e-Childers.com

Some Stuff I Remember

 

Southside Elementary, 1957.  The principal, Mr. Powell, in an emergency meeting with the randy young males of the 6th grade: "One day you boys'll grow up to be men, and you're not going to want some little boy using dirty words in front of your daughter."  

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Used to be Southside Elementary.  I haven't checked lately to see what it is now.

 

 

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The woods, evening, 1957.  The oldest of a group of kids:  "We can get two dollars easy, every snipe we catch.  Paul, all you gotta do is keep real quiet and hold that bag open.  Yep, two dollars."  

 

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Not sure, but this may be a picture of my 4th grade class and Ms Fowler.  I'm the boy nearest the door.  True to form, I'm the only character in the ensemble  wearing a coat and tie.  Other than Charles J, I was also the only guy wearing a coat and tie to the Class of 64's 20th reunion.

 

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Jenkins Jr. High, 1960.  English teacher, Mrs. Rice:  "You're a fearless speller, Mister Childers."  

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Southside Baptist Church, February 1963.  The Reverend Dr. Clapp in a sermon to his congregation:  "... Every store between Atlanta and Charlotte has been emptied of those magazines -- bought by men with lust in their hearts."  This with reference to Spartanburg's own, Miss February, Playmate of the Month.  

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Study hall, November 1963.  Miss Ferguson: "Are you sure?  Did you check -- did they check?... I'll tell them....  Class, the president has been shot."  

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Spring 1964.  Coach Bob Bell, after listening to his young charges scream out cadence for side-straddle-hops:  "That was the best I ever heard it done."  

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April 1964.  School guidance counselor, Mr. Cummins:  "So, uhh...  Paul.  Hmmm.  Have you, uhh, decided where you're going to college?"  

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Ole Miss, first day of class, fall semester, 1966.  Italy's native son Dr. Georgini, professor of French:  "Monsieur Childers....  Paul Childers.  The name, the face.  So familiar."  

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December 1967.  From the bottom of a mud-filled foxhole, a grizzled Marine instructor looking up at a group of fresh faces:  "What's Man's most powerful instinct?  What?...  No, no.  Not survival, numbnuts.  It's to kill."  

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Ole Miss, early 1970.  As I pick her up at the dorm, my date for the evening:  "You big ape, you better be nice to me."  

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"It's the little things that are going to get you, Childers.  The little things." 

 

 

Miss Clara Hamrick and other stories