Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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The Call to the Open It was a spirit of adventure, perhaps the “Wanderlust. that urged me to get up so early and take a walk in the gray morning. I dressrd quickly, all the while a gay little tune sounding in mv ear and echoing in my heart. When I was readv to go. I called my dog. Wolf, for it is comforting to have a companion when the world is so mysterious and gray. 1 walked briskly up the hill and Wolf trotted ahead, or dragged behind as it pleased his canine fancy. Occasionally lit- would stop and stare in alarm at a dry. brown leaf, trailing noisily along the pavement. When I called he would give one short parting bark at the leaf, and then run obediently to me. When we finally reached the top of the hill where the street ends. I paused breathing heavily. Before me the ground sloped gently from all sides, forming a cup-shaped hollow, thickly grown with blackberry bushes, bearing a few discolored leaves. Although it was quite light everywhere, this hollow seemed to have drawn all of the grayness of the morning into its embrace. But Nature always has some means of alleviating her sternness; simetimes it is one bright dower on a rocky hillside ; here it was the wonderful color of tlie leaves. The hickory trees were bright yellow against the sombre background : the oaks added glistening golden-brown. and near the path was a sweet-gum tree dressed in brilliant red- The only sound to break the complete stillness. was the harsh voice of a cat - a bird who quarreled fiercely, when Wolf came too near. I'or a few moments I stood motionless, breathing deeplj of the leaf-scented air, and watching the leaves noiselessly detach themselves, and slowly float downward. There was a beautiful grace and serenity in their movements that fascinated me. Finally I called Wolf and we set out again, walking East. It was nearly six o'clock, and we met some laborers on their way to work. Some of them were old men with stony faces and rounded shoulders; others were middle-aged. prosperous-looking and carried bright dinner pails: and many were young men. ()ne 1 remember had a remarkably pleasing open countenance that held a suggestion of great power behind it. I've seen him often since, coming from work, his face grimed with toil, yet still having that expression of latent power. From the next corner there was a good view of town and I paused again. The sun had just pushed himself through the dark clouds and was smiling with quite an air of triumph. Far away the rounded hills appeared dark gray, and against them the town was just one shade lighter. The outlines of the buildings were vague and indistinct. Here and there a church steeple stood out sharply from the other works of man. I gazed at the scene a few minutes, then started homeward, the “W anderlust for the time, quite satisfied. Sara S. Sewelovitz, ’n. I 2

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stone, and couched upon pillows and draperies of magnificent beauty, lay a figure. It was covered by a large cloth. Tremblingly the Persian seized the edge, and cautiously drew it from the body. I observed that he was very careful not to touch the figure. I advanced, prepared to look upon the face of a mummy blackened with r.gc. and creased and drawn from the ineffaceable marks of time. But what I saw was the fairest vision that mortal imagination could portray! Oh, the beauty of that face, perfect in every detail! And the slender figure, exquisite creation of the gods! A Venus, an Aphrodite! ‘Where is the stuff concealed?' 1 asked the man. He told me. It was in a little locket on her breast. For him to have touched it would have meant instant death. With careful fingers 1 secured the locket. Upon opening it. I found a small vial, in which there was a pink liquid. I glanced at the Persian. His face was working convulsively, and his fingers twitched as if in pain. ‘Give trie haW.’ lie said. I did so. and forced the remainder between the pearly teeth of the vision on the couch. I turned to leave the room, but as I left. I heard the voice of the Persian. ‘Awake! awake! oh. my darling, awake and come to me!' And as 1 gently turned to close' the door, I saw the beauty rise, and heard in soft, tender accents the voice of the queen upon the couch. ‘I wake, oh my Esculapius. I wake!' ” Orville Coston. 13 IDEALS To those fair dreams that stir thy depths. O soul, be true. Nor let the shadows of a sordid world disturb Thy peace. But with a firm and steadfast faith in God And man. uplift thine eyes unto the skies' clear blue; Then shall the wondrous works of Nature soothe thv heart And weary mind. And when again thou goest forth I nto thy daily toil, the heavy burden will No longer drag thy spirit into depths of dark Despair; but with a calm and peaceful joy thou shalt Approach thy task. Sustained and calm, thy soul will long For nobler things, nor with its humble lot will be Content. A pure desire for all that noblest is Shall fill thy heart: with strong and fearless aim shalt thou Aspire to lofty heights: and once the mountain top Attained, thou must not rest beside the stony path: A glimpse of heaven's glory greets thy longing eye. And when the journey’s end is near. thy weary feet Shall stumble on. till Heav‘11 itself be found and won. (irace Geohegan. 11. 11

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Surprises Mildred leisurely sat down in the Pullman of the New York Limited, calmly removed her hat and gloves and opened her suit case to take from it one of the latest novels and a box of candy. Everything was ready for her to enjoy the trip all by herself. Hut she thought she would stroll back to get a drink and see if anv one she knew was in the car. As she departed for the cooler, she sent a wistful glance toward a winning youth with dreamy brown eyes, broad shoulders, and good looking clothes, who had been watching her. He, for his part, was musing. “How in this world am I to meet her? Ye are both alone and it would be fine to have a chat.” Quick as a flash, he jumped to her quarters to see if he could find her name anywhere on her belongings. It was of no avail, for Mildred was returning. He. went back to his scat with an expression of guileless innocence on his face. For a while. Mildred read studiously until the voice of the conductor disturbed her. 'I’ickets, please. Certainly. in a minute. It was a long minute, for she ransacked her suit case, purse, and vanity box several times. “Oh! what shall I do? I had it in mv hand a minute ago.” she cried in dismay. All that I can say is that you'll have to pay your fare.” said the master of the situation. Mildred’s excited glance traveled over the car and seemed to rest a moment on the young man with brown eyes. “But I haven’t the money. Can’t you wait till— The young man across the aisle leaned over. “Pardon me. but 1 don’t like to see the young lady annoyed. If she will permit me, I will lend her a ticket. I purchased one to New York for my sister, and at the last minute she was unable to go. No. no. 1 couldn’t—but then. I guess I might, as Father can repay you. And you can’t use it. can you?” I'he conductor passed on and things were again quiet. Mildred lay back in her chair, smiling mischievously, then, yielding to a sudden impulse, she leaned over and said. “Are you fond of candy ?” Extremely so. replied the young man. “1 was a perfect beast. 1 forgot to thank you for the service you rendered-W hat would I have done! “Well, please don’t worry in the least about that. It was very little to do. You know I go to Washington Seminary and I have been anticipating these two weeks of social life. I am to be maid-of-honor to Ruth Nelson. For months I have heard ami read nothing but descriptions of the man she is to marry, 1 think that I would know Joe Wilson, anywhere. Her companion blushed and looked out of the window. “Oh. you don’t sav so! No. I have not said so. Well. I don’t see why I didn’t know you at first. You arc just like all her descriptions. 'I'he time flew by. and all too soon, they rolled into the Grand Central station. Mildred hurriedly opened her purse, saying. 1 must give you the money for my ticket. “Oh! now don’t let that enter your mind. But it seems to me. if I remem ber right, you said you didn’t have a cent. Well. sir. you told one, too. because you said it was your sister’s ticket, and I saw vou take mine from the window sill” Mary Wagner. 11.