The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-13
THE BOY TAR.

him was to experience a mixture of pity
! and contempt for the long. lanky. seri-
Gus. impractical creature. who at fifty
years Of age was happy 10 secure a posi-
ton suitable for a beginner.
AS the initiator of the third class into
the mysteries of geometry, he suffered
| the extremes of which the human heart is
| capable.
Mr.. Carson, Mr. Carsonr' he would
cry in weak protest. do you realize, sir.
that you are behaving in a manner IN
suitable TO the class room? Get down of
the back of that bench Immediately. or
l shall be forced to report youi''
Ship ahoyr' cried shorty" shading
the eyes with his hand and fixing them
on the horizon.
Where away?" inquired Lovejoy. as
though from the bridge.
Two points off the starboard bow
sir
Mr.. Carson, you are forgetting your
self sir! If this occurs again I shall
really have to report you
Under the circumstances it was hardly
to be expected that great progress would
be made in the science of Euclid. Each
day the leaders in the mischief would
hatch out some fresh scheme for making
poor Professor Bryan miserable Finally
the mere thought Of the geometry class
was enough TO cause him TO break into
a cold perspiratiO
Cnkniwn 10 Shorty and his friends.
however, a whisper of the UnSeeInly pro-
ceedings had reached the ear of Lieuten-
ant Dea gan, the United States military
detail, and he determined to investigate
matters for himself. BY an unfortunate
fatality he chose for his visit the occa-
sion of the worst demonstration of in
subordination of which the class had yet
been guilty. Monkey Sans and other
cHoice spirits had oiled the blackboards
49,
ing on them was impossible. and had
placed a mouse in his desk. and had even
gone SO far as to put piece Of soft tar
on his chair The ringleaders had fur
Their agreed to applaud him vociferously
upon his entrance. shorty knew moth
ing of these plans beforehand. as he was
on regular guard duty, but his innocence
was purely accidental.
When the class assembled all those in
the secret-and this comprised all but
McChesney and one or two other good
bOyS-Were in a tense state of excitement
Five minutes passed, but the victim did
not put in an appearance. Ten minutes
but no teacher. Suddenly, however, the
familiar. slow step was heard approach
ing, and the boys prepared to receive
him. a hesitatinG hand was placed on
the door knob and then it turned.
Now" cried Monkey" Sans. and the
class burst into vociferous applause. The
next moment Lieutenant Deagan stood be-
fore them, and a frightened silence fell
on the room. For a terrible half min
ute he stood motionless, while his eyes
roved from one guilty face to the other
Well he said at last. in quiet. sarcas-
tic manner, you seem glad to see me
at all events. l shall tray to deserve
my welcome.
Stepping quickly to the teachers chair
he was about to seat himself, when his
sharp eye caught the insidious piece of
tar.
OH Monkey Sans cried out. half
rising and stretching out his hand as
though TO prevent the catastrophe.
Lieutenant Deagan raised his eyes and
fixed them with ominous portent on
shorty" but he made no direct refer
ence to his discovery.
MIR. Carson he said slowly and in
his politest tones, Il understand that
should be glad to have YOU take the chair
today and conduct the class"
Shorty gazed at him, at a loss for
reply.
Lieutenant Deagan." he said at last,
feebIy, Greek is my strong point, not
geometry. I'm afraid 1 shouldn't do
credit to Professor Bryan's teaching.
You must not be so modest. Mr.. Car
SON." was the reply. It's a great mis-
take. l really must insist upon your TAX
ing the direction of the class today.
Shorty" knew this tone, and he realized
the folly of resistance. With a resigned
sigh therefore. he walked to the seat in
tended for Professor Bryan. Then he hes
itated.
sit down, Mr.. Carson. sit down." urged
Lieutenant Deagan. and Shorty" sank
into the chair with the feeling that he
was sitting on an oyster. \ litter went
up from the on-lookers. but Lieutenant
Deagan took no notice of it.
Now, Mr.. Carson. he said. walking
over and laying his hand on the desk.
in which was the unfortunate mouse, Il
shall be obliged if you win give out the
problems for the day"
BY this time shorty had somewhat
regained his composure., and firmly plant
ing his elbows on the desk lid, to prevent
the rodents escape, he opened the book
and gave out the theorems to various
members of the class. Accordingly they
took positions at the blackboards and
made pretense Of trying to construct the
figures But. of course, they could not
make a stroke on the greasy boards.
My. my" said Lieutenant Deagan.
seizing piece of chalk and trying to
make a mark with ii, there seems to pc
something the matter with these boards.
/ am afraid We shall have to order new
ones for you. at your expense. It's too
bad. but l see we shall have to give up
the lesson for today. Take your seats,
gentlemen. I am extremely sorry that
you shauld be disappointed of your les
son. However. ! shall do my best TO
recompense You. You may, therefore. all
bring me by this time next week the solu-
ton Of all the extra problems in the
second book.
Again the tormentor laid his hand sug-
gestively on the desk lid. The boys hearts
stood still. Did he intend to open it? For
a moment he regarded shorty" quizzi-
cally. as though enjoying his uneasiness.
Then he turned away from the desk.
7 shall not keep you longer, gentle
men: the class is dismissed. Do not for
get the problems
Half an hour later the former sailor
appeared on the drill ground. with
much turned up pair Of his ro0m-mate's
trousers. TO the amusement OF the corps.
step out OF ranks. Mr.. Carson COM
manded the relentless military detail on
catching sight Of the unfortunate boy.
Sergeant. report Mr.. Carson for appear
ing on parade in his grandfathers tr0U-
sers. Silence Stop that laughing, Re
sumo your position. sir, BY column OF
fours. forward marchr'-W. W. White
lock- in y Y. Herald
Matter Of Business.
(FroTu the Chicago NewSl