The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-22
ed and the objection was sustaine
by the court.
Plaintiff Taught Algebra.

ed and the objection was sustained
by the court.
Plaintiff Taught Algebra.
1t was brought out that Chance
had taught about 100 students, d.
vided into six classes and that he
taught algebra most of the time. He
testified that he had no difficulty
with the students as far as he could
determine. When questioned as to
whether or not Superintendent Sper-
ry ever visited the rooms, he re-
piled in the affirmative, saying that
the superintendent had done so sew
eral times, but not for the purpose
of watching how he did things, but
to look after the ventilation.
Mr.. Chance also stated that Su-
perintendent Sperry had approved of
his methods and then gave some
minute and detailed examples OF
some algebraic problems. According
to Mr. Chance, Professor Norby also
came to his room at times and acted
in an approving manner.
At this juncture Mr.. Chance took
the jury and the entire court into
his confidence and began to initi-
ate them into the deep mysteries
of algebra, and to show that he had
a wonderful ability in presenting the
subject to the students in opposition
to the contentious that he used too
much "ponderosity' in explaining the
arithemtical problems. He began to
unwind a mysterious lot of explana-
ton about the exponent three, what
ever that is, and to show that in
working out problems of algebra, in
which the exponent three was used,
his methods were as correct as the
laws of Moses were wise.
Now and then it could be noticed
that the large throng present smiled
pleasantly as the problems We're ex-
planned to the jurymen, who began
to grow trife listless when the Ca
ponent three was sprung on them re-
peatedly. But the detailed methods
of explanation must have taught the
jurymen how to figure out the most
complicated problems, how to raise
sixty bushels of wheat where thirty
now grow. They were taken away
from their pleasures, for the short
hand of the clock pointed directly
over five, and Judge Pau thought it
was about time to stop for a
breathing spell, the gavel sounded
and the school children filed out as
methodically and quietly as you
please.
Chance Is Cross-Examined.
Mr. Chance remained on the wit
ness stand all this morning and his
attorney, Miles Porter, finished the
direct questioning soon after the con-
vening of court. S. B. Wilson, at
torney for the defendant, then took
up the cross examination.
Mr.. Chance attempted to answer
the questions indirectly and evasive-
ly, but Attorney Wilson demanded
direct answers to his questions and
the case vert on faster than during
the direct examination.
MT. @SldllCe lO1u vi ulo SOllf Vi 90
lions with Mr.. Sperry regarding the
principalship. He said that Mr..
Sperry told him he would not ap-
prove of his election to that posi-
ton because he had not had enough
experience. Mr.. Chance then told oil
receiving the letter from Mr.. Sperry
in which it was stated that the
board was not satisfied with his work
and he was requested to resign. The
letter was read in court. Mr.. Chance
said that. Mr.. Sperry came to his
room one morning before classes
were called and said: "Mr. Chance,
| have an unpleasant duty to per
form" He then gave the letter to
Mr.. Chance, who read it and said
that he would not make any reply TO
| it at that time. Mr.. Chance testl'
fled that he showed the letter to
DIR. w. A. Beach, DR.. ]. S. Holbrook,
John E. Regan and Joseph Blissen-