Evening star., 1934-09-23

the signal for a little wave of smokers. Who
was this tall, well-built boy with all the hair,
the students wondered. He was a stranger
they knew, and they were willing to bet plenty
that he was from the country!
But the smiles and whispers were abruptly
ended by a sharp command from a tall, thin
woman who peered fiercely over her glasses at
the students. This was Miss Gustafson whose
home room this was, and while George made
himself as small as possible in corner, she
proceeded to assign the students to their seats
In alphabetical order.
While he waited for his name to be called,
George studied his various classmates. His
eye fell with particular interest on q boy and
girl who were standing close to him. The girl
was small and dark and very pretty and she
whispered almost constantly to the boy hand
some, well-setup youth with smoothly combed
hair.
pretty" murmured George to himself ap-
provingly. referring to the girl Then he eyed
her companion. Stuck on himself" he
grunted.
But his attention was brought back to Miss
Gustafson, who was now approaching the H's
In her assignment of seats.
Jack Graves" she called out. George saw
the handsome boy smile at the pretty girl and
walk with a bit of a swagger to his seat.
George Hickman" the teacher went on, and
George marched to the seat Immediately beside
Jack
Jack now seemed to notice George for the
first time. He turned and stared at him for
q moment, and an impudent smile appeared on
his face. Miss Gustafson was still calling out
names, but most Of the students had their eyes
on Jack, and again q few titters could be heard.
Jack was well aware that he was the center
Of attention. With elaborate care he leaned
over to George and pretended to pull something
out Of his long hair. Then he turned around
grinned. and announced, "Hayseeds!" in .
voice that every one could hear,
ripple Of laughter filled the class room but
It was abruptly terminated by another sharp
word from Miss Gustafson. George felt himself
blushing furiously, and he stared straight ahead.
trying to crush down the hot waves of resent
ment that were rising in him.
STEADY, there" he said to himself, as though
he were talking to the skittish colt that he
sometimes harnessed with Molly, the mare.
for the Spring plowtng. Don't let that fellow
get rise out of you. He's just smart aleck!"
A few minutes later the period ended, and
George arose to go to his first class. At the
door Jack Graves barred the way for a moment.
while . crowd collected. As George came up
to him he grasped his arm with an impudent
smile.
"You aren't sore, are you, Hick?" he inquired
with . friendly pat. 81 was just Kidding"
"Hck! Hick!" The other students who
heard the nickname grabbed at it in gieeful
whispers. George managed smile.
"Oh, that's all right" he said. Then he
pushed past Jack and began to search for his
class room.
He was about to enter it when he felt an
other. hand on his arm, and he turned to look
into the grinning face Of q short boy with
dark. curly hair and bright eyes.
"Hickman?" said this boy inquiringly. I'm
Ronnie Duncan, and I sit right in front Of you
In your home room. Just wanted to tell you
not to mind Jack Graves. He just wants
10 ride you q bit because you're new"
Sure" said George, II understand. But
thanks for telling me-"
20. K." said Ronnie Duncan. I'll see yoa
after final assembly"
George felt q warm glow Of pleasure He