Education: THE MICROCOSM, 1924 Yearbook, Altoona High School : Blair Co, PA
Transcribed and contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja
jbanja@email.msn.com
Group photos from this annual may be seen in the AHS Class of 1924 album at
the Blair County, PA, Genealogy - Families' Photo Albums website at
http://communities.msn.com/BlairCountyPAGenealogyFamiliesPhotoAlbums
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MICROCOSM
[1]
Foreword
If this reflection of high school life brightens the dream of youth, if it
fills the student with a growing love for his Alma Mater, if, in the future,
it brings back some pleasant memory of bygone days, our labors will not have
been in vain. With this hope and desire we present to you this, the
Microcosm of nineteen twenty-four.
[3]
[portrait]
To our friend MISS ELIZABETH Taylor of the Faculty
The Senior Class dedicates The Microcosm of 1924
[5]
[portrait]
EUGENE VAN ZANDT
Editor-in-chief
Microcosm 1924
[6]
The Dean's Own Page
To the Members of the Class of 1924:
The finest philosophy of life that I know of is expressed in the words
of the late Dr. N.C. Shaffer, a former State Superintendent of Public
Instruction, in which he says:
"At the close of life the question is not how much have you got, but how much
have you given; not how much have you won, but how much have you done; not how
much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed; how much you have loved
and served, not how much you were honored."
With very kind regards and good wishes.
[Signature]
G.D. robb
Principal of the High School
[7]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOOK I
Seniors 9
BOOK II
Underclassmen 63
BOOK III
Athletics 67
BOOK IV
Literary and School Notes 93
BOOK V
Music 119
BOOK VI
Girls' League 125
BOOK VII
Alumni and Who's Who 135
BOOK VIII
Jokes 147
[8]
Microcosm Staff Personnel
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Eugene Van Zandt
ASSOCIATES
Fred Goss
Nash Hall
SOCIAL
Carl Meyer
Kathleen Hile
Naomi Bernneman
FACULTY ADVISERS
George Williams
Marie Ritts
LITERARY
Katherine Fleming
Theresa Adler
Kathleen Taylor
Kenneth Aurandt
Ardie Replogle
Helen Pross
Marjorie Gray
Fern McIntyre
William McClain
ALUMNI
George Burley
ART
Dorothy Shugart
Rosie Corbin
Coleman Reaney
MUSIC
Agnes Fleck
Alton Mower
CLASS HISTORY
Senior:
Fern McIntyre
Junior:
Paul Kurtz
Sophomore:
Virginia Leader
Freshman:
Ida Rubin
CLERICAL
Dorothy Lingenfelter
Viola Hirschfield
Winifred Heath
Marion Hamer
ADVERTISING
Jay Brubaker
Dorothy Young
Ruth Mathes
Leroy Wertman
Della Lang
Leroy Gobrecht
SPORT
Fred Ruehr
Robert Wicker
Fred Haller
JOKES
Paul Pippart
Richard Denny
CLASS POEM
Eugene Ross
[9]
[photo]
THE 1924 MICROCOSM STAFF
[10]
Faculty of Altoona High School
English Department
Mabel E. Mulock, Head
Annie C. Campbell
Mary V. Turner
Jennie R. Brennecke
Gertrude Roberts
Margaret McCauley
Josephine Lepley
Marion R. Bancroft
M. Florence Rollins
Mary C. Wright
Mary Downs
Marjorie C. Woodward
Mildred E. Orr
R.C. Madison
Charlotte Taylor
History Department
E. Marie Lentz, Head
Jessie F. Davis
Jeannette Stevens
Nelda Miller
Ethel Jane Loucks
Mary E. Phillips
G. Harold Morgart
Marie N. Lauver
Ruth H. Eslinger
W.H. Black
Emma Eberle
Sylvester P. Koelle
Frances A. McFarland
Mathematics Department
G.B. Williams, Head
Ella G. Burley
Nell J. Thomas
Elizabeth E. Talor
Carrie F. Waite
Bertha A. Swartz
Mary G. Ross
Edith Fleck
Joseph N. Maddocks
Carolyn A. Miller
Ralph N. Clark
T.D.E. Dillman
R. C. VanHorn
Latin Department
Minnie F. Stockton, Head
Kathryn Barley
Edith S. White
Rebecca Rynearson
Ella Martin
Modern Language Department
Chas. M. Grimminger, Head
M. Marie Ritts
Mary E. Dunbar
Helen L. Johnston
Science Department
R.E. McCauley, Head
Verna Faust
Georgiana Moore
R.L. Bowers
N.A. Jones
Helen McCartney
Ethel J. Angus
Commercial Department
H.W. English, Head
Zella Mortimer
H.C. Craig
Art Department
Stella Hendricks, Head
Dorothy Dowdell
Household Arts Department
Zitella Wertz, Head
Edna B. Davis
Grace Swan
Anna M. Young
Alberta Johns
Florence E. Gray
Physical Education Department
R.H. Wolfe, Coach
Elizabeth K. Eyre
Music Department
Harold Compton, Director
Vocation Department
C.E. Hedden, Director
C.O. Lundgren
Joe Miller
Henry Selwitz
S.W. Hoover
R.G. Huber
Richard E. Woomer
C.S. Romig
Chas. T. Rudasill
William A. Fickees
Chas. C. Sadler
Librarian
Maud Minster
[11]
[picture]
Seniors
Book 1
[12]
Committees of the Senior Class
EXECUTIVE
Fred Ruehr (Chairman)
Kathleen Hile
Helen Pross
Brinton Allison
Cecil Ehrhart
Fred Haller
Carl Meyer
Leroy Wertman
Eugene Van Zandt
Mr. Williams
Miss Ritts
RING
Carl Meyer (Chairman)
Harold March
Vernet Kaufman
Agnes Fleck
Marian elder
Dorothy Shugarts
SOCIAL
Cecil Ehrhart (Chairman)
Harold Myers
Raymond Shucker
Walter Yeager
Eugene Ross
William McClain
Ruth Mathes
Naomi Brenneman
Phyllis Crawford
Dorothy Brett
Elizabeth Fetterly
Dorothy Crain
PROGRAM
Leroy Wertman (Chairman)
Hillis Cohn
Paul Jones
Betty Ayres
Fern McIntyre
Margaret Bowman
[13]
[photo]
CLASS OFFICES
Helen Pross, Secretary
Kathleen Hile, Vice Pres.
Fred Ruehr, President
Brinton Allison, Treasurer
[14 - 56]
Marie Adler
Theresa Adler
Ruby Ainsworth
Paul Akers
Laura Allen
Brinton Alllison
Catherine Anderson
Edward Armstrong
William Aughenbaugh
Kenneth Aurandt
Carlton Ayers
Elizabeth Ayers
Ethel Bahn
Goldie Baker
Sarah Batrus
Mary Beck
Martha Behm
Raymond Bell
Millard Beyer
Meryl Bistline
Henry Blackburn
Leonard Bland
Helen Booth
Margaret Bowman
Bernadine Bradley
Frances Braillier
Dorothy Brandt
Joseph Brandt
Naomi Brenneman
Dorothy Brett
Naomi Brenneman
Dorothy Brett
Anna Brewer
Thomas Briggs
Theodore Brown
Walter Brown
Jay Brubaker
Marguerite Brunette
Russell Bruner
Mary Burke
Mabel Burket
Mary Burket
George Burley
Ida Burzi
Sara Carnell
Elda Cassel
Josephine Cavender
Alton Chamberlain
Phillena Cherry
May Clare
Kenneth Clark
Hillis Cohn
Abraham Colbus
Analesta Cole
Irene Cole
Theresa Cole
Virginia Colestock
William Cook
Paul Cooper
Rosie Corbin
Helen Corl
Gail Corless
Arthur Cox
Dorothy Craine
Grace Cump
Samuel Curry
James Daly
Thomas Daugherty
John Davenport
Jessie Davis
John Davis
Orpha Davis
Gladys Delozier
Richard Denny
Vera Dibert
Elizabeth Dysinger
Paul Earnest
Margaret Ehrenfeld
Cecil Ehrhart
Marion Elder
Vera Eames
Caroline Evans
Ruth Evans
Dorothy Exline
Martha Fagan
Edna Farabaugh
Mary Fasick
Ruth Fawl
Elizabeth Fetterly
Mildred Felix
Lawrence Field
Agnes Fleck
Duane Fleck
Katherine Fleming
Ruth Fleming
Grace Foust
Richard Freeman
John Fresch
Sara Friedman
Rose Fusco
Helen Garver
Lois Geary
Viola Geesey
Clark Gibbons
Adelaide Gleichert
Leroy Gobrecht
Edith Goodman
Fred Goss
Carl Graf
Helen Graham
Amelia Grassi
Marjorie Gray
Margaret Greenwood
George Greiner
Sara Griffin
Ruth Grove
Lewis Gwin
Thomas Haffly
Helen Hagerty
Nash Hall
Fred Haller
Marion Hamer
Florence Hamilton
Martha Hamilton
Margaret Hammers
Edna Hanley
George Hays
Durwood Hazen
George Hazey
Charles Heacox
Timothy Healy
Winifred Heath
Paul Heltman
Elda Henninger
Ethel Hershey
John Hess
Laura Heverly
Mary Hicks
Kathleen Hile
Viola Hirschfield
Alfred Holt
Grace Holt
Geraldine Hoover
John Houser
Gwendolyn Hutchison
Joseph Isenberg
Beatrice Johnson
Robert Johnson
Paul Jones
Hope Kapp
Elizabeth Kauffman
Vernet Kauffman
Doreen Keckler
Harriet Keiper
Earl Kelly
Anna Kinsel
Ethel Kirkpatrick
Esther Koch
Nick Lamont
Tony Lamont
Elsie Landeck
Geraldine Landis
Della Lang
Etta Geraldine Lantz
Marian Leader
Robert Leix
Miriam Levine
Merrill Lindsey
Dorothy Lingenfelter
Elizabeth Lingenfelter
Dorothy Lyons
Annetta Lytle
Harry MacDougall
John MacArthur
William McClain
Millicent McCoy
Fern McIntyre
Lander McKean
Harold Little
Paul Little
Grace Lockard
Martha Logan
Anna Longenecker
Chauncey Loomis
Pauline Lotz
Charles Love
Leroy McKinney
Dorothy McMonigle
Winifred McMonigle
Beatrice McMullen
James McNeal
Lillian Magdovitz
Harold March
Robert Martin
Ruth Mathes
Bertha Mattas
George Maurer
Van Eman Mercer
Carl Meyer
Ethel Miller
Kenneth Miller
Royer Miller
Russell Miller
Margaret Milsom
Frances Moffet
Edith Morre
William Moore
Ethel Morgan
Lemoine Morrison
Damaris Morrison
Amy Morrow
Paul Morse
Alton Mower
Annis Murphy
Justine Murray
Alma Musser
Harold Myers
Mildred Myers
Gertrude Nale
Henrietta Neuwahl
Christine Norris
Helen O'Donnell
Arthur O'Neil
Sara Orr
Elizabeth Parrish
Eugene Parish
Jack Patton
Bertha Paull
Eva Pee
Helen Peters
Mabel Piper
Paul Pippart
Elmira Points
Vesta Presby
Dorothy Price
Helen Pross
Russell Raffensberger
Elizabeth Ralston
Dorothy Ranck
Ardie Replogle
James Riley
Charles Robb
Agnes Ronan
Elmira Ross
Eugene Ross
Louis Rowan
Fred Ruehr
Frank Russell
Edna Ruth
Raymond Rhodes
Nicolene Santella
Sylvia Saracena
Lenora Samuelson
Emma Sanderson
Dorothy Sandrus
Ray Schucker
Reuben Seegel
Cecil Shirk
Isabelle Shoemaker
Elizabeth Shoenfelt
Frank Shoenfelt
Inez Shoenfelt
Edwina Shope
Max Shope
Elsie Showers
Donal Shugarts
Dorothy Shugarts
Bessie Singiser
John Slick
Ray Smeigh
Anthony Smith
Edris Smith
Margaret Smith
Clarence Smithmeyer
Victor Speer
Pauline Stackhouse
Marie Stadler
Margaret Steel
Elizabeth Steindel
Francis Stevens
Harold Stevens
Vesta Stevens
Eugene Stiffler
Gertrude Stillerman
Dorothy Stitt
Paul Stitt
Helen Stormer
Eugene Stroup
Ruth Strunk
Laura Stultz
Margarette Schwartz
Fred Swayne
Donald Szink
Alice Schmidhamer
Elizabeth Taylor
Kathleen Taylor
Marie Taylor
Rodell Tobias
Gladys Tomlinson
Joseph Trexler
Gladys Tulloch
Howard Tyler
Albert Visk
Ruth Walter
William Ward
Sara Waxler
Beatrice Weakland
Virginia Weaver
Elizabeth Weeks
Thelma Weest
Leroy Wertman
Anna Wertz
Howard Whiten
Robert Wicker
Esther Willie
Esther Wilson
Helen Wilson
Martha Wilson
Robert Wilson
William Winebrenner
Harry Wogan
George Wood
Janet Wood
Ora Woomer
Ruth Wright
Walter Yeager
Martha Yates
Joseph Yingling
Alverda Yon
Dorothy Young
MIDYEAR CLASS '23 1/2
Nick A. Notopoulos
James A. Notopoulos
John Ross
Helen Russell
Julia Schultz
Chesney Stover
Glen Sutton
Oral Williams
Naomi Heckert
Phyllis Crawford
Virginia Corl
Ruth Blumenschein
Katharine Lukens
Theodore King
Hazel Keith
Annabel Johnson
[57]
History of the Class of 1924
FOUR years ago, innocent Freshmen, we first saw High School! now, Seniors,
skilled in the ways of the world, we are about to leave it. After four years
of protesting our knowledge to our many teachers, most. of us have succeeded
in getting possession of that longed-for diploma, much to our surprise.
Our first day at High School was perhaps one of the most memorable in our
young lives. 0, the wonder of it all! The immense room where we first
assembled was filled, it seemed, to overflowing with beaming faces. After
getting used to the spacious halls, finding out what the light-well meant and
where it was located, and trying to tie down heroically to High School
routine, our first year was filled with thrills and excitement. Who of us can
ever forget the morning the bicycle rider came silently gliding through the
auditorium; the unique celebration after the Johnstown football victory; the
Freshman social and the lollypops we got as refreshments, and oh my! the
lecture on class distinction given to us because some upper clansmen took
advantage and put a flag with '24 on it on the flag pole?
The Sophomore year was not so eventful, but it was wonderful to be able to
call some one else Freshman instead of being called that hated name
ourselves, only, sad to relate, if this deed was to be accomplished we must
remain until after lunch, because the school day was made of two sessions,
and we upper clansmen went in the
morning from 8.30 to 12.30, and the Freshmen from 1.00 to 4.00. With the
coming of Spring and the annual commencement we found ourselves Juniors.
And as Juniors we felt that we were getting along fairly well both in the
world and at school. Many of us were delving into the mysteries of chemistry.
We were trying our level best, although many of our teachers didn't believe
it, to find out why Cicero should say such terrible things against Cataline;
then there were plenty of us who thought we could argue very well, but when
it came to debating we had lost the art and felt utterly lost. Still others
believed geometry the most nerve racking unreasonable study of all, for when
the text-book said a thing was true the book surely must know-why then prove
it? A picnic at Bland's Park marked the social event of our third year, for
there were too many in our class to have a really successful party at school.
The term of 23-24, of course the one most longed for by some - most dreaded
by others - came. We had at last become Seniors. Now we felt fully capable of
warning unsuspecting underclassmen of the pitfalls with regard to teachers and
studies, for did we not know all causes and effects from experiences.
Immediately after Christmas holidays we began to have our pictures taken, an
ordeal for some of us, an event for all - hardly second in consequence to the
election of class officers and various committees.
[58]
We really felt ourselves important when our first social was held the evening
of February 21, with many other delightful affairs following.
At last the term 1923-24 comes to an end, and it is with both sadness and
happiness that we look forward to commencement and realize that we must leave
our dear Alma Mater. Many will go to higher institutions of learning, others
will begin work here, regretting to lose old associates, but all of us will
look back with pleasure open these four happiest years of our lives so far.
Fern McIntyre.
History of the Midyear Class
THE graduation of the Midyear Class of February, 1924, sets a precedent for
the Altoona High School. This occasion reflects the progress made in the
educational system of the city. Graduating students semi-annually from
educational institutions is a recent step in the progress of the schools, and
the Altoona School Board, always foresighted in making standards, decided to
initiate a system whereby students would be graduated in February and in June.
The classes were organized in 1918, when Doctor Layton was Superintendent. By
his orders all students of the seventh grade who were competent to make more
rapid progress were advanced a half-grade and placed in the Webster and
Stevens schools. These two classes were merged into one on commencing work in
Central Grammar. On entering High School the class had a total enrollment of
fifty-four members fairly divided among the various courses of the
curriculum. The advancing years in High School reduced the number. Many made
an extra effort and were graduated in June, 1923, doing the work in three and
a half years. The rest were graduated in February, 1924.
Regardless of the small number of students left, the social functions of the
class were always a success. The first was a marshmallow toast in the earlier
part of the Senior year, and the second a banquet at the Green Parrot Tea
rooms. Besides these the members shared all the social events of the regular
Senior Class.
In literary work it was unexcelled in producing individual class papers.
Several issues were published under various names, but the last issue, The
Mid-year Pioneer, will always be remembered as an honest effort of every
member.
The class now graduating tried to do good work in High School and in
graduating they feel proud to be the Mid-year Pioneers.
[59]
CLASS POEM
A PLEA FOR YOUTH
Anguish as only youth can know
Is born in one brief ill-meant word
Mayhap not meant by the utterer . . .
Not knowing
That a slight sharp snap can break a bow.
So much of our Youth passes unnoticed
Like the wasted fragrance
Of the bank-rooted narcissus.
Still more passes misunderstood -
And because misunderstood,
Their interest is short and weak,
Like the delicate carving
On a piece of Renaissance wood.
Observation will repay the observer,
For, when encouragement is given,
Appreciation is showed by renewed effort.
All too quickly this brief span called
Youth is gone,
And life has merged into that
Next act known as Age,
And naught but early understanding
May save Age from being wan.
All youth's aims seem improbable to
Age,
And yet so often are realized
By those who saw a star and reached it.
Age is just Youth's parent!
Youth is just the flower.
Age with distorted ideas blights it
And it dies within its hour . . . . .
Without Age's intent.
[60]
First Senior Social
0N the evening of February 21, a crowd of Seniors gathered to enjoy the first
social of their graduating year. As they entered the halls through which they
had wandered each day, they were amazed to see the magic change that had been
wrought by the fairy fingers of the social committee. If the clock had not
been ticking away through its trimmings, the Seniors might have gone out,
thinking that they had come to the wrong place. And as every one was decked
out in his Sunday best, it took some time to look each other over. But
finally they got themselves into the auditorium to see the Senior Sophistry
by, from, and with, Senior students.
They learned just how an Ideal Saleslady should act and dress. Beatrice
McMullen convinced them that salesladies should wear earrings to their
shoulders, and should never be without chewing gum.
What could have surprised them more than to see Dick Denny dressed in a night
gown and cap, sitting on a table drinking milk from a baby's bottle. He did -
and Mellon's Food Baby was one of the best laughs of the evening.
The cherished ambition of many was realized when in the distance they beheld
The Great Stone Face, just as they had pictured it for
these many years, on Bill Winebrenner.
On the programs they read "Why Girls Leave Home." Nobody could guess why, but
finally they saw the reason in the person of Dick Freeman.
They considered themselves very fortunate to have with them Romeo and Juliet,
Paul Jones as Romeo playing his song of love on a frying pan to his dear
Juliet, Justine Murray, seated on a high ladder.
For the Bridge Party Paul Earnest, dressed as farmer boy, accompanied by his
Victrola dog, was seated on a moonlit bridge fishing.
The A. H. S. Fire Drill gave many time to exchange confidences, repeat
gossip, and take a leisurely walk.
After this entertaining pantomime, Hite's orchestra furnished music for
dancing. Refreshments were served at a late hour, and as the clock struck
twelve the crowd of happy Seniors departed, the richer by the memory of a
delightful evening.
