Richard, the paperboy from The Red Scarf, Sept. 1944 #8

September 28
Richard, the paperboy, from The Red Scarf, Sept. 1944, #8
Yeah, that little problem with the big ape really did get us in deep trouble. Cause it seems like we wasn't the only ones in the tent when that gorilla broke the bar on his cage, and you just might know a tattle-tailing little girl told everybody in Norphlet that it was me and John Clayton that done the hissing and upset the gorilla. Norphlet is such a little town you might as well had put it in the newspaper, cause daddy come in from work that next day mad as all get out. Whooo, talk about a switching! My legs hurt just thinking bout it.
Well, I guess you think we deserved it, huh? Naw, we didn't deserve it! You know why? Okay, let me tell you something bout gorillas: They ain't like people! Course, you knew that, but did you know they get upset over little things? You didn't know that did you? I read in the world book that gorillas has been known to pull off the arms of natives that was just a-walking by where they was hanging out. And folks blame me and John Clayton for just hissing. Heck, you can hiss at me all day and I shore ain't gonna get upset. So we got switched cause a crazy out of his every-loving mind gorilla got a little upset? Yep, I think somebody should tell me and John Clayton they is sorry we got whipped up on. But no! No sir ree bob tail; folks ain't bout to say we is inocent. But you know something? I don't think that danged gorilla even was bothered by all that hissing. He probably just was mad cause somebody woke him up. Huh? What if I got mad when somebody woke me up. Wouldn't that be out of this every-loving world? Uh, huh, and instead of blaming the person that woke us up I'd get another switchin 'cause I acted up. Heck, you know life here in Norphlet ain't fair a-tall if you're 11 going on 12. Kids get picked on just because they is kids. We don't have no rights, whatever rights is. Shoot, I can't wait to grow up to 12 or 13 where folks won't pick on me.
Yeah, some of what I just said sounds like a lyin' yard dog. Don't it? Well, what's wrong with a little white lie if it don't hurt no one? Nothing of course, but you know something, momma don't go for that one little bit. "A lie is a lie, Richard!" Momma says. Anyway, that's life around my house.