Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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The old man climbed up on the driver's seat, clucked t«» his mule and slowly wound his way out of the woods. The three twirls stood in front of the tent watching him disappear, and the responsibilities of Clincher, the protector. began. ‘‘Good-bye. I’ncle Mosc. good-bye to the world!” said Maud gaily- “No more stupid little children to upset my nerves, no more cross, exacting business men to distract Marion, no more sordid humanity to disgust Mable. We'll d just as we please. I'm going to be as silly and carefree as possible. Marion, you are to read all the novels and make all the jabots you like. And Mable is to just drink in the beauties of nature.” “Say. I'm hungry. Do you know, it is five o'clock! exclaimed Marion, clos ing her book and stretching out full length on the moss. Mable did not re ply for a second. She was sketching the vista of oaks before her and finished her line before speaking. “Well. I guess it is time to eat supper. 1 wonder where Maud is. Let's go to the tent, maybe she's there. As they neared the clearing a most horrible odor was wafted to them. “What is she doing? Maud was poking the fire in her rock fireplace, and near by was a skillet smoking atrociously and emitting the fragrance of burnt beans- “Oh. girls. I’ve burnt up a whole can of beans and they're black all through, and I broke that only glass tumbler. Mable. that you insisted on bringing, and f spilled half a box of matches in the spring, and 1 don't know whether it’ll poison us or not. and Clincher has been nosing all over the rock where I set the table and I just couldn’t drive him away, and I’m so hot and tired I don’t want a bite of supper. Maud’s flushed face and plaintive voice were really pitiful. Mable and Marion set to work picking the wet matches out of the spring. It was quite late when they felt sure that it was clean but they dared not drink out of it until morning. “And I’m so thirsty. sighed Maud. I know.’’ said Marion cheerfully. “Wc‘11 open a can of peas. There's lots of juice in a can and we can drink that instead. We’ve got salmon and crackers and some of Mrs. Brown’s tarts. Let’s get busy, for I’m ’most starved. The sight of something liquid and cold restored Maud's appetite and they continued to eat until darkness forced them to stop. Then loaded down with dishes they returned to the tent. “What a beautiful night.’’ whispered Maud, enraptured. “I must sketch a scene where the moon peeps through like that. It is charming. “I am going to bed. children. announced Maud, and you will do well to act likewise. “Don’t forget. Maud that you are no longer in the schoolroom, but we will obey you this time. They lit the candle on the table and amid much merriment they undressed. Soon the candle was blown out and all became quiet. A quarter of an hour passed and then Marion suddenly sat up in bed- “Mable. 1 wonder where Clincher is. “I don’t know. came a sleepy reply. “Well. I don’t think he followed us up after supper and I’m going to call him. She put on her slippers and went to the door. She called and whistled but all in vain. “I give it up. she said at last. “But I’m going to fasten this flap mighty tight. “Where's the pistol, anvwav? asked Mable. “I declare. laughed Marion. “I'd forgotten we had one. It’s in the box of clothes. I'll get it. A few minutes later she crawled upon her cot, fearfully clutching the little weapon. “Did you ever shoot a pistol. Marion? asked Mable. “No. did you? “No. I couldn’t hit a house. I don’t know how to aim the thing even. “We'll have to wake up Maud. then. I guess she can work it.” But to wake Maud was a difficult task and more than they bargained for. “What good would it do after all. she sleeps so soundly that she’d never

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The Bachelor Girls’ Camp Now for ibe simple life! Two solid weeks of rest and comfort! cried Maud jumping down from tile wagon seat. “Oh, won’t it he glorious! chatted Marion. “To think of the peace of mind! No trial balances to worry— “Nothing to think about but nature, not a single person to mar the land scape. interrupted Mabel. By this time all three had scrambled over the wheels to the ground- The fourth member of the party was a white-haired negro, who had been driv ing the mule. “Now. whar is all them things goin.’ ma'am. lie nodded toward the rear of tlie wagon which was full to overflowing. And ’specially, ma’am, this here ’mi. He’s a Icetle bit oneasv, ma.am. ’ “Bring Clincher out first. Uncle Mose. commanded Maud, and forthwith there appeared the squatty figure of a determined looking bulldog. Uncle Mose warily lifted him out. “Now for the tent. continued Maud as she began pulling it out. “Uncle Mose and I’ll put it up. Mabel, while you and Marion unpack the stools and dishes. Soon all were busily engaged and only Clincher had time to observe the surroundings. Yes. it was an ideal spot for a camp. The tent itself was being set up in a little clearing which was surrounded by a forest of tall oaks. About ten yards away there was a bub-ling spring and nearby a ledge of rock, an excellent place for a kitchen. Clincher at once explored this wing of the establishment . tasted the water and pronounced it quite to his liking. W hen he returned to the sleeping