The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-04-23
THE VENEER Of THE YEARS
BY WALTER CREEP.

taking a notebook and pencil in
his hand
my names Mr. Brown!" ans
wered Oscar promptly
But your Christian manner"
christian name? Why amt
no Christian and amt got no Chris
tian name yet. You see l haven't
jined the church yet"
But l mean what name did your
parents give your"
ooh, that's it, is it? My names
Oscar"
"And your age?"
81 don't exactly like to tell with
all these pretty girls sittin' so close
around" said Oscar, a humorous
twinkle in his eyes.
This caused the pupils to laugh
again and irritated the professor
But I must know your age If you
are to attend school here" he said
sternly. "How old are your"
well, if you've got to know, I'm
twenty year, goin' on twenty one."
did you ever go to- school here
before?" the teacher continued.
Eyes, about five year ago." Os-
car answered
I'm what department were you
then and what grader"
IL was in the grammar depart
ment and fourth grade, 1 think,
though I don't remember very well.
And what grade are you in
now?"
Same as Samantha" answered
Oscar, eyein the books in hopes that
he would find the number of the
Reader" on some of them!
How comes it then" the profess
sor asked, that you were in the
fourth grade four years ago when
you quit school, and are now in the
Sophomore grade in high SCHOOL,"
went to school at another place
Oscar informed him.
"Where?"
up at Louisville, while l was
visitin' my sister" Oscar smiled.
This was the master stroke, for it
seemed to satisfy the professor.
81 don't see how you went to
school up there, you were only
there month";" put in a meddle-
some student from across the isle.
How is that?" asked the profess
sor, turning to his new informant.
Il said he was in Louisville only
a month" answered the pupil
Then that being true" the
teacher continued, turning back to
Oscar, How is it you have made
up five years work in one month";"
II was-er-" Oscar was in
predicament and Samantha saw it,
and came to his rescue.
You see, Professor" she said
tactfully, ''he took summer course
in the University of Louisville
which comprised a general review
of the five-years work"
Il am glad you informed me-"
said Professor Jones sarcastically,
but no man can do five years work
in one month, no matter how hard
he Grams. So, Mr.. Brown, unless
you care to go back to the grammar
school, | Will have to give you an
examination to determine your
standing"
II amt goin' back to the garm-
mer school," said Oscar firmly.
Then you will take the examina
tion?"
mo, sir, | won't. I'm goin' in
this SophymOre grade or not go at
ALL"
Then you will not go at ALL"
The professor showed him the door.
Oscar arose awkwardly and picking
up his books, ambled out of the
door and down the steps amid the
uproarous laughter of the pupils.
This went hard with Samantha;
tears came into her eyes and she
had to choke down sob. The
students, noticingi that she was
about to cry, laughed again. Then
she rose and, turning to the teach
er, shouted: Take your old school
and go with it! Where Oscar can.
go, cant. You treated him rude
ly, you old wretch"
But, Miss samantha" he be-
gan.
Never mind any apologies or ex-
'uses! I'm not coming back to
his scshool any more as long as |
iye!" And she fled down the
steps, sobbing as she went. This
'alled forth loud laughter and ,
'heers from the pupils, for because
If her silly devotion to Oscar, she
vas fast losinP nnnuIarifv an,ona