William Chrisman High School - Gleam Yearbook (Independence, MO)

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24 THE. GLEAM finding each other on the same local train which ran to this place. HVVIIY, Madeline, I can hardly believe it is really you, immediately began Ruth. Oh, you can't imagine how glad I am to see you. Isn't it gra 'l. that WG HYC here together, and wonlt we have some fine times talking over tnose dear old school days ? continued Adelaide. I should say, and it certainly seems ages and ages since we worked toegther on the Gleam. But, girls, I can't realize it. Are you really here, -or am I dreaming? I can't believe it's true, I an- swered. Now, I understand why you acted the way you did when I per- sistently asked who were the other girls you had invited, interposed Ade laide, addressing Alice, whom we had forgotten about in our excitement. VX7ell, each one of you had always talked about the other so much that I was delighted with myself when I thought of this jolly pan. But there goes the dinner bell, and Madeline, you haven't met these other girls and you must this minute. After dinner, there is another surprise in store for you, laughingly remarked Alice as she led me across the room to the other girls, who were enjoying the joke as much as ourselves. In the middle of dinner, Mr. Kenyon interrizpted our lively conversation with the news that the other guest had arrived. Qf course, Alice hurriedly ran out to meet her, and amid the questions, VVho is she ? Do you know her? Alice came in, bringing-Louise Ross. This last surprise brought an end to the dinner, as the remainder of the time was spent in asking questions rather than in eating. Vifhat a scene of merriment it must have been! Ten girls seated around the table, and, since each one of us knew two or three of the girls, every one was receiving and asking a dozen questions in one breath. ' After dinner this scene was transferred to the veranda, and Louise who, if she didn't'know personally every girl, had heard of her through a friend or relative, became the center of attraction. I-Iowever, her three classmates had an advantage over the others, and succeeded in luring her off to an at- tractive corner where we could have a few minutes all to ourselves. 'fMy, but it certainly is fineto see anyone from Independence, and you above all others, I commenced, and Iam s-o glad you are the same ijolly Louise who used 'to keep us laughing for hours, added Adelaide. But, oh Louise, don't tell me that you have forgotten how to make that delicious marshmallow fudge which won friends for you in the art of cooking, anxiously inquired Ruth. Oh, yes, I still make the famous marshmallow fudge, and that's about all I can do, was the characteristic reply. But, how have you been, all of you? h VVhat have you been d-oing with yourselves? There's so many ques- tions I want to ask you that I don't know which to ask first. Still, it's enough just to know that we are here together, and I'm satisfied if we don't sav or do anything sensible this eveningg yet I have stacks to tell you about Independ- ence, but we have plenty of time in the future for all that, Oh, I havg 3 splendid idea. XfVe can take an early morning stroll tomorrowg start about six and find a picturesque spot, and then talk over all the grand times of our

