Phillips High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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T ii e Mirror You’ll get what I give you. And what’s more, you’ll take it and like it! I warn you, nigger; do as I sav!” Ivy's heart ticked. He didn’t feel scared, hut he did not want the men below to find him listening. In the twilight Ivy saw Jenkins, a skinny man with snake-like eyes. Mr. Jenkins, we niggers ain’t gonna do yo’ under-work for yo no mo’! I calls oft our help right now! A cat-like movement brought a gun from Jenkins’ arm-pit. I have something here to make you do as I say. The negro’s eyes grew large as he fell back toward the door. Weaver, who had been outside, appeared sudden.v. We got him, ain’t we, boss! he said, digging a gun into the back of the negro. I ain’t seen nobody fool Ben McCorbey, he continued. You fool. “Sure! Sure! I’m to call you ‘Jenkins’. Sure I remember. Yer have to excuse me, boss. I forget—I’m so used to calling you bv yo’ right name. Ivy saw the negro kneel in the dirt at Jenkins’ feet. Mr. Jenkins, let us niggers ’lone. We don’t want to get into nothin'. You made us do it. Yo’s said we could pay dat way. When we paid, yo’ threatened to put us in jail. Wc niggers ain't no criminals—we gors t’ church. All wc wants is to be let ’lone.” The negro was suddenly aroused by a fierce kick from Jenkins, Get up! You’re in with us now. You can’t get away from us like that. Get vour other negroes and be at the shack at nine o'clock sharp! Ivy remained hidden in the darkness of the attic. He saw the frightened negro go away. Well, Mr. Weaver, said Jenkins, We’ll keep the Colonel from paying off his notes by kidnaping him for a little while; then the mortgage will be ours. I'm telling you the farm is worth a pretty sum. It’s the best location in the state for the new flying field. The deal is all set. Won’t wc be sitting pretty? Weaver, ol boy, our money worries will soon be over! Now, let's go over our plans for the last time. At eight, we start pinocle; at eight-thirty, the sleeping powders will be working on the old Colonel; at nine o’clock. Curt will come and carry him to the swamp cabin. Go check up with these niggers. Jenkins moved toward the door. Ivy found it easy to follow him. At length they crossed the road, where the trees swallowed the man and the boy following. In a few seconds, he came in sight of Jenkins talking to a smail negro. After a minute. Jenkins passed on, leaving the negro as a look-out. Ivy saw there was nothing to do but wait. If he went forward, the negro would warn the gang; and he couldn’t cross the field because it would outline him against the sky, now white with moonlight. When the negro guard found himself a comfortable place among the leaves, he lay down anil began to take cat-naps. Ivy glanced at his watch. Eight-thirty. The negro was soon fast as.cep. Eight-forty! Ivy slipped by the guard. A few hundred yards brought him in sight of the shack where laughing and talking were going on. Ivy neared, and, peeping through a small cra:k, he saw a table with cards and glasses on it. To better his position, he went cautiously around the house, where he came suddent) upon guns— twelve, all empty. ‘‘This meant, thought Ivy, that twelve negroes were to come at nine. He must help the Colonel—but how! Maybe it would be better if he went back to the house to summon the sheriff. A glance at his watch showed him [12]

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The Mirror BROAD ACRES I vv prude jones was enjoying himself. The smell of the crisp, country air and the ■ beauty of nature brought color to his face. The Colonel riding by his side seemed to sense his mood and, all the way from town, told him stories of his wonderful farm. ‘‘I nearly let the farm get away from me. I can appreciate it more now. because I nearly lost it.” “What do you mean by ‘You nearly lost it’?” Ivy questioned. He had thought all his life that the farm was the Colonel’s. “I put a mortgage on it when cotton went down, but the money for the last payment is in my pocket now. Lucky thing too. hr cause the bank let it get out of its hands. Some fellow from the North who wants it bought the mortgage. Me—whoever he is—intends to close me out. Tomorrow’s the last day, and I’m going to fool him by paying in full. I’ll feel a lot better when I have the d:ed secure again. Say! 1 was going to tell you about the time the sheriff and I used to p.ay Injun over in the swamp— When Ivy saw the substantial house loom into view and outline itself against the sky, he felt love for the old farm that he had seen but once before, although it had been in the family for generations. He was g.ad the Colonel was not going to lose it. Adventure seemed to overtake him: and just to think, he had wanted to stay in town all summer. “How are you, Irving?” (Aunt Susie insisted on calling him that) “I’m glad to sec you. How’s your mother? Come in.” Glad to see his aunt, he began to chat merrily. 