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

Text from Pages 1 - 68 of the 1902 volume:

WATKINS HI (ill SCHOOL. ..Ulniversitp of the State of flew ll)orl;.. jZ? j£? jZ? WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL. j£? .THE ORACLE. J Published by ....W. H. S. LITERARY SOCIETIES.... WATKINS, N. Y ., 1902. PRCSS Of THE WATKINS REVIEW. DEDICATED TO SAMUEL SELLEN JOHNSON, PRINCIPAL OF WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL. THE ORACLE. 8 1902 ORACLE STAFF. Editor-in Chief: SETH V . W EBB. Assistant Editors: FREDERICK E. SHED KM AN, CHA KI.ES E. SMITH, FLORENCE S. BARNES, MINNIE RHODES, EDNA E. HAWES, NINA M. GANUNG, PERCY W. WHITE, JENNIE M. ELLISON, MARIANA K. ROONEY. - COMMITTEES. Finance: Frederick E. Sherman, Chairman; Percy W. White, Edna E. Hawes. Frederick Printing: Setli W. Webb, Chairman ; Sherman, Nina Gaming, Florence Barnes. Artists: Florence Barnes, James Hope 4 THE ORACLE EDITORIAL. N the spring of 1900 the students of Watkins High School, headed by Frederick Johnson, edited a school book called Tiik Oracle. This was the first book of its kind ever published in the school, and much hard work for both brain and hand were expended in bringing it to a successful issue. Hut by skillful management the publication was made so great a success that the next year. 1901. the High School Congress decided to publish a second edition. This was done and in some respects, especially as a mirth provoker, this edition was thought superior to that of the preceding year. Hut so much trouble was experienced in raising the money to pay for this last work, that at first it was thought that no ORACLE would be published in 1902. At last the senior class took the matter in hand, and, with the financial support of the Hoard of Education, we see no reason why this year’s edition should not be a great success. We have the advantage of experience which the former editors have not had. We have the copies of two years before us and we can copy the better parts and leave out the poorer. Our minds are not worried over financial affairs as they were last year, and therefore we can give our entire attention to our writings. We have the entire school back of us, and as the readers peruse these lines they must remember that whatever success may attend our publication, it is due not to the senior class, but to the Faculty and students, and our financial backers, the Honorable Members of the Board of Education. S. W. W., 02. II UX JZ? BOARD OF EDUCATION. OFFICERS. (). P. Hurd. B. S. Johnson. E. A. Gillktt, GrKO. A. Ringer, President Clerk and Librarian Treasurer Collector MEMBERS OF BOARD. Wm. H. Wait, Chas. A. Cole, -John Haughky, O. P. Hurd. Geo. I). Norman, Henry Shulman. M. M. Cass, Jr., TERM EXPIRES. Jan. 1, 1904 Jan. 1, 1904 Jan. 1, 1904 Jan. 1, 1905 Jan. 1, 1905 Jan. 1, 1905 Life Member Regular Meetings First Monday Evening of Each Month. ♦Deceased. HOARD OF EDITORS. THE ORACLE. 5 COMMITTEES. Finance, ------ Norman and Wait. Teachers. - ... Wait and Cass Repairs, Insurance and Supplies, Shulman and Norman School Library and Apparatus, - Cole AND Haughky Text-books and Curriculum, .... Cass and Cole Truancy and Indigent Pupils, - Haughey and Shulman WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY. 1901-1902. Samuel S. Johnson, -John A. Beers, Carolyn B. Gaylord. Julia M. Hawes, Katherine Brown, Principal Vice-Principal Preceptress Teachers’ Class Preparatory GRADE TEACHERS. Mary N. Fitzgerald, • Helena M. Haight, .... Grace L. White, Helen M. Johnson, • Daisy C. Vanderlip, .... Elizabeth N. Maloney, Sixth Grade - Fifth Grade Fourth Grade - Third Grade Second Grade First Grade J THE FACULTY. PROF. S. S. JOHNSON. AS we. who are about to leave our dear Alma Mater forever, look back over the many happy days we have spent within its protecting walls, and then remember with sorrow the few remaining to us, we search for the cause of these feelings which in vain we endeavor to suppress. We think of the pleasure, benefit and kindness which has always been ours during our instruction under its tutorship, and we ask how can we ever bring ourselves to depart from so good and true a f.iend. But the friend is not the school itself, it is those who have created it for our better preparation to nobly fight lifes battles. So let us carefully peruse its history and find to whom we owe this lasting debt of gratitude. Twenty-six years ago we find a little country school, disorganized and shaken to its foundations by mismanagement and frequent changes in the principalship until it could scarcely be called a school at all. suddenly take root with new courage, and, reorganized and guided by the hand of one whose natural ability combined with a most careful preparation which enabled him alone to cope with the great problem, fi THE ORACLE. which even at that time he must have perceived to be his life work, rise steadily and rapidly from its old position to the front among the schools of its class in the state. It is still growing under that same wise and careful guidance. It is to him that we owe all that we have derived from the splendid school which has almost been our home for the past few years ; and now we who form the twentieth class that has received the inestimable advantages of the excellent graduating course, which ho organized in 1883, gratefully extend our most sincere thanks, and dedi cate this book to our beloved principal and friend, in token of our honor and esteem. F. E. 1). S., ’02. £7 £? PROF. JOHN BEERS. Prof. John Beers came to Watkins High School from LeRaysville, Pa., September 3rd, 1901, to succeed Prof. Buck as vice-principal. Prof. Beers graduated from the Candor High School in the class of ’95. He then went to the Collegiate Institute at Tonawanda, Pa., from which he graduated in ’97 with the highest honors of the class, being valedictorian. Going from there to the Syracuse University he pur sued a classical course, taking foreign languages as a specialty, and graduated in 1901 with such a record that he was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society for scholarship. Prof. Beers is now teacher of foreign languages, history, literature and geometry, and in his class room he is never t iring in his efforts to help and explain. He has taken a great interest in the athletic welfare of our school, helping the boys to organize their efficient basket ball team. Although Prof. Beers has been but a short time among us. all who know him, both in and out of the school, wish him the greatest success. C. E. S., ’02. MISS GAYLORD. Miss Carolyn Gaylord was graduated from Cornell University in the classical course in June, 1899, after taking a preparatory work in the Corning High School. She then entered Watkins High School as pre ceptress and has since fulfilled her duties in a manner that proves her admirable preparation for them. Miss Gaylord has charge of the English branches for the most part, and while her method of conducting these classes is both instructive and interesting she undoubtedly excels in the sciences. She is so thoroughly informed in these subjects, so well read and so enthusiastic over them that not even the most inappreciative pupil could fail to share her interest and grasp the ideas which she wishes to impart. During the three years which Miss Gaylord has spent among us, she has always been eager to advance the school’s interests, being the first to assist the girls in their athletic sports, and the leader in many of their literary and social affairs. She has set an example of sweet womanliness to the girls of the school and has, by the charm of her personality THE ORACLE. and gracious manner, won countless friends, who affectionately wish her success. F. S. B., ’02. MI88 HAWES. Coming to Watkins two years ago, Miss Julia M. Hawes has taken up with the same untiring energy and natural ability the training class work already so far advanced by Miss Feek, and carried it forward to its highest state of efficiency. Miss Hawes, who is a resident of Oakfield, N. Y., graduated from Cary Seminary, Genesee county, in 1887, and in 1890 she completed her course at Buffalo Normal School. But experience is also of as great value as college training, and Miss Hawes has had two years experience in training class work at Palmyra and also taught at North Tonawanda and Batavia. If ordinary teaching requires the years of careful training and the degree of natural ability which so few possess, to be a teacher of teachers must require even greater training and an immense amount of ability and tact. Miss Hawes has proven in the two short years she has spent among us that she possesses these qualities in the highest degree. Respect for her ability and success as a teacher, combined with an admiration for her charming personalities, could not fail to win Miss Hawes many friends and acquaintances among us, and all who know her hope that she may long continue with us and forward the work which is of such inestimable value to the school and community. M. F. R., ’02 MISS BROWN. Miss Katherine Brown has for several years held the sceptre of the seventh grade with grand success as a teacher. She received her education at Watkins High School, supplemented by one year’s professional training at Oswego Normal School, where she proved herself an apt and learned pupil. Her training was superintended by Dr. Sheldon who at that time was considered one of the best teachers in the state. She left her work there and has held a position in the grades ever since. Few teachers are confronted with the difficulties which the seventh grade presents The facts which the pupil has learned in the several grades must be consolidated and for the first time he must be prepared to face the dreaded regents’ paper. His mind requires an entire change before his arrival in the High School. Miss Brown has shown herself thorough and efficient in every respect and deserves the highest praise for her perseverance and ability. She has always been held with high esteem by her classes, and her former pupils remember her with the greatest respect. We believe the school exceedingly fortunate in securing the services of Miss Brown. .T. M. E., ’02. 8 THE ORACLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ....OF THE.... WatKins Academy and High School. MEMBERS) Mary M. Freer, ’88 (Mrs. Charles Searles), Cripple Creek. Col. ♦Gertrude M. Martin. ’84 (Mrs. C. McCarthy), Batavia. Lulie O. Martin, ’84 (Mrs. Loel Smith), Watkins. Sara H. Wihnot, ’84, Watkins. S. Helen Cass, ’84 (Mrs. Milo Shepard), Watkins. Nellie J. Hennessy, ’85 Watkins. Julia T. Donovan, ’85, (Mrs. -). Alcora S. Crane, ’86 (Mrs. Lathrop), state Washington. Bessie B. Johnson, ’86 (Mrs. D. G. Thompson), Trinidad, Col. Lola B. Thomas, ’86 (Mrs. Thomas), Elmira. Katharine Whippy, ’86, Watkins. ♦Mary A. Donovan, ’86. Julia A. Roe, ’86 (Mrs. Lansing Davis), Guatemala. C. A. Adella Dodson, ’87 (Mrs. Win. Latimer), Mansfield, Pa. Sarah Smith, ’87, New York. Helena H. Haight, ’87, Watkins. Catharine Phinney, ’87 (Mrs. Mott Taylor). Watkins Herbert A. Morgan, ’87, Auburn. Edward A. Thompson, ’87, Buffalo. ♦Daniel S. Tuttle, ’88, Watkins. ♦Edward J. McCaul, ’88, Watkins. 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 (Mrs. M. Case), Watkins. Edith C. Johnson, ’88 (Mrs. Jule Stein), New York. Katherine Maloney, ’89, (Mrs. T. McKenna), Watkins. Lusena A. Smith, ’89 (Mrs. Howard Peck), Watkins. William W. Smith, ’89, Montour Falls. Helen E. Freer, ’90 (Mrs. N. C. Crofut), Watkins. Jane H. Hill, '90 (Mrs. O.M. Palmer), Montclair, N. J. Sarah C. Pope, ’90 (Mrs. A. C. McLachlin), Jamaica, L. I. LenaS. Vanderlip, ’90 (Mrs. W. H. Houstoni, S. Bethlehem, Pa. CarrieM. Hawes, ’91 (Mrs. H. O. Bennett). Penn Yan. Mariana McCaul, ’91, Watkins. George R. Smith, ’91, Burdett. Daisy C. Vanderlip, ’91, Watkins. Delia Crum. ’92 (Mrs.