, for it would not shut. Sehulenburg—I really feel as if somebody was looking at me. Hamilton—She dearly loves, but loves in vain. Weed, E.—Methinks she would make a capital cigar lighter. Ganung—To be by you is quite a treat. You look so nice and talk so sweet. Abbey, N.—Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Hawes—1 wish 1 had a pillow in class; 1 always feel tired. Cole—Now, don’t you think I’m pretty. Sterling—So young and fair and innocent. Tucker—How saintly when you first behold; But all that glistens is not gold. Bradley, E.—Who chooses me will gain what many men desire. Tolbert, L.—One who, in my mind, ought to he treated as an ancient tattler. Rooney—Methinks a gay stocking denotes a gay spirit. nmo aarif) i . 1 '.'n I THE ORACLE. 37 QUOTATIONS. Hendy—“ 1 want to be a lobster.” S. Abbey—“Give me a cent; I want to be tough.” Starkey—“ O, Lord, how long, how long?” Argetsinger—“The Almighty is more powerful than I.” Norman—“God bless our baby. Dudley—“ For your sake, tobacco, 1 would do anything but die.” R. D. Wait—“ You wake me too soon. I must slumber again.” 1 . W. White—“Unless all signs fail, methinks I am in love.” Webb—“ Why do they heap these cares upon me? 1 am unfit for state and majesty.” L. W. Frost—“ 1 am getting to be a big boy now.” Donovan—“ Do it say so in the book ?” Mumford—“ 1 am little, but I am hot stuff just the same.” Ray Wait—“ I must to the barber’s, for methinks I am marvelous hairy about the face.” Hope—“You would not think I was an athlete to see me with my clothes on.” Win. Taylor—“ Camie, 1 would like to see those three beauties (in) tights.” Horace White—“ She knows the way, and I certainly do.” Coon—“’Tis better to have loafed and flunked than never to have loafed at all,” R. V. Frost—“Great the joy that fills my frame to hear another praise my name.” “ I hope as no unwelcome guest At your warm fireside when the lamps are lighted. To find my place among the rest. Nor stand as one unsought and slighted.” Oracle. OFFICIAL TABLE OF HIGH MUCK.-A-MUCKS. K u oi o K MH 00 TO BE RELIED UPON IN ALL CASES. NAME. COMMONLY. USUALLY. FUTURE. DISPOSITION. APPEARANCE. FAVORITE DRINK (tpo. H. Norman Goo-goo. Zip. Sleeping. Spooning. W mp(1 ini Prof. Gambler. Angelic. Weary. Tom and Jerry. G. S. Coon Goo-goo’s Valet. Trollev Pole Cranky. Happy. Tired. Whiskey Straight. t Tricky. Condensed Milk. F. E. D. Sherman Pig-cye. Joshua. Fighting. Combing hair. Camel Driver. 1 Stingy. Negative. Overworked. Rain Water. ,1 A Hone Lineman. Changeable. Ambitious. Mixed. R. V. Frost Nellie. Studying. Quarreling. Drinking. Cooking. Working. Photographer. Sweet. Slow. Soothing Syrup. J. C. Argetsinger Camie. Infant Prodigy. Contrary. Cranky. Citric Acid. R D Wait Swiftness. Gentleman. Mild. Sleepy. Champagne. Wm. Taylor S. W. Webb Sterling (Silver). Deacon. Chef. Chain Carrier. Sweet. Positive. Stylish. Sporty. Sugar and Water. Cider (Hard). J. E. Hendy Edna. Sponging. Courting. Doubtful. Conceited. Dressy. Rum—(See!) G. L. Buck Buckeye. Prof. Budge. Countess. V Smooth. Boiled. Ditto (all above). S. S. Johnson Sam Abbey H. E. Bradley Philosophizing. Matching Pennies Pawning. Peaceful. Preacher. Poultry Raiser. Good. Bad. Curious. Well Fed. Innocent. Overworked. Maderia. That depends. Goat’s Milk. F. B. Bond Soap Dish. Glaring. Reaching. Prize Fighter. Honest. Sheepish. Skunk Oil. F. A. Taylor Romeo. Grand father. Cowardl . Loaferish. Carter’s Ink. P. VV. White Sapho. Tooting. Dubious. Sluggish, Bummy. Trombone Oil. THE ORACLE. 39 fP M£JJ M V M Mil %+M M K+P Ml kfM M MJ a+a iiam ia| k | xxxx xxxx mm XXX mi XX x X vz X x X X X x X X X X X X X X X x X X X v; i DR. F. B. WELLER, j X x X X DENTIST. X K! SK Jg Specialist in Crown, Bridge and Plate Work, JK 3$( West Fourth Street, X X WATKINS, NEW YORK. X X X 1 X 1 X 1 X 1 X X X X X x X X X X X X X X X X X XX XX XXX XXX xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 40 THE ORACLE. Glen City Hotel. BOYNE BRO’S, Proprietors. Thoroughly First-class in Every Particular. Rates, $2.00 and $3.00 a Day. THE ORACLE. ZTbe Jefferson Ibouse x? Centralis XocateO. jfirst clase Hccommo atlons. xP 'F IRates IReasonable. 