The boys of Columbia High on the diamond

by Graham B. Forbes

But there were ten to one who looked terribly stunned, and found it hard to realize that the boy they had all admired as a shining example of honesty and candor could even be accused of so despicable a thing as this, the smallest, meanest cheat of which any student could be guilty.

“I wish to state right here, Frank, that I believe you are speaking the exact truth,” said the professor, with one of his rare smiles; “and I’m going to explain just what I mean by that, if you will all sit back in your seats and listen.”

The silence became profound. Even Lef had drawn within his shell, so to speak, at this unexpected remark from the Head, as if he might have been a cautious old tortoise. He scented trouble from afar, and was preparing to put on an innocent look. When Lef was really on his guard, it would require a keen eye indeed to detect guilt in his face. He could stare any one in the countenance and lie out of any hole deliberately and vehemently.

“In the first place,” went on the principal, “I have always set it down as an absolute fact that in nine cases out of ten an anonymous communication is the work of a sneak, a coward, and generally a criminal, who wants to throw dust in the eyes of possible pursuers, so as to effect his own escape. Either that, or else it is his intention to ruin the reputation of the party he accuses.

“It might give me more or less embarrassment, though not anxiety, in the premises, Frank, on account of this paper being found on your person, only for one thing. And that was just where circumstances conspired to make the wretch who could so miserably plot to harm a fellow student, overreach himself.

“After I had placed those papers in my desk, I went straight to the gymnasium, where you were practising, and called you aside. In my company you went to ascertain about certain matters that you had called to my attention, and where repairs were absolutely necessary. And I wish to state emphatically that during the half hour I was from my room Frank Allen was actually at my side every minute of the time until I stepped into my office again!”

He paused, as if to let the effect of his statement sink into the minds of the whole assemblage. Then there came a ripple that immediately broke into a deluge of cheers, until the entire building seemed to vibrate with the tremendous volume of sound.

Nor did Principal Parke raise a hand to assuage the voluntary tribute to the popularity of the boy who had been under so unjust a suspicion! Mr. Amos Wellington, one of the other men teachers, raised a hand feebly, but who cared for his protest when the Head, by his silence, gave tacit consent to the shouts.

Then Professor Parke bent over and offered his hand to Frank, which action was the occasion for more cheers and a tiger, as well as the school yell. There certainly had never been such an extraordinary spectacle seen in old Columbia High during the twenty years of its existence.

And Lef shouted just as loudly as the rest! He did not dare hold back, lest suspicion be turned his way. He was trembling in his shoes even then as the enormity of his iniquity burst upon him. What if the janitor, Soggy Dolan, had glimpsed him when he slipped out of the office, for the latter had gone past with a step ladder on his shoulder, and might have turned his head, unknown to the culprit.