Oh boy, was I ever a mean little kid!

During the summer of 1935 we lived just over a quarter of a mile from the church house. Sunday J.W. and I would try to get out of the house early so we could play before Sunday School. I was almost seven and J.W. was just past nine years old.

One bright sunny Sunday J.W. and I was told to take Bethel, one and a half years old, and we could leave early. Evelyn, then 12, would not be caught dead with those two rough-neck brothers of hers so she stayed to come along with Mom and Dad.

There was a big nest of red fire ants near the church. I brought an empty Prince Albert can in which I would gather a few ants.

J.W. held the can and I got a stick and placed it near the ant hole. When there was a few ants on the stick I would shake them into the tobacco can. Those fire ants are very aggressive, so we had to be very careful not to allow Bethel near them. If he were stung we knew we would be threshed.

When I had a batch of ants in the can I closed it and put it in my pocket. The bell rang for Sunday School, so we had to get in fast. Inside, another boy, Edgar Brown, joined us for the opening services. Of course I showed Edgar the ants.

Edgar grabbed the can for a better look and dropped it on the floor, lid open. The ants went everywhere. We knew that if anyone were stung we would be in deep trouble. Edgar slid from his seat and made for a far corner of the church.

I exited the area and went to where Evelyn was sitting with a couple of her friends. She knew I had done something and wanted to know what. I said, �I ain�t done nothing...�

J.W. just sat there gazing at his feet to make sure no ants came near. In the seat just in front of him sat three girls about our age. One of them, Lois, teased me a lot and I wanted to get even with her somehow.

After the opening prayer and in the middle of the first hymn, Lois screamed and jumped up, flinging at her legs. Again Evelyn asked what I had done. I said, �Nothing...�

One of the other girls with Lois stood and was helping get the ants away. She sat down and screamed, jumping up into the air. All three of those girls took off for outside fast.

My father ran to J.W. and asked, �Son, what happened here?�

J.W. answered, �Daddy, I ain�t put no red ants in here!�

Dad asked, �Who did?�

J.W., poor kid, remained silent so dad said, �You tell me right this second or I will whip you right here in church!�

�Edgar spilt �em, but Tom brought �em in.�

Without a word dad walked to me, grabbed my shirt collar and dragged me out the door. As we left the church I got a glimpse of Lois, tears streaming down her face, her panties in her hand, and she was grabbing at her bottom. I knew I was going to get a good whipping, but it was satisfying to know the stunt did bear fruit.