'P yf JBus to anD from all trains. Cor. jfourtb ant jfranfelin Sts., Watkins, 1R. lj. 42 THE ORACLE. More Than One-third of the teachers of Ohio use “The Pathfinder” and find it indispensable. The proportion in New York is not so large, simply because the teachers there do not know that there is an ably edited weekly news review giving in condensed and orderly arrangement all the important news of the world, and that it can be had for $1.00 a year. Send request for sample copy, or 25 cents for three months trial subscription. Address THE PATHFINDER PUB. CO., Pathfinder P. O., D. C. 'S NOTE: We are well acquainted with “The Pathfinder,” and recommend it to all—teachers, students, and busy people—who desire a first-class news review. Send for sample copy, mentioning “The Oracle.” EDITORS OF ORACLE. THE ORACLE. 43 The Watkins Review Is always at the head of the procession. It has from 600 to 1500 more subscribers than any other Schuyler county paper, and publishes twice as much news. Its prices on job printing are the lowest, and its work is first-class. The REVIEW gets there by “push,” not “pull,” and when there is hewing to be done it doesn’t wait to see where the chips are going to fall. This book is a sample of the REVIEW’S job printing. 44 THE ORACLE. OUR BUSINESS THE PRINTING 5 4 $ t i 4 OF DISTINCTIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THOROUGHLY PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE. 9 EXPERT IN ATTRACTIVE TYPOGRAPHY V V V f OUR ANNOUNCEMENT ! IF you’re after good printing and original ideas you can’t afford to miss seeing what we’re offering. We haven’t got a great lot of old-stock designs and cuts (hand-me-downs and turned-downs—things that have either served their day or never had their day), but we have some fresh ideas all our own which we can put in an attractive form to please you. And we can do the work as cheap as anybody, quality considered. We will go to any trouble to talk with you and work with you here. Let us estimate on your next lot of printing. W. H. BALDWIN, PRINTER TO THE PUBLIC, DEMOCRAT BUILDING, WATKINS, N. Y. ’PHONE CONNECTION. THE ORACLE. 45 I 1 I $ 1 « | DR. J. W. WHITBECK, 1 1 t£ i i I | DENTIST. | 1 1 ! i % $ 4 Office and residence corner Fifth and Franklin Streets, i «r- i WATKINS, N. Y 1 1 4 1 5 I Dentistry done in all branches. Best of material 1 5 used, and satisfaction guaranteed. .7 I t 5 i s 1 4 TEETH EXTRACTED WITHOUT PAIN BY A 1 f NEW METHOD. I 1 + .0 k+ f « CHABGrES beasobtable. $ 4 5 f i i I THE ORACLE F. W. HURLEY, FINE PHOTOS, GLEN VIEWS, PHOTO JEWELRY, BUTTONS, ETC. FINISHING FOR AMATEURS C. A. PAYNE, | | 4 | | | | i | | | | $ f | | i i i $ f PHOTOGRAPHER, ft ft ft «: ft ft ft t ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft 9999999 999 9 99999999 Watkins, N. Y THE ORACLE. 47 till Sorts of School Supplies, P P'P P P P P P such as School Books, Tablets, Pens, Pencils, School Bags, Erasers, .Rulers and Ink at the best prices at Thompson’s Drug Store, Watkins, N. Y. Come to us and Save Money. You All Know the Place. The Crofut Pharmacy is Headquarters for Pure Drugs, Stationery and the Finest Line of Perfumes and Toilet Articles to be found in Schuyler County. N. C. CROFUT, Franklin Street, Watkins, N. Y. 48 THE ORACLE. Fine Watches, A Fine Jewelry, Fine Watch Work, Fine Engraving. Everything finer than silk, and up-to-date. The finest line of Silver Novelties in the county. Don’t miss the bargains. We always have them. COWING’S JEWELRy STORE, Main Street. WATKINS, N. Y. Hi h School Students MAKE HEADQUARTERS AT W. S. WAUGH’S Drug and Book Store. THE ORACLE. DO YOU KNOW THAT HUGHEY'S SHOES ARE ALL RIGHT P 50 THE ORACLE. Footwear! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ For Latest in Style, Best in Quality and at Ijjjjjjjjjxlh i mm i Popular Prices! You must wear Shoes bought at ROONEY BROS’. Reliable Fitters of Feet. THE ORACLE. 