By the time this year book is being read the Senior girls will have
entertained the boys March 28, the boys will have been the hosts at a party
for the girls April 18, and plans will be on the wad= for the Senior banquet
June 3, and the picnic June 12.
[61]
Senior Class Prophesy
THE world seemed old that night. Even the stars winked wearily and the moon
had hidden behind a cloud. I sat in a lofty window, looking upon the swarms
of humanity in the street below and, suddenly, despite the cheerful noisiness
and the alluring glamor of the city, I turned in loneliness from the present
and called back memories of my girlhood. As I thought of my High School days
and the dear old class of '24, the great city seemed to fade and I was back
on the main street of my old home town.
Across the street, where had once been the Goldschmidt building, stood a
handsome establishment which sported a great sign reading, "Winebrenner's
Clothing Store - Latest and Snappiest Styles for Men." I remembered the Bill
of High School days and laughed a little as I bought a newspaper on the
corner. Glaring head lines startled me with their "Ruehr for Mayor," and
Fred's face, big as life and twice as natural, stared up from the front page.
I was mentally patting him on the back when my eye caught another head line,
"Altoona Man Achieves Success - Leroy Wertman called to head advertising
agency in New York City."
I turned a few more pages to see what bills were offered at the theatres and
found that the Mishler was running for the third week the musical comedy,
"Pep It Up," played by Duke Yeager and Edris Smith, supported by an all star
cast: Ruth Mathes, Helen Peters, Bessie Singiser, Geraldine Hoover, Viola
Hirschfield, Dorothy Young, Bill McClain, Fred Goss, Leroy McKinney, Bill
Riley, Gene Ross and Harold Myers. On the opposite page the Orpheum announced
the farce, "Give Me a Thousand Beautiful Girls," played by Johnny Hess, while
some of the thousand were Dot Shugarts, Phyllis Crawford, Damaris Morrison,
Dot Exline, Margaret Bowman, Agnes Fleck and Orpha Davis. I was amazed to see
that the class of '24 had invaded even the movies, for at the Capitol Arthur
Cox was playing with May Clare in "What Won't a Woman Do?"
While I was thus absorbed in the paper my feet had taken me mechanically into
Sitnek's and I was aroused by a familiar voice exclaiming, "Well, can you
imagine that!" I turned and almost fell over Vesta Stevens. After the first
greetings were over and we had asked the dapper little waiter - so obviously
a Freshman sheik from A. H. S. - for "cocoas, lemon and lots of ice," I said,
"Now, tell me about everybody in '24, and what they are doing."
"Where shall I begin?" she asked. "You know about Fred Reuhr's being
nominated for mayor, and about all the shows in town."
"Oh, yes," I cut in impatiently. "But all about the others - where are
Kathleen Hile and Marion Elder, Fratty Brallier and Betty Ayres, and the
rest?"
"Oh, didn't you know? Kathleen is dean of girls over at school;
[62]
Frances is physical instructor and basket ball coach. Marion is married."
"And she had always said she would be an old maid - I beg your pardon," I
murmured.
"Betty Lingenfelter owns a chicken farm in Pleasant Valley and Betty Ayres -
but surely you've heard about Betty?"
I shook my head. "Last year she took first prize in a national contest for
the best all-around woman athlete, and now she is head of a big school for
advanced physical culture."
"Wonderful!" I exclaimed.
"Isn't it? And I guess you haven't heard about all the boys? No. Well, Bobby
Leix - you remember that cute little fellow with the good-looking eyes - is
posing for advertisements of Arrow Collars and the best man they have!"
"You don't mean it," I gasped. "What does Lemoine Morrison do? Oh, Vesta, I
appreciate that blush!"
"I didn't," she protested. "Why, he's got the contract to build the new
Altoona station."
"That station!" I could hardly believe my ears. "Why, it was to be built
years ago."
"I know, but it will get finished this time, for Lemoine has appointed Bob
Wicker as his general manager, and Bob's a great little hustler, you know."
"Oh, Vests, what about Sara Orr, Katherine Fleming, Esther Wilson, Fern
McIntyre and' the rest of that crowd?"
"Married, most of them. Esther has gone in for intensive art and has a studio
in town here. Theresa Adler, have you heard, is practising law on Eleventh
avenue and Fourteenth street. Brinton Allison is District Attorney and Cecil
Erhardt - but oh, how foolish of me not to remember - I'll tell you where you
can see the whole class and talk to them yourself!"
"Where?" I demanded.
"Out at Cec Erhardt's Palais Royale. The place is wonderful, like an American
Monte Carlo, and Cecil's having a big reception and dance for the class of '24
tonight!"
It seemed a very short time until we stood on the steps of the Palais Royale.
It was a palace, indeed, with its great tapestried reception halls, velvety,
carpeted stairs and magnificent ball rooms. But after a sight of the guests
it might have been thought old A. H. S. in 1924, for they were all there,
every one. Helen Hagerty, with her prospective mayor, and Lib Fetterly and
Dick Denny still dancing attendance, Mr. and Mrs. Meloy, Sara Orr (or was it
Orr) with one of the handsome shieks from "Pep It Up." Most of the rest of
the cast were there, too, and Johnny Hess, attended by his thousand, was much
in evidence. Jay Brubaker was easily distinguishable by his red head towering
above the crowd, and Gene Van Zandt, who had been the Editor-in-Chief of the
Altoona Shriek, a newspaper rising rapidly to prominence, caused quite
furore by his remarkable inclination to leanness.
They were all there, the whole class of '24, talking, laughing and dancing
together for the first time in years. How many years? I really cannot say. I
only know that when the dream faded and I went back to every-day living it
was sweet to remember my old friends, each with his or her place in life and
in the whirl of busy days, each stopping to give thought to the class of '24
and dear old Altoona High School.
KATHLEEN TAYLOR.
[63]
WE, the graduating class of Altoona High School, for the time being in a
rational state of mind and impartial judgment, do hereby will and bequeath
all our property, real or taken for granted, as follows:
First: To members of '25, who will be next year's Senior Class, we will and
bequeath all those privileges and possessions which we have loved most
dearly, namely - our lockers and elbow space in Senior Alley, all convenient
fire-drills and unexpected speeches in chapel, our frequent visits to and, in
some cases, our hasty departure from the office; the monopoly the class of '24
has hitherto had on the athletic activities of the school; last, and certainly
not the least, all the little faults and eccentricities characteristic of our
class, which have doubtless strained the nerves and enlarged the vision of
our beloved teachers.
Second: To all the girls and boys of A. H. S. our coveted places in those
beloved hang-outs that shall know us no more - George's, Julia's, and all the
others. It is with weeping and wailing that we sever our affectionate
acquaintanceship with George and his hotdogs, to linger no more in the free
atmosphere of High School Bohemia.
Third: To the Junior Class we present the right of occupying our seats in
chapel and suffering the admiration of certain speakers who like to "look
into our smiling faces." To this bequest we would like to add the pleasure we
have derived from being so directly under the watchful eye of our Principal.
Fourth: To the class of '25 we devise all the pleasure, the help and the
fatherly advice, both public and private, that we leave received from our
beloved Dean.
Fifth: We bequeath to the entire student body the faithful services of the
supervisors and teachers whose patience we have so often tried, but at the
same time we reserve the right to remember them in all future years as the
truest friends of our High School life.
Items:
To the Freshman Class, $ .59 in United States currency for the purpose of
purchasing an evergreen to keep their memory fresh.
To Marie Thomson, Fern McIntyre's charming disposition.
To Pete Beech, Fred Hailer's ability to manage a basketball team.
To Betts Smith, Sara Orr's beguiling smile.
To Herb Owens, Lewis Gwin's harmless innocence.
To Marjorie Raugh, Marjorie Grey's knack of getting to class on time.
To Andy Gamble, John Davis's keen sense of humor.
To Susan Peters, Helen Peters' everlasting giggle and talkativeness.
To Gene Stroup, Bob Laramy's knowledge of physics.
To Martha Bigley, Mary Burket's military dancing position.
To Jim Orr, Carl Meyer's ability to keep order at committee meetings.
To Virginia Skillington, Beatrice Johnson's endearing mien.
[64]
To Bob Welsh, Bill McClain's tasteful flock of neckties.
To Milly Stahl, Esther Wilson's extensive vocabulary.
To Billy Sisley, Duke Yeager's swagger.
To Elizabeth Schimminger, Marion Elder's demure ways.
To Fred Fields, Gene Ross's eloquence.
To Ned Maloy, Johnny Hess's stand-in with the fair sex.
To Martha Pierce, Irene Cole's permanent wave.
To Reeve Epright, Gene Van Zandt's surplus avoirdupois.
To Beverly Robison, Annis Murphy's nationality.
To be divided among the meek voiced maidens of the Junior class, Jay
Brubaker's lyric soprano.
To Bob Stewart, Sam Curry's relic, the bowed violin.
To Junior Girls, all of the shy glances any fortunate young damsels may be
able to attract from our bashful Jake Davenport.
To Thelma Eckley, Nash Hall's extra credits.
To Eleanor Shellenberger, Sara Carnell's ability to have a good time.
To Truman Crist, Leroy Wertman's superiority in almost any subject.
To Russ Shaffer, Cec Erhardt's eloquent ways.
To Betty Fair, Kathleen Hile's general popularity.
To Bob Wicker, $.75 with which to buy his favorite song, "Love's Old Sweet
Song."
To Gene Spencer, Naomi Brenneman's efficient hair net that confines that
annoying bob.
To Josephine Hill, Dot Shugart's artistic ability.
To Florence Elder, Grace Foust's winning ways.
To Harvey Lytle, Fred Ruehr's grown up and gentlemanly build.
To Harold Levine, Dick Denny's wit.
To Flo Rock, Helen Hagerty's pep.
To Billy Green, Noodles Meyer's one fault, admiring pretty girls.
To Katharine Roth, Ruth Mathes' devotion to lower classmen.
To Christine Klesius, Betty Ayre's good management in basketball.
To Walt Fisher, Fred Goss's Arabian propensities.
To Roy Renner, Paul Jones' endless stock of foolish questions.
To Kitty Laemar, May Clare's meek and golden silence.
To Herb McKague, Vic Spear's football doggedness.
To John Hill, Bill Reilly's can of hair grease.
To be distributed equally among our Juniors, Brinton Allison's brains.
To Mary McKelvy, Dot Brett's love of study.
To Miriam Willoughby, Elizabeth Fetterly's modesty.
To the next Senior Class, good will.
Sir: In Witness Whereof, We, the Seniors of Altoona High School, Class of
Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-four, have hereunto set our hand and seal on
this, the first day of May, Anno Domini One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Twenty-four.
SENIOR CLASS (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named testators as and
for their last will and testament, in presence of us, who, in the presence of
the said testators, and in the presence of each other, have, hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses.
(Signed)
M. MARIE RITTS,
GEORGE B. WILLIAMS,
MABEL E. MULOCK,
FERN M. McINTYRE.
[65]
Underclassmen
Book 2
[drawing]
[66]
Annals of the Junior Class
To the Senior Class,
To the Sophomore Class,
To the Freshman Class,
To every class,
To the concerned,
To the unconcerned,
Know all men, by these presents that we, the Undersized Junior Class, being
of sarcastic mind, humorous character and generous disposition, do hereby
place for the common tuition of all man such sundry and miscellaneous facts
as we consider compatible with our dignity as the inheritors of the
influential position of the Senior Class. Our history falls into three
divisions: our history as Fresh - we mean our history in the first year; our
history in the second year, and our history as Juniors.
Our history as a class began on a warm September afternoon in the year A. D.
one thousand nine hundred and twenty-one when, with perspiration oozing from
our brows and dignity from our mien, we assembled in the auditorium. Until
Order's gavel touched Authority's desk we day-dreamed of a happy fate, but as
a chip will start a snow-slide, so the descent of the gavel precipitated an
avalanche of work. Our noble high-beating hearts were swollen with awe of the
upper-classmen, frozen with fear of them, and then broken with the
insupportable weight of labor resting on us.
Occasionally chapel was called, and this event was even more of a red letter
day than when a Senior deigned to recognize us in the presence of our fellow
students. Late in the second semester an organization known as Shifters was
instituted, whose illustrious purpose was to sell O. K. paper clips at the
greatest possible margin of profit, yet as there was official cognizance
taken of magnificently selfish organization we but mention it in passing.
Withal, we were a class of remarkable ability and natural capacity, as was
attested by the fact that we went only half-days to attain the instruction
given to our predecessors in double that time. There is a rumor rife that
proof of our brilliancy was forced through the crowded condition our school,
but we shall not lend our ears to a slander so tarnishing to the reputation
of our rare intellect. At the close of the first year about six hundred and
fifty had shown a sufficient degree of intelligence to warrant their entry
into the Sophomore Class.
In this elegantly awkward division of human society we were delegated to
spend a year. Our social status throughout our Sophomore year was as
changeable the tempers of our august ancients, for sometimes the Seniors
condescended to recognize us and sometimes they did not, but we were never
discouraged, because did we not now go in the morning, thereby treading the
paths greatness? The greater part our class held the balcony against all
comers for the year, and, from that point of vantage, we watched the antics
of our elders with great degree of enjoyment. The same unmistakable marks of
in intelligence were present in this year of our education that had been
observed before. Chief among these was our extreme originality, illustrated
in our translations from the classics; our docility, so noticeable that one
teacher remarked, "You say everything I say right after me, whether there's
any sense in it or not," and a score of other qualities equally select but
too numerous to mention. Yet to save from tedium we shall not go into further
detail, but shall trace our history through that elevated body - the Junior
Class.
II
In the Junior Class, indeed, we donned the toga virilis and late hours, the
latter a matter of some inconvenience in respect to our recitations the next
day, but we considered it such a noble attainment that we were willing to
forego a matter so slight as our recitations. We assumed the main floor of
the auditorium as the just due of our honest endeavor, and were there to tell
our friends that we were on equal footing with the Seniors. Industry and
enterprise characterized our class this year, as might be attested by any one
observing our class the week before the mid-year examinations. All through the
entire year, with the exception of our failures, our chronicle records nothing
but entire success, and from past experience we advise all who read this
history to follow in our footsteps.
Now as we have reached the end of our history, we feel that we have set a
precedent for many wiser than we and conclude, only remarking that these
annals are correct except for such parts as deviate from the truth, and so it
is fitting that they be recommended for reliable historical fiction, is not
for historical accuracy.
History of the Class of 1926
ON September 4, 1923, the Class of '26 rallied again around the banner of
Maroon and White. This time we came with the coveted title of Sophomores and
occupied their station. Together with the importance of this station, we
assumed its responsibilities. Consequently, in accordance with the
time-honored custom, we showed the Freshmen their proper place, bearing in
mind the advice that had been given to us as Freshmen - "be seen but not
heard."
As the year advanced we found a comradeship manifested throughout our class
that was beyond expectation. Our social development became more prominent,
and we hope in our coming school days to realize pleasure from this
companionship.
We found among the members of our class valuable recruits not only for
scholastic work, but also for the musical and athletic activities of the
school. We were well represented in both the Glee Club and the Orchestra. Our
class also furnished glory for A. H. S.
Believing, as we do, in the evidence of our class ability, we are looking
forward hopefully to the contests of the future.
We shall laud, O Sophomore Class.
All of thy glories, as on we pass!
Virginia Leader.
[68]
History of the Freshman Class
IN the fall of 1923, eight hundred and forty poor green creatures entered
High School to be initiated into new experiences, such as Doctor Robb's
sonorous voice, his heavy tread through the halls; the mysteries of algebra,
history and English; and such tongue-twisting languages as Spanish, German
and Latin.
These poor young but ambitious Freshmen had also to learn how to frame
reasonable excuses, excuses which would pass under the eagle eye of Mr. Hare.
After two months' sojourn at High School, they were able to distinguish the
Seniors from the Juniors. This difference was hard to detect, but, persuaded
that it was a mere matter of the degree of swagger, they diligently set to
work to imitate and to practice it privately.
On the night of the Freshman Frolic the tender unwary Freshmen girls were
left to the mercy of the Girls' League. This worthy organization helped the
girls to enjoy a most frolicsome evening. The costumes worn were both funny
and original. The Freshmen then began to love school, expecting more of these
treats.
The Girls' League planned a hike to which the Freshmen girls were invited.
The different classes each had colored tickets, and the Freshmen ticket was
green, a very descriptive and appropriate color There was much joy and
hilarity on this occasion.
In the fifth month of school the Freshmen started burning the midnight oil.
The mid-year exam were here! Woebegone Freshmen were to be seen everywhere,
but they had comrades in distress, and who should they be but the reverend
Seniors?
At the end of the term, those who had escaped the casualty list no longer
wore the green, and Freshmen mid-years became full fledged Sophomores. Now
they are the wise fools who will scoff at the coming generation Freshmen and
think complacently of their many accomplishments, such as being able to
conjugate Latin verb, or to hear Mr. Robb's voice and tread without a tremor.
Indeed, so familiar has it become that they now regard it as a part of the
necessary equipment of High School, together with the ringing of bells and
passing of classes, and have learned to welcome its approach.
As to their future - behold what one short year has done for those who have
completed the term! We prophesy that ere four years have passed the class of
1927 may make the world wonder.
[69]
[drawing]
Athletics
Book 3
[70]
ATHLETICS
THIS year is the second year of the new era of Athletics at Altoona Hi. Last
year we succeeded in building up a strong coaching staff. Mr. Madison and Mr.
Wolfe, both experienced athletes, and better yet - gentlemen - were secured.
These two gentlemen and Miss Eyre, who has been so successful here, and of
whom we are so justly proud, comprise the best coaching staff we have ever
had. We hope to be able to keep them with us. Last year was the first year we
had been successful financially. This year we have been more than successful,
even though several injuries which required considerable treatment taxed our
finances. Then, too, the attitude of the student body has been better this
year than ever before. We hope that conditions will become better each
year. Next year with the pew Junior Hi floor and with the new Athletic
Field, athletics in Altoona Hi will be stronger than ever. Our cheer leading
this year was very good. Billy Green led all of the football games and some
of the basketball games. Ivan Fleck, Gene Van Zandt and Francis Semanski have
helped out. The school appreciates their services.
[71]
[photo]
RICHARD MADISON
Our Coaches
Altoona High School may indeed congratulate itself on its coaches - Richard
Madison, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, and one of the best
athletes ever turned out by his Alma Mater; and Robert Wolfe, of
Indianapolis, Indiana, also a crack athlete and an expert in physical culture.
After the call for candidates, the coaches found that they had a number of
green recruits and very few experienced men. After several weeks of stiff
training the coach turned out a crack football team, which made an excellent
record and proved a real credit both to the school and to the coaches. Harold
Little, one of the best linesmen and a veteran. from last year, was on the
side lines because of a badly injured leg, but Coaches Madison and Wolfe
quickly found a man fill his shoes. By the end of the season they developed
the team into a fast, smooth, hard hitting eleven.
Then came basketball. Captain Haller, probably one of the best basketball
players that ever wore a Maroon and White suit, was out almost the whole
season because of an injured leg. Pete Beech, another crack forward, was out
part of the season with a bad leg. Even under these handicaps the coaches
turned out a strong team. The same thing was true in track and baseball.
Our two men are the finest coaches Altoona High School could wish. The
students are fond of them and proud of them. They are real gentlemen,
favorites with the faculty and with the students, and both beloved and
respected by the athletes themselves.
[photo]
ROBERT WOLFE
[72]
OFFICIALDOM
ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
Mr. Madison, Chairman; Mr. Wolfe, Mr. Jones, Miss Eyre, Mr. Clark.
Seniors - Fred Haller, Robert Wicker, Fred Ruehr.
Juniors - George Beech, Frank Olmes.
Sophomores - Gordon Esterline, Robert Stratiff.
Freshmen - Harry Hogmeyer.
COACHING STAFF
Director of Athletics - Mr. Madison.
Director of Physical Education - Mr. Wolfe.
Director of Physical Training for Girls - Miss Eyre.
TEAM CAPTAINS
Football - William Winebrenner, '24
Basketball - Fred Haller, '24
Track - Walter Yeager, '24
Reserve Basketball - Charles Flickinger, '25
Girls' Basketball - Elizabeth Ayers, '24
TEAM MANAGERS
Football - Fred Ruehr.
Basketball - Fred Ruehr.
