Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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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

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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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a day longer ' came in a chorus from the other two. “Somebody’ll have to walk the six miles to town and tell Uncle Most to come for the things- 1 11 be glad to go, if you will just cook breakfast. continued Maud. “All right. said Marion, “and just as soon as it’s daylight let’s start packing. Still it was noon before Maud returned with Uncle Mosc and the wagon. Everything was ready for departure. “You ladies be in a mighty hurry ter git back, ma’am,” remarked the old negro as he clucked to the mule. “Yes, Uncle Mose. said Maud reminiscently. “It was a rather sudden decision, but you see we liked to eat even though we were camping. We are not simple enough for the simple life. As for myself. I’ll take a school room full of stupid children any day rather than have bats crawling through my hair. After all. there’s something more nerve-racking than book-keeping, and that is to stay awake all night listening to a screech owl. (live me an office boss in preference.” said Marion fervently. “And I’ve had enough nature for a while. added Mable. “plain, uninteresting humanity is more agreeable company for breakfast than a toad frog. Uncle Mose only chuckled and patted Clincher knowingly. Marv E. Forbes. ’ 11. NIGHT The sun sinks low. and his colors smolder and die: The shadows deepen, waver and quiet lie. Aloft in his massive belfry, the curfew tolls the knell. And the curtain of Night falls downward in answer to the bell. The evening star twinkles and beckons. afar in her misty home. And the pale moon of summer, sails in a sea of foam : The leaves about me whisper and nod like witches old. While the fairies in the roses their little wings unfold.. About me a velvety darkness holds the mystery of the Night. Above me the white clouds flit like birds in swift flight; Then from out of the deep, dark garden. where the roses shudder like ghosts. Comes a flood of sweetest melody, fit for the God of Hosts. The last note dies and flutters, the night wind laughs and sighs. The pale, sweet wraiths of evening count the minute as it flies. The leaves in their high tower mock the wind in his fight. For about and above me flutters—the mystery of the Night. Irene YValdhorst, 14.