Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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FOLLOWING A PHANTOM There have been many strange incidents in my life, but there has certainly been none more puzzling or mysterious than the finding of a short story which I discovered sealed in a gourd floating in the Indian Ocean. 1 his is what 1 found. 1 give it to you without the slightest change and with no comments, that you may determine all for yourself. “You do not believe in ghosts and phantoms. You scoff at the idea. I would to Heaven I could! Had you seen what I have seen, known what I have known, and done what I have done, you would not be- so skeptical. I would tell you about it. but you would not believe it. I do not blame you. I-ive years ago 1 would have scoffed, too. I was a man then—1 am a wreck now. Since it has left me. I will tell you about it anyway—tell it that you may scoff and laugh. ' hive years ago, I was a man. a strong, vigorous man. I was deeply in love with Mary. c were together on board a friend’s yacht in the Southern Pacific. The yacht had been driven far from the course by a strong gale and we had no idea of her location. Being short of water we were compelled to drop anchor off a strange island and send the longboat ashore in search of water. All the passengers except Mary and me had gone ashore with the boat. She and I went out on the bow and watched the scene. Neither of us were in the best of humor and she soon took occasion to question some statement which I made. I resented this and we both worked ourselves into a passionate rage. She told me she would not remain. and requested me to order the captain to lower the cutter for her. In a rage. I told her I would, and with pleasure. At first the captain refused but at last consented. Marv entered the boat and was quickly rowed away and out of sight behind an arm of the land. She had hardly disappeared when the other boat returned. I thought she would come back and not caring to inform the others of the occurrence, I went below. When I came again on deck the cutter had returned and was rapidly being raised to the davits. Seeing the boat was empty and supposing Mary with the crew must have already mounted to the deck. I strolled aimlessly to the how and was soon lost in meditation. The sun was setting in the west and looked like a huge ball of gold shining through the palm trees. A sailor sauntered up. and. touching his cap. said. ‘She told me to tell you that she could care for herself. She wouldn't come back with us. I jumped in astonishment. She was still on that island? Well, it would be a good lesson for her. As soon as it was dark. I would have thaj captain send a boat for her. As the boat was raised to the davits, the sun sank, blown out as it were bv the sudden gust of wind which greeted its departure. The captain came from his cabin, stopped at the barometer, glanced at it. looked sharply at it. and with a tremendous oath jumped for the standard barometer. In an instant he was back. ‘Pipe all hands on deck!’ he yelled with an oath, ‘and he double quick about it too.’ (dancing at me. he veiled. ‘It’s going to blow and blow like hell!’ Turning he ordered the boats lashed and the sails double reefed. I was entranced. The skv had changed trcni a dull copper to a saffron color and then turned a dark purple. The air began to i

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witnessed it. The music added to the festive air of the day and inspired all with an enthusiasm for the drills ami marches. The May Day meet was one of a series of entertainments for creating a spirit of co-operation and friendship among the students. The first social affair was the reception of the Seniors to the Junior High School. The second was the musicale given by the F.uterpean. Glee Club and orchestra to Mr. Charles C. Washburn. The third was an exhibit and reception tendered by the members of the Manual Training classes to their parents and friends. At these entertainments the pupils gain an opportunity to become better acquainted with each other and to display their talents along various lines. Hence not only a spirit of co-operation and loyalty t » the school is fostered, but the pupils are inspired with a pride and ambition to do their best. The High School was fortunate this spring in having Mr. Edward Howard Griggs, the distinguished lecturer and Shakespearean interpreter, again. Mr. Griggs lectured on Tennyson in the afternoon, ami on Shakespeare in the evenings, it was noted with interest that more of the High School students attended the lectures this season than ever before. Such a course is greatly beneficial to the student. The Mirror is glad to hear that Mr. Griggs will be back next year and we hope that even a larger majority of the students will be fortunate enough to hear him. We wish to express our appreciation of the help that the Commercial Department has rendered this year. They have been very kind in doing much work for us and we hope that in return we have been a help to them. The graduates of the Commercial Department are thoroughly competent t hold most important and responsible jn sitions and this in itself insures its rapid growth. God speed you forth to Life’s clear call. With hearts of strength ami hope and fears; Grant you peace through all the