1 sec you have company,” Ivy said, as he noticed two men coming up, both seeming restless and uneasy. “They’re our roomers. Mr. Jenkins, this is our nephew. “Good day, said Jenkins. He seemed anxious about something. “This is Mr. Cord Weaver. Mr. Weaver turned around and spoke. “I’ve got the money, interrupted the Colonel. “I’m so glad you have. said his wife. Jenkins, who seemed startled, walked off hurriedly, with Weaver running at his hee.s like a terrier. Ivv went into the house. Having put on his “jrans, he a;c dinner hastily and then went out to look over the place. He threw a rock at a field mouse and fed the rabbits; he helped a negro dump corn to the mules, slop the pigs, anti measure hull and meal for the cow. As he strolled about, doing everything and nothing, the day came to a close. The light was dimming when he ventured into the old house, former.y used to smoke meat, but which now housed a chicken coop, farm implements, and sacks of fine cotton seed. As he lifted a crokersack which covered the coop, he was met by the scoldings of a hen sheltering her brood. Not caring to cause a disturbance, he turned his attention elsewhere. Boards stretching across the rafters formed an attic. He climbed up hoping to find last year’s walnuts, and was about to come down when he heard Curt, a farm hand, with Jenkins. “What’s you gonna give us? Curt asked. [II]

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T h e Mirror that ho hail better keep concealed. Ho was not a bit too soon, for from a thicket, merged a band of negroes. Ivy lay low against the house in its shadow. Little was said by the negroes, who were dressed in strange c.othes, with masks covering their faces. At a signal, they seized the guns and burst into the shack. Ivy heard Curt call, I P with yo’ hands! This am a stick-up!” “Hind him, Jenkins ordered, “he’s out completely.” I hope yo is right, suh. 'cause I don’t want to git in bad wid de Colone.,” said one of the negroes. “Bury your hopes, said Jenkins gruffly, and tic me and Weaver up. He quick about it.” The bumping inside indicated that the gang were roping the hands of the three men. Ivy saw them take the Colonel out the door, the others staying behind to receive further orders. Curt, take the Colonel over to the swamp cabin. Jenkins whispered. ' Keep him there until 1 come. I’ll be there as quick as I can. P.ace guards on the lookout. Take to the swamp if someone comes. lvv didn't know much about the swamp, but he had heard of it from the Colonel, who said he had been lost in it once. Then the Colonel had added, I learned the swamp all right, but I nearly starved in the attempt. When I got home, everybody was out on a hunting party for me. Ivy saw Curt come out and disperse the gang. With good reason to dread the swamp, Ivy followed close behind on the inky-black trail. aking pains to cover up their tracks, the gang went on with their burden for about fifteen minutes, through the woods and the swamp, where moss and under-growth would show no footprints. Tearing he would lose himself, Ivy dug his feet into the ground and pul.ed up soft moss, bent branches, and twigs to set up land marks. W hen they reached the swamp cabin they went inside where they tied the Colonel, now fast asleep, to a strong bench. Ivy, going near enough to peep though a crack, saw that the cabin was empty—no furniture, no provisions. Me saw that the Colonel’s hands were tied so tightiy that the cords cut the flesh. Curt bawled, Shame on yo’ for tying the Colonel’s hands so tight. ’ ”Yo’ mind yo' own business. “Take that!” Curt vcl.cd. The negro toppled, and lay grinning on the floor. You’re the boss. Curt. Yo’ know we aint gonna do nothin’ yo’ don t tell us. Hut l’sc worried; we ain’t gonna git nothin’ out of this. Come on. let s git out of it. Yo wait a while. We’ll git something all right! When Mr. Jenkins gits the property we'll black-mail him. What's dat? We’l. make him give us money or else tell on him! Curt continued. Who? The sheriff, of course. Will he help us git our money? No! No! We’ll just tell Mr. Jenkins that we is gonna teli. Heing this thing is underhanded, he'll pay us to keep quiet.” He’ll kili you! 1 can see a gleam of devilment in dat man's eye sharper than my wife’s when she's runnin’ at me wid a razor.” [13]