5i THE INVENTION OF THE BIKE. %NE stormy winter night in the year 1818 Baron von Drais was riding through a 1 Vil dark, dreary, dismal damp road in tlit Black Forest, hunting for mushrooms. While his horse was picking his way through muddy places the baron was trying to pick the cobwebs off of his brain. Suddenly a Hash of lightning from the clear sky above frightened ins steed, causing it to shy one way and the baron to shy another. When both had been sufficiently shied the charger was charging at a fierce gait un the asphalt to the palace gate, and the baron, who still had a skate on, charged himself up with a mud bath, as the road came to meet him with a sickening thud. As he lay there panting in his wet pants his thoughts went out on a strike, leaving him alone with his jagged jag, but they soon grew tired of wandering and reversed the decision of the board of arbitration by pre-empting their claim again on the same old scale, whereupon the baron came two or three, and sat up on the place he had sat down. After feeling bis head to make sure that it was still Hush with his frame he braced his handle-bars behind him on the forks of the road, and felt the place that had left the saddle but a few sad moments ago. Finding himself properly assembled he adjusted his pedals, wheeled around to the run of a tired stump, and inflating his hint's lie fell over a e, in German, though it sounded like Hell-enic Greek. With a roar that ‘Calm yourself, mother; the old home huh and spoke, tore the outer casings off the trees he yelled : may yet be saved!” The baron arose and wended his way through the dusty L. A. W. to his palace gate. Raising a huge knocker on the porter’s lodge he began knocking again in a loud voice. “ What, I10! within there!” he cried. “ The man with the hoe is not within,” answered the porter in a voice that sounded like a file rasping on a soap-kettle. “So stop knocking and drive on,” he added, passing out a hammer, “ or I’ll ring for the baron’s retainers and summon his headsman to hang thee, thou crank!” The baron’s rage knew no bounds or jumps. “Crank!” he yelled, “ Durst thou call me, thy lord, a crank, thou varlet, slave and double-dyed portcullis-lifter V Ring for my retainers and my headsman! Zounds and death! Before the sound of thy retaining ring shall have died out I’ll have my crank-hanger’s clutches on thee and twist the locknut from thy sliouluers, thou unbrazed villain.” The trembling porter, recognizing the dulcet tones of his master, buckled with fright, made a bolt to the door, saying: “Why! is that you, Maggie? I thought you were up in No. 8.” “My horse!” roared the angry baron. “Where is my horse? Answer, or I’ll tear you limb from tree!” ” Which one, Irene?” gasped the porter, his cushion-frame vibrating like a home trainer in a cyclone, “your clothes or saw-horse, or, peradventure, ray lord, you may mean your hobby-horse. If so, you will find him hobbled on the golf links for repairs. His rims were cracked and the reinforcements of his frame unjointed at the head while riding along a smooth and level road at an easy pace, and the guarantee ran out yesterday, my lord.” “Liar!” cried the infuriated baron. “ I bought that horse C. O. I), from a mail-order house for eleven dollars anu ninety-eight cents, subject to examination. My mail-order horse broke down!” he sobbed. “O, woe is me! But 1 must to my lady fly! So be fly ! Get busy: Fetch me two wheels from a cart and bid my wheelwright fit an axle to some tuning-forks and fasten them to a sawbuck, that 1 may mount astride and push withal to my lady love. I haven't been center-rush all season lor nothing. Hustle, now, for if I may not scorch I’m bred well enough to coast down the hill to meet her. Then if both ends don’t meat, we'll make one bread.” Here, overcome by his rage and exertion, the baron performed a spasm and executed a stage fall against the porter-house stakes on the inner court. When he regained his Willies, the next morning, he found that his wheelwright hail rigged up a new hobbyhorse on wheels, as per the catalogued