Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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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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JIMMY-CHEMIST Jimmy. Freshman, had a great ambition. He was to be a chemist and have a big spacious laboratory. Many were the dangerous experiments he intended to perform within its walls. Jimmy’s brother was one of those much-to-be- admired personages who bear the dignified title of Senior. William understood all about science. Only yesterday he had explained to Jimmy the dehydrating effect of surphuric acid. Th word dehydrating being somewhat lengthy and scientific. Jimmy promptly adopted it and stored it in the recesses of his active mind. There it grew. Having listened very attentively to his brother’s explanation he remembered the details and decided to try the experiment himself. By much coaxing, he procured the dime necessary to buy the acid, and after school that evening he hurried home with the treasurd bottle in his pocket. As he entered the house he saw the cat dozing in the sun in the living room window. The minute he spied her a little imp of mischief entered his head and he decided to try the strength of the acid on the innocent cat’s tail. (Thoughtlessly, he put the bottle of acid on his mother’s highly polished table upon which was the most honored family heirloom, a scarf crocheted by his great greatgrandmother.) Cautiously he withdrew the stopper from the bottle and approaching his sleeping victim touched her tail with the acid-moistened stopper. She broke all speed records in leaving the window, and leaped to the table, overturning the bottle of acid. Unmindful of the damage done, she made with much alacrity for the outside. Instantly the highly polished table top was pure charcoal and the scarf was a black, oily rag. Jimmy, overcome with the thought of his dire peril, hastily retired to the basement where he kept his apparatus.” better known to the family as junk. He locked the door behind him and put the key in his pocket. His mother, sewing quietly upstairs, sensing something amiss from the sudden slamming of the basement door, put up her sewing and came down stairs to investigate. When she saw the havoc that had been wrought she sank almost fainting in the Morris chair. William, entering at this juncture and sec'ng his mother in such a complete state of collapse, was certain that someone in the family was dead. I ind-the real cause of his mother's grief, on investigation, he went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of ammonia. He poured this on the table to prevent the caid from doing further harm. His mother, being samewhat quieted by his prompt and efficient action, then considered what might be the cause of the calamity. The tell tale bottle of acid lay on the table, but the cork was nowhere to be found. Jimmy! both exclaimed in one breath. He's in the basement. William cooly assured his mother over his shoulder as he started in that direction. She heard him pounding on the door. Jimmy, open that door! Did you hear me. Jimmy? James Henderson Thomas, open that door! Jimmy, on the inside, cowered and trembled. William s emphatic voice told him what to expect. At first he thought of sticking it out. bui after a Page Txvelve

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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