--Brown), Long Branch, N. J. Lida M. Haring, ’92 (Mrs. W. Hillerman), Reading (’enter. Frances G. Shulenburg, ’92 (Mrs. C. Rogers), Watkins. Margaret Pellet. ’92 (Mrs. Ross Nichols), Brooklyn. W. H. S. FACULTY. THE ORACLE. 9 Jessie C. Haring, ’93, Watkins. Rose F. Rooney, ’93, George L. Buck, ’94, Buffalo. Fannie B. Budd, ’94 (Mrs. Ira Cole), Watkins. Elizabeth L. Russell, ’94, Cornell, Allie M. Shewman, ’94 (Mrs ----), Elmira. Anna H. Ely, ’94 (Mrs. Huston), Hector. Alexander G. Frost, ’95, Chicago. Schuyler R. Moore, ’95, Cortland. Glenn H. Frost, ’95, Washington, D. C. Wiliiain Pellet, ’95, New York, (Lawyer). Minnie M. Gardner, ’95, Burdett. Jennie B. Hurd, ’95, Watkins. Helen M. Johnson, ’95, “ Helen Norton, ’95, Jessie Norton, ’95, Elizabeth H. Oliver, ’95, “ Esther Wait, ’95, Louise M. Gillett, ’95, Athens, Pa. Harry C. Buck, ’96 (Colgate University). Anna M. Cullen, ’96, Watkins. Anna B. Fitzgerald, ’96, “ May C. Scobey, ’96 (Mrs. Frank Frost), Watkins. Caroline S. Barnes, ’96, Watkins. Ada L. Woodward, ’97, E. Louise Weller, ’97, Laura G. Weller, '97 (Syracuse University). Jennie M. Haring ’98, Watkins. Frances M. Considine, ’98, “ Helen G. Edgett, ’98, Nellie L. Frost, ’98, Lelia M. Forbes, ’98, Rochester. Nellie C. Fitzgerald. ’98 (Geneseo Normal). Agnes P. Kennedy, ’98, Watkins. Jennie E. Mosher, ’98, Elizabeth Spencer, ’98, Reading Centre. Lois Spencer, ’98, Grace L. White, ’98, Watkins. Nellie J. Berry, ’99, Ellen P. Cogswell, ’99 (Geneseo Normal). Helen B. Hope, ’99, Watkins. Schuyler Paterson, ’99, California. George M. Velie, ’99, Watkins, (Lawyer). Helen G. White,’99, Frances K. Witt, ’99 (Coopers). Arthur K. Bennett, ’00, Michigan. Elizabeth Brown, ’00, Albany. Chester R. Brown. ’00, New York. 10 THE ORACLE. Louise Cullen, ’00, Springfield, Illinois. Bessie T. Haughey, ’00, Watkins. John S. Hurd, ’00, Cincinnati, O. Grace Howard, ’00, Reading. Fred A. Johnson, ’00, New York City. Nettie J. Matthews, ’00, Reading. Ruth Pangborne, ’00 (Mrs. E. Van Deventer), Townsend. J. Cameron Argetsinger, 01, Burdett, (Cornell). Harvey E. Bradley, ’01, Watkins. Mary B. Bradley, ’01, Frederick B. Bond, ’01, Bennettsburg. Charles H. Erway, ’01 (Syracuse University). Harry L. Fink, ’01, Elmira. 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, 1001-1002 Senior Class Barnes, Florence S., Watkins Ellison, Jennie M., Monterey Ganung, Nina M., Moreland Hawes, Edna E., Watkins Rhodes, Minnie, Moreland Smith, Charles E„ Cayntaville Sherman, Frederick E„ Watkins Rooney, Marianna F., Watkins Webb, Seth W., Sugar Hill White, Percy W., Watkins Junior Class Buck, Myra A., Sugar Hill Bradley, Ella F., Watkins Coon, George S., Jr., Watkins Cullen, Helen L., Curry, Lena M., Frost. LeGrand W.. Montour Falls Graham, Willard, Watkins Guthrie, Ethel L., Griffin, Nellie L., Goff, Marion L., Cameron Mills Hawes, Chester A., Watkins Harvey, Fred E., Haring, Grace, Reading Howard, Bula, “ Lee, Helen M., Watkins Palmer, Cora B., “ Richardson, Gertrude M., Watkins Starkey, George C., “ Schulenburg, Florence E., “ Scobey, Marguerite N„ “ Tolbert, Lelia V., White, Horace R., “ Wait, Ray F., Wait, William B„ Abbey, Helen Nancy, Watkins Baker, Tippett S., Monterey Beers, J. Floyd, Dix Baldwin, Genevieve M., Watkins Bowers, Lucy, Burdett Hathaway, Anna E., Watkins Hicks, Emma C., Reading James, Edna, Watkins Love, Marie A., Dix Miller, Bessie M., Reading Center THE ORACLE. Brouwere, Ada B., Altay Curry, Josie M., Watkins Considine. James B., Watkins Close, Alfred J., Cole, Bertha; M., Clark, Alice L., Campbell, Catharine, “ Coleman, Beatrice S., “ Cooper, Edna, Odessa Dudley, Fred W., Watkins Downes, Susan H., “ Ely, Mariam, Hector Griffin, Maurice L., Watkins Giles, Albert W., Hendrickson, Anson F., Watkins Hamilton, Elizabeth H., Harrington, Eleanor M., “ F resh 1 1 M’Cawley, Ethel, Millport Peck, Lorena J., Watkins Perry, Maude E., “ Raplee, Llewellyn, Moreland Station Starkweather, Jennie L., Watkins Stoughton, Nina, Cayutaville Swick. Annis, Reynoldsville Taylor, Robert F., Watkins Tucker, Ola E., “ Tolbert, Mary E., Thompson, Bertha N., “ Thayer, Maude, “ Webb, Arthur I)., Sugar Hill Weed, Mary M., Watkins Weller, Daisy B., Monterey Wells, Margaret M., Watkins an Class. Bennett. Irving C., Watkins Bunn, Floyd B., Bartlett, Scott W., Montour Falls Brewin, Sadie B., Watkins Bailey, Susie J., Townsend Considine, Thomas P., Watkins Close, Elmer, Carpenter, Grace M., Catlin, Mildred 1)., Odessa Cullen, Kathryn, Watkins Donovan. William H., Townsend Erway, Helen A., Hector Everts, Pearl I., Catharine Forbes, Albert F., Watkins Fanton, Langley, Catharine Fordham, Emerson S., Watkins Gaining, Walter C., Moreland Gelatt, Naomi I., Odessa Hughey, Amasa, Dix Hendrickson, Burr W., Watkins Hoefer, Frederick C., Hoefer, Louise, Hovey, May, Hanmer, Tempa A., Dix Post Baskin, Agnes G., Starkey Haughey, Elizabeth 'I'., Watkins Teachers’ Abrams, LeRoy E.. Reading Center Stoughton, Ward M., Alpine Bronson, E. Maude, Altay Bartlett, Laura E , Montour Falls Durkee, Nellie Lee, “ Drummond, Mary B., Altay Erway, Lelia M., Hector Farr, Etta M., Alpine Gelatt, Evangie E., Odessa M’Cawley, Julia, Millport Mathews, Nellie, Watkins Hamilton, Mabel M., Watkins Hendrickson, Pearl R., “ Knapp, George A., Hector Lembeck, Thomas A., Watkins Linzey, Maude L., Lott, Beulah L., “ Lester, Norma M., u McCaul, Bertha M., “ Miller, Nellie Miller, Alma, Overpeck, Nellie B.. “ Patclien, Jay H., Moreland Roby, Lillis M„ Watkins Saxton, Alice ' Spencer, Alvin T., “ Swartwood, Edith M., Watkins Smith, Orilla, Townsend Thayer, Cora A., Watkins Thayer. Ethel Wixon, Bert R., Moreland Wright, Howard, Watkins Wickham, Benjamin A., Hector Weed, Emma B., Watkins Wasson, Carolyn A., Townsend Graduates. Hope, James A., Watkins Taylor, William T., Watkins Training Class. Norris, Maude J., Reading Center Pinneer, Lena M., Burdett Rooney, Marianna F., Watkins Stackhouse, Mabel C., Montour Falls Smith, Helen M., Odessa Yaw, Grace A., Hector Williams, Pearl, “ Hicks, Emma C., Reading Center Hamilton, Nellie B.. Alpine M’Cawley, Ethel, Millport 12 THE ORACLE. Officers of Senior Class. Seth W. Webb, President. Florence S. Barnes, Vice-President. Colors, Motto, - Flower, ... Tree, -Valedictorian, Salutatorian, -Prophet, ... Historian, ... Officers Marguerite N. Scobey, President. William B. Wait, Vice-President. Edna E. Hawes, Secretary. Frederick E. Sherman, Treasurer. Black and Gold. Qui non proflcit, deficit. Daisy. Cut-leaf birch. Seth W. Webb. Florence S. Barnes. - Nina M. Ganung. Frederick E. Sherman. of Junior Class. Cora B. Palmer, Secretary. LeGrand W. Frost, Treasurer. Number of Students. Training Class, -------- 21 Watkins High School, ------ 1 30 Grades, --------- 425 576 Counted twice, ------- - 3 Total, -------- 5711 JZ? WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL OFFERS instruction to its students in the higher English Branches, Modern Languages, Latin Scientific and College Preparatory. The rates of tuition are $5.00 per quarter for common branches and $6.00 if study of foreign languages is pursued. Connected with the school there is also an efficient training class, under the management of a thorough and able instructor. This class continues throughout the entire school year. Being a Regents institution, tuition is free. DAILY PROGRAM OF REGENTS’ EXAMINATIONS. March (25) Subjects. The oral examinations in reading may be held any time during examination week at the convenience of the examiner. MONDAY. 9.15 A. M—12.15 P. M. TUESDAY. 9.15 A. m.—12.15 P. M. WEDNESDAY. 9.15 A. M.—12.15 P. M. U. S. History. Plane Geometry. Physics. Rhetoric. Arithmetic. Algebra. Stenography. Writing. Elementary English. German, 1st year. Latin, 1st year. Cicero. 1.15-4.15 P. M. 1.15-4.15 p. m. 1.15—4.15 p. m. Advanced English. English Composition. Physiology and Hygiene. Bookkeeping. Geography. Physical Geography. English History. Civics. Spelling. Caesar. Virgil's JEneid. Economics. Drawing. January and June 76, all) Subjects. The oral examination in reading may he held any time during examination week at the convenience of the examiner. MONDAY. 9.15 A. M.—12.15 P. M. TUESDAY. 9.15 A. M. 12.15 1 . M. WEDNESDAY. 9.15 A. M. 12.15 i M. THURSDAY. 9.15 A. M.—12.15 P. M. FRIDAY. 9.15 A. M.-12.15 p. m. German, 2d year. French, 2d year. Virgil's Kelognes. Advanced Arithmetic. AUpbra, Advanced Drawing. Latin Composition. English, 2d year. Uhetorie. American Selections. German, 1st year. Latin, 1st year. Advanced Algebra. Greek IIIstoi? Advanced Hookkeeping. Greek Composition. 1 Mane Geometry. Physics. ('hemist ry. lT. S. History and Civics. Commercial Law. Sallust. Greek, 1st year. Arithmetic. Trigonomet ry. Adv. U. S. History. Stenography. ('ommercial Geography. Typewriting W riting. Elementary English. ( Icero. Medieval History. Business English. Lift 4.1ft P.M. 1.15 4.15 I . M. Lift 4.1ft I . M. Lift—4.1ft I . M. 1.15-4.15 P. m. Advanced English. English, 1st year. German, 3d year. French, 1st year. French, 3d year. English ( imposition. Homan History. Ciesar. Latin, 2d year. Virgil's Eneid. Latin, 2d year. Xenophon's Anabasis. Greek, 2d year. Botany. Spanish, 1st year. Spanish, 8d year Business Arithmetic. English, 2d year. English Sided ions. Advanced English Composition. Physiology and Hygiene. Zoology. Economics. Bookkeeping. Business Practice. Greek, 2d year. Homer’s Iliad. Geography. Physical Geography. Ast ronomy. English History. Civics. Spanish, 2d year. History of Commerce. Spelling. English Heading. History of Literature. Solid Geometry. Geology. Drawing. Business Writing. H X m O n r m CALENDAR OF EXAMINATIONS, 1901«'05. 11)01 January 21—25. March 25—27. June 17—21. 1902 January 27—81. M ji.ru li ‘22 24 June 10—20. 1908 January 20—80. March 28—25. June 15—19. 1904 January 25—29. March 21—28. June 18—17. 1905 January 28—27. March 27—29. June 12—10. (jj 14 THE ORACLE. CALENDAR, 1002. 1901. Sept. 3—First quarter begins. S—Training Class organizes. Nov. 5—General Election—Holiday. “ 8—First quarter ends. “ 11—Second quarter begins. “ 28—Thanksgiving day—Holiday. ‘ ‘ 29—Friday—(no school). Dec. 25—Holiday vacation begins. 1902. Jan. 1—Holiday vacation ends. ‘ ‘ 2—School recommences. “ 9—10—Uniform examination. “ 21—24—Training class examination. “ 27—Third quarter begins. “ 27—31—Regents’ examinations. Third quarter begins. Feb. 12—Lincoln’s birthday—Holiday. “ 22—Washington’s birthday—Holiday. March 22—24—Regent’s examinations. April 4—Third quarter ends. “ 7—Spring vacation begins. “ 13—Spring vacation ends. “ 14—Fourth quarter begins. May 30—Memorial day—Holiday. June 10—13—Training class examinations. “ 16—20—Regent’s examination. ‘ • 20—Fourth quarter ends. “ 25—Commencement. Sept. 2—First quarter begins. SENIOR. BOAST. IDO not want you to think that because this article, or whate ver you may choose to call it, is called a “boast.” that we intend to crow about our achievements or our class. To do so would be far beneath our dignity, to say nothing of the pleasure we would confer upon the Juniors by such a move. Perhaps they think it doesn’t become them to brag about themselves while their elders maintain silence, but in case they should find themselves in this disagreeable state of mind, I would like to console them by saying that it is perfectly right and proj er. It is the very construction of human nature. Every one knows that the younger roosters always crow the loudest, and will, therefore, think nothing of it. When I said that I did not intend to brag I meant it, and I shall endeavor to give you a fair, truthful statement of our class without the slightest embellishment or exaggeration in any form. THE ORACLE. 