Polytechnic High School - Caerulea Yearbook (Long Beach, CA)

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'lheWhip Hand h , Uarize Stand By Grace Hess Dick Meek stopped hi5 plow and glanced over into the adjoining field where two forlorn little Egurea armed with very large hoes were vigorously hacking at some tough cornstalks. Hurry up there. you kids. he shouted, if you want to go to that doings tomorrow. He Clucked to his horses and started On. He chuckled to himself as he noticed the renewed energy now lavished upon the cornstalksh A picnic, h he mused. is a good hustler. It has almost cieaned my largest corn patch for me. The reminder had worked as an electric shock upon the two children, who were now working harder than ever and talking only betwegn blows, Hurry, Agnes. It was Eddy's voice, thin and weak like his body. Theris a chance of mists- ing the picnic after all, and I'd hate to the way Ma's worked. I'll bet she's got thc baby's dress done this very minuta. and besides Ma has more to do than just make the dress. She's got to bake a cake, fry a chicken, and do lots of other things. Say. did you know Pa's promised to take Ma to town this after noon and get you a new dress and me a new straw hat?' Yes. I know. but Pa don't always keep his promises. Do you think hehll sure do it this time? Her brother's face clouded, as he straightened his round- Sulvvn

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ed shoulders and looked after the Egurc of his father for a moment. Then without speaking he started to work again. The morning hours seemed very long, and the sun beat down relentlessly upon their small heads, When their father finally threw the lines over the horses' sides. the children stopped work, shouldered their hues, and silently followed their father to the house. Their mother was very busy dishing up the cornbread. beef, and green beans for their dinner. but she stopped to kiss the children and show them the baby's new dress. u0h, Eddy. ainit il: beautifuL and look. see how sliti1 your waist is starchedi it looks clean new, shouted Agnes. A broad grin spread itself slowly over his thin facet HShe's sure a dandy 'l he exclaimed. Sitting hastily down to the table he began cramming in his cornbread and beans. Agnes. you and me will have to :urry. or we won I get done today? Eddy remarked between ites. Their father ate silently and hastily. Finally he pushed back his plate and began roughly. Mary. I guess i canit go to town after all. These kids ain't worth their salt, They tionit deserve the clothes they have got. Anyway. I just can't go tomorrow. because I got to stay home and weed the pumpkins. l have been been putting it off, and putting it 0H7, but I donil intend to put it off any longer. i ain't goin'. His wife's face turned a deep crimsun, and she gazed steadily at her husband. She seemed about to speak but changed her mind. and rising hastily went into the next room to soothe the crying baby. and gain control of her feelings. When she re-entered the room. Dick seemed to have changed his mind, for he said sluwly, Them kids don't deserve it. but if they will get a move on them and weed those pumpkins yet today, and not leave it for me to do, we will go. Think you can do it? he asked. turning to Eddy who had been sitting very quietly. with downcast eyes, while Agnes had be- gun to nob to herself. Yes, sir. answered Eddy, we'll do it, All right. see that you do, growled their father. UBut say. Mary. I can't and won't go to town this afternoon. You'll have to go without them things for the kids. You can make over something of yours for them. uBut she ain't got nothing herself, interrupted Agnes. uShut up, mieu.h growled her father. nThis ain't your putain. Seventeen Zil- gilllW