The High School Freshmen | Page 6

he
struck a paper-weight against the top of his desk on the platform.
"First period recitations, now," announced the principal.
Clang! At stroke of the bell there was a hurried clutching of books and
notebooks. The students filed down the aisles, going quickly to their
proper sections, which formed in the hall outside. The tramp of feet
resounded through the building, for some recitation rooms were on the
first floor, some on the second and some on the third.
Two minutes later there was quiet in the great building. Recitation

room doors were closed. One passing through the corridors would have
heard only the indistinct murmur of voices from the different rooms.
Within five minutes every one of the instructors detected the fact that,
though discipline was as good as ever, Dr. Thornton's words had
spoiled the morning's recitations. Try as they would, the young men
could not fasten their minds on the work on hand. The hint that
athletics might be stopped had stung.
Dick & Co. were all sitting in IV. English.
"Mr. Prescott," directed Submaster Morton, "define the principle of
suspense, as employed in writing."
Dick started, looked bewildered, then rose.
"It's---it's-----" he began.
"A little more rapidly, if you please."
"I studied it last night, sir, but I'm afraid I've clean forgotten all about
that principle," Dick confessed. He sat down, red-faced, nor was his
discomfiture decreased by hearing some of the occupants of the girls'
seats giggle.
"I shall question you about that at the next recitation. Mr. Prescott,"
nodded the submaster.
"Ye-es, sir. I hope you'll have luck," Dick answered, absently.
"What's that?" rapped out Mr. Morton.
Dick, aroused, was on his feet again, like a flash.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Morton," he came out straightforwardly. "That
sounded like slang, or disrespect. I beg to assure you, sir, that neither
was intended. The truth is-----"
"Your mind is busy with other things this morning, I see," smiled the
sub-master.

"Ye-es, sir." Dick dropped once more into his seat. Ralph Morton
sighed. That very popular young submaster, only three years out of
college, was the hugely admired coach who had led the Gridley eleven
to victory during the last three seasons. He was as disturbed as anyone
could have been over the rumored intention of the Board of Education
to take some unpleasant action regarding High School athletics.
It was a terribly unsatisfactory hour in IV. English. Five minutes before
the period was up Mr. Morton dejectedly closed the text-book from
which he had been questioning, and remarked, tersely:
"At ease!"
Instantly the buzz of whispering broke forth. It was required only that
not enough noise be made to disturb the students in adjoining rooms.
Dick, Tom and Dan sat in the front row. Directly behind them were the
other three members of the "Co."
"Say," muttered Dan, in a low undertone, "Mr. Morton looks half glum
and half savage this morning, like the rest of us."
"Seems to," muttered Tom Reade.
"What do you make of _that_?" challenged Dan.
"There must be strong foundation for the little hint Dr. Thornton let fall
this morning," guessed Dave Darrin.
"And Mr. Morton knows it's a straight tip," added Harry Hazelton,
sagely.
"It'll be a confounded shame, if the Board does anything like that,"
glowed Dick Prescott, indignantly.
"They'll be so many dead ones, if they do," flared Tom Reade, hotly.
"Yes," agreed Dave Darrin. "But the worst about that Board of
Education is that, though they are dead ones, they're so very dead that

they'll never find it out."
"Won't they, thought" whispered Dan Dalzell, hotly. "Say, I'm inclined
to think they will! I-----"
"Dan!" whispered Dick, warningly.
"Yep; you've guessed right," grinned Dan. "I am hatching a scheme in
my mind. I'm getting up something that will bring even that dummified
Board to its senses."
"Then you can achieve the impossible," teased Reade.
"Say, but it's a warm one that's forming this time," whispered Dan, his
eyes dancing. "I'll see you fellows at recess. Not a word until then. But
you-----"
Ting-ling-ling. The bell connecting with the annunciator at the
principal's desk was trilling in IV. English, as it was in all the other
recitation rooms. IV. English rose, the boys waiting until the girls had
passed from the room. A study-hour in the big assembly room followed
for Dick & Co. Yet, had anyone watched Dan Dalzell, it would have
been found that young man was in the reference room, and reading, or
thumbing---of all volumes in the English language---the city directory!
When recess broke, Dick & Co. quickly got together. By twos, Dick
and Dave Darrin leading, they marched down through one of the side
streets, it being permitted to High School pupils to go outside the yard
in the near neighborhood.
Presently Dick halted