15 In the first place no class has ever before graduated from the school with either their valedictorian or salutatorian over ninety, while in our class both have standings of over ninety, and the valedictorian ninety-four. I’m not boasting, understand that ; every word of it’s true, and I have simply given these two members the credit which is rightfully their share. I have been contending that some one of the young ladies of our class should have written this episode, for then they could have shouted it with the vehemence which only a woman can equal, that there are more girls in the class than boys. Well, I can't fight against facts, so I won’t try ; suffice to escape by the old excuse that quality is preferable to quantity. Now, girls, don't get angry, but I hated to say that the boys have been beaten in quantity and quality both. One thing about our class is its remarkable growth. Just one year ago it was a little baby junior class, nearly as bad as the one which just came into existence a few days ago. Now it constitutes the mighty organization that holds the record from the proudest of the nineteen classes that have passed before it. Years will pass. Time will ultimately close our careers, whatever they may have been, but our children’s children will proudly say : “ I am a descendant of one of the class of 1902.” F. E. 1). 8., 02. £? TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS. SKTH W. WKBB. Seth W. Webb, our beloved president and valedictorian, commenced his wonderful career on Christmas, 1883. This fact doubtless accounts for his saint like disposition and angelic qualities. Although he entered the Sugar Hill Academy at the early age of five and continued in that course for ten years, until his rapid progress was limited only by the school itself, thus forcing him to locate in Watkins to attend the college at that place. He was thrashed but twice during the entire period ; once because endeavoring to experiment with kinetic energy ami therefrom derive one of those mathematical calculations of which he has always been so fond, he failed to perceive in his excitement that it was the heads of two boys in the next seat that were serving the purpose of scientific instruments. Another thing about this remarkable character is the fact that either because of their aversion, or his own, lie has never formed more than a casual acquaintance with the girls, and we are inclined to think it to be the latter, as he has been known, to my personal experience, to go around two blocks rather than meet a group of girls standing on the next corner. One of his most remarkable characteristics is his power of endurance, having once been the head of an Okac'IjK staff with Cammie Arget-singer and “ Killie” Taylor as assistants, and at another when some of 16 THE ORACLE. his colleagues got into a rumpus with the girls over a “ (late,” having to go and “ coddle ” with the president of the girls' society. His future seems undecided between hoeing corn and looking through a surveyor’s instrument, but I think his tendencies at present rather incline toward the latter occupation. P. E. S., ’02. FLORENCE S. BARNES. Florence S. Barnes, our salutatorian, is one of the bright and shining lights of the class of 1902. Her education has been obtained entirely in the High School, where she has ever been one of its most industrious and book-loving students. Florence is a great favorite with all. especially with those on the west side of the house. This popularity is not limited to the four walls of the High School, but follows her wherever she is known. She has always been very regular in attendance, but lately found it impossible to withstand the temptations of a Junior Prom. If she had not “ Bennett ” while there, she would have been inconsolable. Among other honors, she was the first president of the “Lambda Epsilon,” and a very dignified one she made ! Her well-developed faculty of “jollying” was especially useful at that time, for she had the difficult task of keeping the president of the boys’ society in good humor. In this she was so successful, that when the officers of the Senior Class were chosen, this same president expressed a desire to have her retained as vice-president. We predict for Florence a brilliant and happy future and feel assured that if she continues in these various lines of conquest all our expectations will be realized. E. E. H., '02. £? £? £? EDNA E. HAWES. Our secretary, Miss Edna Elizabeth Hawes, is surely an ideal representative of the “sweet girl graduate.” Her invariable good nature and .jolly disposition have made her one of the High School favorites, and her popularity extends to still wider circles. Her education has been obtained entirely in this school, but during her early years she showed no marked preference for any particular branch of study. Since entering the academic department she has declined to turn her attention to anything but mathematics, being especially attracted by geometry,—though truly her personal appearance is not indicative of angles. Edna is a young lady of many “ Ide”-as, and at present cannot decide whether to begin a business career as a banker in New York, or to enter a certain Southern University to study dentistry. She is a girl of “ Sterling” qualities, but seems to have peculiar tastes, as it is told that she was sustained entirely by “Bacon” while visiting an Elmira friend recently. THE ORACLE. 17 “Edny” is possessed of decided musical ability which, combined with her many domestic virtues, makes her one of the most accomplished of the High School girls. F. S. B., ’02. FRED E. SHERMAN. On June 12, 1885, the village of Watkins was blessed by the birth of Frederick E. Sherman, our honest treasurer and historian. His parents did not intend that Fred should enter school until he was eight years old, but Prof. Johnson recognized his superior intellect and induced them to allow their son to enter school at the age of six. Mr. Sherman has the remarkable record of having missed only three days of school in eleven years. On one of these days he had a sore throat ; on another, some sickness, the nature of which he refuses to disclose, and on the third he attended the obsequies of an ancestor. Mr. Sherman, in his younger days, never had a reputation as a lady killer, but one of the female members of the Senior Class seems to have drawn him outside of his shell and now his prospects of graduating in this manly art as well as from Watkins High School are bright. • Mr. Sherman is much beloved by the many persons whom he has helped with debates and work in algebra, and they all wish him much success in the line of work which he may take up. Concerning this work, Fred has not decided whether to become an operator on the Peanut Line or an electrical engineer, but we think that he will choose one of the two. S. W. W., ’02. NINA M. GANUNG. The subject of this sketch is our well known and learned prophet. Miss Nina Gaming is as vet only sweet sixteen, but has already graduated from Moreland Academy, and for the last three years has pursued a course in Watkins High School for housekeeping. She is already a leader of society and has been known to stay out to parties and sit until morning in order to have her lessons next day. If woman suffrage ever gives woman a place in making our laws, we shall surely expect to see Miss Gaming in a high place, for she is a born diplomat. She has displayed this quality in many ways, but probably it is best shown in the fact that she always has three or more fellows at the same time. Our class has not as yet chosen a class beauty because each person votes for herself as first choice, but the second choice generally falls upon Miss Gaming. We cannot say whether this is because of her physical features, or the quality of a diplomat which I have mentioned above. Miss Ganung says that she intends to enter college after graduating from Watkins High School, but we are afraid that one of her many suitors will persuade her that the true place for the woman is in the home. 02. 18 THE ORACLE. JENNIE M. ELLISON. One of the most interesting members of the Senior Class this year is Miss Jennie May Ellison from Monterey. Miss Ellison is an enthusiastic student in all her subjects, but gives her closest attention to physics. Prior to 1899 she attended school here, but from then until this year she has continued her studies at Monterey and Dundee. Aside from her regular school work she is pursuing a course in music. Her strong and progressive work here guarantees for her success in future life in whatever she may undertake. Miss Ellison is an industrious home loving girl and of all domestic duties, it is her highest hope to become a (Baker). In hopes of furthering the realization of this desire she takes a long ride from Watkins to Monterey every Friday night, and will probably some day get (a) (Tip) at the summit of her highest ambition. There were several gentlemen who also tried to get (at) (Tip) as a result, but failing in this, and seeing the futility of their attempts, they ceased their efforts, and all points toward a happy future. The preparatory grades of our school gave Miss Ellison her preliminary training and all regetted when she cut her course short and removed to Monterey. But the attractions of so good a school proved too strong for so good a scholar, and at the beginning of this year we were rejoiced to find Miss Ellison again in our ranks. To our beloved classmate and ever ready friend, we and all who know her, send our regards and wish her the greatest happiness in future life. M. R., ’02. CHARLES EUGENE SMITH. Charles Eugene Smith is without exception the most studious member of the senior class. He is never seen on Main street after 0 p. m. (But maybe seen hitting the “Pi ke”at any old time.) Charley has been studying so hard of late that he is not well, and his friends say that they (May Berry) him at any time. One thing that makes Charles so popular with the girls, old maids, etc., of Watkins, is the fact that he is a member of the profession, having at one time been a gun spinner with the crack minstrels. When the troupe played Townsend the girls thought that Charles must be very young, because he carried a bottle. Formerly his great ambition of life was to become a “ Cooper,” but of late beseems to incline towards the Methodist church, or more correctly a particular member of that church, and unless his mind again changes we would not be surprised to see Charles some day join the clergy of that body. P. W. W.. ’02. MINNIE RHODES. Among the rugged hills of Moreland, Miss Rhodes passed her childhood days. After graduating from Moreland Academy and thereby winning eternal fame, she determined to pursue her education in re- THE ORACLE. 