years. And keep you safe: God speed you all. In the graduating class are many good friends of the .Mirror. Several of our hoard will leave us and it is with regret that we say good-by. Next year will at first seem quite lonesome for there are so many who will not be with us again. The seniors start out with great ambitions and high aspirations, and the Mirror wishes that all may he fulfilled. The future is bright and holds much in store. We are proud of our schoolmates who go forward to make their names in the world and we wish them God speed. The Mirror has the greatest joy to wish the High School students during their vacation days. Will it not be refreshing to know that there are no lessons t« study and one can roam out in the fields and woods just to have a good time? Every pupil in the High School has visions of how lie wi'l sT cnd the long-awaited vacation. The bovs have been dreaming of baseball bats, fishing hooks and swimming pools. The girls have been dreaming cf the summer on the beach, the tour of the Rockies or a sojourn at the springs. Maybe there are other more quiet natures who are anticipating many pleasant hours spent with books ami magazines. Whether at home, in the citv. or in the country, each one expects to fill even moment with pleasure. Most of the High School pupils have studied hard during the past semester and deserve rest. Every one should snatch a brief space from work to run away and talk heart to heart with Mother Xaturo. to

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change. The slight gust I had felt had already died away, and the sea was as smooth as glass except for the long, sulky roll, occasionally cut by the dorsal fin of some cruising shark. A lone gull circled the ship and uttered a cry. as though to tell us of impending danger. I he trees on the island began to rock without any apparent cause, and we could hear a noise like the groan of some gigantic creature. The sailors, having finished their work, were either swearing, drinking, or praying. The sky had been changing rapidly. Now it was black and was full of small clouds. Then all was silence. long, white line of foam formed on the sea and came racing towards us. 1 he storm was about to break. “With a crash the squall was on us. The yacht lurched over until her lee bulwarks were under water. Down, down she was forced until it seemed she would never right herself. With a crash her hawser parted. 1 he ship righted herself with a spring that threw everyone to the floor, and was off before the wind. On. on. into the gathering gloom she rushed, crashing through the great waves with awful force. Now rising, now falling, crashing, bucking and plunging she went, kaeh minute we wondered how near her next plunge would take us to our fate. “It was then I thought of her. With overwhelming horror. I realized that Man was on the island. What must she think, deserted there. 1 he thcvglht tunned jne. With a wild shriek. I rushed on deck, only to he hurled hack, half-drowned and sorely bruised. Again I tried and succeeded in reaching the bridge. There, 1 shouted my story in the captains ear. He looked at me in horror, but perceiving my wild attitude, he turned away, thinking 1 had lost my mind. Then in a .sudden lull we heard the waves beating on the rocks. The captain listened attentively and ordered the engines reversed, but it was no use. I he propeller was powerless in the awful tempest. The captain and 1 peered ahead. 1 he darkness seemed to he clearing and a sullen glow appeared ahead of us. “The glow brightened. It took shape. It was my Mary. I hid my face in terror, but she only smiled and beckoned me on. 'I he pilot steered in her course. Huge rocks and reefs rose all around us. but we passed safely through, still following her. All that night she guided us. Her face still wore that serenely cold smile. 1 stood on the bridge entranced. As the day broke the storm ceased and with a farewell nod. she. my Mary, melted away. I sank to the floor of the bridge exhausted. s I roused myself. 1 saw the captain descending to the deck. A cold terror and a hatred for all mankind seized my heart. 1 could not face the passengers, but must flee. I crept aft and grasping a life preserver slipped overboard. I watched the vessel receding in the distance and hid my face in shame. Looking up again I saw no ship—the yacht had disappeared. Wondering how she had gone so quickly, 1 turned my attention to my life preserver. “I got inside the buoy and securely fastened mvself. Overcome with anxiety and sorrow. I soon lost consciousness. 1 do not remember anything more until I awoke in the doctor’s cabin of the S. S. Marmora. No one was present, so I had plenty of time to collect my senses. 1 must tell them I fell overboard. I mused. But what about the life buoy? Some one tossed it overboard. I must say that the ship came hack but I was so weak, the tide so strong, and the night so dark that she could not find me. although I saw her very plainly. So I made tip my storv and it was received with great interest bv the officers and passengers. The officers agreed to take me to Alexandria where I could obtain more money, and try to forget the past. The boat reached Aden, but I did not prepare to go ashore for I knew Aden well. I was sitting on deck, musing on what had happened to my 12