The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-07
Cadet Stories.
BY W. W. wHITELoCK.

Prof Bryan was the butt of the boys
he undertook to teach. To look at him
was to experience a mixture of pity and
contempt for the long, lanky, serious,
impractical creature, who at fifty years
of age was happy TO secure position
suitable for 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. Carsoni Mr.. Carsoni" he would
cry in weak protest. do you realize, sir,
that you are behaving in a manner I'M
suitable TO the classroom? Get down
off the back of that bench Immediately.
or shall be forced to report you!"
Ship ahoy!' cried shorty" shading
his 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 MAX
ing poor Prof. Bryan miserable. Final
ly. the mere thought of the geometry
class was enough to cause him to break
into a cold perspiration.
Unknown to Shorty" and his friends.
ceedings had reached the ear OF Lieuten-
ant Deagan, the United States military
detail. and he determined to investI-
gate matters for himself BY an unfor-
tunate fatality he chose for his visit the
occasion OF the worst demonstration of
INSTRUMENTATION of which the class had
yet been guilty. Monkey Sans and
other choice spirits had oiled the black
boards in Prof Bryans room. so that
writing on them was impossible. and had
placed mouse in his desk and had even
gone so far as TO put piece of soft tar
cn his chair. The ringleaders had fur
Their agreed TO applaud him yociferously
upon his entrance. shorty knew moth
ing of these plans beforehand, as he was
en- regular guard duty. but his innocence
vas purely accidental
When the class assembled all those in
McChesney and one or two other good"
boys-were in a tense state of excite
ment. Five minutes passed, but the vic
tim did not put in an appearance. Ten
minutes. but no teacher. Suddenly how
ever, the familiar slow step was heard
approaching and the boys prepared to
receive him. hesitating hand was
placed on the door knob and then il
turned.
,-Now!' cried Monkey" Sans, and the
class burst into vociferous applause.
The next moment Lieutenant Deagan
stood before them, and a frightened
silence fell on the room. For a terrible
half minute he stood motionless, while
his eyes royed from one guilty face to
the other.
Well" he said at last, in quiet, sar-
castle manner, you seem glad to see
me at all events. I shall try 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.
"Ohi" 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 potent on
shorty but he made no direct refer
ence to his discovery
Mr.. Carson he said slowly, and in
his politest tones: II understand that
you are quite an expert at geometry
should be glad to have you take the
chair today and conduct the class
Shorty gaZed at him. at loss for
a reply
Lieutenant Deagan,'' he said at last.
feebly, Greek is my strong point. not
geometry. I'm afraid I shouldn't do
credit to Prof. Bryan's teaching"
you must not be so modest, Mr.. Car
son. was the reply. Its a great mis-
take I really must insist upon your
taking the direction of the class today"
Shorty" knew this tone, and he re-
allied the folly of resistance. With a
resigned sigh. therefore, he walked TO
the seat intended for Prof. Bryan. Then
he hesitated.
''Sit down. Mr.. Carson, sit down." urg-
ed Lieutenant Deagan, and Shorty"
sank into the chair with the feeling that
he was sitting on an oyster. litter
went up from the onlookers, but Lieu
tenant 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, 81
shall be Obliged if you will give out the
problems for the day"
BY this time Shorty had somewhat