yesterday's tennessee

Black and Gold, 1925

SENIOR CLASS PROFECY

On one of the warmest days of the season, being lulled by the drousiness of the atmosphere, I lay my head in my arms on my desk and soon was wafted to unconsciousness and dreamland.

Faintly at first, then very distinct and melodious came the music of a piano and saxophone played in perfect accord. I recognized Elizabeth Summers at the piano and Mary Louise Essary with her famous saxophone. The reading of a program told me that these two had acquired world-wide fame as concert players. This vision vanished as quickly as it had appeared and another came in its stead. In a large and handsomely furnished office I saw Collus Johnson, superintendent of the public schools of Memphis. He was pacing the floor nervously, dictating a letter to his secretary, Earlma Hodgin, whose efficiency enabled her to type as he dictated. There was a knock at his door and two of our old classmates, Eva Lee and Lucille Brooks, entered the office. They were complaining to him of their needs for more equipment in the kindergarten work. The needed materials being promised, they left and immediately Lyman Armstrong, football coach. came in to discuss with Professor Johnson a coming important game.

Here my vision vanished and I was sleeping peacefully, but not for long. Soon before me I saw a large and modern hospital, and the electric sign announced that this was the best equipped hospital in America and had for its head surgeon Dr. Richard Stewart of world-wide fame. The scene shifted to a conference of all the nurses and physicians of the hospital. As head nurse Carrie Halters was giving a lecture to a class of girls in training. At the front of another group I saw Elsie Pearson explaining to them the workings of the nervous system as expounded by the great nerve specialist, Charles Deere.

Accidentally turning toward a secluded spot I noticed a nurse, Olivie Sullivan, disobeying hospital rules by reading during her hours on duty. Closer inspection revealed her book to be one of Joe Arnold's, whose productions are universally read, each romance written in a different and more effective style.

Returning to the outside I saw Ernest Brower and Hulon Deere, famous landscape artists, giving orders to their foreman, Ernest Neisler, who supervised the work. While walking over the grounds I saw before me Herbert Goforth with his painting paraphernalia putting on the canvas his interpretation of the wonderful park bordering the Stewart Hospital. Of his famous landscapes, one, 'The Hills of Henderson County," was awarded the Nobel prize in 1930.

Walkiimg to the street I hailed a taxi and directed my route to Broadway. A newspaper was in the corner. I picked it up and the first thing that I read was an article on the efficient management of the Chicago Taxicab Company. The article commended the new president, Lloyd Montgomery, on his capability and business accomplishments.

As I dismissed the taxi I was almost blinded by the electric sign before me announcing Mr. Thoburn Holmes and bride, formerly Miss Mary Elizabeth Ball, as stars in a new play by Gaston Summers.

Here the scene changed and I was at a Chautauqua in the sunny South. The general manager, Watt Threadgill, was making an announcement concerning the program, which was the most varied ever presented to the public. First, Jessie Oakley would give a lecture the next day on "Interior Decoration." Next, Connie Sullivan and Cland Fesmire would entertain children with acrobatic stunts and negro productions. He introduced the performers, Mrs. Myrtle Joyner, pianist; Edward Barry, soloist, and Mrs. Barry, formerly Miss Ada Edwards, elocutionist. And in concluding the program by a radio selection, a New York station persisted in being heard, proclaiming the world's baseball championship won by the United States through the star pitching of Edward Brower.

Again the vision shifted to a dignified law establishment where Obie Moore reigned supreme. As he was dictating a letter to Erby Lindsey, the oil king. I found his private secretary and partner to be none other than his bride, formerly Miss Lena McPeak, who found more pleasure in business than in housekeeping. I watched Ray Herndon, president of the N. C. & St. L. Railway, come to talk to Mr. Moore concerning his legal affairs.

As I was dreaming peacefully I suddenly realized that someone was shaking me. On regaining consciousness I found that Miss Kirby, the study hall teacher, was doing her best to get me awake. Not regarding the study hall full of students, I cried excitedly, "Oh, Miss Kirby, I have dreamed the class prophecy for everyone except myself, and I guess I'll be a school teacher, and let the girls sleep until they dream their class prophecy through.

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