[73]
[photo]
TEAM CAPTAINS AND COACH
William Winebrenner, Football
Walter Yeager, Track
Richard Madison, Head Coach
Fred Haller, Basketball
[74]
WEARERS OF THE A
FOOTBALL
Captain, William Winebrenner
Robert Wicker
John Hess Carl Graf
John Isenberg
Truman Crist
Paul Morse
Francis Semanski
Harold Myers
Harold Little
Lander McKean
Victor Speer
Herbert McKague
Howard Waple
Paul Earnest
Walter Whistler
Charles Flickinger
Ira Burket
Thomas Abernethy
John Shugarts
Russell Shaffer
Fred Ruehr
BASKETBALL.
Captain, Fred Haller
George Beech
Gordon Esterline
William Winebrenner
Robert Wicker
Thomas Goodfellow
John Hess
Kenneth Weaver
[75]
[photo]
[football team]
[76]
FOOTBALL 1923
VARSITY TEAM
Left End - Isenberg
Left Tackle - Semanski
Left Guard - Myers
Center - Morse
Right Guard - Waple
Right Tackle - Speer
Right End - Crist
Quarterback - Hess
Left Halfback - Winebrenner
Right Halfback - Graf
Fullback - Wicker
SUBSTITUTES
Abernethy
I. Burket
M. Burket
Conroy
Earnest
Fleck
Flickinger
Laramy
Little
McKean
Shaffer
Shugarts
Whistler
[77]
FOOTBALL REVIEW OF 1923
After losing nearly the whole term of '22, prospects for a strong '23 team
were very poor. However, we can now thank our coaches, Mr. Madison and. Mr.
Wolfe, that we had one of the strongest teams of A. H. S. history. Starting
with but five veterans, Mr. Madison and Mr. Wolfe built up a squad which
covered itself with glory. Although six of the eleven men who started the
Roaring Spring game had never worn an A. H. S. suit before, they played great
football; later in the season they succeeded in stopping the powerful
Huntingdon crew, and they defeated the Williamsport team, a stunt which no A.
H. S. team had ever accomplished before. The wearers of the Maroon and White
played nine games, winning five, losing three, and tying one.
ROARING SPRING FORGETS TO ROOT
A. H. S. - 12 Roaring Spring - 0
In our opener on September 28, Roaring Spring lost to a new Maroon and White
football machine. Although Roaring Spring had an experienced team, and
although they were fast and just about as heavy as our men, they went down to
a defeat an the small end of a 12-0 score. In their initial appearance the
wearers of the Maroon and White showed to a great advantage. Many rough
corners were noticed, but considering the lack of experience on the part of
the players, the opener was a real credit to them; also to the coaches.
MT. UNION FALLS
A. H. S. - 35 Mt. Union - 0
On October 6, Mt. Union High lost to a smoother, faster playing Altoona
eleven. In this game the team played as a unit and scored almost at will. In
the third quarter the entire second team was sent in, and even they managed
to get one touchdown. As Hollidaysburg had defeated Mt. Union 39-0 on the
previous Saturday, we felt that we would have to defeat them ourselves. All
Altoona now realized that the coaches had performed a miracle. The playing of
the team spoke well for their ability.
HUNTINGDON IS SURPRISED
A. H. S. - 0 HUNTINGDON - 0
Saturday, October 13, proved to be poor for the powerful Huntingdon team.
They came to Altoona expecting to walk all over us. They expected to run up a
high score on a weak Maroon and White team. They were, however, completely
halted by the lighter, faster, scrappy Altoonans. They were overwhelmed in
the first half by a lightning attack by "Altoona's Own", but this brilliant
attack was abruptly stopped when Wicker was hurt and was forced to leave the
game. Both teams played hard football, and the final whistle found two groups
of exhausted football players. Hunt-
[78]
ingdon seriously threatened our goal line only once, when they reached the
eight yard line, but they were held on the downs.
IN WHICH WE TURN BACK HOLLIDAYSBURG
A. H. S. - 7 Hollidaysburg - 0
With three games behind us and our goal line still uncrossed, we looked
forward expectantly to the game with the strong Hollidaysburg crew. Of course
they thought we would be easy, but they were fooled. Forward passing was the
feature of the game, as Hollidaysburg was well versed in this style of
attack. The wearers of the Maroon and White won, however, by hard, straight
football. This game was fought hard throughout, as the Burghers tried to step
out in the lead. Our only touchdown came in the first halt. Graf kicked the
goal.
OUR FIRST LOSS
A. H. S. - 0 Johnstown - 19
As the Johnnies had been having a very poor season up to this time, and as we
had been having a fairly good season, our hopes for victory against Johnstown
were good. Our green team cracked, possibly because of stage fright, caused
by their first away from home game, and we lost 19-0. In the first half we
held our ancient rivals rather easily, but we could not score ourselves. Then
came the second half. An exhausted team took the field, and the Johnnies
grabbed three touchdowns. However, our boys played great football and we
cannot condemn them in any way. They gave their best, but lost, more on
account of inexperience than anything else.
WINDBER WINS
A. H. S. - 0 Windber - 25
The veteran Windber High team made us taste defeat for a second time. Having
decisively defeated every team they had played, Windber came here to massacre
us. Although the score might indicate a one-sided game, it was really the
hardest fought game of the season. Three of Windber's touchdowns were rather
lucky. On the whole it was a snappy football game. Windber got two touchdowns
in the second quarter, one in the third and one in the fourth.
WE LOSE TO THE LOCK HAVEN CHAMPS
A. H. S. - O Lock Haven - 35
On November 10, at the Cricket Field, Lock Haven High, Central Pennsylvania
Interscholastic Athletic Association Champions, took our measure, 35-0. It
was our worst defeat. Lock Haven brought a fast, heavy, experienced team
here. They were the best team we played in the whole season. In the first
quarter, Altoona High made a brilliant stand and held the heavy opponents;
but the weight of the Lock Haven eleven began to tell in the second quarter
when they made two touchdowns. They made two more in the third quarter and
one in the last quarter. The drop kicks were all good.
CLEARFIELD BOWS
A. H. S. - 6 Clearfield - 0
After our open date on November 17, we journeyed to Clearfield, where we
defeated Clearfield 6-0 for the first time in A. H. S. history. The teams
were evenly
[79]
matched, and our victory was made possible only by Wicker's sensational 102
yard run after intercepting a forward. This run was the feature of the game.
It was the longest run in scholastic circles for the season. This run set an
A. H. S. record that will probably stand for years. This game was our second
and last game away from home.
WILLIAMSPORT HIGH
A. H. S. - 24 W. H. S. - 0
Williamsport came to Altoona fully determined to add another victory to the
unbroken string of victories which they have made over us. They failed,
however, for Altoona High was just twenty-four points better than they.
Playing in a sea of mud on Thanksgiving day, we registered our first victory
ever the Billtowners. Both teams were well balanced and the game was rather
evenly contested, but "a team that won't be beaten can't be beaten." Our men
carried this idea into the game with them and emerged victorious. The feature
of the game was an eighty-yard run by Wicker, in the last quarter. This
victory was an appropriate ending of a successful season.
SCORES
A. H. S. Opponents
12 Roaring Spring 0
35 Mt. Union 0
0 Huntingdon 0
7 Hollidaysburg 0
0 Johnstown 19
0 Windber 25
0 Lock Haven 35
6 Clearfield 0
24 Williamsport 0
___ ___
84 79
[80]
BASKETBALL 1923-1924
VARSITY LINE-UP
Forward - Haller
Forward - Beech
Center - Esterline
Guard - Wicker
Guard - Winebrenner
SUBSTITUTES
Shaffer
March
Goodfellow
Hess
Weaver
[81]
[photo]
VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM
[82]
REVIEW OF BASKETBALL
Under the greatest difficulties an A. H. S. coach has ever had, a strong team
was turned out this season. Captain Fritz Haller was injured the first week of
practice and was out of the first ten games. Fritz came back, and within two
weeks Pete Beech was out with an injured leg. Then, too, the new Junior High
was not finished, so we had to use the armory, which has practically no
dressing room and has only one shower.
But our coaches are not the kind who complain. They went to work and produced
a fine team, a team which made several unique records. We defeated
Williamsport for the first time in A. H. S. history; we administered two
defeats to Hollidaysburg, a hitherto impossible feat. The spirit of the
student body was good. They supported the team in adversity and made it
possible for us to come out ahead financially. The two high spots on our
record are our victories against Renovo and our record victory over the
Burghers on the Tyrone floor. Renovo always turns out a tip-top team. This
year they had a record-breaking team. It might be well to add that this game
and our second victory over the Burg were the only occasions on which we had
our entire team, in good condition, on the floor. The victory over
Hollidaysburg is something we shall never forget. The game was played on the
Tyrone floor, a neutral floor; we had our best team on the floor for really
the only game of the season when they were all in the game in good condition.
We walked all over the Burg to the tune of a 41-18 score. Johnstown defeated
us three straight games, but in not one of them did we have a full team on
the floor. Over there Haller was out; here, Beech was out, and at Tyrone
Esterline was out and Hailer's leg was bad. As only Captain Fritz Haller
graduates, our prospects are excellent for next year, although the loss of
Captain Haller means the loss of one of the greatest of Altoona Hi basketball
players. Next year, too, the new Junior High floor, which is one of the best
in the state, will be available. We wish you success, 1925.
VARSITY PLAYERS
Fred Haller, '24, forward-center.
Fritz played his fourth year on the varsity this season and captained the
team for his second year, which is a stunt no A. H. S. man has ever done
before. We are proud of Fritz. Ht is a great favorite with the class and is
popular all around.
William Winebrenner, '24, forward-guard.
Bill received his first varsity letter in basketball this season. He was a
very important man on the team. Bill could star in any position he played.
[83]
Robert Wicker, '24, guard.
Bob played varsity basketball for his first year this season. A more
dependable, reliable guard could not be wished for. Bob is a real athlete and
a good fellow.
George Beech, '25, forward.
Pete played his record year on the varsity and he was one of the best
forwards the school ever turned out. Good luck to Pete next year.
Gordon Esterline, '26, center.
Gordy came out last year, his Freshman year, but was too little. This year he
played real varsity basketball and easily made the team.
William Weaver, '25, guard.
Pickles also played two years on the varsity. Pickles is small but he is
there when it comes to guarding.
John Hess, '24, guard.
Johnny didn't have experience enough to make the varsity, but he was good
enough to make the varsity men step.
Thomas Goodfellow, '25, center.
Tom played his first year on the varsity. Tom is our big center, and we
expect a great deal of him next year.
Harold March, '24, forward.
Harold is also a graduating member of our team. When the coach wanted to see
some real action he sent Harold into the game.
Russell Shaffer, '25, guard.
Greek came out for the first time this season and gave the varsity mean a
real chase. Luck, Greek!
VARSITY INDIVIDUAL SCORING RECORDS
Name G. F. G. F. G. Tot.
Halter 10 67 39-65 173
Beech 15 66 46-80 178
Wicker 18 1 4-8 8
Winebrenner 18 26 24-68 76
Weaver 17 2 7-14 11
Esterline 16 8 10-22 26
Goodfellow 9 6 5-14 17
Hess 10 0 0-0 0
March 4 1 4-7 6
Shaffer 1 0 0-0 0
Hoffman 3 1 0-0 2
[84]
BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
A. H. S. OPP.
34 Mt. Union 26
27 Lock Haven 31
14 Williamsport 13
25 Hollidaysburg 24
24 Windber 13
31 Tyrone 21
18 Johnstown 55
15 Windber 26
26 Hollidaysburg 29
49 Renovo 46
17 Johnstown 37
17 Mt. Union 14
39 Greensburg 31
34 Punxsutawney 38
41 Clarion Normal 46
23 Williamsport 26
41 Hollidaysburg 18
At Tyrone
22 Johnstown 42
At Tyrone
[85]
[photo]
RESERVE BASKETBALL TEAM
[86]
ALTOONA HI RESERVES
The Altoona Hi Reserves had a very successful season, winning eight of nine
games. The Reserve team was a fast scrappy bunch, and some of the players
will be useful for next year's varsity.
Buss Franks, the fast little forward for the Reserves, was the high scorer.
He had thirty-two field goals and twenty fouls with a total of eighty-four
points. Buss was not only a good scorer but a clever floor man. Ted
Flickinger, captain of the team, also played good basketball. He was second
to Franks in scoring, with twenty-three field goals and thirteen foul goals
for a total of fifty-nine points.
Ray Hoffman played with the Reserves in only the last two games, and he
proved to be very useful. In the two games he was in he scored nineteen
points. McKague, Morse and Smith played very good guarding games. They
helped win many games by guarding the other teams closely. Temple, Wicker
and Davenport, although not in many games, helped the team to win.
A. H. S. RESERVES
A. H. S. OPP.
13 Hollidaysburg Reserves 9
20 St. Luke's 13
11 Simpson M.E. 10
9 Hollidaysburg Reserves 13
23 A. H. S. Midgets 3
27 St. Luke's 13
35 Reade High 25
18 Y. Pirates 13
24 Hollidaysburg Reserves 23
___ ___
192 122
PLAYERS
Name F'd G. F'l G. Tot.
Capt Flickinger 23 13 59
Franks 32 20 84
Hoffman 8 3 19
McKague 3 3 9
Farris 2 2 6
Johnson 1 3 5
Smith - 6 6
Morse - 2 2
Owens - 1 1
Temple - 1 1
___ ___ ___
Akers, Mgr. 69 54 192
[87]
[photo]
GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
[88]
GIRLS BASKETBALL
THE Girls' Basketball team of the A. H. S. has had a very successful season
under the able coaching of Miss Eyre. The Williamsport team opened the
season on the home floor, and the game was played according to girls' rules
for the first time. Miss G. Wilt, an Altoonan, refereed the home games.
In the game with Windber on the St. Luke's floor, the entire second team
played in the second half of the game. This was repeated when the Maroon and
White lassies defeated the lock Haven Normal team on their home floor.
Betty Ayres, the captain, was the star of the team. She has a record of
shooting eighty-one field goals, twenty-one being made in the game with Lock
Haven Normal, and eleven fouls. Betty was assisted by her speedy little
forward, Christine Klesius, who made twenty-one field goals. Parthenia
Hudnall made three field goals and one foul during the season, with Kathleen
Taylor scoring four points. The forwards were assisted by our high jumper,
Frat Brallier playing center, with Parthenia Hudnall as her helper. Back of
all these players were the husky guards, Miss Morrison and Eva Pee, who kept
the opponents from piling up points.
GIRLS' TEAM
Right Forward - Betty Ayres (Captain)
Left Forward - C. Klesius
Center - F. Brallier
Sub-Center - P. Hudnall
Right Guard - D. Morrison
Left Guard - E. Pee
SUBSTITUTES
M. Neff
K. Taylor
B. Ayres
B. Lingenfelter
E. Wilson
A. Slack
[89]
INDIVIDUAL SCORING RECORD
No. of Games Field Goals Foul Goals
9 Betty Ayres 89 12 out of 65
9 Christine Klesius 24 4 out of 10
9 Francis Brallier
9 Marian Neff
9 Eva Pee
9 Damaris Morrison
6 Parthenia Hudnall 3 1 out of 2
4 Kathleen Taylor 2
4 Aunda Slack
4 Beatrice Ayers
2 Eleanor Wilson
Total 118 17
___ ___
Points 236 17
SCHEDULE
Home Altoona 20 Williamsport 22
" " 14 Lock Haven Hi 13
" " 61 Windber 10
Away " 6 Indiana Normal 32
" " 39 Windber 23
" " 17 Williamsport 36
" " 13 Lock Haven Hi 12
Home " 57 Lock Haven Normal 17
" " 26 Indiana Normal 34
Away " - Bellefonte -
" " - Lock Haven Normal -
___ ___
253 199
[90]
BASEBALL
For two years straight the Altoona Hi baseball team has won the Blair County
title. This year, however, because we have no field, we shall have no
baseball as a major sport. We shall have intramural or interclass baseball,
hoping in this way to develop some good material for next year's team. Last
year the Maroon and white squad, led by Captain Carl Burket, had one of the
best seasons in A. H. s. history. The team lost only three games out of
eighteen, and lost only one argument on a home field.
[91]
TRACK SQUAD
Dashes - Bartholomew, Waple, Burgoon.
Long Distances - Semanski, Yeager, Snyder.
High Jump - Milburn.
Shot Put - Burket, Van Zandt.
Javelin - Wicker.
Discus - Wicker, Waple.
Broad Jump - Milburn, Winebrenner.
Pole Vault - Milburn.
Relay - Burgoon, Yeager, Waple, Bartholomew, Semanski.
[92]
TRACK REVIEW OF 1923
Altoona High School had the best track team that ever represented the local
institution. Led by Coach Richard Madison they entered the Penn Relays and
six inter-scholastic meets, making a good showing in every meet. The season
was opened by the relay team, who took fifth place in the fastest High School
race of the day, Williamsport winning in 3:38.
CARNEGIE TECH INTER-SCHOLASTIC
The following Saturday the track team participated in the Carnegie Tech
Interscholastics, copping fourth place, Mercersburg, Bellefonte and Kiski
outscoring the local boys, Altoona being the best High School squad, the
first three teams representing prep schools. Altoona winners were:
Bartholomew, second in the 100 yard dash; Semanski, second in the mile run;
Yeager, fifth in the half-mile; Wicker, fifth in the javelin, and the relay
team, composed of Yeager, Burgoon, Waple and Bartholomew, took second place,
losing to Latrobe. The Maroon and White athletes, all told, registered 14
points.
PENN STATE INTER-SCHOLASTICS
On May 12 the team was entered in the Penn State Interscholastics and took
second place, being beaten by Harrisburg Tech, Tech scoring 36 points to the
locals 24. For winning second place in this championship meet the team was
awarded a 15-inch silver loving cup which Coach Madison prevented to the High
School. The Altoona winners were: Bartholomew, Semanski, Burgoon, Wicker and
Milburn. Bartholomew won the 220 yard dash and took second place in the 100
yard dash. Semanski finished second in the two-mile run. Burgoon surprised
every one by winning the quarter mile. Wicker won the javelin throw and Zip
Milburn took second place in the pole vault, setting a new A. H. S. record.
Coach Madison was more than pleased with the showing made by his pupils at
the state interscholastic championships, and decided to bring the Franklin
and Marshall Academy team to Altoona for a dual meet.
ALTOONA VS. FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL ACADEMY
In the dual meet with the Academy team, Altoona lost, 52-47. The locals lost
out by not having enough men in each event. Another second place would have
given the meet to Altoona.
Altoona winners were: Bartholomew first in the 100, 220 and 440 yard dashes;
Semanski first in the mile; Reese Burgoon third in the mile; Winebrenner
third in the broad jump and third in the javelin throw; Wicker first in the
shot put, javelin, and second in the discus; Milburn first in the pole vault
and second in the high jump; Yeager second in the half-mile.
Bartholomew established new records in the 100 yard dash and in the quarter
mile. Semanski broke the mile record. Wicker
[93]
threw the javelin for a record breaker, and Milburn equaled both the high
jump and pole vault records.
BLAIR COUNTY INTER-SCHOLASTICS
The Maroon and White Trackers won the Blair County Interscholastic meet which
was held at the Cricket field, with a grand total of 78 points. Juniata was
second with 29 points, Morrison Cove third with 12, and Williamsburg fourth
with 2 points.
Bartholomew won the 100, 220 and 440 yard dashes, Snyder the mile, Milburn
the high jump and pole vault, Winebrenner the broad jump, Wicker the discus
and shot put, and McCue the javelin. Other Altoona men to place second or
third were E. Burgoon, Semanski, Yeager, Waple and R. Burgoon.
Altoona captured every first place but one, Roy, of Juniata, winning the half
mile.
ALTOONA VS. JOHNSTOWN
Altoona High triumphed over her old time rival, Johnstown, in a dual meet at
the Cricket field on Memorial Day, May 30, the final point score showing 69
far the Maroon and White and 47 for the Azure and Black, Altoona winning
eight of the thirteen events. Dick Bartholomew was high man, scoring three
first places in the dashes. Three A. H. S. records were broken. Wicker,
hurled the discus 101 ft. 9 in. for a new mark, and Zip Milburn turned in one
of his best performances when he broke the pole vault record, flipping over
the bar at ten feet, and also set a new high mark in the high jump at 5 ft. 5
in.