19 nowned Cook Academy. The next two years were spent in close application to her studies and nothing more serious than one or two calls to the “office” occurred. Since coming here, however, we have known of no misdemeanor and consider Miss Rhodes as one above the average in behavior as well as in knowledge. She is one of the most industrious and studious members of the class, and has especially distinguished herself in the working of geometric problems. She being a believer in the saying that “ Variety lends enchantment,” has endeavored to extend her list of accomplishments, and far as we can ascertain has been remarkably successful. Unlike Miss Rooney her future hangs behind a darkened veil. We feel assured, however, that at some distant day she will follow her long-wished-for occupation, either speaking to the multitudes on universal suiTrage or. far better, enlightening the heathen concerning a divine revelation. £ MARIANNA ROONEY. The history of the Senior Class would be incomplete without a sketch of our illustrious classmate, Miss Marianna Rooney. For several years she has been a resident of Watkins, but like many others of the class, she spent her childhood’s happy hours on Sugar Hill. In the fall of 1901, Marianna entered the training class, but she soon found the work too hard and the discipline too strict for her mode of living. She has since spent her leisure moments in High School and geometry class. Miss Rooney is very highly respected by her many friends and only those who know her intimately are able to appreciate fully her many good qualities. We believe her to be a most fortunate person, she being the only member of the Senior Class who knows positively what her future will be. For a long time it had been a touching sight to see her sad face and falling tears, as She only said, “ My life is dreary, He cometh not, ” she said ; She said, “ I am aweary, aweary, I would that I were dead!” Rut some time in the past year, a single question answered by the one simple word -'yes” changed all. Now it is a pleasure to see the happy gleam in her eye and the smile on her lips as she moves about among us. The class of 1902 otfer her their sincere wishes for her future hap- piness. N. M. G., ’02 PERCY W. WHITE. Among the members of the Senior Class of 1902 who have won distinction is Percy W. White. We are inclined to think that this illustrious character won his laurels in the chemistry class where on account of his brilliant work (in his own mind) he expects to become state chem 20 THE ORACLE. ist some day. It is a very familiar sound in the morning at roll-call when Prof, says, “Mr. White, were you here yesterday?” to hear a gentle voice in the rear of the room say, “Yes, I was hea.” Percy is very fond of duck hunting, but he must have friends over on the beach to whom he gives his game because he never was known to bring any home. White is always interested in the burning question of the day, for you seldom meet him but he asks, “Got a match?” or “How’s your smokin’? ” His favorite brand of cigars is “ Old Virginia cheroots. ” He does not care for quantity, but quality he must have (?). He can’t smoke poor cigars (?) because they make him sick to his stomach and dizzy-headed. Percy is also a great minstrel man and looks quite like himself when sitting on the end. But it is hard to decide what he will do in the future whether he will slug baggage at the opera house or travel with a minstrel troupe. When he played at Townsend with The Oracle troupe he came near “losing his job for quite a while,” and the next morning Alice was singing “You ought to see that minstrel man of mine.” Percy’s favorite occupation is gardening and he keeps his garden well ( Weeded ) but the secret of it all is that he (Weeds) in the night. Percy is thought by some to be a rather shady character, as he is seen frequently dashing up and down the back streets after dark. There are other elements to his character which we might mention, but a lack of time and space will not permit, so we close, hoping that those who read this article will form a favorable opinion of our worthy member, Percy W. White. C. E. S., ’02. JUNIOR. BOAST. W E, the “ gay young Juniors” of Watkins High School, make our first bow before an admiring public. It seems scarcely necessary for so exceptionally brilliant a class to set forth its merits, which are certainly evident enough, in a Boast; but we are conscious that our fame can scarcely have spread around the globe as yet, for in that case we would have no more worlds to conquer when the dawn of 1903 makes us Seniors. Thus the unenlightened few might conclude, from the absence of a Boast, that the Juniors have nothing to say for themselves, (whereas in reality it would take several volumes of The Oracle to chronicle all we could say). We will endeavor, therefore, to explain briefly the many causes that make us the most notable class by which the good old High School was ever honored in acknowledging as its child. The Seniors have been feeling very proud because of the high stand ing of their class, this unusual brilliancy having been commented upon from the school platform and in the village papers. Now, we the Juniors are sure that if the class of 1902 can reach ninety-four per cent, as its high water mark, that of 1903 will stop at nothing short of one hundred and ninety-four ! OlIR MINSTREL MAN. THE ORACLE. 21 And by this honest belief we mean no disrespect to our illustrious Seniors. We honor them very much, and they certainly think that they control us, mind and body. One senior was even heard to remark to a Junior: We had you organize so that you can help us write Thk Oracle and decorate for commencement.” So you see that had it not been for them, we could never have existed; and now that we do exist, our noblest duty is to aid them in the many labors attending Senior life. We Juniors number fourteen, a remarkably large class judging by that of last year, which consisted of but four members. They, however, increased to ten upon becoming Seniors—a ratio which, if followed out by the Juniors of the present time, would make the graduating class of 1908 a company of thirty five! All hail to 1903! On the account of the size of our class, it seems impossible to give each member the mention deserved; but the officers, at least, must receive a little attention. Our vice-president, William B. Wait, is one of the best students of the school, having distinguished himself in every line of study he ever attempted. In geometry class, Mr. Wait was a bright star amid the darkness which prevailed in the north room during that period, he being one of the few who could solve the hated originals. Had it not been for Mr. Wait and two or three others, the teachers would undoubtedly have been in the mad house long before the year was out. Mr. Wait’s abilities are not, however, confined to the school room. He is already an excellent telegraph operator, and his many friends are confident that he will achieve great success in this line of business. Cora B. Palmer, our secretary, is another of the school’s most industrious and successful students. She is especially gifted in her knowledge of Lat (t) in, which has long been her favorite subject. If she adopts this as her specialty in teaching (her chosen occupation), we are sure she will win a reputation which will make the world ring. Le Grand Frost is our treasurer, and we have the greatest confidence in his honesty in the charge of our heavy finances. Mr. Frost’s greatest delight is V irgil's Aeneid, perhaps because of his company in the class of four, seventy-five per cent, of whom are girls. Or it may be that he enjoys being such a near neighbor to our pretty secretary, who occupies the seat next to him. As to the president of this glorious class, and the writer of this humble tiibute, perhaps the least said of her the better. The office was “greatness thrust upon her” and in defence of all short-comings, she can only say: ‘ 1 will do my best: angels can do no more.” In general, the class is industrious, ambitious and usually successful. It aims at the highest, and there is at least a (Ray) of hope that it may attain its object, in spite of numerous (Wait)s. With this prospect in view, the Junior Class bids you farewell. One year from now, the public may again recognize us, in the pages of another Oracle; but if so. it will not be as Juniors. Our dreams will then be realized; our school days will be nearly over; and we will be the Senior Class of 1903! M. N. S., ’03. 22 THE ORACLE. MEMBERS REGISTERED Myra A. Buck, Lena M. Curry, Helen L. Cullen, Le Grand W. Frost. Ethel L. Guthrie, Willard B. Graham. Chester A. Hawes, Grace Haring, Cora B. Palmer, Gertrude M. Richardson, Marguerite N. Scobey, Lelia V. Tolbert, William B. Wait, Ray F. Wait. JZ? WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL ALPHA No. 2. FOR several years it has been the custom of the school to organize a literary, generally a debating society, sometimes under one name and sometimes another, but always with the same object of giving practice to its members in debating and public speaking. At the commencement of this school year a society of this kind was organized among the boys known as the Alpha No. 2, to distinguish it from Alpha No. 1, which was organized two years ago. Its meetings held every other Wednesday evening are very interesting and instructive, the subject chosen for debate always being one of general interest. Good public speakers outside of those following oratory as a profession are exceedingly rare and the value of such debating societies in our public schools where all can join and take an interest in them can hardly be overestimated. A few weeks ago a public debate was held between the school and Starkey Seminary over the South African question, and although the oratory would hardly compare with Webster or Depew, yet it clearly showed the advantages of even a short training in the art of public speaking. F. E. D. S., ’02. OFFICERS AND MEMBERS. James B. Considink, President. Fred W. Dudley, Vice-President. Le Grand W. Frost, Secretary. Arthur I). Webb. Treasurer. £7 £7 £7 £7 Seth W. Webb, Frederick E. Sherman. Willard Graham, Chester A. Hawes, Anson Hendrickson, Thomas A. Lembeck, Floyd J. Beers, George C. Starkey. Albert W. Giles. Scott W. Bartlett Bert R Wixon, Albert F. Forbes, Floyd B. Bunn, Alvin T. Spencer. Alfred Close, Jay H. Patchen. THE ORACLE. 23 Irving C. Bennett, Charles E. Smith, William H. Donovan, George A. Knapp, Thomas P. Considine, Llewellyn Raplee, Burr Hendrickson, Howard Wright, Benjamin Wickham, T. Sunderlin Baker, Walter C. Ganung, Amasa Hughey, Fred E. Harvey, Maurice L. Griffin, L. Langley Fanton, Frederick Hoefer, Emerson Fordham, Elmer C. Close. LAMBDA EPSILON. OFFICERS' Myra A Buck, President. Cora B. Palmer, Vice-President. Helen Nancy Abbey, Secretary and Treasurer. THE Lambda Epsilon was organized soon after the opening of the school year 1901-1902. Its purpose is for the improvement of its members from a literary point of view. Any young lady attending Watkins High School or the training class is eligible for membership. Nearly every girl of these two bodies is now a member. At the first meeting the officers were elected for a term of five months or one half the school year and were given power to appoint an executive commitee of three persons to assist them. Meetings are held every two weeks on Wednesday evening, when a literary and musical programme is rendered. These meetings have proved a success, quite contrary to the predictions of the pessimists of the school. It was prophesied at the time of the organization that the girls could never keep up a society, they would be fighting among themselves all of the time. However, owing to its very efficient management, the Lambda Epsilon has withstood the ravages of time much better than its worthy opponent, the Alpha Debating Society. N. M. G., ’02. £? JZ? £? TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF LAMBDA EPSILON. The opening of the year 1901 ushered in the twentieth century. The death of President McKinley occurred in this year. Many other import, ant events might be found recorded in the register of 1901, but by far the most important was the founding of the Lambda Epsilon. This society is, as you will find elsewhere in these pages, composed entirely of girls, and their first election of officers occurred in the latter part of September, 1901. In this election arose the first dispute. Some of the girls wanted the entire number of officers among the female sex. and