The Washington times., 1902-05-18
WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL.


ment among the boys at the westerr
list" performance which Bob Hagner
commonly known as "Unele SAM" was
compelled to give on the corner during
the noon recess every day.
Hagner Is unusually tall and lanky. and
is possessed of conEenial and care free
disposition. hence he was the unanimous
but far from voluntary subject of the
folding-up process. Among the exterior
adornments OF the little store on the cor
ner opposite the school is a bread box.
There is nothing specially interesting
about the box. Ii is of the ordinary size
and painted in the ordinary colors. New
| ertheless 1t has been more or less the
center of interest for the pupils ever since
the school moved into that locality. For
some unknown cause the boys soon de-
veloped a remarkable fondness for the
| box, and were prone to molest it con-
stantly. The thing was made to serve the
students in almost every capacity. from
a rostrum, upon which speeches were de-
| livered in fair weather, to a barricade
| during a SNOWFALL flight in winter.
One day it occurred to a restless genius
| that the box would be an excellent thing
upon which to test Uncle Sans" procliv-
| tiles as a contortionist. 1t occurred to
him that boundiess amusement might be
derived from an attempt on the part Of
crowd Of the boys to double Hagner UP and
| force him into the bread box. He report
| ed his idea to a dozen or more of the
| students, who agreed that the scheme was
| great. In consequence. designs were made
| upon the peacefulness of the lanky war
riUr's existence.
The next day at noon, when there were
about 200 boys and girls gathered on the
| corner. Uncle Sam was seized upon and
the process of doubling him up to At into
| the small space inside the box Was
promptly begun. The effort to compress
his lanky and wildly kicking extremities
into so small a mass was highly amusing.
and soon nearly every pupil in the school
had heard of what was going on and had
Joined the crowd on the corner. greatly
interested in the performance.
Finally Doubled Up.
Finally the tall cadet was securely
doubled up with his arms and legs so
| twisted together that it was impossible
for him to struggle to any purpose. He
was then carried over TO the bread box
and unccremoniously dumped in. But the
hardest part of the performance was yet
! into the box so that the lid would close
before the operation would be complete.
For several minutes the Toys showed and
hammered at the terrified Hagner, who,
now that he was helpless, gave vent TO
his feelings in long drawn howls of pain
and rage. Inch by inch Hagner was push
ed down into the box, until the very bot
| tom was reached. But his feet still hung
| out. And try as they would the students
could not compress his pedal extremities
into a sufficiently small space to allow
the closing of the lid. They shut the top
down and hammered upon IL. but the only
result was additional shreks from the
victim within.
At length the boys came to the conclu
sion that it was useless to endoavor to
get Hagner into the bread box, and he
was hauled forth. Uncle Sam immediate
ly went upon the warpath in search of
human gore. but his opponents we're too
numerous and he finally decamped to a
less conspicuous locality. His oaptors.
however. declared that he would have to
practice the contortion act until he could
successfully perform it and permit his
whole body to be crowded into the bread
box.
Every DAY after that Hagner was sought
out and compelled to go through his gym
nastic exhibition. Nearly always the big |
crowd was on hand to watch the opera |,
tion. Finally Uncle Sans life became a !
burden to him, and to escape the daily |
persecution he was obliged to remain in |
the school building during recess. II he |
dared to step outside the door he was |
seized and taken down to the store on
the corner.
The students finally grew tired OF this
form OF amusement. however. and Hagner
now exists in comparative peace.
Captain Lehmer Reinstated.
Captain Lehmer, in command of Com
pauy II at the Western, who was cx-
PEELED from the cadet company and also
from school about three weeks ago for
having Jumped" the daily health exer-
cises, was reinstated to his former rank
last week. The cadets are greatly re-
jolced over his return TO the company.
When Lehmer was caught jumping" the
health exercises he was taken before the
faculty and lectured. Greatly to the de-
light of his large band Of followers, he
straightway. 1t is alleged. gave n torrent
of back talk. At this the hair upon the
heads of the worthy pedagogues rose up,
and their Indignation knew no bounds.
The luckless soldier was promptly elected
from the company and from his classes
in the school. Stringent measures were
|
matter from attaining publicity, and to
fairly good purpose The cadets and
friends of Lehmer were greatly incensed,
however. and there were threats of an
uprising among the boys.
The various disturbing elements In the
school would undoubtedly have been
speedily heard from had it not been for
the timely action of Captain Lehmer in
making a personal request to the boys
rt,. date |
mained highly indignant over the matter,
and refused to drill prop
erly. They went through their maneuvers
in a perfectly "don't-care" manner, and
the faculty quickly realized that II the
Western High School was to stand
ghost of a chance at the pennant at the
drill this year Lehmer must
be brought back If possible.
Cadets Are Now Happy.
In consequence. overtures were immed-
lately made to the ousted captain TO Sc
cure his return. Lchmer II is said, was
cautious in the matter. He declined TO
humiliate himself in any way by his re-
turn At last the faculty came TO the
conclusion that they might as well settle
the matter for all time, and profuse
apologies were made to the warrior for
The hasty treatment that had been ac-
corded him. He was publicly reinstated
o his rank afterward. And straightaway
here was great rejoicing on the part OF
he cadets and students, and the air was
illed with shouts of victory. All were
.lad to see Lehmer brought back to his
ormer place. The rejoicing has not ceased
'et. The students are again thoroughly
and under their old and popular
eader the cadets are doing their GUS