Altoona winners were: Bartholomew first in 100, 220 and 440 yard dashes;
Milburn first in pole vault, second in high jump and 120
high hurdles; Semanski first in mile run; Snyder third in mile run;
Winebrenner first in broad jump, third in shot put; Flickinger second in
broad jump; Wicker first in shot put, discus and second javelin; E. Burgoon
second in 100 and 440 yard dashes and third in 220 low hurdles; McCue third
in javelin; Yeager second in half mile; Waple second in 220 yard dash and
third in discus.
All told it was the greatest track season ever enjoyed by the Altoona High
School, and all credit for the good showing made goes to Coach Richard
Madison, the best friend of every boy on the squad.
Walter Yeager was unanimously elected captain of this year's quad.
TRACK FOR 1924
After having the best track team in the history of the school last year, our
chances for a good squad are rather poor this year. Our stars of last year,
Captain Zip Milburn, of jumping fame, and Dick Bartholomew; our sprinting
sensation, were both lost by graduation. However, the coaches still have
plenty of good material to pick from. Holler, Little, and Earnest are
expected to shine in the sprints, with Yeager, Winebrenner and others for the
longer distances. Captain Duke Yeager is expected to do the best running stuff
in his whole career this season.
Wicker, Winebrenner and Van Zandt are expected to do well in the field
events. Altogether, prospects for another strong squad are excellent.
Although no meets have been definitely scheduled, several are pending.
[94]
TRACK AND FIELD RECORDS
Events Holder Year Made Time, Distance
or Height
100 Yard Dash Richard Bartholomew 1923 10 sec.
220 Yard Dash Marcellus Cover 1922 22 2-5 sec.
440 Yard Dash Richard Bartholomew 1923 54 sec.
880 Yard Run Walter Yeager 1923 2 min. 16 sec.
Mile Run Francis Semanski 1923 4 min. 54 sec.
2 Mile Run Francis Semanski 1923 10 min. 41 2/5 sec.
1 Mile Relay 1922 Team 3 min. 38 sec.
(Parks, Yeager, Cox, Cover)
High Jump Paul Milburn 1923 5 ft. 5 in.
Broad Jump Wm. Winebrenner 1923 19 ft. 8 3/4 in.
Pole Vault Paul Milburn 1923 10 ft. 6 in.
Shot Put Robert Wicker 1923 29 ft. 4 1/2 in.
Discus Throw Robert Wicker 1923 101 ft. 9 in.
Javeline Throw Robert Wicker 1923 144 ft. 9 1/2 in.
[95]
[drawing]
Literary Book 4
[96]
Told at the Rice Shop
L00 CHANG, son of Ma Fui, the merchant, slept. A rude kick, well aimed,
proved him to be but taking a snatch of forgetfulness, the sleep so desirable
to the Oriental. Loo Chang rose and shuffled away to his post near the small
teak wood table. As he stood there, half dozing again, a little Geisha girl
walked by the table. Instantly he was all attention. His queue bobbed
excitedly, and the usually immobile features broadened around the mouth,
disclosing two rows of stained yellow teeth. The Geisha girl picked up a
small package. Loo Chang reached out a claw-like hand and grasped the packet.
Out of the depths of his sleeves he produced another very small bag. This he
inserted between the covers of another package. The huge yellow bow on the
back of the Geisha's kimono shook. She was bowing and nodding thanks. She
moved on. A clatter of wooden pegs accompanied her departure. Lao Chang's
face again assumed its air of immobility.
The late afternoon waned into twilight and Loo closed the little shop. He
wandered at random in the city. He walked by the temple and thence to the
river. The sluggish mud-saturated stream moved on with a noiseless swiftness.
The houses at anchor hardly moved, so smooth was the flow. It was sultry, and
a horrible nauseating stench arose and struck Loo's sensitive nostrils. He
turned and walked in the opposite direction. At length he wandered into Wai
Fung's "Dragon." There, seated on a pillow, he was served his rice. He
divided his attention between listening to the slow twang of the string
instruments and eating. Once, in an interval when he was devoting his time to
a hastier manipulation of his chop sticks, an expectation seemed to pervade
the room. The other patrons clapped their hands and coincident with this was
the click-click of finger nails. A Geisha came from behind curtains. The
instruments resumed their slow rhythmic measures. Loo recognized his patron
of the afternoon. As she danced he thought strange things. She was evidently
a favorite, because the patrons were attentive to the exclusion of eating.
She moved with a litheness and grace not uncommon among the younger Geishas.
She moved close to Loo and he smiled. She answered it and he was pleased. It
flattered his vanity for a good Geisha to remember him. Her dance was
finished, and satisfied and guttural "Ahs" proclaimed the patrons' approval.
Loo stayed awhile. He met the Geisha on the steps of the temple. Ah! She was
a "good" Geisha. Instinctively Loa felt drawn to her and she to him. They
spoke. He walked with her back to the rice shop.
Loo now frequently visited the rice shop. Each evening he took his rice at
the "Dragon" and each evening he watched with growing love and admiration the
dance of his Geisha - Cha Tse. They took short walks each evening, sometimes
never speaking a word, so content were they in one another's company. Not
infrequently did
[97]
they walk by the mirky, smelly river. To the accustomed Orientals the river
meant rest. They would regard its even unbroken surface with contented eyes,
but always there was an uneasiness about Cha Tse that held Loa Chang aloof.
One evening his Geisha - his Cha Tse - did not meet him on the steps. He was
greatly perturbed and passed a slow anxious day following this. A week passed
and a month. Finally he inquired. Yes, Cha Tse would be back. Boundless was
his joy when he met her at their usual place. So great it was that he did not
notice her pale worn face. They walked again by the temple but did not stop.
He had so much to say. She answered listlessly. They walked to the river. As
they walked along now, silent, but content, he regarded her by the light of a
lamp from a house boat. His almond shaped eyes opened until they no longer
resembled the almond. Now! Now he understood her absence. Now he understood
her listless answers. He shuddered. She realized that he knew. She was the
victim of the dread leprosy and had been his patron because he dispensed
opium by which she might still her pain. She shot him a look-filled with
dread - and love. He understood.
No word was exchanged. They walked to the rice wharf. He led, and as they
walked over the wharf towards the ship-end his grasp on her thin hand
tightened. She winced and smiled. They exchanged a look of mingled happiness
and hopelessness. He drew nearer to the end of the wharf and she moved with
him. He still held her hand. He stepped off - she followed. Hardly a splash,
so mirky was the water. The surface mended and the stream flowed on.
Gene Ross, '24.
One Good Turn
"I WONDER whether Jane will go to the social next Friday," Mary said
thoughtfully to her chum, Dorothy. "I'm sure Jim asked her, for as I came out
of chapel I heard him say to Jane, 'Do try to go, Jane.' I hope she goes."
"The best way to settle the question is to ask her," answered Dot. "Here she
comes now."
"Are you going to the social next Friday?" asked Mary, as Jane came up to
them.
"I don't see how I can, for you know Aunt Isabel has not been very well ever
since she had that attack of grippe a month ago, and Uncle works at night, so
some one must stay with her during the evening," said Jane.
"But surely you could get away one evening," exclaimed Dot. "I'm sure mother
would be glad to stay with your aunt while you are at the social."
"I suppose she could," answered Jane, and continued, flushing, "'but you see
it's impossible. I couldn't possibly wear my old organdie, and with prices so
high I cannot expect Uncle to buy me one now."
[98]
"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Mary.
"It really doesn't matter," answered Jane, smiling a little. "Well, goodbye,
girls."
Mary and Dot walked along silently for a while after Jane had left them.
At last Mary said, "I do wish we could find some way for Jane to go. She is
such a cheerful helpful girl. She's helped me all year with my algebra and
explained the solutions so thoroughly that I can see some reason for it."
"She's helped me a lot, too,'"' said Dot. "I just couldn't get Latin, and now
I'm fairly good at it. There's no use asking her to wear one of our dresses,
she's such a proud girl. I have a plan. Let's visit her aunt and tell her
about the social."
The next day the two conspirators went to the little house where Jane lived
with her aunt and uncle, knowing that Jane was out at the library for
material for her debate.
Jane's Aunt Isabel, a sweet faced old lady, welcomed the girls cordially,
expressing her regret that Jane was not there. The girls told her of the
coming affair, and the old lady surprisedly said, "Why Jane has told me
nothing about this. I should think she'd know about it, for she is on the
social committee. Oh, before I forget, I want to show you girls something."
She led the way upstairs and into one of the bedrooms. There on the bed lay a
shimmering rose and silver taffeta dress.
The girls gasped breathlessly, "Oh! what a lovely dress. Whose is it?"
Aunt Isabel answered, "It was Jane's mother's wedding dress. See how fashions
have changed since it was made. Truly, it is good as new. I was just looking
at it, and when you girls spoke the social, I thought of a plan. You know I
used to be a go seamstress, and don't you think would be a good plan to make
the dress over for Jane?"
"Why, that would be a wonderful plan!" exclaimed Mary. "Jane told us that she
couldn't go to the social, and we were going to ask you to persuade her to
accept oz of our dresses. But this is much better."
"Do let it be a surprise, Mrs. Bell," said Dot. "I'm just the same size as
Jane, so you can use me as a model."
"Yes, you can use Dot as model provided she stands still, said Mary
mischievously. "I can tell my brother Jim about it an he can come for her the
night o the social, because Jane told him she couldn't go."
"Here comes Jane now!" exclaimed Dot, who stood near the window.
Mrs. Bell hurriedly put the lovely dress away. The girls stayed and talked to
Jane a little while and then left for home.
Jane wondered not a little at the queer actions of the inseparable chums, for
after school Mary invariably asked her to come to her house to help her with
he algebra. Dot, who had always come too, now never appeared until it was
time for Jane to go.
At last the day of the social arrived. Mary and Dot, looking very pretty in
their dainty new frocks, watched eagerly for Jane to arrive with Jim. The two
were a little late, but one look at Jane's
[99]
glowing face made the girls very happy.
When Jane tried to thank Mary and Dot they both laughed and said, "Why Jane,
what we did was nothing. Don't you know that one good turn deserves another?"
And Jane, flushing happily, could only murmur, "You darlings!"
The Gleam
Likening us to mariners
On an uncharted, furious sea,
Seeking a haven under a sea-cliff -
To escape the growing rage
Of a force whose control
Is beyond the command of an earthly power.
When the eyes, weary with watchful
strain,
Suddenly catch a distant, indistinct gleam
Of a harbor light -
Cause for new hope wells up
And we follow the gleam.
Why not create a gleam
Of our new hopes and ambitions?
And again like to the mariner,
Never allow our watchful eyes
To stray from that one beam
Whereon we have centered
Our aspirations.
And as our ship draws nearer
To the haven where rests
Success
Just so will the gleam of our once
Indistinct light
Flare up and send
Other small beams into the still, silent
night,
Wherein many a mariner
Gropes blindly for a haven.
When our light so shines
That the diffusion of it
Shall mean a port
To a fellow-seeker,
Our greatest mission
Is done.
- Eugene Earl Ross, '24.
[100]
AT THE CLUB
"O, wad the power same giftie gie us, To see oursel's as others see us."
"Burns, there's a grain of truth in your argument that I never appreciated
before."
As we looked up we saw a pale faced weary looking man lounging in the doorway
of the club house of Departed Spirits.
"Why hello there, Shakespeare!"
"How are you, Bill?"
"How did you leave the other world? Come, sit down and tell us your sorrows."
It was easy to see that this man was a universal favorite. He was greeted
everywhere with nods and smiles as he made his way across the crowded club
room to where a group of men were playing, or at least pretending to play,
pool. After he had ordered a drink of Malmsey ale, he threw himself on the
lounge between John Milton and Edmund Burke.
"What's that you were saying about my poem, Will," asked Robert Burns.
"I said there was a world of truth in it. I have just returned from a visit
to the other world, and what do you suppose the Seniors in the High Schools
are doing with my 'Macbeth?' Acting it! O, that I should live to see the days
when those beautiful thoughts and those tragic deeds should be thus mocked at!"
>From either side of him came heavy sighs.
"Why Milton, what's the matter with you? You never wrote a play."
"No, but perhaps t'would have been better if I had. The Seniors have been
reading my `Paradise Lost.' One would think they were reading a volume of
Mark Twain's or a copy of `Life' to hear them laugh. They laugh at my
Paradise Lost! At my version of the Fall of Satan, The Formation of Hell and
The Fall of Man. And that is not all. The other day one class even attempted
to put into their own words the debate between the Powers of Hell. I have
been ill for days since!"
"Oh, my dear boy, if that were all that troubled me."
"Why, Burke, what can you have to complain about? Surely they don't dramatize
your 'Conciliation,' asked Henry Pancoast, editor of English and American
Literature.
"No, they do not dramatize it, but they outline it and they have arguments in
class as to whether I am right or wrong. I, Edmund Burke, English statesman!"
and rising he paced up and down the room muttering dire threats under his
breath.
"Let's go into the library and have a council of injured saints and soothe
our sad souls with tales of the ill treatment we have received at the hands
of the world," cried Bobbie Burns, the young Scotch poet. In the quiet
library, Burns called across the large table, "Well, we've heard from your
and our friends Johnnie
[101]
Milton and Burke, let's hear the woes of Bill here, editor of `Harper's
Caesar's Gallic Wars'." Burns seemed to be master of the ceremonies.
"My trouble," said a tall, well-built, and really good-looking man if he had
not been frowning so heavily, "is with book salesmen rather than with pupils.
They sell these confounded trotters to every Tom, Dick and Harry who comes
along. Now I ask you what good can a person get from translation if he sits
down and copies everything from an interlinear? And usually it's the poorest
students who use them. I tell you, fellows, it's most discouraging," said
Harper, heaving a deep sigh.
"You're right, Bill, and it is an infernal shame. This club will have to do
something about such matters. But those fellows next to you - what are you
struggling to say?"
"We sympathize with Harper, but at the same time these trotters do drum up
trade for us," said two men whom we readily recognized as Allen and
Greenough, editors of the Shorter Latin Grammar.
"You see," said Mr. Allen," when folks use these ponies they must know their
construction or they'll be caught, so they come to us."
"Yes," agreed Greenough, "I must admit we're used pretty well. We 'haven't
any kick coming,' as those slangy High School boys say."
'You're right - slangy,' sputtered Henry Pancoast. "Hard as I have written,
what do you think I hear when I visit earth? 'Hello, old top!' 'How's your
gizzard?' 'Not so good? That's tough.' if it had any sense to it, but what
enjoyment people get in saying, '0, for crying out loud,' is more than I can
see."
After this outpouring the Club is in such a despairing mood that they cannot
even smile, and Burns solemnly calls upon the worthy Lyman Newell, editor of
Practical Chemistry.
"I have never had such handling of my texts, for the truth of the matter is
that pupils ignore my books. I am used simply as an ornament to a locker.
Indeed, they seem to think the personnel of a locker is not complete without
me, and so do not even deign to take me home at night. I am always fairly new
with such treatment, but I would rather be just new than to get such treatment
as Wentworth's Plane Geometry gets."
"Speak up, old chap, surely your tale cannot be worse than those the rest
tell."
"Worse! I would far rather they left my books in their locker as they do
Newell's. But no, I am left either on the top of the locker or underneath. As
far as I can determine my chief use is as a dust catcher. When occasionally I
am taken down it is to have a pencil cruelly run down my spine or a comb
stuck between the pages. If only more people would use me. The younger
generation knows as little about mathematics as the older one did about golf
or Mah Jongg. It is a deplorable state of affairs." A little short of breath,
but with an angry flush in his cheeks, he sat down. There followed a deep
silence which no one cared to break.
Suddenly voices were heard in the hallway expostulating, apparently with the
servant.
"Bob Burns and Willie Shakespeare are never too busy to see
[102]
us. In fact, they're never busy except when they're eating," and pushing
aside the colored servant two men appeared in the doorway. The silence was
broken. Burns jumped up to greet his two friends, John Drinkwater and Noah
Webster. Motioning for them to join the circle he told them what they had
been talking about.
"Have you two suffered any grievous insults?" he concluded.
"Insults!" cried Drinkwater. "If you could have seen the sight I just saw."
"Easy there, easy," and Webster placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"Our friend here is all worked up over a play he saw in progress at the High
School on the Earthly World. It appears they were playing his 'Abraham
Lincoln,' and because they picked a short fat red-headed mischievous looking
boy for Abe and a tall flapping, gushing flapper for Mrs. Lincoln, he is
ready to commit suicide. Help soothe him!"
"Soothe me!" cried the playwright, angrier than ever as he dwelt on his
wrongs. "Never! Of all misfits in this world, to have fat red-headed boy act
the part of the greatest humanist in history. The law should prevent such a
thing! It's preposterous! It's simply a mockery of the most straightforward
honest man in history."
As he concluded he pulled the bell rope, demanding a drink immediately, in
such a voice that the colored servant's eyes fairly rolled ahead of him as he
hastened to obey the command.
"Something must be done," said Burns. "This thing has gone too
far. We'll er - ah! We'll - we'll do something drastic. What shall we do?
Some one suggest something. Well, what do you say?"
"Well, I'll contribute my three witches from Macbeth. It will be a fitting
punishment for trifling with my tragedy," said Shakespeare.
"I'll furnish all the warlocks in Tam O'Shanter, said Burns, following
Shakespeare's lead.
"And I'll send the villain in Comus and Satan, and all the devils from
Paradise Lost, contributed Milton.
There was a strong objection to these tragic punishments for the Earth
Children, but when the matter was put to vote it was decided to give the
guilty ones one more and only chance After that - ?
So when you hurl your books about, neglect them, or thoughtlessly fill them
with pencils or combs, remember the dire crew that is waiting
to
git
you
if
you
don't
watch
out!
Annis Murphy.
[103]
A BYE WEEKLY OCCURRENCE
or That's Where My Money Goes
Characters: Dad, Ma, Johnny.
ACT I
Johnny gets a job and goes to work.
Dad-"Well, son, how do you like your new job at the printing office?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"I got to the shop in time and the boss said, 'I guess I'll start you on
the press.' I was glad he thought I was that bright."
Dad-"How did the press job suit you?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"I took the type block and put it in the press and tightened it with a
hickey majigger and started to press right off."
Dad-"What did your first sheet of printing look like?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"I got it here in my wallet. I brought it home so I could show it to
you. How do you like it?" (John pulls out a sheet with all the printing
upside down and backwards. He holds it up proudly.)
Pa-"But son, why is the printing all backwards?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"It is this way. I - er - ah - m - I was looking at the way the other
boys did it and I forgot to read the type."
Pa-"Well son, this is nice work for a beginner, but how about the
Pay?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"Mr. Jones told me he would give me ten dollars a week to start, and-"
Pa-"That is twice as much as I got when I was a kid."
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"Mr. Jones said if I worked hard and learn fast he'll give me more next
month."
Pa-"What are you going to do with all your money?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"I am going to give you each four dollars a week of it and put the other
two in the bank."
Pa-"That is a good plan. That is the way I got my start. What are you going
to do with the money you save? Remember, you need a new suit, and hat and
shoes soon."
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"At two dollars a week I'll soon have enough to buy a suit and the rest.
It will take only twenty weeks or five months to get the whole outfit."
Pa-"The way the young men spend their money these days on silly things or
silly girls! Can you go around without having to pay out your money on silly
girls?"
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"No girl will get me."
ACT II
Place-At the Office
Characters - John, Jim office boy), Bill, the other printer, and the Boss.
John-"Where is my type tray?"
[104]
Jim-"I don't know, unless Bill has it."
Bill-"I ain't got it. It's hard enough to use one."
Mr. Jones-"John, I have it in my office. It looks as if a chicken had been
walking in it by the way the letters are mixed up."
The Gang-"Ha! Ha! That's a good one on John. Hey, John, who is the chicken?"
John-"I don't fool with such silly things."
(Exit into Mr. Jones' office.)
ACT III
Place-On the way home after work. Walking with the girl next. door.
Characters-John, Peggy (the girl next door.)
John-"Do you know I'm a printer now?"
Peggy-"Are you really? I am so glad you have a nice job. You are not the kind
of boy who should work at a hard job. Can't you come over to see me some
night? I would like to talk about printing.
