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

A boy and girl, each about seven
teen years old, stood outside the
main entrance of the Fairport High
school. A tall, rather severe-looking
young man emerged, blinked at them
moment through his glasses, then
nodded courteously as he passed.
Good evening, Mr.. Wilson," said
the girl; but the boy, his young face
hardening, did not acknowledge the
teachers salutation.
BEAST" he muttered, when the
other had passed on.
why, Will, what's the matter?"
Hes thrown me off the baseball
team, Kitty; that's ALL" The voice
was bitter.
"He HASN'T"
"He has, though"
"What for?"
I'm below grade, he says. It's
simple meanness. 1 hate geology,
and he knows it-that's all. I've
been late three or four times, and
every time he has called on me before
/ got there, and marked me zero when
/ didn't answer. Then, of course.
I've missed two field trips-his own
fault for setting them on days when
the team had big game"
And you can't pitch a week from
Saturday against Wareham?"
Treloar shook his head. IF he'd
give me special examination 1 could
pass it. But he won't. Says I've
had as much chance as anybody, and
my being an athlete, as he calls it.,
is no reason for giving me special
favors. He's simply dirt-mean, Kitty,
that's all. 4"
Kitty, troubled, protested. "You
know how hard he has worked to
make geology interesting the last
two years, viii, and how much time
he's given to field trips, and how the
classes have enjoyed them. Last year
we had a splendid time. 1 liked
geology better than anything else.
But 1 don't understand now"
Il tell you," repeated Will, with
pessimistic sincerity, "he hates me
because l don't like it; because 1
don't care a cent about his confound-
ed old rocks"
But if you can't pitch" began
Kitty.
Latham must do its
"Then we shall lose" Kitty's
voice was tragic.
Shouldn't wonder" Something
of the girls sympathy. however,
reached the boys angry heart.
Never mind, Kitty; I'll bear up, l
guess, and so will the team. Only
Treloar's eyes grew dark again-"I
mean to get even with old Wilson
somehow"
There was plenty of discussion and
plenty of disapproval in the high
school over Mr.. Wilson's action.
Treloar was not only by far the best
pitcher in the baseball squad; he was
also one of the most popular boys in
school. He had never before failed
In his work, and the belief was gem
eral that he should be given another
chance. But Mr.. Wilson, not long out
of college, and not yet the oppor-
tunist which most teachers sooner or
later are driven to become, stead
lastly refused to give Treloar a spe-
cial examination. He taught physics
also, but geology was his hobby, and
Treloar's obvious and outspiken dis
like of the work he toiled so hard and
so enthusiastically to popularize had
not endeared the boy to Wilson. So
much was true. On the other hand
in conditioning Treloar, Wilson had
been absolutely just; in fact, he was
incapable OF injustice. He had still
to learn, however, the wisdom of
mercy.
On the Friday following TreIoar's
talk with Kitty Burton, Mr.. Wilson
exhibited to the class in geology what
he called "a contour map" It was
clay modelling, in relief. of an inter
esting section of the neighborhood of
Fairport to the south. 1t showed
ravines, mounds, slopes, water
courses and watersheds. ana by cross
sectionins indicated the underlying
strata.
This" he explained, "was made
by one Of my students last year. It is
very good; good enough to be pre-
served as a model. / shall expect
each member of the class, as n part
OF the final examination, to prepare a
similar map" There was a groan
from the class. Wilson, with slight
smile, continued: at is not expected
that your performances equal this
one; but I shall keep It before you,
that you may have the opportunity
Of studying it."
That afternoon, about half-pasi
four, VIII Treloar returned to the
Science wing" as It was called, OF
the high school building. He wished
to see Mr.. Wilson. The Wareham
game, hardly a week off. was lost un.
less he could play; and he meant to
make a last appeal for a special exam
ination, although he had no hope OF
It's being granted. He entered the
physics room, but It was empty:
passed on to the room reserved for
geology, and found that empty also.
"Mr Wilson," he called. 90 Mr.
Wilsoni" His voice echoed back tc
him from the specimen-lined walls
but there was no other answer
Somehow he felt additionally az
grieyed by Wilson's absence. III
opened the door into the hall beyond
and looked out Nobody there. From
the west window of the geology room
he could see the great vacant lot,
block away. where the team wa,
practicing, and hear the shouts OF en-,
players. His anger against Wilson