Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

Page 28 text:

hardest person to get along with I ever saw. Mere we are at the garage. Bv the way, where did you say Jerry was ?” “Coaldale. Thank you for helping me out. Patricia. I’m alwavs a hoodoo. I’m afraid.” “Don't talk so, Alan. I'm sure everything will come out all right now. I've got to go to the store now. and you had better see about bringing 1222. Come out and see me soon, any one can show you the way. I forgot to tell you Miss Lovett’s address is 1515 Broad. Bood-bye.” Dear Jerry:—This is a business letter. so please read it through. 1 was out riding today when I came across— whom do you suppose—Alan Conroy. Me is looking very blue, not a bit like the bright Alan Bridgman Conroy who was always the first letters of the alphabet. as he said. He looks more like X-Y-Z now. 1 wish Eloise Warren could see him. then perhaps she would treat him better. He told me where you were and how hard you were working. I was telling Uncle about it this evening, and he said. Patricia, if you write to young Marvin. 1 wish you would ask him to come here to sec me when he finishes that job. I have some new mines 1 want to see him about.” So you see this is a business letter. Let us know when you are through in Coal-dale. I think it will be to your ad vantage, as Uncle never does things half way. As ever your friend. Patricia Carew. Dear FJoise:—Won’t you pardon me for my long silence? I learned where you were only today. 1 was lying under 1222 in the middle of the road near here this morning when along came Patricia Carew with My Lord and My Lady. She was a blessing, as usual, because she took me to a garage and told me where you were. I fancy I gave her welcome news. too. as 1 told her of Jerry’s whereabouts. You know, my mother and Patricia's have always wanted us to unite the names and fortunes of the two families, and the only obstacle was that Pat. and I didn’t want to. Jerry got it into his head that we did, but Pat is writing to him now. as I write to you. I hope my letter will receive as warm a welcome as her’s will. . B. C.” Anita W'aldhorst. ‘11.

Page 27 text:

Angels in Disguise It was a curving l it of road, dappled with cool shadows and flecked with golden light. The automobile seemed to have been wonderfully affected by - the beauty of the scene, for it stood still—as still as though it were rooted to the spot, From under the car came the only signs of man himself—a pair of well-shod feet and muffled and uncomplimentary things about an auto that always picked out the loneliest places to rest in. Just as the protesting sound of a wrench drowned the man’s voice, a collie thrust her dainty, graceful bead from the thicket fringing the road, then a horse poked out an enquiring nose, and soon both came into full view—a thoroughbred horse bearing a beautiful. warm tinted girl, and a slim brown dog—a living picture in brown. For a while they stood gazing at the ridiculous. pitiful picture before them, then the girl laughed gaily. “A. B. C.. aren’t you ashamed to ruin the view with that old buzzer of yours?” The feet wriggled wildly, and finally there emerged a very hot and dusty and surprised young man. “Patricia! Good Lord, how did you get here? I thought we had escaped each other at last.” “Well, that’s not a very cordial greeting. but 1 feel just about the same way. Why didn’t we compare notes before we ran away? How is 1222?” she a k-ed solicitously. “Sick as usual,’’ disgustedly. “Do you know where there is a garage?” “About two miles down the road there is a little town with a garage. It’s the chief industry of the place—all the motorists going from Birmingham to Montgomery pass through it—and they won’t in the least mind coming out for 1222- Let’s go now and tell them about it. “Thanks. I'm ready. How are you, My Lady? said Conroy to the dog. “My Lady and Mv Lord and 1 are all very well. What I want to know is how you happened to be here.” “It's this way.” said the young man gravely as they went slowly down the shady road. “After you left. Mother talked to me every day as if 1 had driven you awav. I told her it was of no use. that we weren’t in love with each other, and the only reason you left was because she and your mother wanted us to be. but she wouldn't see it that way. So I left. I have been through Kentucky. Tennessee and Alabama, and here 1 had to run into you.” “Don’t accuse yourself of that at least. It was I who bumped into you. T happen to be here because mv uncle. Judge Carew, lives here, and I thought it was the farthest place 1 could find. “You were right about that, but fate ordained otherwise.” There was a long pause. Finally Conroy asked. “How’s Jerry ? Patricia blushed. “I haven’t seen nor heard from Jerry since I have been here. I guess lie's forgotten 1 ever existed. Have you seen Eloise lately?” Same here. She acted awfully queer the last time I saw her. and I haven’t heard a word from her. I don’t even know where she is. But listen, you are wrong about Jerry. Last time I saw him. he was in North Alabama, fifteen miles from the railroad. The train stops at the nearest junction once a day, and then when lie’s at work. They work from “kin to kaint up there. And I rather think that he thought—” I know, and it does seem hard.—It’s queer about Eloise. She never mentioned your name last time I saw her, and just before I came here, she went to Louisville to visit an aunt of hers, old Miss Lovett. That in itself is strange, because the old lady is the

Page 29 text:

A Heroic Act “Buddy. come tell me a storv ' pleaded mv little sister. ‘Ts so tired of rid-in' on the choo-choo. But I told her to leave me alone, for 1 had something very important to think about. She kept hogging me, however, until Mother said, “Come here. Baby, I 'll read to you. Then 1 was a little ashamed of myself, for 1 knew how tired mother was. I hated to see her look that way. So I sat there and thought how 1 should like to do something for her, to prove my devotion. Few little people have their desires realized as I did then. As I was gazing out of the window I noticed that the trees seemed to he going by faster and faster. There was a peculiar noise coming from the engine. I sat up straight to listen. 1 had been studying machinery lately, so I recognized that sound. It showed that there was no one at the throttle. I was aghast. Something must have happened to the engineer. I knew I must do something. I walked into the next car looking for the conductor but he was not there. 1 went on into the next car. and the next, and on to the baggage car. but no official was to be seen Then 1 knew that I myself must go on and run the engine or we should all be lost. I seized hold of an iron rod and began climbing over the baggage car, for theic was no door. It was the only possible way. Slowly I drew my feet up while the swiftly moving car swayed from side to side. But the dangerous part was to crawl along the ridge on top of the car. We were moving at the rate of about seventy miles per hour already and increasing every minute. I dared not look on either side, I could only creep on and on. It seemed an eternity before 1 reached the end of the car. 1 prayed that 1 might be allowed to save the passengers, especially my mother and little sister. Suddenly my foot slipped and I shot down the side of the car. But instead of falling off. as I expected. my clothes caught in a large iron hook on the side of the car. and I hung there unable to move, looking down at the flying rocks and bushes. The train was going at a terrific pace. I wondered what would happen. I knew my clothes would not hold me long and I thought that perhaps as 1 dropped 1 might cry loud enough to warn my fellow passengers. Ye were gtiing over a deep ravine, and I felt mv clothes slipping, slipping. ()ne more rip and my mangled body would 1 e lying on the rocks far below. Split! I was dropping, dropping, dropping. I gave up hope and let myself go. Crash! 1 opened my eyes and saw all the passengers gazing with smiling faces at me. I had fallen off the sea‘ into the middle of the aisle. My little sister was tugging at my sleeve “Come play with me now. Buddy. she plead ed. “Oh. I had so much rather save your life. I answered. Hugenia Blount, ii.