John-"I - er - um - I guess I can. When shall I come?"
Peggy-"Come tonight."
John-"All right, I will. Goodbye." (They part at Peggy's gate. John goes to
the drug store whistling.)
ACT IV
Place-In the dining room.
Characters-John and Pa.
Pa-"Did you get your pay?"
John-"Yes, sir."
Pa-"Where is my four dollars?"
John-"I don't have it."
Pa-"Why don't you?"
John-"I - er - um - spent it."
Pa-"How?"
John-"I bought Peggy Johnson a box of candy for ten dollars."
Pa-"What! You spent all of that on a silly girl. You-" (Sees Ma coming in the
room.)
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
John-"I met Peggy on the way home and she invited me over tonight. I
remembered it is her birthday, so I ran down to the drug store next door and
bought the candy."
Pa-"All right. Go ahead. I was young once myself."
Ma-"Yes, tell us about it."
STEPPING OUT
"OH, ALICE, guess what? I have a date with Jack Sinclair tonight."
"Doris, I don't see what you do with so many gentleman friends. Why - "
"Oh! Alice, you do use the primmest expressions. They're just fellows. My
goodness, I wouldn't know what to do with a - . What is it? A gent-ul-man
friend."
"Well, whatever they are, they certainly take up a lot of your time. It's not
any wonder you're ashamed of your report card."
[105]
"But you're only young once. Why not have a good time before your complexion
is ruined and your hair turns grey?"
"Well Doris, for that matter, grey hair is the latest fashion in Paris, and
if instead of so much powder you would use Palmolive soap you could keep that
school girl complexion! Now I'll give you my geometry once more, but when the
test comes you will be as helpless as an infant."
Alice Carey and Doris Winfield were Seniors in High School. These two friends
were examples of the saying that opposites attract, for their natures were so
different that they continually disagreed, yet they were never apart for long.
It was graduation, and graduation exercises were very near, but with a
significance not the same to all. To Doris, who was chairman of the social
committee, and to Alice, who was to be valedictorian, it had very different
aspects.
"Alice, I'm positively worried sick about you. You haven't been to one
social. If you had only come you would have met the fellows in a social way,
and surely some one would have fallen for those beautiful long curls and that
marvelous intelligence of yours, and then they would have asked you to the
rest of the affairs."
"I know, Doris, and for the first time I am regretful. Now that the
valedictory is practically certain, the novelty is wearing off, and I wish I
could have a good time like the rest. I have worked so darn hard I think I
deserve some fun."
"I'll say, you have the right spirit at last and you're starting
out fine. That's the first time I remember your using a slang expression, and
there's nothing like slang to get an idea across. Listen, where there's a will
there's a way. We'll chase right over town and have your hair bobbed and you
can sell the curls to buy some clothes other than middies and skirts. French
heels will make you just the right height, and I know just the dress we'll
buy. Oh! my dear, this is going to be good."
"Oh! Doris, how can I?"
"Why, we'll just go down and do it, that's all. It'll take only a half hour
to get your hair cut, and then we can spend the rest of the afternoon getting
the snappy outfit. There's the last signal now. In an hour, Alice, you'll be a
little flapper. Just think of it. I can hardly wait."
If Alice had delayed, the trick would never have been done. Doris, the little
minx, realized it was the psychological moment, so she simply carried Alice
away with her own enthusiasm.
It was afternoon. Alice sat down in the chair. Her wobbly knees felt
relieved. As the barber picked up the scissors the weakness spread all over
her, and especially did it affect her heart, which finally recovered itself
and, to make up for lost time, began to pound furiously. Alice gazed at Doris
with a mute expression, trying to shout or jump up, but Doris nudged the
barber, who snipped something, and three exquisite curls lay on the floor.
The rest was a mad nightmare. When she at last opened her eyes, the lids
aching from shutting out the tears, they were forgotten in the image which
gazed back from the mirror. She was utterly adorable. The young barber's eyes
and Doris' half jealous expression confirmed it.
[106]
Such rippling golden hair never became a bob better, nor crowned such a
piquant oval face. The contrasting black eyes, wide and starry with surprise,
the soft complexion foreign to cosmestics, so flushed with pleasure, and the
pensive lips disclosing perfectly formed milky white teeth, made a picture
worth seeing, as all three spectators realized. Doris, quick to notice the
beauty parlor shiek's rapt gaze, felt a hot flame of jealously surge through
her, but only for a second. She was the cause of it, she would see it
through. Besides, the barber was not the only shiek in town, and her
sophisticated beauty was certain to be in sharp contrast to Alice's babydoll
charm anywhere.
Doris, herself again, paid Madame, who appeared on the scene and began to
discuss the price of hair, while Madame's sharp eyes took in every detail of
the masses of spun gold lying the in sunlight. As soon as Doris had a nice
sized check in her hand she grabbed Alice and fairly shoved her out the door.
Was Alice a hit at the dance that night? Every girl has dreamed of such
popularity, and every boy of such a vision of loveliness, so that is an easy
question.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alice sat on the bed and kicked a slipper across the room. She was tired and
not at all sure how to come back to earth. She kept repeating in a monotonous
drone that it was two o'clock. She would have to get up and go to school
without a lesson done; her father would be back from New York the next
afternoon, and that's as far as she could get. Just what that particular
person would do was beyond her imagination. But sleep overtakes us all, and
it overtook Alice, for she did not open her eyes till eleven o'clock. For a
moment her old self was in a panic, but as soon as she saw her bobbed hair
she was again the new Alice. Why should she worry? It was the first day she
had missed in years. You couldn't go to school all the time. Besides, she
doubted if she could work geometry now. Probably her brains had gone with her
hair. She rather hoped her father had been afflicted the same way so he
wouldn't scold her. You never could tell just what fathers would do.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr. Carey opened the door of his neat little home. What a daughter for a man
to have! So sweet and goad, not a bit of worry, a perfect little housekeeper,
and so brilliant in her studies and music. Funny how plainly the neighbor's
victrola sounded.
"Oh! dad, look! I got my hair bobbed yesterday. Doesn't it look marvelous? I
knew you'd love it, and dad, I went to a dance last night and say, I was some
little knockout. I simply adore to dance, so I had this Vic sent up and my
newly acquired friend, Jack Sinclair, is teaching me the latest steps. Oh,
daddy dear, it's so much fun to be a jazz baby, and the Vic. I know you want
me to have it, because you have to buy me a graduation present anyway. And do
please help Jack and me wax the floor. The gang is coming tonight and we - ."
The expression on her father's face suddenly struck Alice as somewhat
appopletic. Confused, she ran into Jack's arms and they began the interrupted
execution of the latest steps. The governor, after an uncertain pause, jammed
his hat on his head and walked out the same door he came in, but not in the
same way.
[107]
"I guess he's gone to the office already, and I forgot to tell him we shall
go out to dinner tonight. It's so stupid to dine at home, don't you think?"
"Alice, I'm glad you didn't say any more. He looked as mad as thunder. I was
getting ready to beat it out the window."
"Well, he couldn't expect me to keep on living as good as I was. Why, I
should have withered away like a rosebud without sunlight."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Oh! Mr. Carey," Doris was on the verge of tears, "it was all my fault. How
can you ever forgive me. I feel so guilty and ashamed. Alice will never be
the same again. For two weeks she has not recited, and your house has become
nothing but a social gathering place. I never knew such a change could come
over a girl. I thought I used to step out, but Alice has become the most
sought-after girl in town. And Mr. Carey, the clothes she has got and the big
new car, the bills must startle you. And it's all my fault. Oh! what shall I
do?"
"There, there, Doris, let us consider this from a sane point of view. I
confess the bills are breath-taking, but the worst is that after all these
years of work, and the pride my little daughter took in leading the class,
that she will fail in the valedictory. She doesn't realize now, but when some
one else says the speech that she could have said, and the reaction sets in,
she'll get her old point Of view."
"Oh, Mr. Carey, don't say any more. Every word makes me feel like a criminal.
Surely, there is something we can do. A shock of some sort ought to make her
see it I know-----"
The next evening a remorseful, indeed a very forlorn little daughter, sat
encircled by her father's arm.
"Oh! dad, it's just like an awful dream. If it weren't for the things I've
got and my bobbed hair, I couldn't believe that it's all happened. When the
dean called me to the office it just seemed as though a mist rolled away. I
saw things then as I know you must have seen them all along. The dean - well,
it was pretty awful, but I deserved it all. The outcome is that if I study
tremendously hard I can have the salutatory, and the valedictory will go to
some more worthy soul. Dad, I don't mind that. What worries me is my hair.
I'm not sure I would want it long again, but I would give anything, except
your love for me, to have those curls just as they were cut off."
A happy smile played about the father's lips as he contentedly gazed at his
penitent daughter. If only she knew that those very curls had been retrieved
from Madame's covetous care.
Graduation exercises were in order. The valedictory oration had been given,
and Alice Carey was about to deliver the salutatory. Not a prouder father
than Mr. Carey sat in the audience, nor a happier friend than Doris. It was a
changed Doris who slipped her hand into Mr. Carey's big one and silently
prayed that next year her name might be on one of the many white diplomas
given out.
MARJORIE GRAY.
[108]
DOES IT PAY?
ACT ONE-Scene One
Place-A large office at 4:30 o'clock on a. certain Wednesday afternoon.
Groups of girls and young men are standing about. Most of the desks are
closed; however, a few people are still at work. Marjorie Willows' typewriter
is still clicking rapidly. Peggy Marsh and Jack Mower walk over to her desk.
Peggy-Marg dear, aren't you ever going to close your desk? It's time to quit.
(No response.)
Jack-Oh, yes, Marg, you know you promised to go to the theatre with me
tonight, and you'll be late.
Margie (as slim and pretty as her name suggests, laughs a low pleased little
laugh) - Business before pleasure, Jack, and I promised Mr. Cole to finish
this work; besides (looking at her wrist-watch), it isn't five o'clock yet.
Jack (impatiently)-Oh, bother the work.
Margie-A promise is a promise.
Jack-Yes and you promised me.
Margie-Busi -
Jack (interrupting)-Can't you finish it tomorrow morning?
Margie-But it must go out tonight.
Jack-You won't get any more pay. Come on, I'll take you home in my car.
Margie-Can't; it isn't finished.
Peggy-Catch me doing more than I get paid for.
Jack-Same here.
Margie-It isn't the pay. I love my work.
Jack-Well, so long. I'll call at seven.
Exit Jack and Peggy.
(Others have drifted out gradually until Margie is alone. Ten minutes later a
happy sigh escapes her, and she removes the sheet from her typewriter. She
gathers up the closely written sheets.)
Margie-My, I'm glad I finished this, because in Commercial Law I learned that
an option should be accepted and closed at once, and that each party should
have a copy. I do hope that Mr. Cole can get the money.
(She walks to the end, of the room where a door with "T. M. Cole, President,"
confronts her. She presses a button.)
Margie-How nice it would be to be a private secretary. (She sighs.)
Scene Two
Place-(Mr. Cole's private office. At a large mahogany desk in a richly
furnished room sits a middle aged man. A bell rings.)
Mr. Cole-Come in.
(As Margie enters Mr. Cole turns and rises.)
Mr. Cole (surprised)-Miss Willow, you here yet? I thought you had gone.
Margie (holding the work out to him)-But you said you wanted this finished -
and it - it is important, isn't it?
Mr. Cole-Yes, very important and I thank you, but how did you know it was
important?
[109]
Margie-In the Commercial Department at the Altoona High I learned that an
offer should be accepted immediately, or it might be withdrawn.
Mr. Cole-Oh, that's it. (Meditating.) Do you know, Miss Willow, that you have
done the work of my private secretary today? (A surprised gasp from Margie.) I
have been watching you for some time and your work has been satisfactory from
the first. A graduate from the Altoona High School. Hm ! (A thoughtful look
crosses his face, but a twinkle is in his eyes.) Thank you, Miss Willow, I
certainly do appreciate this, for my secretary is ill today.
(He turns to his desk and Margie goes out into the main office.)
ACT TWO-Scene One
Place--The same once at ten o'clock the next morning. Mr. Cole is sitting at
his desk with a letter in his hand. Across from him sits arc elderly man. Mr.
Cole presses a button on his desk and leaves back in his chair. Margie enters
and hesitates. Both men rise.
Mr. Cole-This is the young lady who prevented the disaster. Miss Willow,
allow me to present Mr. Stewart, President of the United
Steel Corporation, of New York.
Mr. Stewart-I'm very glad to know you, Miss Willow. Mr. Cole has been telling
me of your work, so (with a look at Mr. Cole) we have decided to increase your
salary, and in a week you will take up the duties of Mr. Cole's private
secretary.
Margie-Oh, how can I thank you?
Mr. Cole-Do you know what you have done, Miss Willow?
Margie-No; what is it?
Mr. Cole-You have averted the necessity of going into bankruptcy, for by
getting that option we can get all the material we need-and our option was
just in time.
Margie-I'm so glad.
Mr. Cole-Your work is a credit to the firm.
Margie (laughingly)-Give the credit to the Commercial department of the
Altoona High School.
Mr. Cole-Some, but not all. And here is something we owe you.
(He hands her a letter. On opening it Margie finds a check for one hundred
dollars)
Margie (gasping)-Oh, it wasn't worth it!
Mr. Cole-It was worth much more than that, so please accept that as our
thanks.
Margie-Oh, thank you so much - but -
Scene Two
Place-Main office at five o'clock that afternoon. Strange to say, Jack Mower
is still working at his desk.
Margie-Almost through Jack?
Jack-Yes, in a few minutes.
(The last group has left the office and Jack and Margie are alone. Margie
straightens up her desk, closes it and walks over to Jack's desk. She looks
down at him and he glances up.)
Margie-Why, Jack?
Jack-I see it pays to do all one can do, regardless of the pay, for later one
reaps the reward.
Margie-Yes, Jack, but I'm sorry that I couldn't go with you last night. But
(wistfully) will you take me tonight?
Jack (with face averted)-I have a business engagement. (Seriously) - Business
before pleasure, you know.
[110]
Margie-Oh! (She turns away.)
(Jack jumps up laughing and terns Margie around.)
Jack-Margie, by business engagement is with a certain wise little girl I
know, a girl I'm mighty proud to escort. She is Mr. Cole's private secretary.
Margie (with eyes shining)-Oh, Jack!
(Curtain.)
Mabel Piper.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE
A Story of the French Revolution
CHAPTER I-THE LION
CLATTER, clatter, clatter over the rough cobblestoned streets, rattled the
somber black coach of the provincial judge. The magnificent colts with proud
heads thrown back stepped daintily over the uneven stones.
The dark shadowy street was thronged. The people fled from the rattling
wheels of the coach like phantoms, the men muttering low curses of anger, and
the women shrieks of fear.
Clatter, clatter, clatter. It sounded like the unearthly rattle of a thousand
dead men's bones. With a heavy sigh the occupant of the carriage leaned back.
A frown came over his lowering face, and a moan escaped from between his
tightly closed lips.
"Murder, murder, murder," he muttered, "Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!"
He wiped perspiration from his brow with a trembling hand. "Murder, murder,
murder. Their steaming blood stenches my nostrils like the very flames of
hell. My God! My God! I cannot do it again."
Then his face hardened into calm resolution: "Rene Le Blanc shall not die."
The black coach came to a sudden stop. The colts stood fuming and panting.
The provincial judge descended before the yawning doors of a great stone
building and entered.
CHAPTER II-THE MOUSE
The lessening rays of the evening sun of Paris streamed through the massive
bars of the prison window. Here and there across the bare cold floor of the
cell scurried lean and famished rats, with bare white teeth gleaming in the
prison twilight.
On a low wooden cot at the far end of the room lay a silent, huddled figure.
His scant clothing hung on his shoulders in rags. His pale face betrayed his
suffering. A tremor shook his figure as a huge rat ran across his body. He
rose with a sudden start. Then as a realization of what the morrow would
bring entered his befogged mind, he sank back again with a shudder.
All at once he sprang from the cot and struck at the heavy iron
[111]
door with all his weight till it shook on its hinges. With bleeding fingers
he clutched the bars, his whole frame trembling with fear.
"It wasn't murder!" he screamed. "It wasn't murder!"
Down the dark corridor ran a guard muttering curses.
"Shut up! you hell hound!" he hissed, and with the butt end of his musket he
struck the clenched fingers of the prisoner as they clung to the bars. He
fell back, striking his head on the stone floor and rolling over senseless.
"There's one consolation," muttered the guard as he strode back down the
corridor, "the yelpings of that dog will be stifled tomorrow." And he hummed
a Parisian love-song under his breath.
CHAPTER III- HE LION SPARES THE MOUSE
Suddenly the roar in the crowded court room ceased. "The judge," the hushed
whisper went from one to another.
In shaded corners, between massive columns, under the shadows of high
windows, stood little groups of grave-faced men. These exchanged stealthy
glances and now and then short words of warning.
A door at the side of the room opened, and there came two gendarmes of the
king, their heavy muskets gleaming in the flickerings of thousands of
candles. Behind them walked the judge in his long black robe.
The soldiers stepped aside, while the dark robed judge mounted slowly to the
bench, and after a swift glance around the thronged room, sat down.
This was the signal for a young man with heavy rimmed spectacles to rise and
hold out his hand for silence.
"Messieurs et Mesadmes," lie began in a low monotonous voice, "we have before
us today the case of Rene Le Blanc, charged with the murder of Count Henri de
Bourse. They entered and found his body lying on the floor, and over it stood
the prisoner, Rene Le Blanc, with a smoking pistol in his hands. The prisoner
has refused to speak. The case is before you. God be the judge whether he is
innocent or guilty. Procedez."
The judge rose from his seat. "Citizens, you have heard the words of the
clerk." Then to the gendarmes - "Bring forth the prisoner."
A murmur of surprise, more of curiosity, ran through the room as the king's
soldiers disappeared through the massive stone door. It would be only one
more poor devil whose head would pay the price of crossing the will of a
tyrant. But Paris was seething with unrest. One more death might be the straw
that would break the camel's back.
The heavy door opened once more to admit the prisoner.
As the eyes of the judge fell upon him the condemned man's steady glance did not waver.
"Rene Le Blanc," the judge's heavy tones sounded, "you are charged with the
murder of Count Henri de Bourse. Have you anything to say?"
"Nothing," answered the prisoner calmly.
As he said this his hand rose involuntarily to the heavy bandage on his head.
A wave of pity swept over the throng in the court room.
[112]
Quick to note this, the judge broke the silence with a passionate plea for
the acquittal of the prisoner.
"Count de Bourse," he concluded, "was brutal and tyrannical, living on bread
snatched from the hands of starving children and the clothing torn from the
naked bodies of the poor. Such was the man whose useless life was ended by
the assassin. In the name of God and of tyrant ridden humanity, I declare the
prisoner to be acquitted."
A murmur of approval came from hundreds of husky throats, broken by the cry
of one of the soldiers.
"This is treason!"
"If this be treason," returned the judge, "make the most of it."
CHAPTER IV-THE MOUSE SAVES THE LION
The dark night shrouded the streets of Paris, which rang with the roar of
cannons, with the scattered reports of muskets, and with the piercing cries
of dying men.
It was the terrible night of the storming of the Bastile; it was the French
Revolution. Here and there through the narrow streets slunk shadowy forms.
The bourgeois, risen from their centuries of degradation beneath the iron
heel of royalty, were mad with victory and with unquenchable thirst for
blood. Every officer under the old government was being hounded out.
Robert Ronalds, provincial judge of the King, sat in his darkened roam.
Kneeling by his side, terror stricken, was his wife. From outside came now
and then the reports of exploding arms. Suddenly his wife rose to her feet
with a convulsive start. There was a crash, then the heavy sound of hurrying
feet ascending the stairs. "Vivement! Marie! Here!" and he thrust her quickly
behind a heavy curtain. The footsteps reached the door of the room. A loud
voice broke through the confusion.
"Open! in the name of the Republic!"
Ronalde fell back in his chair. Beneath the heavy blows the door gave way,
and into the room burst a rout of armed men, the blades of their bayonets
dripping with blood and their eyes flashing with the fires of passionate
hatred.
"An officer of the king! His blood shall be the ransom of thousands of
innocents who have fallen beneath the sword of his master."
