Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-01-14
Why Shorty Loves !
y the Professor. ";
NORTHUMBERLAND NVTNJNT
BY ROBERT f. GIBSON.

nc HORTY" is Enthusiastically a 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 I will relate.
The professor and Shorty are ill
mated physically. Ny. Berry, although
five feet ten inches I'll height, weighs
less than 100 pounds. He is delicate,
and his voice is high pitched, but he
has 81 firm mouth and any amount of
sand" Still, he was rather looked
down on by the boys because of his
physical insignidcance until the day
came when he proved Shorty and
Shorty proved him.
The professor is only rs years of
age. The boys at the ,chool range
all the way from u tc e, as 1t is a
preparatory school for college.
Shorty Clough is Is and Gully five feet
three inches in height. Hic 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 hind, 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-
liberately misled him. Shorty was
proud and ne wished the professor to
think him lazy and negligent rather
than slow. Besides, Shorty took a boy
ish pride in his strength, and chafed
at the thought that any one so frail as
the professor should be in control of
him. So they did not get along we'll
together at first.
1t was the custom of Prof. Berry to
take the boys off on expeditions into
the country sometimes on a Saturday,
if 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 a cave had been discovered in a
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 a large wagon, having with us a
> long, strong rope, a lot of cord, an ak,
some tools, a 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 a hole in the ground?
We found the entrance on a hillside
in thick woods. els that all it is?"
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 I'M"
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
ak struck something and rested.
TITS not deep at ALL" Shorty said.
"No, 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 a 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 60 let down were wet!
well, that doesn't look very prom
Using, boys said the professor. "Le.
ns lower a light and get a view Of tho
sides. There may be off-shoots or per-
haps large openings"
Tho lantern was let down, but very
little could be distinctly made out.
Professor" said Shorty. "iet me 70 !