Lisgar Collegiate Institute - Vox Lycei Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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VOX LYCEI 59 That's a good one , laughed Carson. I bet you thought that it was somthing good to eat. lt means 'Reply si vous play'. That day ,the study supper was the talk of the school. Going to the supper, Carson? he would be asked time and time again. No, I don't think so , was usually Carson's reply uttered in lordly manner. XVhy, you've been asked, haven't you? would naturally be the next ques- tion, the boys not understanding how anybody could refuse such an attractive invitation. Then Carson would have to make the humiliating confession that he had not even been asked. When boys on far less intimate terms with the givers of the supper expressed their intention of having 'a jolly good time', Carson's blood rose to the boiling point. 'Revenge is sweet'-and he determined that the trio of hosts should feel the full weight of his anger. lt is easier to determine than to do. But at last, he devised a plan by means of which not only enter- tainers but also entertained would suffer. His first act was to procure a large medicine bottle. Concealing this under his coat, he stealthily made his way to the inhrmary immediately after dinner when he knew Mrs. Simmers would be dining. Mrs. Simmers was the 'needle woman' of the school but also acted as 'medicine man'. She kept her doses and cures in a cabinet in the infirmary. The door creaked noisily as Carson entered the room. From the cabinet he took out several bottles, the contents of which he knew had an exceedingly vile taste. He poured a little from each into the bottle which he carried. XYhile doing this he was musing. XVhat should he say if he were caught extracting some of the contents of the cupboard? The sweet tooth with which most boys are blessed might prove suflicient excuse for purloining jam, but who would think that any boy would steal medicine for the mere pleasure of taking it? XYhen he had finished obtaining the desired mix- ture, he retraced his steps just in time to avoid Mrs. Simmers. So far so good-or so bad. Carson felt very uncomfortable and very guilty and almost decided to give up his plan . But as he was walking through the schoolroom on the way to his desk, he encountered Firth, formerly his great- est companion. XVith a refinement of cruelty, as Carson thought, Firth greeted him as if nothing had happened to mar their friendship. Carson's temper once more arose. He thirsted more than ever for revenge, and a minute later behind his desk, he gloated over the smell, as he thought of the punishment in store for the hosts and their guests. Carson spent most of his time that evening shaking the bottle and found to his satisfaction and intense delight that the compound became nastier and nastier, as the ingredients were mixed together. Next morning when he came downstairs, his first act was to apply the cork to his tongue. The taste almost made him ill. He flattered himself that no more odious mixture had ever been brewed. The opportunity for the completion of his design came after school in the afternoon. So great was the interest in the supper that every detail of the preparations leaked out. At last, Carson received the welcome news that Firth and his colleagues were cooking the provisions in the studies. Carson took up his station at the foot of the study staircase. with the medicine bottle next to his beating heart, and awaited developments. Up above, he could hear the preparations for the feast busily going on. Every burst of laughter, every rattle of the tin saucepans made him clutch the bottle more tightly and swear revenge more deeply, Finally, it was evident that the chickens, beans and other dainties were safely deposited on the fires in the

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58 VOX LYCEI XYhen a comparative silence was restored-Qcomparative, I say, for the donkey was still airing his grievanceb,-the Countess observed cheerfully. I must say, Etienne. that you have a very poor taste in desperadoes. Let us take these villians home and feed them, They may prove interesting. Really, Jeanne , the Count was annoyed but had no desire to ruftie the feelings of his bride, you do pick up the most impossible people. No , as she started to speak. I will not hear another word. As for you , he turned on the three menacingly, you scoundrels, I will see that you are soundly beaten. The highwaymen gave themselves up for lost, and their knees knocked to- gether like castanets. But the Countess was a woman of resource. Really, Etienne . she said reproachfully, you are rather horrid, parti- cularly as our servants have resigned. That , replied the Count, thoughtfully , is another thing. If you will take care