specifications, and the baron, mounting his new 5 THE ORACLE. invention, drubbed it a “ Draisienne,” in honor of himself: and thus the first bicycle saw t he light of day or nighL However, he forgot i get the patent papers out for it before he eloped with Ins best girl, and two Scotchmen stole his idea in 1847, and gave the baron knock-out drops by improving it a-plenty. In 1855 an Irish-Frenchman, named Ernest Michaux, nailed a dock-spring on the idea and applied cranks to the front wheel. In lSiiS) a Parisian, who could talk the French language without using a tourists’dictionary, made a “velocipede” of steel, wood and rubber; and from that time until the Worlds Fair year the bicycle improvements came thick and fast : most of the bicycles were thick also, but were not made as fast as thev could be sold. It was not until the fall of 185)4 that the greatest improvement in bicycle construction was invented, tliusly : Place, Chicago. Time, night. Weather, clear and foggy. Wind, Sou’ by Nor’. A deathlike stillness shook the air as the solitary figure of an underdone human might have been seen lurking around the Cottage Grove entrance of Jackson Park. He was heavily clad in a linen duster, bicycle shoes and a pair of nose-glasses. Glancing furtively about, as if in mortal terror of not being seen, lie hissed : “ And this then is the grave of the Midway! Curses on the cards! My luck is with me! O, this is too ter-e-bul. 1 thought to find them all gone, and now I find them absent. I must inform my understudy.” Just then the clock on the Masonic Tower, miles away, pulled up both hands in holy terror and pointed to that hour when churchyards vawn and the ghost walks for the players on the roof-garden. As the boom of the street-car bell died away lie grew calm with fright, and stepping from beneath the dark shadow of a telegraph wire he sought to hide himself in the glare of the electric light. Suddenly there rushed forth from the ruins of a cold storage plant the heavy body of a frail Southern youth with bonny jvire hair and a De Witt Talmage smile. Pausing as lie walked rapidly through the dense shade of the treeless park he failed to see the stranger hiding in the light, who muttered : “Another self-enforced grass-widower approaches, thinking of what he might have done before if he thought of it once first, (treat Heavens! if he should not see me here!” Just then the electric light went out, exposing his crouching figure standing erect. “ Eureka, California !” cried the new comer from the south, as he threw both arms and a leg around his overstudy. “ At last I have found you before you were lost. The stranger readjusted his disturbed acetylines, and took a half’Nelson around the other’s neck, screaming at the top of his faintest breath : “ Who am 1 ? Don’t I know ?” “Yes! the same,” sputtered the cold Southerner in the face of his friend, who wiping away the sputter, retorted : “This is All Sop. is it ?” “ Yes,” lie replied, “ but the game so far has been Comedy of Errors.” “Indeed!” ejaculated the stranger, taking a chew of plug cut. Well, I’ll have Measure for Measure, and that’s no Midsummer Night’s Dream ! Lookout! High Ball! Sq-u-irt!” “ Foul ! Out!” cried the Southern J. D„ as he screened his face behind a mail box. Never touened me ! Had my fingers crossed ! But you’re right Bum’em ! Burn’em ! They’re all wrong. All dead ones now. The Pope won’t be the Victor long !” Who? What? Which? When it is is it?” gasped the owner of the lamps. -“Speak, man, before you say anything!” Why, all those dizzy bike-builders,” replied the owner of the hair, “they give me a pain ! See ? Their chains and sprockets are outside the hearings.” “O, sirrah!” exclaimed the optician, “I thought you meant the Midway coochie girls, who, alas ! have long since tied.” “ O, furget it, and come to earth ! I’m next to a push that’s to he de real thing on hikes. See? A crank-hanger what will crank without a lever.” “ Ha! ho ! so you have deciphered my diagram at last, have you? Then hereafter we’ll work apart