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Read Ebook: The high school rivals by Webster Frank V
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Ebook has 1657 lines and 42110 words, and 34 pages
I THE RIVALS
II FACING SUSPENSION
V BRONSON TURNS THE TABLES
VI HIS FATHER'S FAILURE
X AN EVENTFUL WALK
XX AN INTERVIEW OF IMPORTANCE
The High School Rivals
THE RIVALS
"Nineteen hundred and twelve to the top steps! We're Second Form now! Top steps belong to the Second Form!" shouted four boys, redolent with health and life, as they dashed up the tree-lined walk leading to the Baxter High School, mounted the lower steps, and threw themselves into the coveted positions.
It was the opening day of school, and the spacious, shady grounds were alive with happy, wide-awake boys, and merry, laughing girls, renewing old acquaintances and closely scrutinizing all newcomers.
As the rallying cry rang out, other members of the Second Form broke away from those with whom they were talking and hastened to join the four leaders whom they hailed by the nicknames of Taffy, Soda, Lefty and Buttons, reminders of past exploits.
With envious glances at the proud Seconds, the Lower Form scholars gathered at the foot of the steps, eager to witness any fun that might transpire.
Conspicuous among them was a tall, thin boy, who carried a large bunch of books under his arm.
"Is that the meeting-place of the Second Form?" asked this lad, of the one nearest him.
"Uhuh."
"Thank you. I think I will join them."
Interference was now too late, had the Lower Form boy wished to finish his advice. For no sooner had the newcomer emerged from the ranks of the others standing at the foot of the steps than a girl, brunette, and very pretty, nudged her companion, who, though just as attractive, was of the blonde type, and giggled:
"Oh, Grace, look at that coming up the steps!"
This exclamation, being audible to the others, all the boys and girls turned their eyes in the direction of the new student, and watched his approach in a silence portentous in its intensity.
Even the newcomer felt its significance, and, as he reached the fourth step from the top, paused, hesitatingly.
Taking advantage of his evident embarrassment, the lad nicknamed Soda, making his voice very deep, demanded:
"What dost thou wish, Clothespin?"
The nickname was so appropriate that the boys and girls roared with laughter, adding still more to their victim's discomfiture.
Twice he cleared his throat, but the grinning faces of the boys and the mischievous eyes of the girls stifled his words and sent hot flushes to his cheeks.
"He's mine! I saw him first!" exclaimed another of the Second Formers, noting the newcomer's embarrassment. "Now, Clothespin, what is it you desire? Speak, or forever hold your tongue."
To the new student, the bantering seemed terribly real, and, after gulping several times, he stammered:
"Is this the Second Form?"
"Yea, verily, Clothespin, this is the Second Form--that is, the best part of it," returned Soda.
But if the students had been amazed by the newcomer's temerity in mounting the steps, they were dumfounded by his reply, as he bowed gravely:
"I am glad to meet you all. My name is James Appleby Bronson. I have passed my examinations to the Second Form."
An instant the students on the top step gazed from their new member to one another, then Soda arose, and, with a mocking wave of his hand, bowed low and commanded:
"Second Formers, rise and salute your fellow member, Mr. James Appleby Bronson, called Clothespin for short."
As though moved by a spring, the twenty-two members of the Second Form stood up and chorused:
"Welcome, Clothespin."
"Then I can sit with you?" asked the newcomer, looking toward Soda.
"You can sit on the top step, there by the railing," replied the leader, pointing to a place at the opposite side of the porch. "There are a few formalities to be settled before you can be really one of us."
Relieved that his torture was over for the moment, yet wondering what the "formalities" could be, Bronson started to take the seat by the rail, when the lad called Taffy exclaimed:
"Where are your credentials?"
"Credentials?" repeated the new student in surprise.
"Yes, your credentials. Didn't the Head give you a card?"
"Why, no. Mr. Vining said all I need do was to meet my instructors and enroll in the classes."
"It was very wrong in the Head to misinform you," began Taffy in mock solemnity, when he was interrupted by a voice shouting: "Here comes Bart Montgomery!"
Instantly cries of welcome greeted the announcement, and in the confusion Bronson was forgotten.
Glancing at the boy whose arrival had spared him further badgering, Bronson saw a tall, lithe fellow, with dark-hued, handsome face.
"Who is Montgomery?" he asked of the boy next him.
"What, you coming to Baxter and don't know Bart Montgomery?" returned the other. "Don't let anybody else hear you say so. He made the hit that won over Landon School last spring--the first time in four years. He's the best baseball and football player at Baxter, that's who Bart Montgomery is."
"No, he isn't, either," interposed another boy.
"Who's better?" demanded Bart's champion.
"Fred Markham."
"Don't you believe him, Clothespin!"
"Well, I don't know about his athletic standing, but I do know I don't like Mr. Montgomery's eyes," rejoined the latter; "he can't look you in the face."
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