They seized Ronalde, and forced him struggling to the other end of the room.
Returning to their leader, they ranged themselves in a row, raised and
leveled their muskets, waiting the command to fire.
Suddenly the door burst open and a wild figure ran into the room. Breathless
and half dead, he threw himself before the judge. "Don't shoot!" he panted.
"He as a friend of the cause. He is the man who saved my life."
"Is this true? The leader turned to Ronalde.
"Yes," he returned. "I saved his life - for the Republic."'
As with a clatter of muskets they passed through the door, from the night
outside came haunting cries of terror, mingled with the awful war cry of the
French Republic: "Liberty! Equality and Fraternity!" But inside the little
ream was real equality - the high and the low, as two men came to an
understanding of human brotherhood.
Charles M. Ake, A7.
[113]
BOYHOOD
I've wandered afar among friends, among
foes,
In seasons of joys and seasons of woes.
Though my life is most spent and my
race is most run,
Could I bring back, just bring back my
boyhood and fun.
I have struggled with fortune and
stemmed its great tide,
Have delved in life's mysteries with
those at my side,
Have found in my course that honesty
pays,
As was taught way back there in those
childhood days.
When I sit by my fireside with those I
hold dear,
And think back over time, year following
year,
I see in my vision those seasons of joy,
With the good times I had when 1 was
a boy.
There's one spot I hold sacred from
among all the rest
A favorite nook which I always liked
best,
Hid away from all people but the boy
with his pole,
'Twas a spot in the creek called the "old
swimming hole."
Pleasant memories these, how they linger
still,
How I hope in the future that they ever
will!
There's a longing, a yearning, which I
cannot stay,
To be but a boy again, just for a day.
I'll betake myself thence on the oncom-
ing train,
And there with my grandson, my youth
I will feign;
I've resolved and determined to do as I
say,
I'll be just a boy again, just for a day.
-Ruth Wright.
[114]
SCHOOL NOTES
[115]
THE STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council was organized November 5, 1923, with Fred Ruehr as
President, Russel Shaffer, Vic President; Betty Fair, Secretary, and Truman
Crist, Treasurer. This body is composed of thirty-three members, each
representing a home room, or reporting section. Each member reports back to
his own room the decisions and actions taken at the meetings, which are held
every Friday at 12.30.
It is the duty and aim of the student council to co-operate with the faculty
and the students in working for the good of the entire school.
FERN McINTYRE.
[116]
MOUNTAIN ECHO STAFF 1923-24
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Charles Robb
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Thomas Daugherty
Charles Ake
George Maurer
BUSINESS MANAGER
Robert Wilson
ASSISTANT
Thomas Briggs
ASSISTANTS
Virginia Skillington
Elizabeth Taylor
Charles Faris
Joseph Findley
Harold March
Eleanor Wilson
ATHLETICS
Harold Myers
Fred Ruehr
Howard Waple
Jane Ohlwhiler
POETRY
Eugene Ross
Marjorie Gray
Margaret Leopold
Helen Gibbons
Dorothy Hafner
LITERARY
Kathleen Hile
Arthur Taylor
Nellie Goodman
Billy Green
Sara Wirt
ALUMNI
Helen Weil
Charles Flickinger
EXCHANGE
Elizabeth Schimminger
Gertrude Goodman
GIRLS' LEAGUE
Gladys Tomlinson
Frances Brallier
MUSIC
Agnes Fleck
Frank Basler
Reba Johnson
Anthony Santella
HILOGRAMS
Nash Hall
Catherine Gallagher
Christine Klesius
Nthan Kunes
JOKES
Naomi Herbert
Harry McDougall
Charles Love
Harriet Hoenstine
Phyllis Crawford
Eugene Stiffler
BAND
Paul Pippart
Theodore Moore
WHO'S WHO
Richard Denny
Naomi Brenneman
FEATURE REPORTERS AND CLERKS
Viola Hirschfield
Nelta Reed
Helen Pross
FEATURE REPORTERS
Scott Geesey
Hugh Steckman
Louis Goets
Katharine Lukens
Eugene Stiffler
George Burley
Virginia Leader
Blair Hurm
Alfred Craine
Jean McKerihan
Arnie Taylor
NEWS
Marshal Yocum
Mary Kuhn
Miriam Levine
Andrew Smith
Charles Green
Henry Bloom
Bernard Murray
Ida Rubin
Marjorie Mann
Hilda Rodkey
Helen Pearse
Ellaline Stevens
Hillis Cohn
Norman Lefler
William Walters
Donald Baker
James McNeal
Ardie Replogle
H.K. Aurandt, A3.
[117]
[photo]
THE MOUNTAIN ECHO STAFF OF 1924
[118]
THE MOUNTAIN ECHO
CONSPICUOUS among the school events during the 1923-24 term was the
successful publication of the school paper, The Mountain Echo. The probable
reason for the success of the paper was the unique plan used in its
publication. Each student in the school was asked to contribute five cents a
month to pay for the printing of the paper, and each student in school
received a copy twice a month. So every student was enabled to keep in touch
with school activities and learn of school events. The paper was published
semi-monthly, thus making possible a wider range of material and a constant
source of reading matter for the students
The Mountain Echo is commendable by reason of the fact that every one who
read its contents was benefited in some way or other. From beginning to end
the reading matter was intensely interesting. If one read the Hilograms, he
was impressed with the choice humor. The sports column was satisfying to the
most ardent athlete. The prose was helpful to the students and was
interesting as well, being chosen with that object in view. The jokes were
really funny and satisfied the purpose for which they were intended. If any
one could read the joke column without plenty of hearty laughter and
enjoyment, then the whole trouble was the person and not with the jokes. The
poetry showed good taste and scholarship. On the whole, the paper was choice,
wholesome, helpful and interesting, and because of these facts the students
were always eager to receive their copy of The Mountain Echo.
The fact that this year's Mountain Echo was such a successful and wholesome
paper should be an added incentive to the pupils of following years to keep
up the high, commendable standard set before them, and to support their staff
with the same indomitable spirit with which this year's staff was spurred on
to constant effort.
The students who so graciously and unselfishly gave their time and services
to make this year's paper a success are to be thanked and commended for their
work. Notable in this number are the editor, Charles Robb, and his able
assistant, Thomas Daugherty, and the business manager, Robert Wilson. May
each member of the staff and those who contributed to a the paper realize
that theirs is the honor of making The Mountain Echo a success.
May each succeeding year see The Mountain Echo growing in interest and in
circulation.
[119]
THURSDAY AFTERNOON PLAYERS
THE annals of the year would scarcely be complete without some mention of the
Thursday Afternoon Players. In this group artistic talent knows no limit, for
the actor is called upon to be anything from a fairy to a washwoman. The
burly general of one week may be a lisping maiden the next. Can you imagine
Kathryn Fleming as an impassioned lover? She is not to be surpassed in this
role. Esther Wilson is the perfect nonchalant English idler, and as the
heroine of "What Every Woman Knows" we doubt whether even Maude Adams excels
Rosie Corbin. Margaret Bowman is charming no matter what she attempts, but
she is especially so as Belinda, the flapper mother, when Agnes Fleck is her
lovely daughter. Jane Ohlwiler is so versatile that we can only exclaim "Good
work" at her every part. We applaud Sara Orr as the maid who wouldn't be
proper. Annis Murphy is perfect as either a poet or a gypsy or a policeman,
and Kathleen Hile is a lovable Mrs. O'Flaherty.
A drawing room is very accommodating as a stage, for in a moment's time it
may be used for a cottage, a living room, or changed from a living room to a
lovely garden. The audience is often called upon to stretch its imagination -
but it has imagination - particularly when a piece of paper is used to
represent a luncheon or a sofa cushion or perhaps a warrant for the arrest of
Mary Hicks when she is Tim O'Flaherty, but we feel that nowhere does more
artistic talent, or more laughter flow unrestrained, than at the weekly
session of the Thursday Afternoon Players.
MARIAN ELDER.
EXAMINATIONS
An examination is an endless source of fear, a shadow on the sunshine of
life, an everlasting menace, a superfluous demand upon the intellect, a
constant betrayal, an impediment to good marks, a hopeless jumble of the
unknown, an outrageous demand for pedantry, the delight of the pedagogue, the
great joy-chaser amidst the happiness of school life.
When this evil is brewing the atmosphere is heavy with the shadow of the
coming event, while the flutter of paper and the sighs of those who have
preceded me into the room warn me that the merciless teacher has thrust upon
her unsuspecting pupils a set of questions which will reveal to the last atom
their knowledge of the most difficult theorem, the most remote passage from
"Macbeth,"
[120]
or the most complicated clauses of "Vergil," which have been expounded to
them during the past; month. The first few minutes the room resounds with
horrified exclamations, despairing sighs and assertions of complete ignorance
on the part of hopeless students. At last silence, or at least almost silence,
reigns. You place your paper primly in front of you, bravely pick up a pen,
which in many cases either partly or wholly refuses to write, dip it deep
into the ink, if there is enough ink there to permit of dipping deeply, and
write your name. Alas! this is almost the only blemish which soils the blank
whiteness of the page. You gaze at the board whereon appear the fated
sentences, then at the ceiling, then at the floor, then at stark nothingness,
while your mind vainly gropes about for at least a good guess for an answer.
You spend half an hour on the first question, then scribble a fever facts or
falsities about the remaining four in the short time left, with the faint
hope that you will say something right. Then the signal rings and after
depositing the more or less rational discussion on the desk or in the
teacher's hand, you waver dizzily from the room. "I didn't get a thing on
that test," "I didn't know anything," "I only guessed at the answers," you
hear as you pass out; but, anyway, it's over for another month.
When a well-intentioned teacher warns you of the coming test, the result is
almost as disastrous as in the former case, though in a very different way.
Indeed, 1t seems that the examination is destined to be a nuisance, no matter
when, how, or where it appears. You certainly cannot go to the party as you
had planned and study for the test too, but of course you had promised to go
to the party, and in justice to all concerned you just couldn't stay home, so
you say
"Parties may come, and parties may go, But tests go on forever."
and go to the party despite the qualms of a guilty conscience. So the next
day the same emotions play havoc in your heart, the same premonitions chase
away all knowledge from your mind as those which tormented you during the
unexpected examination.
But, Reader, we both know that according to inexorable rule, not only we
cannot have examinations without school, but we cannot have school without
examinations, so who is there among us who would give up the joy of this
association to get rid of the nuisance of tests? No, the most formidable of
examinations cannot frighten us for more than two periods at most.
[121]
[drawing]
MUSIC. BOOK - 5
[122]
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
THE music department of our High School has grown to be a very large
department. It is supervised by Professor Harold Compton, a student of
Cincinnati and the New England Conservatory of Music.
During his first year in Altoona Mr. Compton organized an orchestra, a band,
a girls' glee club and a chorus of eighty voices.
During the second year he organized a few additional organizations, among
them a Senior orchestra of eighty pieces and a Freshman orchestra of forty
pieces. A mandolin club of fourteen pieces was also organized.
Last year the orchestra numbered eighty-five musicians, the chorus sixty
voices, the band sixty-two pieces.
This year the Senior orchestra consists of eighty-six pieces, the chorus
sixty voices, the Girls' Glee club sixty voices, the Freshman Girls' Glee
club sixty voices, the Freshman orchestra forty-two pieces, the band forty
pieces and the choir twenty voices.
On Friday night, March 7, the Altoona High School orchestra gave its annual
concert in the High School auditorium. This is probably the only time that
Altoona patrons have the opportunity of hearing the combined orchestras in
concert form, due very largely to the fact that it is almost impossible to
get a stage large enough to accommodate them.
The orchestra for the past four years has been under the direction of Harold
Compton, Director of Music in the Altoona High school, and has grown front a
small orchestra of twenty pieces to four separate and distinct orchestras,
with a total enrollment of one hundred and twenty students.
The D orchestra is made up of students of the Freshman class, and began at
the very beginning of orchestral work this year. It was necessary to do this,
because some of the boys and girls had never had any experience in this work.
There are forty-two in this group, and they practice every day a full period
of forty-five minutes. It is really interesting and surprising to see them
progress.
The large orchestra, commonly known as the Big Orchestra, has a membership of
eighty-six players. These students rehearse one full period of forty-five
minutes each day and play for the chapel services three mornings each week.
Their work is much more difficult than that of the other orchestra by reason
of the fact that each member must serve a year's apprenticeship in the D
orchestra,, and then be admitted to the big orchestra only providing he can
individually pass a satisfactory examination at the instance of the director.
The symphony group is the best group of the High School, or in other words it
represents the best talent available in the High School. The players for this
group are selected from the big orchestra and are chosen for ability. With
this group the director is able to work out the more delicate points of
technique and interpretation. Effects can be obtained with this group that
are impossible with a large orches-
[123]
tra. There are thirty-six players in this group, and it has a full symphonic
instrumentation. It is the ultimate aim of the director to eventually produce
the highest grade of music that it is possible to produce with a High School
orchestra.
Then there is the dance orchestra. This is composed of fourteen players, and
is available for school functions, playing good dance music. While this group
will play good dance music, and some popular music, it is distinctly
understood that they do not play any Jazz. Jazz has no place in the
curriculum, and everything possible is done to discourage it. There is a
distinction between good dance music and Jazz, and this group endeavors to
show it.
The concert presented on Friday night, the seventh of March, was an annual
affair, the proceeds of which go to the purchase of new instruments for the
band and orchestra.
Among the many new things inaugurated in the High School this year there was
nothing more popular than the classes for the study of the various
instruments.
Classes were organized in beginning violin, cornet, trombone, French horn,
flute and clarinet. These lessons have been given to the pupils free from any
expense whatever, and they have proved very popular. Sixty-five students for
violin, twelve for cornet, three for French horn, four for trombone, one each
for flute and clarinet, make up the list. It is really remarkable to see the
kind and the quality of work done by these boys and girls.
The musicale presented on the night of March 7 was high in standard, and the
school can be justly proud of it.
A complete program follows:
PROGRAM
I
1. a. The White Queen - Metra
b. Merry Wives of Windsor - Rossini
Full Orchestra
2. Reading-Selected
3. Medley Waltz
Marimba Specialty
Green and Campbell
4. a. Hungarian Dance-3-6
b. Petit Pas - Sudessi
Symphony Group
5. March-Tenth Regiment
II
1. a. Minuetto Giojoso - Mozart
Symphony Group
b. Reve Anqetique - Rubenstein
2. From the Land of the Sky
Blue Water
Cadman, Gladys Feist
3. String Quartette-Selected
4. Blue Danube Waltz - Strauss
5. Our Presidents' March - Pryor
"The Holy City," by Gaul, will be sung at Easter by the combined Chorus and
Glee Clubs. It is expected to be a very fine event.
The Girls' Glee clubs will present "Pan on a Summer Day" by Paul Blios [sic],
as a feature of the commencement season.
The following is a short synopsis of the argument
PAN ON A SUMMER DAY
A Cantata
Text and Music by Paul Bliss
>From the first glint of dawn, to the rising of the full moon of a summer
night.
[124]
Pan is nature in sound, the "cheeping" of the birds, the "pitpit" of the
summer shower, the humming of the bees, the roar of the storm, the crackling
of thunder, the wail of the wind, the chirp of the crickets and the
mysterious murmurs of the night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On this summer day Pan plays his pipes as the world awakes, now humming
softly, now with bird calls.
The "Sunbeams" steal over the hills to draw up the "Dewdrops" (the "diamonds"
which "Night" has dropped) resting on the downy pillows of "Gossamer Webs,"
which are "little bits" of Night's trailing garments, torn off as she fled.
A summer shower ends abruptly.
At noon Pan, in the reeds by the river, lulls the world to sleep with the
song of the bees.
In the afternoon, during a "Great Storm," Pan flies from the Wind and the
Rain.
After the storm, returning through the forest, Pan laments over a mighty oak
tree, fallen.
In the twilight Pan pipes a serenade to the myriad of dancing stars, only to
hide in terror at the sight of the slow rising moon.
All sounds of Nature (Pan) hush in breathless adoration to hearken to the
music of the spheres in praise of Night.
[125]
HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
First Violin
Alton Chamberlain
Albert Carson
Winifred Heath
Doreen Keckler
George Wood
Bernadine Bradley
Dorothy Ziegler
Genevieve Heath
Mabel Glass
Louise Hetrick
Regina White
John Shaw
William Gebhardt
Theodore Moore
Robert Stuart
Auldon Brower
Second Violin
Ruth Mathes
Samuel Curry
Theresa Adler
Paul Pippart
Henry Bloom
Carl Dunn
George Breisacher
Mollie Evin
Margaret Steel
Josephine Cavender
Hope Kapp
Lina Crump
Agnes Fleck
Anna Behm
Ella Mae Bradley
Ellwood Tipton
Carl Snyder
Ruth Fleming
Elmer Deibert
Myrtle McKnight
Norman Cogan
Delbert Shaw
Harold Musser
Milton Freet
Anthony Santella
Viola
Joseph Stellabotte
Cello
Robert Menchey
Bass
Leonard Harris
Robert Boltz
Elwood Decker
Drums
Durward Hazen
John Hauser
Roy McGough
Tympani and Xylaphone
William Green
Norman Campbell
First Cornet
Alton Mower
Eugene Siegel
Paul Little
Michael Lastort
Second Cornet
Millard Beyer
Harvey Lytle
Hoell Sanker
Frank Mays
William Boyer
Charles Wharton
Kenneth Walker
Clifford Johnston
Saxaphone
Eugene Van Zandt
Minnie Edwards
Sherman Edgely
Thomas Briggs
Flute
Frank Basley
Reeve Epright
Trombone
Horace Menchey
Robert Whittaker
David White
First Clarinet
Lawrence Stitt
Howard Schuler
Evelyn Poole
Anton Kilday
Second Clarinet
Margaret Gerhart
Stanley Truby
George Howe
Harold Stover
Piano
Helen Corl
Sarah Carnell
Martha Gobrecht
Oboe
Emory Querry
Horns
Cecil Shirk
Pauline Bathurst
Bassoon
Richard Burget
[126]
THE ALTOONA HIGH SCHOOL BAND
IN 1917 Altoona High School started its first band, under the direction of
George Lehman. This band was composed of about sixteen pieces. Although
slightly handicapped for want of instruments, this band proved a great
success. It played for all the games and gave the High School a name for good
music.
In 1920, when Professor Compton took charge of the music in the High School,
he agreed that we should have a band. That was a thing more easily said than
done. There were the instruments to be got, and then somebody to play them.
Well, the first thing to get was instruments, so the orchestra gave several
concerts to raise money, and enough instruments were bought to start a good
sized band. Getting boys to play them was easy. That year two bass horns,
three alto horns, and a baritone horn were purchased. The band practiced hard
all winter. Then came the day of days. The High School band was to take part
in the Memorial Day parade. The boys looked well in their uniforms of dark
trousers, white shirts and white caps. But the old saying goes, "Just as you
get interested you've got to stop." Just as things were getting most
interesting the school year came to an end.
In the next two years four bass horns, two alto horns, two tenor horns, one
baritone horn, and a large bass drum were added. The band then consisted of
fifty-six pieces, with all players interested and ready for an enthusiastic
season. By the end of the season the Altoona High School band was one of the
best in Central Pennsylvania.
It has not missed a football game at home this season. When the team comes on
to the gridiron the strains of the Alma Mater echo and re-echo across the
field. It puts new life into the boys on the field when they knew that the
students are with the team. And then the Johnstown game at Johnstown! Was the
band going to Johnstown with the team? I should say they were! The boys in the
band said that they were going, even if they had to hike it over. And it was
finally arranged that the band was to go to Johnstown. When the band got that
news they nearly raised the roof off the High School. When the morning of the
game dawned Altoona was agog with excitement. Everywhere you looked you could
see boys and girls wearing maroon and white ribbons, going towards the
station. But even before the cheering section was on hand, the members of the
band were there, and they were there with but one determination, to show
Johnstown that Altoona High School had a band to be proud of.
When we got off the train at Johnstown the people were taken by surprise.
They thought that all Altoona was in Johnstown. But when the band formed in
the middle of the street in front of the station their eyes opened wider than
before.