some did not. The counsel of the latter prevailed and the following is the list of officers: 24 THE ORACLE. President—Florence S. Barnes. Vice-President—Nina M. Gaming. Secretary and Treasurer—Ella F. Bradley. Doorkeeper—Frank L. Taylor (“Romeo”). Body Guard—S. S. Johnson ( “Prof ”). Everything passed of smoothly until the night of the iirst meeting, when over fifty pretty girls came to the school building. Now certain of the young male students of W. H. S. thought that it was highly dangerous for so many young ladies to be alone, and decided to come up and keep them company. They walked up to the door and imagine their surprise when they found it locked. Not to be daunted in their heroic errand, they tested all the windows until they found one on the second floor that was unlocked. Several entered, but they found the afore mentioned body-guard too formidable for their forces, and came out quicker than they went in. Thus were their well meant efforts lost, but the girls voted the meeting a success. During the next two weeks the boys were busily preparing to make determined effort at the next meeting. The two weeks passed and they again gained entrance to the building. They cautiously crept up the first stairway ; they reached the middle landing. Then slowly and, as they supposed, noiselessly they ascended the upper flight. They grouped themselves before the swing doors and prepared for a rush. They rushed down the stairs without stopping to pay compliments, for the door-keeper had suddenly appeared in the doorway. Soon another and more serious trouble confronted the members of the Lambda Epsilon. For the benefit of outsiders I will explain that the girls of W. H. S. are very particular never to break their word. Especially particular are they in regard to their “ dates.” Now, the members of the Alpha had decided to hold a minstrel show to defray the expenses of publishing Thk ORACLE of 1900-1901. They set the date for this performance on the same day of the Lambda Epsilon meeting. Whether they did this intentionally or not is a question which will always be a source of argument between the members of the two societies. Truly were the members of the Lambda Epsilon in a quandary. The boys had taken possession of their night without even asking permission. What were they to do ? On the one hand they would give up their night and allow the boys to go unpunished for what seemed to them an act of insolence. On the other, the minstrel show was without doubt for the benefit of the whole school, and the boys firmly denied having intentionally appropriated their night. At last the presidents of the two societies got together and had a little conversation. ( This conversation is mentioned in the history of both president and vice-president of the Senior Class.) The result of their talk was a meeting of the Lambda Epsilon, at which all the members except four voted to give the boys the night. But the fact that the wound still bled was manifested at the next election, when one of these four was elected president. THE ORACLE. 25 For a time all went well. No one disturbed the meetings, and it seemed that the Lambda Epsilon was to end the year in peace. But soon a matter arose which threatened to bring on open war between the boys and girls. It seems that shortly before the Christmas holidays, two young men from the Alpha had gone to Starkey and arranged a debate between the two schools. They fixed the date for some time in the second week in March. During the month of January a basket ball game was played between Starkey and Cook. At this game it was decided that the date of the debate should be the twelfth of March. The members of the Alpha claim that no sooner had the president of the Lambda Epsilon heard of this date, than she rushed to a calendar and found, to her intense delight, that the date conflicted with the regular meeting of their society. I cannot vouch for the truth of the above, but it is sufficient to say that the two dates did fall upon the same night. Immediately a meeting was called, and as a result the boys were confronted with a demand to either apologize or give up the night. At this the debaters waxed exceeding wroth and declared that they would apologize when they had something to apologize for. At last the secretary of the Alpha sent a letter to the Lambda Epsilon. Instead of quenching the smouldering fire, this letter simply fanned it into flame, and things burned at fever heat. It was worth a man’s life to glance at a girl, for sparks flew from their eyes worse than electricity from a dynamo. One debater, who had the courage to stay in the building five minutes after school, was pounced upon by a member of the Lambda Epsilon and to save his life he was compelled to make a frantic rush for the door. It is reported that this young man, who is an expert operator, could not tell dots from dashes for a week, on account of fright. Things went on in this manner until a few days before the twelfth, each side waiting for the other to give in. At last the debaters saw that something must be done and a meeting was called. Many and violent were the speeches uttered at this meeting, but at last two of the debaters were appointed to meet the president and vice-president of the Lambda Epsilon. After bidding farewell to their friends, these two embassadors met the young ladies. As no record was kept of their conversation, it has never been decided which came off victorious in this battle of words, but next day a session of the Lambda Epsilon was held. No spectators were allowed at this meeting, but report says that speeches were delivered that would have done credit to Chauncey Depew in his palmiest days. After several hours of speech making a vote was cast. Intense silence was maintained during the counting of the votes and the result gave the boys the night, by a small majority. Since then nothing of any importance has disturbed the quiet of the Lambda Epsilon. Of course, the lights have mysteriously gone out several times and there have been lesser troubles. But these little matters only bind the members more closely together, and it is a safe prediction to say that the society will end the present school year in prosperity. 26 THE ORACLE. In closing, 1 will say that as you look at the picture of their pleasant and smiling faces in Thk Oracle it seems impossible that they could possess the force and power which history has placed to their credit. S. W. W., ’02. W. H. S. DECLAIMING SOCIETY. OFFICERS: Percy W. White, President. Ray Wait. Vice-President. Horace R. White, Treasurer. William B. Wait, Secretary. Prof. S. S. Johnson, Business Director. MEMBERS : Hon. James A. Hope, Esq. THE Watkins High School Declaiming Society is indeed a select organization. In the first place it consists of those whose feet were too clean (t) to tread in the precincts of the dreaded Alpha; and, secondly, because it was organized with the greatest care and perseverance under the surveillance of its business director. Indeed so attractive was the entire arrangement that after electing themselves officers, the four charter members decided they had better have some one to rule over. So they came around to the Alpha back door, and selected Mr. James Hope from the Alpha slop pail. The business director approved their choice and straightway began the operation of cleaning and transforming the above named gentleman into a full fledged declaimer. The regular meetings of this society are held twice per quarter. That is, in the first each member meets the business director in his private office and presents his subject with the greatest gravity and respect. I suppose the object of separate interviews is to prevent the combination of power, and also to defeat the chance that one might have to tackle the paper pile, if there were others present to withdraw the director’s attention. The second meeting is held some morning about the middle of the quarter in the High School chapel, and consists of each member, one after the other, hobbling onto the platform and keeping time with his knees and mouth to a faint squeaking noise barely discernible through out the room. Then he crawls back to his seat, there is a roar of applause (and laughter), and another unfortunate is put through the ordeal. After all have completed their performance, the business director arises, declares the meeting a success, and sets the date for another private interview. And so the work continues. The only hope for the poor members is graduation and the grave, and in most cases there seems to be greater chance for the latter than the former. F. E. I). S.. ’02 THE ORACLE. 27 ORACLE MINSTRELS. OFFICERS: 2. Willis D. Gatks, Jr., Manager. 1 Percy W. White, Treasurer. 3. Seth W. Webb, Advance and Press Agent. 4. James A. Hope. Musical Director. MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY: (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT). Willis D. Gates, Jr., John E. Hendy, Percy W. White, Horace R. White, Chester A. Hawes, George S. Coon, Charles E. Smith, James A. Hope. William T. Taylor, Seth W. Webb, George C. Starkey, Center. Fred Dudley, Front of Center. ORCHESTRA: Leader—Natt Steiner, 1st Violin. Charles Overpeck, Cornet. Robert Taylor Clarinet. Archibald Smith, 2nd Violin. Le Grand Frost, Flute. Albert Lattin, Tenor. Howard Wright, Slide Trombone. THE Oracle Minstrel Company, of Watkins High School, was organized about November 1, 1901, for the purpose of paying the debt incurred by publishing The Oracle in June of that year. The troupe after two weeks’ practice appeared at the opera house, Watkins, and make a decided hit. receiving many flattering press notices in the local papers. The company as originally organized consisted of twelve people. After the Watkins engagement the troupe was enlarged and an orchestra of high school talent was added and the troupe took the road, playing dates in nearby towns, doing an enormous business. Enough cash was gathered in to pay The Oracle debt and leave a balance in the treasury, which is to be used to purchase a handsome first pait setting for the coming season, when the troupe, which now consists of twenty people with band and orchestra, will appear at the Watkins opera house. Manager Gates is constantly on the lookout for minstrel talent. Manager Willis 1). Gates, Jr., early developed dramatic talent and has appeared in all local dramatic events for the past five years. His line of work is blackface, German and straight comedy parts. Mr. Gates was the sole organizer of the Oracle Minstrels, designed their handsome first part setting, stage managed the show, besides appearing on the 28 THE ORACLE. “end. ” and doing a German monologue in the olio. The solesuccess of the Oracles rests with Mr. Gates, who, owing to his natural ability as an organizer and manager, made the show a grand success. Mr. Gates is now hard at work training talent and designing scenery for the fall tour of the “ Oracles.” Percy W. White was treasurer of the Oracle Minstrels. Mr. James A. Hope is musical director of the Oracle Minstrels. Mr. Hope is a baritone soloist of local renown, having sung for the past three years as baritone lead in the Presbyterian church choir, Watkins. Mr. Hope is a composer and arranger of great ability. Last year he played 2nd violin with the High School orchestra. Mr. Hope successfully looked after the musical part of the Oracle Minstrels, appearing in both first and olio in baritone and bass solos. Mr. Seth W. Webb is advance and press representative and his attractive press notices and untiring advance work greatly added to the success of the minstrels. Mr. Webb appeared as second bass in the Metropolitan quartette in the big first part. One of the features of the Oracle Minstrels is the orchestra of seven pieces under the leadership of Mr. Natt Steiner. Mr. Steiner is a violinist of great ability and has associated with him six expert musicians whom he is carefully training for the coming season. As interlocutor Mr. George C. Starkey was a great success. P. W. W., 02. JZ? A PROPHECY. IT was the day of the twentieth annual commencement at Watkins High School. The chapel, a large, pleasant room with windows all along its eastern side, was beautifully decorated with the class colors, black and gold. The graduates of 190—, ten in number, were seated on the platform, as, promptly on the stroke of the clock, the exercises began. The salutatorian was a pretty girl of seventeen, very petite and attractive; she appeared unusually charming to-day, her large dark eyes lighted up with excitement; and there was a murmer of admiration in the room as Frances stepped lightly forward and began reading in a clear voice that could be heard all over the room. The words of salutation were apt and well-chosen; and the essay which followed was exceedingly clever, being full of the native brightness and originality of the author. When Frances returned to her seat she was followed by a burst of hearty applause more gratifying than the admiring murmer with which she had been greeted. The exercises proceeded pleasantly, all the members of the class bringing much credit upon themselves by the excellence of their productions. ORACLE MINSTREL CO. THE ORACLE. 