The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-04-27

Suddenly his eyes fell upon a table
In the corner, upon which lay the
contour map which Mr.. Wilson had
exhibited that day. The table was of
kind not unusual square central
portion, and two square wings, or
leaves, OF equal size, which could be
folded down out of the way. Partly
on one of these leaves lay the clay
map. II, by accident or design, the
catch of that leaf should jar loose, the
map would slip and smash to pieces
on the floor, land serve cid Wilson
right If it did," thought Treloar. He
looked at the map sullenly.
In moment of childish unreason-
ing annoyance he kicked the table
spitefully. To his astonishment the
catch Jared loose, and down fell the
map, an utter wreck, upon the floor.
Treloar's first impulse was to run;
his second to sweep up the pieces.
He had had no intention of breaking
the map; but now that it was broken,
he began to take a revengeful pleas
ure IN the feeling that Wilson had
got what he deserved. The breaking
of the map would be thought an ac-
cident. If any investigation followed.
he could not possibly be connected
with the affair. So, leaving the map
in ruin, he slipped cautiously out of
the farther door into the vacant hall.
and thence downstairs without hav-
ing seen soul.
Had he looked back, however, Just
as he was closing the door behind
him, he would have known that he
had not escaped unobserved. AS he
withdrew from the room into the hall,
another person entered itSfrom be-
yond, coming through the physics
room-one who had heard the crash
of the falling map, and who in the
single glimpse that was possible rec
ognized Will Treloar as he escaped.
But Treloar did not look back, and
therefore did not know.
Had he known, he could hardly
have felt more uncomfortable. He
was eYenteen-nearly grown up;
and after his fash Of anger was over.
he knew that he had taken the re-
venge of bad child. He had done a
mean, petty thing, and run away to
depress him were needed, he had it in
the realization that now his last
chance was gone-he certainly could
not again appeal to Mr.. Wilson for a
special examination nowi
He sat about the house that even
ing and tried to study. The next
morning he went over to see Kitty
Burton. Mrs. Burton informed him
that Kitty was not at home; she had
gone off somewhere to do some spe-
cial work in connection with her
studies.
On Monday morning, at the recess.
one of the monitors touched him on
the shoulder.
"Treloar, Mr.. Wilson wants to see
you in his Office" Treloar jumped.
What did this mean? OF course the
janitor must on Saturday have dis
covered the wreck of the map and in
formed Wilson. Treloar squared his
shoulders; at all events, he would not
lie out of it.
Wilson sat at his desk behind his
cleaning spectacles
"Sit down." he said. AZ have de-
cided to give you that special exam
ination you wanted in geology"
VIII could not believe his ears.
"What, sir?"
Il have decided to give you that
special examination. Mr.. Wilson
took off his spectacles, and his face
appeared younger and more friendly.
II may have been bit hard on you;
l don't know. l have been talking it
over with the principal. He says you
have good record, and he would
rather like to give you another
chance. And may tell you also that
one of the best students | have ever
had, who knows you, thinks / am
mistaken in my estimate of your
ability, and took the trouble to tell
me so. Under the circumstances, ]
have reversed my decision. When
do you want to try IT."
Treloar swallowed hare.
"Mr. Wilson," he said, OF guess
you don't know that it was 1 who
smashed your map"
1t was the instructors turn to be
startled.
"You what?S
Smashed your map-the contour
map you showed us Friday. 1 came
i'm here that afternoon to see you.
You were gone, but the map was on
the table. 1 was feeling mad. and ]
kicked the table, and It fell off and
smashed. l didn't really mean to do
it, but ! cut away then and didn't
say anything TO anybody. 1 suppose
you thought it was an accident"
-What on EARTH" said Mr.. Wilson
in amazement, "are you talking