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THE GLEAM 23 MEMORIES. Alice Kenyon and I had met when we were both attending the Oberlin Conservatory of music five years ago, and during our three years study there, had become very dear friends. It was now two years since I had seen her, and although our delightful friendship continued as before, and our regular correspondence provided a substitute to seeing each other every day, my greatest desire was to visit her. At last the l-ong sought for opportunity was presented, and Alice invited me, and eight of her other girl friends t-o a house party at her new summer home in the Ozarks. The house party was to be given the fifteenth of June, and last two weeks, and of course, I was very much excited about going, not so much, however, as when I was actually on the train and very near my destination, then I could hardly wait until my journey would reach its end. I imagined how Alice had changed in two years, and thought of the grand time I was going to have, but most of all I wondered who were the other eight girls. She had said that there would be ten of us, including herself, but as she did not mention or in any other way allude to the other eight, my curiosity was deeply aroused. I reached the termination of my trip about three o'clock in the afternoon, and as I was the first one to arrive. Alice alone met me at the train. The ride to her home,'which was several miles from the station was delightful. In the first place, it was an ideal june afternoon. The wild, beautiful country lay wrapped in the warm rays of the june sung various kinds of wild flowers could be seen in every direction and the melodious notes of birds came from the numerous fir trees. In addition, the delight of really being with Alice again, who was burdening me with questions about every thing I had done in the last two years, made me feel supremely happy. .After we arrived at her home, and I had met her father and mother, Alice suggested that I lie down and rest if only for a short time, then, if I wanted to, we would both go to meet the girls who were coming on later trains. Although I did not feel extremely tired, I complied with her wishes, and was soon enjoying a pleasant sleep which lasted until Alice awakened me with the news that all the girls had come, except one whom she did not expect until after dinner, and she wanted us to be down stairs in half an hour. In about that time, I was ready, and meeting Alice in the hall went down stairs with her. As soon as we came in view of the parlor, where all the girls had assembled, I was immed- iately attracted to two girls who were standing looking out one of the large windows. a little apart from the others, and enjoying a very animated conver- sation. Alice would not tell me who they were, but before I reached the room, they turned around. and there before me stood Adelaide Casper and Ruth 'VVilliamson. For a few moments we remained amazed and silent, then l d t each other. I was completely surprised, with joyous exclamations, rus ie a more so than the other two, as they had experienced a previous surprise in

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THE GLEQXM 25 school days, and Louise can tell us about what has happened to the people 111 tl1C.Cl21SS, suggested Adelaide. Oh, yes, that's exactly what we can do. Madelmecan be the class historian as she was on class day, and Louise can be the class prophet or rather the class news bearer, enthusiastically com- mented Ruthf' And we shall all be class historians and recall those dear, llilppy days, and Louise, as you have suggested, shall tell us all the interest- ing gossipf' I answered. So early the next morning the four of us slipped softly downstairs, and out of the house to take our delightful walk. and such a morning for a walk. It was clear and bright, the sun had just begun to peep over the horizon, the mountains, although not so very large, stood out majestically, awaking a feeling' of awe and reverence in all of usg in addition, the air so enlivened our spirits that we gave vent to our emotions in all kinds of exclamations and ejaculations. Finally we reached a ledge of immense rocks over-looking a very attractive river which flowed over a number of rocky mounds forming many beautiful cataracts. For a while we remained silent, breathing in the pure early morning air, and enjoying this ideal oi the wild country, then the spell was broken by Ruth saying, Doesn't it seem ages and ages since we First entered High School? 'XNhy, I believe I've forgotten what we did in our Freshman year. Oh, my, I certainly haven't forgotten. I can remember how from the very first, we became such a prominent part of the school. You know we were the first class to organize in our Freshman year, and further- more, I think we were the Hrst class to organize that year. Indeed, we were a progressive class of a hundred and fifty, I related :- Yes, and don't you remember we had assembly every morning that year, and on one morning, Mr. Bryant asked for the class yells. and when we gave ours. he said it sounded like we had been saying 'muleback, mulebackf From that time on, we were universally known as mulebacks and chose the mule for our mascot, continued Adelaide. More important than all of this, in my mind, inter- rupted Louise, is the game we won in basket ball. I certainly do remember about it. The fight for championship was between the juniors and Freshmen most particularly: and how those juniors did try to win, but they didn't. Oh, it was exciting. WIC played two games and we won one and the juniors the other, then we played the third and won with a very close score. And don't you remember the Senioris in their class history that year claimed the championship F , I interposed. I certainly do, and we were very much worked up over itg why, they didn't have any chance at all, seems to me, to win the championship, answered Louise. Now that you have recalled all these in- teresting events, I remember all about them,' concluded Ruth. also I rememf ber the frift the Seniors gave us that year on class day-the picture of a mule, b . . which we gave to -our president, Elizabeth Paxton. But there is still an other honor which we received in our Freshman year, I added. Probably, vou do not remember that the Independence I-Iigh School that year was represented in the interscholastic meet, at Columbia, Missourig and the Smith