29 At length it was the turn of the Historian and after him the Prophetess. It was a time of trial for the other graduates, while these two were at the front, for the papers of both were singularly witty and the “ hits ” all struck home. The Valedictorian was a fine appearing fellow, with a broad, intellectual brow, and dark, expressive eyes. His oration was scholarly and yet absorbingly interesting; and his closing words to the teachers and classmates were eloquent and stirring. It was a fitting end to a remarkably fine commencement. The exercises were over and nearly every one had left the building. Only the four holding the class honors remained. As they lingered in the laboratory taking farewell glances at all the familiar objects, they talked of the school days now past. “Are we glad they’re over?” queried Sam, the handsome Valedictorian, glancing chiefly at Frances. “ It’s too soon to tell.” she answered, smiling. “Just now, it is such an immense relief to be through with all the fuss of writing essays and editing The Oracle, that I, for one, can’t feel very sad over leaving school.” “ 1 imagine we’ll wish ourselves back though, before five years are over,” said Nettie, the Prophetess. “ I wonder what will happen to us in that time anyway!” “ The Prophetess ought to know,” said Frank, the Historian. “ Yes, and you see she says we will wish ourselves back,” added Sam. “ Suppose we meet again five years from now at Commencement time, and see if she is right.” “Agreed!” said the others. With these words they left the building, and by another week the class had separated. £7 Five years had passed. Again it was Commencement at Watkins High School. Among the audience filling the chapel were the four young people who had so gracefully carried the class honors at a former Commencement. Now, as then, they lingered after the Exercises, saluting one another with hearty hand clasps and cordial words. The first greetings over, they began to glance at each other more closely, and note the changes since they parted, that day five years ago. Sam had developed into a remarkably handsome man, and four years of college life had added that indefinable something which is always so captivating to the fair sex. Since his graduation from college, he had been for a year studying civil engineering, in which he bade fair to be wonderful 1 y successfu 1. Frances was the same clever, attractive girl she had always been, but her vivacity was somewhat softened into a sweet earnestness. Always popular, she was now a belle in city society, and it was rumored that more than one broken heart bore witness to her charms. She, however, remained faithful to the love of her school-girl days. 30 THE ORACLE. Nettie was now a handsome, noble-faced woman, true and kind as ever, her whole character ripened and deepened. For most of the past five years she had been at home, but it was now settled that she was to remain there no longer. The young plumber who so ardently admired her when she was student in Watkins High School had now declared he would not wait any longer for his bride, and autumn would see Nettie married to this namesake of her country’s discoverer. Frank, always successful, had already accomplished much as an electrical engineer, in which he had taken a four years’ course. The work was extremely congenial to him and his ability for it was marked. These facts concerning one another all came out as the four sat there in the deserted building, for any particular which one member hesitated to mention about him or herself, was sure to be added by another. Then Sam glanced at Frances as he had at that other Commencement. “Well, have the words of the Prophetess been verified?” he asked. “ No. they have’nt,” cried Nettie herself, breaking in eagerly. “I’m a thousand times happier than I ever was in school, and wouldn’t be back for anything?” “ To use the slang phrase, I wonder why!” laughed Frances. “But I don’t blame you, Nettie; he is a dandy fellow.” “I’m sure 1 am more interested in my work than lever was in school,” said Frank. “ I would’nt care to be back.” “Nor, I,” said Frances decidedly. “These have been very happy years to me.” “Well, we saw some rather happy ones here in the High School,” remarked Sam, thoughtfully. “ Still, college is better, and my present course is very pleasant. No, I wouldn’t care to be back.” “ I’m so glad my prophecy was a mistaken one! ” said Nettie. “ But if you will let me make another, I hope it will be true. It is this: As long as we live, we will always look back gladly to this time in our lives; and, moreover, I’m sure there are lots of happier days coming!” M. N. S., ’03. Jc? JZ? THE “S. A. P. SOCIETY. ON a dark and stormy night when the lightning Hashed and the thunder rolled, a party of young men met in a lonely spot for the purpose of organizing a secret society, which was destined to become a great and important factor of the Watkins High School. This society was organized for several reasons, the principal one being to lower to a proper level the freshmen from the grades and country, whose opinion of themselves was much too exalted. Still another purpose of the “S. A. P’s” was to check the alarming exuberance of spirits which prevailed among some of the older students.” After organizing this society, the next move was to obtain the nec-esssary material upon which to perform the initiatory rites. This was THE ORACLE. 31 extremely difficult owing to the rumors spread abroad in regard to the great severity attending the “opening exercises.” Therefore the “S. A. P’s,” seeing that persuasion was useless, were obliged to resort to force, in order to obtain the desired victims. The first victim was one of the older students, in fact he had been a student from the earliest recollection of most of the alumni of the school. The charter members met him in company with his lady love. The hapless student pleaded and swore, but all in vain. He was hurried to the scene of action and “ put through ” with all the ceremony attending such a solemn occasion. After the last rites were performed he was set free and returned home a sorer but wiser youth. After tliis occurence there were several very brave young students who volunteered to take this awful degree. Of course all the former members agreed to bring them out with flying colors. A half a day more was spent in arranging the numerous and complicated apparatus, but at last all was ready. The candidates were initiated one by one, it taking three nights to do the work properly. At first there was warm discussion as to who should be put through first, as the would-be “S. A. P's” wanted to have a chance (as they foolishly expressed it) upon the rest. Hut at last all was settled and the first candidate was initiated. He came out but a little the worse for wear. The second one ( 1 will not mention his name ) was a “ foxy devil. The initiative committee found him a very hard subject upon which to experiment, he making so much noise that we feared the neighborhood would be aroused, but at last the ( unpleasant) (?) task was finished and he appeared before us a full-fledged S. A. P. Later, as he was limping up the street, he was seen by several members to pull six one-foot rulers out of the seat of his trousers. Some of the members were tempted to initiate him over again, but according to the rules this could not bedone, so he was allowed to goon his way rejoicing. He afterward became one of the most active and pains-giving members of the society. The next victim was a long, lean, lanky boy, chosen by the members on account of his apparently unlimited vocabulary of profanity, which was expected to strike terror to the hearts of all the INNOCENT freshmen. The initiation pioceeded smoothly until all were ready for the final degree. The committee was just at the point of administering this degree when the sheriff of Schuyler county appeared upon the scene with a deputy in the form of a giant about six feet live inches tall. After sizing him up, the members decided to listen very respectfully to the harrangue of the sheriff. He waxed warmer and warmer until the members feared that they were booked for a night in the “ county cooler, when out of the pitchy darkness came a hollow and feeble voice saying: “Sheriff, it wasn’t their fault; I am being initiated by my own desire and 1 intend to go through and get all that’s coming to me. This effectually silenced the sheriff and he left them in peace. The acts which fol- 32 THE ORACLE. lowed were not as vigorous as before. They were all too grateful to the man who had spoken such a good word at such a needy time. Several other persons afterward joined the society, hut the interest in the proceedings gradually died out, until now the only evidence of its existence is the meek and humble appearance of certain country students of Watkins High School. C. A. H., ’03. JZ? JZ? BOYS BASKET BALL TEAM. OFFICERS Thomas Lembeck, Captain. Seth W. Webb, Manager. -ty MEMBERS: W. Donovan or T. Lembeck,......................Center A. Hendrickson or S. W. Webb, .... It. Guard Ray Wait,.................................L. Guard Chester Hawes,............................ R. Forward T. Lembeck or S. W. Webb,..................L. Forward £7 £7 GAMES PLAYED. GAME. • WHERE PLAYED. SCORE. W. H. S. vs. Cook, - Cook, - - - 10—33 W. H. S. vs. Gym., - - Gym., .... 23—20 W. H. S. vs. Starkey, - - Gym., - 23—IT y THIS is the first year that Watkins High School has placed a purely school Basket Ball team upon the field. Considering this fact, the showing which the team made was very creditable. To Prof. Beers, our instructor, is due much of the credit for this showing, he being a very earnest worker for the welfare of the team. Mr. Donovan made a very good player in the center position, but he did not play after the game at Cook and his place was ably filled by Lembeck. Although Webb and Hendrickson left little to be desired in their po sition as guards, they were out classed by Wait. Mr. Wait is a star player and it must be a very fast forward who can keep away from this Watkins High School guard. Chester Hawes never gets excited in a game and always seems to know when he is needed. Mr. Hawes is a very good basket thrower and very rarely missed the basket when he had a fair throw. Webb and Lembeck took turns in playing the other forward and each played a very good game. In the games played, Lembeck threw more goals than any other player. HOYS’ BASKET HALL TEAM. THE ORACLE. 