“This morning, in my recitation before Instructor Moehler, I was required to deduce a formula which I did by a method not given in the book, but which is correct. Mr. Moehler said this was wrong and refused to listen to my explanation, and informed me he had marked me zero.
“The demonstration is appended exactly as it appeared on the blackboard. I respectfully request it be sent to the head of the department of mathematics, and that if zero is not the proper worth of this demonstration, my mark of this morning be changed.”
Professor Scott was full of delight at Ralph’s original demonstration and of anger toward Mr. Moehler. “You will mark this paper, sir,” he said to the latter, his own voice trembling with indignation, “and you will change Mr. Osborn’s mark to correspond. And let me tell you, sir, if any further reports of this kind come I shall recommend your discharge. This is as fine a piece of original work as I’ve ever seen. It deserves a 4 and you marked it 0. Mr. Osborn is number one in his class; if you have occasion to mark him less than 4.0 in his future recitations you will inform me immediately.”
Mr. Moehler was chagrined to the last degree and correspondingly apologetic, but Professor Scott’s anger was not to be soothed. He required the instructor to inform Ralph that his mark was changed to 4.0.
Four days later at the end of an hour’s recitation, Ralph, with the rest of his section, at Mr. Moehler’s order, marched from the room. As is customary Mr. Moehler followed them out, saw them form and march away. He then went back in the section room.
“Shall I rub out, suh?” inquired the colored man.
“Wait a minute; I’ll just see if I’ve everything marked. What’s that?” he suddenly exclaimed in great amazement, and an expression of hot anger crossed his face. “Don’t rub out a thing, do you understand? Leave everything just as it is.”
“Yes, suh.”
Mr. Moehler then went to the corridor and calling for an attendant, sent him to Professor Scott with a request for the latter to come to the recitation room immediately.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Moehler?” demanded Professor Scott, a moment later; “you look excited.”