Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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THE AEGIS IV. Now you see her jaw grew very, very weak Once she dropped it-and the teacher took a peek! Ima Bum do you chew ? ' -Only one thing left to do- Ima did it-grew quite blue ' ' Ooble-goop ! Gooble-oop ! Eeble-geek ! ' ' V. Well, they called the doc and later Papa Bum Yes-she talked-said ' 'Wont you 'Kiss-me, Gum' ! Cried out that the mint spears cut her, Moaned about the Beech-nut Butter, Yucataned her loving mutter, I Died I-her last word was Yum Yum! WHO WAS THE CRIMINAL? DoRoTHY SHIELDS I. It was a cold blustry day with the thermometer hovering around the zero mark. Everything out of doors was covered with a white blanket of snow, and passers-by held their wraps closely gathered around them so as to protect them- selves from the cutting wind and stinging cold. Poor little Marie rose with ga weary sigh to throw the last few lumps of coal on the slowly dying fire. Heir hands were becoming stiff with the cold. But still she sewed steadily on, trying her best to finish the garment before the owner would call. O, if I could only finish this, perhaps she would be willing to pay in part for the dress I finished yesterday, she thought as she gathered the well-worn shawl around her shivering shoulders. The girl rose again, this time to tuck the little old coat closer around the sleeping form of a little eight year old boy. '4Poor dear, you must have some- thing warm for dinner. I'll make her pay if possible. She brushed the dark curly hair back from the feverish forehead, as the boy slowly raised his eyelids. His eyes were almost glassy as he looked lovingly up into her face. Sis, ainlt there a thing to eat? the boy feebly inquired. UNO dear, but Mrs. Sterling is coming today, she replied as she tried to comfort him. Won 't you get me an orange, Marie? Just a little one, please, that's all you need to get. I'll see, dear. You must turn over now and try to rest some more, she answered, trying to keep the lumps down in her throat. Just then a light tap was heard. Marie stepped quickly to the door and found it to be whom she expected. Mrs. Sterling entered the little attic room 20

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THE AEGIS The crowd now looks to her heroes slick To cage the ball and turn the trick. A new man enters into the fray, He is a sub, the people say. He grabs the ball by rare mistake, And with a rubeish awkward rake Deposits the pill well in the rimg A shot is heard amid the scream The work is done, the game is ours The landed sub, above all, towers. But where are the heroes so bold and gay? I think they have slipped out the back doorway THE TRAGEDY OF IMA BUM ONE WHO KNOWS. I. She 's a thin little thing, white and glum A11d her name is simply dingey -Ima Bum All her clothes are most untidy And she doesn't look a 1idy But she's famed both far and widely As the chewer of the largest wad of gum. II. Once she chewed ten sticks at one time Cracked it, whirled it, twirled it, made it climb. She would wrap it round her arm Like the snakes the charmers charm. Pull it quickly out of harm In this noble art taught many-for a dime! III. William Wallis i11 assembly said one day, Kids, you gotta cut it out-get me, hey? Yet Ima chewed in public places Went thru all her gummy paces Added new tricks to her graces Yet of course the end it came-in this way. 19

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THE AEGIS with a haughty air, glanced around and took the only seat she could find, that being just a. box. Are my garments ready? she asked stiffly, when she had adjusted herself. The dress is madame, but I just couldn't get the waist done, Marie politely replied as she held up the plain little house-dress for inspection. And what is your reason for the delay? It looks as though you had plenty of time. But madame, since you will not pay me until I finish the waist, I have to find some way to get food for poor little Bill. Can't you possibly pay a. little on the dress? Just a quarter if you can 't spare more. You see our fuel is gone and there is no food in the house, ' ' she replied, a little surprised at her own bold- ness. I'll take the dress and come back tomorrow for the waist, the young society woman remarked, ignoring the plea made by the poor starving girl. Marie obediently wrapped the dress in a neat bundle and handed it to the woman. Remember, my lady, tomorrow and not the next day, Mrs. Sterling called back as she left the room. Poor Marie! She stood gazing at the closed door as if rooted to the iioor. She was shivering from the cold and faint from hunger and abscntly she let the waist drop to her feet. Stooping over to pick it up, she glanced at little Bill. HHe shall have his orange, she cried and drawing the shawl over her head started down the rickety stairs out into the street. II. The snow had ceased falling, but a high wind had arisen, sending the snow in great whirls and drifts along the street. But on she trudged, not minding the cold, thinking only of the errand she was on. O, if Mr. Brown will only take credit just this once. Bill must have the orange. Dear boy, he is so patient. These thoughts were running rapidly through her mind as she came to the door of the little grocery. Marie entered the little room, the warmth from the fire making her whole body tingle. Mr. Brown came in from the back part of the store. He wore a dirty white apron which nearly covered his entire body. A dark, disgusted frown appeared on his face when he saw that his customer was only Marie. 'tAnd what will you have? he stormed at the shivering girl. Please, Mr. Brown, would you be willing to give me an orange on credit. I can pay you tomorrow? she urged in a tremulous voice. Give you an orange? Child, what do you think I am, a charity worker? No sir, I do not ask you to give it to me. My poor little brother is sick with fever and begs for just a little one. I have no money in the house today, but I shall have some tomorrow, she pleaded. How can I tell you 'll pay? Anyway, I haven 't any time to fool with you now, the proprietor snapped out as he turned abruptly around and walked to the back of the store. Again Marie was left staring in great bewilderment. Slowly out of the door she walked into the crowded street. The wind seemed colder to her as she left thc stuffy room. She made her way wearily among the crowd. A clock 21