Port Huron High School - Student Yearbook (Port Huron, MI)

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Down in Latin The principal of Court High School sat at the desk in his private office. A sharp knock on the door caused him to lift his head and call, “Come in! Oh! it’s you, Dean. What can I do for you?” The young man who had entered was tall, just missing six feet bv a very few inches, and good looking, tho’ not too much so. His face wore a very down hearted expression which did not change as he spoke. “Mr. Gavis, the coach has told me that I can ' t play in the Hartford game and I wish to speak to you about it.” “Why, how’s that Dean? I thought you were one of our strongest players.” “It isn’t that, sir; I’m down in Latin.” Oh yes, I remember. But you know our rules Dean. We must be very strict about such things. Let’s see, what were your standings?” He reached for the record and opened it. “Dean — ; Algebra 80, History 78, Latin 45 — pretty low.” “But I wanted to ask you if I couldn’t get Mr. Green to give me another examination.” I will try to help you Dean. If you can find Mr. Green bring him here please.” Dean soon reappeared with the Latin instructor following him. ‘Air. Green, Dean is down in Latin, I hear. Do you think it would be advisable to give him another test so he can play in the Hartford game?” “Well, to tell the truth, Mr. Gavis, Dean has been doing pretty poor work this year. I hardly believe he could make up so much.” “If you will give me this chance, Mr. Green, I am sure I can make it,” pleaded the young man, looking more dejected than ever. The instructor glanced inquiringly at the principal who 13

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Not that he was Wooden. He might have been a live wire if he Hadn’t had so much Resistance. He had the Rep. of being a Savoir in his Home Town. He merely suffered from Hysteresis of the Brain. His intellect was Mildewed from Lack of Exercise, for you don’t have to think to read the “Cosmo” you know. That is only a form of Disease and he had never been Vaccinated with the Serum of Common Sense. At least, if he Had, it never took. No mere Myers’ Ancient History could come be- tween him and his Geo. Barr McCutcheon. When the fall term was well on its way he gave it the Once over and said, “Fruit, My line of Bull will see me through. I’ll make the Faculty crawl upon its knees and eat out of my Hand. There ain’t that teacher living that I can’t Bluff for a 75.” Wherein he showed that he wot not of what he Spake. October he boned not at all, and, dunked hopelessly in Algebra. November, he boned a little more and failed in a couple of other Subjects. December, he began to See the Chirograph} on the Wall and considered the Late Lights Prop- osition. But the teachers were Wise to his Kind; they had his Number and gave him the Thumbs down. January, the review month, was a Straw for the drowning Boob to clutch, but he couldn’t fill the Vacuum it took Four months to create. In the mid-vear exams Some one hit him A’ith a Codfish ball, Soon his trunk and Satchel were in the hall, Soon he paid his “Y” bill at the Secretary’s desk and Soon a little P. M. train was carrying him west. And now he is jerking Sodas at $5.00 per. Moral: — A week of Boning in September is worth six in January. —DOROTHY DUNCAN, ’17. “Bridget, why did you let that policeman kiss you?’’ “It’s against the law to resist an officer, ma’am.” 1 2

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after a minute’s reflection nodded smilingly at him and said, “Well, Mr. Green, if you arc willing to help the boy, I will give my permission.” Rising and laying a hand on Dean’s shoulder, he continued, “I wish you would devote a little of your foot ball energy to your studies. Dean. We should sure- ly have cause to be proud of you then. I hope you will make good use of this opportunity.” Dean thanked them both and then hurried outside to tell the good news to Balmer, the captain of the eleven, who was waiting for him. “Did you get it? Hurrah! Now I’ll make you work. No more nights for you Dean; but I’ll help, old man.” That evening at seven sharp, Dean’s tutor came prepared to spend the first of a number of nights battling with Latin verbs. After a combined search they managed to find a Latin grammar, and then sat down to find out just how much he did know. “I guess I’ll have you conjugate ‘sum’ first, Mr. Dean,” said Balmer, assuming what he imagined to be a teacher’s manner in the school room. Dean started bravely, getting- thru the present tense with ease, faltering on the past, and breaking down completely on the future. “It’s no use Balmer,” he cried, ”1 can’t do it. I ' ll never be able to pass that test. ” Balmer gazed wonderingly at him. “Well, I’ll say you don’t know much aboim it. myself. How did you ever get thru the first year?” “I don’t know. I’m going to give up the whole thing.” “See here. Dean, you’ll have to stop talking like this. You know if I put a sub in your place he’ll lose his head. I’m here to help you .and I’ll try to find out what Mr. Green is going to give you on your test.” True to his promise, he arrived the next night armed with the desired information, and night after night found them in Dean’s room, coats off, going earnestly thru Caesar’s retreats and advances. Two weeks later, confident of passing his examination. 14