Up the main street they paraded, playing their snappiest march. Back of them
came the rooters and the cheering section, seven hundred of them. Well,
Altoona lost the game, but Altoona showed Johnstown one thing, that it had a
band to be proud of, and that the band was as proud of its team when it was
losing as when it was winning.
[127]
[drawing]
Girls' League.
Book-6
[128]
THE GIRLS' LEAGUE
WHEN Miss Lentz was made Dean of Girls, the first effective girls'
organization in the Altoona High school was accomplished in the organization
of the Girls' League. All the girls of the Senior, Junior and Sophomore
classes automatically became members of the League. Before the election of
officers was attempted, standards of conduct were discussed by the girls. It
was decided that the League should stand for the cultivation of a spirit of
cooperation and service among the girls of the school, the development of a
spirit of friendliness, the expression of high ideals in language and
conduct, and the promotion of high standards of scholarship. These standards
have formed the basis of the Girls' League. The terms of 1923-1924 have seen
the perfecting of its organization, a constitution and bylaws being adopted.
In October a spirited election for general officers was held. The girls
nominated advertised their candidacy by attractive posters placed in the hall
for a period of time prior to the election. Before the ballots were cast
booster speeches were made before the general organization by the girls
nominating the different candidates. The qualifications and capabilities of
the different candidates were enthusiastically presented by the girls'
supporters. As a result of the election Virginia Skillington was chosen
president, Ruth Mathes, vice president; Sara Orr, secretary; and Christine
Klesius, treasurer.
The general work of the league was carried on through monthly
meetings attended by all of the girls, and conferences conducted by Miss
Lentz with the different class groups. The activities of the league were
carried out through four departments - social service, entertainment,
vocational, and dramatic. The personnel of the departments consisted of the
girls who volunteered to work in the department of their choice, the only
requirement being registration in one of the departments.
The subjects on which the programs for the general meetings were based were
character building and vocational opportunities for girls in Altoona.
The program for the November meeting was a demonstration of correct position
in dancing given by Miss Printz and Mr. Spitzer, of the Altoona Gymnasium.
The correct positions in dancing the waltz, one step, and fox-trot, were
shown. The program was closed with an exhibition number, the Spanish Tango.
The girls pledged themselves to observe during the year the positions
demonstrated.
The demonstration of appropriate dress, at the December meeting, was in
charge of the Dramatic Section. The direct result has been the resolution to
adopt a form of uniform dress for the team of 1924-1925, by a large majority
vote.
In January Miss Simpson, representing the National Bureau of Health,
addressed the league on the subject of "The Story of Life."
Dr. Skillington, the father of the President of the League, spoke on "The
Importance of Co-operation"
[129]
at the March meeting. The value of learning to co-operate in small things,
and the importance of affording opportunities along this line for girls, were
points stressed by the speaker.
Vocational opportunities for girls along the lines of teaching and nursing
were discussed by Superintendent Laramy, Dr. Davies, and Miss Henchey, of the
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Mr. Laramy's address was very helpful
to the girls in showing the difference in the type of training for teaching
received at a normal school and at college. The opportunities for advancement
in elementary teaching for women were emphasized. The talks on the profession
of nursing were especially helpful because of the large number of Senior
girls intending to enter that vocation.
The program of the last general meeting consisted of reports made by the
Seniors on the trip to Washington and the department reports for the year.
One of the most helpful lines of work carried out by the league has been its
effort to encourage high standards of scholarship. An honor roll has been
established, based on an average of 90% maintained in four academic subjects.
To those who attained this standard were given bronze pins for the first year.
The second year that the standard is maintained, a silver pin is awarded, with
a gold pin as reward for honor standing held for three years. The recipients
of pins for the year 1922-1923, the first year for the honor roll, were.
Seniors - Helen Bowser, Dorothy Grabill, Ruth Morris, Gertrude McKee, Lottie
Yohn, Beatrice Meyers. Juniors - Ethel Miller, Helen Pross, Mildred Stull.
Sophomores - Catherine Beattie, Miriam Bechhoefer, Dorothy Boyer, Gertrude
Craine, Mowrie Ebner, Caroline Eckels, Jean Francis, Catherine Gallagher,
Dorothy Geib, Margaret Hall, Christine Klesius, Virginia Leader, Winifred
McCue, Elizabeth McKee, Mary McKelvey, Genevieve Meyers, Elizabeth
Schimminger, Elizabeth Smith, Eleanor Steckman, Eleanor Wilson, Hilda Wilson.
In following out one of the aims of the league, to connect its work with the
work of the community, the girls were very glad to be able to have a part in
enlarging the local Y. W. C. A. Fifty dollars was contributed to the drive
made for funds for that organization last fall.
One of the thoughtful and pleasing customs of the league has been the sending
of Christmas greetings to officers and friends. This year the girls also were
recipients of cards. The message the card carried was the standard of right.
The design for the card was drawn by Dorothy Shugarts. The printing was the
work of the school printing department.
The league desires to express its most sincere appreciation of the
co-operation of the various departments of the school in its work of the past
year. Substantial aid was received from the art and printing departments and
the orchestra. It is doubtful if many of the activities of the league could
have been as successfully accomplished as they were, had the entire school,
in all of its departments, not supported that organization as splendidly as
it did.
Another line of work in the interest of scholarship, carried on by the
league, has been the establishment of a scholarship fund to help worthy girls
do advanced work beyond the High School grade. The basis of award de-
[130]
termined by the girls has been: first, creditable work in one of the
departments of the league; second, high standard of scholarship; third, high
ideals expressed in both language and conduct. A scholarship fund of $150 for
the term 1922-1923 was awarded to Ruth Morris, at present a
student at Hood College, Maryland. If the plans of the league for the next
year mature the girls of 1923-1924 expect not only to repeat the scholarship
award to some worthy girl, but to contribute a substantial amount toward
putting the scholarship fund on a permanent basis.
THE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
The purpose of the entertainment group of the Girls' League is to plan for
the social activities of the organization. Soon after our return to school
this fall, this group was organized under the direction of Miss Eyre.
Kathleen Hile was elected President; Marion Elder, Vice President; Elizabeth
Ayres, Secretary, and Viola Geesey, Treasurer. The three activities planned
for this year were the hike to Lakemont Park, the Freshman Frolic, and the
Girls' League party for the boys of the school.
Early one September morning a happy crowd of High School girls and teachers
hiked to Lakemont Park for a weiner roast and marshmallow toast. Each girl
wore a tag with her name written on it. The Senior girls had buff tags, the
Juniors blue, the Sophomores white, and the Freshman green (of course). Soon
after their arrival they were entertained by the Kilty band, whose
instruments were of the rarest and best. A huge dishpan served for a drum.
This is but one example of the fine instruments in use. After such inspiring
music the girls were ready to play games. Relay races, sack races, two-legged
races, cracker eating contests and the tug-o-war, were a few of the games
played, besides a memorable contest in which the teachers threw the rolling
pins. Most of the unique prizes were copped by the Freshmen. By that time
every one was ready to eat the weiners. About four o'clock everybody started
home, a few walking and quite a few riding, each one tired, but hungry, never!
Later in the year the freshmen girls were the guests of the entertainment
group at a costume party. About 350 girls, dressed in costumes old and new,
ragged and whole, pretty and comic, but all attractive, marched into the
auditorium to be judged for the prettiest, the funniest, and the most
original costumes. Dr. Robb, Miss Lentz and Miss Phillips acted as judges,
and found it not an easy matter to choose the winners. Francis Brallier and
Christine Klesius as Spark Plug and Barney Google received the prize for the
most original costumes. Kathryn Hess, dressed as a Mexican, captured the
first prize for the prettiest. Anna Marie Lyszman, a bashful country boy with
watch,
[131]
a stock of candy n'everything, was declared to look the funniest.
Gertrude Ruehr, dressed as a Christmas tree, Helen Wilt very prettily as a
Japanese girl, Virginia Kleffman as a cavalier, Theresa Cole as the
voluminous lady, Evelyn Lykens as an old fashioned girl, Margaret Bowman as
an old woman, Floye Luce as Topsy, and Mary Horner as an Indian girl, all
attracted a lot of attention because of their clever make up.
The girls returned to the halls to dance dances both old and new.
Refreshments were served at ten o'clock, after which the guests thanked their
hostesses for an enjoyable evening.
The big social event of the Girl' League for the year was the party under the
direction of the entertainment group, which was given to the Senior, Junior,
and Sophomore boys of the High School, on the evening of March 14. The
corridors had been transformed by a decorating committee in charge of
Geraldine Lantz. The general color scheme used was by tags distributed to the
members in the attendance rooms. Different colored triangles bearing the name
of the wearer were worn by the members of the several classes. The Senior
tags were buff, the Junior blue, and the Sophomore white. The party caps worn
by the girls added a brilliant touch of color to the scene. The girls in each
room had made their own caps. The taste and style shown by the girls
frequently improved the Dennison models used.
The first feature of the evening was a march of the various classes from the
attendance rooms to the auditorium. Two heralds standing on the stage carried
banners bearing a message of welcome from the Girls' League. The Hi Jinks
program consisted of eight stunt numbers. The different stunts were judged on
their merits. The first prize awarded was five pounds of chocolate candy; the
second, three pounds to the stunt showing the most originality and
cleverness. There was a distinct Irish flavor to the program because of the
approach of St. Patrick's Day. The program follows:
1. District School.
Social Service Group, Miss Phillips, director.
2. Pyramid Building.
Picked Squad of Freshmen Boys, Mr. Wolf, director.
3. Dance-Irish Jig.
Entertainment Group, Miss Eyre, director.
Music by Orchestra.
4. Mrs. Pat and the Law.
Dramatic Group, Miss Ritts, director.
Music by Orchestra.
5. A Day in the Vocational Department. The Service Department, Mr. Hedden,
director.
6. Aesthetic Dance.
7. (a) Pantomine of Old Irish Legend.
(b) McNamara's Band.
Vocational Group, Miss Eberle, director.
8. Clown Dance.
Picked Squad of Freshmen Boys. Mr. Wolfe, director.
The judges, Superintendent Laramy, Mr. Robb, Mr. Maloy, Mrs. Findley and Mrs.
Fleming had a difficult time in reaching a decision because of the merit of
each number.
[132]
Dancing in the corridors formed the closing part of the program. Music for
the evening was furnished by the High School orchestra, under the direction
of Mr. Compton.
During the evening candy, ice cream and cakes were served from refreshment
booths in the basement.
The entertainment group realizes that the success of the evening was due to
the untiring efforts of Miss Lentz and of the various committees that had
charge of the various parts of the program, and desires to express sincere
appreciation of the efforts of all who contributed in any way to the success
of the evening.
Kathleen Hile.
THE DRAMATIC SECTION
THE purpose of the dramatic section of the Girls' League is to give to girls
who desire Peggy it the pleasure of interpreting plays within the
capabilities of amateurs
Last year the girls of the dramatic section, under the supervision of Miss
ritts and Miss Bancroft, gave four one-act plays. The plays and their cast
were:
I. SIX CUPS OF CHOCOLATE
Characters
Adeline Von Lindeau - Helen `'Veil
Dorothy Green - Ethel Miller
Marion Lee - Marguerite Johnson
Hester Beacon - Margaret Bowman
Beatrix Van Kortland - Edith Moore
Jeanette Durand - Martha Bloom
Time-Early spring.
Scene-A sitting room in Adeline Von Lindeau's home in a college town in New
England.
Director - Miss Ritts.
II. THE BURGLAR
Characters
Mabel Dover - Vesta Presby
Freda Dixon - Josephine Hill
Valerie Armsby - Elizabeth Smith
Peggy Burton - Gertrude McKee
Edith Brent - Rachel Laramy
The cottage occupied by Mrs. Burton is one of the flimsy structures erected
by the owners of popular summer hotels, in which guests may gain in privacy
what they lose in protection from fire, flood and theft.
Scene-Living room of Mrs. Burton's cottage.
Time-Late evening.
Director-Miss Bancroft.
Music-High School Orchestra.
III. THE PIPER'S PLAY
Characters
Mary Clark, a Detective - Sara Orr
Katie, a Maid - Margaret Keatley
Evelyn Evans, a Reporter - Betty Fair
Miss Freda Dixon - Ruth Morris
Mrs. Charles Dover (Model) - Irene Curran
Mrs. John Burton (Peggy) - Elizabeth Schimminger
Mrs. Hereford Corr - Susan Virginia Skillington
[133]
Scene-Mrs. Burton's boudoir, a dainty feminine apartment.
Time-Present.
Director-Miss Ritts.
IV. THE TWIG OF THORN (An Old Fairy Play)
Characters in order of their appearance are:
Nessa Teig, the Woman of the house - Helen Costello
Mauyer, her Neighbor - Elizabeth Mattas
Oonah, Nessa's Granddaughter - Bernadine Bradley
Angus Arann, a Young Peasant - Bessie Singeiser
Barclay Shawn, a Neighbor - Jean Francis
Neighbors
Finola - Betty Block
Kathleen - Dessie Houseman
Sheila - Helen Peters
Sheamus - Helen Hagerty
Martin - Juniata Barnette
Tumas - Helen Pearce
A Fairy Child - Patricia Maguire
The scene is laid in the cottage of Nessa Teig in County Galway, Ireland,
near Kyle ' beg, the year of the great famine.
Director - Miss Bancroft.
Dances - Miss Eyre.
Music - High School Orchestra.
The Dramatic section for the term of 1923-24 met Friday, October 26, 1923,
under the supervision of Miss Ritts and Miss Eslinger. The organization of
the section resulted in the election of the following officers:
President - Agnes Fleck.
Vice President - Margaret Gearhart.
Secretary - Vesta Presby.
Treasurer - Ethel Nonemaker.
In discussing the work for the year, instead of confining the work of the
club to one-act plays, it was decided to attempt a more ambitious type of
play.
Daddy Long-Legs (in four acts), requiring a mixed cast, was selected.
Numerous tryouts were held, as a result of which the following cast was
chosen:
Jervis Pendleton (Daddy Long-Legs) - Fred Goss
Judy - Helen Pearce
Trustees of John Grier Home:
Cyrus Wykoof - Brinton Allison
Abner Parsons - Paul Heltzman
Miss Pritchard - Mary McKelvey
Griggs - John Hill
Walters - Carl Greenich
James McBride - Drew Flegal
Sallie McBride - Elizabeth Taylor
Julia Pentdelton - Justine Murray
Mrs. Semple - Eleanor Bickert
Mrs. Tippet, Matron of John Grier Home - Hilda Rodkey
Gladiola - Reba Johnson
Sadie Kate - Geraldine Landis
Loretto - Ada Glunt
Mamie - Nancy Horner
Freddie Perkins - Charles Miller
Carrie, the Maid - Pauline Masterson
The Doctor - Herbert Owens
Directors - Miss Ritts and Miss Eslinger
"Daddy Long-Legs" was given in the High School auditorium on Friday evening,
January 18. the splendid team work among the girls in the sale of tickets
resulted in a record attendance. The play was skillfully interpreted by all
those taking part. The attitude of the audience was very commendable. The
fact was much appreciated by the players. The audience was the kind the
citizens of Altoona like to hold up as an example of courtesy and good
manners.
[134]
The Dramatic section had charge of the general meeting of the League in
December. When a demonstration of appropriate dress was staged two original
acts were given, presenting the standards that should guide the girls in the
selection and wearing of all kinds of apparel. Correct dress for sport and
school was shown. Much credit for the success of the demonstration was due
to the William F. Gable & Company, who furnished the costumes. Miss Conley,
of the Junior department of the store, personally supervised the selection
and the wearing of the dresses. The girls taking part were:
Catherine Roth, Elizabeth Smith, Betty Fair, Irene Cole, Mildred Stull, Helen
McKinney, Beverly Robinson, Katharyn Fleming, Dorothy Young, Marion De Haven,
Marion Maloy, Marjorie Raugh.
One of the results of the play is very obvious since quite a number of girls
are now in favor of having some type of regulation dress for next year.
The Dramatic section gave a short one-act play, "Mrs. Pat and the Law," for
the league stunt party, on March 14. Those taking part were:
Mrs. Pat - Hilda Rodkey
Pat - Bill Green
Jimmie - Charles Miller
The Welfare Nurse - Helen McKinney
The Policeman - Richard Denny
The same cast of characters entertained the Quota Club March 17 and the
Parent-Teachers' Association April 14.
This year's officers of the Dramatic section of the League wish to thank all
the girls who have helped them in any way to make the Dramatic section a
success. The officers have been glad to do their small part to helping
better the department. Their only wish now is that the officers of the
coming years may have as pleasant a task. The Girls' League, everyone feels
sure, will continue to prove to be a leading influence for the betterment of
the school.
Agnes Fleck.
[135]
VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
The Vocational Department of the Girls' League of the Altoona High School,
under the leadership of Miss Eberle, held its first meeting November 16,
1923, at which time officers for the year were elected as follows: President,
Mary Hicks; Vice President, Rosemary Lynch; Secretary, Virginia Leader;
Treasurer, Pauline Lotz.
The purpose of this department is to give the girls some foresight into the
vocations in which they are interested. Those which have been taken up are
nursing and work in department and five and ten cent stores. The program also
includes teaching and interior decorating. The girls have given careful study
concerning these vocations - wages, hours and conditions of employment, value
of the vocation as a social service, duties of one engaged in it, and the
educational requirements necessary to enter the different vocations. Written
reports have been handed in which are to be used as references in next year's
Civics classes. This is a new project in the department this year.
The girls of this group have taken an active part in the selling of candy in
the halls during the lunch hour, and a nice sum of money has been realized,
which will go toward the scholarship fund of the League.
At the party given March 14, by the Girls' League, stunts in which the idea
of St. Patrick's Day was carried out, were contributed by the Vocational
group. After the entertainment, candy was sold by the girls at booths in the
basement decorated in an attractive color scheme of green and white.
The girls of this department have had a very delightful year, and they
sincerely extend to the Vocational Department of the Girls' League of 1924-25
their best wishes for a very successful year.
Mary Hicks.
[136]
SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT
THE Social Service department of the Girls' League was organized November 9,
1923, and the following officers were elected:
President - May Clare.
Vice President - Damaris Morrison.
Secretary - Janet Wood.
Treasurer - Martha Cook.
Under the leadership of Miss Phillips the group began the work of the year
with several detailed plans. It was arranged that all the girls of the League
who became ill should be remembered with flowers or greetings, and a committee
appointed by the president was designated to visit the hospitals. One of the
semester projects which was unanimously successful was the generous
contribution of Christmas presents, which consisted of both clothing and
toys, for the children of the Williamsburg Home. Each child was provided with
an appropriate gift and their Christmas was made happier by the girls' visit.
At the beginning of the second semester the girls of this department began
working on a hand-book which is to be given to the Freshmen girls. This book
is dedicated to Miss Lentz, and contains school songs and cheers, the
athletic schedule of the term, the outline of the work of the Girls' League,
and the past history of the Social Service Department. In offering this
little book to the Freshmen girls, the department hopes it will be a great
help and benefit to all who wish to know more about school events and school
loyalty.
Entering into the spirit of the Girls' League party given on March 14, 1924,
the girls of the Social Service department decided that they would, for their
stunt, present an old country school.
Kathleen Taylor, '24, was the teacher. She was dressed as an old Dutch school
master. About twenty-five girls took part in the stunt, all dressed in queer
old-fashioned costumes.
The committee that was appointed to look after the absentees has been busy.
This semester more than two dozen cards have been sent out, a large number of
potted plants and some cut flowers. At Easter the girls of the Social Service
department plan to give potted plants to the patients in the hospitals of the
city. Because the girls have co-operated and worked diligently in the service
of the group, the year's record has been very commendable.
[137]
[drawing]
ALUMNI
Book - 7
[138]
IN preparing this Annual, the record of our class, we cannot fail to think
with respect and deference of those who have gone out of the H. S. before us.
As time moves on we see them, or hear of them, some prominent in our own city,
some scattered to the far places of the earth. We are here recalling a few of
these our Alumni.
Don Detwiler, '20, has gone to Columbus, Ohio, where he is manager of a shoe
store.
Russell Gearhart, '20, notable for his playing while in school, is now a
violin teacher.
Charles Kellar, '23, is now the Reverend Mr. Kellar, of the United Brethren
conference.
Warren Stover, '19, has moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He is an electrician.
John Tate, '18, has a cold job. He is foreman of an ice company.
