Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-18
THE TRILOBITE CLUB
BY WILLIAM NJ. ROWND.
Qn Two Parts.)
DART

The senior class at Grandson School was
in tumult. The old professor of geology
had been called to higher position. We
knew all about that when school closed in
June; but we did not expect, on our re-
turn in September, to see in his place a
slender boyish-looking fellow, who had
just graduated from college.
II tell you It's too bad" grumbled Will
Tompkins to his chum. What can he
know"
THE trustees ought to know that this
school is not a kindergarten" was the
sympathetic reply.
when we take the annual trip in Octo-
Der they will call US the baby band" de-
clared Will.
This brought a groan from the whole
class. Each year the professor of geology
was accustomed to take the senior class On
a geological trip. We had been looking
forward to 1t with high anticipations. A
week of October spent in roaming over the
hills, visiting romantic stone lodges and ex-
ploring coal mines was not to be regarded
lightly by students who were usually shut
up to the routine of classroom work. To
add to the enjoyment, the former professor,
who had been very popular, always took
the lead; and, Notwithstanding his years,
was almost as much boy at heart as any
one in the class. The youthful appear
dLCc VI Oui new uCloI llOl plCetoO
us.
I'll pretend to be sick and stay at home"
declared Harry Jones.
Wen take him in coal mine and lose
him." said Tom Lawrence.
But, while we complained in private,
there was something about the young pro-
fessor that prevented any liberties in the
class room.
AS the time for the geological trip drew
near, the spirits of the class revived a little.
All the dignity Of a senior could not le-
sist the excitement of preparation. Even
our aversion to the professor was almost
forgotten. On SO important an occasion
a special name for the class must be cnos-
en-. Some of the more sedate pupils wero
contented to be called .'Geologizers." Most
classes, however, selected a special name.
Some called themselves "Millerites,'' after
the famous stone cutter and geologist.
( Some preferred to be known as the "Agas-
siz' club. One class had taken the more
commonplace title of THE Tack Hammer
Brigade" But the class of 1S9- was de-
termined to distinguish itself by taking
striking name. All the ingenuity of the
class was exercised, but no one could think
of suitable word. 1t was settled for us
at last by lucky find" One day Harry
Jones brought into the class room fossil
rare for that region. From its peculiar
shape he thought 1t was a petrified butter
ty. But the professor said, That's a
Trilobite. Where did you find it?'
Before a reply could be made, John lib
bits, who was class president, shouted:
That's the name for our classi"
The following Monday the Trilobte Club
set out for a weeks trip. The nearest
coal mine was about thirty miles distant
by rail.
On arriving at a little village near the
first mine we were to Inspect we marched
in regular order, keeping time to our songs
greatly to the admiration of the children,
who quickly gathered and evidently sup
posed we were minstrel troupe
When we had reached the mine the pro-
fessor had arranged with the mine boss
to be our guide The entrance to this nrine
was on a level with the valley. 1t was
like long, dark cave. From the nam
line of the railroad a track extended into
the mine. so that loaded cars could be
drawn out by small engine. After al
tachfng miners lamps to our hats, we en-
tered the tunnel. walking along the rail-
road tracks with our guide.
The darkness was but little relieved by
our lamps, but our guide was familiar with
the way. We had advanced some distance,
and had become familiar with the coal
formation, when rumbling in the distance
told of coming car. The train of empty
cars was surely backing in. Could they
have forgotten US? A glance at our guide
partly treasured US. AS the noise of the
car increased in volume we began to crowd
to the froat to be as far possible from
the danger. No one was willing to be the
hindmost The professor said nothing but
from the quiet twinkle of his eyes some of
US knew that he understood. No one spoke
guide and the professor, each betrayed his
anxiety The roar Of the train seemed just
upon US when our feelings were relieved
by the sudden appearance of one coal car
drawn by a donkey. The mine boss inform
ed US that owing to the low roof of that
part of the mine the engine could not come
so far.
1 have not space to relate all the history
Of that week. We were IN search Of knowl-
edge and adventure, and we found enough
| to satisfy us before the week was over.
On our return to the village in the even
| ing we learned to our dismay that a wash
out on the railroad would make 1t neces-
sary for US to walk about fifteen miles to
reach the next mine. Here was the chance
| to humble our professor. The class entered
| into the plot, and at 0 OF clock next morning
Harry Jones. VIII Tompkfns and /, who
Were the oldest and prided ourselves on
athletic feats started in advance with the
professor. The rest of the class were to
walk slower and toward noon were to hire
farmers wagon and ride part of the way.
We athletic fellows were to walk until the
professor was used up and then run away
| from him. was ashamed of the plan later.
but at that time 1t seemed noble thing.
| inspired by class spirit. We gave no
thought to what It might possibly mean to