of our carriage you will escape punishment this time. But , he added grimly, I will make sure that you do not attempt to cut our throats on the way home. The Countess winked quite distinctly at the three friends with the eye remote from her husband, and. acting on a common impulse, they flung them- selves yapping at her feet. IYhen the eloquence of their gratitude was some- what abated they leaped onto the carriage, Anthony on the coachman's box, and Paul and Rudy behind. They moved off at a brisk pace. lVhen they had disappeared from sight. there peeped out from the prickly hedge which ran along the ditch, the mud-spattered faces, pale to the nose-tips. of the Count's late retinue. The donkey, not seeing them and therefore assuming that he had lost his audience, ceased his lamentations and lay down to rest. IIE.-XTRICE QRKIN, IVA. , Carson s ueer Revenge A letter for you, sir , said Sorrel the school postmaster. handing Simmons a dainty pink envelope. XVhat on earth is this? No stamp or anything. Some stupid joke I sup- pose. Have you got one, Carson? he asked his room-mate. No, I haven't. but don't you think you'd like to know what's in it P sug- gested Carson who was rather curious to know the contents of the letter. Simmons tore open the envelope. Inside there was written a note on pink paper. Simmons read it aloud. Messrs Firth, Parson and Price request the honour of your company at a supper to be given in studies IJ, E, X F, on Thursday evening at eight o'cIock. The invitation had evidently been compiled from an At Home card. The boys had introduced Chicken and Beans , in one corner in place of Music and Dancing. In the other corner were the mystic letters, 'R.S.V.P.'. Oh boy! study supper! But' how is it you aren't going Carson? I always thought you and Firth great chums , asked Simmons. Yes, we were. And I was in good with Price also. Can't see why they haven't asked me , said Carson mournfully. f'XVe're going to have some time , remarked Simmons. Chicken and beans, nothing I like better. And what's 'R.S.V.P.'?

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430 VOX LYCEI studies. The three cooks descended the stairs to get a little fresh air. As soon as he was free from observation, he darted up the staircase into the first study. It was his intention to visit all three. But he had no sooner entered Price's room, than he heard footsteps ascending the stairs. There was not a moment to lose. He poured a quantity of his mixture into a pot on the fire, and without even glancing at its contents turned to tlee hiding the bottle under his coat, as he ran. On the threshold he ran into Firth and thought he was caught red- handed. Looking for me. old chap? asked Firth calmly before Carson could make up an excuse. I was expecting a visit from you. XYhy didn't you accept the invitation before? XYl1y , stammered Carson, I wasn't sent an invitationu. Didnt we? How awfully stupid! XYell, you're coming now .... not a word. You must come. Terry. we made such an absurd mistake. Firth would take no denial, so at eight o'clock, Carson, the most miserable boy in creation put in an appearance with fifteen other jubilant companions at the studies. A more magnificent spread was never provided anywhere. There were chickens, ham jellies, beans, pickles-and what notl The other boys fell to recklessly, but Carson not knowing the contents of the pot into which he had poured his compound, refused all boiled food, pleading a bilious attack, but gorged himself with ham, pickles and cheese. All through the feast, the fear of discovery was hanging over his head like the great sword of Damocles. Suddenly a terrible thought presented itself. XVhat if the ingredients, harmless in themselves, were to form when combined a deadly poison and make him a wholesale murderer! To his intense and unutterable relief, the supper passed off without anybody dropping from his seat as he had expected. As the supper was about to break up, Parson said: Boys, I've discovered something new. It was trying our chemistry ex- periment with ammonia. After I boiled it, it had a much different odour from which it had ever had. I'm going to be famous. l'll be known as bl. L. Parson, the man who-hm-hm-discovered ..... Here a pillow thrown in his face by Price cut him short. The ,boys departed. As Carson was about to leave, Price said to him. Awfully sorry about the invitation, old man. How did you enjoy yourself? I enjoyed myself immensely , stammered Carson, which we may add, was a slight perversion of the truth. - D. XY. Petergorsky-sIllD. KWH ,y.., 9 Tt'l THEM x l' v f iv 4 Ox W v--..-' e pea ' WA S T N I t I I fa, I - ,ga wg X A F i fffjfx Q' I ---.' Q ,- '-' C 'X ' 'X ' Joy xg -4., f1X ' M . - ' ,gg ' ' ,. x B, '- T. ' - ' fry J 'lm' I I. ,, , .f HH A X K. Y ,... ,,. W 1 N-