33 The game with Cook was the first in which any of our players had taken part. The hall in which we played was also about three times as large as the one to which we were accustomed. Considering these facts the showing which we made was very creditable. The most interesting game of the season was the one played with the gymnasium team. The score at the close of the second half was twenty to twenty and an extra half had to be played to break the tie. In this Lembeck was so lucky as to throw the first goal and thus win the game. A joint gymnasium and school team played the Starkey game, and most of the honor of the victory belongs to the gymnasium. S. W. W., ’02. GIRLS’ BASKET BALL ASSOCIATION. OFFICERS: Myra A. Buck, Captain. Carolyn B. Gaylord, Manager. Florence S. Barnes. Treasurer. jZ? JZ? MEMBERS: Nancy A. Abbey, Ella F. Bradley, Agnes G. Baskin, Bertha M. Cole, Marian L. Goff, Nina M. Gaming. Mary Weed, Nellie L. Griffin, Helen M. Lee, Nellie B. Mathews, Nellie B. Overpeck, Cora B. Palmer, Ola E. Tucker. jZ? ATHLETICS for girls were never in the least popular in the High School until this year. But now basket ball has awakened the general interest and the third story of the school building has been the scene of many a lively encounter. Only two public games have been held as yet. In the first, at Horse-heads, Miss Weed played the center position; Griffin and Lee were attacks, Goff and Buck guards. Who having witnessed that struggle between them and the Horseheads girls could ever forget the thrilling scene V Indeed, the contest resembled a college foot ball game more than anything else except a hurricane ; but the Watkins team profited by the coaching it had received from Miss Gaylord and easily won the day. The second game, between the first and second teams of our school, was played in the town gymnasium, it seems hardly necessary to state that the first team was victorious. Arrangements are being made to hold basket ball practice on the grounds back of the school building, as the warm weather renders a game in the gymnasium an impossibility. Applications for membership in the association are constantly coming in, and the popularity of basket ball in the High School promises to continue. F. S. B., 02. 34 THE ORACLE. BASE BALL. ALTHOUGH a little early in the season for base ball, the students of Watkins High School are exhibiting a great interest in this line of athletics. This interest was shown the other day when Chester Hawes started a subscription to buy a ball. All he wanted was $1.25, but he could not head the mad rush of names until the amount exceeded three dollars. There is much good material in the school, and if they keep their present form we should have a very good team this year. Already we have had one game, and a very good one it was. We had a little pitcher who still wore his knee pants, but notwithstanding this fact he struck out nearly all the Sanitarium players. We have not as yet organized a team, but the following are members of the Base Ball organization: Chester Hawes, Thomas Lembeck. Ray Wait, Horace White, Arthur Webb, Seth Webb, Anson Hendrickson, GAMES PLAYED. W. H. S. vs. Sanitarium. 9. 13. S. W. W., ’02. GIRLS’ GLEE CLUB. William Wait, Burr Hendrickson, Floyd Bunn, Fred Dudley, Maurice Griffin, and others. THE Lambda Epsilon has performed many useful services for Watkins High School, but probably the most important was the creation of the Girls’ Glee Club. This club was called into existence by the Lambda Epsilon to furnish music at the regular meetings of this society, but the singing was so excellent that the echo resounded outside that society and they have several times appeared in public. The club is still practicing, and we expect that the music-loving public will next have the pleasure of hearing their voices at Commencement. As the club has not kept the same members throughout the year, I will give the names of all who have at any time belonged to it. Lena Curry, Kate Campbell. Maude Roby, Josie Curry, Ola Tucker, o' MEMBERS : Rena Peck, Alice Saxton, Mary Weed, Emma Weed, Sadie Brewin. S. W. W., ’02. THE ORACLE. 35 STARKEY SEMINARY DEBATE. THE justness of the cause of England in attacking the South African Republics has long been under general discussion and hardly a better subject could have been found for the debate between Starkey Seminary and the Watkins High School, held the twelfth of last March. The affirmative side of the question, “ Resolved, That the English were justified in levying war upon the Boers by the conditions then existing,” was ably championed by the Starkey Seminary leader, John M. Ferrier, assisted by Vandevere T. Carr, Charles F. Shaw and Fred L. Warner, while the Watkins leader, George C. Starkey, assisted by Willard B. Graham, Frederick E. Sherman and Seth W. Webb, took the opposite side of the argument. The judges were Judge Knox and Prof. Thompson, of Penn Yan, and B. L. Piper, of Watkins. After a musical selection, the affirmative leader opened the contest with a ferocious attack upon the Boer government and President Kruger. The negative leader, Mr. Starkey, then gave the history of the Transvaal and showed the injustice with which it had been treated. After the arguments of the other debaters, and the summing-up by the leaders, the judges retired to decide upon their verdict. After a long and spirited contest among themselves, they returned and Judge Knox rendered their decision in favor of the negative. During the absence of the judges the audience was entertained by several piano solos and the Girls’ Glee Club, followed by a short and interesting address by the Principal of Starkey Seminary, Dr. Summerbell, who spoke of the advantages and benefits such debates conferred both upon the schools and the debaters themselves, and expressed a desire that they might be of more frequent occurrence. We heartily concur in this wish, and hope that this is not the last time that the Watkins and Starkey boys will meet as friendly antagonists. F. E. D. S. . £? j2? LITERARY NOTICE. THE editors of the Oracle received several very good articles from High school students, but as the nature of these unfitted them for publication, we were obliged to leave them out. Those received from Pearl Everts, Anna Hathaway and Norma Lester are especially worthy of praise. The story sent us by Miss Baskin would have been published had it not been found that all available space was occupied. Board of Editors. GRINDS. Will Wait—Fair of face, fair of form, but the devil himself otherwise. Irving Bennett—A blank, my Lord. 36 THE ORACLE. Ray Wait—Speak to him, ladies ; see if you can move him. Freshmen—Fresh from the meadows, sweet with hay. Daisy Weller—Her voice is ever sweet, gentle and low. Minnie Rhodes—Happy is the person whose records are brief. Seth Webb—Censure is the tax which a man pays the public for being eminent. Percy White—Time! I dare thee to discover Such a youth and such a lover. Maude Thayer—Nobody will ever know half that is in me, unless something unexpected turns up. Burr Hendrickson, Albert Giles, and Alfred Close—All pups look •alike to me. James Hope—It had a voice; Ye Gods, what a voice. Benj. Wickham—A hapless infant here 1 roam, Far from my paternal home. Thomas Lembeck—If any other cuss had played the tricks he dared to play, The daisies would be blooming o’er his remains to-day. Nina Gaining—’Tis good in every case, you know. To have two strings unto your bow. Alice Saxton—Would that Paderewski knew of me. Ella Bradley—If to her lot some female errors fall. Look on her face and you’ll forget them all. Cora Palmer—There are two sides to every question; mine and the wrong side. Gertrude Richardson—What doth not nature produce? Nellie Griffin—A smile that’s a winner. Jennie Starkweather—Dainty and sweet. Tern pa Hanmer—Be gone; I do not paint. Eleanor Harrington—A sweet-faced maiden. Mildred Catlin—Her eye discourses. LeGrand Frost—There’s a sweet cherub. Seniors (after publication of the Oracle )—We are more to be pitied than censured. Win. Donovan—A blushing lad is he. Marianna Rooney—Her bark is worse than her bite. Kate Campbell—What can’t be cured must be endured. Llewellyn Raplee—Guaranteed to keep fresh and green in any climate. Chas. Smith—Fate tried to conceal him by calling him Smith. Bessie Miller—He that cometh unto me, I will nowise cast out. Prof. Beer(s)—What’s in a name. James Considine—Its a great plague to be a handsome man. Anson Hendrickson—And when he entered every goose Began to cackle like the deuce; The asses brayed at one another, ’Twas plain the creatures smelled a brother. GIRLS’ BASKET BALL TEAM THE ORACLE. 37 Nell Overpeck—The editors have failed to find a quotation applicable. Alvin Spencer—In 1901 his whiskers grew. He shaved them off in 1902. Maurice Griffin—A cross between a pithecantropus and an Irishman. Wm. Taylor —If you but put a pitchfork in his hair, you would swear he was a stack. Marion Goff—Here is metal more attractive. Emma Weed—It would talk, Lord how it would talk. Marguerite Scobev—(In Junior Class)—Thus said the trees unto the bramble, “Come thou and reign over us.” Bert Wixon—There is not much harm in this boy. Ethel Guthrie—Fond of a certain lad was she. Prof. Johnson—His statements admit of no contradictions. H. Nancy Abbey—None but herself can be her parallel. Nina Stoughton—See what a grace is seated in her form. Mary Weed—Golly, but 1 am wicked. Juniors—Surely, we will all be wiser in a year. Fred Sherman—World’s Almanac. Howard Wright—A column of smoke by day. Sunderlin Baker—I am not lean enough to be thought a good student. Myra Buck- -One vast substantial smile. Lelia Tolbert—I am such a stranger here. Heaven’s my home. Thomas Considine—May the Gods preserve you as fresh as you are. Grace Haring—Too fair to worship, too divine to love. (C. H.) Beatrice Coleman—Above the common flight of common souls. Susan Downes—Much can be made of an Irish girl if she be caught young. Lena Curry and Josie Curry—Both are young and both are pretty. (Chester Arthur) Hawes—Gosh! What a grind on Arthur. Kathryn Cullen—Her little body lodged a mighty mind. Albert Forbes—His feet beneath his pantaloons, like little mice, stole in and out as if they feared the light. Arthur Webb—Other things have come out of the west, but none like unto this. Edna Cooper—I am willing to be convinced, but 1 would like to see the man who could do it. Mary Tolbert—If ladies be but young and fair, they have the gift to know it. Walter Ganung—The heroes are not all six feet tall, Large souls may dwell in bodies small. George Starkey—We do not want him any longer, he is long enough already. Pearl Everts—A highest gem of state; Great Juno come! I know her by her gait. Florence Barnes—She is pretty to walk with, and witty to talk with, and pleasant, too, to think upon. 38 THE ORACLE. Edna Hawes—I know he loves me best who calls me “Edny.” Cora Thayer—Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful. Miss Gaylord—Blessed are the meek. Ola Tucker—A dainty pair of glasses on her dainty little nose Adds to her look of culture and her statue-like repose. Bertha Cole—Handle with care. Maude-Perry—Does nothing in particular and does it well. Ethel Thayer—The worst fault you have is to be in love. Miss Hawes—One of the fine arts. Jennie Ellison—A noble and innocent girl. Agnes Baskin—She is beautiful and therefore to be wooed; she is a woman, therefore to be won. JZ? Jc? JZ7 FUNNY HAPPENINGS. 