The Jasper news., 1909-05-27
Senior Class Prophecy
ating Class n ncenentN
BY Arthur ]. Hatfield

IL has devolved upon the unseekiDg
subject who now stands before you TO
take up the skein where our able his
torian has left off and finish the life
story OF the class OF pineteen-rine; to
lift the curtain as it were and afford
peep into that mysterious land that
we call the Future; to provide the an
swer TO the query Of our motto,
Launched but Whittier BoundP"
So. like the wise doctor who was not
afraid to take his own medicine, shall
assume the role Of official court faster
and begin with myself. Unfetter your
imagination, IL you will, and let it
bound forward decade. Inspired by the
wonderful success that attended my
youthful efforts along that line, l early
mastered the art Of palmistry and be-
came so proficient in that ystic calling
that the development of clairvoyance,
astronomy and al kindred accomplish
ments we're but natura steps II develop.
ment. My Tive town, state, and hem.
isphere 10 turn became too small to con-
fine my activities or even the demand for
them. Nothing in the future was hid.
den from me or even dimmed by the
mist Of uncertainty,
Answering a call from European
monarch to unravel situation that
threatened world war, found myself
so thickly 10 the meshes of political con-
spiracy and intrigue that for five years
was forbade even a thought Of return
ing to America. At the end of that
time, however, the political clouds hav.
ing rolled away, and the sun of peace
shining again on the land, 1 sought and
obtained from the emperor my discharge
from his service, and, eager to see once
again the faces of the old Nineteen.
miners, none OF whom / had seen for ten
years, turned my steps once more to-
wards America, landing 10 New York
enrly in November,
found the city 10 the throes of the
most merciess political upheaval in its
history. Euraged by the vigorous at.
tacks made upon it by one OF the new.
est factors in the cit,'s politics, a young
lawyer who had come out OF the west a
few years before, corrupt city admin.
istration had declared oren war upon
him, only to have his followers accept
the gauntlet by naming him for may or
OF the city.
His following had increased until
now, on the day Of the election
the streets swarmed with his CO.
horts, whose numbers bribery and cor
ruption could not thin, and his election
and the end Of the old rottenness was
assured. Even as came upon Broad
way, triumphnl procession had
formed and was marching to the home
OF the next mayor. Caught in the vor-
tex, was carried along, half unwilling,
and still more than eager to see the
man who could command such follow
ing. And as he opened the door 10 re
Spouse tn the crash OF brass bands and
the cheering Of thousands of honest
men, and stepped forward TO Offer few
words OF thanks for the demonstrations,
my memory flew back over the years to
the days spent at old Jasper High, for
had heard that same voice call the Nine
teen-niners to order hundred times.
Yes, the new Mayor was my old class
president, Chauncey Earl, whose rise tU
fame had en- so metoOric, that had
heard no breath Of it 10 my European
seclusion. Needless to say, 1 sent my
card around to Chaucey as soon rs pos
sible, and that evening while the city
was celebrating his election, we sat to-
gether at his fireside discussing the old
days. He told me many things OF him.
self and others Of the old class. He
himself was married and the father oil
four children, all boys, and one Of the
first things he did was introduce me &c
his wife, q portly French lady, strang.
or to me, who retired after short time
leaving us alone. "What about thu
old affair, ChanH" asked. "When
knew you, you were satisfied with your
six nights week up at LOUIS. What
became Of herr" After many signs, ht
told me Lou had eloped with an actor,
hut had later obtaiued a divorce and
WAS now on the stage herself, doing /,
butterfly sp, cialty in q comic opera
She was in New York all last winter,
l a 81,