Part 1 (1/2)
The Heroes of the School.
by Allen Chapman.
CHAPTER I
EXPELLING A PUPIL
”What are you looking so glum about this morning, Stumpy?” asked Ned Wilding as he greeted his chum, Fenn Masterson, otherwise known as ”Stumpy” because of his short, stout figure. ”Haven't you got your lessons, or are you going to be expelled?”
”I'm not to be expelled but some one else is, Ned.”
”What's that? Some one going to be expelled?” asked Bart Keene, coming up in time to hear what Fenn said.
”John Newton is,” replied Stumpy.
”What's that got to do with you?” asked Bart, for, as had Ned, he noticed that Fenn looked worried.
”It might have something to do with me if John--”
Just then the bell of the Darewell High School began to ring, and, as it was the final summons to cla.s.ses the three boys and several other pupils hurried into the building. On the way up the stairs Ned Wilding was joined by a tall youth with dark hair and eyes.
”What's this I hear about John Newton?” asked the tall lad.
”h.e.l.lo, Frank! Why Stumpy says John's got to leave the school, but it's the first I heard about it.”
”Are they going to expel him this morning?”
”Seems so. We'll soon know.”
A little later several hundred boys and girls were gathered in the auditorium of the school for the usual morning exercises. When they were over the princ.i.p.al, Professor McCloud, came to the edge of the platform.
”I have a very unpleasant duty to perform,” he began.
Most of the boys and girls knew what was coming. The princ.i.p.al never prefaced his remarks that way unless he had to expel a pupil. Ned and Bart looked over toward where Fenn sat. They wanted to see if there was any reason for Stumpy's seeming apprehension.
”John Newton!” called Professor McCloud, and a tall youth, with eyes that squinted slightly, left his seat and shambled forward.
”It's coming now,” whispered Fenn, and Frank Roscoe, who was sitting beside him, looked at his chum and wondered.
”Any one would think it was you who had to face the music,” declared Frank.
By this time John Newton was standing in front of the raised platform on which the princ.i.p.al and teachers sat during the morning exercises. He did not seem to mind the humility or disgrace of his position. He turned half around and looked toward Fenn.
”If he says anything--” began Stumpy, whispering to himself, but he did not finish the sentence for Professor McCloud was speaking.
”John Newton,” the princ.i.p.al said, ”I am deeply grieved that I have to do this. It is very painful.” It was the same speech the pupils had heard before. The princ.i.p.al always used it, with such slight variations as might be necessary. ”You have been dilatory in your studies. You have been insubordinate. You have played mean tricks. You have refused to mend your ways.”
The princ.i.p.al took a long breath. He always did at this particular point in his painful duty. But this time there was a variation from the usual scene. John Newton stepped forward and addressed the princ.i.p.al. It was a thing unheard of in the Darewell school.
”Professor McCloud,” said John, ”I want to say that while I'm partly to blame in this matter, Fenn Mas--”