Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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 What acid ? ” Aw, the acid that split on the table. Now you know everything, come on an' give me another good whippin'. Why. Jimmy,” Mrs. Thomas said, almost in tears, come to your mamma. I won’t whip you.” And when his father returned home that night, he laughed heartily at the cat tale. Isn't that just like a real boy?” he managed to say between gasps. Jimmy, what chemical process was going on when the cat turned the acid over on the table?” Oh. that was the dehydrating effect of sulfuric acid,” Jimmy proudly and promptly replied. Father, talking to mother in secret that night, said: I’m glad to get rid of that old rag, aren't you? And that table top needed a new finish anyhow.” Mother shamefacedly answered, Yes.” Just the other day Jimmy's mother asked him what he wanted for Christmas. Jimmy beamed. A 'Chemustry' outfit, mother.” EVERETT POOLE. 22. MINOR CHORDS How could the swell and the sway and the anguish-sweet wonder of music Carry its witchery poignant, except for the minor chords’ crooning? Would the array of the pines in their star-seeking majesty regal Hold half its glory-form proud but for each of the needles’ green slimness? Might the ear brave, in its nakedness cruel, the silence of night-time. But for the gracious, wee noises of creatures that hide in the grasses? Should the abiding great joys, in their spirit-upheaving. Be just as keen and as ardent without the small courtesies’ sweetness? RUSSELL SMITH. Payc Fourteen

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while, deciding it would be better to have it over, he opened the door sullenly and allowed himself to be dragged into the presence of his mother. “James Henderson Thomas. she demanded, “why did you spill that stuff on the table? Mamma. 1 didn't turn that acid over. Jimmy replied. Well, who did? his mother asked, getting more and more exasperated. It happened accidently, Jimmy almost tearfully answered. All right. James. Mrs. Thomas concluded. We’ll wait until your father comes from work tonight. Jimmy well knew that there was no hope of escape, but he also knew that exposure of the real cause of all the m'schief was highly dangerous. With all his heart he wished that the cat had never been born. Mr. Thomas, coming home tired out from the day’s work, was doubly disgusted with Jimmy’s misbehavior. With true respect to Jimmy s fortitude. charity compels me to leave the events of that night a sealed book. The next day Jimmy's wounded pride and skin were healed to some extent. Upon the innocent cat, however, he wreaked his vengeance. Phis was expressed in various ways. A thorough sousing in very cold water and a sizzling shock from a Ford spark coal were two of the torments suffered by the poor cat. It seemed that Jimmy’s misfortunes were not yet over by any means, for during the day his mother had visited the next door neighbor, who was a shrewd, gossipy old lady. When Mrs. Thomas had finished her tale of woe. Mrs. Jones asked a question. What time was it when the accident happened? she inquired. Oh. about three fifteen. Jimmy's mother replied. Mrs. Jones gossiped cheerfully. Yesterday, at that time, I happened to be looking through your window and I saw Jimmy with a cork in his hand approaching the cat. When he touched her she immediately jumped onto your table. I couldn’t see what happened, but 1 heard Jimmy running away. Then light dawned upon poor Mrs. Thomas. She left Mrs. Jones' house before that worthy could have time to add anything further. When she reached home she found Jimmy in the basement making a queer noise. She called him to her. What was that queer noise you were making?’ she asked. Oh. I was only testing for carbon dioxide by blowing my breath in lime water. His mother, not to be led aside by what she did not understand, got down to business. What did you do to the cat yesterday? Jimmy resorted to the usual Nuthin’. Jimmy, tell the truth. Aw. I just put a stopper on her tail. What stopper? Aw. the stopper out o’ a bottle. What bottle? Aw. the bottle that had the acid in it. Page Thirteen

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THE PIERIAN LITERARY SOCIETY