1001-1002. Sept. 6—Seth Webb graduated from 1st year Latin. He wascompli mented on his rapid progress. Sept. 29—Percy White and Fred Sherman dropped French. Percy drops it because he wants to and Fred because he and “ Perc ’’are the only boys in the class. Sept. 30—Hope thinks that he would like to play “ Goff,” but after trying it, he finds that it is too hot a game for him. Oct. 15—Irving Bennett receives a lesson in gymnastics from Prof. Oct. 20—A new mail route has been established between Agnes Baskin and Jim Considine. Oct. 23—“Did” Wait wanted to know how to walk with two girls correctly. He found out. Nov. 5—Alice Saxton is heard to remark that there is only one key that can unlock her heart and that is “ Starkey.” Nov. 29—Marion Goff tried to jump over the railing in the Methodist church, but found it higher than she expected, and “ great was the fall thereof.” Dec. 15—Sherman took one too many looks at the girls and fell down on his way to German class. Dec. 18—Starkey went up to Montour Falls this evening with his girl, and staid so late that he was compelled to walk home through the mud. Starkey said that this walk reminded him of himself, a little too much of a good thing. Dec. 20—This evening while Willard Graham and Seth Webb were wandering on the Starkey Seminary campus, they fell into a ravine and only the fact that it was frozen kept them from making a premature journey to their future abode. Jan. 5—Mary Tolbert was heard to say that she is very fond of the “Lady of the Lake” because one of its principal characters is “ Norman.” Jan. 6—Willard Graham receives the crowning glory of his life: He is elected President of the “Alpha.” THE ORACLE. 39 Jan. 18—Susie Bailey came out in a new pair of shoes. Result—great excitement on both sides of tlie house. Jan. 16—Pearl Everts was seen smiling at Art Webb. He looked happy for a week. Jan. 20—Prof. Beers has a stiff knee. He says it came from a fall on the ice. Jan. 28—Percy White and Chester Hawes are escorted home from the minstrel show at Townsend. They arrive at about four a. m. Feb. 4—Mary Weed says she rather Hab-ber-shaw (1) than any other wrap. Feb. 6—Graham saved Edna Cooper live cents by taking her up to Montour Falls in his cutter. Feb. 8—Nina Ganung cannot sit with the boys so she quits Roman History. Feb. 15—“Perc” White finds that he has too much work and drops advanced algebra. Hope is missed shortly after. Feb. 21—Donovan left the trolley in such a hurry that he jumped clear out of his shoes and these articles took a free ride to Elmira. March 1—Fred Sherman beards the lioness in her den and came out without serious injury. In other words, he tackled Florence Barnes on a “date” in connection with the Starkey debate. March 5—Bessie Miller says if she can’t get “Forbes” she will take “ Lockington.” March 6—Saxton discovers that she can make room for yet another cousin. March 10— Nellie Griflin expresses a preference for “Cherry(s).” March 12—Sherman, Starkey, Hawes and Webb skip school. March 18—The above are brought on trial for skipping school. Sherman, the council, ejected for contempt of court. March 15—Bessie Coleman was heard to say: “Why, he keeps looking at me all the time.” This was while Jim Hope was attending school. March 20—It is reported that Florence Barnes would start housekeeping if she only had a “Mat.” March 27—Colgate University Glee Club visited Watkins. Nan Abbey lost her heart to a diamond shirt stud. March 30—Chester Hawes goes to call on Susie Bailey, but finds “ Nannie” there before him. March, April, May—It has been noticed that Charley Smith is very fond of Tenth street, especially near the grocery. April 1—It has been decided that Miss Hawes would make an excellent Geography teacher, for she is bound to have “North (r) up. April 2—Prof. Johnson, acting in his capacity of dead letter office, read a letter which had reached him. As a consequence we lose one of our oldest and best loved students. April 3—Mary Tolbert is seriously thinking of entering Cascadilla in the fall. April 5—Sadie Brewin accepts a position its assistant mail carrier. 40 THE ORACLE. April 9—Susie Bailey was heard to say that instead of a warm heart, she has a “ Reinlieart.” April 10—Percy White forgot (?) to appear on Fourteenth street. April 11—“Ans” Hendrickson devoloped an alarming habit of playing ball with Ethel Thayer. This must be stopped. April 13—Lena Curry was sleepy in Roman History class. Afterwards it was discovered that she was up late the previous night correcting her “Will.” April 14—Lelia Tolbert meets Mat Steiner. This has been expected for some time. April 15—Florence Barnes attended the Junior Prom, at Geneva. April 16—Ella Bradley blew a “Horn” for the first time. April 16—Lembeck declares that he will never go on a “toot.” for to “ toot ” he must have a “Horn.” April 21—Miss Gaylord entertained company in the school building. April 25—Lelia Tolbert is heard to remark: “I wish Mr. Steiner would paint my picture.” “Vy dontch you?” April 26—Nina Ganung passes through the hands of twoexpert hairdressers. They do a quick if not a tasty job. April 26—Legrand Frost, “ Ans” Hendrickson, “Chet” Hawes and Seth Webb are compelled to jump in the lake to subdue their spirits. April 27—Ola Tucker, Agnes Baskin, Mary Weed and Marion Goff go for a drive. Apparently Tim and Jim possess greater attractions than algebra. April 27—Edna Hawes goes to a dance in Elmira. Ask her about her bridal trip; George Norman was best man. April 28—Art Webb was heard to remark: “Giles, when you goto call on a girl Sunday night, how long do you stay?” April 29—Nell Overpeck had a caller from Elmira. April 30—Kate Campbell went to Elmira. I wonder what the attraction is? May 1—James A. Hope has the first hair cut of the year. May 1—Anna Hathaway is heard to express a preference for ‘ Irving’s” works. May 2—Ola Tucker and Agnes Baskin are found guilty of stealing pictures from an “Odessa Restaurant.” May 4—The Senior Class go to have their pictures taken. They are obliged to wait nearly two hours while “Charley gets fixed. May 5—Kate Campbell has sore feet and is compelled to call upon Walter Ganung to assist her in reaching her home. May 7—Carrie Wasson smoked her first cigar. May 9—The President of the Senior Class and his usher, Chester Hawes, were seen fishing with Nancy Lambert. May 10—Lena Curry and Mildred Catlin went swiping flowers last night; the last that was seen of them, they were picking magnolias very diligently, and what’s more, they didn’t act scared at all. By an observer. May 11—Sherman remarked to his companion: “You are entirely too swift for me.” THE ORACLE. 41 May 12—“Ans” Hendrickson says he knows who started the story about he and Ethel. Probably he does. May 12—Seth Webb says he got home last night at eight o’clock. What’s going to happen? May 14—“ Ans” Hendrickson has a hairpin which he guards very closely. He says he stole it, but according to “latest reports,” he found it on the school grounds. May 15—Lelia Tolbert has developed a remarkable tendency to wave her hands Jew-fashioned while talking. She must have a good teacher, for she is improving every day. May 15—This evening while Seth Webb was walking along 9th street, something fell at his feet and upon picking it up, he thought that the angels had taken pity on his bashfulness and given him that which he most desired. But upon looking up he found that it was only a girl throwing her picture out of an up stairs window. May 16—Chester Hawes was sent out of Literature class for talking to Daisy Weller. May 17—Legrand Frost goes home to study !!!??? May 19—Where was “Smithy” when the lights went out? He was the only one that knew, with the exception of the girl he had with him. May 19—Marianna Rooney commences her essay. May 20—Dudley and Starkey were going to take a drive. Dudley got his girl all right, but Starkey's girl had another date. From what Dudley says, a priest with a vessel of holy water should have been around to purify the air. May 20—Prof, ate too much dinner and as a consequence he and part of the school go until seven o’clock without their supper. May 20—Irving Bennett lost a valuable handkerchief. As he is rather short in this line of stock, he offers a liberal reward to the finder. May 20—Nina Ganung is contracting bad habits. She was seen promenading the streets of this village till long past midnight last night, with —well, who do you suppose he was? The same; yesterday, to-day and forever, of course. If you don’t believe this, either ask Edna Hawes or enquire at the gas-office. They know. May 20—Raplee was seen wandering about the girls’ side of the house with a pile of books under his arm, trying to exchange them with some girl who got possession of him. May 20—Chester Hawes answered his first question in Roman history. Beers was so surprised that he turned pale. May 21—Nina Ganuug dropped part of the apparatus down the water pipe in the Physical Labratory, thinking Miss Gaylord might have to send for a “ plumber” to get it out. May 22—Ethel Guthrie had her Cseser lesson for the first time this term. May 22—Helen Cullen went to American selections class. May 27—Basket Ball lovers were royally entertained by Legrand Frost’s exhibition of basket ball tactics. They afterwards showed their appreciation in a hearty manner. “Captain Cherub” now say that “Fame leads but to the grave.” THE ORACLE. A FEW FACTS V V WHO. FAULTS. LIKES MOST. NOTED FOR. HATES MOST. NEEDS. Smith. Breaks too many hearts To talk of it. That walk of his. To be turned down. “ Bustle ” (?). White, Percy Lacks (?) nerve. “ Battle Axe.” Standing in front of a millinery store. Work. To get married. Sherman. His appetite. To scrap. Everything. Not to be considered handsome. Some anti-conceit. Webb, Seth Wise in his own conceit. To be conspicuous. His “breaks” in society. To be unnoticed. To be suppressed. Starkey. Too fat. To squeeze a cent. His loud mouth. To pay his debts. To stop swearing. Dudley. His beauty. “ Joker.” Cracked head. Girls (?). A rest. Hope. Too noisy. The widow.” His swelled head. To be thought compos mentis. Hair cut. Frost. Big baby. Nursing bottle. 0 Himself. To go back to the farm. Hendrickson. Lockjaw. “ Ethel.” Catching dies. To close his mouth. A muzzle. “ Romeo ” Taylor. fck Tobaccer.” To fiddle. Janitor. To sweep. Exercise. White, Pete. Many. To be tough. Smoking. Goats. A new pipe. Wait, Ray. His dimensions. To get his picture taken His face. Looking glasses. A shave. Wait, Willie. Too quiet. Mush. Planting trees. To be hurried. To be let alone. Graham. Public nuisance. Bother the girls. Oratory. To be called “Nanny.” Another bake. Wright. Backslider. W right. Complexion. Early hours. Tighter apron strings. Bennett. Countless. Alice Saxton. Compositions. Prof.’s exercise. Brains. Lembeck. Irish. Annoy Beers. Nerve (?). Horn. Religion. Donovan. Farmer. Easy time. Muscle. To be looked at. Nerve tonic. C. Hawes. Capacity for teasing. Seth’s flower girl. Laziness. To be out of mischief. Reviver. Considine, Tom. His company. Spooning. Tagging. To trust his own mind. Support. THE ORACLE. 43 WHO IS WHO IN 1902. THE. RESULT OF A CLA15 VOTE. Class Grind, Class Sport, Class Politician, Ladies’ Man, Most Popular Girl, Most Womanly Woman, Most Inveterate Jollier. Most Devoted Lover Shyest Girl, Prettiest Girl, Biggest Bluffer, Best Athlete, Most Fickle Lover, Fattest Member, Leanest Member, Most Useful Man, Class Flower, ( Daisy ), Most Bashful Man, - Miss Rooney - Mr. White Mr. Sherman Mr. Smith Miss Barnes Miss Ganung Miss Hawes “ Percy ” Miss Rhodes Miss Ellison - Mr. Webb Miss Ganung Mr. Smith Mr. White “Marianna” “ Freddie ’ ’ “ Edna” - “Seth”