The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-05-08
HOW THE GREAT ''QUEERITY" PROBLEM WAS SOLVED

at Prairie oval packed with the pupils
from both schools with their friends
and families. Each event counted a
total Of six points, except the queerity,
which counted only one point The
other events counted three for a first,
two for a second and one for third.
But the queerity winner only scored
one, and second none. The scoring was
close as usual, and the crowd worked
itself into a frenzy of excitement as
the contest proceeded.
The queerity took place about the
middle of the program. Mr.. Hackett
had attended the meet invested with
his accustomed dignity. All through
the contests he never even changed the
expression on his severe face, and
stranger watching him would never
have dreamed he was principal or one
of the contendng schools. In fact, the
Grovevillers -jeering1y said it gave them
chills to look at him sitting up there
in the grandstand box; but that was
Mr.. Hackett's way.
Finally the queerity was reached
The two contestants mounted the over
turned barrels and each barrel was set
on the starting line The official an
nouncer then explained the new
stunt" to the audience. The distance
was 100 yards. and the boy who made
the distance still atop of his barrel
won. Every fall was penalized six feet.
Crack barked the starters pistol.
They're off, cried the crowd, and
literally one was. For no sooner had
they started than Bobs rival contestant
swerved violently and ran his barrel
directly into Bob. That racer flew into
the air and he landed heavily on the
ground.
Get up. Bob Get up!' screamed the
academy, and right then and there the
strange thing happened. Frank was
busily engaged trying to stand Bob
(who was dazed by the falD on his
barrel. when a deep voice shouted
command, and the next minute Mr.
Hackett-of all people!-was at his
side steadying Bob
Perhaps ii was the shock of discover
ing who this new assistant was that
worked over the partly stunned Bob.
Anyway, he Strengthened out wonder
fully and in a few seconds was rolling
along after his field in grand style.
But the other had a big start
Everbody's eyes were on Mr.
Hackett, and. realizing the undignified
position this sudden betrayal of inter
est had put him in, he walked Stiffiy
back into the grandstand. where he
watched the remainder of the race. 1t
was a splendid finish. If the open
ing fall had not put Bob so far
behind there would have been no
making him a scratch man." The
Groveviller reeled along on his barrel,
falling more than once and earning the
setback penalty. But, as Frank said
"Bob's style was faultless." If there
ever was a barrel trained to roll under
boys feet that barrel was. He grad
ually overhauled the other boy until
he brought his barrel up within few
feet of him.
They were now five feet from the fin
ish line. Superbly balancing himself
on his wabbling perch, with one SUI
preme effort, in which his dancing feet
flew so fast you could hardly see
them, Bob rolled his barrel over the
line-winner by six inches Academy
had won the queerity.
By winning 1T they also won the
track meet, as it afterward turned out
for the final score was SO close that the
one precious point 1T gave enabled
Academy to just beat Groveville.
But what puzzles me is the way Mr.
Hackett acted when Bob fell in the
queerity! Here he tries to help him to
win. after doing everything to make
him lose for a month" observed Jim
Spencer, after it was all over.
I'm not so sure about THAR eX-
claimed Frank. II think that what he
did at the queerity just gives him dead
away"
What do you mean?" demanded Jim.
Simply this. I'm going to put you
some questions. 1 never mentioned it,
but that morning when 1 sneaked the
barrel into the basement I'm positive
Hack saw me through a window. He
got there early that day. Then, why
didn't he ask me what l was doing with
that barrel?
"Now for the next question. Why did
he transfer Bob from the room to the
basement after he caught him red
handed, or rather legged, in the tran
som?
ALSO, why didn't he discover me in
the coal bin? He's nailed me for things
rye done in class that are a hundred
times more secretive.
"And lastly, why did he act the way
he did at the queerity?"
TN answer em all for you in just