The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-01-29
EWhy "Shorty' Loves:
! y the Professor. ";
Observation-Disclosures
BY ROBERT F. GIBSON,

nc HORTY" is Enthusiastically ia
y vorite with Prof. Berry, but not
the slightest touch of envy or jealousy
do the other boys feel. On the con-
trary, the friendship pleases the whole
school, For this there are reasons,
which will relate.
The professor and Shorty are ILL
mated physically. Mr.. Berry, although
five feet ten inches in height, weighs
less than 120 pounds. He is delicate,
and his voice is high-pitched, but he
has firm mouth and any amount of
sand" Still, he was rather looked
down on by the boys because of his
physical insignificance until the day
came when he proved Shorty and
Shorty proved him.
The professor is only Is years of
age. The boys at the school range
all the way from IL to %, as it is a
preparatory school for college.
Shorty Clough is IS and only FIVE feet
three inches in height. His real name
Is Charles. What he lacks in height
he makes up in breadth. There are all
sorts of stories about his strength
and the feats he has performed.
Shorty is rather slow of mind, al
though not stupid. If allowed sufficient
time he can imbibe and retain as much
knowledge as any of his quicker class
mates. The professor would early
have learned this if Shorty had not de-
Gberately misled him. Shorty was
proud and he wished the professor to
think him lazy and negligent rather
than slow. Besides, Shorty took boy
ish pride in his strength, and chafed
ut the thought that any one so frail as
the professor should be in control of
him. So they did not get along well
together at first.
1t was the custom of Prof. Berry to
take the boys off on expeditions into
the country sometimes on Saturday,
II it did not interfere with athletics
expeditions for the purpose of studying
the geology and mineralogy of the sur
rounding country. So when we learned
that cave had been discovered in q
wood some Is miles to the northwest
we were sure the professor would take
us to visit it, especially as rumor told
wondrous things of the cave-for in
stance, that it went straight down into
the earth and had no bottom!
One Saturday soon after we set out
In large wagon, having with us
long. strong rope, a lot of cord, an ak,
some tools, lantern and plenty of
luncheon. There were eight boys with
the professor. Shorty was one of us,
and all had gladly volunteered for the
day.
We arrived about ten o'clock at the
farm on which the cave was said to be,
and the farmer told us we could do
anything we pleased in the cave. He
took no interest in it. What was it,
anyhow, but hole in the ground?
We found the entrance on a hillside
In thick woods. SIS that all it isl"
said one boy, as we gathered round an
opening in the ground almost circular
and about eight feet in diameter.
There were three trees close to the
edge, and the trunk of one on the
lower side leaned out somewhat over
the opening. We gazed down, but had
not light enough to see anything be-
low, as the trees met overhead, and
there was no direct light from the sky.
One of the boys began to let the rope
down. We'll see how deep it u.s." he
said.
"You can't tell that way!" exclaimed
Shorty. without a weight on your
rope how will you know when it strikes
bottom? Besides. you ought to tie the
rope to something first. Suppose it
should slip and drop int"
Shorty took the rope and tied it firm
ly to the trunk of the small overhang-
ing tree; then he tied the ak to the
other end and let it down. When
about rs feet had been dealt out the
az struck something and rested.
Its not deep at ALL" Shorty said.
mo, I'm wrong" he added, hastily, as
he jerked the rope and found the ak
dropping lower. THAT must be a
ledge"
Eyes, l can see it now" said a boy
who was lying down peering over the
edge.
"How much rope have you let out ?"
asked the professor, who had been ar
ranging his lantern and notebook and
tools.
about 60 feet, I think, sir. All. now
1t stops!'" exclaimed Shorty.
well, tie string around the rope
where you are holding it and then draw
1t up. and We can measure it," directed
the professor.
Shorty did so, and the lower ten feet
Of the so let down were wet!
"Well, that doesn't look very prom
Using, boys" said the professor. LET
us lower light and get view of the
sides. There may be off-shoots or per-
haps large openings"
The lantern was let down, but verv
little could be distinctly made out.
Professor" said Shorty. ''let me 20
down on the rope and see what's there.
One of the boys can lower the lantern
on cord.''
II suppose it is safe enough and you