together, be hevins !” “Yes, yes, sweet gentlemen,” sobbed the southerner. Dim it! we’ll make cranks with hollow hubs, sah ! Let the balls roll in them, sail ! And that will allow us to construct abike with the sprocket bet ween the bearings, sail !” “Whoopee!” screamed tlie overstudy, while tears of interrogation-points streamed through his spyglasses. “Between the bearings? Good! that will let t lie chain pull directly on the shaft, overcoming all leverage and saving over one-fourth in pressure on the hearings. “ Kerect, Franklin,” sighed the other. Let’s go and find Frank Ray ami ask him to buy us a cocacola.” “ But peradventure he won’t do it, what then ?” said his lamp-posts meekly. “ What then ?” roared the understudy: “ what then !!! O, by heaven, this is too much! S’deatn. We’ll—we’ll- But come ! Let’s put him to the test, and if he meets us half way we’ll name our new bike in his honor and christen it the Rncycle.” Leaving the Midway they went over into the Groveland Hotel, anil the arc light flared up again, but the Raeycle had been born. IE ID. ZE3Z. SPICER Agent for RACYCLE, - General Repairing, nsr. 5T. THE ORACLE. 53 Shulman Bros. •2----- j. ALL THE LEADING MAKES OF CYCLES! Wheels taken in exchange. Franklin Street. Watkins, N. Y. Glen City Laundry. Pir«t=Clci«� Work. High Gloss or Domestic Finish. Packages called for and delivered. J. H. SHULENBURG, Manager. 54 THE ORACLE. BRINKS St WOODWARD. ge e l mmim Pipe Fitting in all its Details. We carry Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Builders’ Supplies, Wires and Nails, Lawn Mowers, Harness, etc. $� i $ 9 c 9 j£ 9 £ i £ 9 We are glad to figure on Door and Window contracts free of charge. Repairing Promptly Done. Franklin St., Watkins, N. Y. TIIE ORACLE. $ Young men think more about style than anyone else, but sometimes they are not particular enough in regard to the FIT, when the fact is that the fit is the most important element of style. Military back with padded shoulders is 'P 'F the great thing this year. We foresaw the big rush. We knew the young men would take to it and you can’t embarrass us there for a minute. We are ready for the young 'F men who want the proper thing. Hough ? fabrics have the go, but we have cheviots, serges, worsteds in many new and snappy patterns. Young men’s suits, $4. $5. $10. $12. and $15. The stamp of excellence is on every suit we sell. S. J. FORBES Clothier, Furnisher and Hatter. Custom Clothing at Popular Prices. 56 THE ORACLE. Yj Y Y Y Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Y Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Y Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Yj Y Y Y Y Yj Y Yj Y Yj Yj Y Y Yj Yj m jm wS,{jmS!S j’i j.i m; H ¥ H A A 'A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Henry V. Haas Has the largest and finest line of Furniture and Undertaking (ioods IN SCHUYLER COUNTY. Call in and see. Goods shown with pleasure. FRANKLIN ST., WATKINS, N. Y. ,.{s:sp!' ksk KwX5® H. V. H. XSXSK Ir.C }♦ k m THE ORACLE. 57 M W M J M JM J � A M � M � K Jf JM •{ rt V rt «V SvC V «V rt rt rt rfV The Biggest Bargains in STYLISH CLOTHING are always found at JACOB LOCKS’ BIG DOUBLE STORE, Franklin Street, Watkins, N. Y. Full lines of Reliable Goods for Men, Women and Children always kept in their season. Inspection Always Solicited. Satisfaction Guaranteed. 58 THE ORACLE. Bookkeeping and Stenography! Warner’s Business School fcjives thorough courses in the above branches and the corn= petent are assisted to po= sitions. For full particulars address A. J. WARNER, 217 219 West Gray St. ELMIRA, N. Y. Peerless Ieeldncl Freezers will freeze cream in three minutes.. For sale only by F. F. Irish, FAIR STORE, Main Street. WATKINS, N. Y. Dealer in Crockery and Novelties. 6o THE ORACLE. l m L. I'lOKtLW Fine Custom Clothing! All the Latest Novelties in Neckwear and Gentlemen’s Furnishings. SOLE AGENT EON THE CELEBRATED “KflOX HATS!” Earl IS: Wilson Collars and Cuffs. Cleaning and Pressing Neatly and Promptly Done. 112 Franklin Street, WATKINS, NEW YORK.