Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

Page 26 text:

got him to teach me ventriloquism for a plug of tobacco. I thought they would come in nice at the parties when I came home, but I never got a chance to use ’em till tonight.” Do you know, Charlie, I never could a loved you again if you hadn’t been man enough to oust that cowardly Luke Wright, said she sweetly, turning up her face. THE AWAKENING. The bare brown winter branches All warmed beneath the sun And growing buds of scented bloom Unfolded one by one. So all the slumbering thoughts To love and God akin Awake and longed enraptured To take the whole world in. RUTH HINTON. ’17. 24

Page 25 text:

“I've alters heard,” whispered Polly Simmons, that when a screechowl hollers, spirits is walking about.” Yes, grumbled Salley, an’ I'll just imagine, now, that 1 can sec ’em when we go to pass that graveyard. I wish you ail’d go the toth'er way. “Aw, hush your foolishness, Sal.” command'jd her brother Luke. hos afraid of a graveyard full of ha’nts. I’d like to know? “What’s that noise? It’s just the wind a moaning in the trees, silly. “Laws a niussy!” grunted Sam. dropping the reins and throwing up his hands. They looked around and there Sam sat with palms turned in and fingers pointing straight heavenward, as rigid and still as if petrified or hewn from bronze. But hist! Just ahead of them, floating up from the ground, in the direction of the cemetery, swayed a tall figure clad in flowing white garments. 11 is white beard reached to his kpecs, and he carried a scythe in his hand. l p nearer, slowly, with a sighing sound that gradually grew into a wail, the apparition approached, until just above the beads of the mules it stopped, and with a deep sigh began to speak: Prepare thy soul: for I have come to summons thee to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death. With a yell which seemed to loosen every joint in his anatomy, the negro. Sam. rolled off the wagon and tore through the woods. Luke sprang up and emptied Ins pistol at the shadow, but when the smoke cleared away, there it floated as serenely as ever. Moaning and sighing, it would flit to the top of a tree, the next moment swooping down not more than an arm s length front the wagon. This was too much for Luke. ith a mighty bellow. he went after Sam. crashing and ploughing through the forest like one pursued. Kale picked up Luke’s shoe, leaned over and pitched it after him. Tom Carter sprang into the scat and caught up the reins, hut—the ghost had floated away upon the winds. The next instant ( harlie Patterson sprang into the wagon. “Will you give a fellow a lift? said he in a cheery voice. What in the deuce was that. Charlie? asked Alex Thompson, who appeared to be holding the hands of half a dozen girls at once, while their beaux had forgotten they existed. Why, 1 haven’t seen anything, said Charlie smiling as lie sat down beside Kate. What seems to he the matter? But they took no time to explain. Laying whip to the poor mules, they clattered down the road, making short work of leaving each person at his or her own door. An hour later. Kate and Charlie sat on the front steps in the shadow of a rose vine at the Hill farmhouse. Kiss me, just once. Katie, so’s I’ll he sure you won’t back out next Sunday.” whispered Charlie hirst. said she putting up her hand between their faces, tell me where you go: that magic lantern, nr whatever it is. and next, where did you learn ventriloquism.” Last fall while I was at Millville, a show fellow got busted there, and he pawned his traption for groceries, and answerin’ your other question, I 23

Page 27 text:

A Letter From the “Lady of the Lake” Ellen’s Isle. June 14. 1810. EAR MARY: Perhaps yon think I am lost in these mountains, but I am not. You will see from the heading that we have named our new home after me. The island is situated at the foot of the beautiful Lock Katrine. We are just about in tlie middle of it. so you can imagine what a beautiful place it is. The house, which is quite large, is built of rudely cut wood, with withered heather and dry rushes spread over the rafters. 1 have trained honeysuckle? to grow along the sides of the house, and over the fences. Around the house, as well as on the whole island wild flowers grow. .Vs 1 have said. Lock Katrine surrounds the island, and I can look out of my window and sec the beautiful water shining in the sunlight. Across the lake, the picturesque purple-peaked mountains loom high towards the sky. I am sure you would think this is a very beautiful and attractive place. Everything around suggests bravery and faithfulness, from the warrior oaks and ash to Roderick Dhu's men. Every time Roderick comes home from a battle Lady Margaret and all her servants go to welcome him. Old Allan-banc is as faithful as ever, ready any time to bring forth the melodious harp, and play for »:s. Just as Allan-bane can bring music from the harp, Roderick, by giving one loud whistle, can seemingly bring men front the mountains At his signal all the clan appear so quickly and quietly that it is as though sonic magic was practiced. Mv father is still as brave as ever, but sometimes, I fear be is homesick for the lowlands and his old friends. Very often, too, I am afraid he does not agree with Roderick in all his warlike plans. From the few things we have heard, I believe Roderick is preparing to send his Fiery Cross” on its rounds again, but I hope, and so does father, that we are mistaken. Living in exile and continually fearing war makes us so anxious, hut why worry when the bravest of Scotland are ready to defend the Sturdy Pine,” and. in spite oi all. we are very happy here in our mountain home. It is very pleasant to be telling some one of our happy life, because we have not many chances of talking to other people. The few people who visit the mountains arc always welcomed by Lady Margaret and mvself. Malcolm, the boy whom I told you about, still visits us and maybe sometime, 1 will be able to tell you more about him. Ye bad a very pleasant visit front the Knight of Snowdunc. Me spent the night with us and we all enjoyed his visit very much because he told us many interesting things of the outside world. James Fitz-j antes, for that was his name, belonged to Lord Moray's train, which was out on a hunt here in the Highlands. He wandered away from them and lost his way. About evening In- blew his 25