apartments, everything was ship-shape. I’he tent had spread itself over nearly the whole clearing and afforded ample quarters for the three girls. Inside there were three cots, three camp stools, a big goods box in the center for the table, and another on one side which was already piled up with brushes, combs and powder boxes. “Now dosen’t it look just perfectly scrumptious? exclaimed Maud survey ing the harmonized effect from the doorway. “Only. added Mabel over her shoul der. you might pull your cot a little nearer the bureau. Marion. That’s it, and put that yellow camp stool by the table instead of the blue one. Now that gives better symmetry and harmonizes the colors. Yes, it’s perfect now. “Well look, girls, there’s no wav to hang up the mirror. moaned Marion. “I’ll never get my collar pinned straight or the powder on smooth. What will we do? And she anxiously held up an irregular piece of broken looking glass. “It ought to be just so high. I know. cried Mable, “W e’ll take turn about holding it up for each other to dress by. “Well, what’s the use of it anyhow?” said Maud. “Who cares it our hair is in puffs and there’s not any man around to see if we even have on collars and powder. Uncle Mose. those arc the groceries, aren’t they? Well, just put the box over there, and put the dishes and pans right by it. That’s everything, you say? Now let me see, today’s Monday. Well, come next Monday and bring us some fresh bread and some cake. Don’t forget that two-pound box of chocolates. Uncle Mose,” came from Marion, who was still trying to arrange the mirror. “And don’t forget to ask Mrs. Brown to send my tube of sepia and my new brush that I left. added Mable. Yes’m,” said Uncle Mose, “I ’members an’ I’ll be hyar nex’ Monday. 18

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hear anything even if a burglar came into the tent ” “Well.” said Marion resignedly, “if I must. I'll keep it under my bed, but I won't have it under the pillow. That's too close to my head. Good night. Another fifteen minutes passed. “Marion,” whispered Mable cautiously, “Don’t you hear something hit ting against the canvas? Listen! Marion was awake in an instant. Yes. there was a peculiar Happing against the tent and a slight thud at short intervals. Both listened, breathless. “Maybe it’s Clincher at the door. suggested Marion. Nonsense. Marion. It’s half way the height of the tent.” They listened again for a few minutes. “Do you suppose------’’ “Ugh-h-h, screamed Maud. What was that? Something woke me up. Something touched my face. It crawled all over me and—O-o-o h! It’s caught in my hair. She gave the mysterious thing a jerk which freed it from the golden meshes. “It was a bat. she shrieked. “A horrible bat is in the tent-” Upon this startling announcement all three dived under the cover. Not a single face, hair, or arms was visible. But the bat continued his journey around the tent. Maud first ventured to litt the cover “Let's put towels over our heads and drive him out. Timidly they crawled out, lit the candle. donned their new nightcaps and armed themselves with umbrellas. A fierce struggle ensued until at last the poor little bat was banished from the tent. “Excuse me from cooking breakfast. declared Maud, the next morning. “I'll do my best at the eating of it. but I haven’t recovered from burnt beans vet. I'll gather a bouquet for the table.” “This coffee is the worst 1 ever tasted. said Mable a few minutes later. “I just can’t live without a good cup of coffee for breakfast. It upsets me entirely when I don’t have it. “Well, blame yourself, dear, laughed Marion. “Here comes Maud with her flowers. They'll be the best part of the breakfast. I guess. They seated themselves. Turk-fash-ion, around the festive board. Look there. said Mable with disgust. “There’s a horrid little toad frog in the butter.” “Don't anybody touch him. It'll make warts on your hands, said Marion hunting for a stick. “Off with you. Mr. Frog. and she gave him a little assistance. Mable enjoyed her breakfast without butter, and she was heard to remark that she would like to have one of Mrs. Brown's hot waffles--just one. Another day passed as had the first. Clincher came sneaking in at noon and remained faithful at his post. The girls had not attempted anything elaborate for supper, and so were feeling quite at peace with the world when they went to bed. It was nearly midnight when the air was rent by the dismal wail of a screech owl. Ever louder came the cry until it seemed to come right from the center tent-pole. “Isn’t it awful?” shuddered Mable. shaking the pole as hard as she dared, but without effect upon the visitor. A long silence followed and then Marion spoke. It is impossible to sleep as long as that continues. I've been awake two hours on account of it. Maud was thinking. After another silence she began slowly. I heard mv old mammy say once that if you’d turn your slipper over when a screech owl was screeching that he’d stop and go away. I’m going to try it. Sure enough after a while the sounds became fainter and finally ceased. All three breathed a sigh of relief. But the midnight visitor was the last straw on the camel’s back. A council of war was held at three A. M. I don’t care what the rest of you do, I'm going back to civilization, and I'm going to leave this morning. said Maud. “You needn’t think I intend to stay 20