S. Fred Sharer, '17, has taken up the grocery business and is one of the firm
of Sharer Brothers.
Homer Replogle, '17, is a contractor associated with the Logan Lumber
company, of South Altoona.
Chester Lingenfelter, '17, is now a card writer in Gable's.
George F. Gable, '17, is the president of The Win. F. Gable company.
Everybody knows Gable's.
George Schweitzer, '16, has achieved fame as an electrical engineer. He lives
in New York city.
Samuel Canan, '16, is an Ensign on the United States Steamship Idaho.
Dorothy Stahl, '15, is a missionary in West Africa.
Harold Jones, '14, is a dentist in offices with his brother.
Edwin Fay, '14, is a dealer in wholesale candies and confections.
Thomas Caum, '14, is the head of Caum's Ice Cream company.
Archie Slutzker, '12, is a member of a firm of candy manufacturers.
William Canan, '12, is City Controller.
Carl Gleichert, '12, owns and operates a meat market.
Robert Gable, '12, is the manager of our largest department store, The Win.
F. Gable Company.
Paul Potter, '11, is a physician.
Lillian blaring, '10, is a Y. W. C. A. worker in China.
Nathan Fineberg, '10, is a prominent lawyer of our city.
Harry Kerlin, '10, is the proprietor of a furniture store.
Clarence Daugherty, '10, of Sylvan Hills, has a hardware store in Altoona.
Austin Sheedy, '09, is assistant master mechanic at Trenton, New Jersey.
[139]
Charles Krieder, '19, is owner of the Krieder Noodles company.
Milton Figart, '04, is general manager of General Rubber company plantation
in Singapore, Straits Settlement.
Charles R. Keith, '04, is traffic manager of the Erie Iron and Steel company.
J. Westley Moses, '04, of Wilkinsburg, Pa., is in charge of Westinghouse.
John C. Calhoun, '01; is superintendent of the meat department of the Shaffer
Stores company.
Frank Keagy, '98, of 401 Fourth avenue, is one of the city physicians.
Guy S. Tippery, '98, is a Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Louis Farbaugh, '98, is the assistant superintendent of the Bethlehem Steel
Works.
Elda Fair, '97, is a medical missionary at Luebo, Kauga Belgae, Africa.
Frank Vaughn, '90, is a lawyer in the Central Trust building.
Christine Reifsneider is a teacher and missionary at 32 Chao, Djung Giai,
Changsha, Hunan, China.
F. C. Ray, '09, is assistant cashier of the First National Bank, of Altoona.
B. N. Wilson, '12, is proprietor of the William Penn Hotel.
R. M. McGee, '12, is a practicing physician.
Oscar Fry, '14, is manager of the A. B. C. Bakery.
Matthew Smith, '08, is at St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, Colorado, and is
editor of the Denver Catholic Register.
Albert Van Scoyoc, '08, is assistant superintendent of the Kokomo Rubber
Works, Kokomo, Indiana.
John Carroll, '09, is manager of the Fiske Auto Refining company at Toledo,
Ohio.
Harry Miller, '08, is a wholesale merchant in Altoona.
Thomas Peightal, '08, one-time editor of the Mountain Echo, is head of the
Roosevelt Hospital in New York.
John Hemphill, '08, is a member of the law firm of Dively & Hemphill, of the
Mountain City Trust building.
Paul Winters, '06, is the well known music dealer of Altoona.
Luke Winters, '05, is also associated with the Winters' Music Store.
Arthur Caum, '05, is the manufacturer of that highly popular confection, ice
cream.
Augustine DeBarber, '05, is a wholesale fruit merchant.
Martha Geig, '19, has won one of the most coveted of college honors in her
election to membership in the Phi Beta Kappa society at Goucher College,
Baltimore, where she is a Senior student. Membership is conferred only in the
Senior year, and but four or five per cent of the class membership is selected
for the honor.
[140]
WHO'S WHO IN '24
[141]
DR. ROBB
AN APPRECIATION
T0 the outside world Dr. Robb appears as the Principal of the Altoona High
School. Doctor of Pedagogy, Trustee of the Franklin and Marshal College.
To the Altoona High School Dr. Robb represents more than these. He is the
embodiment of the spirit of Altoona High School - the spirit which has made
A. H. S. known as one of the best high schools in the state of Pennsylvania;
the spirit back of our enviable honors in athletics; the spirit that has
forced great universities to welcome our students; the spirit that brings
noted orators and public speakers willingly to our platform; that spirit
which has made our students support their library, their orchestra and most
of all, their ideals. In truth, Dr. Robb is the nucleus of the spirit of
Altoona High School - "Hard Work, Fair Play, Clean Life."
Hard Work is the cardinal feature in his creed, for his belief is that since
our colleges and universities are crowded to the doors, and since employers
are asking for higher scholastic standings, we must get down to work - hard
work and plenty of it, "over three hours a day if a fellow wants to get
anywhere in this world." And he loves in this connection to add one of his
professor's views on the matter, "Straight is the way and narrow the gate
that leadeth to intellectual life."
Dr. Robb has no pedantic severity. He is broad-minded, he coordinates fair
play with hard work. No one can doubt that he wants us to enjoy our four
years' stay in Altoona High School; to have recreation; to enjoy social
affairs; to see the athletic games of the season. He believes in the things
that promote good fellowship and that cultivate personality.
Dr. Robb pays most attention of all to the last term, Clean Life, because its
interpretation has so much to do with one's character. Here is a man who wants
us to be true men and women, to have enough respect for that womanhood and
manhood to be ladies and gentlemen. He cares for neither sissies nor for
rough-necks, but for real men and women. He ever admonishes us with the
thought of upholding our Alma Mater by fulfilling these duties - to have a
true civic pride in the cleanliness of our grounds and rooms; to keep
ourselves out of any group of loafers, to live clean and free from bad
habits. Summing up the three cardinals of his life, let each student ask
himself this question, and let many a parent ponder over it, "Is he not
fulfilling the highest ideals of true teaching?"
And just as back of the Emancipation Proclamation stands a great heart named
Lincoln, so back of the Altoona High School and all that it represents stands
a big heart named Robb. Behold the man who loves us with a strong manly love,
a man whose big heart displays itself not so much in affectionate words as in
affectionate and far-sighted plan-
[142]
ning for our welfare; whose time is not so precious that he does not have the
time to listen to youth's problems; who can praise a student for his worthy
efforts and who is just as sure to show his displeasure and even his just
anger at any action not up to his standards of behavior. "When the heart
grows kindly," so once wrote Newell Dwight Hillis, "sympathetic and of
autumnal richness, it emphasizes the sympathy and love of God." This man's
heart does.
Beneath his calm demeanor lies the mind of a scholar, a mind whose wisdom
embraces human nature. He is a deep thinker and not a faddist; one who stands
true to the tradition of the past and yet is ready to follow the wake of
substantial modern thought and endeavor; above all, a man who understands,
which after all is the beginning of wisdom.
As the course of time runs on, and we realize what his work has bequeathed to
us, let us rejoice, for we have found in Dr. Robb the embodiment of Carlyle's
distum [sic]
-
"Blessed is he who has found his work;
Let him ask no other blessedness."
"He has a work, a life purpose,
He has found it, and will follow it,
For this is the noblest thing yet discovered
under God's sky."
NICK A. NOTOPOULOS, '23 1/2
MR. WILLIAMS
EACH year as Christmas comes it brings cheer to nearly every one. It is a
time of rejoicing when nearly all of us forget troubles and throw ourselves
into the gaiety of the holiday season. However, there is a teacher in the
Altoona High School who at Christmas time must lose a lot of his peace of
mind. This is no other than Mr. George Williams, head of the mathematics
department, advisor de luxe for the class of nineteen twenty-four and
supervisor and general business director of the Microcosm and Mountain Echo
publications of the A. H. S. As regularly as school opens in September Mr.
Williams is asked to supervise the finances of the Mountain Echo, and just as
regularly he takes charge of arrangements for putting out the Annual. After
Christmas when the Senior Class organizes he automatically is made advisor
for the class. To sidestep these duties or to shift them to some one else
never enters his mind. He goes about it in such a systematic and unobtrusive
manner that before any one realizes it the stage is prepared for the first
act. He then announces that everything is ready, and tells the students in
charge to get to work and get something done. His work, however, does not end
there, for all the rest of the term when he has a spare moment he is
surrounded by a group of students. These students are all members of
something, either of some kind of a committee or else they are on one of the
staffs. They are all asking questions as to how things can be done, who is to
see about this, where that can be found, would this be all right, and to all
he gives the requested advice, and they leave reassured. One would think he
couldn't possibly enjoy this work year after year, and yet he does - just
because he is Mr. Williams. Perhaps he thinks that it is his duty to break
students into the ways of running a business and to be forever answering
foolish questions.
[143]
FRED REUHR
When one is looking for Fred Ruehr he does not do it in the ordinary way.
Usually in the halls when we are looking for some one we ask everybody we
meet whether he has seen that person lately. In Fred's case all this is
totally unnecessary. If you are in search of him just go along in your usual
way but keep your head looking towards the ceiling and presently you will see
a person who at first glance will make you think he is on stilts. When you get
close enough to recognize him you will see he is the object of your search.
Fritz is the longest of the long in High School. He is the only one in school
who can talk to Mr. Robb on an equal footing. (This is meant literally.)
Fred, besides standing above the rest of us, is also the student manager of
the football team, and he seems to be making a success of it. The financial
status of our athletics is said to be better this year than for some time.
FRED HALLER
WHEN you see a rather tail fellow walking around through the halls as though
he thought that he ought to be going somewhere but didn't know where to go or
how to get there, why kindly stop, look and listen to what he has to say. This
young gentleman is no other than Mr. Fred Haller, the captain and star player
on the Altoona High School basket ballteam [sic]. Again, we advise, listen to
what he has to say. If you are not interested listen anyhow because you are in
the presence of one of the best basketball players that ever wore the maroon
and white. He has been captain of the team for the last two years and also
the mainstay of the team and chief point-getter. This year he was out of the
game for nearly half the season on account of an injury to his leg. In spite
of this when he stepped into his first game he "ran wild," making most of
High School points. Since this first game Fritz has been making field goals
and foul goals with such monotonous regularity that opposing teams have been
saying almost everything to stop him.
Athletics, however, is not his only diversion. Fritz also takes a big
interest in school affairs. He is on the Senior Class executive committee,
being one of Fred Ruehr's chief aid-de-camps. He was needed when this year's
Annual was published, so was put on that staff. And when the names were
suggested for the Athletic Committee nearly half those suggested were Fred
Haller's. Fred is a good fellow and a real friend and surely deserves all the
popularity that may be coming to him.
D. Denny.
[144]
BOB WICKER
Bob Wicker is our plunging fullback on the football team. He is one of the
biggest and one of the fastest men on the squad. He is one of the best all
around footballers ever turned out of Altoona High. In two games during the
season just closed, he made brilliant runs which were the features of the
games. At Clearfield, aside from doing most of our gaining, he grabbed a
forward out of the air, ran back of the goal line and then ran the length of
the field for our only touchdown. Then again on Thanksgiving day against the
Billtowners, he went around right end, on a lateral pass from Captain
Winebrenner for an 80-yard run. This run was one of the most brilliant runs
ever seen on the Cricket field. Running with the ball is only one of Bob's
strong points - he does everything equally well. He is the ideal
triple-threat man as he throws, punts and carries the ball well and is a
tower of strength on the defense. Bob prefers, however, to represent his
school by actions rather than by words. At pep meetings he is usually
conspicuous by his absence. Hs is a very quiet unassuming fellow, and is
without a doubt the most popular fellow in school.
EUGENE VAN ZANDT
Last year, and all the years of life until the Christmas of 1923, Gene Van
Zandt was care free and happy, always pleasant and absolutely sure in his
belief that every one had a warm spot in his heart for a fellow who is a
little larger around the waist line than the average, and Gene went his
untroubled way. During his first three years in the High School Gene had no
worry and no difficulties to speak of, except when called on to conjugate a
Latin verb. He could laugh with and at the rest of the world and worry had no
terrors for him. But all this serenity and this care free voyage on the
untroubled waters had to come to an end. The gods that rule so decreed. So,
when Dr. Robb asked for names for the position of editor-in-chief of the
Annual, some one, with the best of intentions, we hope, and with no malice,
handed in the name of Eugene Van Zandt. The Dean, on going over the names,
decided that Gene was the only one big enough to handle the job. Dr. Robb
thereupon broke the news gently as possible to Gene that he was "it", and
that Gene should get busy and have a nice bright, fresh, breezy Annual in the
hands of the student body by May 1, 1924.
Gene took this blow like a man and immediately gathered unto himself a staff
and assigned to each one a task and told them to get busy. Good-bye,
happiness! Farewell the days when he peacefully sat on the stage and blew his
saxophone! For, now with an Annual on his hands, he could no longer sit and
laugh at other people in a hurry. His oc-
[145]
cupation now was to induce backward business men to place their ads, to
induce members of the staff to go to work and get something done, and finally
to induce backward students to come across with their subscriptions. Outside
of that he had nothing to do. No more do we see our dear old friend Gene
slowly moving through the halls with a pleasant smile for every one. Now,
when we see him he is rushing down the hall full speed ahead, only to catch
some one by the arm and either grab a paper from him or thrust one upon him.
Well, he is working in a great cause, so let's all try to help him along for
the sake of the good old days, and we did, for here is the Microcosm.
CHARLES ROBB
CHARLES is our hard-working editor-in-chief of the Mountain Echo. In former
years his favorite sport was getting up late in the morning and then running
the whole way to school. When he used to be at the main door the clock always
had its minute hand at twenty-nine minutes. Sometimes it was twenty-nine after
eight and sometimes twenty-nine to nine. He was one of Mr. Hare's best
customers for late excuses, and it was said that Mr. Hare was thinking
seriously of taxing Charlie for a ream of paper and a gross of blue pencils.
This year, however, Mr. Hare and Mr. Robb finally found a solution to their
difficulties. They were casting about for a likely looking chap to be editor
of the Mountain Echo. Several people were suggested and discussed, but Mr.
Robb decided he would try a namesake of his, thinking that perhaps there
might be something in a name after all. So Charles was made Editor-in-Chief
of the Mountain Echo without any further delay, and was told to get two
issues a month out and to get the first issue out without fail or a mistake
and to improve on issues after that. Charles didn't lose any time getting to
work, but he discovered that getting out a newspaper is no joke, and that it
takes a very great deal of work. As time went on and the work increased and
help from the staff and student body decreased, Charlie had to work harder
and harder and to be in school longer and longer. He started to come early in
the morning and to stay late in the afternoon, until now he is in school when
the night watchman comes in the evening and he is back at school before the
watchman leaves in the morning. Mr. Hare never sees his smiling face in the
morning at twenty-nine minutes of nine and the proposal to charge Charlie for
paper and a gross of pencils has been laid on the table by a unanimous vote of
all concerned.
Incidentally he has managed the biggest staff, handled it in the best and
quietest way, with neither fuss nor feathers, and put over the best and
busiest publication the school has ever had. He has won the respect of the
faculty and of the Tribune staff and the plaudits of the school, and will get
his reward in Heaven, but some college will miss a good newspaper man if it
fails to make use of Mountain Echo Charlie.
[146]
WILLIAM WINEBRENNER
Most of us, if we are distinguished for one certain thing, consider ourselves
blessed, and the few people who are noted for two things are supposed to be
extremely lucky. To Bill Winebrenner goes the distinction of being famous for
three things; his grin, his ferocious faces when he's angry, and his athletic
ability. Bill's grin is the kind that stretches from ear to ear and wrinkles
up the entire face while stretching. It is the only one of its kind and once
seen it is always remembered. This grin, we are sorry to say, is not
permanent, for in any kind of an athletic contest, if some opposing player
happena to use Willie with unnecessary roughness, there is an instant
transformation. His face gets white, then black, and the facial muscles do
several rather clever acrobatic stunts. These expressions are supposedly
meant to frighten, but they usually produce loud laughs from the spectators.
Fortunately for all concerned, he quickly recovers his features and goes back
to his well known grin. The third item is Bill's athletic ability. This is
what he is particularly noted for. He has played three years on the varsity
football team, and last year he was captain. High school never had a better
or a harder-working captain since football was established in the school. He
has led the team through one of its most successful seasons. He has also
played two years on the basketball team and has been successful both as a
guard and as a forward. His prowess does not stop here, however, as he is
also one of the star track men, and won many events for A. H. S. last year.
He also has his letter for baseball, which gives him four letters, something
which very few students win in our school. Without Bill on our teams next
year there will be a big gap, for he was valuable not only for his athletic
ability, but for the fighting spirit he helped to instill into the team.
Dick Denny.
WALTER YEAGER
Our track captain, Walter Yeager, is another member of the Senior Class who
has left his name indelibly imprinted on the records of our school. Two years
ago in his first season out for the track team he was a member of the relay
team, which in competition with nearly every other high school of any size in
Pennsylvania took first place and one of the biggest cups offered for the day.
He also ran in other events of the day and added to the school points,
enabling us to finish well up among the leaders in this meet. Last year at a
meet of the same nature he was an important man in the A. H. S. team, which
had the highest total points of any high school at the meet. His work last
year was so well appreciated that he was elected captain of the track team
this year. With Cap-
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tain Duke to lead them, and with a great number of promising candidates out
for the track team this season, it is expected that the Altoona High School
will have another banner season on the field. If training will bring success
about, then Yeager will be assured of a great many records being broken,
because he has set about training in a very business-like manner, which bodes
ill for any luckless opponents.
Dick Denny.
ELIZABETH AYRES
Elizabeth Ayers is known to about two people - her father and mother - but
everybody in school knows Betty Ayers. If you were to go up to any one and
ask who was the best basketball player on the girls' team, the answer would
be, Captain Betty Ayers. It is indeed pretty to watch Betty shoot a
basketball; she does it with as much ease and as much grace as any player on
the boys' varsity team. She makes field goals about as often, too. Her
playing and her ability to lead so inspired the rest of the team that the
girls' team has had the most successful year since the team was organized.
Basketball isn't the only sport in which Betty excels. She can swim and play
in almost any kind of an athletic contest that girls indulge in. She is the
best girl athlete that has ever been turned out of high school, and she
surely ought to make a famous physical culture expert in a few years.
Athletics, however, are not Betty's only point of superiority, for she shines
just as brightly in her studies, standing among the first in all her classes.
In the Altoona High School athletic prowess and ability in scholarship
pursuits do not always coincide, but Miss Elizabeth Ayers, otherwise known as
Betty, has showed that it can be done by a student who makes the effort.
Dick Denny.
KATHLEEN RILE
Last year the Girls' League was formed and the league looked far and wide for
a girl for the presidency who would be able to help them get started. They
finally decided that Kathleen Hile was the best suited for the position, and
she was duly elected first president of the Girls' League of the Altoona High
School. Under her able supervision, the different groups were started and put
under way. That they were well organized is evident from the good work that
each section has been doing, last year and this year. This year her
popularity and ability was again recognized by her election as Vice President
of the Senior Class. There were several girls nominated for this office, yet
the results of the vote showed that
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Kathleen had received more votes than the rest of the candidates put
together. Miss Hile has a winning smile that draws friends to her like a
magnet, and when once a friend of Kathleen's you are always one; her
disposition is such that people can't help liking her, and every one knows
that what she starts she finishes.
Dick Denny.
APPRECIATION
AS a fitting conclusion to this volume, we wish to thank those who have
given their time and energy to this work. It was through the faithful and
excellent work of the staff, along with the advice and help of the Faculty
Advisers, Miss Mulock and Mr. Williams, that the early publication of this
book was made possible.
The various articles here printed were gathered from many sources, some from
the pens of the members of the staff and some from our friends in school,
some signed and some unsigned, and on account of this it has been impossible
to append to all the articles the names of authors. And so, if you have
struggled over some bit of work for this book only to find that your name has
not been mentioned, remember that the Microcosm represents the collective work
of the whole class, and that your work is here recorded to the credit of your
class.
For the efficient administration of the financial affairs of The Microcosm we
are indebted to the Business Manager and to his capable corps of assistants.
Just as there would have been nothing to print without the staff and the
class, so there would have been no book to print it in without the business
administrators.
The Editor.